Comparing IOA and DCA

[PeterAlt]

Which park do you think is better: IOA in Orlando or DCA in Anaheim? I just got back from a trip to IOA. A few months ago I went to DCA in Anaheim. I have come to the conclusion that DCA is comparible, maybe better, than IOA. Anyone here who has been to both, please tell me what you think. Here's a ride by ride comparison:

Both parks have the word "Adventure".

Both parks have incredible coasters. DCA has California Screaming and IOA has the Incredible Hulk. Both coasters are intense, but I give California Screaming the edge.

IOA has more coasters, with Dueling Dragons added to its line-up, but DCA will have Twilight Zone Tower of Terror soon. Although TZToT is not a coaster, its a ride that's light years better in theming and thrills than Dueling Dragons.

Both have water tube rides.

Both parks have incredible original special effects-laden simulator-type attractions. DCA has Soaring Over California and IOA has Spiderman. It's a tie, in my opinion, on these. Although both are completely different, I think both are of eual quality.

DCA has more carnival-type rides and two 3-D movies. But IOA has two water flume-type rides and a dark ride (Dr. Suess). So in the category of "other", both parks are tied.

IOA was basically all built-up from Day One of opening, with no foreseeable future expansion. DCA was built incomplete on Day One, with expansion phases being built for the future, beginning with TZToT.

 

[JLW11Hi]

IOA is much better in my opinion. DCA consists mainly of clone attractions and cheap carnie rides. I havent seen Aladdin yet, so I couldnt compare that to anything, but there is so much more to do at IOA then at DCA.

I like Soarin', and Grizzly and Screamin' aint so bad, but that's all I can really think of that was all that interesting at DCA.

IOA has Spiderman, the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Dudley Do Right, Popeye, Cat in the Hat, and Jurassic Park. And the theming on islands like Seuss Landings, Jurrassic Park, and Toon Lagoon are much better than anything at DCA.

 

[donaldduck1967]

I've never been to DCA but you really can't compare TOT to Dueling Dragons. DD is a roller coaster TOT is a freefall style ride similar to but different then Dr Doom at IOA

 

[DisneyFan 2000]

IMO IoA is ten times better than DCA! Universal went all the way with this park, while Disney made a cheap looking park with many cloned rides! There's not a single thing I don't like at IoA while at DCA there are many things I would skip! I also think the choice of theming is much better at IoA! Why would I want to visit a Disney park themed after cheap amusement parks? Disney blew it big time with this park while Universal progressed one step foward and pushed the limit! I thought that was Disney's job!:brick:

 

[DigitalDisney]

IOA wins by a long shot.

I honestly have never been to DCA. I've seen the pictures, and I like what I see. It doesn't sound as bad as all of the critics have made it out to be.

My reasoning is as follows:
DCA was created to make more money. Disneyland is an instant money-maker. Therefore, DCA would leech some money off of that as it's primary function. It is obviously a cheaply designed park. While it does have a decent selection of rides, many of them are either off-the-shelf, or clones from other parks.

IOA was built to attract more attention to Universal. While it may not have as many rides and shows as DCA, it is very well done.

If you want to compare apples to apples, let's look at Maliboomer vs Dr Doom. Both are the same ride, however, Dr Doom is more of an experience. It has a story and there is a definate atmosphere to the ride. Even if you do nothing but mindlessly walk through the queue, the final queue area and loading platform are still more than DCA's ride has to offer.

Spiderman, which opened with the park, has been hailed as the best ride of any kind, anywhere. Not too shabby, eh?

DCA does win in some areas, though. I believe that the maintainence is slightly better than at IOA. Also, I believe DCA is cleaner than IOA. Disney always seems to win in those areas when compared to other chains.

 

[Michael72688]

IoA is absolutely incredible, the best theme park anywhere! I really like DCA too, but IoA is definatly better, and dueling dragons has a lot of thrill and theme, its awesome

 

[disneyfan@paris]

I hate to admit it, but I agree that there is no comparison between the 2 Parks. Universal's Islands of Adventure is a very strong Park, with an excellent mix of high-thrill attractions and more relaxed ones for the kids. Or at least the kid in all of us...

I was part of the opening team for DCA, and whilst that was amazing, I was always conscious that (for me) it did not match the atmosphere of IoA...I am still an Annual Pass Holder for both Universal Parks and IoA is part of that reason: to be able to experience the atmosphere when I want. Or at least when I am back in FL...!

I would definitely recommend IoA to anybody, partly for the biggies like Spiderman, Hulk, Duelling Dragons etc...but also to really enjoy the colours in Suess Landing and the vibrancy that this Park offers. The empoyees are still not as good as the Cast Members in the various Disney Parks, but I think that the theming in general at IoA is much better.

However, the problem is that there really is no competition. After all Univeral IoA competes with WDW, and not Disneyland Resort. This is the problem for Universal and the strength for Disney. It is true that Guests may be converted from Disney Studios to IoA, but not from DCA to IoA...

Anyway, go and have fun in both. But especially IoA ;-)