Once you go Disney, you don't go back.

[mickeysbrother]

Not only am I a Disney water park snob, I'm a Disney snob in general! I hate going to anything other then a Disney park! I usually say what a waste of money for 40 dollars more I can't be in Disney for the day! Why am I here! Then all my friends get on me for talking Disney the rest of the day

 

[Zummi Gummi]

I refuse to visit Universal Studios. I feel like I'd be cheating on my girlfriend ( if Disney was my girlfriend ). I've been to Kings Dominion in Virginia which I'll never do again. I've also done Hershey Park in Pennsylvania which was a lot of fun I had with my friends that day but still no where close to Disney. I've been spoiled.

You realize WDW cast members and Universal team members are often one in the same, right? You're in no way cheating on one by enjoying the other. That's absurd.

You really should get out more. Universal has done some great things in recent years (many of which far surpass anything Disney has done).

 

[Jeff456]

On the subject of water parks, Siam Park In Tenerife is very well themed not quite as good as Disney but it has better slides in my opinion...

 

[Mickey_777]

Yeah I compare everything to Disney. And I'm quick to spot where other companies/restaurants/hotels/attractions try to copy what Disney has done. I just try not to do it to the point where I can't enjoy myself at non-Disney places.

 

[pixiesteno]

I know that for our family since we have started going to (back to for me) WDW in 2004 it has really ruined us for other theme parks. We have Darien Lake, which was under Six Flags for a while, less than two hours from my home and we have not been there since '01. We're not big coaster fans but we used to enjoy some of the rides and the water park. Nope, WDW ruined that. I can't see paying almost as much for a day ticket and parking as WDW and then we will not go into the dining selections! Last year we went to Hershey for the big RV show and went to the wrong entrance. We ended up at the regular park entrance and suffered severe sticker shock at the parking rate and ticket pricing. Not only was parking more (a lot more) but it wasn't even paved at that entrance! What! Luckily, over by the Giant Center where the RV show was it was paved. But I will never again complain about directional signage at WDW after trying to just find our way to the parking for Hershey. Let's face it, WDW is really good at what they do otherwise, why would there be discussions boards like this one!

 

[BryceM]

Yes, Dollywood is pretty amazing! Plus they keep adding new amazing things every year. This year it was Wild Eagle.

The park just has such a natural beauty that can't be matched, it's crazy! Well maybe it's sister park out in the Ozarks... Silver Dollar City.

 

[wiigirl]

The ONLY place I've seen that can hold a candle to Disney is Universal. (And no, this is not meant to spark ANOTHER WDW/Uni debate)

lol...sure...sure

 

[Redsky89]

You realize WDW cast members and Universal team members are often one in the same, right? You're in no way cheating on one by enjoying the other. That's absurd.

You really should get out more. Universal has done some great things in recent years (many of which far surpass anything Disney has done).

Oh how my world has been enlightened. I think my comment wasn't wrote rite on my part. I really just have no interest in Universal. Yes if I had some friends who wanted to go I'd be all bout it. But I wouldn't go on my own initiative.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We have 2 water parks here in Maine and one of them is pretty rapidly expanding. They added 6 new slides this off season alone, 4 racing slides and two slides when you get in a capsule and the floor drops out from under you and you go plunging down (one is a straight shot down and the other goes through some corkscrews) It's a combo waterpark/ amusement park. The amusement park is small and has one wooden coaster and a wild mouse style coaster. We went to the amusement park a couple weeks ago at 10am and were gone by 3:30pm. There's not a ton there worth repeating. The other waterpark here is pretty small.

I do love the theming of BB and TL and no one can hold a candle to them in regards to theming. I don't think any other parks try to compare themselves to Disney though. Cause Disney in regards to theming, is in a class of it's own it seems. The other parks can only just try and be the best they can be. The closest park I've been to that the theming has been decent is BG Tampa and BG Williamsburg. The African theme of Bg Tampa is nice, with all the animals. And the European theme of BG Williamsburg was pretty cool as well. Definitely head and shoulders above any 6 Flags property for sure!

 

[tracyandalex]

We aren't really water park folks, but WDW has definitely ruined us for fireworks and parades. Since seeing the Disney ones we struggle to get through others. The parades are the worst, at least fireworks are entertaining even if they don't have my favorite Disney songs in the background.

 

[DisneyBeatles]

Been to Disney over 20 times, just went to Six Flags Great Adventure with about 30 friends a few weeks ago, had a blast, but JUST because friends were with me. The whole entire time there was HORRIBLE theming, Loud music BLASTING the entire time that had absolutely nothing tot do with the theme of the "land" I was in. Couldn't hear a thing when I got a phone call. But I have to say the rides were really thrilling. Also, when I went to Universal a few years ago with just my family, we had a horrible time. The theming was pretty bad, the people and workers were bitter and looked like they were going to beat me up at any minute. When we lost my grandfather, who was in a scooter, my grandmother was in tears begging the security guard to help her find him, but they said "oh we can't help you. We can only help look for people age 10 and under." So we vowed to never go to Universal again. We were traumatized.

 

[BryceM]

Been to Disney over 20 times, just went to Six Flags Great Adventure with about 30 friends a few weeks ago, had a blast, but JUST because friends were with me. The whole entire time there was HORRIBLE theming, Loud music BLASTING the entire time that had absolutely nothing tot do with the theme of the "land" I was in. Couldn't hear a thing when I got a phone call. But I have to say the rides were really thrilling. Also, when I went to Universal a few years ago with just my family, we had a horrible time. The theming was pretty bad, the people and workers were bitter and looked like they were going to beat me up at any minute. When we lost my grandfather, who was in a scooter, my grandmother was in tears begging the security guard to help her find him, but they said "oh we can't help you. We can only help look for people age 10 and under." So we vowed to never go to Universal again. We were traumatized.

There is bad theming at Universal?

Not trying to start another debate, but I think Universal Studios and especially Islands of Adventure have some of the best theming out there. Every "island" at Islands of Adventure is so well done and amazingly themed. Especially Lost Continent, WWoHP and Port of Entry.

The Studios themselves are really well-themed also. I really feel as if I'm walking through New York or Hollywood. And have you ridden Revenge of the Mummy?! Best themed roller coaster in the world if you ask me.

 

[Britt]

I'm lucky! I've only been to Knotsberry Farm, Universal Studios and Disneyland once when I was like...8! Other then that, never been to a theme park! So as an adult, I've never been to another theme park to be able to compare!

We DO plan on spending a day at Universal Studios this trip though! Wizarding World of Harry Potter beckons to me

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We aren't really water park folks, but WDW has definitely ruined us for fireworks and parades. Since seeing the Disney ones we struggle to get through others. The parades are the worst, at least fireworks are entertaining even if they don't have my favorite Disney songs in the background.

Best fireworks I have ever experienced in my entire life was July 4th in the late '90s (I wanna say '98 since my youngest was still in diapers and drinking from a bottle) in Washington DC. We laid out on the National Mall not far from the Washington Monument. The whole thing is set to patriotic music and each shell that blasts you feel thru your entire body. Beautiful show. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. Love Wishes & Illuminations but neither will ever compare to being in Washington DC for our nation's birthday.

 

[midwest_mice]

Yeah, I've been to Noah's Ark a few times in Wisconsin Dells and it is a huge water park but it just doesn't have that Disney theme. I'd rather have a smaller water park and the Disney theme.

I've been to Noah's Ark countless times and I do agree, it doesn't have good theming. It is a lot of concrete and slides with a few statues here and there. They really could do more with the place and hopefully they will eventually add some theming as Mt Olympus in the Dells is really taking the bull by the horns and has really put some theme into their park

 

[midwest_mice]

Disney has ruined everything for me. I can't go to Six Flags or other local parks without complaning about EVERYTHING. Nothing compares to Disney.

Agreed. The last time I was at Six Flags in Gurnee, IL, I kept nit picking the theming. Their parade royally stunk with only 4 floats.
I do have to say this: Visit this place during October when they have their Fright Fest going on, when it gets dark out, they really do a very good job with making the place creepy. They do have a few haunted attractions, but they charge extra for those

 

[midwest_mice]

And I believe that the best non-Disney or non-Universal park is Dollywood. It's well themed, clean, friendly and has a beautiful atmosphere that Disney or Universal can't achieve. Heck, I'd rank it higher than some Disney parks right now. And Mystery Mine is up there with Universal and Disney rides.

Mystery Mine is a very good attraction. And I do agree, it is a very clean park to visit.

 

[steviej]

Disney is the best of the best.

Water parks? Never gonna beat Disney
Six Flags? Everyone I know who's a disney lover here in nj calls it ghetto disney.

 

[UPbeekeeper]

We recently went to Wisconsin Dells, and they have some of the most amazing water parks there. But, I felt like a spoiled brat, because I just couldn't shake the feeling that everything seemed just cheap and tacky. The employees were rude and treated you like you were bothering them for asking a question, or doing anything that required them to do their job. I guess they really "tried" with their theme, but it just did nothing for me, and I'm honestly not someone who is very hard to please. Won't be going back anytime soon.

People can say whatever they want to say about Disney, but for me, it has magic that no other theme park can match. I personally feel that Universal does a great job and I enjoy going there, but it doesn't hold the same magic for me. That certainly doesn't mean they are a below standard theme park. They do a good job, it's just a different experience. But an experience that should be enjoyed, none the less.

 

[fractal]

We have 2 water parks here in Maine and one of them is pretty rapidly expanding. They added 6 new slides this off season alone, 4 racing slides and two slides when you get in a capsule and the floor drops out from under you and you go plunging down (one is a straight shot down and the other goes through some corkscrews) It's a combo waterpark/ amusement park. The amusement park is small and has one wooden coaster and a wild mouse style coaster. We went to the amusement park a couple weeks ago at 10am and were gone by 3:30pm. There's not a ton there worth repeating. The other waterpark here is pretty small.

I do love the theming of BB and TL and no one can hold a candle to them in regards to theming. I don't think any other parks try to compare themselves to Disney though. Cause Disney in regards to theming, is in a class of it's own it seems. The other parks can only just try and be the best they can be. The closest park I've been to that the theming has been decent is BG Tampa and BG Williamsburg. The African theme of Bg Tampa is nice, with all the animals. And the European theme of BG Williamsburg was pretty cool as well. Definitely head and shoulders above any 6 Flags property for sure!

Both BG parks are great. I prefer BGW - there's a reason it keeps winning the "most beautiful themepark award". Great rides and amazing landscaping - themeing is very good but a bit short of a Disneypark. Still a great park to visit. Apollo's chariot may be the best coaster I've ever ridden.