Disney fallen short or behind without more Roller coasters

[luvsJack]

No, they are different. Maybe not the older adults, but, the younger set that go for the big coasters are loud and obnoxious and usually they're unchaperoned because they're old enough that they shouldn't need one. It is common for any park if they have the type of "thrill" rides that youth gravitate too, if for no other reason then to prove how brave they are to their peers. That doesn't make them bad, just more inclined to be demonstrative then the older people that commonly go to Disney for a more low key experience. However, as of late there are getting more and more loud and obnoxious coming in then before because there are more coaster type rides then there once was. Not a bad thing completely, but, certainly a reality, like it or not.

Not sure how you define obnoxious but how do you call someone obnoxious and “not bad” in the same description? Lol. Not meaning theme park guests but in general.

Honestly not seen one bit of difference in the people at Disney or Universal. Like it or not those same kids run around unchaperoned in both places. They don’t bother me but there just isn’t more at one than the other.

Maybe it’s when we go.

 

[MillauFr]

Yeah those Harry Potter hooligans.

Well Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle were sure hooligans. Any rides that would attract those three would not be welcome in my book.

 

[goofyernmost]

Not sure how you define obnoxious but how do you call someone obnoxious and “not bad” in the same description? Lol. Not meaning theme park guests but in general.

Honestly not seen one bit of difference in the people at Disney or Universal. Like it or not those same kids run around unchaperoned in both places. They don’t bother me but there just isn’t more at one than the other.

Maybe it’s when we go.

Well, I'm glad that you feel that way. Both the OP and myself have gone out of our way to try and point out that there are absolute differences without trying to judge if that is good or bad. Obnoxious is in the vision of the beholder. It can sometimes be unpleasant and not what we would find wonderful, but, it does no harm for anyone so other then being annoying, it is really not harmful, but, sorry, it is different. You don't want to acknowledge that and that is up to you. Doesn't change anything though. You are oblivious to it, that makes you happy, many others do not feel that way, but, we at least do understand that people are all different. Some we feel comfortable around and others that we don't. It is Human nature and individually we are all different and we settle in our own areas of comfort.

 

[MillauFr]

You know exactly what that poster means.

"Universal/Six Flags-type demographics" is obviously a code for certain racial/socioeconomic groups.

I guess I understand a bit what they are saying. I like there are very few hooligans at Disney. Although after dealing with entitled, rich, white people all day at work I think they can be worse.

 

[luvsJack]

Well, I'm glad that you feel that way. Both the OP and myself have gone out of our way to try and point out that there are absolute differences without trying to judge if that is good or bad. Obnoxious is in the vision of the beholder. It can sometimes be unpleasant and not what we would find wonderful, but, it does no harm for anyone so other then being annoying, it is really not harmful, but, sorry, it is different. You don't want to acknowledge that and that is up to you. Doesn't change anything though. You are oblivious to it, that makes you happy, many others do not feel that way, but, we at least do understand that people are all different. Some we feel comfortable around and others that we don't. It is Human nature and individually we are all different and we settle in our own areas of comfort.

Did you read her post that started all this? She said she ran into all these obnoxious people at Six Flags and wouldn’t be back. She did not say one word about another place! When asked why she lumped them together she refused or couldn’t answer! She hasn’t gone “ out of her way” to explain anything.

I am not oblivious to anything. When we travel to Universal it’s almost all families! Families with kids from preschool to high school. Were there some preteens and teens walking around alone? Sure. Were they screaming and yelling and running and acting obnoxious? No. Even in the areas of the parks one would assume was mostly attractive to the boys in that obnoxious stage of life, it just isn’t there.

I am not sure why you want to convince me that you are right. If you don’t like the place or the people who visit, by all means, don’t go. But don’t sit there and act like your “experience” is the only possible one out there.

Again: perhaps it’s when we go!

I will say this, we went with dd’s choir in April one year to Disney. And there were a LOT of other choirs there. And there was a LOT of aggravation from the actions of the kids and their chaperones. Perhaps I should blame the princess element! Lol. I kid.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I Can't very well argue with a straight face that Disney is falling behind when they own the #1,2,3,4,5th , and 7th most attended theme parks in the U.S.

Although you can say Epcot fell behind Animal Kingdom.

 

[Tksolomom]

I think there can be obnoxious people at both Universal and Disney. Epcot on the weekend during F&W, people pushing at the MK during parades and fireworks trying to get a better view, etc. In my opinion neither Park is better or worse for hooligans and I enjoy all of them. Wanting to ride a roller coaster doesn’t make you bad. I am an over 40 woman, and I love coasters as well as dark rides. Maybe 6 flags might be worse in some areas, but the one in California is always clean and I haven’t run into more issues with people trying to butt in line or being rude than I have at DL, DW or Universal.

 

[mummabear]

I agree that they need more rides at an Indiana Jones level.

 

[GreatLakes]

I don't think Disney "needs" coasters. They are not directly competing with thrill parks like Cedar Point. I also don't think the demographics of Universal are the same as Six Flags. Universal is a bit between the two. On one end you have a theme park with a focus on theme, in the middle you have Universal with a focus on both theme and thrill rides, and on the other end you have the Cedar Fair / Six Flags parks with little theme and a lot of thrill rides.

I can say the one time I've been to Six Flags it was not a pleasant experience. It was a more out of control crowd that badly needed adult supervision despite being teens. I hav not had that experience at the Cedar Fair parks I've been to so it isn't just a thrill park thing.

 

[ICF]

I don't know that they need more extreme coasters....but they definitely needs more rides/attractions at some of their parks.

They seem to be doing a good job adding to DHS, but EPCOT needs work. Most of future land seems stuck in the 90s, which is odd given it's name.

I know they are adding a Guardians ride (ironically a coaster) in a few years...but they should make Innoventions cool again (last time we were there I think only one side was open, and it was pretty bare) and just add some rides/attractions to make that part more interesting to all. Currently -- there are only 2 things that we really enjoy (Test Track and Soarin') and then we take a tour around the countries and head to a different park.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I don't know that they need more extreme coasters....but they definitely needs more rides/attractions at some of their parks.

They seem to be doing a good job adding to DHS, but EPCOT needs work. Most of future land seems stuck in the 90s, which is odd given it's name.

I know they are adding a Guardians ride (ironically a coaster) in a few years...but they should make Innoventions cool again (last time we were there I think only one side was open, and it was pretty bare) and just add some rides/attractions to make that part more interesting to all. Currently -- there are only 2 things that we really enjoy (Test Track and Soarin') and then we take a tour around the countries and head to a different park.

What we enjoy most at EPCOT is their French pastry shop. Can't go to WDW without getting our pastry fix at EPCOT.

 

[Hikergirl]

I'm not a thrill ride person but I wouldn't mind seeing more coasters at WDW. I also don't believe that WDW would ever sacrifice theme in order to do thrill, so if they were to do something more thrilling rides it isn't like they'd just skimp out on the kind of theming they are known for.
I think with the addition of Marvel and Star Wars, Disney has become a little more "action" so there is nothing wrong with reflecting that in their parks.

 

[skyblue17]

I think WDW could do with a few more rides that are different from what they already have. As it is, their most thrilling coasters are still not particularly large or have big drops. If they created ONE big coaster to fit a theme of a park (kind of like what they did in DCA with California Screamin'/Incredicoaster, and kind of what Everest already is), that would be pretty awesome. I agree it would probably have to be an Animal Kingdom or DHS ride, so as not to disrupt the general feel of thet two older parks. I do like the slower, imaginatives rides but a lot of them are basically shows while you are in a vehicle of some kind and not really a "ride" ride. A few more actual rides, where there's more physical stimulation, wouldn't be a bad thing, in my opinion.

 

[TheConsciousness]

Yes, I agree with everyone. Disney DOES need more thrilling roller coasters. Not necessarily the biggest, baddest, scariest coaster....but something thrilling.
The gatekeeping of keeping out the 'riff raff' is done primarily by Disney prices, not lack of thrill.

 

[cabanafrau]

I think it's time Disney focused more on attractions for everyone that aren't in fact targeting toddler tastes.

 

[bcla]

Yes, I agree with everyone. Disney DOES need more thrilling roller coasters. Not necessarily the biggest, baddest, scariest coaster....but something thrilling.
The gatekeeping of keeping out the 'riff raff' is done primarily by Disney prices, not lack of thrill.

The biggest problem Disney parks get are customers who become argumentative on the basis of “Do you know how much I spent on this?”

I see Six Flags or Cedar Fair mentioned a bit here. Certainly around here I’ve heard of issues with (Santa Clara’s) Great America with respect to gang issues and the occasional fight. We recently got passes for our local Six Flags park, and in several trips we’ve found that it’s not really that bad. Everyone is there to have a good time regardless of income level and/or background. I haven’t seen anything even close to a fight, or even a potential argument. There are of course groups of teenagers, but even then they’ve been pretty good. From some descriptions you’d think there was line jumping and fights breaking out regularly, but I haven’t seen any of that.

I guess one of the more interesting dynamics between the Disney and “coaster park” visitor is the number of pass holders. If I’m paying an average of $100/day admission, then I might be upset that I have 12 hours and have only ridden a few rides because of 90 minute long lines. If I’m paying $100 for 12 months (with parking) then I can be more relaxed even if there are long lines, since I can always return.

 

[Domo]

If I want nerve shattering G-force rides, I'll go to Thorpe Park.

I go to Disney for the sophisticated quality atmosphere.

ETA: However, I do feel that EPCOT could do with more defining rides.

 

[Chuck S]

I don't mind that "Disney" doesn't have a lot of coasters, though some well themed thrill rides would be OK. I tend to think of "coasters" as more of an outdoor high speed, high g-force track ride.

Disneyland, Knott's (who is concentrating on thrills) and Magic Mountain (also a coaster park) coexist quite well. When I was young, I went to Disney. In high school we teens that could drive went to Magic Mountain. (Knott's wasn't a coaster park then, it was more for younger teenagers, middle schoolers and families...it had just opened the Log Ride.) Then after high school, Disney was cool again. It doesn't hurt to have different parks to serve different demographics. There is plenty of money for everyone.

 

[Sparkly]

What's the GoTG/Tron coasters going to be like? I doubt they'll have too much upsidey down bits, but it should be a bit more thrilling then say Slinky Dog or Mine Train for sure.

 

[bcla]

I don't mind that "Disney" doesn't have a lot of coasters, though some well themed thrill rides would be OK. I tend to think of "coasters" as more of an outdoor high speed, high g-force track ride.

Disneyland, Knott's (who is concentrating on thrills) and Magic Mountain (also a coaster park) coexist quite well. When I was young, I went to Disney. In high school we teens that could drive went to Magic Mountain. (Knott's wasn't a coaster park then, it was more for younger teenagers, middle schoolers and families...it had just opened the Log Ride.) Then after high school, Disney was cool again. It doesn't hurt to have different parks to serve different demographics. There is plenty of money for everyone.

Well - I remember my Disneyland Grad Nite experience in the late 80s. And what we ended up doing was checking into our hotels, going to Knott's for about five hours, Disneyland after it was closed to the public early, about 3 hours of sleep in the hotel, and Magic Mountain until closing time. I don't know if Knott's was quite the thrill ride park it is not, but even then they had a shuttle loop and apparently the first modern looping coaster.