You’re not wrong, and these are all legit criticisms, but be prepared for an onslaught from the “Universal can do no wrong” fanboy crowd.This is NOT a fanfare to Disney but constructive criticism of Uni
I wish Universal would actually make a 'themed' park for once. Even with how fun Universal might be, their best rides don't compare to Disney's greatest in terms of scale, pacing, story, connection to the park, etc., and not a single of their parks has a unified theme. If you have been to Tokyo DisneySea you know how well it works. Every land in the park lends itself to the other in spectacular fashion. Heck, even if Uni would pull an MK-style park that would be a remarkable improvement. Not kissing up to Disney, but it's something most people are forgetting.
There's something spectacular that Battle for the Sunken Treasure, Splash Mountain, Mystic Manor, Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, Flight of Passage, etc. do that not one Universal ride does. The almost cinematic 'shots', the pacing, storytelling through subtle details, and the expansiveness of them. Spiderman is probably the closest Uni gets (Forbidden Journey and MIB are some of my favorite rides but still lack that umph in storytelling), but even then they don't reach the storytelling heights of Disney. Uni has incredible theming for many of their rides, that's not the problem, it's probably part budgetary part creative restraints, but it needs to be addressed. Diagon Alley as a land is small but mind-blowing, but even for how fun Gringotts is, the story is really lacking. I still reminisce how incredible a ride with sets and complimentary screens like Shanghai's Pirates would have been in the place of EFG, one that contains a sweeping score, perfect pacing, and a strong story.
I'm not saying this to knock on Universal, but I would like to see them take on one of Disney's best rides in the future. They make solid rides, but they seem mostly devoid of storytelling which is ironic since their major lands recently have knocked the storytelling aspect out of the park. I feel like everyone should be able to experience a park like DisneySea because it really is something special. To be transported to another place like that, it's something else. Even a park like EPCOT does that well in World Showcase (albeit the theme is that you are in a World's Fair versus in say another country; point still stands though).
Recently, Disney's Pandora was made with strong details and storytelling in the land and is gorgeous but it only has a shop and restaurant compared to Diagon Alley which feels a lot bigger than it actually is (for how much there is to explore). I know Uni has it in them to deliver the magic and storytelling that they have done with their recent lands into a ride or even as an overall theme for the park. It's time Uni starts delving into storytelling for their rides. Screens are not Uni's problems. The rides just don't tell stories well and don't use them right or other storytelling means. I wouldn't mind say a super duper themed outdoor coaster which they also refuse to do (I mean even the new Potter coaster will still be 'naked'). Even if they do a single ride like I am saying, or even if the park is partly connected in theme/story that would be something special. One can hope.
Challenge: look around Animal Kingdom, away from the main focal points, and try to find an unaesthetic view. You won’t find one (from within the park, anyway).
Now look at UOR, especially the Studios Park: look slightly off from the main focal points and you will likely see a visual mess or even exposed backstage infrastructure.
Its a studios park. You're supposed to see backstage and visual, just like at Disney Studios. You can use IOA, but not the studios for that example.
Dude that's just one cheap ('temporary' although semi-permanent) area. Of course, it looks awful, but you're creating a straw-man argument because this has nothing to do with what we were talking about. There's not a single park, not a single ride that Universal has that has incredible pacing, storytelling, etc.Challenge accepted.
What do I win? Or was I not eligible for a prize because I'm part of the Universal fandom, which you're now attempting to preemptively delegitimize because you know we'll disagree with your position, which is being presented as fact? On the Universal forum, no less. And we're the "fanboys?" For the love of Mickey, take off the blinders.
I'd argue that it's the sticking point for anywhere it's used. However, at HWS at least Hollywood & Sunset Boulevard do a lot of things right. It doesn't even look that bad at Uni, I feel Uni's bigger problem is how haphazard the west side of the park is and the east side is at least better themed but more random (MIB, really?).Its a studios park. You're supposed to see backstage and visual, just like at Disney Studios. You can use IOA, but not the studios for that example.
Touche'. I always forget that this exists.Challenge accepted.
What do I win? Or was I not eligible for a prize because I'm part of the Universal fandom, which you're now attempting to preemptively delegitimize because you know we'll disagree with your position, which is being presented as fact? On the Universal forum, no less. And we're the "fanboys?" For the love of Mickey, take off the blinders.
Dude that's just one cheap ('temporary' although semi-permanent) area. Of course, it looks awful, but you're creating a straw-man argument because this has nothing to do with what we were talking about. There's not a single park, not a single ride that Universal has that has incredible pacing, storytelling, etc.
Keep making straw mans though. Nobody is going to disagree with what you're saying, but it's an entirely different subject. Universal has awful areas like that too. Let's talk about how it would be nice if Universal would build as good as Disney's best for their rides and parks instead of stopping at the middle of the pack. A true fanboy would hold what they like to a high standard. I'll hate on WDW all day compared to Disneyland, Shanghai, or DisneySea for the way it's run, but at least the best of WDW excels while Uni refuses to do that next level. It's also on topic with this discussion because it unfortunately seems that Universal will not go to the next level with their new themepark. It's like Marvel, they do good, but it rarely has that umph of a Dark Knight or the Incredibles (now please don't change the subject to this it's just an example lol).
I'm honestly surprised by this reaction. You can like Universal while calling them out at the sametime. Think about it.
You can be impartial and acknowledge Disney's TOP rides are better than Universal's TOP. You're acting like this is a Disney vs. Universal thing in a way that it's us versus them.Dude, there's nothing remotely temporary about it. It's been there for many years. Cheap, yes. Temporary? Not at all. The straw man is all yours.
I'm not going to even bother responding to the rest of your posts, because despite the half-hearted appeals at impartiality, I can tell you feel so strongly about Disney's superiority and Universal's supposed faults that there's no convincing you otherwise. You even know that they won't "go to the next level with their new park," despite not a single inch of it existing yet. Having not seen even a single page of concept art for that matter. I know the type, and I've already spent far too much time and energy debating with them previously.
Also, while I'm not a moderator, I'd like to remind you that comparisons between park chains are not even the topic of this thread. The topic is that new park we have no concrete details of yet.
You can be impartial and acknowledge Disney's TOP rides are better than Universal's TOP. The fact that you cannot come to fathom it shows your bias. Convince me otherwise. Objectively, it's just flat out how it is whether you like it or not.
Read this and tell me how you can continue saying what you're saying. You are missing the point entirely.I'm sorry, but we do not live in a world where your subjective opinions are objective fact. But I have much better things to do than try to convince you of this, and I have no doubt you'll find out the hard way elsewhere.
You're kidding me, right? Weren't you the one that entirely dismissed my very thought out, logical points? Instead of responding and discussing the merits of them, or tell why you disagreed with them you just tossed it out to the curve, created a strawman argument, and ended up threatening me with a moderator.Also, we aren't disgruntled former Disney fans. In fact, I'm going to Disney later this month. You're being dismissed for a whole breadth of other reasons, I just can't be bothered to go through your increasingly vitriolic novels and respond point-for-point.
You're kidding me, right? Weren't you the one that entirely dismissed my very thought out, logical points? Instead of responding and discussing the merits of them, or tell why you disagreed with them you just tossed it out to the curve, created a strawman argument, and ended up threatening me with a moderator.
Great way to greet a new forum member.
And by the way, the way you're kissing up to one of the largest conglomerates on Earth is embarrassing.
And by the way, it is on topic. I won't repeat myself again but I was criticizing the new Universal Park for repeating the same flawed tropes as Universal's parks. Instead of casting them to the shadows and thundering over Disney, Universal almost wants itself to not have that magical storytelling that Disney every so often gets right. One can hope.
Just stop.I've dismissed your posts because I've seen this "My opinions are factual!" fanboy rhetoric too many times to care. This isn't my first rodeo, I know someone who can't be reasoned with when I see them. So why bother? The fact that you're putting so much passion into proving how right you are only further proves my suspicion.
And I never said anything to a moderator. I don't even know who the moderators are here. I merely trying getting this thread you've successfully derailed back on track. You won't win points with anyone by playing the victim card.
I do love irony.
You're criticizing a park that doesn't exist and you know nothing about. Congratulations?
Great way to greet a new forum member.
Dude that's just one cheap ('temporary' although semi-permanent) area.
Tell me one ride that Uni has that uses storytelling elements like The Haunted Mansion, Tower of Terror, or Shanghai's Pirates. A ride's theming is separate than this. Good luck trying, but I'd like to see what you end up with. Tell me one park that has a unified theme.It is when you say crazy stuff like this...
Dinoland was a purposefully-built permanent area of DAK (unlike, say, Camp MickeyMinnie).
Also...
1. Stop expressing opinion as fact.
2. Stop using all caps.
3. Stop calling people "dude."
4. Stop thinking huge walls of text equals cogent arguments.
5. Stop using emotional arguments such as we're supposed to be nice to new people. No. We're not. Not when they act like you do.
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