After 2 years away from IOA.......

[Dznefreek]

I went back to IOA after a 2 year hiatus. These are some of my observations.

Universal Express:
Is the greatest thing since sliced bread. I got a UE ticket for Spider-man. Time was 30mins. away, attraction line was 30 minutes. Got in line waited 30 mins., rode; got UE for DDFF back in line for SM (express) then walked right on DDFF.

AAoSM
Why so much visible wear and tear. Paint cracked, chipped, peeling in queue line. Not small patches but large (2' x 3' sections), holes in the walls, etc. I also observed MANY guests going behind bars to get pix of themselves at the desks in the newsroom. You never see this kind of thing at WDW. I truly believe that there is a large portion of guests USF/IOA have a little or no class when it comes to public behavior.

JPRA
Boats dirty and the bolsters on lap bars all ripped up, large Stegosaurus under rehab behind a "tacky" fence. Hadrosaurus that pops up from water had skin peeling away from its' back. It looked like it had flaps on the sides.

Poseidon's Fury
The new show BLOWS! The original was far superior. It was fun watching security grabbing 3 drunks in the second room and tossing them out!

I wonder what the heck is going on???????????

Thoughts, comment. . . . . . . .

 

[h20jag]

I heard there's a perfect world two galaxies over. Try there.

Two years since goin', and you live in Altamonte? Heck, I'd be there 3 times a week at least. Imperfections and all!
Jim

 

[FINFAN]

Hi, we went to WDW last summer and are trying USO this summer. As much as we LOVED wdw we are hopeful this trip will be as enjoyable, good quality family time, etc. Do the parks look a bit worn just since your last visit 2 years ago or do you feel they were at a lower quality from WDW all along? I don't mean ride/thrill wise, I mean the upkeep you mentioned. Did you witness an un-settling amount of poor conduct from park guests or just the one incident? Glad CM's removed them. I'd be grateful for any other info comparing the two "worlds"....just want this trip to be wonderful as well. I have to say, tho, we did see some wear and tear at WDW last summer, but nothing that would bug us or ruin the joy of the park. We don't get to go very often tho...about every 5 years. That said going to USO 1 year after WDW is a real treat for us!

 

[Dznefreek]

I heard there's a perfect world two galaxies over. Try there.

If I was not looking for perfection just normal upkeep.

Until I stopped going 2 years ago I was going twice a week. I decided to take a break from the park. Now; the thrill is back.

Do the parks look a bit worn just since your last visit 2 years ago or do you feel they were at a lower quality from WDW all along?

I think IOA is just as well maintained overall. Although I have ever been there (except once) where all of the effects on JPRA worked.

I also witnessed several people giving Spider-man a really difficult time when he was trying to interact with them. He pretended he was going to pull them out of line for AAoSM and they got really beligerent with him. One guy threw his hat on the ground and raised his fists as to say, "Let's get it on." I know he was not joking because I was standing 4 feet away and SM's escort came over to break it up.

Overall I just do not think the same level of upkeep and CM courtesy exists.

 

[nhrenee]

Don't worry finfan, you'll enjoy the parks. In my 5 trips to Universal I have rarely seen rude guests, of course there are always some.

As far as upkeep, everything always looks pretty good to me. Again, there are always issues that could be addressed (as in any park), but overall it's a beautiful, colorful, incredibly themed park.

 

[Robinrs]

I guess I'm not as particular because I hardly noticed ANY of this. I've been 12 times this year and besides the wear and tear of some of the dinos in the JPRA, none of this was my experience.

FINFAN, I try not to compare the parks, it's sort of like apples to oranges. I love them both. I'm sure if you went through EPCOT with a fine toothed comb you'd fine flaws also. Go and have a wonderful time!

 

[Jon360]

Rude guests exist in both WDW and Universal. Since more people visit WDW, you could come to the conclusion that they have a higher percentage of rude guests than Universal.

 

[FINFAN]

Thanks everyone for the upbeat replies.We are so excited to be able to go, and to be staying at RPH, I doubt we would notice a few wear and tear marks. When we were at MK last summer we did indeed see a few areas lass maintained than others, but didn't think much about it 'till this thread. We were enjoying ourselves too much!
We will arrive 2 months from today! WOO-HOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

 

[damo]

Our family much preferred the new Poseidon show. Our guide, Taylor, was great.

We were there three weeks ago for five days and didn't run across any rude or drunk people. We also didn't notice any wear and tear. In fact we were, once again, thrilled with the park. I guess that's why IOA has just been rated #1 Theme park by the Discovery Channel.