What a terrible thread. The OP may not have done proper planning for her Universal experience...but she is certainly not alone on that front. Usually people here on the DIS are nicer about pointing out how someone could have used certain tools to be better prepared.
This was like sharks at a feeding frenzy! I am surprised the moderator of this board did not shut down the thread or do more to keep it on topic.
We all come across people that think differently than us. It would be nice to treat the differences w/ more respect. The OP was posting as a Mom who felt this park was not suitable for her child. The rides were too big, the layout confusing, and the atmosphere. She was actually quite tactful in trying to explain what she perceived as clientelle she felt uncomfotable around. Nowhere did she mention race .. yet somehow this thread became embroiled about that.
My family took it's 1st trip to Univ/IOA last Dec. I was well versed on the park, chose to stay at HRH for FOTL, and was eager to see the Macy's floats and parade during the Christmas Season. Our children are 3 and 6. To be fair, the kids loved the parks! They met Sponge Bob, Scooby, Spiderman and rode some great rides. We loved the mummy and thought the parent swap set-up was A+, allowing us to enjoy a few rides while the kids were occupied in nice waiting areas w/ Nick cartoons. BUT
BUT BUT we were totally
unimpressed w/ the overall atmosphere at the parks and the language. I have never heard so many foul mouthed people. nd yes, I've seen groups of teens at the Disney parks and the language and actions just don't compare. Maybe I've been lucky. But I haven't seen it and hope I'll never see anything like it again. The parade was pitiful unfortunately too and even at the HRH...things were just loud loud loud, everywhere we turned. We felt there was nothing here to bring us back anytime soon.
That being said...it was hard to come home and tell people, "no, we just didn't like it" LOTS of people love Univ. It does has some great things to offer, but we just didn't like the atmosphere and especially the language that was so prevelent. Heck, even in the SHOWS at Universal they use slang and swear words. That was our first "wow....did you hear that"?
So...at the risk of inflaming this thread again....I'm posting, to offer the OP some support.
Before we did our trip I read a few threads where some Mom's of young children had made comments on the parks not being so great. I thought "oh, they just are focusing on all the coasters and don't realize there are areas that are great for the kids too". But having been, I understand these Mom's were trying to offer some friendly advise, in a way they wouldn't get flamed. This Mom spelled it out a little more specifically, and look what she got for it.