Rank Orlando's parks!

[Robinrs]

This got started on imgoingtodisney's thread so I thought I give it it's own thread....

From 1 being the best and down how do you rank the parks you've been to in Orlando (you can add Tampa if you want!) :D

Here's mine:

1: Islands of Adventure :bounce:

2: Magic Kingdom :bounce:

3: MGM (tie) :bounce: :bounce:
Universal

4: EPCOT http://www.wdwinfo.com/sites/family/read.gif

5: If I could put this one OFF the page
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Animal Kingdom.... UGHhttp://www.freakygamers.com/smilies/s/contrib/ruinkai/rolleyea.gif

[paula34]

1 . busch gardens for the best all round

2 . IOA

3. Universal

4 . MGM

5 . Magic Kinngdom

[JessicaR]

Here is my list:

1. IOA

2.Epcot

3.Universal

4.MK

5.SW

6.MGM

I havent been to AK yet. Dont really have a desire to either but eventually I will check it out.

I would flip flop 3 with 4 only at Christmas.

An off topic question...I havent been to Busch Gardens in Tampa but have been to the one in Virginia, anyone who has been to both...is one better? We really enjoyed the one in Virginia but no where near as much as the other parks.

[robvia]

1. BGT
2. IOA
3. SWF
4. USF
5. MGM
6. MK
7. EPCOT
8. AK

[rocketman23]

1. Busch Gardens
2. IOA
3. Magic Kingdom
4. Universal Studios
5. Sea World
6. MGM
7. Epcot
8. Animal Kingdom

[MsDisney]

Wow...tough one!!!

1. Magic Kingdom (it's my first true love, but it lacks the thrill of the VERY close 2nd...)

2. IOA - This park won me the minute I entered back in May of 99....incredible attention to detail...and theming that can't be beat!!!

3. eek...I think EPCOT is a beautiful park...it has a little something for everyone - tho it lacks "ride" power

4. Sea World - It's such a great park...beautiful landscaping, and free beer! :D More beautiful than EPCOT, but not enough stuff going on to keep me coming back as often.

5. Universal Studios Florida - I love the different areas of the park...Amity is a particular favorite of mine.

6. MGM - runs close to USF for me...very close....Tower of Terror is one of my faves...it's just a little too sleepy for it to beat out USF for me tho...

7. Animal Kingdom...I think something went awry when they planned the narrow walkways there, and it's so darn HOT much of the time there!!!

I will say THIS, with Animal kingdom ranking 7th here for me, I have to comment that I LOVE Animal Kingdom, so it only gets that distinction because I was forced to choose! I love roaming around there...I love the band that plays outside of Tusker House...but, of all of them, I guess it has to be last. :(

I guess I love them all, in their own way!!!
Great topic!!!
Karen

[johare]

Robinrs,

My list is similar to yours

1: Islands of Adventure
2: Magic Kingdom
3. EPCOT
4: MGM & Universal (tie...would be USF, but I love RnR Coaster!)
5. SeaWorld
6. BGT
7. OldTown
8. FleaWorld
9. The playground by our house.
10. Animal Kingdom.

[MsDisney]

LOL Johare!!!

:D :D :D

[Robinrs]

<center>http://www.plauder-smilies.de/lach.gif</center>

My entire department ran into my office after I read Johare's list!!! My sentiments almost exactly!!!

Busch Gardens is getting LOTS of votes. I know I have to check them out this January!

[MIB999999]

1: IOA
2: BGT
3: EPCOT
4: USF
5: MK
6: SEAWORLD
7: MGM
8: SPLENDID CHINA
9: AK

:D

[Robinrs]

So far Fleaworld, OldTown, Johare's backyard, Splendid China and every other park in and out of Orlando have all beat AK... what a shame :rolleyes: ...

[johare]

Damn...forgot Splendid China and the Holy Land. That knocks Animal Kingdom to 12 on my list.

[Spaceman Spiff]

How is Splendid China? I always wanted to check it out but thus far haven't, maybe this March. Are there any attractions or is it more of a EPCOT Pavilion?

[WebmasterBarry]

So what's your beef against AK? Personally, I think the park is too spread out and doesn't have enough stuff. I usually hit Kali and Dinosaur and then I leave.

If I had to rank the parks...

1.) IOA
2.) USF
3.) Sea World
4.) Disney-MGM
5.) Busch Gardens
6.) Magic Kingdom
7.) Epcot
8.) Titanic: The Exhibition
9.) Old Town
10.) AK

[johare]

So what's your beef against AK? Personally, I think the park is too spread out and doesn't have enough stuff. It should be called the Lake Buena Vista Zoo and the admission should be more like $5 instead of $50.

[Spaceman Spiff]

I forgot to do what the thread asked...duh me.

1)IOA
2)MK
3)USF
4)MGM
5)BGT
6)SWO
7)EPCOT
8)Blizzard Beach
9)AK

I wasn't that impressed with AK this past December, Kali RR IMO too short and confusing. Maybe its me but I don't get how buring trees amd Asian architecture mix. I know that back story but huh? Can someone fill me in? I disliked DINOLAND USA and Dinosaur was okay but nothing what I was expecting. I loved ITTBAB and Kilamanjaro(sp) Safari and the themeing throughout most of the park. After that and checking out a few exhibits we headed for the MK. Out of a 6 day stay only 4 hours was for AK. Theres definitely something wrong with that park/zoo if it can't capture my attention for more than a few hours.

[Bob O]

1.-MGM
2.-Magic Kingdom
3.-Universal Studios
4.-IOA
5.-Epoct
6.-Animal Kingdom.
I cant really rate Busch Gardens Tampa or Sea World as i havent been to those parks.

[Robinrs]

So what's your beef against AK? Personally, I think the park is too spread out and doesn't have enough stuff.

I spent a year one day at AK. It was the first time I found out that I would NOT be able to exist in my Motherland. :rolleyes: It was a huge zoo. But I think my biggest beef was Dinosaur. It had a wait time posted of 35 minutes. I didn't sit in the ride till one hours and 20 minutes later. I had a RELATIONSHIP with the people on the line by then. By the time I got on I wanted it to blow my mind. All it did was rattle my brains.

I guess it was beautiful but it was waaay too spread out. I am not a visual person so the sights did nothing for me.

Finding the rides is like finding a needle in a haystack. It was September and the heat was following us. I was NEVER so disappointed in a park and yes, it should have been $5 since it ate up one day off my hopper!

Frankly, Chuck E. Cheese on Intl Drive ranks higher! We had a ball there one rainy afternoon! :D

[DanG]

1. IOA
2. MGM
3. MK
4. Seaworld
5. Animal Kingdom
6. Epcot

I haven't been to Universal yet, but would expect it to come in after Seaworld. As for Animal Kingdom, I hated it the first time I went, but actually enjoyed it during my trip last year.

I know many disagree with my assessment, but clearly I don't get or appreciate Epcot. If Animal Kingdom is the BV Zoo, to me Epcot is a bipolar half marginally upscale foodcourt and half geek refuge.

[US-SW]

1 USF
2 SW
3 BG
4 IOA
5 EPCOT
6 AK
7 MK
8 MGM

[bartoscowabunga]

I think it's really hard for me to put any favorites in order. We just got back from IOA, Universal, Sea World and Busch Gardens. I loved each park except Busch Gardens. I wouldn't go there again. We did love Busch Gardens Williamsburgh (went last year). For those of you who really liked Busch Gardens, did I miss something? Maybe it was the fact that we did the other three parks first and Busch last, and really enjoyed the first three.

[CPM]

1. IOA
2. BGT (2nd only because I think the theming is better at IOA)
3. MGM
4. USF
5. MK
6. Epcot
7. SWF
8. AK

[Lori of the Lodge]

1. Magic Kingdom..always and forever

2. MGM studios...full of Disney Magic, great shows, good restaurants. TOT is quite possibly the best themed ride in the world.

3. Epcot...it has originality that no other park can compete with

4. IOA...beautiful details, FANTASTIC rides..but lacks magic. I hate the way you can see the backs of the rides from 1-4.

5. AK...The landscaping amazes me. Disney actually created Africa and Asia in the middle of Florida swampland. Not enough to do...entire park can be seen in 4-5 hours.

6. US...Was such a let-down for me. I went to US with the best intentions, but I just wasn't impressed. It's just my opinion, I know tons of people love it!

[jelly-beans]

1. IOA
2. BGT
3. US
4. EPCOT
5. MGM
6. SW
7. MK
8. Blizzard Beach
9. AK

I listed the nine parks I have visited in FL. I don't think I realized how disappointing AK was until I visited BGT and saw the potential a park themed with animals has.

Anyone care to compare HHN to Howl O'Scream. I have a hard time separating the two. HHN was spookier the way it was set up. The scare zones were great. But Howl O'Scream had better and much bigger houses/mazes. I rate them even.

jb

[MIB999999]

I have not checked to see for sure but i believe Splendid China is closed. that is why i ranked it above AK.:smooth:

[WebmasterBarry]

Originally posted by MIB999999
I have not checked to see for sure but i believe Splendid China is closed. that is why i ranked it above AK.:smooth:

I think it is still open. I saw billboards as recent as last month.

Why didn't you put Wild Adventures in your list, MIB? :)

[Lobo]

It's hard for me to really judge since I have worked at both companies parks, but if I hadn't worked at either, here's my choice:

1) Epcot - The Whole Educational being. The only "smart park" around. Can't leave without seeing Illuminations.

2) IOA - If it wasn't for Spiderman (the ride I used to work at) and Hulk/DD, all it would have (to me) is the theming and landscaping.

3) MGM - Tower of Terror (my other ride) and Star Tours (yes fanboys) make me smile every time I walk in the park. Nothing against RNR and Muppets (BTW Waldorf(?)'s head was stuck last weekend in a sideway position...looked bad!).

4) Magic Kingdom - The feeling of walking in is a feeling I don't feel at any other parks. I live for Haunted Mansion and Extra-Terroristrial among other rides.

5) Universal Studios - T2 and MIB. Sorry... Twister and BTTF do nothing for me. They need to lose Earthquake and Kong IMHO. I was upset when they lost Herc & Xena (never saw Ghostbusters).

6) Busch Gardens Tampa - Great coasters. Makes me long for Cedar Point (sans animals and free beer).

7) Animal Kingdom - Beautiful landscaping. Dinosaur was great (pre-change of title and effects) and Tree of Life is always cool to look at. Nothing much else there that thrills me.

Then again, maybe it's just me.

[joe]

IOA
BGT
MK
SW
MGM

Those are my favorites. In all fairness to each park, it really is comparing apples and oranges. There are too many variables. You can grade them by what you like, theming, coasters, or just by what they were trying to achieve and how successful they were. That is my criteria. Although I would rather go to MGM than SW, I think SW did a better job of achieving their goal.

[MIB999999]

Originally posted by Barry Hom


Why didn't you put Wild Adventures in your list, MIB? :)

i guess cause i listened to Robinrs. She said list favorite parks in orlando and tampa. Since Wild Adventures is in BFE i left it out. But since you ask it is way ahead of AK and Splendid China, :bounce:

[Robinrs]

A man that LISTENS to me....now I can live with that concept! :D

[Dznefreek]

How is Splendid China? I always wanted to check it out but thus far haven't, maybe this March. Are there any attractions or is it more of a EPCOT Pavilion?

Walk through; all miniatures of Chinese Landmarks.

I liked it. I learned ALOT about Chinese Culture.

I went when it first opened. They had a deal for Fl. Residents.

1) IOA
2) MK
3) USF
4) MGM
5) BGT
6) Blizzard Beach
7) Typhoon Lagoon
8) Epcot
999999999999999) DAK

[lagasan]

IOA
MK
AK
EPCOT
MGM
Universal
Blizzard Beach
Typhoon Lagoon

[loribell]

1. MK
2. US
3. MGM
4. AK
5. SW
I have not been able to go to IOA yet but plan to next summer.
Have not been to BG either. I absolutely HATE EPCOT.

[ksdave]

1. IOA
2. EPCOT
3. MK
4. USF
5. MGM
6. SW
7. AK
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128,745. GATORLAND! (I'd rather have root canal than do this again.)

Have not been to BGT since it was just the brewery tour and a few animals to pet (1974??). Guess I better try it again.