Theme Parks

JWKarlsen · Post by **JWKarlsen** » Oct Wed 12, 2005 9:34 am

just because i'm a bit curious: in one of the other topics the discussion was about the copying of the disney park concept and six flags was mentioned. what other theme parks are there in the us? and are there different concepts? i guess there are also some mixtures of theme park / adventure / experience and maybe museum. i'd like to see a wide range which would also include wet'n'wild, sea world and the ksc. these are the ones i know of, besides the afore mentioned six flags and of course disney / epcot / mgm-studios. i'm curious about your answers

knedeau · Post by **knedeau** » May Wed 03, 2006 10:31 am

Don't forget about Busch Gardens. There is one inf VA and one in FL. Fun for a day or so. Better than 6 flags, not as good as disney.

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » May Wed 03, 2006 2:52 pm

Busch Gardens VA reminds me of an all Europe EPCOT and some of their rides even seem Disney-ish

(Like Corkscrew Hill)

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » May Wed 03, 2006 2:55 pm

Busch Gardens Europe is my hometown park - it's amazingly themed, has phenomenal coasters and rides, pretty good food and super entertainment and great guest service. It's about as close to Disney as you can get (and that goes for all Busch parks).

SpaceyMounty · Post by **SpaceyMounty** » May Wed 31, 2006 2:07 pm

Theres a Park in Salt Lake City, Utah called Lagoon....its like a nice carnival, but I like it. Its fun for about a day or so. But Im gonna go there this summer and go to Lagoon for my disney fix, even though its nothing like disneyland.

James

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 5:32 am

To look at it the other way, I would say that Animal Kingdom is Disney's answer to Busch Gardens and MGM is Disney's Universal.

Tokyo DisneySeas is more of its own idea. When I saw their Vulcania, I wet myself. Metaphorically speaking, of course:

In Orlando, Universal Studios is sort of a watered-down movie-based Disney park (even less interesting than MGM), but Islands of Adventure (a new-ish park right next to Universal Studios Orlando) is very similar to a Disney park, with more "thrilling" thrill rides and the standard mix of dark rides, shows, and such.

Universal has done a terrible job of advertising that Islands of Adventure is its own park and also that it's not nearly as gloomy as their Studios.

It's absolute nirvana for those who enjoy the source material their islands are based on (Marvel Comics, classic cartoons/comic strips, Jurassic Park, typical Ren Faire/fantasy stuff, and Dr. Seuss). It's somewhat less rewarding if you don't dig all that stuff, obviously.

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 6:01 am

I'm a big fan of Universal and IOA - I actually think the US park is great with some magnificent attractions. IOA is a stand alone top notch park with the rides, but you're right about it not being as rewarding if you're not into the theme as much - but how can anyone not dig Spidy?!

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 6:10 am

I've always thought Universal was pretty lame, relative to Disney. When Disney opened their Studios, I was wondering what on Earth had happened that they'd now started copying others.

Of course, I probably would have been more tolerant if they'd made something as cool as the Animal Kingdom (which is obviously based on another park, but brought to a new level).

You're absolutely right about Spider-Man, though. I've never met anyone of any age, background, or interests that didn't love Spider-Man. Probably the best dark ride ever created. Almost worth the price of admission right there, even moreso if you have even a passing interest in comics.

AKLRULZ · Post by **AKLRULZ** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 7:01 am

Busch Gardens Europe developed an attraction identical to the Spidy technology, but with a haunted castle theme - it's not quite as great as Spidy, but it is cool to see this exact type of ride outside of a major tourist spot such as Universal/Disney/Orlando. 8)

Club33Hopeful · Post by **Club33Hopeful** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 10:51 am

I would have to agree with the thoughs of Universal being pretty lame. I don't dig the themeing, so I am left with a few good rides and some mediocre rides. I feel about the same going to a Six Flags park.

Post by **spaulo** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 11:15 am

Northern California has two amusement parks I'm aware of... Six Flags' Marine World, and Paramount's Great America. GA is interesting, it's had its ups and downs over the years (ownership has changed from Six Flags, to the county of Santa Clara (it was dirrrrty in those years) to Paramount), and the kiddie stuff is based on Hanna-Barbera characters, which is kind of neat. Mostly roller coasters, little to no themeing, not all that interesting.

Marine World was once called Marine World Africa USA, and had three sections: Marine World was a Sea World-style aquarium/water shows/etc area, Africa was basically a zoo, and the "USA" section had a few rides/coasters. Then Six Flags bought it and are really trying to make it Sea World with the Warner Bros. properties. They're actually doing a parade for the Six Flags 45th anniversary this year, and the themeing is supposed to be decent (I haven't been there since the Six Flags purchase) and they've like, tripled the number of rides.

disneydreamer58 · Post by **disneydreamer58** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 11:29 am

What about Knotts Berry Farm? I know when my nieces were little they loved that place. I have been there since 1977 .... so it's been awhile

Post by **spaulo** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 11:31 am

Knotts, as I recall, is cute but nothing special. It's down near Disneyland and I haven't been there since I was a little kid (mid-late 80s)

Club33Hopeful · Post by **Club33Hopeful** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 11:31 am

spaulo wrote:Marine World was once called Marine World Africa USA, and had three sections: Marine World was a Sea World-style aquarium/water shows/etc area, Africa was basically a zoo, and the "USA" section had a few rides/coasters.

Marine World used to be in Redwood Shores, and then was moved to Vacaville years ago. Every time I go out to Oracle for business, I am remided of this. Oracle bought a lot of the old Marine World property, and they built their corporate towers around the large lagoon that used to house the water-skiing show.

Post by **spaulo** » Jun Thu 01, 2006 11:33 am

Actually, Marine World is in Vallejo, not Vacaville. And it's been in Vallejo for at least two decades, as I remember my family going when I was very young...