Six Flags vs. WDW - No Contest!

[flexsmom]

We went to Six Flags today for a dance event for my daughter and it was a pretty eye-opening experience - expecially for DH! We bought into DVC last year but haven't been "home" yet and I've taken a lot of flack over the investment. Well, suffice to say that it was DH who was commenting within an hour about the surly - no, rude - employees, the garbage and gum everywhere, the lack of efficiency in loading and unloading riders, and the overall condition of the park. There were huge chunks of concrete missing on the ground in places. Some of the rides were almost like those at a carnival and were creaky and squeaky.

DH is far from a Disney freak - in fact, he has told me that I have a "DIS-nease!" - but he was singing the praises today and we both realize now that our standards are HIGH after being spoiled by Disney. Sometimes I read people here complaining about even one not-so-helpful CM or about the audacity of seeing an area that needs paint or touch-up at WDW - I'm here to tell you that although some of those things may be warranted, Disney still sets the standard. I don't know if that's a great sign about Disney, or a horrible indication of other amusement parks! Anyway, thought I'd share.

 

[Got Quattro?]

I can literaly see Six Flags St. Louis from my back deck...it's about 2 miles through the tree's.

In 10 years I have lived in this area, we have been 1 time, and only because it was free.

I can't believe people even take a family vacation to places like this. I don't care how cheap it is, I wouldnt go.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Used to go to Six Flags and Carowinds A LOT when I was younger! Then mom and dad introduced me to Disney in 1987. A friend and I returned to Six Flags in 1990 and DH and I went in 95. I haven't been back since. I just don't like the atmosphere nor what you get for the money you pay. I don't care how "cheap" it is....Disney will get my money everytime....PERIOD!

 

[JimmyBlaze]

Six Flags in Georgia is very fun to me. The Roller Coasters are incredible and lots of em.

 

[Luigi's Girl]

this summer we went to six flags great adventure and i was shocked and disappointed at what we encountered. i know we are spoiled being DVC members but the park was a disgrace. many of the rides and venues were closed, the place was filthy, the buildings were run down and everything could have used a fresh coat of paint. for just about the same cost as a day in a WDW park we were robbed!!! there's no excuse for a big company like six flags to have such a shameful looking park IMO.

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Originally posted by Luigi's Girl
this summer we went to six flags great adventure and i was shocked and disappointed at what we encountered. i know we are spoiled being DVC members but the park was a disgrace. many of the rides and venues were closed, the place was filthy, the buildings were run down and everything could have used a fresh coat of paint. for just about the same cost as a day in a WDW park we were robbed!!! there's no excuse for a big company like six flags to have such a shameful looking park IMO.

 

[GIOny]

the last time we went to the one in Jersey I thought it was a dump. Definately not worth the high prices they charge. Of course they always have some sort of discount on their tickets but they would have to if they want any kind of decent attendence. They have also have had alot of security problems which really makes it not worth the drive. I'll take Disney anyday!! :thewave:

 

[Franne]

It's so funny that this thread came up, we have season passes to Great Adventure because it's only about 20 minutes away. Everytime we go I always say "This wouldn't happen at Disney" or "Disney is so much better" or "You wouldn't see that at Disney!" etc..
It's like a family joke, every park we go to I compare it to Disney and it never matches up! DH and DDs tell me they are sick of hearing me compare everything to Disney, but once you have the best, it's hard not to expect it everywhere else. Especially a big company like six flags, come on, what does a coat of paint cost them????

 

[don8life]

Franne, I live about 20 mins, away too. Haven't been at all this year.

You know what it is folks? There is no MAGIC!

 

[katgarbars]

My biggest problem with parks like that are the resticted ages for the rides. It seems you either have rides for big kids or rides for little kids, not rides for everyone. We took our DD/DS age 7 to Hershey Park and most of the rides they had to ride without us because they were just for kids. And my DD was too small for the "adult" rides. The only ride I remember being able to ride with her was the bumper cars, and that was because the crowd convinced the attendant to let her pass. Thank you for Disney where we can all enjoy the magic together.

 

[Mister Skellington]

I agree Disney is hands down better at being clean, great employees,themes, magic, and characters....BUT
there are 3 things that only Cedar Point competes with Six Flags for....1. bigger 2. taller 3. faster
The coasters are why people go to these parks...NOT magic. I have a season pass as well and we went to Six Flags Marine World and MAgic Mountain last year and had a great time. My wife and I also make it a point to go to Busch Gardens for Montu when we go to Orlando. I guess its just about the thrills.

 

[donac]

I too live about 40 minutes from Great Adventure and I haven't been there in years. I don't like the wild rides but at Disney theres are rides that we can all go on and enjoy. It is still the way Walt built it "For the Family"

Dona

 

[spagheddie]

My wife and I went to Great Adventure in September and had an awesome time going on all the big coasters. Unbelievable thrills, especially Superman.

Two weeks ago we both had the day off and took our DS2 to Great Adventure and had another great time but very different experience. We didn't go on any of the big rides but spent the day going back and forth between the two "kiddie" lands. Our son had a great time which meant we did too.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

flexsmom, which 6 Flags did you go to, the MD one? We went there a few years ago because my son had a free pass. I brought him and only had to buy my ticket (and knowing me I got a discounted ticket) and I still thought it wasn't worth it and was a waste of our time. It was dirty, inattentive employees, run down, etc. There were afew good rides, but not many. We didn't go to the water area, so don't know how that area was (have gone in the past, though, and it was very crowded).

I'm not even expecting "magic" at these parks, but a nice, clean park, with rides for various ages, heights and ages. I can get the magic at other places, but at least want to have a fun-packed day.

We went to Hershey Park this summer and really had a good time. No, it's not Disney, but that didn't matter to me.

Six Flags needs to get it together because there are too many people that would rather not go to an amusement park at all or will drive further to go to another park, instead of going to 6 Flags.

T&B

 

[RC Fan]

I have not yet been to a Six Flags, but I must agree with Mister Skellington that Cedar Point is an awesome park as far as thrills are concerned. I love Cedar Point. Most of all, I LOVE MILENNIUM FORCE! What an awesome coaster! I found Cedar Point to be a clean, well-kept park.

 

[Tinkerbellz]

Our first trip to Disney was in June of 2001 the following summer we went to Astroworld Houston. ICK! I remember it being alot nicer when I was little. Nothing was maintained, all the buildings needed painting...the ponds were full of green pond scum! How gross. We made a pact right there in the middle of Astroworld that we would spend our money and time in WDW. It may take us a little longer to save up to go to the world but there is far more magic for our money!

 

[Brian Noble]

For the most part, comparing Cedar Fair or Six Flags parks with those of Disney, Busch, or Universal is an apples to oranges exercise. The former are amusement parks, the latter are theme parks, and they aim for very different experiences. Some people (like our family) really like both sorts of places. Others only like one or the other---and you won't find thrill-only families here at the DIS, but I assure you that they exist. We know several "thrill" families with kids as young as five or six, as they're usually tall enough to go on many of the "big rides".

Even the employees seem to get this. We were at Cedar Point (our home park) last weekend for our final trip of the season. We ended up eating lunch at the Johnny Rockets franchise in the park---it's a "stripped down" JR franchise run by CP employees, with good burgers and a very enthusiastic waitstaff. Kids meals come with fries, and the server will make a "smiley face" with ketchup for the kids to dip in. My son asked for a Mickey Mouse ketchup plate. Our server (James, who's been there at least two years, since he's very good and we remember him) happily complied. As he was doing so, I joked that "we'd better not tell Mr. Kinzel" (Dick Kinzel is the CEO of Cedar Fair, whose office is about 100 yards from this particular restaurant---unlike many Disney executives, he walks the park *every* Saturday in season.) James' response? "That's okay---they're a theme park, we're a thrill park."

On the flip side, on a recent trip to DLR, a DCA Tower gift shop CM commented on my Cedar Point hat, and said he had heard that the park was well run (and, IMO, it is), had a lot of great coasters there, and was really looking forward to riding them.

All that said, there is no excuse for an unkempt park, whether it is a theme park or an amusement park. Cedar Fair parks are usually pretty well-maintained. Some six flags parks (Fiesta Texas and Great America come to mind) are well-run. Others are not---it seems to depend very much on local management.

 

[tracy51]

I'm kinda surprised (and a bit glad) to hear that other 6 Flags part are in the same condition as the one here, 6 Flags over Texas. Makes me feel like its not just us We got season passes this past summer because its maybe 20 minutes away and we like riding the roller coasters. When we go we know its gonna be dirty and the employees less than spectacular - in other words, we don't go with very high standards. 6 Flags flooded a couple times this summer and we joked that its the first time that park had a thorough cleaning in awhile.

I will say this though. My BF & I went to San Antonio for a 3 day weekend, he'd never been there, and we decided to go to Fiesta Texas since our 6 Flags passes were good there. That park was so much better than the one here in Arlington. My BF wants to get 6 Flags passes again next year just to be able to use them down there again hehe. So maybe there are a few hidden gems in the 6 Flags bunch.

Next summer we're planning on going to Disney. I went A LOT as a kid. My DD and BF haven't been. They'll get to see what I mean when I tell them - Disney is not like 6 Flags. I don't think my BF quite belives that yet. Personally, I view the two places as very different things as someone else says - one is an amusement park, the other a theme/resort park. One I go to for a few thrills when I feel like riding a roller coaster or getting out of the house. The other, I plan and save to vacation at.

 

[flexsmom]

Tigger&Belle - yes, it was the one in Maryland. Today I talked to a friend who was also there. Her older daughter was trapped on one of the rides in the kiddieland yesterday. It was in the "up" position, and the ride operator couldn't get them down. Both kids were crying and the operator had no idea what to do. Makes me think twice about getting on the coasters - yes, they are awesome and they were thrilling, but I'm second guessing the safety! Oh well, WDW, here we come in 5 weeks!

 

[F1Julie]

I live about 40 minutes from Six Flags over Georgia. I (stupidly) bought a season pass last Spring on opening weekend. I had never been to the park before, but the season pass pays for itself in 2 visits. I have not been back for that second visit. I wasn't expecting Disney, but I was expecting a clean, fun park with lots to do for DD4. The kiddie area is no better than a parking lot carnival. Everything looked very run down. I was very disappointed. On the flip side, had I gone without DD, I would have gone on the roller coasters and probably loved them, but for little kids, Six Flags is not the place to be. I keep trying to get myself to go back, but it isn't even worth the drive and the $12 parking.