We went to US for the first time and lasted about 15 mins before we went to get our money back. I have never been to a more lame park in my entire life. We went for park opening at 9am and nothing was open. There was only 1 store open, the rest were to open at 10:30. We wanted to see Curious George and it didn't open until noon. I will never go back. We are still laughing that Rocky and Bullwinkle were there to greet the guests as they arrived. There is absolutely no meaning or history to this park at all. We were shown a back exit to leave so that nobody could see us leaving. I will definitely be giving Disney my money for the rest of my life!
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US refund after 15 mins!
- Thread starter Betty X
- Start date
thefoyboy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2001
Betty,
In all honesty if all you gave Disney was 15 minutes early in the morning, my experience tells me you'd have the same type of situation.
I know we all have our 15 minutes of fame in life, but you didn't use yours up at Universal. Give it a real opportunity.
In all honesty if all you gave Disney was 15 minutes early in the morning, my experience tells me you'd have the same type of situation.
I know we all have our 15 minutes of fame in life, but you didn't use yours up at Universal. Give it a real opportunity.
Umm... Just what were you expecting to happen in the first 15 minutes that the park was open?
(Trying hard here not to pass judgement on your post for at least 15 minutes after I read it... and wondering where this secret back exit might be...)
(Trying hard here not to pass judgement on your post for at least 15 minutes after I read it... and wondering where this secret back exit might be...)
Humpbacks1962
Humpbacks1962 on Pinpics
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2001
Oh, let's not be so fanatical about something so petty!!
I could have described the same situation the first time I took my children to MGM. There was hardly a thing for a 4 and a 6 yr old to do! I got in by 9:00AM, and was ready to leave by 1:00 PM. That visit was back in 97 or so.
I have met several Disney die-hard fans that knew they'd hate Universal before they walked in it. It is like they were on a hilarious mission to go through all the hassle of visiting the parks just to let the Universal CMs know they were hated. Like, they could have used an empowering adrenalin rush or self esteem boost that day and the thought of victimizing poor Universal cast members was satisfying...
For all they cared...
I consider myself to be a Disney "freak". I love Disney! I have been a die-hard pin collector for almost two years now. But I am still able to walk into Universal and have a blast just as well! I am not going to post fanatical devotions on behalf of either of them anywhere, as neither pay my mortgage or advertisements.
So, to each his own and thank goodness for democratic variety in
the U S of A !
Wanda
I could have described the same situation the first time I took my children to MGM. There was hardly a thing for a 4 and a 6 yr old to do! I got in by 9:00AM, and was ready to leave by 1:00 PM. That visit was back in 97 or so.
I have met several Disney die-hard fans that knew they'd hate Universal before they walked in it. It is like they were on a hilarious mission to go through all the hassle of visiting the parks just to let the Universal CMs know they were hated. Like, they could have used an empowering adrenalin rush or self esteem boost that day and the thought of victimizing poor Universal cast members was satisfying...
For all they cared...
I consider myself to be a Disney "freak". I love Disney! I have been a die-hard pin collector for almost two years now. But I am still able to walk into Universal and have a blast just as well! I am not going to post fanatical devotions on behalf of either of them anywhere, as neither pay my mortgage or advertisements.
So, to each his own and thank goodness for democratic variety in
the U S of A !
Wanda
Fifteen minutes? Some people just can't last that long I guess.
At least you got your pesos back.
You oughtta try it on a week-day in the summertime really. All the bells & whistles are turned on then, and all parks are jumping. From early morn till late nite.
Jim
At least you got your pesos back.
You oughtta try it on a week-day in the summertime really. All the bells & whistles are turned on then, and all parks are jumping. From early morn till late nite.
Jim
welovemickey
Disney Junkie
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2000
The first time we went to Universal, I didn't think I would like it either. And to be honest, I wasn't overly impressed. BUT, we went back and now I wouldn't miss a visit to Universal on our trips! It's come a long way from when it first opened.
You should really give something a chance before making judgments. 15 minutes or even more is not giving something a chance. I wonder if you had too high expectations?
You should really give something a chance before making judgments. 15 minutes or even more is not giving something a chance. I wonder if you had too high expectations?
I have to comment on the "opening" of the attractions. Disney does the same thing! They stagger the opening of the attractions since first thing in the AM, there are just not enough people to fill the attractions. There ARE several attractions at Universal that open at 9...Twister, MIB...there are others. The rest open at 10, not 10:30. The exception might be Terminator 3D, and some of the other shows.
To say that nothing was open, is probably an overstatement - perhaps what YOU were interested in wasn't open? Curious George probably doesn't open until noon because, people generally enter the park and visit some attractions, and maybe by noon, the kids are ready for a little splashing and play area fun.
It's true...to each his own...the Studios doesn't blow me away, IOA does...but to say that you only spent 15 minutes there does nothing but show that you probably weren't all that interested in trying, I'm afraid.
I was at USF the other day, and personally, I was impressed that they still had plenty of characters about, and street shows, considering there was hardly anyone there...
Oh well...your loss, I suppose...
Karen
To say that nothing was open, is probably an overstatement - perhaps what YOU were interested in wasn't open? Curious George probably doesn't open until noon because, people generally enter the park and visit some attractions, and maybe by noon, the kids are ready for a little splashing and play area fun.
It's true...to each his own...the Studios doesn't blow me away, IOA does...but to say that you only spent 15 minutes there does nothing but show that you probably weren't all that interested in trying, I'm afraid.
I was at USF the other day, and personally, I was impressed that they still had plenty of characters about, and street shows, considering there was hardly anyone there...
Oh well...your loss, I suppose...
Karen
Making an effort to like something is ludicrous in my eyes. You either like it or you don't and I was simply not interested in forcing myself to experience anything. I was simply not impressed with the cleanliness of the park, but the staff was very nice and friendly. I was in disbelief at the blatant copying of the Disney parks but at US it all seemed so hollow with no meaning and continuity or relation between the stores and attractions. I have absolutely no desire to see Rocky and Bullwinkle and have my picture taken with them. We did see some of the Rugrats characters which I know some children would like but that was the only thing I saw that I did not laugh out loud at. We kept on walking through and waiting to see something that was interesting. We wanted to get a full day in at the park but decided that it wasn't for us. I just do not see the draw. Perhaps the draw is the rides but we are not ride people at all. We actually intended on buying a 3 day - 2 park pass at US but thought we should check it our first. I am glad that we did not get the longer pass.
The back exit we went through was what looked like a hotel lobby. We went to guest services first and we were not allowed to exit through the front gate where we entered. We were escorted through what we were told was a short cut but I did not find it to be shorter. We were also not given a refund for the parking fee that we paid for.
TigrLvsPooh
Travel Channel's Ultimate Disney Fan
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2001
Did you try IOA? Just wondering what your opinion was of it.
Humpbacks1962
Humpbacks1962 on Pinpics
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2001
Typical of bitter Disney die hard fans: To claim that everything Universal does, it does it to copy Disney. *I* consider myself a Disney die hard fan, but I love theme parks and I love visiting them with my children. It is about having a good time even when the style is different, sister! If you can't adapt to a different style, do yourself a favor and don't go elsewhere!
[post edited for violation of board rules]
Wanda
[post edited for violation of board rules]
Wanda
Is that a chip on your shoulder I see 1962?
I would suspect that your post might be edited before too long.
We are each entitled to our own opinion and I was so flabbergasted by my experience that I felt I should post. We tried to like it but it just wasn't happening so we left. Where would you say I went wrong?
I think we all owe it to ourselves to broaden our horizons and try new things, deciding along the way what we like and will do again and what we don't like.
I would suspect that your post might be edited before too long.
We are each entitled to our own opinion and I was so flabbergasted by my experience that I felt I should post. We tried to like it but it just wasn't happening so we left. Where would you say I went wrong?
I think we all owe it to ourselves to broaden our horizons and try new things, deciding along the way what we like and will do again and what we don't like.
lookingforward
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2001
I am a total Disney fan. I really love everything about Disney! Last April I went to US and IOA. We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. I have to say that previously, in 1995, I had been to US and was not that impressed. When we arrived at US at opening time there was not much open. So we walked around had something to eat. We continued to walk around the park and within an hour everything was up and running. I am glad that I waited! If you are not into rides than I think US would be more to your liking than IOA. There were a variety of different shows to see, some of my favorites were the movie make-up show, Twister and Terminator. Of course the rides were great too! My kids really loved US.There are several nice places to sit down and eat too. And towards the end of the day they have a great stunt boat show. If you love movies and you give it a few hours there is SO MUCH to do and see that does not involve rides. I think it is a shame that you only gave it 15 minutes because there is so much to explore and enjoy throughout the day. It would be like going to the Musuem of Modern Art (if you love art) and leaving after you saw the front lobby!
Believe me, I LOVE Disney and we are going for two weeks in April. But we will be spending two days at US and IOA because, although different than Disney, they are awesome too!
Believe me, I LOVE Disney and we are going for two weeks in April. But we will be spending two days at US and IOA because, although different than Disney, they are awesome too!
under the impression? Under the impression? Tips I have learned thru my 15 years of existence:
1. LEARN! the more you learn now, the less cranky you will be come opening time.
2. IOA is not just rides!! ex: Sinbad!
3. When you go into a park, act like a cow! I call this the cow therory! You were not being a cow when you wanted to go to curious Gourge the first thing!!
4. Don't complain here-they will butcher anything you say!
1. LEARN! the more you learn now, the less cranky you will be come opening time.
2. IOA is not just rides!! ex: Sinbad!
3. When you go into a park, act like a cow! I call this the cow therory! You were not being a cow when you wanted to go to curious Gourge the first thing!!
4. Don't complain here-they will butcher anything you say!
Humpbacks1962
Humpbacks1962 on Pinpics
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2001
That's what it is all about: Accepting something different or avoiding it! What is so hard about it?
Listen, I am personally against whales in captivity! To me, it is a brutality to have a rider stand on a violently captured marine mammal and make him spin in an enclosed chlorinated tank for his meals and for the amusement of humans free to come and go as they please. I worked in a local aquarium training marine mammals years ago, I saw what the public does not see: They are social, have personalities, feel, are sad at night when everyone leaves, and are euthanized when they don't meet standards for display and no other place takes them! *I* know first hand.
But, do you think I ever sign on to their boards and bash the people who love Sea World? Do you think I'd even pay to get in and despise the CMs? How far do you think a sour face and a refund will take me? They'll have thousands more coming in later on anyway. My personal way of expressing my dislike is by not visiting zoos or aquariums holding animals in ways that I disaprove of!
I have better ways to build up my self worth than provoking petty fights like you. Bashing Universal because you claim it imitates Disney won't get you far. Obviously, if you left after 15 minutes you had an agenda. You did not go with the intent of checking them out...
Is Disney giving you free tickets for your blind loyalty? Free room stays? Even a measly discount? So.. Live with an open mind then, dear!
I am signing off from this one myself.. Find it too ludicrous to feed her needs.
Wanda
Listen, I am personally against whales in captivity! To me, it is a brutality to have a rider stand on a violently captured marine mammal and make him spin in an enclosed chlorinated tank for his meals and for the amusement of humans free to come and go as they please. I worked in a local aquarium training marine mammals years ago, I saw what the public does not see: They are social, have personalities, feel, are sad at night when everyone leaves, and are euthanized when they don't meet standards for display and no other place takes them! *I* know first hand.
But, do you think I ever sign on to their boards and bash the people who love Sea World? Do you think I'd even pay to get in and despise the CMs? How far do you think a sour face and a refund will take me? They'll have thousands more coming in later on anyway. My personal way of expressing my dislike is by not visiting zoos or aquariums holding animals in ways that I disaprove of!
I have better ways to build up my self worth than provoking petty fights like you. Bashing Universal because you claim it imitates Disney won't get you far. Obviously, if you left after 15 minutes you had an agenda. You did not go with the intent of checking them out...
Is Disney giving you free tickets for your blind loyalty? Free room stays? Even a measly discount? So.. Live with an open mind then, dear!
I am signing off from this one myself.. Find it too ludicrous to feed her needs.
Wanda
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