What is it the Universal does BETTER than Disney?

[agent86]

I don't think this thread is showing that Disney fans are snorting pixie dust.

Ummmm...you don't?? Take a look at just a couple of the posts that do show that...

I feel like I'm cheating just watching something about Universal!

I'd rather ride a dull ride at Disney than a great ride at Universal, just because you are at Disney which has it's own special atmosphere.

This second one takes the cake and is truly indicative of the sentiment of a lot of closed-minded Disney fans (ones who won't even give Universal a fair chance just because... it's Universal and not Disney).

I can just see it one of these days... Disney will open an "exciting new attraction" and call it Mickey's Warehouse Adventure. You'll go inside this big empty warehouse and the whole idea will be to just "use your imagination". Afterward, people will come and post here about how "amazing" it is and how it "blows away anything at Universal"... simply because it's Disney. :hammer:

 

[Skip]

Me thinks that's not true at all.

I think The Mummy is better than Everest. I prefer Big Thunder Mountain to both of them.
ToT versus Freefall - Obvious.
MIB versus Buzz Liteyear - I'd give that to MIB.
Popeye's Rafts versus Kali - Popeye is a better raft ride, while Kali is much better themed.
ET versus Peter Pan - Peter Pan wins hands down.
Dudley Do Right versus Splash Mountain - Splash.
Jurassic Park versus Dinosaur - I think Dinosaur is far more intense, and the effects are better.
Shrek 4D versus Mickey's Philharmagic - Mickey.

If anyone says Disney is better at everything, they're nuts. And vice versa.

Mummy > Everest
ToT > FearFall
MIB > Buzz Lightyear/TSMM (by a long shot)
Popeye > Kali (Kali's abundance of trees and scattered ruins do not make up for the fact that the ride is boring and unexciting; Popeye is well-themed and tells a good story)
ET > Peter Pan (Sorry, but ET is far grander with some amazing effects)
Dudley < Splash (I'll definitely give you this one, this is a case where the story should've been better with Dudley)
River Adventure > Dinosaur (Jurassic Park is far more immersive with some incredible set pieces - Dinosaur is great, but it seems to focus on darkness more than actual sets)
Cat in the Hat > Any of the Fantasyland dark rides
Simpsons/BTTF > Star Tours (Though Star Tours is quite dated, and I wouldn't be surprised if the new version they're planning will be superior)
Shrek < Phillharmagic/Bugs/Muppets (I'll give you this, I never cared for Shrek's plot, however...)
Terminator 2:3D >> any of Disney's 3D shows
Disaster! > Catastrophe Canyon
Hulk/Dueling Dragons > Rock'n'Roller Coaster
Storm Force < Mad Tea Party
Universal 360 < Illuminations/Wishes/Fantasmic (Disney does night time shows better, period - though part of that is because of Universal's constricted location)

*shrug*

 

[agent86]

That's my problem. Nothing is directed at the good Captain (nor do I want him to feel like it has been), but this debate just gets OLD! It has been done so many times, with the same responses constantly. I wish people would search sometimes instead of starting threads like this over and over and over and over......

*sigh*

Is it that the "debate gets old" or is it that you're afraid every time a thread like this gets started, because some valid points will be brought to light about the things Universal does better than Disney... a list that seems to continue growing by the way.

 

[krankenstein]

Is it that the "debate gets old" or is it that you're afraid every time a thread like this gets started, because some valid points will be brought to light about the things Universal does better than Disney... a list that seems to continue growing by the way.

Obviously, you haven't paid attention to my posts. I am a big champion of Universal and 100% agree that they have and continue to do things better than Disney. Heck, I'm one of the few around here that makes trips to Orlando and only visit Universal.

It is because the debate gets old.

 

[Skip]

Is it that the "debate gets old" or is it that you're afraid every time a thread like this gets started, because some valid points will be brought to light about the things Universal does better than Disney... a list that seems to continue growing by the way.

Considering that Krankenstein enjoys Universal as much as we do, I'd say he's more tired of the same old "Disney's magical and is always better lulz" responses that come up at least a few times every time these threads start.

 

[agent86]

Obviously, you haven't paid attention to my posts. I am a big champion of Universal and 100% agree that they have and continue to do things better than Disney. Heck, I'm one of the few around here that makes trips to Orlando and only visit Universal.

It is because the debate gets old.

Well you know the most effective way to keep a thread alive is to continue posting on it. It seems ironic for someone to come and post on a thread specifically to say they wish that thread didn't exist.

 

[agent86]

The thing is that Universal will eventually catch up in that department as well. I am bringing my son for his first trip in October and Universal will not be able to match the feeling of riding the HM for the first time with my son. However, later generations will be able to have that feeling about spiderman, etc.

Exactly!! And I think that frightens a lot of Disney fans, so consequently they won't even take their kids to Universal for that very reason.

 

[krankenstein]

Well you know the most effective way to keep a thread alive is to continue posting on it. It seems ironic for someone to come and post on a thread specifically to say they wish that thread didn't exist.

It seems ridiculous to me for the purpose of flaming people, but you have good reputation for doing that.

I digress, I was trying to help defend the Universal argument. jonnyc posted that he believed many of these arguments were fueled by frustration. I was only stating that a reason why I get frustrated with these threads is because of the redundancy of them. I'm sorry if that, in your opinion, I am not doing what I should, but you ain't my Mama. I will do what I want.

Considering that Krankenstein enjoys Universal as much as we do, I'd say he's more tired of the same old "Disney's magical and is always better lulz" responses that come up at least a few times every time these threads start.

EXACTLY! Thanks Skip!

 

[agent86]

Disney doesn't look to compete with Universal period.

Well they're succeeding then! :lol::lol::hammer:

 

[agent86]

I'm sorry if that, in your opinion, I am not doing what I should, but you ain't my Mama. I will do what I want.

Relax, Man. No one is trying to tell you that you can't do what you want. I'm just pointing out that if you wish this thread didn't exist, then your undermining your own goal by coming here and posting on it again and again. That would be like saying, "I want that store to go out of business.... so I think I'll keep shopping there." :hammer:

 

[krankenstein]

Relax, Man. No one is trying to tell you that you can't do what you want. I'm just pointing out that if you wish this thread didn't exist, then your undermining your own goal by coming here and posting on it again and again. That would be like saying, "I want that store to go out of business.... so I think I'll keep shopping there." :hammer:

I know, didn't mean for that to sound so harsh. :lol:

As much as I hate these threads, my love for Universal is more. I must defend it against the pixie dusters!

 

[EpcotServo]

I hate this thread with much fury.

It'd be a darn fool who would prefer to live in a world with only Mummy and no Everest. Men In Black, and no Midway Mania. Back to the Future, and no Star Tours.

The world in which only one thing in a field can be called the best, and all others left by the wayside is a desolate way to think indeed!

Shame on youuuu!
/Fozzie Bear

 

[RoRo]

Ticket prices, counter service food, thrill rides and CityWalk.

 

[agent86]

If IOA is the far superior theme park to the Magic Kingdom, then why do almost 4 times as many people visit the Magic Kingdom every year?:shrug:

You know, a really fascinating part of Disney's history is when they were nearly taken over by corporate raiders in the mid-80's. This was largely due to horrible mismanagement and a spirit of innovation that many believe died along with Walt Disney. One of the books on this topic (I can't remember if it was "Storming the Magic Kingdom" or "The Disney Touch", but they are both great books) mentions the incredible fact that Disney was able to survive nearly two decades of mismanagement because of how strong Walt had built Disney's image up to that point.

I think the same is very much true today as well. Disney has done so well for so long, that it would take quite a bit to knock them off their throne. I think that most people (even those who are not what we would necessarily think of as Disney "fans") truly WANT to love Disney. It is also such a strong part of so many people's childhoods, that the nostalgia alone would be enough to keep Disney going strong for a long time. Walt himself even used to comment on the importance of nostalgia.

To the unbiased eye, I think Universal really does so many things better than Disney does. And sometimes it doesn't even seem as though Disney is even trying to catch up, much less outdo Universal. But I think they know (or should I say, they THINK) they don't really need to... because they can ride on their reputation for many years to come.

So to answer Captainkidd's question, I think it's obvious that this is why Disney's attendance is higher. I don't think it says anything about the actual quality of the entertainment experience that Disney currently provides. In Universal's case, however, they don't have the nostalgia and history going for them (yet), so it's ALL about the quality of the experience.

 

[agent86]

As much as I hate these threads, my love for Universal is more. I must defend it against the pixie dusters!

On that we can agree!

 

[agent86]

It'd be a darn fool who would prefer to live in a world with only Mummy and no Everest. Men In Black, and no Midway Mania. Back to the Future, and no Star Tours.

I'll gladly take the title of "darn fool" (in your book) then because I would happily trade Everest and Midway for Mummy and MIB in a heartbeat. Both (Everest and Midway) are overrated disappointments in my opinion.

As far as BTTF is concerned, well since it no longer exists that one's kind of a moot point.

 

[yankspy]

I'll gladly take the title of "darn fool" (in your book) then because I would happily trade Everest and Midway for Mummy and MIB in a heartbeat. Both (Everest and Midway) are overrated disappointments in my opinion.

As far as BTTF is concerned, well since it no longer exists that one's kind of a moot point.

I think his point is that we don't have to trade, we should be happy that we have both Universal and Disney.

 

[agent86]

I think his point is that we don't have to trade, we should be happy that we have both Universal and Disney.

Yes, I caught the facetious tone of his post and agree with his point. MY point, though (also put facetiously) was that I would gladly trade those specific Disney attractions for their Universal counterparts if I had to because they are both huge disappointments.

 

[Skip]

I noticed a few people saying there's very little for the Under 5 set at Universal. While it's true that Disney does generally cater to the little ones better than Universal does, it's not like Universal ignores them... for two parks Universal really does have a plethora of stuff for the little ones to ride and experience. A quick list:

-Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
-Shrek 4D
-Disaster!
-Beatlejuice's Graveyard Revue
-Universal Horror Makeup Show
-E.T. Adventure
-A Day in the Park with Barney
-Curious George Goes to Town
-Fievel's Playland & Water Slide
-Star Toons show/characters
-Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster (assuming tall enough)
-Storm Force
-Marvel Character Mini-Parade
-Pteranadon Flyers (assuming tall enough)
-Camp Jurassic
-Me Ship, The Olive
-Jurassic Park Discovery Center
-If I Ran the Zoo
-Caroseussel
-High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (assuming tall enough)
-The Cat in the Hat
-One Fish Two Fish
-Poseidon's Fury
-Flying Unicorn (assuming tall enough)
-Mystic Fountain
-8th Voyage of Sinbad

I don't know about you, but that sounds more than enough to do. I even didn't count some scarier but easily do-able (read - without height requirements) attractions like Jaws, Terminator, Twister, and Fear Factor... all of which smaller children seem to take in stride. In addition, as soon as your kid is 48' tall, they can hit some of the bigger rides like Mummy, Men in Black, Jurassic Park, and Spider-Man - all of which are big hits with kids tall enough to experience them.

 

[agent86]

I noticed a few people saying there's very little for the Under 5 set at Universal. While it's true that Disney does generally cater to the little ones better than Universal does, it's not like Universal ignores them... for two parks Universal really does have a plethora of stuff for the little ones to ride and experience. A quick list:

-Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast
-Shrek 4D
-Disaster!
-Beatlejuice's Graveyard Revue
-Universal Horror Makeup Show
-E.T. Adventure
-A Day in the Park with Barney
-Curious George Goes to Town
-Fievel's Playland & Water Slide
-Star Toons show/characters
-Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster (assuming tall enough)
-Storm Force
-Marvel Character Mini-Parade
-Pteranadon Flyers (assuming tall enough)
-Camp Jurassic
-Me Ship, The Olive
-Jurassic Park Discovery Center
-If I Ran the Zoo
-Caroseussel
-High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (assuming tall enough)
-The Cat in the Hat
-One Fish Two Fish
-Poseidon's Fury
-Flying Unicorn (assuming tall enough)
-Mystic Fountain
-8th Voyage of Sinbad

I don't know about you, but that sounds more than enough to do. I even didn't count some scarier but easily do-able (read - without height requirements) attractions like Jaws, Terminator, Twister, and Fear Factor... all of which smaller children seem to take in stride. In addition, as soon as your kid is 48' tall, they can hit some of the bigger rides like Mummy, Men in Black, Jurassic Park, and Spider-Man - all of which are big hits with kids tall enough to experience them.

I think a lot of people on here just want to perpetuate the myth that there "isn't anything for kids" at Universal.