The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[Phroobar]

MK trading Rivers of America for cartoon cars has killed that park for me. My CA family was equally dismayed. On their recent trip to join me in Orlando for a few days, we did Epic Universe, Animal Kingdom, IoA, Epcot and USF. Stayed at Sapphire Falls. Had a fantastic time.

This is a factor I think could keep gaining traction. WDW and UOR are becoming more and more like each other as WDW keeps tearing out the Original Generations attractions/themes and Universal keeps becoming more well-rounded and diverse in its offerings. Between the two resorts, there are seven of the world’s most impressive theme parks—a collection with something for just about every age and interest. Pick and choose! Combine the bubbles! Wear Epic Universe shirts at Epcot and vice-versa! Enjoy the best attractions Univisney Florida has to offer!

If I where to go back to Florida, that is exactly the parks I would go to.

 

[Phroobar]

Went hiking up in Griffith Park this morning. All of this rain made the mountains lush and the air clean. Even saw a couple of coyotes on the trail.
View attachment 899458

Can't find that in any theme park

 

[Rich T]

The og ROA exists at DL. WDW has many rivers and boats to enjoy and ft wilderness is classic frontierland come to life. USF is the worst park of the 7 easily though.

For me, the continuing cartoon-ification of MK keeps erasing the variety and historic “groundedness” of the areas that were necessary to make the park feel balanced. WDW does have many rivers and boats… but the best, most emotional and story-driven river/boat combo of the whole property (and one of the few MK features I thought was superior to the DL original) is gone.

Totally agree that USF is currently the weakest of the 7 parks—unless you go for an event. I think Universal needs to double down on the Studio’s identity as the “Party Park,” which is where the place really comes to life. During non-special-event periods, it needs help. Combining it with Citywalk and a stay at a water taxi hotel makes for a good day.

I’m hoping the new coaster greatly helps it toward a new era where it’s more than just the back door to IoA after doing Diagon Alley.

 

[Distorian]

Spent another morning hiking in Griffith Park. Hiked up to the Hollywood Sign from Lake Hollywood to Travel Town. Met a mule deer and another coyote while on the trail. Air was so clear atop Cahuenga Peak you could see the snowcapped Mt Wilson And all the way to Santa Catalina at the same time.

 

[mickEblu]

MK trading Rivers of America for cartoon cars has killed that park for me. My CA family was equally dismayed. On their recent trip to join me in Orlando for a few days, we did Epic Universe, Animal Kingdom, IoA, Epcot and USF. Stayed at Sapphire Falls. Had a fantastic time

Well on the bright side between the ROA being hacked up, purchasing LL’s and being a long time Disneylander I can probably get away with one day at MK when I go and use that day somewhere else.

 

[Rich T]

Well on the bright side between the ROA being hacked up, purchasing LL’s and being a long time Disneylander I can probably get away with one day at MK when I go and use that day somewhere else.

I would seriously encourage any Disneyland fan heading to Orlando to swap out an MK day for a day at IoA or Epic (Epic’s the better park, but as much as it’s my favorite Florida park…I’d currently put a capacity-related asterisk next to that recommendation ).

Every theme park fan should see MK at least once, but—for many DL regulars, once could be enough (IMO) for the very reasons you mention.

 

[mickEblu]

I would seriously encourage any Disneyland fan heading to Orlando to swap out an MK day for a day at IoA or Epic (Epic’s the better park, but as much as it’s my favorite Florida park…I’d currently put a capacity-related asterisk next to that recommendation ).

Every theme park fan should see MK at least once, but—for many DL regulars, once could be enough (IMO) for the very reasons you mention.

Yeah I definitely need to see it. On second thought, it’s really only the flat rides that are truly expendable. The nerd in me wants to see the differences with all the “clones” and you still have a decent number of attractions that are unique to West coasters. Probably still need 1.5 to 2 days on that first trip. But I’d imagine that would go down to 0-1 days on subsequent trips.

See they kind of make you make some difficult choices now with Epic. Before the thought process was squeeze in a one day park hopper for Universal. Obviously that’s out of the question now. And unless you are taking a really long vacation you have some choices to make as a first timer. Time allocated to other parks needs to get cut down or rest days to cut out. By my math you need at least 7 days at WDW as a first timer to do it right. At least two days at Universal. And if you are trying to squeeze in a cruise forget about it. Kind of want to knock out a lot in Orlando as I need to start seeing other parts of the world and don’t know when I’d be back.

 

[Rich T]

…
See they kind of make you make some difficult choices now with Epic. Before the thought process was squeeze in a one day park hopper for Universal. Obviously that’s out of the question now. And unless you are taking a really long vacation you have some choices to make as a first timer. Time allocated to other parks needs to get cut down or rest days to cut out. By my math you need at least 7 days at WDW as a first timer to do it right. At least two days at Universal. And if you are trying to squeeze in a cruise forget about it. Kind of want to knock out a lot in Orlando as I need to start seeing other parts of the world and don’t know when I’d be back.

Yes—Epic has really stirred things up. The situation is slowly improving: UO will be selling Epic-inclusive parkhopping tickets starting in January — but only in 3, 4, or 5 day options. If/When they eventually offer a one day Epic park-to-park pass, that’ll really make Epic and the rest of UO an easy add-on or spur-of-the-moment change-of-plans for vacationers. Even for people who are just curious and want to stroll through the 3 parks and see what they’re like.

Man, I’m hoping Epic gets added as an AP upgrade option sometime in 2026– Even if it’s just for, say, entry after 6 PM. The food there is so good!!!!!!