WDW compared to other parks

[ransam]

Now I'm not even going to put any other amusement park up to WDW in quality and stuff, but there are some things you can compare it to,
I went to a park here in KC today called Worlds Of Fun, and being a Disney snob I had to comment. You really appreciate what WDW offers and the experience when you go to other parks.
The customer service in WDW is so off the chart when compared to customer service at WOF. I have gone to WDW many times over the last 20 years and have had maybe 2 bad experiences with people that work there. In one day at WOW I have at least 5 encounters where someone was rude, or just disinterested in helping out.
WDW is either older or at least very similar to WOF and it is crazy how they look. WDW looks like it was opened yesterday, so shinny and brand new. WOW is run down, dirty.

I can definitely see why Walt built his own park after witnessing how others are operated.

[Terra]

I 100% agree. Though admittedly I guess I'm one of those 'rose colored glasses' people

Since I live super close to the almost theme park capital of the US I can say 100% that WDW is the best and above and beyond!
Personally I don't care for Islands of Adventure or Universal anyway. Not my cup of tea. I'm not a high thrill ride person.
Legoland? We go, my boys like it [they adore WDW too.], but it's still not WDW!

There is just something truly magical as soon as you enter the World. It's like you leave reality and can truly forget your own troubles and just have fun and immerse yourself in fantasy and fabulous theming!

[VacationDisney]

I think WDW is one of a kind place to visit. Other try to be "like" WDW, but NONE can compare.

We have a Six Flags about 10 miles from us. My company decided to have an outing there for about 100 people. We went. We were disappointed.

The paint was chipping off the roller coaster, yes, it a VERY old roller coaster. There were weeds along the walkways. The people working there, mostly high school kids, were not helpful, at all, plus, some were even rude Don't EVEN get me started on the bathrooms

I walk into a Disney park and I REALLY am in another world. For an entire week I am acting like a kid again. Looking forward to riding the rides, seeing the characters around the parks, have fantastic meals and truly forgetting what is happening in the world. It IS a place that has brought back almost 30 times now and look forward to another 30 times

Walt did it right

[Terra]

I do remember living in Ohio and we went to King's Island fairly often. To me it just seemed like a race for rides. The only goal was to ride one thing after another.

I'm all about atmosphere as well. Which is why Disney just can't compare to anything. I'm there for much more than the rides. Which I realize is why people either love it or loath it.

I've been so many times where I ride nothing but just walk and enjoy being there.

[Stu29573]

I live about 45 minutes away from Six Flags Over Texas (the only REAL Six Flags, by the way). When it was first opened in the 60's it was actually a nice place with an interesting theme (the six flags that have flown over Texas throughout history) They had each of the "flags" represented in a themed area and costumes and rides reflected the theme. The rides were even a bit cutting edge , having the first log flume and mine train coaster, and a cave ride that Walt Disney personally inspected and later (some say) copied the ride system for Its a Small World.
Anyway, flashing forward 50 years, it is a dump. It's just like every other "Six Flags" with peeling paint, horrible employees, and no theme at all.
And therein lies the reason I get worried when WDW does things that I think don't support its original Ideals. I've seen a wonderful place fall apart. I can't bear the thought of that happening to Disney.

[JabberJaws]

Oh absolutely. I'm a big amusement/theme park fan and have been to quite a few different parks around the country. There may be some that can come close to aspects of Disney (Busch Gardens Williamsburg's natural beauty and landscaping, Universal/IOA's theming, Sea World Orlando's customer service, etc.) but none can match Disney overall. Where as one park may be great in one area, Disney exceeds across the board.

I think many of us that frequent WDW can get a bit spoiled and critical of Disney at times, but when you consider the high-level of all aspects of the park taking into account the age, size and the sheer volume of people funneling through WDW on a daily basis compared to other parks around the world it's easy to see why WDW is #1.

[texas211]

I live about 45 minutes away from Six Flags Over Texas (the only REAL Six Flags, by the way). When it was first opened in the 60's it was actually a nice place with an interesting theme (the six flags that have flown over Texas throughout history) They had each of the "flags" represented in a themed area and costumes and rides reflected the theme. The rides were even a bit cutting edge , having the first log flume and mine train coaster, and a cave ride that Walt Disney personally inspected and later (some say) copied the ride system for Its a Small World.
Anyway, flashing forward 50 years, it is a dump. It's just like every other "Six Flags" with peeling paint, horrible employees, and no theme at all.
And therein lies the reason I get worried when WDW does things that I think don't support its original Ideals. I've seen a wonderful place fall apart. I can't bear the thought of that happening to Disney.

Me too. Exactly the sentiment I think. What could happen...

Now, I think Universal Island Of Adventures is close. But that would be it. I do think Sea World Orlando is close. But anything outside of Orlando, I don't think so.

[#1donaldfan]

Disney just has that way to make you feel welcome even though they are reaching way down into your wallets. I don't even mind spending that kind of money on a week or so of entertainment, to get the service they give every day.

[joonyer]

There are a few other parks around the country that have good theming, or exciting attractions (thrill), or good customer service, but WDW still puts all those aspects together in the biggest package of all, with by far the most guests, and is still the king of the hill. Others may be making gains (US/IOA), but they still have a long way to go to unseat WDW as the best.

[i'm grumpy]

I haven’t been to WOF in forever. I only want to see the Peanuts section and I doubt it’s worth the admission fee. I love the rides at DW, especially RNR. I just am not that interested in Silver Dollar City and neither is anyone else. The kid rides are way to small for a adult to fit in.

[tjstrike]

Dollywood has made great strides in the last 10 years, (several new rides, new hotel and water park) but still doesn't compare to "The World".

[Susan A]

I wish the rest of the world could run as well as Disney!

[mcjaco]

You cannot compare WDW to a Six Flags and/or Cedar Fair park. It's not a fair comparison. They aren't built or aimed at the same demographic. WDW is a theme park, SF and CF parks are thrill ride parks.

That being said, I'd say you need to visit Busch Gardens Europe. Even Busch Gardens Africa is very nice. I'm also a fan of the Sea Worlds.

IOA/Univ. is on par theming wise with Disney. And there are enough kid things to do, but it is certainly geared more for the thrill ride seeker. I enjoy those parks as well.

Actually I enjoy any park. Even parks such as Little A-Merrick-A in Wisconsin. There's a certain charm to them that's being lost in the bigger is better mentality.

[ransam]

I haven’t been to WOF in forever. I only want to see the Peanuts section and I doubt it’s worth the admission fee. I love the rides at DW, especially RNR. I just am not that interested in Silver Dollar City and neither is anyone else. The kid rides are way to small for a adult to fit in.

The snoopy section is cool. just 100% aimed for kids.
we went to silver dollar city 2 weeks ago, and again it was fun but nothing spectacular. I like the old time feel but it's not something i'd do more than once every few years.

[TheVBs]

We don't typically go to other parks. We just don't have the interest. We go to WDW about every other year, and an entirely different type of vacation in between.

There have maybe been two other places we've been that I thought had a little bit of that Disney feel to them. One was a local water park hotel. All of the staff were friendly and helpful, all of the guests were smiling and saying hi to each other, and the themeing was fun. The other is a zoo about an hour from us. It has an Africa section. When you take the tram, there's a recording of someone with a South African accent telling you about Africa. And, when you get to that section, everything is really well themed, lots of details, to make you feel like you're there. Very well done!

Nothing truly compares to WDW though.

[TikiLounger]

We have a Six Flags in our state. It's in the western part, and we're WAY out in the eastern part so it's a long drive for a day at a theme park. When the kids were younger, we decided to give it a try. Big mistake. It was so shabby, compared to WDW. Trash and weeds along the walkways, rides that were clearly in need of some sprucing up, rude staff, bad food, etc. We sat through a show that was just awful and my husband pointed out that the Bugs Bunny costume one of the performers was wearing had visible duct tape at the neck seam! They didn't even attempt to hide it...it was just slapped on the outside! My kids weren't impressed, either. They kept asking, "but we can still go to Disney this year, right?" I was terrified of the rides because of the obvious lack of attention to them. I'm a ride person, too. I don't scare easily.

Nothing compares, but I will add that I REALLY love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I'm a huge HP fan, and they did a wonderful job. I'm looking forward to seeing the additions.

[1DisneyNut]

WDW is definitely the benchmark most of us compare others to and that is why some of us get so passionate and critical of Disney when they make moves in our favorite parks that degrade the experience. There have been several things over the past 5 years that I am very critical of and don't even get me started on Frozen being jammed into Norway replacing Maelstrom. However, WDW is still the best theme park but the separation is getting smaller each year.

We have been trying other places the past several years and have found others to be pretty good. As someone else mentioned, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a well themed very enjoyable park. Busch Gardens Tampa is also pretty good and we also enjoy Sea World Orlando every time we visit. I find Kennedy Space Center to be pretty good as well, especially if you are into space exploration and science.

I agree with others on Six Flags. We are only a couple of hours from Six Flags over Georgia in Atlanta. I used to buy annual passes about 20 years ago and go multiple times a year. We went a couple of years ago and it was a HUGE disappointment. It was for the most part in pretty decent shape and somewhat decently clean but the main problem was the demographic visiting the park and the experience. Basically, it is used as daycare by the Atlanta Metro area ghettos. Uncontrolled, inconsiderate brats and thugs were running amuck, harassing girls/women, cutting in line, stealing......you name it and it is ignored by the staff allowing it to continue. We will not be back unless we start hearing they have addressed these issues. It shouldn't be necessary to wear a gun while visiting a theme park.

We haven't tried Universal yet but it is now on the radar and we will probably be testing it out sometime in the next year.

[TikiLounger]

I'd like to add that my family also enjoys Sea World, Kennedy Space Center, and Busch Gardens, as well. Great take-ins!

[texas211]

The words Six Flags and Disney, shouldn't even be allowed in the same sentence.