sknydave
Active Member
Uhh so what exactly DID you do? You didn't do the Simpsons or Jaws? You went to Shrek and called it a day?
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Please help a first time visitor that has never been to Universal
- Thread starter DreamFlight911
- Start date
Uhh so what exactly DID you do? You didn't do the Simpsons or Jaws? You went to Shrek and called it a day?
WDWKat26
New Member
Then i'm sorry but you have no reason to complain. My friend and I go there once a week, and even during the Summer time when crowds were at their peak, we were still able to do plenty of things. As a former Entertainment performer at Disney, i've seen numerous shows at Universal and watched the same performers give their ALL week after week. There's some shows at Disney where the people and characters show how tired they are day after day and it's VERY obvious. I should know, i'm guilty of being one of them.
I'd ride Men in Black over Buzz Lightyear any day.
Mummy still scares me every time, Everest kinda wore off after the 3rd ride.
And of course, i'd still watch Sinbad or Beetlejuice over any show at Epcot.
Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and worked there for 4 years. But, there are some things at Universal that surpass Disney in terms of quality and showmanship. A lot of people criticize Universal because there's no "Magic", but there's no "Magic" at Busch Gardens, Cedar Point or Six Flags. So, why criticize Universal? I like that the performers and employees are down to earth, and don't fake being nice to you. I've only experienced one Employee who was rude, everyone else has been genuinely nice to me and my friend. I'm all about making people happy, but you can tell when someone's faking it, which seems to be what a lot of CM's are doing nowadays at Disney.
Skip
Well-Known Member
To the animatronics comment, I disagree - while in general Disney has better AAs, Universal's AAs are nothing to sneeze at (Mummy, ET, Jurassic Park, Cat in the Hat, Men in Black). Plus, Universal can keep most of their AAs reliable (Hopping Brer Rabbit, Yeti)...
Agreed, Universal just has a certain richness to it. I still LOVE going to Disney, though.
And with Spiderman, agreed 100%. To any first time rider the ride is jaw-dropping - and even after riding it over 25 times I still love it. Nothing at Disney comes close.
Here are a few particular superior Universal attractions to those who say Disney is always superior -
Men in Black >>> Buzz Lightyear
Terminator 2:3D >> Any Disney 3D show
The Simpsons Ride > Star Tours
Revenge of the Mummy > Expedition Everest
Disaster > Backlot Tour
Popeye >>> Kali River Rapids
Cat in the Hat > Pretty much any standard Disney dark ride
One Fish Two Fish > Dumbo (One Fish Two Fish is just more fun and feels worthwhile)
Spiderman >> Any Disney Ride
-Skip
khelinski
New Member
Universal's AA's are half-______, at best.
Lets give a good prime example.
Mummy ride. Anyone notice, the mummy doing 'the robot', each and every time it functions.
E.T. Ride. Mind you, this is my second favorite attraction of all time, the first half of the ride is with ty AA's (the black AA with the radio moves its head, but notice the mouth not moving while it talks). E.T. at the tail end of the ride, is amazing though. Great detail - plus the entire atmosphere of the ride beats any type of ride like this at Disney. Just is depressing to see crappy AA's in the very beginning.
And - Jurassic Park. All the AA's on that ride sucks, with an exception of T-Rex. I wish they would fix it up...
I still prefer Universal over Disney - but have to be truly honest on certain things...
And I disagree with T2. The pre-show film could use the digital redo, as well as the 3D print. In my person opinion, Shrek is the best 3D attraction, end of story. Although I am STILL ed it invaded my number one favorite attraction of all time. It still can't be denied the flawless digital presentation. Disney is finally coming around in the digital world with the Toy Story ride. Would be nice to see them transfer their old prints to digital (starting with Star Tours).
WDWKat26
New Member
Haha, I love watching the Mummy do the robot! It always makes me laugh
I don't believe that the AA's at Universal live up to the ones at Disney. The Yeti is a lot more realistic than the Mummy.As for Shrek, I actually hated that ride. I thought it was a waste of my time and the pre show was WAY too long. The 3-D effects were so-so, but if i'm doing anything 3-D at Universal it's going to be Spiderman.
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
Well, I was going to multi-quote, but there's too much to do.
Suffice to say, this is opinion vs. opinion and we can agree to disagree. However, I was with a group of six adults on Friday night and we all left with the same opinion of the place. I've heard a lot of good things about USF and went with an open mind and looking forward to riding things for the first time. However, it just didn't measure up for me.
The best attraction was Mummy, though way too short. The ride finished and a guy in our group looked at me and at the same time we said, "That's it?" Good ride, just over too soon. Next best was MIB, though I still prefer Buzz. Disaster was just that--the lamest of lame, agreed by all who went on the trip, not just our group.
Universal has a long way to go to meet the standard set by Disney.
In my opinion...:wave:
Suffice to say, this is opinion vs. opinion and we can agree to disagree. However, I was with a group of six adults on Friday night and we all left with the same opinion of the place. I've heard a lot of good things about USF and went with an open mind and looking forward to riding things for the first time. However, it just didn't measure up for me.
The best attraction was Mummy, though way too short. The ride finished and a guy in our group looked at me and at the same time we said, "That's it?" Good ride, just over too soon. Next best was MIB, though I still prefer Buzz. Disaster was just that--the lamest of lame, agreed by all who went on the trip, not just our group.
Universal has a long way to go to meet the standard set by Disney.
In my opinion...:wave:
Timmay
Well-Known Member
Mummy is better than RnR
MIB is better than Buzz
Dudley is better than Splash Mountain
Bluto's is better than Kali
Shrek is better than all but Philharmagic
*whew*
JP is better than Dinosaur
and Spidey is better than everything.
Hope that helps.
WDWKat26
New Member
I agree with those, the only one I don't agree with however is Shrek vs. Philharmagic. I love Philharmagic, I believe that Shrek stunk and was a waste of my time lol
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
Gee, it's too bad my likes and dislikes don't measure up to your lofty and superior expectations.
Mummy is longer because of length of time or length of track? It would have been a great ride if it hadn't stopped and started so much. EE's backward section blows Mummy's section out of the water. As it is, Mummy is a good ride, but could've been better.
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
I don't agree, but I'll take your word for it. Bottom line, I just didn't care for USF.
krankenstein
Well-Known Member
I agree with all but 3 of yours.
I think Splash is a better attraction than Dudley, Don't get me wrong, Dudley is a heck of a lot more thrilling, plus you get drench. Overall though, I think Splash owns Dudley.
Philharmagic is better than Shrek, IMO. Sure, Shrek's seats move, but overall I like Philharmagic better.
Lastly, I prefer Dinosaur to Jurassic Park. I am a huge JP fan, I used to watch the movie at least once a month. However, I think Universal dropped the ball with this one. The franchise deserved a lot ore than what it got. Dinosaur is just better IMO.
khelinski
New Member
I agree with all but one of yours.
Yes, Splash Mountain is indeed - a better overall attraction to Dudley. But there are pros and cons to that. Splash Mountain is a very period-esque raciest attraction, much like the film it represents (and it is a damn shame it will never see the light of DVD). And Dudley is a much more thrilling ride (it's a wet ride you ACTUALLY get wet, WHO KNEW?!?) But the AA's on that ride is so ________ poor, making Splash Mountain more superior by default.
And I agree with JP on everything you said. Some reason, Dinosaur is more thrilling than that 85-foot drop on JP. JP has the atmosphere down, but lacked the efficiently of the AA's. When you have little kids laughing at how cheesy and corny the dinos look, UP to the big climax (which is kick-______ I must say - certainly the highlight), you need to really consider either closing the ride down, or redoing it.
I disagree with Shrek though. I notice not too many people care for the green guy. I personally think the 3D effect is flawless. The digital projector and the movement of the seats creates that '4D' effect.
Philharmagic is cute...but some of the animation is phony, and the old print needs a digital make-over.
sknydave
Active Member
Gee, it's too bad my likes and dislikes don't measure up to your lofty and superior expectations.
Mummy is longer because of length of time or length of track? It would have been a great ride if it hadn't stopped and started so much. EE's backward section blows Mummy's section out of the water. As it is, Mummy is a good ride, but could've been better.
Yeah, I just have crazy notions like actually riding all of the major attractions before deciding that a theme park is not any good. I can just imagine you walking through USF comparing every lamp post to something at WDW. Must have been a helluva good time for your group!
SpongeScott
Well-Known Member
We rode what we could ride in the time allotted to us. What we rode simply wasn't as good as Disney. I went in with expectations of a good time based on what I had heard about the park, but it just wasn't there. Sorry we disagree and sorry that you have to be such a jerk about all of it because I gave my opinion. And yes, we did have a great time together. Six good friends, enjoying each other's company, and not comparing every little thing to Disney. Actually, of the group, I was the only Disney nerd in the bunch.
MKCP 1985
Well-Known Member
First timer to Islands of Adventure - going clockwise, Hulk, Dr. Doom, SpiderMan, Dudley Do-Right (as long as it is a typical, warm Florida day), Jurassic Park, Dueling Dragons and then a long walk through Seussland out of the park! :lol:
Universal Studios - not in any particular order - Mummy, Men in Black, Shrek, Terminator, and Simpsons (based on reviews and my recollection of its predecessor, Back to the Future).
Those are the ones I wouldn't want to miss. Overall, Islands is a much better park to me, but the Mummy, Men in Black and probably The Simpsons make getting the two parks/ one day ticket worthwhile!
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As for the side debate, I agree with the minority view and I like Buzz better than Men in Black. I know Men in Black cost a lot more to make and the aliens are more expensive, but I prefer the non-stop shooting action of Buzz.
Besides, every time I've been on Men in Black, the ride has broken down either while I was waiting in line or while on the ride. EVERY SINGLE TIME! :lol:
Universal Studios - not in any particular order - Mummy, Men in Black, Shrek, Terminator, and Simpsons (based on reviews and my recollection of its predecessor, Back to the Future).
Those are the ones I wouldn't want to miss. Overall, Islands is a much better park to me, but the Mummy, Men in Black and probably The Simpsons make getting the two parks/ one day ticket worthwhile!
***
As for the side debate, I agree with the minority view and I like Buzz better than Men in Black. I know Men in Black cost a lot more to make and the aliens are more expensive, but I prefer the non-stop shooting action of Buzz.
Besides, every time I've been on Men in Black, the ride has broken down either while I was waiting in line or while on the ride. EVERY SINGLE TIME! :lol: