Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No rocks from me. To follow up "Or is the concern that maybe some folks are paying a fortune to go to WDW, when they could possibly get more bang for their buck somewhere else?" I just wish WDW would provide the quality others have started to, and the value for money. I want it to be the very best place on the planet. But it no longer is. And the annoying thing is, it would be easy to fix. But I am very much of the opinion, that the best companies are the ones run by their founders and their progeny. Like Disney and Knott's used to be. Marriott and Mack still are. I am waiting to see with Universal, as they are shaping up to sell. The question will be what will happen after the sale?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I am waiting to see with Universal, as they are shaping up to sell. The question will be what will happen after the sale?>> Just wait for May 19th...;-)
Originally Posted By SeventyOne <SeventyOne I wonder if your the one I am duking it out with on another board in regards to EPCOT Center vs Epcot! EPCOT Center = redundant.> Don't think it's me, but for the record--Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow Center. Not redundant. No longer correct in a technical sense, but not at all redundant. <Just how many song do you want to listen to sung by John Joyce? How many Omnimover rides do you want to go on featuring antiquated animatronics and movie after movie after movie! The Living Seas was about as effective as taking valium. With the highlight being watching manatees munching on lettuce leaves. Attractions like Universe of Energy that last forever and a day ( 45 minutes long ). Did I mention the "70 folks" music everywhere? Did EPCOT Center have it's merits? YES! Is Epcot today better, in someways yes in someways no. Let's just put it this way as far as Epcot is concerned I believe it's being neglected and I believe there is a lot of room for improvement. But, I don't see Disney ever turning the clock back to the rides/ attractions back in the EPCOT Center days.> Communicore > Innoventions. Original SSE > middle versions of SSE > the dumbed down version we have now. UoE (which always needed to be cut some) > Ellen's Energy Adventure (which is still a 45 minute ride!) Original JiYI > bastardized modern version (and what they did to the Imagination Works!) WoL > a seasonal arts & crafts fair Kitchen Kabaret, a cute show that eats up a ton of people at a time/Soarin', a cute ride with waits rarely below 80 minutes. Call it a draw. Whimsical history of transportation done in the traditional Disney style > a GM commercial mixed with the speed rooms from "If You Had Wings" Old Living Seas was a bore--new Seas with Nemo is a bore aimed almost exclusively at elementary school kids. The manatee are still there, FWIW. Horizons/M:S. Honestly, I'll call it a draw. Horizons was interesting but doomed to be dated quickly. M:S is ultimately a simulator with a lame story and weak graphics that uses new technology to make you feel queasy. Odyssey > a huge shuttered building just off the main walkway. Centorium > MouseGear Again, if you want to put your best up against IoA, I'd pick any of the other three before Epcot.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Universal has one relatively small "land" that is exquisitely detailed... Harry Potter. WDW has an entire theme park with that level of detail... Animal Kingdom.<<< And the rest of the park doesn't count? Port of Entry? Seuss? Even JP is well done. Potter is just the icing on the cake. when was the last time you visited?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer And the thing with EPCOT and Epcot is you can't compare the old to the new if you account for it being dated. What I measure is the originality, the boldness of the theme, and the issues presented. In that respect, EPCOT wins. It's a shame it just wasmt updated and brought into the 21st century.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >>Just wait for May 19th...;-)<< Just around the same time WDW grand opens the new Star Tours. Coincidence? I think not...
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Just around the same time WDW grand opens the new Star Tours. Coincidence? I think not...>> If what I'm hearing is true, the Star Tours opening will be laughable compared to what Universal is set to announce. Hell, the FLE paired with Star Tours will be laughable. I sure hope my info is good.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper But then again, I'm sure Disney fanbois will agree that the 5 DVCs in the works will compete just nicely.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<But then again, I'm sure Disney fanbois will agree that the 5 DVCs in the works will compete just nicely>> You can't put a price on MAGIC!
Originally Posted By hopemax I know for my family, Universal is providing the better experience these days. And for our friends who live in Central Florida. I am going to FL in 5 days for the D23 stuff (40th event and Scavenger Hunt). Our friends weren't sure if they were going to be in FL at this time, so they didn't register for the event. Now that they know they are, we are meeting up at Universal and not Disney. This is BIG for us, because we met these friends through the NFFC and share a mutual love of Disney. They are elderly, so a lot of times they stay overnight or for the weekend, instead of driving back and forth to the Space Coast. They used to always stay at Port Orleans, but after several bad experiences, "they didn't know what to do anymore." Well, they figured it out. They stayed at the Royal Pacific, and fell in love. They bought a Keurig because they liked the one from the room. And they were impressed that housekeeping restocked, and left extra of the cups that they had used the night before. So back to our meet. Our friend is so excited because it means we can have "The Feast" at Three Broomsticks. Before, everything dining related revolved around eating at Beaches & Cream and getting a Kitchen Sink. Now everything dining revolves around the Feast at 3Bs. It says it eats 4 for about $50, but they always have leftovers. We're going with 5 this time. But everyone things its as good as a skillet from Whispering Canyon. What would it cost to feed 5 people at WC? The skillet costs $19 per person, so there's a starting point. The bad thing about the Feast, is that everyone loves it so much, I'm never going to convince them to try Mythos. DH is going for his first time in December, so we are going to eat there then, even if it is just the 2 of us. Universal may not be "cheap" but you don't have a heart attack every time you look at something. And there is variety. Also, I surprised myself with tickets. Costco has a special deal for $140 you can buy a 3-day ticket that can be used for any day between now and 2014. I've never "stocked up" on tickets, but I have for Universal. My parents and I feel pretty bad that we never went before, and followed a lot of the "assumptions" that Universal wasn't as good as Disney. Since I'm not a 7 year old, or a cute Mom with a 7-year old, it was a refreshing experience to walk into multiple shops and have the TMs engage me, not chit-chat with their co-workers, not ignore me to go make a "magical moment" with the little Princess who just was at BBB. Disney has some great things, but IMO most of them were done by a previous generation, under a previous mindset. I would take the Mummy over Everest, everyday, twice until the Yeti is fixed. I much prefer the experience of the Simpsons ride to Soarin. It's much more personal and intimate. Sure you don't get the neat takeoff effect, but that's what, 20 seconds? And you can see where "old" Universal isn't quite up to par. But it's about trends and "what have you done for me lately." And it looks like Universal is trying to outdo itself, while Disney is only doing as little as they have to, and if you don't like it there is something wrong with YOU.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >>I sure hope my info is good.<< I have very little Uni info at the moment, but what I do hear, I like.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I know you get tired of my "familiarity breads contempt" remark, but it is true. You no longer notice how the incredible attention to detail of the Animal Kingdom truly transports you to the areas represented. You take it for granted and then moan about something as trivial as Disco Yeti. << When did it become hip to slobber all over DAK? With the exception of the safari, it never lived up to the hype IMO. I've always seen it as the most skippable park. Is that because I prefer going to actually national/state parks? I'm not sure, but I've never seen as much praise heaped on DAK as I've seen from people around here.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> No doubt. Animal Kingdom has amazing details and theming. But it has basically no substance backing it up. << Hokie said this, and I would agree. DAK's been open since 1998, and the only major additions have been Kali (hardly worth riding even once), Nemo, and Everest. Whatever potential this park has, it has never met it. And the theming may be great, but when theming because the main event I think there's a problem. You need substance, which in my opinion comes in the form of attractions.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I have very little Uni info at the moment, but what I do hear, I like.>> Well...you'll love this.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Kitchen Kabaret, a cute show that eats up a ton of people at a time/Soarin', a cute ride with waits rarely below 80 minutes. Call it a draw. << You're not gonna find many people who agree with you, but I will! Kabaret was my favorite attraction when I was 4. American Adventure was my naptime. The rest of the park was forgettable to me.
Originally Posted By hopemax > and the only major additions have been Kali (hardly worth riding even once), Nemo, and Everest < Don't forget DinoRama!
Originally Posted By leobloom >> If what I'm hearing is true, the Star Tours opening will be laughable compared to what Universal is set to announce. Hell, the FLE paired with Star Tours will be laughable. << My interest is piqued! I was blown away by Potter. Curious to hear what is announced.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Don't forget DinoRama! << I guess I already did. Shows how much time I've spent in that section of the park!
Originally Posted By hopemax > Hopemax, I've been trying for years. < Me too. I avoid it like the plague. But now it has caught up to me. I know there will be questions about it on the D23 Scavenger Hunt, and I don't have a clue what any of those detail things that they like to throw in places.
