Do you compare all other theme parks to DL?

[joeysmommy]

Our family went to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (formerly Marine World) in Vallejo today. We live 10 minutes away and bought Season passes, haven't been there in 2 years.

I couldn't help but compare it to DL and feel a little sad, really missing DL today.

As we were walking into the park near the tram drop-off, my 6 yr old asked what all the black spots on the ground were. I told him it was from people spitting out their gum. Even he said "You wouldn't see that at DL." The funny thing is that I was thinking the very same thing but didn't want to start off the day comapring the two.
I told the kids that Walt didn't sell gum at DL for that very reason...My husband rolled his eyes..there she goes spouting tidbits of Disney info.

Our first ride was the water ride..Rapids something or other. My 4 yr old was soo excited because he thought it would be like GRR. At the end he thought a big drop was coming as we climbed the hill but it was just the end....
He was disappointed to say the least.

Don't get me wrong, we had a great time today Six Flags is wonderful with the animal shows..the kids loved Shouka.
But it made me miss DL even more and we just went 2 weeks ago.
Maybe that's the problem, DL is a hard act to follow.

 

[simba_one]

ANY Disney park is hard to follow imo. I went to a theme park here in the UK yesterday and even though I visit every couple of months, I couldn't help but compare it to Disney parks - and Dl in particular as it's my favourite!

I was comparing everything... cleanliness, service, the rides themselves. I experienced the EXACT same thing you did on their rapids ride with a friend who had never been to the park before too. We were going up the hill expecting a drop and we just got to the turntable loading area at the end of the ride. BOO!

Disney definitely do it best!

 

[Sy-]

Yea... Whenever I'm standing in a line for a ride at other theme parks I'm always thinking to myself; "Boy these lines are a lot shorter than they are at Disneyland" J/K... FWIW I was at Kings Island durring Mothers Day weekend last year and I can tell you that the lines there were 2 hours long for EVERY big rollercoaster... It really sucked!!!! Atleast DL has fast-pass!!!

 

[camouseketeer]

OP, I was thinking of taking my 5 and 6 year old DD's to Discovery Kingdom too. We have never been there. Is it worth going to? We will have one free ticket and discount tix for the rest of us. We live near Sacramento, so it's about an hour drive for us.

What did you kids like the best?
Were there a lot of rides for them (my 5 year old is only 42 inches)?
What shows did you see and recommend?
Is it doable with just me and the girls?
Do I need a stroller (we use one in DL)?

Thanks for your help!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Most definitely yes. Other parks aren't as clean, other parks don't have as nice of employees, the crowd isn't controlled as well, the rides aren't as well themed, the food is bad, the souvenirs are cheap, etc. etc.

 

[DangerMouse]

OTHER THEME PARKS???

 

[kelmac284]

I know what you mean. We live in Northern CA too and go to DK about once a year for a Girl Scout day. It is DEF NOT the same. We go because it is better than nothing and my kids DO enjoy the animals and it is something to do but I agree. I am always thinking the same thing, it sure AINT Disney. NOTHING compares to Disney. Disney is just themed so nice and it just takes you into a whole other world. The rides are done so well and you really feel like you are in a whole other world not some cheap carnival. You can go into REAL restaurants and have a nice meal on real plates with real silverware. You can look at nice scenery and feel like you are in another place. You just don't get that at Six Flasgs parks, at least not at DK or others I have been to in CA.

Those places are fun to ride the big roller coasters and such but they just aren't the same. Now don't get me wrong I DO love Universal because of the great themeing but even THEY aren't Disney.

There is just something about it, the quaintness and the characters and just WALT is everywhere at the Disney parks. The good old fashioned homeiness and maybe it is the fond memories of my childhood or how it makes you feel like a kid. The magic I don't know. There is just something special that other parks just don't have.

 

[Disneyanajc]

What are these other Parks you speak of? Are you telling me there are Other Parks that are not Disney…I should investigate this information…no…no…I must not go to the dark parks!

I just need my coffee...The one observation I have made is Disney Parks are much cleaner...jc

 

[disneyfaninaz]

OTHER THEME PARKS???

Not other disney parks, but other family oriented parks, not necessarily theme parks. We don't tend to do many other theme parks but Disney. I tend to compare anything to Disney. And not all things are lacking, its just an example of what I compare.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I know what you mean. We live in Northern CA too and go to DK about once a year for a Girl Scout day. It is DEF NOT the same. We go because it is better than nothing and my kids DO enjoy the animals and it is something to do but I agree. I am always thinking the same thing, it sure AINT Disney. NOTHING compares to Disney. Disney is just themed so nice and it just takes you into a whole other world. The rides are done so well and you really feel like you are in a whole other world not some cheap carnival. You can go into REAL restaurants and have a nice meal on real plates with real silverware. You can look at nice scenery and feel like you are in another place. You just don't get that at Six Flasgs parks, at least not at DK or others I have been to in CA.

Those places are fun to ride the big roller coasters and such but they just aren't the same. Now don't get me wrong I DO love Universal because of the great themeing but even THEY aren't Disney.

There is just something about it, the quaintness and the characters and just WALT is everywhere at the Disney parks. The good old fashioned homeiness and maybe it is the fond memories of my childhood or how it makes you feel like a kid. The magic I don't know. There is just something special that other parks just don't have.

That's what I was trying to say!

 

[JenDisneylandlver]

We went there a few years ago, and did the exact same thing. It was fun, but it's no DL. LOL We haven't been back there, the employees weren't all that friendly, and the park just didn't seem as well taken care of as we expected. But again, I think I'm comparing it to DL!

 

[Eac_5981]

Yes, i recently went to a theme park in Cali, earlier this month, and the rides are badly themed, dirty restrooms, really packed food court, and almost no employees!
Also alot of theme parks try to do parades and they are just not good

No theme park will ever be the same

 

[wendypooh22]

Living in So Cal, there are other placed to take the kids, but honestly DLR is the only place I would take them by myself without DH. Maybe it's a false sense of security, but I have no problems taking them and even staying the night with just the boys and myself..
They have been asking to go to Six Flags, but I really do not care for all of the older teenagers and young adults that hang out there. It's not a place I care to go with a 7 and 9 year old. JMHO

 

[Ride Junkie]

Other parks are usually a disappointment. Discovery Kingdom is probably the next best one here, since it at least has some atmosphere. Last time I was at Great America, there wasn't much theming, and all the ride queues had graffiti carved into everything. And don't even get me started on Thug Mountain -- what a waste. No theming, atmosphere, or even landscaping. I was shocked that this places has been there for so long and still looks like they just plunked a bunch of rides down & left. Not to mention all the police activity at the gate as we were leaving.

Disney rules.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I can't help but compare every park, amusement or theme, that I visit to Disneyland. Now I usually see the cost of tickets to any other park in comparison to Disneyland. I had some friends go to Great America last year and I looked at the $50 or so admission fee and decided I would rather have that money to spend in Disneyland 3 days later when I went down.

 

[pixiewings71]

We used to have Season Passes to DK, not anymore. We would rather save that money and any money we would have spent there at DL. DK won't let you take in your own drinks, not even sealed water bottles, no snacks, nothing. So you have to eat there or not eat. It's dirty, people are rude, employees do not care, parking sucks, they usually don't use more than 2 trams so it's forever waiting for a tram. The rides are fun but not as fun as DL, the best part of DK is the sharks and the tigers, but even those are getting old now. LOL For me, DL is an experience, when I walk under that bridge (here you leave the world of today........) it's a whole new world for me, everything else melts away. Other parks just do not measure up, in any way.

 

[Corpsebride]

I dont compare anything to DL. There is no point. I totally agree with OP. Disneyland has such a high standards that nothing else compares. Granted nothing is perfect anywhere but at DL there is just this feeling that doesnt compare with any other place. Even at the DL store on Hollywood blvd , it smells the same , that sweet sugar smell and the CM's are just as helpful. Its like a small disneyland just no rides.I think that other places try to compare themselves to DL.

 

[Jenn1116]

Our family went to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (formerly Marine World) in Vallejo today. We live 10 minutes away and bought Season passes, haven't been there in 2 years.

Was it really crowded?? I'm taking a day off in 2 weeks so I can take my 4 yr old. The last time we went was '06. I wanted to do a fun day, just me and her, before she starts kindergarten.

I dont compare anything to DL. There is no point. I totally agree with OP. Disneyland has such a high standards that nothing else compares. Granted nothing is perfect anywhere but at DL there is just this feeling that doesnt compare with any other place. Even at the DL store on Hollywood blvd , it smells the same , that sweet sugar smell and the CM's are just as helpful. Its like a small disneyland just no rides.I think that other places try to compare themselves to DL.

I agree!!! I've been to several theme parks and I always get a kick out of the big coasters. There are some parks I like better than others. But Disneyland? Are you kidding? I would never even think to lump DL in with any other park. DL is DL. It's the only place you can find real magic! And it's the only destination I'm willing to empty my pockets to get to.

 

[joeysmommy]

OP, I was thinking of taking my 5 and 6 year old DD's to Discovery Kingdom too. We have never been there. Is it worth going to? We will have one free ticket and discount tix for the rest of us. We live near Sacramento, so it's about an hour drive for us.

What did you kids like the best?
Were there a lot of rides for them (my 5 year old is only 42 inches)?
What shows did you see and recommend?
Is it doable with just me and the girls?
Do I need a stroller (we use one in DL)?

Thanks for your help!

If you can't go to DL anytime soon then yes, it is worth it. We bought Season Passes since we live so close and definitely will go for Halloween's Fright Fest and the Holiday thingy.

My 4 year old is 42 inches tall, my 6 yr old is 52 inches tall.
My 6 yr old was not tall enough for the big roller coasters I think the requirement was 56 or 58 inches for those. I was relieved, I didn't want him to go on them.
My 4 yr old was tall enough for pretty much everything else with a grown up.

The kids liked the Cobra roller coaster(good for little ones-not too scary).
The Roaring Rapids and Monsoon Falls (water rides) were a favorite.
They liked the Ark and Scatabout rides..sooo glad Daddy was with us cuz I get sick on those types.

Shouka (Killer Whale) was the best show..plus Merlin the dolphin performs in the show so it's kind of a two-fer. We skipped the Dolphin show.

We should have rented a stroller, my 4 yr old was exhausted by the end of the day.
We didn't get to really explore the animal area in depth since we focused mostly on the rides.
It is doable by yourself if everyone will agree to go on every ride.

 

[joeysmommy]

Was it really crowded?? I'm taking a day off in 2 weeks so I can take my 4 yr old. The last time we went was '06. I wanted to do a fun day, just me and her, before she starts kindergarten.


It was not crowded at all, we walked onto most rides with hardly ever waiting.
The longest wait was 20 minuites by the afternoon for the Roaring Rapids ride.
Seems like Monday is a good day. My friend has been taking her boys every Tuesday to DK, that's a bit much for me.
Now if it were DL, that would be a different story!

We had a big breakfast since I knew we couldn't bring in food.
Pretty much snacked all day and then headed to my Grandmother's for family dinner night.
That's one of the biggest negatives of that park, can't bring in waters or lunch. You can get a locker or go back to your car with a cooler in the trunk.
I still snuck in pretzels and granola bars at the bottom of my backpack.
And their water bottles (vending machine) were $3.50. That's more than DL!