News Red Car Trolley to close February 8, 2025

[Professortango1]

I think on value proposition alone it’s hard to compare most parks in the world to Disneyland. You could put Islands or EPCOT next to Disneyland and it’d be really, really hard to escape DL’s shadow.

The UOR comparison doesn’t really work too well because Universal Studios Florida, frankly, is not a good park, and Islands has been in a relative stasis for 25 years with the exception of Wizarding World.

I myself would disagree about Universal Orlando being a bad park. Diagon Alley is still the best themed land I've experienced. MIB is my favourite shooter. The Mummy is my favourite indoor coaster. The park definitely needs the next new thing for Fear Factor Love or the entry corridor, but I think it's pretty on par for me with IOA. IOA is a prettier, but I really don't like Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, or Toon Lagoon's lands. Certain attractions look fantastic on their own, but the lands of giant 2-D cut outs and panels doesn't do it for me. USO still has about half of my must-do's in Florida's resort.

I also think Universal Hollywood and Knott's have lived in Disneyland's shadow. But they are still popular. Why? Because they don't sell their parks with the lie that they are just as good as Disneyland. They don't price their parks exactly the same as Disneyland. They were honest and charged a lower price for slightly lesser experience. DCA did not .And still doesn't.

 

[mickEblu]

(Not so?) Hot Take: DCA will have the second best attraction roster for a non castle park in 2030 if/when the announced projects are completed. Also better than Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland. Meaning in a few years only Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland Paris will have better attraction rosters.

 

[Centauri Space Station]

(Not so?) Hot Take: DCA will have the second best attraction roster for a non castle park in 2030 if/when the announced projects are completed. Also better than Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland. Meaning in a few years only Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland Paris will have better attraction rosters.

Probably but depending on the execution of them

 

[mickEblu]

Probably but depending on the execution of them

Hmmm, Im on the fence there. I think just the fact that it’s 3 more dark rides most likely consisting of 2 E tickets and a D ticket or vice versa depending on how you view the Avengers Pan ride already puts it over the other parks I mentioned.

As long as Avatar is the Super E they re making it out to be I don’t think it matters. Coco just needs to be a solid D ticket and Avengers I think is pretty predictable. I can’t see Coco being less than a D or Avatar being less than an E.

 

[Professortango1]

Hmmm, Im on the fence there. I think just the fact that it’s 3 more dark rides most likely consisting of 2 E tickets and a D ticket or vice versa depending on how you view the Avengers Pan ride already puts it over the other parks I mentioned.

As long as Avatar is the Super E they re making it out to be I don’t think it matters. Coco just needs to be a solid D ticket and Avengers I think is pretty predictable. I can’t see Coco being less than a D or Avatar being less than an E.

So including RSR, DCA gets...3 Disney-quality E-Tickets total. Cool.

I see DCA and Disney Adventure Park Paris to be very similar embarrassments.. Disney is adding better stuff to both finally, but that's not going to fix the issues with the already established areas that make these two parks feel like flat concrete wastelands peppered with mediocre experiences.

 

[mickEblu]

So including RSR, DCA gets...3 Disney-quality E-Tickets total. Cool.

I see DCA and Disney Adventure Park Paris to be very similar embarrassments.. Disney is adding better stuff to both finally, but that's not going to fix the issues with the already established areas that make these two parks feel like flat concrete wastelands peppered with mediocre experiences.

So you disagree with my assessment that DCA will have a better attraction roster than every Disney park not named Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea or Disneyland Paris?

 

[Professortango1]

So you disagree with my assessment that DCA will have a better attraction roster than every Disney park not named Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea or Disneyland Paris?

If looking purely at attractions, I'd also add Magic Kingdom to the list. And it would depend upon the additions coming to Paris Adventure Park with the Lion King flume and such.

But yes, if they both their improvements and we improve ours, DCA will no longer be tied for last place. It will be the 6th best Disney Park. Mission Accomplished.

 

[mickEblu]

If looking purely at attractions, I'd also add Magic Kingdom to the list. And it would depend upon the additions coming to Paris Adventure Park with the Lion King flume and such.

But yes, if they both their improvements and we improve ours, DCA will no longer be tied for last place. It will be the 6th best Disney Park. Mission Accomplished.

Oh wow really? You’d put DCA 2030’s lineup ahead of MK with a POTC, Mansion, BTMRR, TRFKASM, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Pan, IASW, Tron, 7DMT etc? Looking at the list I guess it’s not that crazy of a statement if we’re talking purely attraction roster especially considering the fact that it’s the shorter POTC and Splash Mountain has been downgraded considerably. Still think I’d take MK for the coasters let alone some of the Disney castle park staples.

I’m not sure what 5 you have above DCA 2030 overall but sounds about right I guess. I don’t think there’s anything that DCA could do at this point that would put it above TDS or the first 4 castle parks overall. Even Hong Kong Disneyland looks quite pleasant even if a little on the light side with attractions. With that said, with MK getting rid of their ROA I think DCA 2030 could surpass it.

 

[BrianLo]

Oh wow really? You’d put DCA 2030’s lineup ahead of MK with a POTC, Mansion, BTMRR, TRFKASM, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Pan, IASW, Tron, 7DMT etc? Looking at the list I guess it’s not that crazy of a statement if we’re talking purely attraction roster especially considering the fact that it’s the shorter POTC and Splash Mountain has been downgraded considerably. Still think I’d take MK for the coasters let alone some of the Disney castle park staples.

I think it’s the other way around. You kept accidentally forgetting to list Magic Kingdom in your posts. He was adding it as being better than DCA 2030.

Since in this hypothetical MK will also have its villains land around then, I think Magic Kingdom is quite settled into the stronger category. It will be solidly above Disneyland Paris for me by then.

I’d have to really think on Hong Kong and Shanghai. Both are parks I enjoy. If it’s just about the rides then ya I guess DCA 3.0 is up there. If it’s not about just rides, my rankings go a bit loopy. I actually do like shows and walk around experiences that the Florida parks tend to be underweighted on.

I do ultimately agree with everyone on this sub forum that I used to be quite high on DCA circa 2015/16 and suddenly I do find myself praising the Florida parks a lot more than I was back then. There was a shuffling that came out of nowhere. I still like DCA, but it used to be a much more clear domestic front runner. My opinions on IOA and particularly Universal Orlando have soured faster than DCA. Unlike those two, I legitimately feel like we’re about to see a big pivot for DCA. Three rides are incoming that are potentials for people’s top 10/25 attraction lists.

 

[mickEblu]

I think it’s the other way around. You kept accidentally forgetting to list Magic Kingdom in your posts. He was adding it as being better than DCA 2030.

Since in this hypothetical MK will also have its villains land around then, I think Magic Kingdom is quite settled into the stronger category. It will be solidly above Disneyland Paris for me by then.

I’d have to really think on Hong Kong and Shanghai. Both are parks I enjoy. If it’s just about the rides then ya I guess DCA 3.0 is up there. If it’s not about just rides, my rankings go a bit loopy. I actually do like shows and walk around experiences that the Florida parks tend to be underweighted on.

I do ultimately agree with everyone on this sub forum that I used to be quite high on DCA circa 2015/16 and suddenly I do find myself praising the Florida parks a lot more than I was back then. There was a shuffling that came out of nowhere. I still like DCA, but it used to be a much more clear domestic front runner. My opinions on IOA and particularly Universal Orlando have soured faster than DCA. Unlike those two, I legitimately feel like we’re about to see a big pivot for DCA. Three rides are incoming that are potentials for people’s top 10/25 attraction lists.

Oh I didn’t forget about Villains or Cars at MK. I was saying that I might even take MKs attraction roster now vs DCA 2030’s roster. So another coaster and/ or Villains super E ticket would obviously take MK over the top. With that said, even though the MK’s attractions roster will be getting stronger I think losing the ROA could hurt the park overall. In other words I’m saying I could see myself preferring DCA 2030 over an ROA’less MK. The second half of my post shifted to ranking the parks overall in response to Professors Tangos second paragraph.

 

[mickEblu]

Ooops. Sorry @BrianLo and @Professortango1 i know what caused any possible confusion now. I thought that I already had MK on the list below. I was on the fence about putting MK on there but ultimately thought I included it. When Professor Tango responded that he would add MK to the list I was now responding in a different reality where I had left MK off the list and was also surprised he of all people would take DCA’s roster over MK.

(Not so?) Hot Take: DCA will have the second best attraction roster for a non castle park in 2030 if/when the announced projects are completed. Also better than Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland. Meaning in a few years only Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea and Disneyland Paris will have better attraction rosters.

 

[BrianLo]

I myself would disagree about Universal Orlando being a bad park. Diagon Alley is still the best themed land I've experienced. MIB is my favourite shooter. The Mummy is my favourite indoor coaster. The park definitely needs the next new thing for Fear Factor Love or the entry corridor, but I think it's pretty on par for me with IOA. IOA is a prettier, but I really don't like Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, or Toon Lagoon's lands. Certain attractions look fantastic on their own, but the lands of giant 2-D cut outs and panels doesn't do it for me. USO still has about half of my must-do's in Florida's resort.

I agree that IOA is probably put on a pedestal. It has a nice ride lineup and it’s prettier. But it’s a pretty crusty park everywhere but the back end. Food is bad and entertainment is completely non existent. I think when we count rides it makes IOA seem more put together than it is. But the sheer dearth of shows is actually unacceptable.

Toon Lagoon and Superhero island are super crusty and the Lost Continent is probably the saddest thing. At least things like Wonders of Life you don’t walk through.

I just don’t really like the Studios either. It does at least have entertainment. The only things I really emotionally care about in that park are Diagon alley (sans Gringotts), Mummy and ET. It’s the only park worldwide without an attraction in my top 25. ET is first to feature at 32

 

[DarkMetroid567]

I myself would disagree about Universal Orlando being a bad park. Diagon Alley is still the best themed land I've experienced. MIB is my favourite shooter. The Mummy is my favourite indoor coaster. The park definitely needs the next new thing for Fear Factor Love or the entry corridor, but I think it's pretty on par for me with IOA. IOA is a prettier, but I really don't like Super Hero Island, Seuss Landing, or Toon Lagoon's lands. Certain attractions look fantastic on their own, but the lands of giant 2-D cut outs and panels doesn't do it for me. USO still has about half of my must-do's in Florida's resort.

I also think Universal Hollywood and Knott's have lived in Disneyland's shadow. But they are still popular. Why? Because they don't sell their parks with the lie that they are just as good as Disneyland. They don't price their parks exactly the same as Disneyland. They were honest and charged a lower price for slightly lesser experience. DCA did not .And still doesn't.

All very fair points, and I do ADORE Diagon.

I do think USH is actually a great reason as to DCA’s pricing. I was at USH yesterday and paid $154. That’s a lot!! I’m guessing DL/DCA were probably at peak pricing of $208, and I don’t think the difference is that severe. I would say that DCA is a comparative or arguably better value, and I enjoyed USH. DCA is also still stronger on attendance.

 

[mickEblu]

I agree that IOA is probably put on a pedestal. It has a nice ride lineup and it’s prettier. But it’s a pretty crusty park everywhere but the back end. Food is bad and entertainment is completely non existent. I think when we count rides it makes IOA seem more put together than it is. But the sheer dearth of shows is actually unacceptable.

Toon Lagoon and Superhero island are super crusty and the Lost Continent is probably the saddest thing. At least things like Wonders of Life you don’t walk through.

I just don’t really like the Studios either. It does at least have entertainment. The only things I really emotionally care about in that park are Diagon alley (sans Gringotts), Mummy and ET. It’s the only park worldwide without an attraction in my top 25. ET is first to feature at 32

If there is anything I learned from this post is that I need to start using Crusty more. Lol. Great adjective. I was coming up with a mental must Do list if I were to throw USF into our WDW trip and I think I came up with ET, Mummy, Gringotts and Hogwarts Express if you want to give the USF the nod. Maybe Kong for the AA and MIB if there’s time as it seems to be viewed as one of if not the best shooter in the world? At IOA it would be Hagrids, Spider-Man, OG Jurassic Park and then maybe Dudley Do Rights if time permits and Veolicoaster if I’m feeling up for it. In other words as someone who’s been to USH numerous times I think I can get away with a one day park hopper for USF/ IOA and one day for Epic Universe.

On another note why is the resort have Orlando on the name but the park has Florida? Seems backwards.

 

[PiratesMansion]

If there is anything I learned from this post is that I need to start using Crusty more. Lol. Great adjective. I was coming up with a mental must Do list if I were to throw USF into our WDW trip and I think I came up with ET, Mummy, Gringotts and Hogwarts Express if you want to give the USF the nod. Maybe Kong for the AA and MIB if there’s time as it seems to be viewed as one of if not the best shooter in the world? At IOA it would be Hagrids, Spider-Man, OG Jurassic Park and then maybe Dudley Do Rights if time permits and Veolicoaster if I’m feeling up for it. In other words as someone who’s been to USH numerous times I think I can get away with a one day park hopper for USF/ IOA and one day for Epic Universe.

On another note why is the resort have Orlando on the name but the park has Florida? Seems backwards.

Kong is at IOA, not USF. Velocicoaster is outstanding and a must-do.

To me, MIB is a must-do. SO much better than any other shooter and, if you do the full standby queue, there's a fun send-up of Carousel of Progress, World's Fair-style attractions.

I don't know why the park is FL and the resort is Orlando, but using Disneyland to mean the park and resort more or less interchangeably (since literally no one that doesn't work for Disney uses the DL Park moniker) isn't really any better or less confusing.

 

[lazyboy97o]

On another note why is the resort have Orlando on the name but the park has Florida? Seems backwards.

I don't know why the park is FL and the resort is Orlando, but using Disneyland to mean the park and resort more or less interchangeably (since literally no one that doesn't work for Disney uses the DL Park moniker) isn't really any better or less confusing.

The Disneylands are at least all consistently paired with the nearest large city name (Paris, Tokyo, Hing Kong, Shanghai). Although there was that one guy here who insisted on calling it Disneyland California... Universal varies between neighborhood (Hollywood, Dubailand), city (Beijing, Singapore, Moscow), state (Florida) and even country (Japan, Singapore if being pedantic, United Kingdom, Korea).

Universal Orlando Resort has the added twist of its confusing launch where it was originally named Universal Studios Escape. To help people understand where it was located it became Universal Studios Escape Orlando before becoming Universal Orlando Resort.

 

[Phroobar]

There is a Universal Moscow?

 

[lazyboy97o]

There is a Universal Moscow?

There was going to be. It was announced in 2012 but the invasion of Ukraine in 2014 pretty much killed it.

 

[BrianLo]

If there is anything I learned from this post is that I need to start using Crusty more. Lol. Great adjective. I was coming up with a mental must Do list if I were to throw USF into our WDW trip and I think I came up with ET, Mummy, Gringotts and Hogwarts Express if you want to give the USF the nod. Maybe Kong for the AA and MIB if there’s time as it seems to be viewed as one of if not the best shooter in the world? At IOA it would be Hagrids, Spider-Man, OG Jurassic Park and then maybe Dudley Do Rights if time permits and Veolicoaster if I’m feeling up for it. In other words as someone who’s been to USH numerous times I think I can get away with a one day park hopper for USF/ IOA and one day for Epic Universe.

On another note why is the resort have Orlando on the name but the park has Florida? Seems backwards.

Yup, I knew I was using it twice, but I think it fits. Crusty doesn’t mean un-presentable. It’s just passed the sell date and very few people will be sad if X, Y, Z lands or attractions are removed. Which basically describes the current resort, remove a good half of it and hardcore forum fans nor the general public will really mind. I think it’s telling that Universal creative has/had plans to rip out 1/2 the resort over time.

Even though I don’t really like Gringotts from an expectancy perspective, it’s a must do. The Bourne show is cool. Ya, both gates could be done fairly militantly in a day with USH related cuts made. For anyone else, it’s legitimately easy to do everything in two days if crowds are low. Because there is so little entertainment, it’s mostly just rides and then slowing down to enjoy the Potter stuff.

Fallon is amusing; but a really, really weird choice to center a nonsense simulator around a talk show. They’ve gotten pretty lucky he hasn’t imploded and left two minutes after they built it.

 

[Phroobar]

Isn't the Fallon ride basically the Minon Mayhem ride at USH? It's the old Jimmy Neutron ride.