Universal Orlando raises parking fees

[BigTxEars]

I think that overall Disney is still the industry leader in destination theme park resorts, but there are some crucial aspects where competitors, specifically Universal, are now setting the bar. Particularly in technological advances in attraction development. Universal is also raising the bar in Deluxe resorts. I also think that Universal's new focus on themed lands has also changed the way Disney is doing things. So with Universal setting the bar in attractions, resort hotels, and giving Disney a run for it's money in themed environments Universal is is in some core components in fact an industry leader. It's very much a Apple vs Microsoft type situation.

The ride tech is indeed more advance at Uni, no doubt about that. And more thrilling to boot. They have some really cool tech gong on there. But for me I prefer the immersion and better theming at WDW over the tech and thrill. I think IOA is a great park, very well designed, themed and laid out. US is not up to it's level IMO. Like I said I go to both Disney and Uni parks so I can mix and match to my desire on the balance I want. But if I have a single day then it's going to be a Disney park.

Ride tech belongs to Uni but other tech belongs to Disney IMO. The RFID tech of the MB is a game changer in a resort stay once it is up and running full speed. It will allow huge steps in convenience and immersion for the guest. I would guess Uni is looking at improving their system as well though.

The state of the parks is equal IMO as far as upkeep goes. Parts of Disney need some attention, as do some of their rides. At Uni Seuess land needs some love, it looks faded and needs it's bright colors back. And that ET ride at Uni? That needs 5 gallons of gas and a match IMO. And the Terminator show, it's just feels old and not in a classic way. At Disney I think some of Tomorrow land and well as Epcot needs some deep updates, neither looks futuristic anymore IMO.

But again I think both parks are working on that as well.

I do not agree about their resorts though, the Hard Rock was nothing above the Disney deluxe resorts. It was nice but certainly not an advance on them IMO, in some ways it was not even up to them IMO. The theming of the resorts is miles ahead at Disney IMO, as I posted I have stayed at two of the three Uni resorts and they were really pretty blah in theming. If not for the location and Express Pass I would not stay there again. I would however stay at certain Disney resorts for the theme alone. But thats just me.

DTD vs Citywalk, that is a tough one. Margaritaville vs Ragland Road, man thats a tough call indeed. For shops I prefer DTD but food and drink it's neck and neck.

Waterparks is not even close, either waterpark at Disney is light years ahead of the Uni water park.

Overall immersion is a mixed bag, walking into US is boring, walking into IOA is pretty darn cool. DHS and Epcot are pretty nice entries, AK is nothing special but MK is the granddaddy of all entires IMO. It's is just too cool. I would give the edge to WDW, if just for MK alone.

I think Disney drives Uni to try and catch them within the industry and that Uni pushes Disney to stay ahead. it's a win for guest of either parks. Like I said I am one of those guest at both parks so I am happy to see them drive each other to better things.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

The ride tech is indeed more advance at Uni, no doubt about that. And more thrilling to boot. They have some really cool tech gong on there. But for me I prefer the immersion and better theming at WDW over the tech and thrill. I think IOA is a great park, very well designed, themed and laid out. US is not up to it's level IMO. Like I said I go to both Disney and Uni parks so I can mix and match to my desire on the balance I want. But if I have a single day then it's going to be a Disney park.

Ride tech belongs to Uni but other tech belongs to Disney IMO. The RFID tech of the MB is a game changer in a resort stay once it is up and running full speed. It will allow huge steps in convenience and immersion for the guest. I would guess Uni is looking at improving their system as well though.

The state of the parks is equal IMO as far as upkeep goes. Parts of Disney need some attention, as do some of their rides. At Uni Seuess land needs some love, it looks faded and needs it's bright colors back. And that ET ride at Uni? That needs 5 gallons of gas and a match IMO. And the Terminator show, it's just feels old and not in a classic way. At Disney I think some of Tomorrow land and well as Epcot needs some deep updates, neither looks futuristic anymore IMO.

But again I think both parks are working on that as well.

I do not agree about their resorts though, the Hard Rock was nothing above the Disney deluxe resorts. It was nice but certainly not an advance on them IMO, in some ways it was not even up to them IMO. The theming of the resorts is miles ahead at Disney IMO, as I posted I have stayed at two of the three Uni resorts and they were really pretty blah in theming. If not for the location and Express Pass I would not stay there again. I would however stay at certain Disney resorts for the theme alone. But thats just me.

DTD vs Citywalk, that is a tough one. Margaritaville vs Ragland Road, man thats a tough call indeed. For shops I prefer DTD but food and drink it's neck and neck.

Waterparks is not even close, either waterpark at Disney is light years ahead of the Uni water park.

Overall immersion is a mixed bag, walking into US is boring, walking into IOA is pretty darn cool. DHS and Epcot are pretty nice entries, AK is nothing special but MK is the granddaddy of all entires IMO. It's is just too cool. I would give the edge to WDW, if just for MK alone.

I think Disney drives Uni to try and catch them within the industry and that Uni pushes Disney to stay ahead. it's a win for guest of either parks. Like I said I am one of those guest at both parks so I am happy to see them drive each other to better things.

Portofino Bay is a superior hotel to anything at WDW. Call me when the Grand gets a pool concierge and valet that escorts you to the chaise lounges of your choice and wraps each with 2 towels, makes a pillow out of a 3rd, and places a 4th at he foot for drying purposes along with 2 different (lemon/lime, orange/tangerine) complimentary ice waters poolside. Or even something as simple as Keurigs in the rooms. The service at WDW's hotels is about par with the airport Marriott. The last time I stayed on property at The Poly in 2006, I got moldy peeling wall paper, urine stained lumpy mattresses that look like they had been there since it opened in '71, and bath towels that you could literally see through. All for only $630/night. I think the WDW resorts are massively over rated and ridiculously overpriced. If I were traveling to Orlando to just do Disney, I would stay at either The Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott at the Grande Lakes Resort. I won't pay Disney prices for "Disney Quality" ever again.

 

[draybook]

I absolutely hate the Dallas Cowboys, detest them in fact. They are a world class football organization though. For me to say otherwise is stupid.

If by world class you mean they overspend and underachieve while building a stadium that sounds more like a mix of sports stadium and strip club, then I'd agree.

And as far as MB's go, from what I've read, all it's done is take paper FP's and make them digital. Hardly groundbreaking if you ask me, but I look forward to trying them out in 5 months.

While I agree that Disney is the leader in sales and profits, I would say that on the technology part it would be based on who you ask.

 

[BigTxEars]

If by world class you mean they overspend and underachieve while building a stadium that sounds more like a mix of sports stadium and strip club, then I'd agree.

And as far as MB's go, from what I've read, all it's done is take paper FP's and make them digital. Hardly groundbreaking if you ask me, but I look forward to trying them out in 5 months.

While I agree that Disney is the leader in sales and profits, I would say that on the technology part it would be based on who you ask.

As much as I hate the "Boys", they have a solid winning history. I still root for whoever they are playing against I have a long term (think Oilers) hatred for them!

I think MBs are going to allow Disney to add all kind of magic moments to a trip. That tech can recognize who is where and when, that is powerful stuff. Even the smallest things, imagine going online and choosing say a margarita as a nightly drink at dinner at you ADRs. When you check in via MB to your ADRs and it knows when you are being seated at your table, wham a margarita appears magically Want something different the next night, use the app that day and change your choice. Those are tiny thing the tech can do. I am excited about the future of it. Ride tech belongs to Uni at this point, and if a person is all about the ride tech then Uni would be their choice I think. Some like me are about the immersion of the experience and not the rides themselves, for me it's Disney hands down at this point because of things like MBs and what they can do.

 

[BigTxEars]

Portofino Bay is a superior hotel to anything at WDW. Call me when the Grand gets a pool concierge and valet that escorts you to the chaise lounges of your choice and wraps each with 2 towels, makes a pillow out of a 3rd, and places a 4th at he foot for drying purposes along with 2 different (lemon/lime, orange/tangerine) complimentary ice waters poolside. Or even something as simple as Keurigs in the rooms. The service at WDW's hotels is about par with the airport Marriott. The last time I stayed on property at The Poly in 2006, I got moldy peeling wall paper, urine stained lumpy mattresses that look like they had been there since it opened in '71, and bath towels that you could literally see through. All for only $630/night. I think the WDW resorts are massively over rated and ridiculously overpriced. If I were traveling to Orlando to just do Disney, I would stay at either The Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott at the Grande Lakes Resort. I won't pay Disney prices for "Disney Quality" ever again.

Like you with Disney I think the Uni resorts are overpriced. If not for the perks I would not stay there. The Express Pass is a heck of a perk no doubt. But the resorts themselves and the service is certainly not above Disney IMO. The theming at Disney is well ahead of the Uni resorts. If theming is important to a person like it is to myself then that carries the day and the choice alone. If things like you mentioned above are more important then the Uni resorts might be their choice. If we stay at Uni again I will most likely stay at the resorts, the perks are worth it to me. But I do not think I will ever stay off property at Disney again, beyond the perks the stay is just very enjoyable for me.

 

[marni1971]

So despite veering way off the OP, it's come back to personal opinion.

Personally I despise the plastic bracelet and will never wear one

But that's just me.

 

[Captain Chaos]

It's like trying to have a debate with an infant.

I swear, sometimes it appears with some members here that the screws became loose when someone put them in a shopping cart and shoved it down a hill and into traffic.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Like you with Disney I think the Uni resorts are overpriced. If not for the perks I would not stay there. The Express Pass is a heck of a perk no doubt. But the resorts themselves and the service is certainly not above Disney IMO. The theming at Disney is well ahead of the Uni resorts. If theming is important to a person like it is to myself then that carries the day and the choice alone. If things like you mentioned above are more important then the Uni resorts might be their choice. If we stay at Uni again I will most likely stay at the resorts, the perks are worth it to me. But I do not think I will ever stay off property at Disney again, beyond the perks the stay is just very enjoyable for me.

Last April, I stayed at Portofino Bay for $174/night (with my AP discount) for service and amenities better than Disney's $700+/night Grand Floridian. At Disney, it's not about what it's worth. It's about what it's worth to you.

 

[BigTxEars]

Last April, I stayed at Portofino Bay for $174/night (with my AP discount) for service and amenities better than Disney's $700+/night Grand Floridian. At Disney, it's not about what it's worth. It's about what it's worth to you.

Agree, it is what it is worth to you or me. I rather have towel animals than valets carrying and placing my towels, I rather have the free marshmallow roasting at POR than the free water with fruit at the HR. I am not saying they are better, just better for what I enjoy. There seems to be a touch of WDW vs Uni on these type threads, I like both parks so I understand why both have their loyal fans.

 

[TalkingHead]

I rather have towel animals

Your opinion will forthwith be ignored as nonsensical.

 

[BigTxEars]

Your opinion will forthwith be ignored as nonsensical.

Why because my family enjoys coming back to the room after the parks to a new and unknown towel animal each night? Yeah who would want that for immersion and fun?

 

[Disneyhead'71]

Why because my family enjoys coming back to the room after the parks to a new and unknown towel animal each night? Yeah who would want that for immersion and fun?

I like the towel animals also. They are fun.

 

[BigTxEars]

I like the towel animals also. They are fun.

Do the Mousekeepers get officially trained on how to make them, or is it a self taught thing from Keeper to Keeper I wonder?

 

[danpam1024]

Also remember Universal has the upkeep of two of the worlds largest concrete parking structures, 3 huge bridges and dozens of elevators and speed ramps plus associated lighting, electrical, restrooms and the like.

and those garages keep your car (and it's contents) from baking in the Fl sun . As a PH, doesn't affect me, thought I wouldn't complain.

 

[danpam1024]

Portofino Bay is a superior hotel to anything at WDW. Call me when the Grand gets a pool concierge and valet that escorts you to the chaise lounges of your choice and wraps each with 2 towels, makes a pillow out of a 3rd, and places a 4th at he foot for drying purposes along with 2 different (lemon/lime, orange/tangerine) complimentary ice waters poolside. Or even something as simple as Keurigs in the rooms. The service at WDW's hotels is about par with the airport Marriott. The last time I stayed on property at The Poly in 2006, I got moldy peeling wall paper, urine stained lumpy mattresses that look like they had been there since it opened in '71, and bath towels that you could literally see through. All for only $630/night. I think the WDW resorts are massively over rated and ridiculously overpriced. If I were traveling to Orlando to just do Disney, I would stay at either The Ritz Carlton or JW Marriott at the Grande Lakes Resort. I won't pay Disney prices for "Disney Quality" ever again.

it absolutely baffles me that Disney hasn't come off the prices of their on site rooms . Once we started staying at UOR 5 years ago I absolutely REFUSE to pay that kind of cash for Disney's idea of deluxe. It amazes me people do. The most we ever spent at uni was $515 and that was for a kidsuite booked the day we left during spring break. I have decided to let the "Disney" people keep their crappy rooms and pay 3x what they are worth- I'll be chillin' by the pool at the Hard Rock and be in a park in less than 5 minutes
funny- as I'm typing a WDW commercial is on

 

[The Empress Lilly]

"Comcast CEO: Universal will compete aggressively with Disney
January 7, 2014|By Jason Garcia, Orlando Sentinel
The top executive at Comcast Corp. signaled Tuesday that the company expects to win theme-park market share away from industry leader Walt Disney Co. and other rival park owners."

Even Uni knows who the industry leader is.......

Of course Disney is the theme park resort industry leader. Both globally and in Orlando. There is not a business publication in the world that would argue otherwise.

Nor can UNI's strategy even be understood without their self-awareness as the second resort behind industry leader Disney.


My local coffe shop brews yummie espresso! Therefore Starbucks is not the industry leader!

 

[BigTxEars]

it absolutely baffles me that Disney hasn't come off the prices of their on site rooms . Once we started staying at UOR 5 years ago I absolutely REFUSE to pay that kind of cash for Disney's idea of deluxe. It amazes me people do. The most we ever spent at uni was $515 and that was for a kidsuite booked the day we left during spring break. I have decided to let the "Disney" people keep their crappy rooms and pay 3x what they are worth- I'll be chillin' by the pool at the Hard Rock and be in a park in less than 5 minutes
funny- as I'm typing a WDW commercial is on

See the Mouse is watching you, always....

The Hard Rock was certainly nice but I did not find it to be above what Disney offers for the same money. I am paying just a hair more each night at the Boardwalk this year than we paid at the Hard Rock last year. Like I posted if I was a music guy then I would have been in heaven, well a rock music guy I guess

But give me the themes of a Disney resort any day of the week!

 

[TubaGeek]

Of course Disney is the theme park resort industry leader. Both globally and in Orlando. There is not a business publication in the world that would argue otherwise.

Nor can UNI's strategy even be understood without their self-awareness as the second resort behind industry leader Disney.


My local coffe shop brews yummie espresso! Therefore Starbucks is not the industry leader!

Good idea, just ignore the fact that "industry leader" has two definitions.

 

[danpam1024]

See the Mouse is watching you, always....

The Hard Rock was certainly nice but I did not find it to be above what Disney offers for the same money. I am paying just a hair more each night at the Boardwalk this year than we paid at the Hard Rock last year. Like I posted if I was a music guy then I would have been in heaven, well a rock music guy I guess

But give me the themes of a Disney resort any day of the week!

I'm a rock star but I adore Boardwalk as well- last time I did a comparison, HRH was $150/night cheaper (passholder rate). Boardwalk is cute-, but I'll take extra spending money over cuteness any day- especially since I LOVE Rock-n-Roll Boardwalk never offered the equivalent of unlimited express pass either, or a kick booty cabana by the pool, or a rickshaw ride when I'm too tired to walk. I would have 100% agreed with you several years ago. I used to think Disney was the be all end all and maybe it was at the time. But there is no excitement or newness or value anymore. It it TREMENDOUSLY overpriced for what it has become. Like I said, good thing people are still willing to believe it's as great as it used to be, I'll reap the benefits at Uni for now

 

[Lord_Vader]

I've said it before: if the leader is decided by only numbers, McDonald's must have some phenomenal hamburgers.

They are a leader if fast food.