disney's hollywood studios or universal islands of adventure?

[Evoulie]

I think Disney's Hollywood Studios is a better park..

Ev

[MagicWDI]

I believe you will have far more fun at IOA than DHS. You have more choices at IOA, which simply means more to do. If you like high-energy attractions, IOA is also your best bet. The thematic detail at both parks are top notch, so you can't go wrong with either park if that is what you are looking for. But when it comes down to choices and high-energy attractions, you will have more fun at IOA.

[Darkbeer]

Just an observation...

In recent threads, such as DCA compared to Knotts, USH and now DHS and IOA.

Those folks who talk about the non-Disney park describe in detail why they think the other park is better than the Disney option.

On the other hand, most of those who want to say "Disney" says very little as to WHY they prefer the park over the non-Disney option, heck, we even ahd at least one poster who voted for Disney and stated he has NEVER been to the other park.

I would LOVE to see in more detail why someone is voting for DHS over IOA....

I think a few users have been drinking the Jay Rasulo Kool Aid lately......

[kcnole]

I also think its a bit unfair to compare DHS to IOA as the parks are so different. If we're looking at a comparison of parks I say the original USF to DHS is more appropriate. I still take USF but just slightly in this situation. DHS just has so much wasted potential. There are some things I much prefer about DHS (the entry atmosphere with the wonderful music and the Hollywood streets with the cars really sets the mood, although the hat helps to ruin it) but as far as things to do it falls short.

USF on the other hand has a very boring entryway. Its designed to look like you're entering into a studio with the archway and then just stage buildings for Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. The park would be a much better overall experice if the entry way were more grand. That said, ridewise, DHS just currently feels really stale. I haven't been back since they added TSM so its probably a bit better, but the park just feels really neglected. Before TSM you had 4 rides, only one of them was one the whole family could do together. The rest of the park was all shows. Its a shame too, when it first opened, as a kid, I adored MGM. It has such great potential, but right now its nowhere near it.

[Jerren]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

I would LOVE to see in more detail why someone is voting for DHS over IOA....

Ok I would have to vote DHS for a couple reasons, first of all the Shows, Beauty and the Beast is near Broadway quality in everything but length, LMA is interesting but I only bother once every other trip or so, Indy and Fantasmic we try to do each visit, even the playhouse Disney is pretty good if you have younger children. I love the streetmosphere and characters which seems to be missing in IOA, theming is one thing but without the cast to bring that theme to life it's too easy to rush past it. I like Star Wars more than I do Spidy, sorry so another point to DHS, and the rest well I'm not that into thrill rides and coasters so DHS is a bit more my speed. The other thing I love about DHS which others may not care for is it's compact, not as far to walk and all and when your knees start to go that's a consideration.

Finally the one thing that really irked me about Universal in general was the way they do the front of the line access. Disney basically lets anyone grab a fast pass and it's free to everyone, but I don't like the idea of having to pay extra on top of the gate fee to get the front of the line access if I don't stay on property. That's not something I think you should charge for, if it's a resort benefit fine but to have essentially 2 classes of tickets for people coming in the front gate basically the ones who can afford it get to ride more than those who can't for some reason really bothers me especially in this day and age when for some that's a once in a lifetime trip to stand there and watch someone who can afford it walk on while you wait in line... Just seems wrong to me that's all.

I think a few users have been drinking the Jay Rasulo Kool Aid lately......

But it's so yummy and I hear the colors and Figment talks to me and tells me funny Jokes as the BAH melts into a pool of blue raspberry jello and the Ariel and Bell come over to me and then they start wrestling and then... oops never mind...

[Darkbeer]

Originally Posted by Jerren

Finally the one thing that really irked me about Universal in general was the way they do the front of the line access. Disney basically lets anyone grab a fast pass and it's free to everyone, but I don't like the idea of having to pay extra on top of the gate fee to get the front of the line access if I don't stay on property. That's not something I think you should charge for, if it's a resort benefit fine but to have essentially 2 classes of tickets for people coming in the front gate basically the ones who can afford it get to ride more than those who can't for some reason really bothers me especially in this day and age when for some that's a once in a lifetime trip to stand there and watch someone who can afford it walk on while you wait in line... Just seems wrong to me that's all.

Then be prepared to be SHOCKED in 2009, if Jay Rasulo has his way.... Pay for Play Fastpasses are coming, based on some strong rumors.

[Jerren]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

Then be prepared to be SHOCKED in 2009, if Jay Rasulo has his way.... Pay for Play Fastpasses are coming, based on some strong rumors.

Yeah I've heard those too, but the economy being what it is I think we'll see a linking of preferred fastpasses to on site resort guests before that happens... As I recall they applied for a patent to allow for different fastpass printing based on the type of resort you are staying at a while back...

I think we'll see something like deluxe resort guests getting immediate fastpasses or no wait time till next fastpass at annother machine before they start charging per fastpass... They stand to make a lot more money if they keep the guests on property and fill all the rooms than they would with a pay per fastpass model.

[kcnole]

I agree with you on the express passes at Universal, unfortunately that's not going away. They make far too much money on it. I don't mind it being a benefit to hotel guests, but I don't like either having to pay extra for that access or being relegated to a 2nd class guest.

[tasman]

It is very difficult to compare IOA to DHS since IOA was really built to be a competitor to the MK. DHS and USF are the real equivalents, and I would say that they are about even. DHS was behind technologically, but is catching up with TSMM and the upcoming Star Tours redo. Main disadvantage of DHS is the poor layout.

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by HMF

Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Disney Parks are always the best.

Outside of FL that is ....

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by Darkbeer

Then be prepared to be SHOCKED in 2009, if Jay Rasulo has his way.... Pay for Play Fastpasses are coming, based on some strong rumors.

FINALLY!!! Disney sees the light. They should have charged for those FPs a long time ago. Wanna cut in line??? It's going to cost you!!! HAHAHA!!!

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by kcnole

USF on the other hand has a very boring entryway. Its designed to look like you're entering into a studio with the archway and then just stage buildings for Jimmy Neutron and Shrek. The park would be a much better overall experice if the entry way were more grand.

That is where Universal Japan excels.. You see? You cross that archway and enter the park thru a 1930's Hollywood Blvd where theming is as superb as Main Street USA, or TDL's World bazaar since it is a covered area.

[nbodyhome]

They are very different parks - both enjoyable in their own way. I find DHS disappointing in many respects, but it is still fun. IOA is certainly much more a thrill park, if you like that. I'd personally lean more towards DHS, though Spiderman is a fantastic ride and worth visiting IOA for.

Originally Posted by tasman

It is very difficult to compare IOA to DHS since IOA was really built to be a competitor to the MK. DHS and USF are the real equivalents, and I would say that they are about even. DHS was behind technologically, but is catching up with TSMM and the upcoming Star Tours redo. Main disadvantage of DHS is the poor layout.

I would agree with that - apples to apples would be DHS to Universal Studios. Although I'm not sure if IOA is supposed to be an answer to the MK, they are really different parks. I was also just told that Star Tours might not be redone soon. I hope that is incorrect, it really could use it!

[OFTEric]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

FINALLY!!! Disney sees the light. They should have charged for those FPs a long time ago. Wanna cut in line??? It's going to cost you!!! HAHAHA!!!

I agree. I think FastPass should have always been an upcharge. But personally I do not think Disney or Universal should make the queues the enemy by making you want to skip them! I think Orginally Disney and Universal did the right thing with making themed queues, and preshows so that the queue was part of the experience, part of the story, something to been seen and ejoyed.

Demonizing the queue only hurts the product and the park infrustructure over the long haul... that being said if you are going to do it, make it an upcharge. If you are providing an extra service you should charge an extra fee... plain and simple.

[kcnole]

The problem with charging for it is that you create two classes of guests. The VIP's and the peasants. I personally believe that once we enter those gates that the old class warfares should be left behind. There's nothing more annoying than standing in line at USF trying to get on a ride and seeing the same person jump ahead of you 4 or 5 times because he has express pass. He's that much more important than me just because he stayed onsite. I have to wait an hour to ride once where he gets to ride 4 times?

I much prefer the old way of doing things. We all wait in the same lines together, and you make the lines an experience. I refuse to use express pass even if I have it at ET because if you miss the whole forest queue line you've missed the best part of the attraction in my opinion.