Why California is the TRUE Theme Park Capital of the World.

Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
Kira Nerys said:
The castle parks are the most successful, so why argue with that success. EPCOT '94 was awesome in it's day, but now it's just a junkyard behind Spaceship Earth with an unjustifiable amount of brutal walking across huge open areas of concrete. With the exception of the Land boat ride, the charming World Showcase villages, the France movie, the Haunted American Adventure Mansion and the fountain playing music from The Rocketeer where Cory and Topanga kissed, it could use a massive overhaul. At this point, if it's more like The Magic Kingdom, it will still be improved.
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Variety is the spice of life. Not everything has to be the Magic Kingdom. True, Epcot is a shell of its former self, so ANY kind of investment is an improvement. It's just nice to have a park that caters to adults more than children. VARIETY.

Now MGM Studios, I mean Disney's Hollywood Studios, errr I mean Disney's Cinemagine Park is becoming Universal Studios Florida with their "RIDE THE MOVIES" concept, so there goes that. UNIFORMITY is bad for theme park fans because it limits our amusement park entertainment options and makes everything the same.

Which is why I prefer CA theme parks over Florida theme parks and thus consider the former to be the theme park capital of the world.
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
Welcome to another edition of the CA VS FL Theme Park Capital Battle! Today we look at Legoland and why CA scores another win.

Why Legoland California is Better:

1. LAYOUT: Legoland Florida has a weird, sprawling, vertical layout in contrast to the superior, user-friendly, circular layout out West.

Legoland FL Layout

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Legoland CA Layout

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2. MORE ATTRACTION/RIDES

Legoland FL has about 50 or so rides/attractions, Legoland CA has 60 rides/attractions.

According to the Legoland website.

LEGOLAND Florida is a 150-acre interactive amusement park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a Water Park and The LEGO World of Chima.
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LEGOLAND California is filled with more than 60 kid-powered, kid-tastic rides, shows and attractions all built for fun!
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3. BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

The CA park was organically Lego from the beginning, built from scratch. Everything that exists in the park is there by design.

The FL park actually was purchased & constructed on a previous failed amusement park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. It's sad because Cypress Gardens was basically the ORIGINAL amusement park in Florida, but it couldn't survive the market dominance of DISNEY/UNIVERSAL as stated before.

So what did the park do with many of the old rides? Instead of demo'ing them and starting fresh, they were given a cheap overlay in order to save money.

At least they also preserved the botanical gardens from the defunct park. What really es me off about the Disney/Universal MONOPOLY is that Cypress Gardens looked like a GREAT, UNIQUE park that would still be around today if Disney hadn't come to town.



4. SEA LIFE AQUARIUM/PROXIMITY OF PARKS: Sure, there is also an Orlando Sea Life Aquarium, but it is 40 MILES away from Legoland FL. In California, you have the Legoland Park, Water park, & Aquarium all part of the same resort. (Additional Fees)

I don't know why Florida parks tend to do this. It's the same thing with WDW. They own this massive land, but decide to spread out the parks miles apart from each other instead of putting it in close proximity A LA DL RESORT style for gusts convenience.

5. FOOD: Not much competition here. Though both resorts have your typical burgers, corn dogs and junk food, in typical California fashion you have food options that are fresher, healthier & meets greater dietary needs/wants.

Here is a list of all the restaurants/eateries in Legoland FL:

1. Adventure Snacks
2. Burger Kitchen
3. Castle Burger
4. Dino Slush
5. Firehouse Ice Cream
6. Fried Chicken Restaurant
7. Fun Town Pizza and Pasta Buffet
8. Fun Town Slushies
9. Granny's Apple Fries
10. Heartlake Ice Cream Parlor
11. Kingdom Cones
12. Pepper and Roni's Pizza Stop
13. Market Restaurant
14. Panini Grill

Here is Legoland CA eateries:

1. Burger Stop
2. Castle Burgers
3. Castle Ice Cream
4. City Park Creperie
5. Fun Town Hot Dogs
6. Fun Town's Urban Kitchen
7. Garden Restaurant
8. Granny's Apple Fries
9. Knight's Smokehouse BBQ
10. Lego Life Zone
11. Ninja Kitchen
12. Ocean Journey Cafe
13. Pizza & Pasta Cafe
14. Pizza Mania
15. The Market
16. Wok N Bowl Ramen

Legoland California is the better park overall. I'll give Legoland Florida credit for having the botanical gardens and jet ski water show. Though if you're interested in jet skiing, you can always try it yourself nearby at Carlsbad Lagoon. ;)

waverunners.jpg
 
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Travel Junkie

Travel Junkie

Well-Known Member
Hattieboxghost110 said:
The CA park was organically built from scratch. Everything that exists in the park is there by design.
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Organically and by design are opposites. CA is artificial design and FL was organic growth. That's actually in part why I prefer FL. Cypress Gardens grew organically, whereas CA's version was purpose built. Ironically this is the opposite of how it usually goes between the two states theme parks. CA parks as the older ones are more organic while FL's counterparts are purpose built.

You can't beat Legoland FL's setting.
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
Travel Junkie said:
Organically and by design are opposites. CA is artificial design and FL was organic growth. That's actually in part why I prefer FL. Cypress Gardens grew organically, whereas CA's version was purpose built. Ironically this is the opposite of how it usually goes between the two states theme parks. CA parks as the older ones are more organic while FL's counterparts are purpose built.

You can't beat Legoland FL's setting.
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Legoland Florida is not organically Lego. It has a lot of cheap overlays from a failed park and it shows. It was not freshly built from the ground up the way Legoland CA was. That was my point.
 
B

BD-Anaheim

Well-Known Member
Hattieboxghost110 said:
Welcome to another edition of the CA VS FL Theme Park Capital Battle! Today we look at Legoland and why CA scores another win.

Why Legoland California is Better:

1. LAYOUT: Legoland Florida has a weird, sprawling, vertical layout in contrast to the superior, user-friendly, circular layout out West.

Legoland FL Layout

d1bc5044615875.5818fb0b03f4e.png



Legoland CA Layout

legoland-malaysia.jpg



2. MORE ATTRACTION/RIDES

Legoland FL has about 50 or so rides/attractions, Legoland CA has 60 rides/attractions.

According to the Legoland website.






3. BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP

The CA park was organically Lego from the beginning, built from scratch. Everything that exists in the park is there by design.

The FL park actually was purchased & constructed on a previous failed amusement park, Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. It's sad because Cypress Gardens was basically the ORIGINAL amusement park in Florida, but it couldn't survive the market dominance of DISNEY/UNIVERSAL as stated before.

So what did the park do with many of the old rides? Instead of demo'ing them and starting fresh, they were given a cheap overlay in order to save money.

At least they also preserved the botanical gardens from the defunct park. What really ****es me off about the Disney/Universal MONOPOLY is that Cypress Gardens looked like a GREAT, UNIQUE park that would still be around today if Disney hadn't come to town.



4. SEA LIFE AQUARIUM/PROXIMITY OF PARKS: Sure, there is also an Orlando Sea Life Aquarium, but it is 40 MILES away from Legoland FL. In California, you have the Legoland Park, Water park, & Aquarium all part of the same resort. (Additional Fees)

I don't why Florida parks tend to do this. It's the same thing with WDW. They own this massive land, but decide to spread out the parks miles apart from each other instead of putting it in close proximity A LA DL RESORT style for gusts convenience.

5. FOOD: Not much competition here. Though both resorts have your typical burgers, corn dogs and junk food, in typical California fashion you have food options that are fresher, healthier & meets greater dietary needs/wants.

Here is a list of all the restaurants/eateries in Legoland FL:

1. Adventure Snacks
2. Burger Kitchen
3. Castle Burger
4. Dino Slush
5. Firehouse Ice Cream
6. Fried Chicken Restaurant
7. Fun Town Pizza and Pasta Buffet
8. Fun Town Slushies
9. Granny's Apple Fries
10. Heartlake Ice Cream Parlor
11. Kingdom Cones
12. Pepper and Roni's Pizza Stop
13. Market Restaurant
14. Panini Grill

Here is Legoland CA eateries:

1. Burger Stop
2. Castle Burgers
3. Castle Ice Cream
4. City Park Creperie
5. Fun Town Hot Dogs
6. Fun Town's Urban Kitchen
7. Garden Restaurant
8. Granny's Apple Fries
9. Knight's Smokehouse BBQ
10. Lego Life Zone
11. Ninja Kitchen
12. Ocean Journey Cafe
13. Pizza & Pasta Cafe
14. Pizza Mania
15. The Market
16. Wok N Bowl Ramen

Legoland California is the better park overall. I'll give Legoland Florida credit for having the botanical gardens and jet ski water show. Though if you're interested in jet skiing, you can always try it yourself nearby at Carlsbad Lagoon. ;)

waverunners.jpg
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What you totally fail to mention or perhaps recognize is that the SEALife Aquirium is built into an entertainment complex on International Drive that also includes a Madame Tussaud and the Eye.
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
BD-Anaheim said:
What you totally fail to mention or perhaps recognize is that the SEALife Aquirium is built into an entertainment complex on International Drive that also includes a Madame Tussaud and the Eye.
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The SEA LIFE Aquarium is better suited for children in the theme park complex of Legoland Park & Water Park than next to a wax museum & Ferris Wheel, IMO.
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
crxbrett said:
Other than the things you already mentioned, I feel like DW offers more expansive attractions and restaurants. World Showcase alone is a huge draw for me and nothing in DL compares to that really. All those shops, restaurants, lounges and shows are a big factor. Also, I prefer the vast, spread-out design of DW over DL. DW truly makes me feel like I am in another world and far away from the real world like work and the blight and worries outside of the Disney bubble.

Many times at DL I have noticed you can hear police or fire sirens racing by on Harbor or Katella that would never be an issue in LBV. You can also hear loud exhausts on cars and honking in certain areas of the parks. You can also see the power lines on the streets and outside buildings in DL in certain areas of the park or while on attractions. Also, there have been a few times a police helicopter (ghetto bird as they are referred to in SoCal slang) has been either chasing a suspect in a pursuit or searching for someone with the spotlight on and circling over DL. That completely destroys the mood and surroundings and overall feeling that I am escaping from the real world. I don't believe those things would or could ever occur at DW.

Variety of restaurants and bars is also a big reason I love DW more. Just with the hotels alone DW offers so many more than DL ever could. But the parks at DW also have way more dining options. DW has Middle Eastern, Hawaiian, Japanese, Chinese, French, Canadian as well as so many other dining options that DL doesn't have. DW's sit down restaurants are also much better than DL on the whole, though I will say DL has a slight edge over DW in terms of QS/CS locations. Disney Springs is also a far superior place for dining and shopping and strolling around than Downtown Disney is in Anaheim. DTD is pretty pathetic compared to DS.

More attractions and some very unique ones including Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, The Living Seas, Seven Dwarfs Mine Coaster, Rock N Roller Coaster, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pandora, Everest, Living with the Land, the American Adventure among some others. Also, for the most part, I prefer most of DW's attractions that are shared with DL. There are a few that are better at DL (Pirates of course), but just a few.

Little things like more lush and diverse landscaping, lagoons and lakes, way more spacious and a lot more room on walkways and pathways, bigger and more detailed and better designed queues, much better and way more impressive firework shows, alcohol in the MK at DW - those all make it better than DL to me.

As for things I can do at DW that I can't do at DL? I can go to a Disney water park. I can stay at least 7 different hotels next to one of the parks that are directly connected to the Monorail or a ferry or a boat launch. I can enjoy a drink with my dinner or lunch in the MK. I can walk around the parks without feeling like I am being herded around like a cow. lol I don;t have to worry about pathways constantly being closed off at night causing horrendous bottlenecks. I can rent a boat and go fishing or race on the lagoon or take a water cruise or go parasailing or go jet skiing.

Call me crazy, and maybe this is because I lived here my whole life, but I also prefer DW's weather. Especially in summer/fall with the thunderstorms. DL's weather, while more temperate overall, is just boring sometimes. Yeah, I know that sounds crazy! But I really do love watching the electrical storms and rain at DW. It adds to the appeal for me. I also hate dry weather like we have in fall and winter here. My skin gets all cracked and raw and itchy. The humidity is a really nice change while visiting DW. I know I don't need chapstick or lotion when I come to DW LOL

I realize the grass may be greener on the other side maybe in my case? I guess DW just offers a more complete package in terms of a full getaway destination for me. I've even done a week at DL to see how a real vacation feels there and it just pales in comparison to DW.

Okay. Commence the rotten tomatoes and garbage that were aimed my way. :p:cool::joyfull:
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"The Guardians of the Galaxy inspired coaster is part of our ongoing work to transform Epcot into a place that’s more family, more relevant, more timeless and more Disney. ( DISNEY QUOTE)

EPCOT is dying a fast death. Pretty soon, all that will be left in Orlando/Florida is the Magic Kingdom x 9.

This is why the Disney/Universal market dominance is so bad in Orlando. Mark my words, there will come a day when this MONOPOLY will destroy Seaworld/Legoland/Busch Gardens/Fun Spot and all that will be left standing is DISVERSAL!
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
Kira Nerys said:
A big strike against CA is the removal of the E.T. Adventure. It was just too charming for CA park guests. The Mummy ride doesn't even have Brendan Fraser yelling about coffee at the end.
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I hate to burst your bubble, but ET's days are numbered. It's sitting on prime real estate right next to the future Super Nintendo World. It's not being teared down yet, but once the cash starts rolling in from Mario, they will tear it down faster than a mother...
 
Hattieboxghost110

Hattieboxghost110

Well-Known Member
Universal Orlando is heavily rumored to announce a 3RD GATE (Volcano Bay is a water park, not a theme park) this year. According to insiders, this is going to be a MAGIC KINGDOM style park.

Boy, do I hate to be so right. As stated before, all the parks in FL are becoming the MK. What Orlando theme parks need is VARIETY, which California has in spades.

I'm sure it'll be a great park, but COME ON. Universal is already getting rid of their big boy coasters, in favor of family coasters.

PREDICTION: In the next 20 years, Disney/Universal will be ALL THAT IS LEFT with their Magic Kingdom Parks in the theme park market in FL.
 

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