Would you rather spend a day at Disney's Hollywood Studios, or Universal Studios?

[JillC LI]

It's very hard to believe you've actually seriously looked at anything besides a few shots of The Incredible Hulk or Dragon Challenge when you say something as silly as this.

Some people seem to keep forgetting that they're supposed to be comparing just Uni, not IoA and its coasters as well.

 

[Californian Elitist]

The irony is that so many Disney fans will eat up something at the Disney parks because the right characters have been slapped on.

Exactly. Or just because it's a Disney product in general.

 

[Tom Morrow]

The Transformers building looks out of place next to the New York sets, but remember that it's actually part of the "Production Central" area, which is just a loose "anything goes" theme already. It just happens to be a huge building. I hate that Disney fanboys (not necessarily anyone in this thread) are quick to imply that Universal was "too stupid" or something to notice that the building clashes with the surrounding sets, when its obvious that they've never been as much about total immersion as they are about just an exciting and lively atmosphere.

 

[BryceM]

Cardboard cut-out background, 'façadism', and a baresteel coaster.

UNI has taken more than one leaf from Disney's book. It has not only copied the best of WDW, but also the worst: how to ruin great views and thematic unity with intrusions of the 'what were they thinking' kind.
I do love RRR though! One of my fav coasters. It's ugly and plain daft to look at, but what an entertaining ride! I always pick ZZ Top - yes, music from 450 years ago, and totally uncool back then to begin with. But whatever works for me, right!


And what is it with 'studio' parks' and their penchant for the dreaded 'soundstage+concrete+crap shows' combo? All UNI and Disney studio parks have these zones of 'suck out all of the fun of the guest, leave dark gaping hole in his soul'.

I do agree that HRRR is an intrusion on New York at Universal Studios. At least it looks d*** cool at night, with the LCD lights whizzing around. And it looks awesome from CityWalk, but from New York, it really ruins the sightlines. But yes, HRRR is very fun (just wish it were smoother). I always pick Intergalactic by the Beastie Boys, but next time I think I'll enter a secret song code and play Rainbow Connection from The Muppets!

 

[Kitchandro]

Universal has fallen out of favour with me since they decided to replace the all-time classic jaws ride with MORE Harry Potter rubbish (it's bad enough they ruined Dueling Dragons).

It's still a great park, but Disney just does parks better. Better atmosphere, seems less hassle, fastpass system is better. I love the Great Movie Ride, Rock'n' Rollercoaster and the Tower Of Terror.

Universal still has a great atmosphere but it's not quite the same. So, just, Hollywood Studios.

 

[BryceM]

Universal has fallen out of favour with me since they decided to replace the all-time classic jaws ride with MORE Harry Potter rubbish (it's bad enough they ruined Dueling Dragons).

I am so glad you brought up Dueling Dragons. I miss what that ride used to be. Entering under the two dragon statues, the queue... Oh, the queue. It had to be the best themed queue I'd ever walked through at the time. The moving stained glass windows, the skulls, the ice room... Everything! So amazing.

 

[Kitchandro]

I am so glad you brought up Dueling Dragons. I miss what that ride used to be. Entering under the two dragon statues, the queue... Oh, the queue. It had to be the best themed queue I'd ever walked through at the time. The moving stained glass windows, the skulls, the ice room... Everything! So amazing.

Yeh agreed. The queue and the whole theme was superb. Sadly I didn't get to appreciate it as much as I'd have liked to as there never seemed to be an actual queue when I went on it. And you know when you're with other people, they just want to get on the ride asap

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Honestly I don't think I'm going to even bother with the "backlot". Not after going to real backlots for so many years. I will definitely be checking out the shows, though.

If you said you actually wanted to do it, I'd probably have to question your sanity. Unless you were saying that you wanted to make fun of it...I like it just because 1. the real thing isn't exactly close and 2. they have real movie props that they switch up every now and then. Last time I got to see the puppets from Sound of Music, which was exciting to say the least. Several versions of Herbie from Herbie: Fully Loaded as well as props from Who Framed Rodger Rabbit and Pearl Harbor are also located there. So it gives me my fix. I hit it about once a year.

Disneyland's Fantasyland has two Dumbo-themed rides (right next to each other) and two Alice-themed rides (right next to each other). There's nothing wrong with having two Snow White-themed attractions by each other. That would have been really cool, but what's done is done.

The difference is that they are two different attractions. Dumbo is a spinner, Casey Jr. Circus train takes you through Storybook Land and, IMO, doesn't even remind me of Dumbo. Alice in Wonderland tells the story while Tea Cups supplements it. In both Mine Train and Snow White, they tell Snow White's story. They really don't need both. Plus, I know people on here have been complaining about it being gone, but that's because we're all classic and don't like messing with the classic. The general population wasn't as thrilled with it. When I told my friends how sad I was that it was leaving, except for my one friend who loves Disney almost as much as I do, none of them remembered it. It was rarely more than a ten minute wait, even during high season in June and August. I think a princess meet and greet is necessary and a better use of the area for the general population.

@lazyboy97o and I were talking about space in theme parks. He said Disneyland makes for a different experience because everything is so close and there's always something to see, everywhere you look. There was an article stating Disneyland's cuteness factor is due to the fact that everything is very close together. I thought that was interesting.

He's right. It's almost overwhelming at first to those of us used to WDW. But then DL also FEELS more crowded then WDW does. The paths, I think, are narrower and therefore people cram together. I've been to DL and WDW in June around the same time. I found myself stuck in large crowds far more frequently in DL. WDW you can get stuck in a crowd during important events (parades, fireworks, etc.) but IMO, it was way worse in DL. It's my understanding that for the newer sections, they're widening out the paths even further at WDW. But personally, I like DLP better than MK just because there's more to do contained in that park. That, and the attention to detail in Toontown was awesome and far outweighed our Toontown when it existed.

I wouldn't say DLP is "cute". Charming is a better world.

I'm planning on visiting in either 2016 or 2017. By that time, the Mine Train will be open. Disneyland's 60th is in 2015 and I want to be immersed in that celebration, so 2016 or 2017 are my contenders.

Are they planning anything for the 60th have you heard?

Either one would be a good year. You probably knew this, but I would not recommend that you go in the summer unless 1. you'd like to see some very cool lightning (I know how you feel about bad storms!) or 2. you want to learn the definition of humidity. If you don't plan on doing the water parks, January is a nice time to go. The crowds are low and the temperatures are nice, and t-storms are infrequent. If you'd like to try the water parks (which I highly recommend because they are AWESOME!) then try April. You might end up fighting some storms, but you won't have to deal with the extreme heat and humidity. I understand that by mid April the crowds aren't horrible.

 

[BryceM]

Disney's Hollywood Studios is winning. Though I should have figured it would have pulled through with the site's obvious Disney bias, hahaha.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Universal has fallen out of favour with me since they decided to replace the all-time classic jaws ride with MORE Harry Potter rubbish (it's bad enough they ruined Dueling Dragons).

Oh, yeah, the most innovative theme park attraction in YEARS is just total "rubbish." And they RUINED Dueling Dragons somehow, an unthemed roller coaster with a themed queue. Yeah, they gutted the queue a bit, but who cares? You never even wait through most of it. The decision to no longer have the trains duel had nothing to do with Potter.

Rest assured, the Gringott's attraction and whatever else is planned with Potter 2.0 are going to absolutely blow Disney's mediocre Seven Dwarfs Mine Train offering (the only attraction on the horizon that has even gone vertical, mind you) away, and at this rate it may even be finished sooner.

It's still a great park, but Disney just does parks better. Better atmosphere, seems less hassle, fastpass system is better.

If you actually knew the logistics behind Disney's Fastpass system then you would never, ever say that. It's a mess, an absolute joke (referring to the current system as who knows what Fastpass+ will be like or when we will even see it rolled out). Good luck with riding TSMM or RnRc on even an average crowd level day, without a Fastpass - because of Fastpass. That alone is extra hassle. Yet you can easily do all of US on a similar crowd level day with less hassle.

"But you have to PAY for Universal's Fastpass!" - Because their service is a true premium perk rather than a method of crowd control to keep you 1. in the park longer. 2. out of the lines and in the stores and restaurants longer, which is all Disney's Fastpass system accomplishes. When you buy a Universal Express pass, you get every attraction, and can do it whenever you want. Being a premium upcharge service also means that a minority of the park patrons are using it, rather than the majority (upwards of 80%) of people riding a Disney attraction with Fastpass, so it isn't inflating the standby lines to a ridiculous extent.

"Disney does parks better." Sure, but DHS is not a good example. It is objectively not a great park in it's current state.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Are they planning anything for the 60th have you heard?

Either one would be a good year. You probably knew this, but I would not recommend that you go in the summer unless 1. you'd like to see some very cool lightning (I know how you feel about bad storms!) or 2. you want to learn the definition of humidity. If you don't plan on doing the water parks, January is a nice time to go. The crowds are low and the temperatures are nice, and t-storms are infrequent. If you'd like to try the water parks (which I highly recommend because they are AWESOME!) then try April. You might end up fighting some storms, but you won't have to deal with the extreme heat and humidity. I understand that by mid April the crowds aren't horrible.

Nothing's officially been announced from Disney, but rumors are both parks are getting a new parade and Disneyland is getting a new firework show. Someone on MiceChat reported a few days ago that Steve Davison (head of the entertainment department, specifically parades and fireworks) was in a four hour meeting with TDA the other day, and two projects were approved for the DLR. Guess we'll see about that.

Summer is a big H3LL no! I can't stand the humidity and I refuse to deal with Florida's humidity. I'm probably going to go either in the spring or the fall, if I get lucky.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Nothing's officially been announced from Disney, but rumors are both parks are getting a new parade and Disneyland is getting a new firework show. Someone on MiceChat reported a few days ago that Steve Davison (head of the entertainment department, specifically parades and fireworks) was in a four hour meeting with TDA the other day, and two projects were approved for the DLR. Guess we'll see about that.

Summer is a big H3LL no! I can't stand the humidity and I refuse to deal with Florida's humidity. I'm probably going to go either in the spring or the fall, if I get lucky.

Haha, I don't blame you. If you're not used to it, it's awful. Actually, if you're used to it, it's awful. Especially when your father decides to take you bike riding in it and it turns out to be 100 degrees that day...we brave it by the pool and go to the parks in the afternoon and evening when it's not as bad. I literally revolve what I do with my hair around the weather. I have really curly hair, but I like to straighten it. So during the winter when it's dry, I cut it shorter and straighten it. Then in the summer, I let it grow and let it curl. And in between I still choose to either blow it out or completely straighten it based on the humidity. What can I say?

If you go in the spring, April is better than March and May. Most everyone is in school in April. I think you'd be happiest in January honestly, just because it's not really humid and the temps are better, but you'd be fine in the spring or fall. Just keep in mind that thunderstorms are more frequent then than in the winter (when you may not see a drop of rain) and Florida t-storms can be bad. Think Back to the Future without it randomly stopping at the last streak.

 

[Kitchandro]

Oh, yeah, the most innovative theme park attraction in YEARS is just total "rubbish." And they RUINED Dueling Dragons somehow, an unthemed roller coaster with a themed queue. Yeah, they gutted the queue a bit, but who cares? You never even wait through most of it. The decision to no longer have the trains duel had nothing to do with Potter.

Rest assured, the Gringott's attraction and whatever else is planned with Potter 2.0 are going to absolutely blow Disney's mediocre Seven Dwarfs Mine Train offering (the only attraction on the horizon that has even gone vertical, mind you) away, and at this rate it may even be finished sooner.

If you actually knew the logistics behind Disney's Fastpass system then you would never, ever say that. It's a mess, an absolute joke (referring to the current system as who knows what Fastpass+ will be like or when we will even see it rolled out). Good luck with riding TSMM or RnRc on even an average crowd level day, without a Fastpass - because of Fastpass. That alone is extra hassle. Yet you can easily do all of US on a similar crowd level day with less hassle.

"But you have to PAY for Universal's Fastpass!" - Because their service is a true premium perk rather than a method of crowd control to keep you 1. in the park longer. 2. out of the lines and in the stores and restaurants longer, which is all Disney's Fastpass system accomplishes. When you buy a Universal Express pass, you get every attraction, and can do it whenever you want. Being a premium upcharge service also means that a minority of the park patrons are using it, rather than the majority (upwards of 80%) of people riding a Disney attraction with Fastpass, so it isn't inflating the standby lines to a ridiculous extent.

"Disney does parks better." Sure, but DHS is not a good example. It is objectively not a great park in it's current state.

Innovative shinnovative. Jaws was a much loved, classic film and the ride too. Harry Potter may be popular with today's young people but it will never hit the heights Jaws does as an all-time masterpiece of a film. It annoys me they've put so much focus on it, it's just not that great.

Regardless, the Gringotts ride will never have the same effect on me that Jaws had. It was one of the parks most loved rides, it had charm, it was light-hearted, it was fun, it made you jump, it had everything. I don't care what they come out with, a Harry Potter theme will never have the same effect.

Which brings me to the Dragon ride. Firstly, I'm aware that Harry Potter was not the reason they don't duel anymore, but the theme of the queue was just so much better. Creepier, more interesting, and yeh, the queue's do make a difference for some people. The atmosphere of the parks is as important as the thrills of the rides. Frankly, my interest in riding the Harry Potter themed stuff in comparison to the old stuff is minimal.

I'm not sure what you're getting at with the fastpass thing. I haven't been for 3 years so I'll admit the fastpass system may be different to how I remember it. But when I last went, the Disney fastpasses were great, and believe me, it was a huge plus that they were free. Sure you had to plan when you wanted to use it but that seemed fair, queue times were not always less than 5 minutes but they were still greatly reduced to the point where you could enjoy them, but didn't get bored.

I also remember the Universal ones being pretty limited, you couldn't use them for many rides. Maybe that has changed. I certainly didn't believe it was a 'premium perk', more like a rip-off.

I seriously couldn't fault the Disney ones the last time and all the previous times I went. Very useful and free.

 

[Lexxweb]

I like the atmosphere of DHS. I think the park itself feels more genuine and the theme is "tighter" out in the park areas (I'm a UO TM, so don't flame me for my opinion there - I still love the UO). However, I think the park needs to rework a couple of areas and bring in some heavy attractions.

ToT, RnR, ST and TSMM are all very nice, but in reality that's it. Yes, they have some cool shows, but shows don't have re-ride value and it's a theme park. Having cool shows is just an expectation, it gives you something else to do other than riding thrill rides. They've met their requirement for shows, in fact, I believe they have too many (Indy, American Idol, Beauty/Beast, Mermaid, LMA, Animation, One Mans Dream)

I'd really like to see them switch up the backlot tour a little bit and try and make it feel more like a legit backlot tour. Back when they had the television houses it was awesome. They need to refocus the whole thing from start to finish. It's not a real tour, but an attraction simulating one so go all out!
What about Wisteria lane from Desperate Housewives? It was an ABC show. Now, I know USH had it on their tour, but considering they've already redressed the set I think it could be fun to get rid of Catastrophe Canyon and put in some of the Streets of America again! If space is an issue, it doesn't have to be in full, but some random houses from popular TV shows. I think people really miss that.

I also want to see that one attraction that's thrilling, but not a thrill ride. Something like the JAWS Ride, Kong, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc. It doesn't have to be spieling, but a ride where the thrills aren't found in speed/drops but in an exciting fast-paced story that makes you want to see what's next in the show!
Base it off a popular non-animated Disney flick and shabam! A nice major attraction that can anchor another part of the park. Dare I say get rid of Mermaid and Animation (or relocate animation to AI/Sounds Dangerous?) and use that part of the park to put this attraction. Just sayin...

Back to my point, if DHS did some of that ^ I think it'd beat out USF. Like I said, I love USF, but I really love the USF I grew up with not the USF of today. Not a fan of all the attractions in THAT park that are properties of other studios, it's not really Universal's Studio anymore. DHS is a little weak in areas, but it definitely has the bones and atmosphere to build itself into something unique. It can become what Universal once was, which was truly magical. We shall see.

Oh, and get rid of the hat

 

[3WaltFans]

It surprises me that people would pick Universal! Why do you people even come on this board. Most of the talk is usually negative. I don't get it. Of course we are talking such a small minority on this board, that it really doesn't make a difference.

 

[lazyboy97o]

It surprises me that people would pick Universal! Why do you people even come on this board. Most of the talk is usually negative. I don't get it. Of course we are talking such a small minority on this board, that it really doesn't make a difference.

Because our love is more for themed entertainment than the Disney name.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Because our love is more for themed entertainment than the Disney name.

Well as for me, it is for love for Disney. Classic Disney quality, that is.

 

[Foolish Mortal]

Always always always a WDW park !! Have never stepped in a non Disney Orlando theme park. Can't bring myself to do it. Kinda be like cheating on a spouse.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

It surprises me that people would pick Universal! Why do you people even come on this board. Most of the talk is usually negative. I don't get it. Of course we are talking such a small minority on this board, that it really doesn't make a difference.

I think most people have very nuanced opinions about Disney and UNI. There is actually very little outright fanboyism going around.

Also, not all criticism is negativity. Or the other way round!

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Always always always a WDW park !! Have never stepped in a non Disney Orlando theme park. Can't bring myself to do it. Kinda be like cheating on a spouse.

Seriously? Such a shame, you're missing out! There is real quality beyond the borders of the World.

UNI is a really well run resort. SEA is fantastic, even better than UNI - if you have no qualms about the wisdom of keeping large ceteceans in small basins.* It would be a shame never to see these parks. Even the old Boardwalk and Baseball / Circus World and Mystery Fun House were essential elements of our holidays way before UNI was ever even heard of!



* Which reminds me: How do you get two whales in a mini? You take the M50 across the Severn bridge!
Yes, the joke works better when spoken. I'll get me coat.