Woot! Unofficial Guide giving Uni its due!!!!!!!

luv

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I almost never post quotes from the UG because they work hard (I assume, not like I'm hanging with them) and deserve to have people buy the book to get the info. If @lentesta wants me to delete this, I totally will.

I'm making an exception because I'm so pleased they said this. It needed saying. Also, it doesn't give away actual touring advice or anything.



From the UG (any misspellings or typos are mine)...

:geek: Here beginnith the quote from The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2014, pg. 19-20... :)

...

We also get comments from readers who are under the impression that Universal's offerings are inferior to Disney's. By any objective measure, they are not. The title of this guide remains The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World, but it should probably be The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

In many ways, Universal Orlando will never achieve parity with Walt Disney Wold. It's minuscule compared with the 27,000-odd acres of Walt Disney World. The Universal property can't accommodate golf courses, marinas, campgrounds, or even additional theme parks. But in the areas where it can compete with Disney - namely, in theme park design and quality - Universal has pulled even, if not ahead.

Universal has been technologically ascendant for several years, introducing revolutionary ride systems and special effects on both rides and in theater performances. On the other hand, the Magic Kingdom's new and enlarged Fantasyland is a point in contrast: Though visually stunning, its attractions break little ground. Neither the sophisticated animatronics of Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid nor the multimotional ride vehicles of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (opens 2014) come anywhere close to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal's Islands of Adventure. While Disney relies conservatively on highly detailed themed areas, beloved characters, and inspiration from classic animated features (that many young people under age 16 have never seen), Universal has taken a technological swing for the fences. It began with Universal Studios' Terminator 2: 3-D theater attraction, which seamlessly blends 3-D action with live actors. Even after more than a decade, audiences still erupt in spontaneous applause after every performance.

Granted, Disney parks do have their share of high-tech attractions and not all Universal attractions approach the creative genius of Forbidden Journey or Spider-Man. But while guests at both Disney and Universal report high levels of satisfaction, it's the next-gen technology manifested in Universal's headliners that delivers true "Wow!" moments. Plus, the Wizarding World, Lost Continent, Port of Entry, and Jurassic Park sections of Islands of Adventure clearly demonstrate that Universal can also create exquisitely detailed and totally immersive themed areas.

We see the two Universal parks and the four Disney parks as rough equals, and every one a gem.

...

:geek: Here endith the quote. :)

There is more, but I'm on an iPad and I'm tired of typing. Want more? Buy the book.
 
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luv

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Yup! You can get a Lines app for them, too.

More people need to say it, because Disney has long been perpetuating the notion that Uni is inferior and has nothing for kids, lol.
 

lentesta

Premium Member
Thanks @luv !

We added new reviews of all the Uni resorts to this edition. Space constraints prevented us from including the updated attraction and restaurant reviews, but they're in the Beyond Disney book coming out later. And we've added a lot of Uni blog content to the site - I'm really happy with how that's going.

Bob and I are big fans of Universal. As an AP holder, the dining and resort discounts are pretty good. (I think my AP paid for itself after 3 hotel stays.) If they can execute on Diagon Alley and perhaps move ahead of DHS and AK in attendance, a lot of people are going to sit up and take notice.

Len

PS: Let me know if you've got feedback on the touring plans. That two-parks-in-one-day one was difficult b/c DA hasn't opened.
 

BryceM

Well-Known Member
Plus, the Wizarding World, Lost Continent, Port of Entry, and Jurassic Park sections of Islands of Adventure clearly demonstrate that Universal can also create exquisitely detailed and totally immersive themed areas.
So glad that they mentioned these themed lands. Islands of Adventure truly has some lands which are works of art, the ones mentioned being some of the best theming anywhere. I do feel Seuss Landing might have deserved a mention though, but I'm sure that the level of theming present there is mentioned somewhere else throughout the book.
 

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