Universal traitor

[Mikejakester]

I knew something like this was comming.
:lol: :zipit:

Since we are allready talking about universal...
Can I ask....tomm

What the heck happened in Universal that made your day so miserable?

 

[tomman710]

Originally posted by Mikejakester
I knew something like this was comming.
:lol: :zipit:

Since we are allready talking about universal...
Can I ask....tomm

What the heck happened in Universal that made your day so miserable?

The day wasn't miserable, per se. I went there with a totally open mind. It may be hard to believe but I never was one to just despise something and toally jump on the Disney bandwagon. However, when I got there I personally felt that there was practically nothing to do. I won't go through the run down of every attraction but the highlights are ... other than Spider-Man there isn't anything that is that great, sure Hulk, Dragons, and Dr. Doom are kinda fun but it's nothing you can't find at Six Flags or Cedar Point, Jurassic Park just plain sucks, the ride and animatronics are so out dated and crappy. That's it for IOA, there isn't anything else worth commenting on ... a few mediocre, run of the mill water rides and a Suess dark ride, all very average at best. Same goes for Universal Studios except there isn't a standout attraction like Spider-Man, all the same run of the mill attractions. Then the employees are not as nice as Disney emplyees, as a whole, I am not saying there aren't a few bad apples in every bunch. I thought the park was dirty and the themeing was no where to be found. I felt like I was at Six Flags, as opposed to Disney when I feel like I am in another place. Basically, the whole time I was there I felt like I cheated myself, because I felt Disney has all these same attractions, and done in a FAR superior way, plus so much more. I just felt I wasted my time and money when I could have been at Disney. I think with Disney you're getting far far more for your money in every aspect, rides, themeing, customer support, and overall satisfaction. So I felt I paid alot of money for an inferior product when I could have been enjoying the superior one, I felt cheated. So there's your answer.

 

[Mikejakester]

Good enough for me!! :wave:

But as for the animatrocnics... I think Disney has some old crappy ones that give me the creeps! specially in epcot and fantasy land in MK.
:hurl:

But I can understand the rest! :wave:

cheers!

 

[colliera]

Difference in religions

This is akin to church A and its religion and church B and another religion, (if you will bear with the analogy). People on both "sides" get fired up about these things. Either extreme has its pitfalls.

Universal Studios' focus is "Ride the Movies" and the theming is angled at the goal of dropping you into the movie experience. Not that Disney doesn't do this but the ability to stay on track to this approach is better executed in the older attractions at Disney than what has been produced in more recent years. Think of "flying" to Neverland with Peter Pan v. Journey Into Your Imagination. One is an emersive experience and one is a show to observe. Not that one is better than the other - it's just different. That said, of course there are examples of both approaches at Universal and Disney.

Secondly, Universal doesn't "pull its punches" where Disney will be more sensitive to the family experience. Yes, I've seen the late Alien Encounter render a 12 year old girl into a puddle of tears and Rock'n'Roller Coaster pulls the second highest G's in Florida.
An example would be Jaws. When they light up the explosions you are well aware of the heat from the flames. There's nothing compariable at Disney. Even the flame wall at Fantastmic won't notch up a themometer for someone sitting front row.

As far as "Disney does it better" that's a hard point to make in Islands of Adventure's case. Fired Disney Imagineers found jobs with Universal for the design and construction phase. How are they less a designer because of their employeer? One point well taken in IoA's case though. If you go when crowds are not heavy it is a 1/2 day experience. It suffers the same problem MGM-Disney Studios did in it's early days and what Animal Kingdom suffers today. The present problem with IoA is they haven't added to the park since it's opening.

Finally cast members. I'm not talking about essential support functions. I've had terrible and terrific experiences with food services, retail sales, and guest service CMs at both Universal and Disney. I am talking about entertainment CMs. The Universal entertainment CMs stay in character better and are more believeable actors. I've interacted with both show performers after the show in meet and greets and atmosphere/streetmosphere CMs and they know their character and the storyline in which their character exists, (notable exception for Disney would be Pleasure Island's Adventurer's Club). You can be about as obscure as you want with Universal CMs and they hang in there with approproate behaviors and responses. When you lead a Disney CM off script they flounder and are lost. They just can't keep up the interaction. I can't blame the individual Disney CM here. The process Disney uses to rehearse their CMs just doesn't give them the depth of character to go beyond the scripted lines.

Should you give up a day in Disney to go to Universal? Sure! Both sites have great, not-to-be-missed attractions and have "A" ticket distractions. Even at Disney you wouldn't do everything even if you had the time and money. Think about what fits for you and your family. To a youngster it is going to be as big a thrill to meet Sponge Bob as Mickey. Considering the exposure they probably know SB or Bear in the Big Blue House better than Mickey.

 

[RozFan]

I'm one of those weird people who actually enjoy Universal far more than Disney. Yes, Disney is great but Universal is where my loyalty lies.

Universal has many great attractions and shows for you and your family to enjoy. There IS a one day hopper but the cost is somewhere around $75. You have to ask for it at the ticket counter.

Above all and beyond go and judge for yourself. Don't listen to what others say, as someone said this is prodominately a WDW board and Universal doesn't stand a chance in hell with these folks. Check out www.universalorlando.com and see if it tickles your fancy. If not, no harm, no foul. Also check out www.citywalk.com to see if there is a place you would enjoy dining at.

 

[mrtoad]

Originally posted by tomman710
The day wasn't miserable, per se. I went there with a totally open mind. It may be hard to believe but I never was one to just despise something and toally jump on the Disney bandwagon. However, when I got there I personally felt that there was practically nothing to do. I won't go through the run down of every attraction but the highlights are ... other than Spider-Man there isn't anything that is that great, sure Hulk, Dragons, and Dr. Doom are kinda fun but it's nothing you can't find at Six Flags or Cedar Point, Jurassic Park just plain sucks, the ride and animatronics are so out dated and crappy. That's it for IOA, there isn't anything else worth commenting on ... a few mediocre, run of the mill water rides and a Suess dark ride, all very average at best. Same goes for Universal Studios except there isn't a standout attraction like Spider-Man, all the same run of the mill attractions. Then the employees are not as nice as Disney emplyees, as a whole, I am not saying there aren't a few bad apples in every bunch. I thought the park was dirty and the themeing was no where to be found. I felt like I was at Six Flags, as opposed to Disney when I feel like I am in another place. Basically, the whole time I was there I felt like I cheated myself, because I felt Disney has all these same attractions, and done in a FAR superior way, plus so much more. I just felt I wasted my time and money when I could have been at Disney. I think with Disney you're getting far far more for your money in every aspect, rides, themeing, customer support, and overall satisfaction. So I felt I paid alot of money for an inferior product when I could have been enjoying the superior one, I felt cheated. So there's your answer.

I agree that it was no where near WDW, but I think it is something to see for yourself if you have the desire. I personally have no plan on going back unless my daughter when she is old enough really wants to go. I too would rather spend my money and time at WDW. I am glad I went to check it out because I know what I'm not missing. But on the other hand some people love it. I'm more of a MK kind of person. I go to MGM to do ToT and RnRC, Epcot for a few things, and AK for a few things. But 65% of my trip is MK.

 

[Fido]

The two words I can use to decribe my Universal Studios visit are (in a nutshell): rude employees. I was never one for 'carny' attitudes, though. Aside from that, I hate things like Hanna Barbera and most of the Universal staple of attractions. It's more of a Six Flags environment, as someone else said. I'm not into coasters. If I were satisfied with that, I wouldn't have to drive a day and a half to get to the place I like...there are many closer parks if you lower your standards. I like great theming.

I'm not here to bash Universal...that's not why I come to this site or post on these boards. If I liked Universal more than I do, I'd visit Universal fan sites and message boards (I don't). But since the topic of Universal was brought up in a thread here in a Disney forum, I felt compelled to reply. :king:

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by tomman710
This is a good example of someone who apparently is unfamiliar with the concept of reading, because this person obviously didn't read what the original post was. The original poster was asking what people thought. Last time I check this was a FORUM, where people exchange ideas and opinions. SHE WAS ASKING FOR OPINIONS!!

Yes, tomman, you are right again. If you read my post, you would have seen that I said..."Of course, most of us here are mature enough to realize that this post is just one persons heavily biased opinion." I state that what you are giving is an opinion. Guess you did not read that part.

I'm not going to have a debate with you. I actually read very well.
Your statement was, "You will regret wasting time at Universal or IOA." This is written as a statement of fact. Now if you had written "I believe you will regret...." then that would be written as a statement of opinion. See the difference? Have a wonderful day. I am going to go practice my reading skills now. :lol:

Ricky

 

[Marijil]

Originally posted by tomman710
This is a good example of someone who apparently is unfamiliar with the concept of reading, because this person obviously didn't read what the original post was. The original poster was asking what people thought. Last time I check this was a FORUM, where people exchange ideas and opinions. SHE WAS ASKING FOR OPINIONS!! Who are you to call me out for answering her question? I gave my opinion and as shocking as it may be to you it may be helpful to her. I had one of my trips almost ruined for wasting my time at Universal, there may be others out there that feel the same way, the original poster may end up feeling that way too, you don't know, I don't know. But she wanted opinions and she got them, just because they don't agree with yours is no reason to call other people out or tell her to ignore other people's opinions.

Not to get off track, .....but I'm male

 

[epcotisbest]

Originally posted by Marijil
Not to get off track, .....but I'm male

Maybe one of us did not read the original post that started this thread. You know, the one that says "we (my wife and I)".

Hmmmm...maybe I am not the only one who should become a little more familiar with the concept of reading.

Just a thought,
Ricky:animwink:

 

[tomman710]

Originally posted by epcotisbest
Maybe one of us did not read the original post that started this thread. You know, the one that says "we (my wife and I)".

Hmmmm...maybe I am not the only one who should become a little more familiar with the concept of reading.

Just a thought,
Ricky:animwink:

Good one.

 

[epcotisbest]

Hey tomman I'm glad we can have a laugh about it! :lol:
Ricky

 

[Mikejakester]

:lol:

 

[tomman710]

I still think she'll regret wasting time at Universal ...