"Thrill" Rides

[EpcotGrl]

Frankly, I love WDW because of the friendliness of the thrill rides, if that makes sense. I hate heights and can't stand most roller coasters; IOA, Six Flags, etc. are not even worth it to me. Yet I will go on every single "thrill" ride at Disney because they're so darned themed!

So while this might "de-thrill" thrill rides at WDW, it's not always a bad thing. You get the same rush, but you're lulled in to it. If that makes sense

 

[MuRkErY]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! !! Oh dear me...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHA!!!

I don't think I can disagree on ANY SUBJECT more than this. Don't say this to serious park designers, or any of the bigwigs (Eddie Sotto, etc.)...you'll get laughed out of the room.

Read ANY of the books dedicated to Disney design and architecture (ESPECIALLY John Hench's "Designing Disney") and then you'll see that IOA, while it has good theming, doesn't even come close to old-school Disney. I might give you that IOA is themed better than AK, and perhaps MGM, but it's not even in the same ballpark as Epcot and MK.

LoL, personally i like the AK theming more than the MK theming (Apart from Dinoland), all though that's more my personal prefernce of liking the idea of a being in a jungle type area to a Fantsyland/Tommowland type area, rather than crtising which park makes better use of Forced Persprctive, blah, blah.

I would say that IoA has some areas in the same leauge as Epcot and MK as well, ok some of the rides such as Dudley do rights theming is a bit wak, along with some of the carbaord cutouts on Superhero Island, but Some of the Theming in the Lost Continent and Port of Entry are great, i think the architechure is probably better at Epcot but i just like the idea of the Lost continent (Even if was kinda stolen from Disney), and the Dueiling Dragons Q line beats most of the Q's at Diseny.

I like Both, but i would say quite a bit of the IoA theming is on par with a lot of Disney Theming.

 

[Indy95]

LoL, personally i like the AK theming more than the MK theming (Apart from Dinoland), all though that's more my personal prefernce of liking the idea of a being in a jungle type area to a Fantsyland/Tommowland type area, rather than crtising which park makes better use of Forced Persprctive, blah, blah.

I would say that IoA has some areas in the same leauge as Epcot and MK as well, ok some of the rides such as Dudley do rights theming is a bit wak, along with some of the carbaord cutouts on Superhero Island, but Some of the Theming in the Lost Continent and Port of Entry are great, i think the architechure is probably better at Epcot but i just like the idea of the Lost continent (Even if was kinda stolen from Disney), and the Dueiling Dragons Q line beats most of the Q's at Diseny.

I like Both, but i would say quite a bit of the IoA theming is on par with a lot of Disney Theming.

Well I must say I appreciate your politeness...you don't get that a lot with a post like mine on these boards.

I just wanted to say that in NO WAY am I calling IOA's theming bad. Far from it. I'm just saying that it's still not in Disney's league. Read Designing Disney or the Architecture of Reassurance and you'll know why.

P.S. While I agree that DD's queue is very good, one queue does not a good park make. Even so, IJA's queue at DL is better than DD's, so an argument really can't be made for it anyway.

 

[NemoRocks78]

along with some of the carbaord cutouts on Superhero Island

You're supposed to feel like you're in a comic book world....they work pefectly fine and really add to the already fantastic theming of the island.

Even so, IJA's queue at DL is better than DD's, so an argument really can't be made for it anyway.

That's just your opinion though.....

 

[Lynx04]

Us theme park fans are the only people that really see the difference in quality in theme between the two. If I try to look at the quality of themeing in the eyes of a GP, IOA could easly pass as a Disney park (not in theme topic, but in quality of theme).

 

[Nansafan]

My first impression of IOA was, "holy cow, they totally copied the MK". Port of Entry lighthouse = Cinderella's Castle (something you keep walking towards to get the hub area). The Islands are laid out like the Lands at the MK, different lands connected by bridges. As they say "imitation is the greatest form of flattery." We've been to IOA twice. It is not worth the price of a one day ticket for me to ride Spiderman, The Hulk, The Cat In The Hat, Ripsaw Falls and the Popeye/Bluto raft ride (I've never gotten wetter anywhere else than I did on this one).

 

[coasterphil]

A few years down the line, after some big new additions at IOA, I think it will rival the Magic Kingdom for the best park. The theming is definitely on par with Disney, I might even prefer it to most of Disney's and they have some of the best thrill rides in the country.

The fact that most everyone here is such a rabid Disney fan makes it extremely difficult to have a good discussion on this. I'm fairly certain that even if IOA was clearly better than anything Disney you would still argue against it.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and all they do but they don't seem to be doing enough to stay way ahead on Universal 5-10 years from now like they have been.

 

[Lynx04]

My first impression of IOA was, "holy cow, they totally copied the MK". Port of Entry lighthouse = Cinderella's Castle (something you keep walking towards to get the hub area). The Islands are laid out like the Lands at the MK, different lands connected by bridges. As they say "imitation is the greatest form of flattery." We've been to IOA twice. It is not worth the price of a one day ticket for me to ride Spiderman, The Hulk, The Cat In The Hat, Ripsaw Falls and the Popeye/Bluto raft ride (I've never gotten wetter anywhere else than I did on this one).

I disagree, IOA has very little similarities in layout to MK. First, Cinderella's Castle is smack dead in the middle of the park. The Lighthouse is not even in the park, it is out front at the entrence. IOA has a lagoon in the center of the park, MK does not. While yes, there are bridges connecting the islands together, it wouldn't make sense to call it Islands of Adventures if it was all connected by one single land. With MK most people go right to left (starting at Tomorrowland), while at IOA most go left to right (starting at Marvel). Even the lands don't share anything common.

 

[Lynx04]

And yet I would argue that AK is the best themed park in Florida.

I would agree with you, the only thing, I think AK needs is the addition of attractions. EE is a great step, but more attractions are needed. I honestly feel that AK has the potential of being the best theme park in Orlando.

 

[Indy95]

You're supposed to feel like you're in a comic book world....they work pefectly fine and really add to the already fantastic theming of the island.

But that doesn't make sense at all. If you're supposed to be "in" a comic book world, then why isn't everything 3-D? Comic book heroes aren't just cardboard cutouts banging into each other. They're actual people, with actual lives. In Marvel Super Hero Island, it seems like you're reading a comic book world, not actually inside. I mean, a Winnie the Pooh book has pictures in it, so does that mean that it's a good idea for Disney to cheap out and make a Pooh area 2-D cutouts? Comics heroes are just as "real" as any other characters in any other story, so there is no excuse for Universal's decision in the execution. It looks cheap and plays cheap, and the guest can sense it. And then, of course, IOA (and every Universal fan) goes the DCA route by sticking their fingers in their ears and yelling "No, it's SUPPOSED to look cheap! That's how comics are! You just don't understand it!" Which doesn't play at all, because no, that's NOT how comics are. MSHI is just a HUGE thematic swing-and-a-miss by Universal.

(And another thing, if everything is supposed to be 2-D, then why are there walk-around characters?! Bad show!)

That's just your opinion though.....

While technically true, I don't see how anyone can say that DD's queue is better than IJA's knowing that the payoff at the end is a 95% unthemed roller coaster. At least you have to be paying SOME attention at IJA to know what's going to happen during the ride, but for DD you can just skip the queue and you won't miss a beat.

The fact that most everyone here is such a rabid Disney fan makes it extremely difficult to have a good discussion on this.

Well whenever you want to have a "good discussion," I'm right here.

I'm fairly certain that even if IOA was clearly better than anything Disney you would still argue against it.

And I'm sure Disney fans feel the exact same way about Universal fans right now.

I disagree, IOA has very little similarities in layout to MK.

A big similarity is the Main Street function of Port of Entry.

Don't get me wrong, I love Disney and all they do but they don't seem to be doing enough to stay way ahead on Universal 5-10 years from now like they have been.

LMAX. Soarin. Everest. A new E-Ticket water ride is being considered for 20k. A new pavilion in place of WoL, not to mention updates of UoE, SSE, LS, JIYI, and Innoventions are being considered. New attractions for WS are being considered. A new land for AK once EE is finished. Plans for the Great Muppet Movie Ride and IJA have been taken out of mothballs and are being considered. Meanwhile, IOA has not opened ANY new attraction in the past five years.

Pray tell, what would constitute "doing enough?"

 

[jesserin]

I would have to say that It really comes down to lifestyle - those that love Disney live a more PG lifestyle - they don't enjoy feeling assutled and attacked and they do enjoy all the things that take them back to their childhood...

Meanwhile, those that seem to adore Universal so much (and yet join WDW sites???) must live a more R rated lifestyle - they enjoy the attacked and assulted feelings as if they are a way of life -

At the end of the day - Universal exhausts me... between the attempts to make you feel as if scare tactics are the wave of the future and the obvious lack of culture... I look to Disney to bring back that sense of wholeness - the one where kindness and graciousness are required of the people who are employed there and those that visit feel like they are kids again... as for thrill - to those who prefer Universal? My goodness, keep them please! I have no desire to try and "convert" universal diehards into Disneydiehards - it's simply what you are, how you live and what you enjoy that leads you to one or the other - you can actually tell alot about a person's character by which they prefer... I don't mind the Universal fans... I prefer they keep them out of the disney parks - don't dilute a good thing!

This obviously sounds like i'm reading into it pretty far - but if you think about it for a moment, you can quickly realize just how accurate this statement was...

 

[Lynx04]

I would have to say that It really comes down to lifestyle - those that love Disney live a more PG lifestyle - they don't enjoy feeling assutled and attacked and they do enjoy all the things that take them back to their childhood...

Meanwhile, those that seem to adore Universal so much (and yet join WDW sites???) must live a more R rated lifestyle - they enjoy the attacked and assulted feelings as if they are a way of life -

At the end of the day - Universal exhausts me... between the attempts to make you feel as if scare tactics are the wave of the future and the obvious lack of culture... I look to Disney to bring back that sense of wholeness - the one where kindness and graciousness are required of the people who are employed there and those that visit feel like they are kids again... as for thrill - to those who prefer Universal? My goodness, keep them please! I have no desire to try and "convert" universal diehards into Disneydiehards - it's simply what you are, how you live and what you enjoy that leads you to one or the other - you can actually tell alot about a person's character by which they prefer... I don't mind the Universal fans... I prefer they keep them out of the disney parks - don't dilute a good thing!

This obviously sounds like i'm reading into it pretty far - but if you think about it for a moment, you can quickly realize just how accurate this statement was...

I don't understand why people have to like one over the other. It seems that people think they are not allowed to like both parks. You either like Universal or you like Disney.

Am I alone, am I the only one on here that likes both Disney and Universal just the same?

 

[jesserin]

Nah, I would have to say that B/C of the whole "tired of fairytales?" campaign that Universal pretty much decided to make it a choice - I can honestly say that my first anniversary was a horrible experience due to spending 3 days at Universal - miserable in fact - where we expected so much of the same atmosphere, just a little more "grown up" we actually received a terrible experience which frankly gave me a migrane for 3 days straight - (banging my head up against the restraint system on over half the rollercoasters didn't help)

I felt like I was paying the price of Disney (which we were) to receive the service of the local fairgrounds... I def do not like both - I have a very strong preferance and my clients who have trusted me for years to send them on wonderful vacations - have totally agreed... once you try it, you never have to go back...

 

[Indy95]

I don't understand why people have to like one over the other. It seems that people think they are not allowed to like both parks. You either like Universal or you like Disney.

Have you seen the Universal/Disney comparison chart? It's Universal that's encouraging this divide. It's their fault why people think they have to like on over the other.

 

[Lynx04]

A big similarity is the Main Street function of Port of Entry.

Yes, but most parks have shops right next to the entrence, in a similar layout as MK. I don't think Universal took that idea directly from MK, as much as it is a no brainer.

 

[Lynx04]

Have you seen the Universal/Disney comparison chart? It's Universal that's encouraging this divide. It's their fault why people think they have to like on over the other.

I don't think they are trying to make people like one more then the other, I think they are just trying to take Disney's guests away from them. Just like how Disney is trying to put more thrilling attractions to keep guests in their parks rather then go to Universal.

Both of them are trying to take each others guests, neither of them are wrong for doing it. Don't forget that Universal vs Disney only benefits us guests, it brings out the best in both resorts.

 

[jesserin]

I will agree with you there - the competition does keep all on their toes...

 

[dvcnut39]

I get more of a thrill out of riding Pirates of the Carribean than most attractions at IOA. To me the biggest roller coaster cant top the thrill of seeing Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress. When I go to WDW every ride gives me a thrill; from the little Teacups to Mission: Space. So the next time I see my frined I'm going to tell him how WDW indeed DOES have more thrill rides than USF/IOA.

Well said.

 

[basas]

" I don't understand why people have to like one over the other. It seems that people think they are not allowed to like both parks. You either like Universal or you like Disney.

Am I alone, am I the only one on here that likes both Disney and Universal just the same? "

I posted the same thing over in "Universal Vs. Disney" thread.

You're not alone. I prefer Disney- but also love the Universal parks.

 

[Indy95]

Yes, but most parks have shops right next to the entrence, in a similar layout as MK. I don't think Universal took that idea directly from MK, as much as it is a no brainer.

Actually, they did steal the idea from Disney. Before Disneyland, all amusement parks had multiple entrances and midways, with different shops and restaurants in each to cut down on overcrowding. Disneyland was the first to have a single entrance midway, to emphasize the "movie" theme of the park by having Main Street covered by a "curtain" (train station) and then revealing it as Scene One. IOA directly imitates this. It's a no-brainer because Disney's original concept worked so well!

I don't think they are trying to make people like one more then the other, I think they are just trying to take Disney's guests away from them.

But the two go hand-in-hand. So you're saying that UO is trying to bring guests to their park but NOT like it? That doesn't make any sense. The entire point of the chart is to get people to "like" Universal better. If they didn't think they would then they wouldn't go in the first place.

Just like how Disney is trying to put more thrilling attractions to keep guests in their parks rather then go to Universal.

But they're not. Disney is building thrill attractions because it wants to build thrill attractions. They've been building thrill attractions since the Matterhorn. It has nothing to do with Universal. Disney doesn't give Universal nearly as much credit as you think it does. Since IOA was not the booming success it was supposed to be, Disney doesn't care about building thrill attractions to compete with a park that has nowhere near the WDW attendance levels. If they did, then where's the Spider-Man clone? Or the Hulk clone? Or DD? Or the Jurassic Park River Adventure? Why would Disney have gone cheap with JIYI, Dino-Rama, and SGE if IOA was such a threat to them? No, the fact is that Universal has yet to build something that Disney does not already have, and until that changes Disney won'y pay heed to what Universal is doing. Notice how Universal increases ticket prices AFTER Disney increases theirs. Notice how Disney builds simulator, then UO builds simulator. Disney builds indoor roller coaster, then Universal builds indoor roller coaster. Notice how UO had to steal Disney's plans for BK to complete their new park, and steal the theme and layout for DTC to build its big E-Ticket. Do you see Disney doing this? No, because they don't care enough about UO to warrant such tactics.