Differences between Disney and other parks

[tinkfan05]

I just got back from our family vacation, and we went to Hershey Park. (going to WDW next May) and really noticed some major differences between Disney Parks and non Disney parks. Here's a few things I noticed...
The ques for the rides at Hershey are just lines...at Disney, they are themed to be part of the ride. (much more interesting to wait in!)
If a piece of trash is thrown on the ground at Hershey (or probably any other park for that matter) it may still be lying there an hour later. Disney always seems so clean!
Everything at Hershey was rides...no shows to cool down in or sit down at like there is at WDW
Park maps at Hershey were a little confusing. Parks at WDW seem better layed out.
CM's at Disney seem happier to be working there. The workers at Hershey were not rude or anything, they just didn't seem to go the extra mile.
Park admission at Hershey was cheaper (around $50) than at WDW, but now I know why WDW can charge more...you get what you pay for. WDW is worth the extra money.
Don't get me wrong, I had fun at Hershey, but it's not someplace that I'd want to go back to year after year like I do WDW.

 

[DAKOTADISNEY]

Disney does so well to emerse us into the whole experience and pays attention to the small details. It's not just about fast rides or cool special effects (although they do that too). The attitude of the CM's and the cleanliness of Disneyland made us into Disney fans. I'm sure there are plenty of good parks out there that our kids would have fun at but it won't quite compare to the time we spend at a Disney park.

 

[JCtheparrothead]

Even if you compare WDW to the rest of the parks in Orlando, no of them have the "MAGIC" that Disney shells out. It doesn't matter how many times I go, when i walk through the tunnel to main street I feel like a kid again....no other place can do that. I think one of the best points made so far is that WDW immerses you in everything. You aren't waiting in the POTC ride you are walking thought an old fort to get to a boat. Normally you can't see the next ride you are going on because it is tucked away from visibility. Thats the stuff that puts WDW out ahead...even in front of DL.:sohappy:

 

[charatijennings]

I feel the same way. We finally visited Universal earlier this month instead of Disney since my son is now a teenager. Though he loved it, my husband and I felt that there was no comparison. The hotels were not as family-friendly with available food items, etc. And though some of the rides were neat, there was no MAGIC. No fireworks, no special occasion buttons, no extra magic hours. And as mentioned before, the park workers were cordial--but not happy or excited to be there. And we also noticed that the food was more expensive though the hotel was cheaper. And seeing the Blues Brothers or Beetlejuice doesn't rival the Fab 5 or even Pooh. Nothing compares to Disney.

 

[Ilovewishes]

We have a couple of cool theme parks here in Britain but they are nothing compared to WDW (size being the main factor!) but one thing I really notice when I do go there is how run down everything looks here. Especially at Blackpool. It's just a mess and looks like it needs knocking down and starting again. There's no theme, no atmosphere...

And another thing I noticed that really annoys me - people don't seem to have any respect for the parks elsewhere. They are covered in grafitti and chewing gum and the park owners just make no attempt to clean it up! I get the feeling that if you were to grafitti in WDW, if you could survive being "punished" by indignant other guests, they would have painted over the grafitti before the ink had even dried!

And that's what keeps it looking so clean and spotless!

 

[shawn]

I agree completely. I just wish other establishments away from entertainment places would try Disney's way of doing things such as the grocery store or the gas station or Target or places you go every day. I work in a lumberyard and I am trying to implement their strategies and plan to take in some of their seminars.

 

[cblodg]

I feel the same way. We finally visited Universal earlier this month instead of Disney since my son is now a teenager. Though he loved it, my husband and I felt that there was no comparison. The hotels were not as family-friendly with available food items, etc. And though some of the rides were neat, there was no MAGIC. No fireworks, no special occasion buttons, no extra magic hours. And as mentioned before, the park workers were cordial--but not happy or excited to be there. And we also noticed that the food was more expensive though the hotel was cheaper. And seeing the Blues Brothers or Beetlejuice doesn't rival the Fab 5 or even Pooh. Nothing compares to Disney.

We were at Universal for the first leg of our trip this past April. We were there at the very (like last night) end of their Mardi Gras celebration. When we went to IoA the next day and did everything fast (no lines, who knew) we went back to the other park (bought the "park hopper" :lookaroun option for US). We were ALL SHOCKED that the Mardi Gras "stuff" was still up:veryconfu. We even commented that if this were Disney, it all would have been gone. I mean Mardis Gras every where. Even the confetti from the night before had not been swept up.

Thankfully my father and I both looked at each other and conferred with the group that we wouldn't be coming back until after the new Harry Potter land is opened in IoA.

Also, at Disney everything just seems so fresh and new. Universal the rides all look old and dated and in need of some serious upgrades.

Disney immerses you, Universal tries to but fails.

 

[jonnyc]

Alton Towers over here is no comparision to WDW. Things don't grip you like they do at in the world. Universal is good, but if you compare Doctor Doom's Fear Fall and TOT, I think that epitimises how good Disney are.

 

[krankenstein]

It's nostalgia, emotional connection, atmosphere and ambiance. Disney makes you feel like you have gone to a place far removed from the real world. Universal is the only facility that comes close to enveloping you in the same way. However, when you can see the city of Orlando from the top Dueling Dragons lift hill it kind of ruins the separation feeling. Also, the biggest thing Universal lacks for me is the nostalgia. I do not have as strong of an emotional connection with Universal as I do with Disney b/c I went to Disney as child not Universal.

I would like to add that I am a strong defender of Universal, simply b/c I love the parks and all the attractions they offer (some of which are better than there comparable Disney counterpart IMO).

 

[raven]

Cedar Point in Sandusky Ohio (last visited a week ago). While they have the most coasters in any park in the U.S. they simply outgrew their property and rides are on top of one another.

Western/Old Town section of the park - Giant coasters linger overhead making a loud roaring noise, secular country music plays, a Halloween store in permenantly installed (?), Panda Express Chinese eatery (?)

Kiddie area #1, 2 and 3 (yes there are 3 now) - Camp Snoopy is quite small and consists of about 4 rides and an outdoor show holding up to 30 people (yes 30, woo hoo!), The other 2 kiddie areas are rides simply placed in the middle of concrete with little or no theaming at all. Most of the kiddie rides didn't even have staff there to run them and the controls were in guest areas, not blocked off. Safe.

Other theamed areas - that's it. No other theamed areas of the park.

Rides like the Raptor (which suggests a dinosaur theme) have little decoration except an '80's look for the loading area and rock music.

One other thing that I noticed this year is that park admission went up...WAY up. Two years ago they dropped their prices to entice locals to stay close for vacation. This year they abandoned that rule. The other thing this year that was rediculous - food prices. $5 soft drinks, $9 chicken finger combo with no soft drink, $8 six-inch subs from Subway (if you wanted chips and a soft drink add another $6). Most of the areas around water in the park had an over-powering smell of puke.

 

[IfWeCanDreamIt]

all rides and attractions at Disney World are timeless classics. Rides and attractions like spaceship earth, splash mountain, haunted mansion, space mountain are one of a kind experiences. Each and every one of them tells a story, and you really get to feel a part of each story. Let's also not forget that WDI invented animatronics, and all the ride systems used. WDW was and still is more advanced in terms of Family fun. Universal, etc. is more for thrill seekers only, not looking for an extraordinarily themed ride. example, the hulk coaster, is identifiable only by the green colour.

 

[maryszhi]

i know. i honestly feel the safest when at disney. when i go to six flags, i get so nervous. ceder point i trust, and disney, bush gardens, sea world, and universal
but i know, disney is the best in every area.

 

[abug'saunt]

As I am struggling with being overweight, the thing that makes Disney especially special to me is that the rides are for everyone not just those that are smaller in the waist. I actually fit in the rides I really love (ToT, RnR, the "mountains", etc) as well as some that my soon-to-be 8 yr old neice really likes. That makes a trip to the World perfect.

There is a small amusement park about 2 hours from where I live but I haven't been in about 12 years due to the whole 'I don't fit in the seats, your holding up the line, look at the fat person' vibes. This is in no way a jab at the normal, proper weight people but at Disney, not everybody stares at the fat people. I think this is because they don't totally see the fat but the amazement and wonder of not just being at the most magical place on earth but also being able to enjoy the park like everyone else and actually riding the rides.

 

[krankenstein]

Universal, etc. is more for thrill seekers only, not looking for an extraordinarily themed ride. example, the hulk coaster, is identifiable only by the green colour.

Not true, you site one example but over look attractions such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Jurassic Park River Adventure, Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, Revenge of The Mummy, Jaws, Men in Black Alien Attack, etc etc etc. These, as well as many others, are all extraordinarily themed rides at Universal that are on par with things Disney has done in the past. Universal is the only facility that has been able to produce theming and quality attractions to rival those at Disney.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

The prices?

 

[Iknewagirlnamed]

We were at Universal for the first leg of our trip this past April. We were there at the very (like last night) end of their Mardi Gras celebration. When we went to IoA the next day and did everything fast (no lines, who knew) we went back to the other park (bought the "park hopper" :lookaroun option for US). We were ALL SHOCKED that the Mardi Gras "stuff" was still up:veryconfu. We even commented that if this were Disney, it all would have been gone. I mean Mardis Gras every where. Even the confetti from the night before had not been swept up.
.

Actually, when I was at Disney in January, the Christmas Decor was still up until around the 10th! Which I actually enjoy because I'm glad they don't just automatically take things down. In fact, they still had some of the ceebrations, including the lighting of the castle, until Jan 6th

 

[IfWeCanDreamIt]

Krankenstein; yes i did neglect to mention those rides that you mentioned like The Mummy and Men in Black. I guess they do deserve credit for being the next best thing. I'm just partial to Disney World, mostly because there is less evidence of reality existing. I like to believe I've entered a whole new world, where anything is possible.