[PacMan2002]

If so, I'm curious what you all think? I go there as well as Disney. I love them both, and to me, they both have their strong points. Overall, Disney, to me, is better because it's been around longer, the rides cater to a wider age group, the theme parks are built more creatively, and the people working in WDW are nicer. Those have been my observations, what about yours?

As far as rides, I cannot lie, I love movies. That's why MGM is my favorite Disney park. While I think the actual layout of Universal Studios Orlando gets quite boring after two or three hours of basically walking in one huge, complete circle, I think the rides and attractions there are very good. What are your favorites and least favorites?

Has anyone been to Universal's 'Island's of Adventure?' I went two years ago when it still wasn't complete. From what I saw and rode on, it was quite good. I'm looking forward to experiencing these rides again.

This thread wasn't meant to bash Disney in any way. I love WDW. But, I would be curious in people comparing and contrasting the two experiences. I enjoy reading what other people think on this subject. Thanks.

[wdwjeff]

I love them both-I think, Universal caters more to older kids and adults, while Disney has a little more for everyone. Also, you can see everything in US/IOA in 2-3 days, while you can almost never see everything in WDW. I'm going to both (3 days US, 7 days WDW) this summer. What do other people think?

[jgriff2388]

:) I like both parks, but overall WDW is by far my favorite. This year we are going to just WDW. Since US has on site hotels now, we plan to go there next year and stay at one of their hotels.

The one nice thing US has over WDW, however, is that US resort guests don't have to stand in the long lines for the rides. They have a separate entrance for their resort guests. From what I heard from friends who stayed on site at US, this is a fabulous service. They state that there is virtually no line, they just walk up and get on the rides. Hopefully Disney may offer something like this in the future.

[brumcg]

I haven't been there, but I'm sure that I will within the next few years. My daughters are ages 2 and 10. In a few years, the oldest will really enjoy Universal so she and I will probably head over there for a day or two while mom and the youngest stick to Disney. I don't know if my wife will ever be able to spend a moment outside of Disney when she's in Orlando; it would be sacrilege! :)

The thing that I've been watching over the last year with great interest is that Universal seems to be pulling out all the stops in an effort to compete directly with Disney. I've only heard glowing comments about the customer service - especially guests at their own resorts. This comes at the same time when Disney has been taking their lumps. I take much of this with a grain of salt, though, since Disney is a very easy target - especially in the media.

Bruce

[mickey]

Don't worry about asking about other attractions in Orlando, or anywhere else you may be visiting Disney. Most other sites feature areas on US, Sea World and Busch Gardens. I choose not to do so and just stick with Disney, but that doesn't mean you can't ask about them. I have been to Islands of Adventure, and it was great. I don't think it is something I could do everyday for a week though. We were there at opening, along with about ten other people. We ran to Dueling Dragons and rode it nine times within 45 minutes. We would get off, and walk to the front loading area, and have to wait one car at most. I was sick for nearly two weeks after that. Unfortunately, we didn't discover Spiderman until later in the afternoon. That ride alone is worth the price of admittance. I am hoping that Space is from that same mold.

I really like IOA, and I usually take my older kids there every trip to Orlando. It is a great place for older kids who are tall enough to ride the coasters. Outside of that, I think it is a waste for others. There are so few rides for them it just doesn't make sense. Although, the Cat in the Hat ride is great, what Pooh was meant to be. I think we may have to go to US next time, my kids are Nickelodeon freaks, and really want to go get slimed. I don't think we will ever go and stay in the resorts though, with DVC and all the other options, we may never even get to stay at all the Disney resorts we would like to.

[stingrock23]

Of course you should go to Universal. That's one thing I dont' understand about many travellers to Orlando. Dont' get me wrong, i'm a Disney freak and will go there as much as I can. Some people say Universal doesn't have the magic of Disney, and they're right. No place on earth has the magic Disney has, but that doesn't mean you not go to Universal at all. I've read many trip reports and people dont' go there. I mean, you travel all the way to Orlando, i think you're missing out if you dont go to Universal. It's just part of the whole experience and shouldn't be missed.

[shawnp0001]

If you have the time and money, you should go to both. Universal has more thrill rides (Islands of Adventure), but the park does not have the magic that Disney has. I will always visit both, but will always stay on Disney grounds for the atmosphere and customer service. I personally like Islands of Adventure more than Animal Kingdom or MGM Studios, but not as much as Epcot or Magic Kingdom. The Universal Studios park is fun (I rank it below MGM Studios though), but does not have many good "shows" which makes the repeat value less than its MGM counterpart.

[lopo]

Although I have been to Disney several more times than Universal, I like Universal a lot. The attractions-Terminator 2 3D, Earthquake, ET Adventure, Back to the Future, Jaws, Kongfrontation (naming a few)-are lots of fun. I think that I especially enjoy many of the shows/rides because I am a huge movie fan. I think that they have some wonderful shows, too. Honestly, I am so surprised at the high quality of some of these productions. On my last visit I actually made time to watch the Blues Brothers at two showtimes. (But, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Tarzan Rocks are absolutely fantastic presentations.) That's (all) great entertainment! I especially like to make time for the show because it provides us with an opportunity to rest between the frantic pace of riding the rides.
I even enjoy walking along CityWalk more than Disney's Pleasure Island (although I havent been to PI in about 3-4 years.) We visited Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville (lunch), NBA City (dinner) and Hard Rock Cafe (lunch). NBA was just okay, but the other two were dee-lish.
We also went to Islands of Adventure last year. It was awesome (even though I chose to sit out some of the too-thrilling-for-me rides). The kids (ages 5, 11, 12, 13) all had a fabulous time and the three older kids liked IOA the best (even more than Disney, I think!) That may have had something to do with the fact that it was their first trip to IOE, and they've been to WDW several times. Just an educated guess though.
In any case, I'd definitely recommend a trip to Universal for a day or two if you can fit it in. I don't hink ou'll be sorry.

[wdwjeff]

One more thought. If you do go, you must go on the Spiderman ride. As I stated above, there's more to do at WDW, but Spiderman is the best ride in Orlando, IMHO.:D

[Goofette]

We're going one day to US, the only thing I'm worried about is my daughter getting on the rides. She's been so afraid of everything lately, and I won't make her ride something scary. I don't know out of the rides they have what she will actually like. Do they have the baby switch thing like MK does?

[lopo]

wdwjeff, I agree: Spiderman is awesome! I don't know how I forgot to mention it.

Goofette, I am pretty sure they have the baby switch thing at Universal, too. My five-year-old niece was with us and she was afraid of Spiderman (the character, not the ride). He was nearby the ride's entrance. I don't think she could have gone on the ride due to her size/age even if she had wanted to do so. But, she stayed with her mom anyway (Mom isn't a gung-ho thrill seeker either. Not that I am, either, but . . . ) You can pick up one of Universal's 'fasr passes' (I forget what U. calls them, but they work the same as Disney's FP).