Any parks on the east coast similar to Universal?

[CAPSLOCK]

No, nothing like that there.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I am from Pennsylvania and if I had to pick between Hershey Park, Dorney Park, or Six Flags, I would 100% go with Hershey. Dorney is ok but not worth it IMO. Unfortunately, there isn't anything similar to Universal in the Northeast. But Hershey would be my choice.

And I would recommend exactly the opposite. Hershey seems tired and worn to me, as well as disorganized with really long lines during the summer. We really like Dorney a lot. The park is clean and up to date with great rides that seem more current than Hershey's.

That said, I would stick in the New England area. PA is a lot further away than you think and the travel will eat up time you could be enjoying yourself

 

[Linkura]

If you have littles, Storyland and Santa's Village in NH.

 

[DisneyPigFan]

Six Flags has worthwhile rides, and low low crowds in May. It does not, however, have any "theme" to speak of, or 3D rides, or anything of that sort. Straightforward rides and such. Their coasters are on par w/ Universal's. Water park doesn't open til 5/19, but their water rides are good - water coaster is essentially the same as Krakatau at Volcano Bay. Get tix online if you go, they're much cheaper.

Canobie Lake is also worthwhile if it is open when you're there. It is in lower New Hampshire, and probably even closer to Boston than Six Flags. It has a few cool coasters and rides, smaller than Six Flags. Also low crowds in May.

Not true. Six Flags is not even close to the league of Universal or Disney when it comes to theming, but it is there. The one near me -- Six Flags Over Georgia -- has a whole Gotham/Batman section, for example. There's also a bugs bunny/looney tunes sections for kids, and a Superman/Justice League section, plus other little areas with themes.... like Monster Mansion is reminiscent of a Disney dark ride and Dahlonega Mine Train is kind of like Big Thunder Mountain.

And yes, there is a 3D ride somewhat similar to MIB and Spider-Man -- it's called Justice League Battle for Metropolis. They have that ride at many, but not all of the parks.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Since that 3D ride is not at Six Flags NE, it is accurate to say there are no 3D rides there. OP doesn't care if there is a 3D ride at a different location.

And yes, they do have generalized themes in areas, but it's more like grouping rides by name, not an actual themed ride in the Universal sense. They do have music reflecting each area's theme, and some decor in most lines.

 

[Koz]

Not true. Six Flags is not even close to the league of Universal or Disney when it comes to theming, but it is there. The one near me -- Six Flags Over Georgia -- has a whole Gotham/Batman section, for example. There's also a bugs bunny/looney tunes sections for kids, and a Superman/Justice League section, plus other little areas with themes.... like Monster Mansion is reminiscent of a Disney dark ride and Dahlonega Mine Train is kind of like Big Thunder Mountain.

And yes, there is a 3D ride somewhat similar to MIB and Spider-Man -- it's called Justice League Battle for Metropolis. They have that ride at many, but not all of the parks.

I agree that there is some attempt at theming, but it's weak at best. An arched sign after you enter a certain area, and all rides in one classification. The distinction though is that you still feel like you are just in Six Flags. Contrast that with Disney or Busch Gardens where you actually feel as though you are jumping from one "land" to another as you walk throughout the park, because of the little details they incorporate along the way.

 

[GoldmanTrust]

So we didn’t have to go to PA so we just drove to Six Flags NE.

The roller coasters in the park are awesome. The Superman ride is spectacular, the best coaster I have ever ridden. There are a few other good coasters there as well. Some of the theming surprised me, I didn’t anticipate it being so well done in a few of the rides and some places around the park, like that old Western town. I liked sitting there in a less crowded area and having a beer.

But the biggest part of the park is so far away from Universal, it is incredible. These parks aren’t comparable. Biggest differences are:

1. Six Flags is down right dirty. The bathrooms are filthy. The worst bathrooms we have seen on our trip.

2. Loading times are probably 10 times higher in six flags. They could cut the wait times down by 70% just by adding a few staff members.

3. Screaming teenagers running around a bothering guests was a huge deal in our trip. There are a lot of kids on school trips visiting SF. I am really laid back when it comes to this kind of stuff, but loud kids kind of dampered our experience for the one non-coaster ride we did (the Harry Houdini house). This kind of bull wouldn’t fly in Universal.

So all in all. Got our “Universal” fix. While realizing how spoiled we are in being able to visit Universal so often. It makes you appreciate the UO area and how clean and well kept it is.

But Six Flags is a great bang for the buck (we paid 55 dollars for each ticket and 25 for parking). It was fairly busy, 15-40 minutes wait time on most rides. We did all the biggest coasters and some of them twice. So I recommend the park for a nice day out.

Thanks for your recommendations guys. Yet again this board delivers.

 

[Tinknalli]

Just wanted to add for those visiting the North East in the future....They are building a Legoland theme park outside of New York City. We have season passes to Six Flags as well as Universal. There is really no comparison between the two experiences. However, my Six Flags pass includes parking and meals for less than half the price of my Universal pass.