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Hard time "catching on" with one of the parks?
- Thread starter Dagger
- Start date
Scooter
Well-Known Member
If it weren't for Tower of Terror and Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Arosmith, my wife and I would just skip Disney/MGM Studios altogether.
Animal Kingdom is fast becoming our favorite park.
People tend to rush though this park to be first in line for The Safaris ride and Expedition Everest. We used to do that too and still do. The differance is now we back track afterwards and see all the little things that this park has to offer. We absolutely Love the walking trails and even enjoy the leisurely train ride to Rafikis Planet Watch.
There's so much to see and do in this park, if only one slows down a little and take the time to talk to the animals and enjoy the scenery.
Animal Kingdom is fast becoming our favorite park.
People tend to rush though this park to be first in line for The Safaris ride and Expedition Everest. We used to do that too and still do. The differance is now we back track afterwards and see all the little things that this park has to offer. We absolutely Love the walking trails and even enjoy the leisurely train ride to Rafikis Planet Watch.
There's so much to see and do in this park, if only one slows down a little and take the time to talk to the animals and enjoy the scenery.
lilredfoxie
New Member
Epcot is my favorite park, i love the atmosphere and the attractiosn and stuff, despite the fact they were better in times past, I still enjoy epcot.
Magic Kingdom is my second favorite, theres just so much fun stuff to do there as well.
I ahve two parks, I have trouble catching on with,
MGM studios is kinda meh for me, I like Great Movie Ride, Star Tours and Muppets, but aside from that, theres not much I really enjoy about that park, I dont spend that much time there.
Animal Kingdom is my least favorite park, before Expedtion Everest, there was like nothing there I really liked, its hot, crowded, and smells really bad in places.
Magic Kingdom is my second favorite, theres just so much fun stuff to do there as well.
I ahve two parks, I have trouble catching on with,
MGM studios is kinda meh for me, I like Great Movie Ride, Star Tours and Muppets, but aside from that, theres not much I really enjoy about that park, I dont spend that much time there.
Animal Kingdom is my least favorite park, before Expedtion Everest, there was like nothing there I really liked, its hot, crowded, and smells really bad in places.
Mansion Butler
Active Member
I want to forget Kali. It's right up there with El Rio, Under New Management and Stitch for the nomination of worst attraction ever.
I think I'll throw the Living Seas overhaul in there, too.
DisneyMusician2
Well-Known Member
If the Muppet 3D can't draw you in, then the rest of the MGM attractions would be tough to swallow. I always enjoyed the GMR, but guessing from your choices, you probably don't enjoy that one too much, either
Different strokes...
DDuckFan130
Well-Known Member
I agree with the fact that some of us have rushed through AK. But fortunately, I've learned to backtrack since I know I'll be back to the other parks. I've learned to appreciate the surroundings more and all that.
But I still don't like FOTLK :lookaroun
I also don't care much for Kali, because sometimes I'm not in the mood to be the one soaked, but other times it can be fun :lol:
But I still don't like FOTLK :lookaroun
I also don't care much for Kali, because sometimes I'm not in the mood to be the one soaked, but other times it can be fun :lol:
I have read the entire thread...I am amazed at people rating MGM so high. If you ask me this is a No-brainer...the Studios need help in the worst way. at the point i'm not even sure if the new Toy Story mania will help. The park needs a complete redo.
As far as ranking the others I am having a tough time deciding. MK will always be there for nostalgic reasons. I believe AK is the most beautifully detailed of all the parks.
Although I generally end up spending more time in Epcot then any other park through-out my disney stay...which should say something about where that park ranks I suppose...I can't decide between the 3.
I just know I am not even looking forward to the Studios and i usually love everything Disney.
As far as ranking the others I am having a tough time deciding. MK will always be there for nostalgic reasons. I believe AK is the most beautifully detailed of all the parks.
Although I generally end up spending more time in Epcot then any other park through-out my disney stay...which should say something about where that park ranks I suppose...I can't decide between the 3.
I just know I am not even looking forward to the Studios and i usually love everything Disney.
emmersandjack
Member
iam really surprised at the amount of people that don't consider ak a priority. my hubby and i love this park. i think it is absolutely beautiful, but we are zoo people. before i get torched, i know it is "natazu", but it is zoo like, and we visit the detroit zoo and the toledo zoo every year, sometimes twice. so maybe that's why we like it and don't mind the walking.
ironically, over the last couple of years we have spent little time at mgm because there isn't alot for our 3 year old to do. i say ironically because there isn't that much at ak for her either. mgm does seem sparse to me. don't get me wrong, there are attractions there that i have to do every time we go to wdw, but it definitely is not a whole day park like epcot or mk.
i really like mgm but it is in dire need of some love from management.
ironically, over the last couple of years we have spent little time at mgm because there isn't alot for our 3 year old to do. i say ironically because there isn't that much at ak for her either. mgm does seem sparse to me. don't get me wrong, there are attractions there that i have to do every time we go to wdw, but it definitely is not a whole day park like epcot or mk.
i really like mgm but it is in dire need of some love from management.
ClemsonTigger
Naturally Grumpy
No hesitation for me....MGM
There are some aspects that are fun, and I do love RnRC and Tower, but half of the park is vacant, there is a backstage tour that is nothing more than a decent canyon event and a glorified garbage dump. I say it is in as much of a need of a major overhaul as California Adventure.
There are some aspects that are fun, and I do love RnRC and Tower, but half of the park is vacant, there is a backstage tour that is nothing more than a decent canyon event and a glorified garbage dump. I say it is in as much of a need of a major overhaul as California Adventure.
fizzle75
New Member
I must respectfully disagree with you about Kali. It in no way belongs on the list of worst attractions. We love Kali and look forward to it everytime we go to AK. Back in December we were at AK just before closing and we got to stay on and ride Kali about 5 or 6 times. We would have stayed on longer but it was starting to get pretty chilly and we were all soaking wet. It was a great way to end an amazing day at AK. I can sorta see why you feel the other rides on your list are some of the worst rides ever but just out of curiosity why don't you like Kali?
Mansion Butler
Active Member
Because it's boring. You go up, you have one single drop (which gets you obscenely wet, there's a difference between the possibility of getting splashed and the inevitability of being soaked) and no real rapids. And it's very, very short.
Have you ever been on a good rapids ride? It's not about dropping and getting soaked, it's about the fun of riding a raft around in rough water. Grizzly River Run might be my single favorite Disney attraction, but Kali is terrible. It's like they took the elements of a raft ride, shoved them in in short supply and put them one at a time, instead of spreading them out. So you get a short, uninteresting soaking.
I cannot express "short" enough. It's the raft version of one of those boat rids you'll find at Six Flags where all it does is take you up and drop you.
dreamscometrue
Well-Known Member
I would rank MGM last if I had to do a ranking. It's not that I don't like it, I actually love it, but AK has to be there so The Studios gets bumped. AK is so different than the others, and as was noted in an earlier post, I too enjoy it more and more after each visit. I like the break from the relative chaos of the other parks by walking the trails, riding KS, or catching Lion King or Tarzan Rocks! (now Nemo). If I want some thrills, I do EE, Dinosaur or Kali. We were there last year on New Year's Day (a.m.) and it is was so peaceful and serene, but fun. It was a wonderful change from the hustle and bustle leading up to the New Year. I just don't think there's another park that can provide this type of different experience.
cmatt
Active Member
mgm got to me after a while - its definatly not a 9 - 9 park, thats all im going to say.... 
blizzard beach did - because i was pulling my swim shorts out of my body for the rest of the day after summit plummit
i enjoyed the park though, but my mrs found some of the rides intimidating.... and it kinda ruined the trip as i just got moaned at all morning.
typhoon lagoon - ok its great place to doss around for the day, but the flumes were far too short....
blizzard beach did - because i was pulling my swim shorts out of my body for the rest of the day after summit plummit
i enjoyed the park though, but my mrs found some of the rides intimidating.... and it kinda ruined the trip as i just got moaned at all morning.typhoon lagoon - ok its great place to doss around for the day, but the flumes were far too short....
Mansion Butler
Active Member
Whereas I run out of time at AK more than I do at the other parks. I would assume part of your enjoyment depends on how interested you are in nature.
David S.
Member
I like all of the parks and don't have any that I haven't "clicked with" on at least some level.
But if I had to pick a least favorite, in most moods it would be the Studios.
There is stuff there that I really like, but aesthetically it doesn't work as well for me as MK and AK and World Showcase, which take you to exotic worlds, or the grandeur of Future World with it's classic World's Fair architecture.
Aside from the Boulevards, it's generally themed to a movie studio with generic looking soundstages.
At the MK, Mickey, Donald, Ariel and the gang are REAL and we see where they live.
Conceptually, in the backstory of the Studios, they are animated characters. Likewise, Star Tours, etc. takes place on a "soundstage set".
By focusing on the technical aspect of the movies/arts, we are subconsciously reminded of their illusory nature, whereas the MK breaks down these barriers.
On a less aesthetic, more pragmatic level, a larger pecentage of the Studios' attractions are shows than at the other parks, and many of these are on a set schedule (versus continuous loaders).
So, a day there, after doing the major continuous stuff like GMR, ToT, RnRR, Star Tours, and Muppet Vision, can become an exercise in trying to coordinate show times and in that sense can have less spontanaity than the other parks.
It's a show park primarily, and rides GENERALLY have more repeat value for me.
Still, this park has come a LOOONG way from the disapointment I experienced on my first visit in 1989, when it seemed more like a "land" than a complete park.
On my best visits there since moving to the area a year ago, I really "got" this park, felt it's vibe.
I love Muppet Vision and the Star Wars fan in me enjoys Star Tours and of course the Star Wars weekends park overlay (like the great Epcot events, this is free with admission)
RnRC and ToT make for a nice, well-themed, 1-2 thrills punch.
Great Movie Ride is one of the last classic AA extravaganzas and I love the payoff of the Wizard of Oz finale.
I could spend hours in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream reading all the displays and looking at the memorabilia (and on occasion, have!) This exhibit IMO surpasses Walt Disney Story as a fitting tribute to Walt Disney which should never be removed!
The live shows are generally well done. My favorite of the daytime shows is the moving Beauty and the Beast with Little Mermaid a close second.
And of course, the excellent Fantasmic! gives the park a fitting nightime
finale.
So I don't think the Studios (I prefer calling it that or by it's full name than calling it "MGM"
is really a bad park - I just prefer the other 3.
As far as Animal Kingdom, on my best visits there it rivals or even surpasses Epcot as my number 2 (MK is my strong SOLID fave).
Joe Rhode and his team did an incredible job with this park and I look forward to it's continued evolution.
The people who said to get this park you need to take time enjoying it's beauty and talking to the animals are, IMO, right on the money.
I love animals so it's really easy for me to get into this park, especially the lush, immersive Asia and Africa sections.
But if I had to pick a least favorite, in most moods it would be the Studios.
There is stuff there that I really like, but aesthetically it doesn't work as well for me as MK and AK and World Showcase, which take you to exotic worlds, or the grandeur of Future World with it's classic World's Fair architecture.
Aside from the Boulevards, it's generally themed to a movie studio with generic looking soundstages.
At the MK, Mickey, Donald, Ariel and the gang are REAL and we see where they live.
Conceptually, in the backstory of the Studios, they are animated characters. Likewise, Star Tours, etc. takes place on a "soundstage set".
By focusing on the technical aspect of the movies/arts, we are subconsciously reminded of their illusory nature, whereas the MK breaks down these barriers.
On a less aesthetic, more pragmatic level, a larger pecentage of the Studios' attractions are shows than at the other parks, and many of these are on a set schedule (versus continuous loaders).
So, a day there, after doing the major continuous stuff like GMR, ToT, RnRR, Star Tours, and Muppet Vision, can become an exercise in trying to coordinate show times and in that sense can have less spontanaity than the other parks.
It's a show park primarily, and rides GENERALLY have more repeat value for me.
Still, this park has come a LOOONG way from the disapointment I experienced on my first visit in 1989, when it seemed more like a "land" than a complete park.
On my best visits there since moving to the area a year ago, I really "got" this park, felt it's vibe.
I love Muppet Vision and the Star Wars fan in me enjoys Star Tours and of course the Star Wars weekends park overlay (like the great Epcot events, this is free with admission)
RnRC and ToT make for a nice, well-themed, 1-2 thrills punch.
Great Movie Ride is one of the last classic AA extravaganzas and I love the payoff of the Wizard of Oz finale.
I could spend hours in Walt Disney: One Man's Dream reading all the displays and looking at the memorabilia (and on occasion, have!) This exhibit IMO surpasses Walt Disney Story as a fitting tribute to Walt Disney which should never be removed!
The live shows are generally well done. My favorite of the daytime shows is the moving Beauty and the Beast with Little Mermaid a close second.
And of course, the excellent Fantasmic! gives the park a fitting nightime
finale.
So I don't think the Studios (I prefer calling it that or by it's full name than calling it "MGM"
is really a bad park - I just prefer the other 3.As far as Animal Kingdom, on my best visits there it rivals or even surpasses Epcot as my number 2 (MK is my strong SOLID fave).
Joe Rhode and his team did an incredible job with this park and I look forward to it's continued evolution.
The people who said to get this park you need to take time enjoying it's beauty and talking to the animals are, IMO, right on the money.
I love animals so it's really easy for me to get into this park, especially the lush, immersive Asia and Africa sections.
teebin
Member
It is interesting to note that the people who seem to like AK the least are people who live far away and only visit WDW for relatively short vacations. The people who seem to put AK at the top are people who live right here in central Florida. AK is less a rush through 'hop on rides' rush to next ride kind of park which might make it seem less enjoyable to those on a tight vacation timeline and especially those with young children.
For me, it is a no rush mini National Park/Botanical Garden/Animal sanctuary/Attractions Park that is constantly evolving and changing. Ever see the Tigers fighting and growling? Ever see the purple butted Gibbons? Ever see the bird with pterodactyl shaped head building its eight foot tunnel nest? See the Galapagos Tortoises actually walk as the keeper is putting them away for the evening? I go all the time and have only seen each these things once. I could write an essay on the design details but I will leave that for another day. Luckily, I am able to go all the time (once every 10 days or so), by myself or with a friend and just take it easy. After 200-300 visits, I still leave AK with a sense of amazement and wonder. I am probably hopping over there tomorrow for lunch, hang out, and see something new yet again.
Many locals put AK at the top of the list while those from away on a tight schedule put MK or Epcot at the top which makes total sense to me.
For me, it is a no rush mini National Park/Botanical Garden/Animal sanctuary/Attractions Park that is constantly evolving and changing. Ever see the Tigers fighting and growling? Ever see the purple butted Gibbons? Ever see the bird with pterodactyl shaped head building its eight foot tunnel nest? See the Galapagos Tortoises actually walk as the keeper is putting them away for the evening? I go all the time and have only seen each these things once. I could write an essay on the design details but I will leave that for another day. Luckily, I am able to go all the time (once every 10 days or so), by myself or with a friend and just take it easy. After 200-300 visits, I still leave AK with a sense of amazement and wonder. I am probably hopping over there tomorrow for lunch, hang out, and see something new yet again.
Many locals put AK at the top of the list while those from away on a tight schedule put MK or Epcot at the top which makes total sense to me.
DisneyMusician2
Well-Known Member
I know the Studios needs a BIG facelift, but I really think you can still have a good time there. Some of the attractions really need some help and need to be brought back to their original status. But MuppetVision and Star Tours are just fun, and always a joy to go back on. Epcot is still my solid favorite, just because there is a real variety of things to do there. You can tour the showcase, see a show, hit the bigger rides, or just sit in England and have a drink while enjoying the view of the lagoon. THe Studios is still bottom on my list, but I think it has more redeeming qualities than many people give it credit for.