ethanwa
Disney Superfan
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
Just some quick thoughts on my first trip to Universal since I was about 14 (which was 20+ years ago) as compared to Disney. This is our first time going today since we've been locals here the past year:
Note: These are my OPINIONS and I don't expect others to agree with everything I say.
- The Harry Potter lands, both Hogsmead and Diagon Alley, are on par with any land Disney has ever created. I wouldn't say it's better, but it's definitely got that Disney magic. I was VERY impressed. My whole family had a blast there today. You could spend a whole day just staying in the Harry Potter areas. Unfortunately the rest of Universal is NOT like Harry Potter.
- The Hogwarts Express (that travels between parks) was not as good as I expected, though it was neat. The screens on the train are not quite high quality enough, and I didn't quite feel that it was real enough. They did a good job, but it could have been slightly better.
- Now, the rest of the parks (both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios) are NOT up to Disney standards. That includes the Simpsons area, etc. The parks feel very disjointed and the theming is sometimes mixed and misused. The flow of the parks is not good, in my opinion. Some employees are also somewhat rude (not all though). I will say that Islands of Adventure does have some amazing themed areas.... but they still just feel disjointed, if that makes sense. I think Disney has the right ideas making a central spoke-and-hub in many of their parks, where Universal tends to have a circle around a lake.
- Universal is more about fun rides for older kids and adults, for the most part, and it was very easy to see and they didn't try to hide that. Roller coasters tower above lands, and you can see them from other areas of the park. You can hear the Hulk ride, for example, in almost every location of the park, except Harry Potter. Besides Harry Potter, the focus is on the RIDE, not the LAND. We saw waaaaay more adults-only and teenager+ groups there today than we saw strollers and kids. Even City Walk (the equivalent of Downtown Disney) is adult-themed, with clubs, a tattoo parlor, etc.
- Universal Studios is like Disneyland in size. Disney World just has no equal in terms of land. There are two parks, a downtown, and it's in the middle of a city. It's compact and walkable, but also not as immersive.
We got annual passes for the family, and I'm glad we did, because of Harry Potter.... but if it wasn't for HP, I am not sure we would have gotten them. It will be a great place for my wife and I to visit in the mornings when the kids are at school.
Overall, Disney will still be our main go-to for entertainment, with Universal being a "few times a year" thing.
Ethan
Note: These are my OPINIONS and I don't expect others to agree with everything I say.
- The Harry Potter lands, both Hogsmead and Diagon Alley, are on par with any land Disney has ever created. I wouldn't say it's better, but it's definitely got that Disney magic. I was VERY impressed. My whole family had a blast there today. You could spend a whole day just staying in the Harry Potter areas. Unfortunately the rest of Universal is NOT like Harry Potter.
- The Hogwarts Express (that travels between parks) was not as good as I expected, though it was neat. The screens on the train are not quite high quality enough, and I didn't quite feel that it was real enough. They did a good job, but it could have been slightly better.
- Now, the rest of the parks (both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios) are NOT up to Disney standards. That includes the Simpsons area, etc. The parks feel very disjointed and the theming is sometimes mixed and misused. The flow of the parks is not good, in my opinion. Some employees are also somewhat rude (not all though). I will say that Islands of Adventure does have some amazing themed areas.... but they still just feel disjointed, if that makes sense. I think Disney has the right ideas making a central spoke-and-hub in many of their parks, where Universal tends to have a circle around a lake.
- Universal is more about fun rides for older kids and adults, for the most part, and it was very easy to see and they didn't try to hide that. Roller coasters tower above lands, and you can see them from other areas of the park. You can hear the Hulk ride, for example, in almost every location of the park, except Harry Potter. Besides Harry Potter, the focus is on the RIDE, not the LAND. We saw waaaaay more adults-only and teenager+ groups there today than we saw strollers and kids. Even City Walk (the equivalent of Downtown Disney) is adult-themed, with clubs, a tattoo parlor, etc.
- Universal Studios is like Disneyland in size. Disney World just has no equal in terms of land. There are two parks, a downtown, and it's in the middle of a city. It's compact and walkable, but also not as immersive.
We got annual passes for the family, and I'm glad we did, because of Harry Potter.... but if it wasn't for HP, I am not sure we would have gotten them. It will be a great place for my wife and I to visit in the mornings when the kids are at school.
Overall, Disney will still be our main go-to for entertainment, with Universal being a "few times a year" thing.
Ethan