Does Disney ruin you for all else?

[njdisneylovr]

Yes definitely. I enjoy how clean and well run Disney parks are and often compare it to Six Flags. I don't enjoy going to SF because it's not as clean, pretty much all thrill rides, and the population that goes there can be kind of iffy.

We just got back from Disney and have season passes to Six Flags. I am dreading walking through those turnstiles next week.

 

[BigHeroKen]

I have to disagree about the overall theme being better at Disney, just like Universal, Disney has its ups and downs throughout the parks. I think each company does a great job of putting forth the proper atmosphere in the different areas of their parks, but they both have areas they can improve upon. I think a lot of the personal preferences comes down to our individual connection to the source material.

 

[I M Fearless]

I never feel the rides have the same level of detail to Disney. I feel as if the sight lines are not considered in quite the same way. Like being able to see the unthemed show building for FJ. Whereas with POTC, HM it is almost completely hidden.

To me HS has similar issues, but I suppose the working studio concept allows for this. For me MK and AK have the high level of detail I would want to see in other parks.

For me US and IOA are paying far more attention to this now than ever before. They are definitely catching up on that front. I just think Disney still have the edge on the whole though.

 

[momof2n2]

You know what this thread is making me do?

I just looked up and did a preliminary plan with DH to go to Canada's Wonderland.

And - I'm doing a quick cost-analysis for Busch Garden Williamsburg, Cedar Point and Hershey.

I love WDW, but I also love variety. And I want to get my kids to all those places like my parents got me. I'm feeling guilty we've done so much Disney and so little else. Especially when it looks like I can do all four for the same price as one WDW trip.

 

[larryz]

I just looked up and did a preliminary plan with DH to go to Canada's Wonderland.

And - I'm doing a quick cost-analysis for Busch Garden Williamsburg, Cedar Point and Hershey.

I can't speak for Canada's Wonderland, but the other 3 are 3 of my favorites! We did a round-robin trip in 2006. Bought the Busch premium passes and hit both BG Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, and Six Flags Atlanta on the trip... the Busch parks were heads and shoulders above the Six Flags park!

As long as you're driving from BG Williamsburg to Cedar Point, be sure to stop in PGH one day for a visit to Kennywood!

And after we got back, we went to Orlando and spent a few days at WDW. We were pretty coastered out by then.

 

[Disneylover99]

I can't speak for Canada's Wonderland, but the other 3 are 3 of my favorites! We did a round-robin trip in 2006. Bought the Busch premium passes and hit both BG Tampa Bay and Williamsburg, and Six Flags Atlanta on the trip... the Busch parks were heads and shoulders above the Six Flags park!

I can't stand Canada's Wonderland since I was "ruined" by Disney.

 

[kagmypts]

Yes!

After returning from Disney last year, we decided to get annual passes for Six Flags, which is about 20 minutes from our house. We went one time last year, and all of us mentioned numerous times how it wasn't Disney. There was no comparison - cleanliness, lines, friendless of staff, etc.

 

[phillymummer]

Nope. I think Disney is one-of-a-kind and don't expect that from any place else. I LOVE Hershey Park in PA for different reasons and would never try to compare the two. I have been to US/ IOA and love it there as well... in some ways more than Disney.

UPDATE- After thinking about it.... Disney has "ruined" other theme parks for me in one way- their outside food/drink policy. I wish other parks (I'm looking at you, Hershey!) would allow outside food so you don't have to go broke buying their food..... or waste time going back to your car to get your food.

Like other posters have mentioned, I appreciate the lack of planning I need to do when going other places. I only plan to the max with Disney.... no other place.

 

[phillymummer]

You know what this thread is making me do?

I just looked up and did a preliminary plan with DH to go to Canada's Wonderland.

And - I'm doing a quick cost-analysis for Busch Garden Williamsburg, Cedar Point and Hershey.

Hershey has adopted some things from Disney. If you stay at one of their hotels you can get a free shuttle to the park. Plus, you can get in one hour early. They also have character meals.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I wouldn't say Disney has ruined us for other parks, but there are levels of effort we'd put into going to them.

We'll travel long distances (across the country, or even internationally) for Disney. We'd probably travel across the country to go to Universal (but absolutely would never skip Disney on the same trip). We used to live in S TX, and happily spent many weekends at our local SeaWorld (including Aquatica) and Six Flags - those are both places that we like to visit, but probably wouldn't travel more than an hour in the car for. (I'd travel a few hours by car for Schlitterbahn.)

I'd like to go to Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, and Dollywood sometime, but we'd only go if we were already in the area for some reason.

We're (unfortunately) currently in WNY, and wouldn't cross the street for any of the parks (including water) anywhere around here.

I've never been a fan of carnivals, but especially after having lived a couple miles from SeaWorld and Six Flags, I can't even bring myself to go to a carnival. And I agree with previous posters that most local fireworks displays are very underwhelming (after having gotten used to the 4th of July displays in Boston and NYC, and the displays at Disney).

EDIT: The above just applies to theme and water parks. We absolutely have, and will continue to, travel extensively outside of Disney. (We've been to almost every state (sorry Delaware and Vermont), lived in 6 states across the country, were married in a 7th state, and have traveled internationally many times.)

 

[momof2n2]

I wouldn't say Disney has ruined us for other parks, but there are levels of effort we'd put into going to them.

We'll travel long distances (across the country, or even internationally) for Disney. We'd probably travel across the country to go to Universal (but absolutely would never skip Disney on the same trip). We used to live in S TX, and happily spent many weekends at our local SeaWorld (including Aquatica) and Six Flags - those are both places that we like to visit, but probably wouldn't travel more than an hour in the car for. (I'd travel a few hours by car for Schlitterbahn.)

I'd like to go to Cedar Point, Busch Gardens, and Dollywood sometime, but we'd only go if we were already in the area for some reason.

We're (unfortunately) currently in WNY, and wouldn't cross the street for any of the parks (including water) anywhere around here.

I've never been a fan of carnivals, but especially after having lived a couple miles from SeaWorld and Six Flags, I can't even bring myself to go to a carnival. And I agree with previous posters that most local fireworks displays are very underwhelming (after having gotten used to the 4th of July displays in Boston and NYC, and the displays at Disney).

Say it ain't so. Not even Seabreeze? We regularly do season passes. So clean. Free parking. Bring in our own food. (You're free to disagree, but I ❤ ❤ ❤ Seabreeze.)

I don't love Darien. We hit it once every 2/3 years with cheap passes. And Roseland is hideously expensive for almost no attractions.

Marineland Canada? Some stellar thrill rides and second day for $5...



No. None are WDW. But I love that we even have them.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Say it ain't so. Not even Seabreeze? We regularly do season passes. So clean. Free parking. Bring in our own food. (You're free to disagree, but I ❤ ❤ ❤ Seabreeze.)

I don't love Darien. We hit it once every 2/3 years with cheap passes. And Roseland is hideously expensive for almost no attractions.

Marineland Canada? Some stellar thrill rides and second day for $5...



No. None are WDW. But I love that we even have them.

Honestly, I know there are people who like this area, but we're not some of them. I've been nothing but disappointed in every single thing we've done and seen since moving to this area. (I seriously wish NY would clean up the U.S. side of Niagara Falls - I really dislike the Canadian side, especially Clifton Hill, but the Canadian side still puts the U.S. side to shame. I'm honestly embarrassed at the state of the U.S. side.)

 

[Ambear]

Say it ain't so. Not even Seabreeze? We regularly do season passes. So clean. Free parking. Bring in our own food. (You're free to disagree, but I ❤ ❤ ❤ Seabreeze.)

Heh... my friend and I thought we'd visit Seabreeze last year. We were 25 and yea, definitely felt awkward and out of place amongst the pre-teens. I didn't realize how young seabreeze is compared to Darien Lake. So now I feel like an old woman there and we probably wont go back... But it is an adorable and awesome park for families!

 

[momof2n2]

Honestly, I know there are people who like this area, but we're not some of them. I've been nothing but disappointed in every single thing we've done and seen since moving to this area. (I seriously wish NY would clean up the U.S. side of Niagara Falls - I really dislike the Canadian side, especially Clifton Hill, but the Canadian side still puts the U.S. side to shame. I'm honestly embarrassed at the state of the U.S. side.)

I grew up spending large amounts of time on the Canadian side as we had family there. I never even knew the US side was there. LOL. I love the aquarium on the US side, though. It's free with our local zoo membership.

I'm sorry it's such an unpleasant place for you. The weather certainly is hideous, too.

I should move this to PM, but have you been to Strong National Museum of Play?

 

[Planogirl]

You know what this thread is making me do?

I just looked up and did a preliminary plan with DH to go to Canada's Wonderland.

And - I'm doing a quick cost-analysis for Busch Garden Williamsburg, Cedar Point and Hershey.

I love WDW, but I also love variety. And I want to get my kids to all those places like my parents got me. I'm feeling guilty we've done so much Disney and so little else. Especially when it looks like I can do all four for the same price as one WDW trip.

I would love to do some of this! I've always wanted to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in particular.

I'll also add Kennywood. I saw a special about that park and did some research and now it's on my short list.

And I will travel a long way to see this type of place. But what do I know? We once flew to Philadelphia just before Halloween just to check out a few haunted houses. Yes, we also saw some of the historic sights but that wasn't the main focus.

 

[momof2n2]

I would love to do some of this! I've always wanted to go to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in particular.

I'll also add Kennywood. I saw a special about that park and did some research and now it's on my short list.

And I will travel a long way to see this type of place. But what do I know? We once flew to Philadelphia just before Halloween just to check out a few haunted houses. Yes, we also saw some of the historic sights but that wasn't the main focus.

Come visit me?!

 

[DebbieB]

I was at Kings Dominion yesterday and enjoyed it. I didn't expect it to be like Disney so I didn't compare it while I was there. It is a different type of park, with more thrill rides. The Volcano was RnR on steroids.

 

[Ambear]

I was at Kings Dominion yesterday and enjoyed it. I didn't expect it to be like Disney so I didn't compare it while I was there. It is a different type of park, with more thrill rides. The Volcano was RnR on steroids.

I went up the Eiffel Tower there and that's where I learned I'm very afraid of heights.