However, to me too UNI still fails to connect on an emotional level, misses the magic, UNI just doesn't resonate with the audience the way Disney parks do.
I'm sure some people feel that way- I used to feel that way myself, but things change. I've been going to WDW since 1972, when I was 6 years old, and I used to be one of the biggest pixie dust addicts you'd ever meet, next to my mom. But the magic isn't there like it used to be- in particular MK is stale, EC is a shell of what it was and DHS is pathetic. We often have "what do you want to do?" "I dunno, what do you want to do?" "wanna just leave?" conversations when we visit MK these days, and I remarked to her just last year how we never seem to take pictures at WDW anymore. I think that's the most telling thing of all.
My mom will sometimes still say she "hates" Universal, despite the fact that we always had a good time when we go there. I think what she really hates is how disappointed she's become by WDW.
Having annual passes for both, we are very stingy about standing in lines, unless it's for Ollivander's Wand shop experience. Then we'll wait for an hour, multiple times- because we know we'll grin, and clap, and giggle like school girls. Nothing puts a bigger grin on either of our faces than the HP Forbidden Journey ride- makes my whole week. One of Mom's favorite rides of all in ANY park is the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train- fun, scenic and relaxing, plus a different experience depending on which track you start on. We always switch to the other after riding one. We both feel like kids again, when we ride the Caro-Seuss-el. I enjoy strolling Jurassic Park and Marvel Island, just soaking up the atmosphere, and we'll people watch from the benches on New York St. Mom loves consistently beating me at Men in Black (although we both wish there was "more" there than just a ride) and we've both gotten some great stories out of being on stage in Disaster! She agreed to come to Halloween Horror Night for the first time last year (as long as her sister and brother in law came too) and we had a blast- and like we often do at UO, took LOTS of pictures!
In particular, she loves that we get dressed up to go to dinner at Choup Choup, where the staff makes us feel like we are celebrating a special occasion, even when we are not. Can't remember the last special occasion we spent at WDW. We both are over the moon about how the pool attendants at Royal Pacific bring around chilled cucumber slices, after they are done setting up our chairs with specially folded towels. Don't recall anyone bringing us free treats poolside at a WDW pool, even back in the good ol days. Having a night out at Citywalk, dancing at the Red Coconut or drinking up the courage to go on stage at Rising Star, reminds us of the good ol times we used to have at Pleasure Island, except it sure is nice to just have a short walk back to the hotel when the fun is done, rather than a bus ride.
I've remarked to several people- UO is the vacation kingdom in Orlando these days, because we come back from there feeling like we've really been on vacation. We have already had several where we stay on UO property and never go to WDW at all, and I'll bet we'll do a lot more of that in the future.
Jimmy is right about one thing though- WDW will always have the larger attendance. Fine by me, less people in front of me in line for Ollivander's.
