Universal General Question

[bamboo7]

I have never been to Universal Orlando, and i know very little about it. I have been to Universal Hollywood, but that was many years ago. so i have a few basic questions about it.

does universal have kids rides (the types you would see in fantasyland) or other slow darkrides, like all the original epcot attractions, or is it mostly a coaster/thrill-ride park, like six flags?

i understand that it is theamed well, and that customer service/satisfaction is a high priority, like WDW is known for. is this right?

any other stuff i might want to know? , please contribute.


thanks

 

[garyhoov]

I would say it's a slightly more grown up version of Disney World It's definitely much closer to Disney World than Six Flags.

They've got a few coasters, but most of the rides are along the lines of Star Tours, Dinosaur (Countdown to Extinction). They've got some interesting shows such as one that demonstrates special effects in a comical presentation and a good animal show. In general, for almost every attraction at Universal, you could point to a similar attraction at Disney World.

They do a very nice job and it's definitely worth seeing. To me, it's not as comfortable and relaxed as Disney World, but it's a bit more exciting and edgier.

 

[garyhoov]

Sorry,

I just read your original post and realized I didn't answer all your questions.

They've got a "Dr. Suess" area that has some kids rides. It's generally similarly balanced in terms of types of rides to Disney World (all parks lumped together).

They do pay attention to customer service. A few years ago, it seemed they were trying to copy Disney World, but the last time I was there, I almost felt they did a better job than Disney World (may have been my mood).

 

[bamboo7]

thanks

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Originally posted by garyhoov
Sorry,

I just read your original post and realized I didn't answer all your questions.

They've got a "Dr. Suess" area that has some kids rides. It's generally similarly balanced in terms of types of rides to Disney World (all parks lumped together).

They do pay attention to customer service. A few years ago, it seemed they were trying to copy Disney World, but the last time I was there, I almost felt they did a better job than Disney World (may have been my mood).

I feel that the past 3 times I have been to IoA, the service was A LOT better than WDW. The Xmen and Spiderman were UNBELIEVABLE with the kids and the handicapped people. I was AMAZED to see how much attention was given to EVERYONE! A little 2 year old was petrified of Dr. Doom...I saw Rogue go over to her, spend about 5-7 minutes with her, and then show her that "nobody was there to hurt her" and about 2 minutes later...she was in Dr. Doom's arms getting her pic taken with the ENTIRE group!

 

[WDWFREAK53]

I do have to say that I'd be leary about taking "little little" kids though...other than Suess land, and Woody Woodpecker's area...there's not THAT much for them.

 

[Tom Morrow]

I disagree with the above posts.. Universal, well, mainly Islands of Adventure, seems and feels more like a highly themed/better run and maintained Six Flags park. This is because most of the rides at IOA are just regular ride systems found at Six Flags parks with added theming. Also, each island is themed well, but each land's theme has absolutely nothing to do with the next, which is how Six Flags parks are usually themed. But the biggest noticable difference between Universal and Disney is that Universal does not have any *magic* feeling to it like Disney.

 

[pheneix]

>>>Universal, well, mainly Islands of Adventure, seems and feels more like a highly themed/better run and maintained Six Flags park.<<<

I've been to a few SF parks this year, and that statement is just completely untrue. There is absolutely no comparison between the two. Here's an idea, go to Kentucky Kingdom and deal with all of the s**t that SF will throw at you, and then take a trip to Islands of Adventure.

>>>This is because most of the rides at IOA are just regular ride systems found at Six Flags parks with added theming.<<<

Just like the Magic Kingdom, just like Animal Kingdom, just like Disneyland...

>>>Also, each island is themed well, but each land's theme has absolutely nothing to do with the next<<<

What does Tomorrowland have to do with Fantasyland? What does Critter Country have to do with New Orleans Square? That is just a really over-exaggerated statement when compared to just about every other theme park in existence.

>>>the biggest noticable difference between Universal and Disney is that Universal does not have any *magic* feeling to it like Disney<<<

That's true, but that is also why the name "Disney" isn't slapped over the front gates too.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Well, I've only been to the nicer Six Flags parks, so I wouldn't know what the trashy ones are like. I'm saying that IOA is like a highly themed *good* quality SF park.

 

[JLW11Hi]

Originally posted by Tom Morrow
But the biggest noticable difference between Universal and Disney is that Universal does not have any *magic* feeling to it like Disney.

What pheneix said about the parks being themed like the MK, with completely diffrent themes all around, is very true. It can be even more compared to DisneySea, because of the "water" theming all around. (Althoug DisneySea seems to take the water idea more thoroughly)

As for the magic thing, well, its all what you see in "magic". I have never been to IOA, but for the people out there who like Universal Studios a lot, they might feel their own "magic". the term "magic" is not copywrited by Disney. Though I too feel much more special in WDW than anywhere else in the world, others have their own "magic" place and get the same feeling. To me, most of this feeling comes from the very idea of the orgin of WDW, Walt Disney. Walt Disney has always been my mentor. (if you have seen my earlier posts, you may have realized this already ) Of course, mabey there are people out there who see Carl Laemmle as their mentor, and get that same feeing at Universal parks. (I hope someone besides me knows who he is, or I will feel stupid )

I guess its all in the way you look at things!

 

[WDWspider]

I would say just go and make your own opinions. It is definetly better than any Six Flags. There are too many extras to be just another Six Flags... Spider-man, Triceratops Encounter, King Kong, Terminator 2, and Back to the Future to name a few. It's like a new movie, if you go without any opinions you enjoy yourself much more. If a lot of people say it's really good, you may be let down, if they say it's bad you may be very surprised. Take everyones opinion here with a grain of salt.

Bottom line, they have invested alot of money in Universal Orlando, there is a lot to do and see. It is very much worth a visit. Just have fun. WDWFreak53 forgot to mention that Toon Lagoon and Jurassic Park have some nice children areas as well. If your kids are a little older, there are some good rides for them at Marvel Island and a new small scale coaster at Lost Continent. Islands of Adventure is more kid friendly. But both parks are unique in their own right. Universal definetly has a more adult appeal with attractions based on: Jaws, Twister, Terminator, Alfred Hitchcock, Earthquake, Beetlejuice, and so on.

 

[garyhoov]

Originally posted by Tom Morrow
But the biggest noticable difference between Universal and Disney is that Universal does not have any *magic* feeling to it like Disney.

I think this is Tom Morrow's key point. Disney world feels like family. Universal will never have that feel no matter how well they do things. If you think of Disney world as a brother and Universal, Six Flags, Busch Garden as friends, you can start to understand. A friend can never match a brother (assuming a healthy family relationship). The outside world may see friend 1 much more similar to your brother than friend 2, but you will always see friend 1 and 2 as more similar because neither is your brother.

 

[pheneix]

>>>A friend can never match a brother (assuming a healthy family relationship).<<<

Last time I checked my "brother" and I were disagreeing over his new habits...

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

IOA or USF

I'm assuming your asking about IOA - well I've not been either but from what I've read there are kids rides (or rides aimed at that age range). Its a bit like Disney - theres rides for all ages, everyones a kid at heart.

 

[bamboo7]

Re: IOA or USF

Originally posted by CAPTAIN HOOK
I'm assuming your asking about IOA - well I've not been either but from what I've read there are kids rides (or rides aimed at that age range). Its a bit like Disney - theres rides for all ages, everyones a kid at heart.

I wasn't asking specifically about IOA, i was wondering about all the universal orlando parks.

 

[WDWFREAK53]

Actually...now that I think about it...IoA is actually pretty decent for kids. Working around the islands...there's the Storm Accelatron (Tea-Cups), the Me Ship, the Olive (kids water play area), the Pteradon Flyers, the Camp Jurassic play area, the Triceratops Encounter, the Discovery Center, the Flying Unicorn, the Sindbad show, the talking fountain, and all of Seuss Landing...

Universal Studios really doesn't have much for kids though...