Is it always like this?

[Srmaggio23]

We are loyal disney fans and last weekend took our first trip to Universal and IOA. The rides were great and we liked the shows...but noticed that a TON of the stands for food were closed..I'm talking 2 out of every 4 were closed. At one point we walked around 45 minutes for my husband to find a hot dog ( I know...it's not a ball park, but what can I say, he likes them!).
The ice cream shop at the front of the park was open with customers in line and a cast member told us they were closing up for the day...at 3 pm! She said she had to turn away groups of people before us and sorry...

Why wouldn't they keep it open if there were plenty of customers?

[vinylnewbie]

I have noticed that about USO and IOA, more so at IOA. There is so much potential at IOA for good restaurants/food stands but they are either permanently closed or close early. I went to IOA 2 weeks after it initially opened in 1999 and remember there being TONS of places to get something to eat. There are just some bad management practices going on there.

[Srmaggio23]

Yep, it's such a shame. There were so many times we were trying to "give them our money" and simply couldn't because the stands were closed. Also, the lines were REALLY long at the counter service locations that were open.

[HitchHikingGhostFangirl]

Because Universal stinks? Their upkeep is pretty terrible (granted I havent been there that often lately, but that's what I hear)

[gp2023]

I haven't been there in a while, but when i did go there i know that you HAVE to go to USO and IOA before going to disney because it just doesn't compare...
the food isn't as good, the rides aren't as good... and overall the atmosphere isn't as good...
however i will be there when the new harry potter park opens... just to see whats good you know

[RVDjeep]

I haven't been there in a while, but when i did go there i know that you HAVE to go to USO and IOA before going to disney because it just doesn't compare...
the food isn't as good, the rides aren't as good... and overall the atmosphere isn't as good...
however i will be there when the new harry potter park opens... just to see whats good you know

Just came back last week and did the 6 parks (4 Disney and 2 Universal) And i have to agrre with the Food is really not as good, so is the Atmosphere (but really what could beat Disney in that Departement) as for the Rides tough depending on what you like Universal can get the upper edge. Im a rollercoaster freak and The Hulk beats the crap out of any Coaster Disney as. So does the dueiling dragon. Rockit is not that good tough. The spider-man ride is AMAZING, probably the most technologicly advance ride i have ever done. The wet ride in IOA are also better then the disney version for fun and wetness imo.

If i had to choose i would still go to Disney over Universal, but i think we got the best of both world going to both place.

[BeachGurl]

Just came back last week and did the 6 parks (4 Disney and 2 Universal) And i have to agrre with the Food is really not as good, so is the Atmosphere (but really what could beat Disney in that Departement) as for the Rides tough depending on what you like Universal can get the upper edge. Im a rollercoaster freak and The Hulk beats the crap out of any Coaster Disney as. So does the dueiling dragon. Rockit is not that good tough. The spider-man ride is AMAZING, probably the most technologicly advance ride i have ever done. The wet ride in IOA are also better then the disney version for fun and wetness imo.

If only they keep the thing maintained. Half the time the screens look so jacked up and the 3-D effects don't work.

I do have to admit that I think Dudley Do-Right is so much more fun than Splash Mountain. Splash has amazing theme and I love it, but there's something about Dudley.

[Phylers]

...Splash has amazing theme and I love it, but there's something about Dudley.

You mean the feeling of impending death down the last drop?

[mmmPIZZA]

I have noticed that about USO and IOA, more so at IOA. There is so much potential at IOA for good restaurants/food stands but they are either permanently closed or close early. I went to IOA 2 weeks after it initially opened in 1999 and remember there being TONS of places to get something to eat. There are just some bad management practices going on there.

When I went two months ago, all food stands were open.