Universal. Why I can't recommend it, and why I'll not be going back

[k1971]

Just had our first day in Universal / IoA today. I was completely unimpressed with it. First, there is very little in the way of signposting, or staff to help direct guests. Any of the staff I did come across seemed generally ambivalent. we got lost several times trying to find the way out of IoA. I'd hoped to cool down on Bilge Rat Barges, but a posted wait time of 90 minutes put paid to that, which was for me, the final straw in what had become a pretty rotten day.

Unless you're prepared to spend $129 (plus tax) per person, most of the rides are going to be beyond the patience of most. I mean 120+ minutes for the majority of the rides in the blazing heat with young ones is not appealing. At least with Disney's FP+ you have a chance of getting 3 popular rides per day. US/IoA have created 2 classes of guest. and the Express lines were completely empty. 30 minutes wait for One fish two fish, seriously?

The rides we did get on were very good, but my experience was ruined on flight of the hippogriff when I completely lost my cool with a Spanish speaking group when a third, fourth and then fifth extra member pushed past us in the line to join them. Well, numbers 4 and 5 didn't because they headed back down the line, tails between their legs. If they need to restroom, then do so before heading into an attraction and wait as a group, and not have one or two members keep places in the line. :angry:

There were people ducking under chains and staff are oblivious to it.

Apart from the 3D on minions (which we ended up waiting 70 minutes for) and Escape from gringotts (40mins) The only thing that was better than Disney was the unlimited refill mugs. There was so little we could get on, and not enough indoor air conditioned stuff to make the place bearable. Had we not had tickets for Blue Man Group (which was excellent), I'd have given up the day at 3pm as a bad job. Even when we went back into US after BMG 1st show the wait for Minions was 75mins, and since it was the only thing that the kids would enjoy we sucked it up since by that time I was not keen on going back. and that queue, like most of the others that we did wait in, is not as well Air Conditioned as Disney. Thankfully we were doing the longest queue in the evening.

The large number of identical t-shirt clad groups has been a bit of an issue in all the parks - they are loud, obnoxious and generally barge through, with flag bearer at the front to keep them together. There were a lot of them today - more than I'd come across in a single day before, and they were all charging through everywhere. I just get the feeling that Disney has more control over things.

A 2 week Universal ticket, and we've used one day's worth (well we had a day in Wet and Wild, and again the ineptitude of the queue system marred an otherwise enjoyable day) In terms of value for money, I wish we'd not bothered with US/IoA at all. Overall, spending the £500+ on 14 days Universal when we rode the sum total of : gringotts, Hogwarts express, hippogriff, seuss trolley train and minions (waiting 70 minutes through gritted teeth) was for us a mistake, and I don't think I'd bother with Universal next time. I'm gutted because I was really looking forward to it, and now I've no desire to go back.

We were approached on our exit for feedback and I wish we'd not been in such a rush to get the kids home, otherwise I'd have been as candid with my views to the poor hapless girl with the clipboard, instead of saying we couldn't spare a few minutes.

[lyn22]

universal doesn't have the "happiest place on earth" vibe but it's still great, maybe go back on a quieter day or hit certain rides before the queues ( I get there for opening & leg it to Harry potter) so many fantastic rides though , longest I've queued for is the Simpsons I think , anything I didn't get 1 day I headed for 1st the next day etc

The worst time we went was July ( far too busy & it was full of school trip groups , the Brazilian ones we're outrageously awful
In their attitude & loudness) , been in May & that was fab , July no for us for crowds & heat & usually it's October now which is also great

[jemima2]

Yes we have seen a lot of tour groups also at Mk and at hs..in abc commissary and the stunt show we were surrounded by four different groups. .Blue t shirts, green, red etc etc...in fairness the people that seemed to be in charge tried to keep control re chanting etc but they are still annoying and inconsiderate..Only encountered them twice and twice is enough! Sorry universal was a letdown we didn't go this trip x

[Gill H]

Sorry you didn't enjoy it. I am Team Disney all the way, but it strikes me there are things that would have made your visit more enjoyable.

Firstly, as for signage, I don't find the parks any more confusing than Disney - basically they just go round in a circle. We had a park map on our iPod Touch on our first visit which helped.

Secondly, it's one of the busiest times of the year. By contrast, our visits were Nov and Dec, and both times everything except the Harry Potter stuff was a 10 minute wait. In fact on Veteran's Day (public holiday) it was practically deserted!

But the biggest thing is the overnight stay at a Universal hotel. This gets you an hour's early entry both days, and front of line access.

This totally transformed our experience of Universal, and now I wouldn't do it any other way. The hotel was so beautiful and peaceful, and just a short walk or boat ride from the parks. Being able to pop back for a rest and sit quietly by the lagoon eating a pizza for a while is one of the golden moments of our holiday.

Early entry was a godsend. An hour to wander round Diagon Alley (and Minion Mayhem was open too, and a walk-on).

The parks have a different vibe from Disney, and I can't honestly say I fell in love with them in the same way. But I did lose my heart to Portofino Bay resort, and our two nights there transformed our experience of the parks.

[abbymeg]

This is really useful for me, thanks.

DS will be 7 next time and desperately wants to ride about 2 rides at Universal. I'm torn between not bothering at all (as I've had the experiences outlined in the OP and it is frustrating) or booking the hotel and doing 2 days. I'm just not sure that it will be worth it.

Might leave it next time, stick to Disney and then plan a proper stay at Universal when DS is a bit older.

I do agree that the pricing is really high for the average queue times in summer.

[boltyboy]

Unfortunately queues are queues and you have gone at peak holiday time so I don't see how this is Universals fault. As for people who are queue jumping that is bang out of order, the only people I let past are parents with small children who are desprate for the toilet otherwise they are told in no uncertain terms to get back to the end of the line. I find Universal great value and will go back every visit, a stay at one of the onsite hotels to get unlimited express passes is the best way to enjoy a visit. As Gill H says we wouldn't do it any other way either.

[Floridarules]

Originally Posted by Gepetto

Sorry to hear about your experience at US. I'm sure when such detailed analysis is applied then any park could receive similar criticisms. As for the tour groups I am afraid they are an unwelcome factor that we all face from time to time.

I consider US and IOA as part of the whole Florida experience for us. As a previous poster said, a stay at Portofino enhances this experience even further. I find MK rather oppressive when its full but we try to see beyond that and adapt accordingly. I'm sure you opinion may change after another visit to US, I guess its all down to timing.

G

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We go in August and love Universal and as stated in these posts- all parks are busy.
The hotel stay is immense and we now do not do Disney. We love Disney but as a family of 6 it is really expensive.
People do Im afraid try and cut in everywhere but when I was at Universal, several families were escorted out of the queue for thos very reason.

[lyn22]

Originally Posted by abbymeg

This is really useful for me, thanks.

DS will be 7 next time and desperately wants to ride about 2 rides at Universal. I'm torn between not bothering at all (as I've had the experiences outlined in the OP and it is frustrating) or booking the hotel and doing 2 days. I'm just not sure that it will be worth it.

Might leave it next time, stick to Disney and then plan a proper stay at Universal when DS is a bit older.

I do agree that the pricing is really high for the average queue times in summer.

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There's a lot a 7 year old can see & do at universal , we started going to this parks when my dd was about 5 & she loves it ( felt she was too young / little on prior visits but 5 & upwards was great) we def won't go back peak July/August season , far far far too busy ( Disney included) , pity as I loved 4th July celebrations but we look forward to the Halloween month of October

[abbymeg]

Originally Posted by lyn22

There's a lot a 7 year old can see & do at universal , we started going to this parks when my dd was about 5 & she loves it ( felt she was too young / little on prior visits but 5 & upwards was great) we def won't go back peak July/August season , far far far too busy ( Disney included) , pity as I loved 4th July celebrations but we look forward to the Halloween month of October

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We've been - I took him when he was 4. There are things he wants to do, but both my children aren't great on stamina. His sister had cancer and still struggles physically. Last time, we had 14 day passes, went to IOA, lasted about half a day before they were both wiped out and ended up going to the cinema on the boardwalk.

We can only really go during summer, so seeking out alternative times for us isn't possible.

I think the best way for us would be to book the hotel and stay with express passes, but I'm still worried that we'll go and DS will decide he doesn't want to ride certain things making it not worth it. DH is also reluctant to stay offsite since we're in BC for a fortnight which is £££.

I'm wondering about leaving it next year, then when we go back he will be a bit older and more likely to come on coasters with me. I would book a few nights stay in their hotel. Then it will be amazing!

It's hard because I love Universal. I was gutted when I found out that Jaws had gone! But, they do let an awful lot of people in and 2-3 hour queues for rides such as Minions or Transformers wouldn't be possible for us.

[Bear-family]

We are due to go next November. Can anyone tell me what the universal parks are like then? We haven't visited them since 2007 and they were very quiet then. We've noticed the change in Disney over the years and how much more popular they've become. Is it the same for universal or can we expect a relatively chilled day?