Do you like Disney World or Universal more? And why?

[skier_pete]

Are you saying you priced out RPH 'when' you were there in February? If so, you'd likely be looking @ rack rate. Did you check last year's date & rate thread here to see what people were actually paying during that time period for an accurate comparison?

NO - I priced it out when we were planning our trip. I bought an AP, and was thinking of getting a discounted room for one night during our trip to get FOTL...called in October and they told me no discounts but they weren't out yet, call back later. Then I called again in November, and again in December...no AP discounts, call back later. I was sort of surprised that they didn't have AP discounts out less than 2 months before the trip...but I couldn't argue because they were the employees and should know.

Then I called in January ...discounts are out, but none for my dates. At $400+ for the one night I said "forget it" since I already had a room elsewhere in Orlando I was paying for - we had a 2-bedroom unit at Sheraton Vistana that cost me $900 for 7 nights. Easier just to spend a little more time at Universal and keep the $400 in my pocket - other than our first day their really weren't lines to speak of anyways.

I didn't know anything about the "date and rate" thread...I just checked back on it - there's no prices of anyone staying President's week in 2017 and even back on the 2016. It must really just be the wrong week to go to Universal - because it seems like the hotels really gouge you. Looking at the rates on those threads, there are definitely some deals for prices not during that week - maybe good to know for the future. What's weird though is it seems like people got AP rates for Memorial Day, and 4th of July and lots of other dates...seems very odd they just target February break as black out dates. Is there anywhere on-line I can look at when AP rates apply?

 

[keishashadow]

NO - I priced it out when we were planning our trip. I bought an AP, and was thinking of getting a discounted room for one night during our trip to get FOTL...called in October and they told me no discounts but they weren't out yet, call back later. Then I called again in November, and again in December...no AP discounts, call back later. I was sort of surprised that they didn't have AP discounts out less than 2 months before the trip...but I couldn't argue because they were the employees and should know.

Then I called in January ...discounts are out, but none for my dates. At $400+ for the one night I said "forget it" since I already had a room elsewhere in Orlando I was paying for - we had a 2-bedroom unit at Sheraton Vistana that cost me $900 for 7 nights. Easier just to spend a little more time at Universal and keep the $400 in my pocket - other than our first day their really weren't lines to speak of anyways.

I didn't know anything about the "date and rate" thread...I just checked back on it - there's no prices of anyone staying President's week in 2017 and even back on the 2016. It must really just be the wrong week to go to Universal - because it seems like the hotels really gouge you. Looking at the rates on those threads, there are definitely some deals for prices not during that week - maybe good to know for the future. What's weird though is it seems like people got AP rates for Memorial Day, and 4th of July and lots of other dates...seems very odd they just target February break as black out dates. Is there anywhere on-line I can look at when AP rates apply?

2 months out = APH rates likely were already released & spoken for...Valentines' day/Presidents' day/dayton 500 weekend very popular times. Add in Mardi Gras weekends to amp up the popularity and it can be a tough grab.

Yes, there is a date & rate thread every year and another one for when APH rates are released. Planning is essential even on the laid back Universal boards if you want to save some $

I've visited every week in Feb over the years @ U, always have found a decent rate, otherwise we wouldn't have visited.

I'm guessing you were looking for 1 night, on a weekend/MGras night. FYI Often you will only see the APH rate during popular time frames available on multiple night visits. At times, minimum stays are imposed to book even at rack. U onsite properties are far more popular than many WDW vets realize. Inventory for APH rates changes often. Many book and then modify their rate.

As far as i know there is no calendar online as to APH dates, that's why the above-referenced two threads are handy planning tools. You can call U & ask for specific dates. Otherwise you need to plug in different date combos once you know the APH rate has been extended.

As for rack rates, this year Loews has been challenging the market to the say the least. Don't let the posted rates discourage you. I'm eyeing up the beginning & end of 4th of July week. Rack has dropped over $100 per night @ RPH. Still too high for me @ $370 or so + per night but I'm monitoring it closely.

 

[cleopenn]

I was on a thread on the DVC boards talking about booking and having to understand DVC - and it brought me back to this thread:

At Disney - you get an advantage by being smarter/wiser/planning ahead more than "the other guy". (FP+, ADR)
At Universal - you get an advantage by spending more money than "the other guy". (FOTL via $$/On-site hotel)

I've always preferred to out-think than to out-spend.

This is very astute observation and I think its true. The Universal resorts, at least the higher end ones, definitely cater to a different demographic than the Disney deluxe resorts.

 

[MrInfinity]

What's the point of comparing these on price? They serve completely different roles. As if to suggest if Universal were a little cheaper, it would be a wise choice to spend 2 weeks there instead of Disney and it would be just as awesome.

But part of the joy of planning (to me) for WDW is that I have a list of things I am looking forward to doing/seeing/eating, and I like the process of making sure we fit it all in. At US, there is not one specific ride, attraction or restaurant that I'm specifically looking forward to or feel I "must do" this trip.

This is not at all to say I don't like Uni. I'm sure we'll have a good time. We'll have a nice time experiencing the place, but more as a holistic experience, not for any specific list of attractions, if that makes sense.

This is exactly it -- Universal is great. We're going... I even have a plan. But when we leave, we'll probably feel like when we leave Six Flags. It won't be sitting on the porch with Captains Mai Tais watching the water pageant, thinking about the time and how we never want to leave this place. That's the main difference between Disney World and most other theme parks.

Anyways-- it's not a "which is cheaper" decision. We would never sit down and say... Ok, a week at Disney costs $10k and a week at Universal costs $8k... They're both family theme parks, so... Universal it is! It doesn't work like that. It's more about what you're going for. Enjoy both for what they offer in their own ways.

ETA: I would expect to pay a higher price per day when visiting Universal, because we would only ever be visiting for a couple days. At Disney we'll stay for 8 or 9 days so I'd expect to pay more overall but less per day. I would not compare 8 days at WDW to 8 days at Universal because I would never stay 8 days at Universal.

 

[EveDallas]

What's the point of comparing these on price? They serve completely different roles. As if to suggest if Universal were a little cheaper, it would be a wise choice to spend 2 weeks there instead of Disney and it would be just as awesome.

This is exactly it -- Universal is great. We're going... I even have a plan. But when we leave, we'll probably feel like when we leave Six Flags. It won't be sitting on the porch with Captains Mai Tais watching the water pageant, thinking about the time and how we never want to leave this place. That's the main difference between Disney World and most other theme parks.

Anyways-- it's not a "which is cheaper" decision. We would never sit down and say... Ok, a week at Disney costs $10k and a week at Universal costs $8k... They're both family theme parks, so... Universal it is! It doesn't work like that. It's more about what you're going for. Enjoy both for what they offer in their own ways.

ETA: I would expect to pay a higher price per day when visiting Universal, because we would only ever be visiting for a couple days. At Disney we'll stay for 8 or 9 days so I'd expect to pay more overall but less per day. I would not compare 8 days at WDW to 8 days at Universal because I would never stay 8 days at Universal.

You honestly think Universal=Six Flags?

 

[macraven]

Maybe the poster really likes six flags

 

[pcstang]

QUOTE="macraven, post: 57368849, member: 49094"]Maybe the poster really likes six flags[/QUOTE]

 

[keishashadow]

What's the point of comparing these on price? They serve completely different roles. As if to suggest if Universal were a little cheaper, it would be a wise choice to spend 2 weeks there instead of Disney and it would be just as awesome.

This is exactly it -- Universal is great. We're going... I even have a plan. But when we leave, we'll probably feel like when we leave Six Flags. It won't be sitting on the porch with Captains Mai Tais watching the water pageant, thinking about the time and how we never want to leave this place. That's the main difference between Disney World and most other theme parks.

Anyways-- it's not a "which is cheaper" decision. We would never sit down and say... Ok, a week at Disney costs $10k and a week at Universal costs $8k... They're both family theme parks, so... Universal it is! It doesn't work like that. It's more about what you're going for. Enjoy both for what they offer in their own ways.

ETA: I would expect to pay a higher price per day when visiting Universal, because we would only ever be visiting for a couple days. At Disney we'll stay for 8 or 9 days so I'd expect to pay more overall but less per day. I would not compare 8 days at WDW to 8 days at Universal because I would never stay 8 days at Universal.

Price is paramount for many, out of necessity or for varying reasons. Most of us have a certain # of weeks of vacation & a budget to stretch to cover them all. Doesn't matter if i were a millionaire, I'd always be looking for the best value I could find.

Sounds as though you haven't visited Universal yet, if so; make sure to come back & share your experience.

 

[schumigirl]

I really need to take a look at these six flag type places..........

Having never been I have no idea..........

 

[Annchristine65]

I really need to take a look at these six flag type places..........

Having never been I have no idea..........

In my personal, humble opinion Six Flags parks in no way, shape or form can compare to Universal, not even close. I'm not knocking Six Flags, if you love roller coasters they have some really awesome ones and you can have a really fun day there. But it is by no means a "theme" park. I'd call it an amusement park.

 

[schumigirl]

In my personal, humble opinion Six Flags parks in no way, shape or form can compare to Universal, not even close. I'm not knocking Six Flags, if you love roller coasters they have some really awesome ones and you can have a really fun day there. But it is by no means a "theme" park. I'd call it an amusement park.

Lol.........I kinda thought that.........

 

[EveDallas]

In my personal, humble opinion Six Flags parks in no way, shape or form can compare to Universal, not even close. I'm not knocking Six Flags, if you love roller coasters they have some really awesome ones and you can have a really fun day there. But it is by no means a "theme" park. I'd call it an amusement park.

This ^^^ Six Flags is fun. I live about 20 minutes from one and it's a good way to kill an afternoon. Great coasters. But nowhere in the same league as Universal. Not even remotely close.

 

[pcstang]

I really need to take a look at these six flag type places..........

Having never been I have no idea..........

It's nothing like Universal.

 

[pcstang]

This ^^^ Six Flags is fun. I live about 20 minutes from one and it's a good way to kill an afternoon. Great coasters. But nowhere in the same league as Universal. Not even remotely close.

We used to go to the six flags in ATL as kids. My wife and I did the Arlington six flags two years ago while in Dallas. Rides were great, park overall sucked. Employees, food prices etc were not good. Upkeep of the park was not good. Not saying we didn't have fun, just accustomed to USO and it's level of cleanliness and attention to detail.

 

[schumigirl]

Yes, I kinda guessed by the way it was usually compared to Universal.......usually by diehard Disney fans being dismissive of Universal, I never expected a fair comparison.......

It's what I expected.

Never really thought it would be anything like Universal.......

 

[skier_pete]

Yeah - Six Flags is nothing like either Disney or Universal. Six Flags are amusement parks, and they are fine for what they are. On a scale of 1 to 10, If Disney is a 10, Universal is a 9 (or reverse those if you prefer) Six Flags is about a 3.

 

[toonaspie]

Yeah - Six Flags is nothing like either Disney or Universal. Six Flags are amusement parks, and they are fine for what they are. On a scale of 1 to 10, If Disney is a 10, Universal is a 9 (or reverse those if you prefer) Six Flags is about a 3.

I've come to loathe Six Flags and King's Island type parks with a passion. It could be due to my disdain of roller coaster-centric parks. But I prefer complete immersion with rides not so focus on giving me a heart attack constantly.

 

[MrInfinity]

You honestly think Universal=Six Flags?

Maybe the poster really likes six flags

Is that really how you read that? ROFL. Most theme parks, including Universal, do not evoke the same feelings of love, adoration and passion out of so many people that Disney World does. The post I quoted was an example, as are most posts on this board like the "just got back" threads and the gobs of facebook and support groups that allow one to share their excitement about going to WDW in the run up to a vacation. That just does not exist regarding Universal or other parks.

In my personal, humble opinion Six Flags parks in no way, shape or form can compare to Universal, not even close. I'm not knocking Six Flags, if you love roller coasters they have some really awesome ones and you can have a really fun day there. But it is by no means a "theme" park. I'd call it an amusement park.

They have their similarities and differences. Universal is somewhere in between a Six Flags (as you call amusement park) and Disney (vacation resort). Uni and SF both predominantly attract teens and day-guests. Tho Universal tends to attract guests for 2 days, which sets it apart from the 1-day parks. Neither would draw me to spend a week there. Even a park like Cedar Point, I would still only make a weekend getaway out of. Same thing with Universal. Neither is going to evoke the feelings of longing to be there in the same numbers that millions of people crave going back to WDW... nor, would I envision spending 10-20 days a year vacationing there for the rest of my life.

Yeah - Six Flags is nothing like either Disney or Universal. Six Flags are amusement parks, and they are fine for what they are. On a scale of 1 to 10, If Disney is a 10, Universal is a 9 (or reverse those if you prefer) Six Flags is about a 3.

Fair enough that's your opinion, but most people do not see it this way. Most people take 1-2-week vacations to Disney World, but would not take a week or two vacation to Universal. Aside from a couple folks out here who I've heard speak about it, most in the real world do not view Universal as a 9, or effectively, an approximately equal substitute for Disney World. It's just not. On your scale of a 1-10, I would agree on your 3 and 10, but Universal would come in around a 6. They simply do not draw most guests to stay for more than 2 days, and those that do will stay for 3. 2-3 is the same # of days that we'd stay at a Cedar Point type getaway.

None of this is a knock on Universal... We're going, so obviously we love it! My post was to point out that Universal and Disney serve very different functions and markets and thus I thought the above comparisons trying to equate an 8-day Disney stay to an 8-Day Universal stay based on cost were not relevant because people do not pick their time, like 8 days, then evaluate Disney and Universal as equal options and choose one based on price. You go where you love.

 

[pcstang]

You make some excellent points as far as the love and adoration for the Disney parks. Very true, there's no denying that fact! However, there are a lot of us that spend more than 10-20 days a year at the USO resort. We, my 3 young children included, have no desire to go back to WDW. We are a universal family and that's how we feel. We meet several times a year with friends we've meet at USO and some feel the same way. USO is growing rapidly and developing a larger fan base, unfortunately. It's evidenced even here on the DIS. The number of new posters on the dark side of the boards has grown 10 fold, at least. This did get posted on the dark side boards hence some of the responses you've read. But hey, there are 5 less people you'll have to wait in line behind at WDW as you won't see us there!

 

[schumigirl]

I'll stick to my real world mr infinity.

10 years ago you may have been correct in your observations of Universal being a 2 day visit........over the years the same folks have been extending their very short stays into longer ones.

We lose count of the number of posts that start....."we're really Disney people" but they want to experience Universal for longer than they ever would before. The last 5 years has seen that change massively.

I have no love for Disney.......bores me to tears. Many folks that post in the Universal forums still go to Disney, but trips are lessening as they don't see the value in Disney anymore. You may see it as not a valid comparison to Disney, but many of us who love Universal and get a huge amount of enjoyment out of it do. But just because you see it that way, doesn't mean it's correct.

So Universal gets our money and will continue to do so.