Other Theme Parks Compared to Walt Disney World

[johnvree]

I totally agree with the point made in this thread. WDW has ruined amusement parks for us. We were going to go to Hershey Park last summer. I loved that place as a kid. When we started researching the park we immediately noticed the lack of theming. It took less than an hour to talk ourselves out of going.

However, I do not think WDW is the only place with great theming. Busch Gardens Tampa is great. The theming in each of the areas is distinct, the park was just a clean and the staff just as friendly. We loved that park. Universal Orlando is also fantastic. We actually prefer US to MGM and the theming at IOA is as good as any WDW park. The areas that UO is lacking are characters, parades, and closing shows (fireworks).

WDW will always be our favorite and, while UO are pretty close, WDW will always win in the Magic category.

 

[mshoo1]

When I was in graduate school at William and Mary, I spent a great deal of time at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I have to say that BGW comes as close to WDW as any park I have been to (and I have been to many). The theming is not as elaborate and the attractions do not match up. However, I actually think that BGW is a more beautiful park (i.e. landscaping and terrain) than any of the Disney parks (with the possible exception of AK). Busch was blessed with a great piece of land. There is only so much that Disney can do with Florida's pancake flat terrain.

 

[mdoc]

Disney is the best. It's clean, well themed and family oriented and I've never seen another theme or amusement park that came close. I personally find the Six Flags park near us (Great America in Gurnee, IL) to be disgusting, and I've heard it's one of the better ones. I've also heard that Six Flags is now trying to become more family oriented, with Brunch with Bugs and daily parades (seems kind of Disney-ish). The last few years most of the people there seem to have been beween the ages of 16 and 24 and while there I was exposing my kids to a lot of things that they didn't need to see and hear. At Disney there are always people of all ages and I haven't had bad experiences with other guests.

 

[88Keys]

I have to agree with Busch Gardens -- Williamsburg. It really gives Disney a run for the money. Disney may theme a little better, but BG-W is a wonderful combination of great theming and thrill rides. Usually, each WDW park has only 3 or so thrill rides (which is fine -- that is not the purpose of Disney) but BG is landscaped impeccably and has 4 world class coasters, as well as many other thrill rides. The live entertainment is comparable (the Oktoberfest is just as fun as Germany in WS) with tons of live musicians and even a Riverdance-type show. Their two new rides (Corkscrew Hill and DarKastle) are fantastic and the park is much shadier and is not nearly as hot. Plus the shops are just as unique and varied as those in WDW with the advantage that there are fewer items emblazened with park logos and characters then at WDW.

WDW is, and will always be, my favorite because of the breadth of experiences it offers in its 4 parks, but if you enjoy WDW, you should check out the Old Country.

 

[rejobako]

I think the three other "big" theme parks in Orlando (the 2 Universals and Seaworld) are comparable to Disney. Universal, especially, has done a great job emulating the Disney model with making sure that guests realize they are in a special environment even when they are not actually participating in a ride/attraction. My DDs 6 and 2 love Disney and Mickey and all that goes along with them, but they're just as happy going to see Barney or the Cat in the Hat at Universal.

What continues to set Disney World apart is the abundance of space the Imagineers have to work with. For all their bells and whistles, the other parks just don't have the luxury of being able to tie the magic of their parks to as much in the way of hotels/shopping/etc. Certainly, the four theme parks are the dazzling jewels at the top of WDW's crown, but look at the support structure that underlies them, with countless hotels catering to different families, budgets, and themes, Downtown Disney, Cirque du Soleil, Wide World of Sports, the Boardwalk, 6 Golf courses, waterparks, camping, boating, etc., all tied together with an ingenious monorail/bus system that makes getting around no more difficult than reading a transfer schedule.

I love Disney World -- it's one of my favorite destinations, and I consider myself fortunate that I am so close in proximity and financially able to take my family there from time to time to enjoy it. That being said, from my own perspective, I think each of the 7 major theme parks in Orlando are closely comparable to each other with respect to overall execution of concept, and for value for the entertainment dollar.

Just my opinion -- good topic.

 

[kmkja1]

Besides Disney, I have been to Universal Studios/IOA, Busch Gardens Tampa, Kings Island, Geagua Lake and my favorite Cedar Point. I think the reason that there is such a difference between WDW and a place like Cedar Point is that WDW is a theme park and Cedar Point is really more of a thrill park. WDW does do the most fantastic job of immersing you in the magic and are more family-oriented. When I go to Cedar Point, I am there to ride as many thrill rides in the shortest time possible. Sure, they have Snoopy themed areas but I think they cater more to coaster enthusiasts.And if you are a coaster enthusiast it is not a park to be missed.

I totally agree. While CP is a park directed toward thrill rides it does have a charm all of its own. It has been around for well over 100 years and is rich in its own history. We take our kids every year. That being said, one day is plenty for us there but if you told us we could only spend one day at Disney I think I would go nuts.

 

[powellrj]

Lets face it, Disney is selling us a lifestyle. We have Disney stores, Disney Channel, Radio Disney, Disney Clothes, Disney Catalogs, Disney Movies, Disney On Ice... The list is endless. They HAVE to do it bigger and better then everyone.

We love the other parks for what they are. We love Holiday World because its got a great waterpark, great coaster, free soda and sunscreen and its the cleanest park you will ever find. I can't imagine seeing Walt out sweeping the park like you do when you go to Holiday World. You see the park owners out sweeping the park!

Kings Island and Ceder Point are great parks for kids, teens and people who like thrill rides. My kids love to go to these parks for the thrill of it.

While I have never been to Dollywood, I have friends that go every couple of weeks in the summer. We are talking about people who drive from Indy to Dollywood!! They went to Disney a couple of months ago and had a great time, but they LOVE the shows at Dollywood.

We love the ease of Universal. When you stay on-site, there is no need to make any plans. You don't have to make ADRs or use Fastpasses. You just show up and don't have to wait! We also like the rides!

The one that surprises me is Indiana Beach. My kids are pre teen/ teenagers and they love the place. They want to go every year. I don't get it, but hey, its cheap and they have a great time!

We love Disney and they do it better than anyone, but we also like the other guys too!

 

[Tosie]

We are completely wrecked. I don't think we'll EVER enjoy another park, LOL! We took the kids to Hershey Park two years ago and were extremely disappointed, in many areas (parks, prices, hotel, employees...).

When I was a kid I used to visit Six Flags Great Adventure every summer. I think the last time I was there was 1991/92 before I had kids. Well, we have a relative who gets season passes every year and she says now, the quality of the park-goers leaves much to be desired (bad behavior and language). I don't need my kids around that.

So, dh and I are pretty much of the opinion if it can't be Disney for us, why bother?

 

[lindakmonty]

Besides Disney, I have been to Universal Studios/IOA, Busch Gardens Tampa, Kings Island, Geagua Lake and my favorite Cedar Point. I think the reason that there is such a difference between WDW and a place like Cedar Point is that WDW is a theme park and Cedar Point is really more of a thrill park. WDW does do the most fantastic job of immersing you in the magic and are more family-oriented. When I go to Cedar Point, I am there to ride as many thrill rides in the shortest time possible. Sure, they have Snoopy themed areas but I think they cater more to coaster enthusiasts.And if you are a coaster enthusiast it is not a park to be missed.

Exactly since I live in Mansfield...a whole 50 miles from Cedar Point we've been there so many times I couldn't even count...but it still doesn not even compare to Disney. I think we're pretty lucky here in Ohio w/all the indoor and outdoor parks... but I still choose Disney over ANYTHING in the world. I use to travel for the phone company and went to parks all over the place...disney just has the pixy dust ...the magic... they totally go above and beyond. I absolutely love it.

 

[DisFlan]

We still enjoy Silver Dollar City near Branson. We're close by, it has lots of character, crafts, good food, music, shows, shopping, authenticity and "nostalgia" value. It's clean and the employees are great. It's not Disney, but it's lots of fun.


DisFlan

 

[ozarkmom]

I love Silver Dollar City. It is so friendly and just feels good to be there. It takes you to a different time. I also love Universal/IOA I feel like I'm in another world when I'm in those parks!

 

[AStamm]

The only other amusement park I look forward to hitting a few times each summer is Knoebels Grove in Elysburg, PA. No admission fee (you buy tickets to use on rides), no parking fees, cheap, delicious food, and lots of old rides. The bumper cars are fantastic and you gets lots of air time on the old wooden coaster, The Phoenix. For 3 of us to spend an entire day riding and eating, we probably spend $50. That being said, you'll notice I'm headed to Disneyland in a few weeks and will be at Disney World in August and December. A few one-day trips to Knoebels can never beat a trip to WDW!

 

[doombuggy]

Hey Knoebles! Its the small parks like that that I do miss. Don't get me wrong, I have been going to WDW since 1974, when my grandparents moved to Tampa, but being from PA (and a park lover) I would go anywhere! I remember when Great Adventure opened! I remember going on the Texas Cyclone (awesome woodie coaster) at AstroWorld in 1979! I've been to both BG (yes, Williamsburg is right behind Disney in the theme ), Universal & IOA here in Orlando (I rencently got a free 1 day hopper-type pass form them in the mail), and Sea World. Yes I have been to Hershey and Dorney, but there are times when I miss the old mom & pop type parks of days gone by: Angela Park, the park at Harvey's Lake, and that one in Moosic, I forget the name. All these parks have been closed probably since the 1980s. They are a treasured memory of my childhood, even though the Disney theme parks are better by far.

my two pennies.....

 

[wdwguide]

I wouldn't call Six Flags a theme park - it's more like a "paint it black, call it Batman; paint it red, call it Superman" amusement park.

There are some GREAT theme parks in Europe (Phantasialand near Cologne is one of my favorites - not quite Disney-quality, but close). In the US, I like Silver Dollar City in Branson, which I'll visit again next week .

 

[ougrad86]

Suffering from post-Disney blues , I was trying to find a nearby park to go to. Six Flags in Maryland didn't look good, Hershey was nice years ago but I don't think it would be much now (except the smell of chocolate in the air - yum), King's Dominion south of DC was not a pleasant place to go.
Hearing all the comments on Busch Gardens Williamsburg, I think I'll opt for that. It's a close as we can get, and you can get a season ticket with one day admission for VA residents. The only problem is that we are in Northern Virginia, and it is southern. It'll take a while to drive - guess I'll have to arrange for an overnight!

 

[mshoo1]

OUGRAD the trip down to BGW from my home in Vienna, VA only takes about 2:15 minutes in light traffic. It's not as bad as you might think.

 

[WantToGoNow]

I do think that Islands of Adventure is a nice theme park. I was very impressed with the layout of the park and the theming is excellent -- especially the Jurassic Park area. Universal studios is a nice park but is lacking a bit on the theming. I went to Dollywood last year for the first time and althoug we about had heat strokes (July and over 100 degrees) it was a very nice park. I would like to go back when it's not so hot. I live in Ohio and have been to Cedar Point a couple of time and it's great for thrill rides. We have season passes to Kings Island. It's not like Disney but it is a good park in it's own right. I have never found the park to be dirty. The new kids area this year looks really impressive -- the Nickelodeon colors are wonderful and the new rides are really neat -- something kids really haven't had access to before.

 

[88Keys]

Suffering from post-Disney blues , I was trying to find a nearby park to go to. Six Flags in Maryland didn't look good, Hershey was nice years ago but I don't think it would be much now (except the smell of chocolate in the air - yum), King's Dominion south of DC was not a pleasant place to go.
Hearing all the comments on Busch Gardens Williamsburg, I think I'll opt for that. It's a close as we can get, and you can get a season ticket with one day admission for VA residents. The only problem is that we are in Northern Virginia, and it is southern. It'll take a while to drive - guess I'll have to arrange for an overnight!

I am a BIG fan (as posted earlier) of Busch Garden's and it is probably a 4 hour drive from where you are. However, have you been to King's Dominion lately? It's no WDW, but we had a great time there last year -- thought it was kept up pretty well....

 

[Marie2794]

There are quite a few amusement parks around here... Cedar Point, Kings Island, Holiday World, Indiana Beach, Great America...

I probably won't go back to Great America. It was a fun place to go when I was a teenager/young adult, but not really a place I feel comfortable taking younger kids. Weekdays might not be as bad, but weekends are crazy crowded, with a large number of those people being groups of rowdy teenagers. I don't know, maybe I just picked bad days to go, but on our two most recent trips the crowd seemed a bit on the rough side.

Indiana Beach is an interesting place. I've been there several times and I still can't decide if I like it or not. It definitely has an atmosphere that's all it's own, lol.

Of course we always enjoy going to Cedar Point. It's a great park and a lot of fun for the whole family!

King's Island is a lot of fun too. They have a lot of characters running around, a good variety of rides for all ages, and the parade is great! BUT, we were just there last weekend and I was a little disappointed with some of the changes that have been made. They tore out 2 wonderful old ride areas that used to be nicely landscaped with big shade trees, grass and water (the antique cars and scooby's ghoster coaster). Now both areas are all concrete. So we were a little bummed to see that.

Holiday World is awesome! Unbelievably clean, free parking, free soft drinks, free sunscreen, friendly people... can you tell it's one of our favorites?

I've also been to Hershey Park, Busch Gardens Tampa, Valleyfair and Camp Snoopy. Valleyfair was so-so, won't need to go back, and Camp Snoopy is a fun little diversion while shopping at the MOA, although I heard that Snoopy and gang will no longer be there. Hershey Park is a great little place too, and if we're ever in that area again we would definitely go back. And we LOVED Busch Gardens!

But like others have pointed out, these parks can all be compared against one another, but not to Disney. Disney is in a world all by itself.

 

[AStamm]

Be aware that if you're planning on Hershey Park, get your hiking boots out. The park has some massive hills that are quite scary if you're navigating with a stroller or wheelchair.