... those that are all about Disney
... those that are more open-minded and enjoy both Disney and Universal (and other options in the Orlando area)
But wait ... there are other things to do in Orlando besides Disney? No, there can't be!!
I blame Disney - they have perfected a very good mechanism for keeping you on their property and thus you not needing to venture away from the "Disney bubble". They provide a handy transportation service (Magical Express) that picks you and your luggage up from the airport and takes you directly to your Disney hotel on Disney property and delivers your bags right to your room.
Did I mention that this service is complimentary??
When you check into your Disney resort, you receive your "key to the world" - or now what they have replaced with the "MagicBand" - an all-in-one device that you can use to enter Disney theme parks, unlock your Disney Resort hotel room, use the FastPass+ entrance for attractions and entertainment experiences you selected, charge purchases (and dining in the parks) to your room, and link Disney PhotoPass photos to your Disney account. These cool and colorful wristbands can even be personalized for every member of your family — and you can even select your favorite color. You never have to take a wallet with cash or cards anywhere with you on property if you don't want to.
And it gets better. If you've ever stayed at a Disney resort, you know each and every resort has either a food court or sit down restaurant (or both), a shop where you can pick up things you've forgotten at home (like those bandaids, tylenol, etc) and at least one pool for swimming. Disney also offers free onsite transportation to the parks, Downtown Disney and the 2 water parks right from your resort, plus they've recently introduced free wi-fi at all their resorts. So there's no need to rent a car - ever - if you are staying on Disney property.
Now, a lot of people will say "what's wrong with that?" ... I say absolutely nothing, however, what I've learned is a lot of those people who choose to do this are the same people who feel that Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure is the red headed step child of Orlando. They would never think of even venturing a few miles down I-4 to Universal to see what they offered. It's simply not an option.
These are the same people put down the cast members at Universal not knowing that there are probably 50%, if not more, that work for both Disney and Universal, and put down the type of people who go to Universal like they are inferior than those who are staying at Disney. It literally blows my mind how they think.
These are the same people who say a one day ticket to Universal is way too overpriced (1 day, 1 park is $96, 1 day 2 park is $136) - but yet would pay $350 for a base 5 day ticket to Disney - more if you add on park hopping and water park options plus the Disney Dining Plan. Incidentally a one day adult ticket to Magic Kingdom is $99 and a one day adult ticket to the other parks is $94.
However, now that the Harry Potter area at Universal is growing, along with new additions like Despicable Me, Transformers and now the new value resort at Universal - Cabana Bay opening up, I think a lot of the diehard Disney people are now taking notice of the red headed step child and may be rethinking their sole allegiance to Disney.
I'll step off my soapbox now and leave you with the second part of the Universal Orlando walkthrough of Islands of Adventure ... enjoy! (if you missed the first part you can view it here)
... oh, and if you would like more information on a Universal or Disney vacation, just give me a shout as I am the Canadian Agent for Candy Cain Travel and would be happy to help you plan a most awesome vacation for you and your family!
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