2012 Golden Tickets: SEA and Dolly Beat Out Disney In Most.

[AEfx]

Knoebels beating out EPCOT for best food? I say "hogwash!" And there's no way Busch Gardens is cleaner than MK...maybe I'm just super-biased or have too much pixie dust in my eyes.

Epcot's food is highly over-rated. I'm spoiled because I live near Boston and go to NYC quite often, where when you go a French or Italian or Japanese or Mexican restaurant there, you get quality food that actually has authenticity to it and ingredients that are actually used in those countries (and in many cases is from those countries). To be honest, Disney sure wraps it up in a nice "package" with the themed restaurants, etc., but the food itself is just above mall-food court quality and usually has limited authenticity (mostly using American ingredients).

 

[AEfx]

I guess I'm not as much of a doom-n-gloomer as I thought. What's missing from these awards is the overall feeling that these parks bring to you. The Magic Kingdom doesn't have the best food. Epcot doesn't have the best dark rides. Hollywood Studios doesn't have the best coaster. Animal Kingdom doesn't have best water ride. But no 4 parks put together make me any happier than the 4 at WDW. I've never been to CP, but I have been to my fair share of Amusement Parks elsewhere.

But they used to be representative of the best.

Now they rely on "well people will just love it because it's Disney World".

I wish we could go back to having BOTH our cake (being at WDW!) and eating it, too (being the best in class).

 

[Disneybear]

I agree, Pleasure Beach Blackpool is in there. The only other time it's had a top five finish was for the Golden Vomit Awards in the Best Stag Party (Thrills With Spills) Catagory.

They should gut out Maelstrom and drop Valhalla from the Pleasure Beach in its place.

 

[TubaGeek]

Disney getting beat is the best news I've seen all day. Obviously they look at the holy dollar more than critical review, but you know there has to be a bigwig or two that's very displeased that the world leader in entertainment is no longer leading the world in entertainment.

 

[jt04]

Disney getting beat is the best news I've seen all day. Obviously they look at the holy dollar more than critical review, but you know there has to be a bigwig or two that's very displeased that the world leader in entertainment is no longer leading the world in entertainment.

I think this overstates what the polls show. These polls were obviously dominated by thrill ride enthusiasts and far from scientific.

That does not mean Disney can stand still though.

 

[bdearl41]

I dont know why this is a suprise. Busch Gardens and Dollywood are fantastic themed parks, with great staff, and also (GASP) THRILL RIDES! Thrill rides that are unique, good, and themed. If DW would put together some legitimate roller coasters they would definately win more awards. BGW, BGT, and Dollywood have proved you can theme a coaster, its now time for Disney to take the next step. There is absolutely no reason each park should not have at least one huge coaster for their guests. You wanna talk about a crowd eater, i would much rather wait an hour for a good coaster than i would wait an hour for Peter Pan's Flight.

 

[bdearl41]

And also, no to answer your upcoming questions, Space Mountain (though fun) and Expedition Everest (fun as well) are not world class coasters. Their two largest drops combined are maybe 100 feet. RNR is the only legitimate world class coaster on property, and its quickly beoming more and more of the norm.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

And reading the report I will take my hard earned cash to Disney World because of what it offers.


Jimmy Thick- I do like the Dells waterparks though...

 

[captainkidd]

And also, no to answer your upcoming questions, Space Mountain (though fun) and Expedition Everest (fun as well) are not world class coasters. Their two largest drops combined are maybe 100 feet. RNR is the only legitimate world class coaster on property, and its quickly beoming more and more of the norm.

I don't consider RNRC a world class coaster by any means. With the exception of the first 10 seconds, the ride is rather boring. Then again, I'm not going to WDW for world class coasters.

 

[bdearl41]

I don't consider RNRC a world class coaster by any means. With the exception of the first 10 seconds, the ride is rather boring. Then again, I'm not going to WDW for world class coasters.

No I completely agree, i was just pointing out its the closest thing to. When it came out, during the era of launch coasters (Outer Limits, Batman and Robin, etc...) it was one of the best due to themeing, that is what made it world class, now its just a good ride.

I too understand the argument that you dont go to WDW for coasters, but at the same time, imagine if each park had a world class coaster themed with Disney's great themeing.......Think about the appeal then, that is the point I am making.

 

[michmousefan]

I don't consider RNRC a world class coaster by any means. With the exception of the first 10 seconds, the ride is rather boring. Then again, I'm not going to WDW for world class coasters.

I know that it's not nearly as impressive as it was during the first year of "Full Yeti" operation -- that Yeti grab was a perfect climax to the ride -- but in terms of theming and thrill I'd say that EE is much more of a world-class coaster than RNRC. RNRC is sort of a well-themed off-the-shelf model, while EE is more of a custom creation. Whether EE can stand up to other steel coasters around the world purely as a thrill ride... probably not. But it's the total package of theming (including the queue) that really makes it great.

 

[bdearl41]

I know that it's not nearly as impressive as it was during the first year of "Full Yeti" operation -- that Yeti grab was a perfect climax to the ride -- but in terms of theming and thrill I'd say that EE is much more of a world-class coaster than RNRC. RNRC is sort of a well-themed off-the-shelf model, while EE is more of a custom creation. Whether EE can stand up to other steel coasters around the world purely as a thrill ride... probably not. But it's the total package of theming (including the queue) that really makes it great.

the reason i disagree, is there really is only one drop, and a large double helix, that is all. The themeing is suberb though, without a doubt. Dont get me wrong I love EE, just now world class. World Class and themed is something like Alpengeist, Montu, Maverick, etc...... Obviously the themeing on EE is much better, but the ride without theming is not much at all.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Epcot's food is highly over-rated. I'm spoiled because I live near Boston and go to NYC quite often, where when you go a French or Italian or Japanese or Mexican restaurant there, you get quality food that actually has authenticity to it and ingredients that are actually used in those countries (and in many cases is from those countries). To be honest, Disney sure wraps it up in a nice "package" with the themed restaurants, etc., but the food itself is just above mall-food court quality and usually has limited authenticity (mostly using American ingredients).

I couldn't agree more. Quick service in World Showcase has slipped significantly (although I was very pleased with my first visit to Tangierine Cafe in 10 years).

 

[WesternRiverExplorer]

I live 40 miles from Cedar Point and have been there dozens of times.

No blinders here regarding WDW but seriously...does anyone here consider Cedar Point to the the standard to which WDW should aspire???

The staff is ambivalent and barely english speaking (not an insult--they recruit heavily in eastern European countries.) The park is dirty from dawn to dusk with stained, gum-covered sidewalks. The food is forgettable. Entertainment is embarrassing.

I agree with pretty much everything, except Entertainment. I worked there 2007 and 2008 in Costuming and was rather proud of most of the shows we put out for both summer and Halloween. The performers had a lot of talent, more than some of the things I see in Orlando (not so much WDW, as only a bare handfull of their shows even have live signing, but I've seen some seriously rough Beetlegeus shows at Uni). And we had a great Ice Skating show, in a theater that was falling apart. That said, I have no respect for an award that ranks CP above the Tokyo parks and DLR. Those four parks tend to make everyone else look like chumps.

 

[WesternRiverExplorer]

I couldn't agree more. Quick service in World Showcase has slipped significantly (although I was very pleased with my first visit to Tangierine Cafe in 10 years).

Isn't that your problem right there? The best quality food isn't gonna be at quick service. I've seen it done exceptionally well, usually at DCA and a few places in Disneyland (land of wonderful buffeterias and bread bowls), but I don't tend to expect it. And I would never judge World Showcase's food based just on QS. It's been rare that I've been disappointed with a table service meal at Epcot.

 

[ChrisFL]

Epcot's food is highly over-rated. I'm spoiled because I live near Boston and go to NYC quite often, where when you go a French or Italian or Japanese or Mexican restaurant there, you get quality food that actually has authenticity to it and ingredients that are actually used in those countries (and in many cases is from those countries). To be honest, Disney sure wraps it up in a nice "package" with the themed restaurants, etc., but the food itself is just above mall-food court quality and usually has limited authenticity (mostly using American ingredients).

I know you're not talking about Table Service at Epcot. Via Napoli, Tokyo Dining, Le Cellier, Restaurant Marrakesh and others not authentic?

 

[AEfx]

Isn't that your problem right there? The best quality food isn't gonna be at quick service. I've seen it done exceptionally well, usually at DCA and a few places in Disneyland (land of wonderful buffeterias and bread bowls), but I don't tend to expect it. And I would never judge World Showcase's food based just on QS. It's been rare that I've been disappointed with a table service meal at Epcot.

The table service at Epcot is the same (and is what I was talking about in the post RSoxNo1 quoted).

Look at the menu at San Angel Inn, and compare the dishes, prices, and ingredients to a real Mexican restaurant in any of the larger cities in the U.S. It's amazing. And same goes for most of the World Showcase restaurants.

It's great if you like it - I've had meals I've liked there. But in terms of authenticity, ingredients, etc., it's all severely American-ized food using mostly Sysco-common food products like every chain restaurant in America.

I'm not being elitist - I just ate some fast food for a late dinner myself. I'm no foodie, LOL. But, those that are kinda laugh at World Showcase because of the quality of food/choices/etc. compared to truly authentic restaurants in the same genre.

World Showcase really is a big shopping mall. I know some people think it's some amazing ethereal experience - and for them, that's great. But it is what it is - a bunch of stores and food courts with minor distractions designed to keep you there as long as possible spending as much as possible. And while it's very, very, very pretty - it's not terribly deep or authentic. It never really was, but it definitely has gone further away from it than it once was. Go to Japan and take a picture of the meal, and then do the same at a Japanese kiosk in any mall in America. Except for the plates it's served on, it really is about the same.

 

[ChrisFL]

I guess we'll just have to disagree. Via Napoli for one imports almost all of their ingredients from Italy for their pizzas. I've been to Japan and the food at Tokyo Dining is quite similar to what I'd get in Tokyo, as well as the quality of service.

Although I haven't visited Morocco personally, I went with a friend who had lived there and said the food at Restaurant Marrakesh was similar to the food she had there.

 

[captainkidd]

I guess we'll just have to disagree. Via Napoli for one imports almost all of their ingredients from Italy for their pizzas. I've been to Japan and the food at Tokyo Dining is quite similar to what I'd get in Tokyo, as well as the quality of service.

Although I haven't visited Morocco personally, I went with a friend who had lived there and said the food at Restaurant Marrakesh was similar to the food she had there.

I agree.

Via Napoli is for me, the best pizza I've ever had.
Teppan Edo is far better than any other Hibachi restaurant I've ever been to.
Marrakesh is probably the most unique restaurant in all of WDW. Not my favorite, but definitely different - And good.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Isn't that your problem right there? The best quality food isn't gonna be at quick service. I've seen it done exceptionally well, usually at DCA and a few places in Disneyland (land of wonderful buffeterias and bread bowls), but I don't tend to expect it. And I would never judge World Showcase's food based just on QS. It's been rare that I've been disappointed with a table service meal at Epcot.

The quality of the QS locations has gone down. I'm not expecting fine dining, but I'm expecting a certain level of quality that isn't always being met. Sunshine Seasons meets it, I was pleased to see that Tangierine Cafe meets it as well. The Cantina in Mexico certainly doesn't.

Looking at Table Service, I don't see value in World Showcase right now except for maybe at Via Napoli. I also havent' eaten at Akershus, so I can't give a fair opinion on that. I ate at Le Cellier a week and a half ago, using free dining. I don't think I'd pay out of pocket to eat there, and I definitely wouldn't burn two table service credits next year for lunch or dinner.