twilight mitsuk
Well-Known Member
instead for 3 per day
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Magic Kingdom ranks as 2nd most favorite amusement park in the U.S. !
- Thread starter raymusiccity
- Start date
instead for 3 per day
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
I'm not surprised anyone would rank IoA higher, despite having fewer attractions, no night-time show and a higher one-day ticket price ($8 more on "value" days!). MK has the stigma of being perceived as an overcrowded kiddie park [only half true] and I can imagine people walking away disappointed if they bought a one-day ticket for a visit in July without any advance reservations.
IoA's themes offer broad appeal and are more topical thanks to Marvel, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park/World. The park has a good mix of rides ranging from major coasters (Hulk) to children's play areas (Camp Jurassic), so there's something for everyone. As stated before, the park is much less crowded and better equipped to handle the level of attendance it sees. If you have Express Pass, you never wait in line for anything.
I visited both in February and had a more enjoyable time at IoA for these reasons. My MK day started out perfectly with breakfast in the castle before opening, but by 10:00am the place was a mess of people. And this was a weekday in February. I can see why someone who thinks CoP or Small World is lame would think it's a ripoff.
IoA's themes offer broad appeal and are more topical thanks to Marvel, Harry Potter and Jurassic Park/World. The park has a good mix of rides ranging from major coasters (Hulk) to children's play areas (Camp Jurassic), so there's something for everyone. As stated before, the park is much less crowded and better equipped to handle the level of attendance it sees. If you have Express Pass, you never wait in line for anything.
I visited both in February and had a more enjoyable time at IoA for these reasons. My MK day started out perfectly with breakfast in the castle before opening, but by 10:00am the place was a mess of people. And this was a weekday in February. I can see why someone who thinks CoP or Small World is lame would think it's a ripoff.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Keep in mind that for many both parks are a one-day trip. Paying for a week at WDW with the works (dining plan, hoppers, water parks, dinner shows etc) is something many would never think to do for one reason or another (time, interest, money etc).
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
I haven’t been in a few years...but I can only assume it needs a substantial refresh. Comcast needs to commit to that type of program to compete longterm
What program? Comcast has turned Universal around a hundred fold. Rides are refreshed see Spider-man and Hulk. Building new rides so Kong, and new HP coaster, and likely new JP coaster.
GladToBeHear
Well-Known Member
Dumb list. The Island at Pigeon Forge isn't an amusement park. It's an outdoor mall with a ferris wheel. It does have good moonshine though.
And Disneyland is a better park than any of the WDW parks. Based on our trip out there last year.
And Disneyland is a better park than any of the WDW parks. Based on our trip out there last year.
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
I’ll take your word for that...
But others have stated that much of the original facades/background scenery is the same...they need an upgrade there I think.
HansGruber
Well-Known Member
I'm guessing I've been to MK roughly 50 times in my life. I just came back from visiting Universal for the first time.
Honestly, I had a better time at Universal.
Full disclosure: we bought the express passes. But were able to do both parks in a single day. The longest ride we waited for was 25 minutes.
The theming is just as good as MK.
The parking garage and overall entrance to Universal completely blows away MK.
My only complaint about Universal is the generic motion-simulator nature that A LOT of their rides incorporate.
It was also harder to find stuff for my youngest to do.
A few of the brands are weak as well. (What the hell is a Dudley Do-Right?!)
Honestly, I had a better time at Universal.
Full disclosure: we bought the express passes. But were able to do both parks in a single day. The longest ride we waited for was 25 minutes.
The theming is just as good as MK.
The parking garage and overall entrance to Universal completely blows away MK.
My only complaint about Universal is the generic motion-simulator nature that A LOT of their rides incorporate.
It was also harder to find stuff for my youngest to do.
A few of the brands are weak as well. (What the hell is a Dudley Do-Right?!)
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
Tough to compare Disneyland with the Florida parks...Disneyland didn’t benefit from the centralized planning the finances allowed in Florida
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
By the way, Hans...how do you feel now that the next time you take over a high rise...you first have to file a walt disney company Form 6H: “stock impact to daily nyse ticker” with bob iger and cheapo chapek??
That must suck
Then that’s like saying MK needs an upgrade all throughout the park. Are some areas dated in IOA? Of course, but have you seen tomorrowland?
Sirwalterraleigh
Premium Member
You can put the hounds back on the leash...I’m not insulting IOA or defending disney neglect...
Comcast has done some great things...but IOA was built more like an amusement park than a themepark....and while high quality - will need more than just attraction replacements after 20 years. Disney does display a “timeless” quality that has been proven over 60 years...because they have paid a fortune for it.
I’d rate universal and the old AB parks on a level slightly below that.
LittleBuford
Well-Known Member
I said something like this a while back in another thread, but my love of WDW is built on my love of Disney itself rather than any great passion for theme parks per se. For those of us who feel this way, there’s just no competition to begin with (except perhaps between Disney’s own parks).
Buried20KLeague
Well-Known Member
Justified or not, I LOVE that a report getting global attention has Uni at the top, and Disney at only 2 and 6 with 2 parks not even ranking.
I can imagine the hand-wringing and meetings taking place among TDO over the past couple days.
A straw eventually breaks the camel’s back. The most respected travel resource stomping on WDW is a pretty big straw.
Oh to be a fly on the wall.
I can imagine the hand-wringing and meetings taking place among TDO over the past couple days.
A straw eventually breaks the camel’s back. The most respected travel resource stomping on WDW is a pretty big straw.
Oh to be a fly on the wall.
Phil12
Well-Known Member
He's a famous Canadian Mountie that always does his best to save us from Snidely Whiplash!
Phil12
Well-Known Member
TripAdvisor as a respected travel resource? They're owned by Liberty Media.
higgipoker
Well-Known Member
In our particular situation this year, no. For a variety of reasons, the Dining Plans really aren't worth it for us, we struggle to use up all the credits. We ended up with the QS plan as part of a package deal. Anyway, the day at Universal just meant more struggling to use up credits on things we didn't really want or need. Not a deal-breaker by any means, but the annoyance was just magnified by the sucky day we had at Universal.
For the record, I LIKE Universal, but I'm not going to go alone, and after a dodgy experience last year they really needed to knock this one out of the park to help me convince my better half to come back next time. Unfortunately, they completely whiffed.
Santa Raccoon 77
Thank you sir. You were an inspiration.
Maybe if the was less Tiana at the Magic Kingdom it would have rated higher.
