Islands of Adventure vs Magic Kingdom

[DisneyAndUniversalFan]

Both parks are arguably two of the best in the state of Florida. Both have dark rides, thrilling coasters, log flumes, great themed lands and overall rely on a great theme park experience.
Which park do you think is better? Let's say that you have one single day in the Orlando area, and you can only go to one of these two parks. Which would you pick?

Which park is superior, has better rides, more fun, etc? Which is the better park?

 

[wdwfan22]

Magic Kingdom hands down is the better park.

 

[monykalyn]

I'd say MK just for sheer number of attractions, lands and overall feel
However IOA has arguably better themed land than any in MK with Hogsmeade, and one of the best coasters in country with Velocicoaster.
Ask again in 3 years when Epic Universe is finished...

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Disney vs Uni comparisons are always ridiculous. Different product.

It’s like asking which cruise is better: Viking River or Royal Caribbean?

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Disney vs Uni comparisons are always ridiculous. Different product.

It’s like asking which cruise is better: Viking River or Royal Caribbean?

Fred Olsen

 

[DisneyAndUniversalFan]

Disney vs Uni comparisons are always ridiculous. Different product.

It’s like asking which cruise is better: Viking River or Royal Caribbean?

They’re not comparable in that sense. I actually like Royal Caribbean a good bit.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Fred Olsen

Or Hurtigruten?

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

They’re not comparable in that sense. I actually like Royal Caribbean a good bit.

Ok so Royal vs MSC?

 

[Jrb1979]

Disney vs Uni comparisons are always ridiculous. Different product.

It’s like asking which cruise is better: Viking River or Royal Caribbean?

You're right. One is geared for those with littles and one is better.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Magic Kingdom

 

[Mr Ferret 75]

Or Hurtigruten?

Isn't that the chap from Highlander ?

 

[JIMINYCR]

MK still has the edge for what it has as a broad range of attractions and entertainment that suits my taste. But if it was based on most thrilling, less crowded, less planning, Id go Uni.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

In 2002 or 2012, it would have been MK without question.

In 2022? Not as sure. I think there's a reason why IoA ranks higher on Trip Advisor.

It's not just about the attraction line up. The crowds, lines and operations make a big impact on how enjoyable the experience is.

 

[BubbaisSleep]

I consider MK to be one of the weakest Magic Kingdom style parks honestly.
IOA for me! I just always have a fun time there the last few years.

 

[Minthorne]

DL > IoA > MK

IMHO

 

[fradz]

I prefer IOA and I think it’s a better park for adults and teenagers. It has a better dark ride (Spider-Man), a better family rollercoaster (Hagrid) and a better thrilling coaster (Velocicoaster). I also feel that MK is a bit tired, some areas would really need a good refresh, which I didn’t feel in IOA.

That being said, MK is not a bad park at all, it has the best flume in the world (Splash, well the Tokyo version is better but ok…), a great Haunted Mansion and is probably my second favorite park in Orlando. I also vastly prefer the entertainment in MK.

If I had one day I wouldn’t really hesitate, I don’t need to overthink a visit to IOA and I know it won’t be crowded to the point that even C-tickets are 1h+ wait.

 

[JusticeDisney]

IOA definitely has the more thrilling rides, so if that’s your thing then that place wins hands down. MK, on the other hand, has a different feel to it than IOA. MK feels less like an amusement park than IOA, if that makes sense. For me (and of course, this is totally subjective), I much prefer the overall atmosphere and experience at MK. I could just walk around and hang out there all day long. Don’t get me wrong, I love thrill rides, but if that is all I am looking for, there are plenty of other amusement parks out there that blow IOA away in that regard. So in the end, it’s MK for me and my family, and it’s not even really close.

 

[bhg469]

DL > IoA > MK

IMHO

This is pretty solid... I'm on the fence about MK vs IoA... I think that IoA is one really good long dark ride from being over the top..

 

[Andrew25]

It's pretty close, but IOA is missing a classic 10-minute dark ride and an indoor show.

 

[CynBeth]

MK!