danlb_2000
Premium Member
It is a nice walk, but my feet are rarely up to it! The boat ride is usually longer, but it's much more relaxing.
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Why Disney is better than Universal and other amusement parks...
- Thread starter Jimmy Thick
- Start date
It is a nice walk, but my feet are rarely up to it! The boat ride is usually longer, but it's much more relaxing.
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
I positively love both Uni and WDW parks. Can't put Six Flags into a theme park category, to me anyhow Six Flags is an amusement park. To the best of my knowledge they don't claim to be a theme park. But onto the Bar that Disney set. Do they currently imagineer and build to the standard they once set? it is one thing to set the bar another to maintain 4 parks at that level.
I Stay half a vacation at Uni and at their resorts, nothing beats the Portofino, secluded charm, lovely boat ride to both parks and City in under 10 minutes. No packed buses or monorails, no breakdowns. No long transfers to parks or their evening venue. Much like Disneyland. Bice at the Portofino is over the top fine dining that I don't have to book 180 days out for a ressie or a time. I enjoy that vacation freedom, I had that once at Disney. Portofino is the most relaxing resort I've stayed at between Disney and Uni plus beautiful. Staff over the top professional. I'm dumbfounded as to how anyone can hate the quality of the resort with the timely, efficient and well maintained transportation. At night you are transported to the mood over the pond.
Uni set a new bar for 21st century resorts and transportation and is adding solid attractions in a very timely fashion that Disney's yesteryear bar did at one time.
I'm worse off for FP & FP+, the lines overall moved swifter before FPs all came about. Our family loved the monorail and riding in the cab but we don't dare ride if we have to be somewhere. I see the bar moving downward for transportation and we often resort to taxi cabs. I need to leave an hour to an hour and half to be on time from my resort to where I am going, often using multiple forms of transportation. The bar is Good Enough for Disney.
It was an interesting conversation in Splash Mountain queue trying to explain the Song of the South theme and why Disney chose that theme. Disney can be a bit on-vanguard when theming attractions like Splash and many adore Disney's chutzpah for daring to walk the fine lines of taste. We saw this too in Dixie Landings, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. You really need to lalalalala to some of the politically incorrect attractions and resort themes that were thoughtfully imagineered. Now that is a bar that has been consistent.
I am going to always love Disney but I am a realist and know there are fantastic attractions and resorts elsewhere that now share chunk of vacation dollars. I believe the WDW guests that cannot look at WDW objectively are more the problem with the state of the Disney Bar, when guests accept the Good Enough bar and glorify the lower bar of course Disney will let WoL sit, put in attractions like Idol, accept Yeti is dead and leave Tommowland age out as it has. When Disney learned that guest will glow over the conditions at WoL Disney knew many would accept the bar being lowered at their other parks. Now their eyes are opening wide as they have seen other parks raise the bar while we Disney Fans talk endlessly about attractions that may be built far into the future.
I Stay half a vacation at Uni and at their resorts, nothing beats the Portofino, secluded charm, lovely boat ride to both parks and City in under 10 minutes. No packed buses or monorails, no breakdowns. No long transfers to parks or their evening venue. Much like Disneyland. Bice at the Portofino is over the top fine dining that I don't have to book 180 days out for a ressie or a time. I enjoy that vacation freedom, I had that once at Disney. Portofino is the most relaxing resort I've stayed at between Disney and Uni plus beautiful. Staff over the top professional. I'm dumbfounded as to how anyone can hate the quality of the resort with the timely, efficient and well maintained transportation. At night you are transported to the mood over the pond.
Uni set a new bar for 21st century resorts and transportation and is adding solid attractions in a very timely fashion that Disney's yesteryear bar did at one time.
I'm worse off for FP & FP+, the lines overall moved swifter before FPs all came about. Our family loved the monorail and riding in the cab but we don't dare ride if we have to be somewhere. I see the bar moving downward for transportation and we often resort to taxi cabs. I need to leave an hour to an hour and half to be on time from my resort to where I am going, often using multiple forms of transportation. The bar is Good Enough for Disney.
It was an interesting conversation in Splash Mountain queue trying to explain the Song of the South theme and why Disney chose that theme. Disney can be a bit on-vanguard when theming attractions like Splash and many adore Disney's chutzpah for daring to walk the fine lines of taste. We saw this too in Dixie Landings, Pirates, Jungle Cruise. You really need to lalalalala to some of the politically incorrect attractions and resort themes that were thoughtfully imagineered. Now that is a bar that has been consistent.
I am going to always love Disney but I am a realist and know there are fantastic attractions and resorts elsewhere that now share chunk of vacation dollars. I believe the WDW guests that cannot look at WDW objectively are more the problem with the state of the Disney Bar, when guests accept the Good Enough bar and glorify the lower bar of course Disney will let WoL sit, put in attractions like Idol, accept Yeti is dead and leave Tommowland age out as it has. When Disney learned that guest will glow over the conditions at WoL Disney knew many would accept the bar being lowered at their other parks. Now their eyes are opening wide as they have seen other parks raise the bar while we Disney Fans talk endlessly about attractions that may be built far into the future.
TubaGeek
God bless the "Ignore" button.
Disney has the richest legacy of any theme park. Ever. But it's a solid base that they have let become, not just stagnant, but bordering on dilapidated.
Universal was a shaky base that they are QUICKLY turning to a city of gold.
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bethymouse
Well-Known Member
From my experiences, Disney CMs and their resort hotels ( albeit expensive) give you a vacation to always remember , and that you very rarely have any problems when staying on property. If you do, for the most part you know Disney will take care of you. At least that's my experience anyway. I love the extra Disney touches to everything. It makes me smile, and happy.
The little touches Disney offers.
Like how because ToT is visible in World Showcase, it is actually themed to the Morocco Pavilion.
You don't have stuff like that at the amusement parks, you do have visible backstage areas like the horrible Dragon Challenge coaster at IOA. Instead of just recycling the ride they should have actually themed it to something Potter. Value designing anyone?
Jimmy Thick- Not to mention that parking lot you see which kills any immersion.
Like how because ToT is visible in World Showcase, it is actually themed to the Morocco Pavilion.
You don't have stuff like that at the amusement parks, you do have visible backstage areas like the horrible Dragon Challenge coaster at IOA. Instead of just recycling the ride they should have actually themed it to something Potter. Value designing anyone?
Jimmy Thick- Not to mention that parking lot you see which kills any immersion.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
There are those of us who don't really LIKE theme parks but we LIKE Disney, Now that Disney's quality standards are on par with Six Flags - we are seriously reconsidering why we are visiting Disney AT ALL. For people like me I'm not looking at UNI I was there ONCE a decade ago at a corporate event which I could not skip.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
Yes, but you act like the Disney theme parks are absolutely perfect when it comes to theming. How does the giant Swan & Dolphin hotels looming over World Showcase look to you? The backstage parking lot views you get while on Test Track? The Tangled Tower sticking above the ominous gardens of The Haunted Mansion? The backstage views of Main Street USA, which are easily visible? These things don't really bother me per say, but they are just examples of things which you think Universal is only guilty of.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love Disney, but I also love Universal Orlando and you're giving UNI way less credit than they deserve, especially by calling them "the amusement parks", when it is clear that they are THEME parks. No, they aren't perfect, but neither is Disney.
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TubaGeek
God bless the "Ignore" button.
My girlfriend is treating me to Be Our Guest on Christmas. Other than that, I don't plan on giving Disney a dime of my money till they start trying again.
And normally I would encourage you to not rule out a trip to Uni, but if you were only into WDW because it was Disney-related, I don't think you'd find it worth the money.
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ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
One never knows perhaps next time on business in Orlando I'll give UNI a shot, Never know if you will like something unless you try it and corporate events are NOT the time to try out a new park.
I've been going to Disney for years uncounted and at one time the Magic existed, Right now it's in danger of going away and becoming an expensive Six Flags or Cedar Faire. I've never enjoyed the carnival vibe I go to several county fairs every year but I avoid the midway I enjoy the Animal and Ag exhibits and the vendors but not the carny part of the fairs.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
That seems a bit excessive.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Really, With Disney catering to the 'pub crawl' crowd at EPCOT and the 'Honey Boo Boo' demographic at MK and quality nowhere to be found - except in small doses at AK (I truly enjoy the animals) I don't think it's excessive.
Disney now feels a bit like C.M. Kornbluth's 'The Marching Morons' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Marching_Morons
FettFan
Well-Known Member
Theming is my number 1 reason for putting Disney above all others.
Back when Six Flags had Astroworld in Houston, the theming was so crazy shoddy.
You see that? That's the Bamboo Shoot sitting in front of the Mayan Mindbender. A Chinese pagoda in front of a Meso-American ancient pyramid.
Back when Six Flags had Astroworld in Houston, the theming was so crazy shoddy.
You see that? That's the Bamboo Shoot sitting in front of the Mayan Mindbender. A Chinese pagoda in front of a Meso-American ancient pyramid.
BryceM
Well-Known Member
Wow, looks actually good for a Six Flags park. Better than 90% of the theming and atmosphere the other parks possess.Theming is my number 1 reason for putting Disney above all others.
Back when Six Flags had Astroworld in Houston, the theming was so crazy shoddy.
You see that? That's the Bamboo Shoot sitting in front of the Mayan Mindbender. A Chinese pagoda in front of a Meso-American ancient pyramid.
donaldtoo
Well-Known Member
I find it amusing that you don't think you're paying for FP.
There may not be a straight-up charge for it, but, I guarantee you're paying for it, one way or the other.
donaldtoo
Well-Known Member
If it's for dinner, just don't order the strip steak. I've had WAY better $10 dollar steaks at Applebee's, and that gristle-fest at BoG cost $30. And no, it wasn't just mine. My DS's was just as bad.
However, on a positive note, everyone else (party of 6) said they enjoyed their meals.
Runmyhorse
Well-Known Member
I really have to disagree. Uni is just as good as disney in my family opinion which is all that matters to us. 
Matt_Black
Well-Known Member
Indeed. Every trip has something that makes me stop and go, "Huh. I never noticed that before. That's really cool."
For me, part of what makes Disney special is the characters. Mickey Mouse is hands down an icon, not just of pop culture, but culture in general. People who don't read comics or watch cartoons could STILL give you a pretty accurate description of who Mickey Mouse is and what he's about, which puts him on par with a rare select few fictional characters. (Tarzan and Dracula* also spring to mind). And at the parks, these characters are brought to life.
Sure, other parks try something like this, but Disney is a level above. For example, Hershey Park in PA had (don't know if the still do this) "fur" characters that were anthropomorphic versions of their candy bars. Meeting a walking candy bar just doesn't strike me as having the same appeal as meeting Donald Duck. Few theme parks can boast characters as iconic as the Disney Parks. And that's just Disney. When you factor in what they've bought, like the Muppets, Star Wars, and Marvel (and yes, I know, the contract, but, though it might be a long time coming, Disney will eventually find a way to get some Marvel characters in EVERY park), then they have a veritable armada of beloved figures that appeal to a wide cross-section of the public.
Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Jimmy Thick - Still a member.