Outside of Universal, what other parks have good theming close to Disney?

[Walt Disney1955]

Obviously Universal Studios does well in the theming part of things and most of us on here can marvel at that even if it isn't quite at the Disney level (close though if not nearly equal).

But what other theme parks have you been to with very good theming and how do they compare to Disney solely in the theming part of things? I've heard Kennywood near Pittsburgh is good for this. Would Dollywood come close? In my opinion neither one of Busch Gardens or Sea World fit the bill

 

[Hakunamatata]

Dollywood theming is excellent and the cleanliness and friendly staff rivals Disney.

 

[hurricanepat]

busch gardens williamsburg is absolutely beautiful. there are places in this park where you forget you are actually in an amusement park. I haven't been there in about 4 years but they go above and beyond to keep this park ahead of the game with its theming and overall cleanliness. And besides that they have alot of great rides...

 

[progroupie]

Dollywood theming is excellent and the cleanliness and friendly staff rivals Disney.

Agreed. Opryland in Nashville was impressive as well in its day.
Seaworld doesn't have the theming that Disney has although I don't think it's the kind of park that needs it, but I was very impressed at how clean and well kept it is. I worked there briefly and was also extremely impressed at how the company was run and the way the employees were treated. You can't complain about free monthly cases of beer!

 

[Crockett]

Dollywood theming is excellent and the cleanliness and friendly staff rivals Disney.

Amen to that! I actually live 10-min from the park and visit quite frequently.
Dollywood, in my book, comes a hair closer to Disney's standards than Universal & Busch parks do. Sure, the place doesn't have big draw-in characters like Harry Potter or Spider-Man. But the creative theming & atmosphere definitely meets Disney's standards and expectations. I certainly would rank DWood up there with Orlando's finest.

 

[Figment1986]

Seaworld doesn't have the theming that Disney has although I don't think it's the kind of park that needs it, but I was very impressed at how clean and well kept it is. I worked there briefly and was also extremely impressed at how the company was run and the way the employees were treated. You can't complain about free monthly cases of beer!

Seaworld Parks "sometimes" have great work that's on Disney levels and other times misses a lot. Manta is a hit and miss... so is cheetah hunt apparently...

Also no more free beer for anyone as they are not part of Anheuser Busch anymore

 

[sweetpee_1993]

A couple years ago we went to Sea World in San Antonio. It was veeeery clean. It wasn't Disney but it was nice and we really enjoyed it.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a park I went to several times when I was a teenager. Oh, I'd say it was like 15 years ago. I remember it being absolutely beautiful with lots to do. The rides were great. It was a place we really, really loved going to. I've been thinking I should take my boys there.....

 

[Mickey_777]

busch gardens williamsburg is absolutely beautiful. there are places in this park where you forget you are actually in an amusement park. I haven't been there in about 4 years but they go above and beyond to keep this park ahead of the game with its theming and overall cleanliness. And besides that they have alot of great rides...

It is beautiful. While the theming is better than most parks, the lands are suppose to replicate European countries. Last time I checked, England and Germany, for example, don't slap on stucco to the exteriors of thier homes. I really wish they'd fix that.

If you compare France, and Italy etc. at Epcot to their equivalents at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, it's not even fair. But BGW is gorgeous for it's natural beauty too.

 

[C&D]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Tampa; not bad at all.

 

[wolf359]

But what other theme parks have you been to with very good theming and how do they compare to Disney solely in the theming part of things? I've heard Kennywood near Pittsburgh is good for this. Would Dollywood come close? In my opinion neither one of Busch Gardens or Sea World fit the bill

I've never been to another theme park outside of Disney that does theming as well as Busch Gardens Williamsburg, so if that park doesn't measure up I've got nothing else to add. :shrug:

 

[Epic Epcot]

I hear Europa Park in Rust, Germany is a top notch theme park.

 

[ChrisFL]

I am not going to say this park is 100% on par with Universal, Busch Gardens, but for where its located it is quite nice.

The park is called Enchanted Kingdom, and it's located in the Philippines. They have some really horrid "theme parks" there, and this is the only nice one. I was really blown away by how well themed it was.

Here is the trip report I posted on TPR a few years ago:

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=48951

 

[wizards8507]

Dollywood, in my book, comes a hair closer to Disney's standards than Universal & Busch parks do. Sure, the place doesn't have big draw-in characters like Harry Potter or Spider-Man. But the creative theming & atmosphere definitely meets Disney's standards and expectations. I certainly would rank DWood up there with Orlando's finest.

I absolutely love Dollywood. I've only been once but it was fantastic. Thunderhead is probably one of my favorite roller coasters I've been on.

 

[Patrick_Ears]

That is a good question..... i been to many theme parks and yes no one is like Disney and no one is like Dollywood. To each to it's own. But i must say Dollywood was very nice!!

 

[Demeter Tess]

Kennywood in Pittsburgh? No. There are parts of this park that are nicely done, but they are few and far between. Also the park is jammed up against heavily-trafficked roads to the point where you never feel a sense of escapism. It's a fun little park and very interesting from a historical perspective since it's been around so long, but nowhere near Disney caliber.

Both of the Busch Gardens parks are lovely. As others have noted, there isn't quite the same the attention to detail in the buildings, but they do a more than sufficient job with area theming and the parks are very neatly kept. I really loved visiting these parks when I was in grade school and am sad it's been a while!

I can't say I was overly impressed with Dollywood, but then it's been 8 years since I last visited. As I recall, theming was noticeable and well done, but it all seemed to be much of the same rustic decor throughout the park.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I dont feel universal is really that good with the exception of Harry Potter, and Hary Potter has real crowd flow and layout issues. The previously mentioned parks are good, but NONE really have the Disney attention to detail inside and out.

Everytime you read one of these threads.its always the same.......all the other parks trying to match Disney........IMO

AKK

 

[Mukta]

While it doesn't quite measure up to Disney, I really enjoyed the theming in Europa Park in Germany. It had a ton of rides that were Disney knockoffs, but some really great theming none the less.

 

[tampabrad]

PortAdventura in Spain is up there with Universal and Disney. Believe it was once owned by Universal.

 

[MarkTwain]

^ Correct.

SeaWorld has many moments that are very inspired thematically. While the exterior isn't great, Wild Arctic's interior is beautiful and very well-themed. IMO the Waterfront also has absolutely stunning Mediterranean theming. They do a good job of making the buildings look aged beyond their years.

Other than that, don't forget that it's not just theme parks that have high-quality theming these days - places like Atlantis, for example:

http://micechat.com/forums/other-theme-parks-destinations/128779-atlantis-bahamas-pictures.html

 

[RSoxNo1]

busch gardens williamsburg is absolutely beautiful. there are places in this park where you forget you are actually in an amusement park. I haven't been there in about 4 years but they go above and beyond to keep this park ahead of the game with its theming and overall cleanliness. And besides that they have alot of great rides...

I agree with this. The only problem is the Coasters do disrupt the theming a bit, but it is done quite well.