What is it the Universal does BETTER than Disney?

[Goofy316]

My family and I love both Universal and Disney. Disney for me is on top and will always be there not only because of the attraction but because it is a great place to go with family.

Universal does beat it out in the thrills department, definately. Also as you can see they are ALWAYS updating. Right now they have construction going on in both of their parks. Prices is what keeps me going there, its really not even close. Im not a big fan of CitiWalk but it is there and everything is very convenient and in walking distance.

The thread is what does Uni have better than Disney, not the other way areound so I will stop here and not get on my soapbox about Disney being better. :zipit:

 

[DisneyLeo18]

This being the first year i have gone to Universal/IOA since it was the first year i was able to rent a car on my own, i must say i loved it. I have been to WDW at least once a year the last 10 yrs and never been to US/IOA until this year.

IOA - I overall loved this park. I think it could use some more attractions, which it will get with HP. Hulk, dueling dragons, spiderman all awesome. Was i the only one who thought fear fall was a total disappointment?? I went on with my friend and after we shot up i turned and said "thats it?". Now i thought the prices were pretty high for food, a lot higher than disney parks but it didnt ruin my day. I didnt get to ride JP as i was there in the winter and didnt want to get soaked

US - Great park in my eyes. LOVED mummy, even twister was pretty cool. I thought terminator was a little dated and could use some updating, replacing.

Overall i think IOA/US was pretty good, but you can definitely feel there isnt the same magic as disney. But disney better get to work!

 

[jonnyc]

Was i the only one who thought fear fall was a total disappointment?? I went on with my friend and after we shot up i turned and said "thats it?".

I'm with you on this one. I went on it the first time we went to IOA and thought: "well that was rubbish". Then on our last trip i said to my sister, "It couldn't have been that rubbish''...

...Alas it was.

 

[Andy Walker]

So, to you:

Magic Carpets@MK>Spiderman@IOA? And if they switched, Spiderman would automatically become better due to it's new surroundings?

I think some people are bringing nostalgia in. Nothing inherently wrong with that, but I don't think anyone could put forth an argument that would convince me that Universal hasn't been better in recent years than Disney.

It's not about nostalgia, it's about ambiance and the overall experience.I might be on Magic Carpets now but I know that in a few minutes I can be on Haunted Mansion, or Pirates, or Splash Mountain etc etc, amongst the best rides ever created, so that there is a constant feeling of excitement and anticipation which I don't personally get at Universal.And if I go on no ride at all, I'm still in a beautiful environment.
Don't get me wrong, Spiderman is a brilliant ride but for me there's not much else at IOA.The only other ride I'd go for at the moment is Jurassic Park but the rest is super fast coasters (which I'm not into) or kiddee-orientated attractions.Sorry, it's probably an age thing.

 

[Skip]

It's not about nostalgia, it's about ambiance and the overall experience.I might be on Magic Carpets now but I know that in a few minutes I can be on Haunted Mansion, or Pirates, or Splash Mountain etc etc, amongst the best rides ever created, so that there is a constant feeling of excitement and anticipation which I don't personally get at Universal.And if I go on no ride at all, I'm still in a beautiful environment.
Don't get me wrong, Spiderman is a brilliant ride but for me there's not much else at IOA.The only other ride I'd go for at the moment is Jurassic Park but the rest is super fast coasters (which I'm not into) or kiddee-orientated attractions.Sorry, it's probably an age thing.

So I guess Ripsaw Falls, Bilge Rat Barges, Poseidon's Fury, Sinbad, and Cat in the Hat don't count as good attractions for you...

You'd rather be on a mediocre cycle ride at Disney because your'e "closer" to some great attractions than a great ride at Universal where you're surrounded by... equally great attractions?

 

[Deadman]

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*

and yet, ppl are saying ppl are snorting Disney pixie dust? :veryconfu

 

[Skip]

and yet, ppl are saying ppl are snorting Disney pixie dust? :veryconfu

If you don't agree in the comparisons I made, feel free to offer your own insight rather than simply accuse me of snorting "Universal dust" or whatever you'd like to call it.

 

[Jasonflz]

Here's mine:

ToT>Fearfall (ToT beats anything from Universal)
Philharmagic>T2:3D (This one was pretty close for me. I ended up with Philharmagic because Terminator is very outdated)
MIB>Buzz Lightyear (Buzz is fun but MIB is way better in terms of theming and ride.)
ROTM>Expedition Everest (This is also close but ROTM is very immersive and well detailed.)
Star Tours>Jimmy Neutron (I personally will never ride Jimmy Neutron again. It is a horrible excuse for a simulator.)
The Simpsons>Star Tours (They win.)
All of Epcot>All of Universal (I like it way better.)

 

[MyLittleAngels]

Men in Black, Jurassic Park, and Spider-Man - all of which are big hits with kids tall enough to experience them

Just a quick note - these rides allow visitors at 42", not 48", as previously posted. Don't let height requirements keep you from enjoying these rides!

Also, ToT is obviously superior to FearFall, which is just a standard S&S tower. Theming really does make the ride here.

And while I do love the Disney parks, I enjoy going to IOA/USO as well. We have APs to both, and sometimes we'll go to Disney, sometimes to Universal. I could ride Cat in the Hat all day ... It's my absolute favorite dark ride, ever. But again, that's nostalgia for you. I loved him as a child, and I find the ride does a wonderful job of displaying a happy, fun, friendly experience.

And, I'd ride Mummy over RnRC any day. RnRC is fun, but so much of the ride is just lost because it's so dark in there ... At least the Mummy stops and shows you some impressive scenes. I have always felt a serious disconnect in RnRC - I understand the premise, but the crazy flying and flipping around doesn't say "wild driving" to me. But, that's just my opinion.

 

[BLY]

For me, one of the main things that sets Disney apart from anywhere else including Universal - is the excellent customer service. Virtually every cast member at Disney is helpful and 'appears' to love what they are doing and they seem to want you to have a great time.

I think it is the people that make Disney somehow more magical rather than the rides. (Although I love the rides too!)

 

[tare]

the incredible hulk ride is the only thing that i can think of that worth anything at universal!!!! DISNEY IS BETTER BY FAR!!!!!!

 

[Andy Walker]

So I guess Ripsaw Falls, Bilge Rat Barges, Poseidon's Fury, Sinbad, and Cat in the Hat don't count as good attractions for you...

You'd rather be on a mediocre cycle ride at Disney because your'e "closer" to some great attractions than a great ride at Universal where you're surrounded by... equally great attractions?

Yes

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Yes

Wow.

And people wonder why WDW's parks aren't kept up and improved at a routine and satisfactory pace.

Why should they??

 

[EpcotServo]

So I guess Ripsaw Falls, Bilge Rat Barges, Poseidon's Fury, Sinbad, and Cat in the Hat don't count as good attractions for you...

To be fair though, AS A BIG UNIVERSAL FAN, Both of those are water rides are useless if you don't want to get insanely wet, Sinbad is the worst theme park show ever created, Poseidon's Fury is a shell of the former show, and Cat in the Hat is always really beat up...

:shrug:

I love Universal alot, they are great parks. I'm afraid all of Disney's parks are just more well-rounded and complete, whereas Universal's strength and downfall is that it's pretty random, with great and mediocre attractions placed every which way. Not a bad thing, just the reason Disney will always have a core audience who will never warm to Universal.

What I don't get is why this Forum has gone from "not caring" to even more defensive about Universal than Universal forums are. Go to one of them and they're all fuming about delays and them building Rip Ride Rocket and tearing up Dueling Dragons.

Oh well, you can't please any of the people any of the time no matter who you are I guess...

:lookaroun :lol:

 

[Andy Walker]

Wow.

And people wonder why WDW's parks aren't kept up and improved at a routine and satisfactory pace.

Why should they??

They suit me fine-this is WDW Magic right? Not IOA or US Magic? I'm here because I'm a fan of Disney. I travel thousands of miles, at least twice a year, to visit Disney, not Universal.I could elaborate in great depth why I dislike Universal but as I said in my earlier post, there just ain't much in it for me and it's too noisy, brash, expensive etc. etc. etc. As I suggested earlier, I'd get more pleasure just BEING in any Disney Park, or for that matter, in any part of WDW property, than I would going to Universal.I dislike Universal.That's my opinion, sorry if that upsets you.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

To be fair though, AS A BIG UNIVERSAL FAN, Both of those are water rides are useless if you don't want to get insanely wet, Sinbad is the worst theme park show ever created, Poseidon's Fury is a shell of the former show, and Cat in the Hat is always really beat up...

I agree those water rides SOAK you. It keeps us from riding them most times when we go. But from what I hear, they've installed HUGE dryers that basically can dry you once you get off the ride... For a price. But I'll happily spend a few bucks if it allows me to ride those couple rides without worry of having soggy britches the rest of the day.

 

[EpcotServo]

I agree those water rides SOAK you. It keeps us from riding them most times when we go. But from what I hear, they've installed HUGE dryers that basically can dry you once you get off the ride... For a price. But I'll happily spend a few bucks if it allows me to ride those couple rides without worry of having soggy britches the rest of the day.

See, I'd never pay to ride a Water Ride ever. Not even Splash Mountain.
:lol:

ANYWAYS, as a Big Universal Fan and longtime attendee, I'm just not getting the sudden over-the-top Universal love in the last few days around here...It's like everyone got hit in the head with a stone and woke up loving it more than I ever have, and I've been a proud Universal Passholder three times, and still vacation there every chance I get now that I'm not...Some kind of Universal coma strike everyone?

:lol::brick:

 

[Buried20KLeague]

They suit me fine-this is WDW Magic right? Not IOA or US Magic? I'm here because I'm a fan of Disney. I travel thousands of miles, at least twice a year, to visit Disney, not Universal.I could elaborate in great depth why I dislike Universal but as I said in my earlier post, there just ain't much in it for me and it's too noisy, brash, expensive etc. etc. etc. As I suggested earlier, I'd get more pleasure just BEING in any Disney Park, or for that matter, in any part of WDW property, than I would going to Universal.I dislike Universal.That's my opinion, sorry if that upsets you.

Saying it like that is a bit different than saying any spinner ride in Disney is better than Spiderman at IOA, because it's in close proximity to a few of your favorite attractions. Can you not see how that might be viewed as a little extreme, biased, and a case of having blinders on?

But really, I think you might have missed my point.

It's that there are TONS of people like you. Those that have their minds set for one reason or another that Disney is good, Uni is bad. And you're entitled to that opinion.

And it's my opinion that folks with that mindset keep TDO from having to spend the money to maintain and freshen up existing attractions and delay adding new attractions... They know that folks like you will come, regardless. I also think it effects the quality of food choices, and entertainment options.

I love Disney. And I like Universal just fine. I can see good in both, and bad in both. I just can't relate to those that either choose not to see the good in something, or can't... Or that can't see the bad in something too.

Now where are those rose-colored glasses... I've got them here somewhere... :zipit:

 

[Buried20KLeague]

See, I'd never pay to ride a Water Ride ever. Not even Splash Mountain.
:lol:

ANYWAYS, as a Big Universal Fan and longtime attendee, I'm just not getting the sudden over-the-top Universal love in the last few days around here...It's like everyone got hit in the head with a stone and woke up loving it more than I ever have, and I've been a proud Universal Passholder three times, and still vacation there every chance I get now that I'm not...Some kind of Universal coma strike everyone?

:lol::brick:

Yeah, normally I wouldn't want to pay a few bucks either, but I see that hill on ripsaw falls and always stand there for 10 minutes deciding if it's worth getting soaked for. The dryer provides me an easy out. :lol:

I'll go on record saying that I LIKE uni. Don't love it. Don't get there every trip. I'd say each trip we always hit Disney and then alternate years between Uni and Seaworld. But... That might change as my girls get older and want more thrills, too.

 

[Andy Walker]

Saying it like that is a bit different than saying any spinner ride in Disney is better than Spiderman at IOA, because it's in close proximity to a few of your favorite attractions. Can you not see how that might be viewed as a little extreme, biased, and a case of having blinders on?

But really, I think you might have missed my point.

It's that there are TONS of people like you. Those that have their minds set for one reason or another that Disney is good, Uni is bad. And you're entitled to that opinion.

And it's my opinion that folks with that mindset keep TDO from having to spend the money to maintain and freshen up existing attractions and delay adding new attractions... They know that folks like you will come, regardless. I also think it effects the quality of food choices, and entertainment options.

I love Disney. And I like Universal just fine. I can see good in both, and bad in both. I just can't relate to those that either choose not to see the good in something, or can't... Or that can't see the bad in something too.

Now where are those rose-colored glasses... I've got them here somewhere... :zipit:

WDW is an aesthetically and naturally beautiful place, which Universal is not.This is why I derive pleasure from simply being there. Also, I'm sorry, but I think the idea that Disney sit on their laurels because they think they have a captive audience is just plain wrong.

I've visited WDW every year since '92 (just about the time US opened, I believe, or was it '93?) and have seen major development and renovation on virtually every trip.
Perhaps we take for granted what's been done-new parks, new water parks, new hotels, new stores, Cirque Du Soleil, Disney Quest, the Vacation Club-the list goes on and on and that's before we even begin to think about the replacement of rides and attractions and the upgrading of the old.It's constantly being refurbished for our future enjoyment.

As for culinary options, in '92 it was basically burgers, pizza and pasta-now WDW has some of the finest restaurants in Florida.

In the same time frame Universal has built one new park, a few hotels, City Walk and a parking garage. I don't mean to be as 'down' on Universal as I may sound-I used to enjoy it when it first opened and I did have a bad time there about three years ago and haven't been back since- but the two just don't compare in my book.