Universal Studios today is not even similar to "back in the day". My aunt always called Universal "Disney's poor cousin", and at the time she was certainly correct.
But Universal has not only updated their parks by leaps and bounds, but in recent years, due to the Harry Potter craze and their advancements with technology, they've actually given Disney some really good competition. With multiple updates in the past few years, I find each experience fresh, while Disney at times feels stale, as they take long periods of time to make changes.
Universal is geared toward people who love real rollercoasters and extreme rides. If you don't enjoy those, that's not because no one enjoys them, it is honestly about taste (and I suppose age). I LOVE rollercoasters, and the best coaster I've been on to date is The Hulk. And I have favourite rides at Universal that Disney doesn't even hold a candle to, these days.
If I were planning an amusement park vacation that did not include children, I would prefer to spend more days at Universal than at Disney, hands down. There are less children, more adult/teen options, and actor endorsement for the rides. Anyone can be in a Mickey suit, but a hologram of Harry and his friends that looks almost realistic is much more magical to me. Or hearing Brendan Fraser and cast talk about filming the Mummy via TV while waiting in line for the ride (and the videos they keep showing during the line blend seamlessly into the ride, as it's part of the entertainment). Other actors that have done video for Universal rides include Christopher Walken, Bill Paxton and Helen Hunt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Patrick, Will Smith, not to mention the voice overs in the Simpsons area.
I am completely NOT shocked at the prices. Goodness, Six Flags alone is charging more than 50.00CAD for one day admission these days.
In terms of the preferred resorts, the prices reflect the location. If you stay at one of these preferred resorts, you are literally in walking distance to both parks as well as City Walk, which offers the kind of night life that Disney would never offer.
Their Halloween events are some of the most top notch events, if you're into getting scared silly, with props and makeup directly from movies, and inspired by them.
I love Disney, don't get me wrong. But just because the Universal experience is hugely different than Disney does not mean it is not worth the price they are charging.