Disney fans can love other companies, too - OCR/SCNG

[Darkbeer1]

Disney fans can love other companies, too

Appreciating the achievements of competitors may deepen one’s affection for the Mouse House.

www.ocregister.com

>>Heck, I’m a Disney fan, too. But unlike some other fans of the House of Mouse, I’m not just a Disney fan. I am just as happy to spend my money visiting other theme parks, watching other movies and buying other companies’ stuff. I don’t think that makes me any less of a Disney fan, but not everyone in the fan community feels the same.<<

 

[Rich T]

Even when I was a diehard Disney fan (most of my life), it never stopped me from enjoying the works and parks of other companies. And today Disney has changed so drastically that I'm no longer a fan of current Disney at all, but a huge fan of the great works done in the past at the studio, and the good things that still can emerge at the parks that aren't related to SW or Marvel. The Disney I used to admire and be inspired by doesn't exist anymore.

Only one other company still has the kind of identity, consistency, huge stable of characters and commitment to quality family entertainment that Disney once represented, and that's Nintendo. And unlike today's Disney, Nintendo's still daring enough to try really off-the-wall and bizarre concepts that baffle even their biggest fans. And I LOVE that. Sometimes they fall flat on their face and sometimes (like now) they hit home run after home run. Nintendo is the Wonka factory of the entertainment industry.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

I'm not a traditional Disney fan at all. It seems like in general the fanbase goes gaga over anything they do. I haven't even seen most of their movies, I don't watch anything since the 90s, really. I enjoy certain movies very much from when I was younger from the 80s and early 90s, but I'm more of a fan of the theme parks.

 

[mickEblu]

Well it would help if Disney had any theme park competition. In California at least.

 

[Phroobar]

It's juvenile to be a fanboy for just one company in an industry. It's like the old playground arguments between Atari and Intellivision. I'm looking at all the people that stand in line for the latest iPhone. It's best to look at all your options and play the field. Disney, Apple, Tesla, etc are not the end all by all for their respective industries. They do good things but they have their warts.

 

[Rich T]

It's juvenile to be a fanboy for just one company in an industry. It's like the old playground arguments between Atari and Intellivision. I'm looking at all the people that stand in line for the latest iPhone. It's best to look at all your options and play the field. Disney, Apple, Tesla, etc are not the end all by all for their respective industries. They do good things but they have their warts.

I agree with just about all this (especially about Tesla), but... I am guilty of standing in line for the latest iphone once. Well, the day *after*. I needed a new phone, the iPhone 6 was a big upgrade from my on-its-last-legs 4, and it was fun to go to the mall, get a coffee, and stand in the sunlight with other people as a charming "Genius" took my order so they'd have the phone ready for me when it was my turn. The whole thing took about an hour, and the customer service was great. What *was* kind of pathetic was the neckbeard who walked past the line loudly mocking everyone and waving his Galaxy in the air. Everyone just shrugged and went back to texting.

I keep buying Apple because most of my media files and purchases are caught up in their ecosystem. It's easiest to just keep upgrading. That said, current Apple sucks (though I like my XR) and Apple+ looks like a pretentious pile of holier-than-thou awfulisity that I intend to keep my money far, far away from.

 

[Phroobar]

I agree with just about all this (especially about Tesla), but... I am guilty of standing in line for the latest iphone once. Well, the day *after*. I needed a new phone, the iPhone 6 was a big upgrade from my on-its-last-legs 4, and it was fun to go to the mall, get a coffee, and stand in the sunlight with other people as a charming "Genius" took my order so they'd have the phone ready for me when it was my turn. The whole thing took about an hour, and the customer service was great. What *was* kind of pathetic was the neckbeard who walked past the line loudly mocking everyone and waving his Galaxy in the air. Everyone just shrugged and went back to texting.

I keep buying Apple because most of my media files and purchases are caught up in their ecosystem. It's easiest to just keep upgrading. That said, current Apple sucks (though I like my XR) and Apple+ looks like a pretentious pile of holier-than-thou awfulisity that I intend to keep my money far, far away from.

I just can't stand the WDW crowd that look down at every other theme park in the world. There are so many cool rides and attractions out there that are not owned by the Mouse. Any theme park fan really needs to play the field and not just spend every vacation in Florida or Anaheim. The world is full of wonders that no vacation destination can match.


Oh, yes, Tesla and Space X are pretty cool. I think Elon Musk is really Tony Stark.

 

[Rich T]

I just can't stand the WDW crowd that look down at every other theme park in the world. There are so many cool rides and attractions out there that are not owned by the Mouse. Any theme park fan really needs to play the field and not just spend every vacation in Florida or Anaheim. The world is full of wonders that no vacation destination can match.


Oh, yes, Tesla and Space X are pretty cool. I think Elon Musk is really Tony Stark.

Those WDW-only-every-year vacationers are... certainly... unique. Especially the ones who defend every single move the company makes as if it were their religion. What will they do if Disney ever does just decide to sell the whole place off . Geeky Sparkles, one of the two hosts of the outstanding Clownfish TV youtube channel, does a gut-bustingly-funny impression of the typical Pixie-Dusted WDW "Wine Mom."

I don't care for Elon Musk, but if he ends up saving our space program I'll forgive everything else.

 

[TROR]

Well it would help if Disney had any theme park competition. In California at least.

Knott's.

 

[mickEblu]

Knott's.

Cmon.

 

[Darkbeer1]

If you don't think Disney competes with Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City, LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego, then you are just oblivious to real life.

Back in the 1990's, Disney decided to build Disney's California Regional Adventure Park specifically to try and get folks to stop going to other parks, and stay in Anaheim. Ironically, all it did was strengthen the entire SoCal Theme Park region.

 

[mickEblu]

If you don't think Disney competes with Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City, LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego, then you are just oblivious to real life.

Back in the 1990's, Disney decided to build Disney's California Regional Adventure Park specifically to try and get folks to stop going to other parks, and stay in Anaheim. Ironically, all it did was strengthen the entire SoCal Theme Park region.

Compete is probably the wrong word. More like they just try to ensure that they stay ahead of the competition. These days their biggest competition in California is themselves and figuring out how to balance out prices, crowds, AP demand etc.

As a theme park fan, Key word being Theme, they have no real competition in California. I may go to to the other parks once every few years but I have no reason to buy an annual pass to any of the other parks and judging by Disney’s prices and crowds many people agree with me. It’s why the competition offers annual passes for $150. None of the other parks provide the all around variety/ quality attractions or atmosphere that DLR offers.

 

[Darkbeer1]

To me, it isn't worth it to go to the DLR that much anymore. Start with the parking, and where it is located.

Then I now have to get comps, or arrange for someone to sign me in (Too cheap to pay for the current AP pricing).

Then it is like, been there, done that.

I went to Knotts for a couple of hours yesterday. Easy to get to and park, once inside, no big hassles, enjoyed some entertainment, had a great meal (Chicken and Rib Combo with a Baked Potato). Nice relaxful trip.

Going to SeaWorld over the Columbus Day Weekend. Have plans for both SFMM and USH for the Holiday Seasons. Of course, Knott's multiple times for the Christmas season.

If I go to the DLR for the Holidays, it will be because I have a reserved seat for Candlelight. Otherwise, let the tourists have run of the place.

 

[Phroobar]

I believe Disney atmosphere is overblown by too much nostalgia. I think Knotts and to a lesser extent Universal's atmosphere is just as good. However in the past ten years the quality and maintenance of the attractions has gone down at Disney parks. The service isn't what it used to be. The place is just too packed to be relaxing. I consider Disney to be the McDonalds of the theme park industry. You go there to get a Big Mac and it will taste the same no matter what Disney park you are at. Disneyland isn't unique anymore since it has become a franchise all over the world.

Knotts is like a family owned restaurant. It's not perfect but it's not institualized either.

 

[mickEblu]

To me, it isn't worth it to go to the DLR that much anymore. Start with the parking, and where it is located.

Then I now have to get comps, or arrange for someone to sign me in (Too cheap to pay for the current AP pricing).

Then it is like, been there, done that.

I went to Knotts for a couple of hours yesterday. Easy to get to and park, once inside, no big hassles, enjoyed some entertainment, had a great meal (Chicken and Rib Combo with a Baked Potato). Nice relaxful trip.

Going to SeaWorld over the Columbus Day Weekend. Have plans for both SFMM and USH for the Holiday Seasons. Of course, Knott's multiple times for the Christmas season.

If I go to the DLR for the Holidays, it will be because I have a reserved seat for Candlelight. Otherwise, let the tourists have run of the place.

I was right there with you but the Flex pass kind of reeled me back in. We’ll see how long it lasts.

 

[truecoat]

If you don't think Disney competes with Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm and Soak City, LEGOLAND California and SeaWorld San Diego, then you are just oblivious to real life.

Back in the 1990's, Disney decided to build Disney's California Regional Adventure Park specifically to try and get folks to stop going to other parks, and stay in Anaheim. Ironically, all it did was strengthen the entire SoCal Theme Park region.

I read that Six Flags is making a push for Cedar Fair now. That would give them Knot's and Magic Mountain.

 

[truecoat]

Here's the story...

Six Flags merging with Cedar?

 

[mickEblu]

I believe Disney atmosphere is overblown by too much nostalgia. I think Knotts and to a lesser extent Universal's atmosphere is just as good. However in the past ten years the quality and maintenance of the attractions has gone down at Disney parks. The service isn't what it used to be. I consider Disney to be the McDonalds of the theme park industry. You go there to get a Big Mac and it will taste the same no matter what Disney park you are at. Disneyland isn't unique anymore since it has become a franchise all over the world.

Really? I mean I kind of have some nostalgia for USH as I went there more than DL even when I was younger. It was 5 minutes away and one of our GO TO places to take tourist family from Italy. I’d have more nostalgia for USH if there was anything there from when I was a kid. In regards to atmosphere it’s beautifully located in the hills overlooking the studios but apart from taking the escalators down to the lower lot or some of the views on the Tram Tour, none of the atmosphere really strikes a cord with me. No large bodies of water, trees, waterfalls etc...

I haven’t been to Knotts in years. I’m sure they have some fun rides but atmosphere? Giant steel coasters everywhere isn’t my idea of atmosphere. I’m sure there are pockets that are nice and if crowds are lower than DL that can do wonders as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if a random day at Knotts would be more fun for me than Disneyland. Between the fact I can get some above 30 mph thrills and don’t go there every few weeks.

 

[Mac Tonight]

I'm sorry, but in the 25 years I've lived in So Cal I have never, not once, felt the need, desire, urge, or motivation to visit Knott's Berry Farm.

In conjunction with that, I have been to:
-Universal Studios Hollywood: 1 time (theme park specifically)
-Sea World: 1 time
-Six Flags Magic Mountain: 2 times (both prior to 2005)
-Legoland: 0 times

And you know what??? I'm 100% OK with keeping it that way.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Here's the story...

Six Flags merging with Cedar?

I am a bit worried about that story, basically for lack of competition. If it happens, then third party companies, such as roller coaster manufacturers have less chance of selling the biggest and greatest. Alas, you will get more cookie cutter attractions that can be re easily rethemed and moved to other parks, to provide "new" things for each park, with less need for new attractions. (Both SF and CF do it now).

While it would be nice to have 5 California Parks under 1 AP (meals, drinks and parking included), rather have to buy 2....