Disney vs. Universal

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Your bags are packed (Discounted Luggage); your tickets are in hand. You've already booked a great rate at a hotel through Magical Mountain (Magical Mountain Travel Center). You're going to Florida! There's only one decision left. What theme park do you go to?!

This used to be an easy choice. Walt Disney World has become synonymous with family fun and entertainment. For years it has reigned supreme as THE entertainment destination of Central Florida.

However, a new beast has emerged on the landscape of Florida Theme Park fun. Universal Studios unveiled its 2nd themed destination designed to thrill, chill, and spill your money from your pockets. Islands of Adventure, coupled with the already strong Universal Studios, makes for an intriguing alternative to the Disney experience.

The two competing parks each have their pros and cons as "vacation destinations"; but interestingly, many of the thrill rides featured at each are extremely similar. We've put each ride to the test and without further a due present our match-ups:

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster vs. The Hulk

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So you say you like roller coasters? Do yourself a favor. Ride The Hulk. From the moment you strap yourself in, you are in for the ride of your life. Shooting out from your "Gamma Tube" at 60 MPH is enough to get your adrenaline pumping for the rest of your trip. But it doesn't stop there, hold on tight as your coaster loops, twists, turns, all at break neck speed. A sudden stop leads to a sudden drop and the white knuckle speed (green knuckle?) of this one will have you back in line ready to go again in no time.

If Rock and Roll is more your thing, Disney offers up the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith. Your limousine inspired coaster shoots out of the gate with the same gut wrenching force as the Hulk, but after that, the enclosed darkness of the ride leads you to wonder where you are, what's going on, and what's coming up next. Unfortunately, nothing ever really "does" come up next, and it feels like a softer version of Space Mountain. The Aerosmith rock and roll playing in your ear is a plus, but the thrill just isn't there like in the Hulk.

Edge: The Hulk

Buzz Light Year vs. Men In Black Alien Attack

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If you were to strip these two rides down from their respective themes, they are essentially the same. Out of a need to create a more interactive experience on their rides, both Disney and Universal have created a ride along, shoot-em-up, living a video game experience with Buzz Light Year and Alien Attack. Two partners saddle into their buggies, which come equipped with a "laser" gun. You then use the gun to shoot at various targets and score points based on the location and difficulty of what you shot. Both rides are extremely fun, but Buzz Light Year somehow made me feel more of a kid at heart blasting away at the colorful toon-inspired creatures rather than the "Aliens" of Men In Black.

Edge: Hard to judge.but Buzz Light Year by a Laser blast

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror vs. Doctor Dooms Freefall

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Both go up, both go down, both go up again, both go down again. Seems pretty tame, and it is on Dr. Dooms freefall. Up down, up down, not too much excitement. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is by far the opposite. The atmospheric entrance complete with "bellhops" who frighten you with their excellent acting abilities is the first indication that this ride will not disappoint. You strap yourself into the elevator, and then are treated to a Twilight Zone themed experience where the surreal becomes real. Then, the lights go out. There is an eerie silence (if no one is screaming yet) then suddenly you are dropping! The elevator catches itself, and you might drop again, the windows might open to reveal the rest of the park, you might go back up.what goes up.must come back down. And if the thrill of the random movement of the elevator is not enough to get your adrenaline pumping, the fact that the seatbelts are "just a little too loose" might!

Edge: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Star Tours vs. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

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When Star Tours opened in 1989, it was probably meant to be what Spider-Man is today. Star tours is a Star Wars themed ride that puts you in the cockpit of a ship caught up in the struggle for the Galaxy as depicted by George Lucas' epic movies. Sounds great! Well.the screen which shows you the action is quite small, the static motion never really makes it feel as if you are going anywhere; and when you get off the ride you are left wondering.was that the queue movie? I imagine when it first opened Star Tours was exciting, but with rides like Spider-Man out there, the imaginers better make some changes to create Star Tours: Special edition much like Lucas did with his movies.

On the other hand, Spider-Man is so amazingly cool, so unique, and gives you such a feeling of being in a comic book that its worth the price of admission to Islands of Adventure. The 3D effects are top notch - when you are "Falling from a building" in one scene, you get the sensation that the ground is actually coming up FAST and your buggy will crash (don't worry.Spidey saves you). Battling with the 3-D villains is fun and the pyrotechnic and hydro effects used throughout make for a sense tingling good time you will want to ride again and again!

Edge: The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man

What's the verdict? It is too close to call. Both parks offer some great one of a kind thrill rides, that you will want to experience again and again. My advice on a week's vacation; 3 days at Universal, 3 days at Disney, and go home MORE than satisfied (and a little lighter in the wallet.)

Eric grew up in a small town in New Jersey. His many family trips to Florida's warm climate led him to attend college in the sunshine state, only 30 minutes away from Orlando and its theme parks. During his four years in central Florida, Eric became an expert in all things disney. After school Eric moved to South Florida where he continues to live the magic any chance he gets.