Worst Disney/Universal Orlando park?

[Sir_Cliff]

I think what carries the two weakest WDW parks (Epcot and DHS) is that they still have enough of the old school Imagineering left to give them some charm. In Epcot, it's more World Showcase than whatever the front of the park is called, with the exception of Spaceship Earth. Hollywood Studios, meanwhile, has enough of that old Hollywood theming left and some pretty solid attractions (even if there aren't enough of them). That, I think, leaves USF as the worst of the bunch as its attraction roster doesn't really make up for its generally poor and charmless theming.

 

[Rush]

Studios Florida is the worst Universal park, but one thing I wouldn't call it is charmless. It certainly has more charm than DHS and EPCOT. I think had it not demolished the vast majority of it's classic line-up of rides, it would've ranked higher for many people. For all things considered though, I would pick DHS as the worst. USF has the better shooter ride, indoor coaster, entertainment, immersive land and overall atmosphere. DHS's rides are uninspired to anyone who's been to other disney parks, especially in California.

 

[Smugpugmug]

I would say it's a tie between USF and Hollywood Studios. At Universal Studios Florida, I enjoy rides such as the Mummy, ET and Men in Black but there are just as many rides that I think are straight up bad (Simpsons, Fast and Furious and Jimmy Fallon). Food options outside of Diagon Alley and the Today Cafe are atrocious.

As for Hollywood Studios, it's more of a personal preference as it's the Disney park I want to be in the least. It lost a lot of it's charm with the removal of the Great Movie Ride and many of the other "classic Hollywood" touches in the theming. It seems like such a mess now in terms of theming.

Also who voted for Animal Kingdom?? That park is beautiful, though it does lack rides.

 

[BlakeW39]

Studios Florida is the worst Universal park, but one thing I wouldn't call it is charmless. It certainly has more charm than DHS and EPCOT. I think had it not demolished the vast majority of it's classic line-up of rides, it would've ranked higher for many people. For all things considered though, I would pick DHS as the worst. USF has the better shooter ride, indoor coaster, entertainment, immersive land and overall atmosphere. DHS's rides are uninspired to anyone who's been to other disney parks, especially in California.

I would definitely consider USF pretty close to charmless. Most of its aesthetic is pretty bland and shallow in my opinion, and while MIB may be good by point-and-shoot-ride standards....point-and-shoot rides are almost always mediocre anyways, the ride is still not a stand out imo.

Definitely think DHS and EPCOT have much more charm, even as shallow as the former park is

 

[SpectreJordan]

Yeah, IOA has an attraction roster which greatly exceeds that of any WDW park. Particularly as far as ride quantity is concerned. MK is honestly the worst offender because, like you said, it truly has no attraction that WOWS me now. For the most popular theme park on earth, its attractions are just so....lackluster. And Disney does not give two *****.

And agreed in terms of DAK and DHS. DHS feels very shallow, it lacks any of the vision that the other parks possess. However it still exceeds USF in almost all metrics. Now DAK....fantastic park, just not enough of it. That and, Disney seems content letting a certain mythical primate just sit there broken, and they completely ruined DINOSAUR....which in the past was a good E-ticket in my opinion. Not headliner material, but a very good ride nonetheless.

DHS is a park in the middle of a theme transition, from the making of the movies to living in the movies. I really hope Disney realizes they actually need to finish that, especially with this supposed $17 billion investment for WDW.

I think it has a lot of potential once its "complete", but Disney just needs to complete it first.

Studios Florida is the worst Universal park, but one thing I wouldn't call it is charmless. It certainly has more charm than DHS and EPCOT. I think had it not demolished the vast majority of it's classic line-up of rides, it would've ranked higher for many people. For all things considered though, I would pick DHS as the worst. USF has the better shooter ride, indoor coaster, entertainment, immersive land and overall atmosphere. DHS's rides are uninspired to anyone who's been to other disney parks, especially in California.

I don't see how Rise of the Resistance or Tower of Terror are "uninspired" unless you just mean because they're found elsewhere in the world. An argument could be made for those two being the best rides in WDW.

 

[SplashJacket]

I’m intrigued to see where Epic Universe lands for people once it opens, because I think it’ll be the biggest change to the Orlando lineup since Epcot originally opened.

Comparing it to Islands, which is currently my favorite park in Orlando, has some interesting results.

Comparable rides that are probably better at Epic Universe

• Monster’s coaster > Hippogriff
• Hub Carousel > Sues Carousel
• Yoshi > Sues Sky Train
• HTTYD flat > Dr. Doom
• Monster’s headliner > forbidden journey
• Harry Potter Headliner > Spider-Man
• Hub Dueling Coaster >>> Hulk

Comparable rides that are probably better at Islands of Adventure

• Popeyes > HTTYD Splash battle ride
• Hagrids>HTTYD coaster

Then the rest of the ride line-up at Epic, you have

• Mario Kart
• Donkey Kong Coaster

The rest of the rides at Islands

• Kong
• VelociCoaster
• Cat in the Hat
• Sues flat-ride
• Kid’s flying coaster
• Rip Saw

The headliners at Epic:

• Monsters
• Harry Potter
• Mario Kart

Likely in that order of quality

Islands headliners:

• VelociCoaster
• Hagrids
• Forbidden Journey
• Spider-Man

I really think Epic will give Islands a run for it’s money, especially with the fantastic HTTYD show from Beijing which will just be something Islands just plainly lacks. Epic should also have nightly show, who knows how it will be, but that should also elevate the pack.

The Hub Coaster is really hard to guess where it’ll land because it seems to have far sparser theming than either VelociCoaster or Hagrids, but until you ride it, you don’t know how good the actual ride is.

Donkey Kong coaster and HTTYD seem to be sleepers, but I think they will surprise a lot of people, especially Donkey Kong.

Epic should also have a lot more interaction throughout the park, with Harry Potter and Nintendo including extensive interactivity.

Overall, I think Epic will likely be better for families, and assuming non of the three headliners are busts. Wow.

I’m honestly less frustrated with Disney’s expansion, because the current lull is getting filled by Universal, and their expansion should open thereafter.

I honestly don’t have a trip planned to Orlando until Epic Universe opens, or until I can buy an annual pass that’ll include it’s first few months of operations.

Super excited

 

[ᗩLᘿᑕ ✨ ᗩζᗩᗰ]

Hollywood Studios for me. It's has so few attractions and the park seems to have lost it's "edge" as the antidote to the saccharine Magic Kingdom. Hollywood Studios desperately needs a high thrill action adventure attraction, a water ride, something to provide some frights and a newer stage show. The park just feels tired.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I chose Hollywood studios but it’s nearly a tie between them and Universal
studios, I generally dislike all studio themes, the Disney Studios Park in France being the worst.

Potter slightly edges out Star Wars for me, otherwise it’s a draw.

 

[PaulZ]

Hollywood Studios. Always has been and I don’t see any reason that would change.

 

[Jrb1979]

I know many hate on USF but I think once Epic is done they will pour money into fixing it up. The reason I give USF a pass is they have the Halloween event in Orlando.


For me Epcot is the worst and will continue to be the worst. People talk about USF lacking good theming, Epcot tops it. Putting in IP everywhere and have completely gone away from what made Epcot different.

 

[tcool123]

As a passholder for both resorts,

Universal Studios Florida is likely my least favorite. I feel the least compelled to go there during regular operating hours. Many of the attractions are lackluster are best (Fallon, F&F, Simpsons), have too large wait times for what they offer (Transformers, Rip Ride, Minions, Gringotts) or is an enjoyable alien romp (MIB & ET). The quality of dining is the worse in the parks, and honestly? Does not improve with its seasonal festivals. The shows lack the same repeat factor that many of the shows at WDW carry.

The one saving grace for the park? HHN - which means out of two months out of the year I'm pretty much exclusively there.

 

[Hawkeye_2018]

AK for me. It's a nice park, I've done it twice. But with the lack of rides, I have no interest in spending the money to go back.

 

[Wilbret]

Hollywood Studios is a half-day park at best. Yeah, you can stretch it out, but it doesn't deserve a day in a tight schedule.

 

[Weather_Lady]

To me, the worst park is the one that is the most ill-designed and difficult to tour in a pleasant and efficient manner (i.e., without ridiculous waits, wild criss-crossing, and exhaustive trend-monitoring and preplanning). Far and away, that park is Hollywood Studios.

 

[Wilbret]

Let's try a head to head of Universal vs Hollywood Studios

• Rip Ride Rocket vs Tower of Terror - ToT wins running away. RRR needs a refurb.
• ET vs. Slinky - Slinky is dinky, and the wait isn't deserved. With Woody Woodpecker gone, there really is no comp, so I put ET here. ET is a much better value if you are waiting for an hour.
• Mummy vs RnRC (closed) - Brendan Fraser has an Oscar, need I say more?
• Gringotts vs RoTR - one is likely to be down. Harry Potter for the win.
• Kang & Kodos vs Alien Swirling Saucers. Funny aliens for the win. A.S.S. is just that.
• Bourne vs Indiana Jones. Bourne technology is freaking amazing. Win.
• MIB vs Toy Story. MIB is perhaps the premiere darkride shooting thingamajig around, period.
• Simpsons vs Star Tours - Calling this one a tie. Even though the Simpsons should be retired, there is a reason Star Tours is often a walk-on ride.
• Jimmy Fallon vs ??? Muppets Lol? I dunno. I could sleep thru both. Tie.
• Transformers vs Smuggler's Run. Optimus Prime needed our help. Smugglers run queue is more interesting than the ride.
• Fast & Furious vs Runaway Railway. Anything is better than F&F, Goofy for the win here
• Diagon Alley vs Galaxy's Edge. No contest, GE is cool, but a huge letdown when you expected immersion like HP lands at universal.
• Shows - Animal Actors/Makeup/etc vs B&Beast, Muppets, Frozen, etc - Hollywood the clear winner-ish here, but it's not a runaway!
• Nighttime Shows - UO has nothing to offer currently, so HS for the win. Fantasmic is Fantastic. If UO gets drones, it may actually move ahead.
• Intangible - HHN alone makes UO superior to HS. There's no comparison. HS has no real events. If they still had the Osbourne Family Lights... I might call it a close race!

;-)

 

[Andrew25]

Things are changing at USF big time.
Right now USF is going through an infrastructure (Disneyland-esque "Stardust" project) of its own. Constructions walls are everywhere, and once they go down, new ones magically appear elsewhere in the park. Lots of concrete work, new food booths (with new menu items finally).

The advantage USF has is that Universal is willing to invest in its parks, even with Epic Universe under construction. While I'd like to be positive, there have been no indications of DHS receiving anything significant in the next few years.

USF is still atrocious in the dining space outside of special events (however, I've noticed some positive changes within the last few weeks - Cafe La Bamba, Mel's being a bit better in quality, etc.).

While ET is in a sad state (but not as bad as Figment), they are actually starting to refurbish some of the older rides. Mummy was completely overhauled, Rockit is surprisingly smoother now, and MIB is receiving subtle changes.

Pair that with a rumored nighttime entertainment package for next year (parade, lagoon show with drones?) and USF is setting itself up to be a much better park once larger projects come online in a few years.

 

[J4546]

Let's try a head to head of Universal vs Hollywood Studios

• Rip Ride Rocket vs Tower of Terror - ToT wins running away. RRR needs a refurb.
• ET vs. Slinky - Slinky is dinky, and the wait isn't deserved. With Woody Woodpecker gone, there really is no comp, so I put ET here. ET is a much better value if you are waiting for an hour.
• Mummy vs RnRC (closed) - Brendan Fraser has an Oscar, need I say more?
• Gringotts vs RoTR - one is likely to be down. Harry Potter for the win.
• Kang & Kodos vs Alien Swirling Saucers. Funny aliens for the win. A.S.S. is just that.
• Bourne vs Indiana Jones. Bourne technology is freaking amazing. Win.
• MIB vs Toy Story. MIB is perhaps the premiere darkride shooting thingamajig around, period.
• Simpsons vs Star Tours - Calling this one a tie. Even though the Simpsons should be retired, there is a reason Star Tours is often a walk-on ride.
• Jimmy Fallon vs ??? Muppets Lol? I dunno. I could sleep thru both. Tie.
• Transformers vs Smuggler's Run. Optimus Prime needed our help. Smugglers run queue is more interesting than the ride.
• Fast & Furious vs Runaway Railway. Anything is better than F&F, Goofy for the win here
• Diagon Alley vs Galaxy's Edge. No contest, GE is cool, but a huge letdown when you expected immersion like HP lands at universal.
• Shows - Animal Actors/Makeup/etc vs B&Beast, Muppets, Frozen, etc - Hollywood the clear winner-ish here, but it's not a runaway!
• Nighttime Shows - UO has nothing to offer currently, so HS for the win. Fantasmic is Fantastic. If UO gets drones, it may actually move ahead.
• Intangible - HHN alone makes UO superior to HS. There's no comparison. HS has no real events. If they still had the Osbourne Family Lights... I might call it a close race!

;-)

i disagree with quite a few of these but to each their own

 

[SpectreJordan]

Hollywood Studios for me. It's has so few attractions and the park seems to have lost it's "edge" as the antidote to the saccharine Magic Kingdom. Hollywood Studios desperately needs a high thrill action adventure attraction, a water ride, something to provide some frights and a newer stage show. The park just feels tired.

I have just the IP for basically all of that:

Let's try a head to head of Universal vs Hollywood Studios

• 
  
• Gringotts vs RoTR - one is likely to be down. Harry Potter for the win.

;-)

Man, I disagreed with a lot of what you said. But I don't know how anyone can think this one lol

 

[Wilbret]

i disagree with quite a few of these but to each their own

I have just the IP for basically all of that:



Man, I disagreed with a lot of what you said. But I don't know how anyone can think this one lol

The point of the hastily assembled post was to create conversation. It doesn't matter if we disagree.

But I do think that RoTR is overhyped. It was down over 500 times in 2022, that was what tipped the comparison, if you note. ;-)

 

[BlakeW39]

I’m intrigued to see where Epic Universe lands for people once it opens, because I think it’ll be the biggest change to the Orlando lineup since Epcot originally opened.

Comparing it to Islands, which is currently my favorite park in Orlando, has some interesting results.

Comparable rides that are probably better at Epic Universe

• Monster’s coaster > Hippogriff
• Hub Carousel > Sues Carousel
• Yoshi > Sues Sky Train
• HTTYD flat > Dr. Doom
• Monster’s headliner > forbidden journey
• Harry Potter Headliner > Spider-Man
• Hub Dueling Coaster >>> Hulk

Comparable rides that are probably better at Islands of Adventure

• Popeyes > HTTYD Splash battle ride
• Hagrids>HTTYD coaster

Then the rest of the ride line-up at Epic, you have

• Mario Kart
• Donkey Kong Coaster

The rest of the rides at Islands

• Kong
• VelociCoaster
• Cat in the Hat
• Sues flat-ride
• Kid’s flying coaster
• Rip Saw

The headliners at Epic:

• Monsters
• Harry Potter
• Mario Kart

Likely in that order of quality

Islands headliners:

• VelociCoaster
• Hagrids
• Forbidden Journey
• Spider-Man

I really think Epic will give Islands a run for it’s money, especially with the fantastic HTTYD show from Beijing which will just be something Islands just plainly lacks. Epic should also have nightly show, who knows how it will be, but that should also elevate the pack.

The Hub Coaster is really hard to guess where it’ll land because it seems to have far sparser theming than either VelociCoaster or Hagrids, but until you ride it, you don’t know how good the actual ride is.

Donkey Kong coaster and HTTYD seem to be sleepers, but I think they will surprise a lot of people, especially Donkey Kong.

Epic should also have a lot more interaction throughout the park, with Harry Potter and Nintendo including extensive interactivity.

Overall, I think Epic will likely be better for families, and assuming non of the three headliners are busts. Wow.

I’m honestly less frustrated with Disney’s expansion, because the current lull is getting filled by Universal, and their expansion should open thereafter.

I honestly don’t have a trip planned to Orlando until Epic Universe opens, or until I can buy an annual pass that’ll include it’s first few months of operations.

Super excited

If EU does indeed give IOA a run for its money then Disney will have a serious problem on its hands. Fandom morale for the Disney parks is really low right now... EU represents an alternative for a consumer base that has basically been a captive audience for a while now.

I think Mario Kart looks extremely underwhelming though. I don't know how, but I think they managed to make the same basic mistakes with this attraction that they did Fast & Furious: Supercharged (although not as extreme). Mario Kart is a RACING GAME... one should assume that if you're adapting it to the form of a theme park attraction, it would incorporate high speeds or racing.

That aside, I think the other attractions will likely be very solid, which will again be trouble for Disney as DAK, DHS, and EPCOT all lack the quantity of E-ticket attractions necessary to really justify their prices, and MK at the moment has...like now truly WOW rides. HM is a classic...but my god is it dated imo. It has not aged like PotC, and on the other hand, PotC is an extremely weak version of a ride found better elsewhere. Why they built TRON, and not an attraction that could try compete with Universal in terms of thrill level or quality, is astounding to me.