Florida: I haven't been to USF.
Come on Gareth, Erik, and Anthony. J/K
It's time for an all out war!!!
As the people mentioned above (and many other regulars to this site) already know, I'm very much pro-Universal, but I enjoy Disney alot as well.
Disney's waterparks are the best though!
C'mon Anthingy, join us on the dark side and vote Uni!!!
Universal is number one for me. Compared to Disney, Universal beats Disney all the time. Given the choice I would definetely choose the better parks in Universal. Although I agree with Gareth H, the disney waterparks are better in comparison to Wet n Wild. Better theming and slides.
Such as myself. Can't get enough of the video games!
I'm siding with Universal all the way. Uh oh, Disney fans are returning fire!
Well, you've just convinced me to never go USF.
You just realized that there is a civil war on Themeparkinsider? I knew of it for awhile!
You see the problem with this discussion is this: People who like Universal better have to always put anything Disney down (I am not saying all of you, but you know who you are!
Here is what I think about it all:
I do not think that there is anything wrong really with Universal, but I think that they have just ripped off most of what Disney World has done, but of course, what park in the world (even Six Flags) has not taken its cues from Disney? In regards to the price of the tickets, I have not a clue where you are buying your tickets from because in the past three years I have noticed that the prices have been the same or been less than five dollar difference. Does Universal has more specials? Yes, but Disney is jam packed with people so why do they need to spend money on marketing they don't need. Also, it seems to me (mind you I am from IL) that Flordia people would like to see Disney fail no matter what in Orlando. They have some kind of resentment for it (I have relatives in FL so I am not totally making this up). Because of this, I think that FL residents have a bias for USF.
Like I said, I have no problem with Universal, but Disney does it all better. What makes Universal great? Theming (Disney set the standard), great employees (Disney is known for their cast members). Ride innovation (Spiderman is the great, but this is all Universal has done on absolute inovation, Disney has the rest!) Rides to remember (how many of you can't get the Its a Small World song out of your head?)
The one thing I will give Universal is that it has more thill rides, thats fine. I just love theme parks so I would go to Universal or Disney anytime! And I would go with any of you! I at least know that somebody else notices the quality and purpose of a theme park besides me!
Universal's rides are much more innovative than almost all of Disney's (with exception of Indy at DL). Even Mission: Space is relatively simple centrifuge technology that can be found at any county fair, Disney just does it with style and fancy tv screens!
Even if Universal "rips off" Disney, I feel they make their attractions much better than Disney's model attractions.
When it comes to themeing yes Anthony, Disney does set the standard, but Universal is not far behind and when is comes to movie related themeing Universal takes the cake, I mean come on, look at MGM, then look at USF.
One less disneyphile complaining of the lack of rodents.
Disney Quest is closing...or rumored to be.
As for disney being ripped off. Absolutely. They were pretty much first so that goes without saying. Everyone takes what one person does successfully and copies it. Sure they got a lot of ideas from disney, but Universal takes what disney did and keeps it fresh, keeps it going, and does it better. Civil War? What we have here is failure to communicate.
This war still has over 30 more responses before it's over!!! Can the Disney defenders fight thier way out of the trenches or will we Universalites continue to rank supreme?!!! Viva La Universal!!!! J/K lol
Disney, while it has some great rides, likes to spread them all over the four parks, making it more difficult. I like having everything close by without having to take buses or monorails to the other parks. Erik already brought up everything about the theming, pricing, and so forth, so there's not much else for me to add at this point.
I will say that going to Disney with children under 9 years old is much more ideal than going to Universal. However, when out of state friends visit, Universal is ALWAYS going to be the place I take them unless they specifically request Disney.
Thats okay Austin...Mickey doesnt like me either. And if you dont like the answers us Universal guys give, stop asking questions like that...you know we're all fairly open guys and will tell you what we think.
I guess the biggest reason that I dislike disney is what I've said time and time again. Walt made disney to make money, this is true. But he also made it as a place for families to be families. For people of all ages to be able to share memories together. The powers that be, or were, changed all that. They made disney into a brand name, a name that says "family" but means "money". It decieves people. I might even go so far as to say that they brainwash people into thinking that if its not disney its not family. Disney is one of the biggest companies in the world, stretching from parks to movies to food...the list is endless. And thats great. But while they stay wholesome on one side, they have just as many non wholesome products and services out there, yet they try to wipe it away as if it never existed.
Disney, to me, stands for the ultimate in evil. They poison the minds of the young while taking the money of the old. I dont like them anymore....which is sad because growing up I loved them. I asked my wife to marry me at EPCOT on Christmas day, and we had our honeymoon there later. Lots of good memories at disney, which is why it breaks my heart to see them the way they are. People will pick apart my words and try to tell me how wrong I am, and how disney is the best.....but I wont hear it. I go for my kids sake, and even they can feel something wrong with it. They love the brand, as hard as I've tried to not let them.
The time I gave up on disney was about the same time I found Univeral and realized that it doesnt have to be all fake...well, it does really...but Universal just seems a little more real to me. I'm not trying to change anyones mind, just stating an opinion. If you want some reading that might change your mind, try Carl Hiaasen's Team Rodent......How disne devours the world. That will change your mind in a heartbeat.
Enjoy the war!
2. Because of this, there tends to be more Universal lovers and Disney haters.
This is a facinating conversation, but I still feel that Universal is a close second from Disney (big suprise right?).
In regards to Universal having three of the best roller coasters? Are you being serious here? I am not saying that the roller coasters are bad, but I can save my money and go to Six Flags Great America and go on Batman (the first inverted roller coaster) and Iron Wolf (a Stand up roller coaster)which both have been around more than 10 years of IOA. IOA's roller coasters are nothing special, great, but nothing special. Which begs the question where is Universal taking its ideas? Is it trying to be like Disney or like Six Flags? Universal might have all the thrills, but there is nothing in the park that will burn a memory into the tourist!
It is also a sad day when the way Universal has to get people is by letting people stay free on their grounds and their commercials are just them ripping Disney apart, nothing about why they are better.
Its a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.......For Disney
Can millions of tourists be wrong?
To respond to you Erik, Disney was NOT orignally in it for the money! He might have been after he saw it as a success, but Universal (or any other theme park at that matter) is not any better than Disney in that case! If they were not interested in the money, they would have never built their parks so close to Disney World.
Open minds? I feel that the Disney camp is being pretty open. We have said that Universal is our SECOND favorite theme parks. Most of you, on the other hand, seem to despise Disney for anything you do!
Again, this can be ended very quickly............
How can millions of tourists be wrong? And if it is so horrible, why is the the number one vacation destination in the United States? You may be compalaining, but Disney is the one laughing to the bank (sorry if I am nasty!)
My only experience with six flags was waiting 2 hours in line under a hot, baking sun for a 45 second Batman ride. Universal's waits are much better. Best of both worlds between Disney and Six Flags, IMHO.
Edited to add:
There are plenty of people who have great memories at Universal. How can you dismiss that? Lost Continent's island is unbelievable, and the whole place is incredibly themed and vibrant, at least to me.
As far as millions and millions of people, maybe I'm cynical, but I tend to think of the masses as gullible and simply following the pied piper's music, so to speak. Just because millions and millions go to Disney doesn't really mean anything in my book.
Nothing against Disney. I enjoyed myself when I went there twice before, and am going there in a few weeks as you know, and I know it'll be great. Especially looking forward to Expedition Everest and what Animal Kingdom has to offer. The question for this topic was which do you prefer, and for me, its Universal.
Dueling Dragons is the first dual coaster in the world designed and built so that its two coasters furiously speed toward each other on separate tracks. The tracks intertwine in a knotted mass of metal that send riders barreling directly toward each other at nearly 60 mph – three times in less than two minutes. The coasters avoid impact at the last second by hurtling riders through a camelback roll, a double-helix and compound inversion.
Another coaster, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, catapults riders up a 150-foot tunnel at g-force speed -- with the same energy as a U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter attack jet -- and immediately spins them into a weightless, zero-g, heartline roll, turning them upside down more than 110 feet above ground. Riders then dive at 60 mph before skimming the waves of the lagoon and then rising 109 feet before plunging toward the water below.
****Obviously NOT ripped off from Disney****
IOA is full of world class, first of a kind rides.
Jurassic Park River Adventure - Of all theme park water rides, the 85-foot plunge is the longest water descent ever built.
RIPSAW FALLS - This is the first flume ride to send riders plummeting below the water level.
SPIDERMAN - First ever combination of moving, motion-based ride vehicles, 3-D film and live action.
This simulator ride's set encompasses 1.5 acres including a virtual 400 foot freefall experience.
Oh yeah, theres one more thing
WHICH THEME PARK RESTAURANT CONTINUOSLY GETS VOTED #1 THEME PARK RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD ON THIS VERY SITE?? Hmm, that would be at the Universal Resort wouldn't it, oh yes!!
UNIVERSAL WINS - I rest my case!
No! I would hate it if that happened. I love disney quest. It would be a dream though if universal created a rip off though (Uni-quest).
I guess I will do my own in depth look at the uni-disney parks then.
USF creates a good movie experience but however Disney rides are much more legendary. Pirates, space mountain, splash mountain, BTMR...the list goes on. Plus all these attractions are going to be used by families, not just thrill loving teenagers. But Universal does try at creating a family experience and has added kiddy rides (E.T). However Disney just does it better when it comes to kids and thier families in my opinion.
Disney also has better water parks that have better theming and slides (as I mentioned before) than Wet n Wild. Asuming if you bought the Orlando flexticket, then you will realise that WnW fails in comparison to both disney waterparks.
But Universal isn't dead yet...
3 words, I O A.
Holding the TPI best theme park award for three years running before it lost its crown it stands as one of the greatest parks in the world today. 3 coasters that don't usually have long wait times and 3 of the greatest water rides. All the rides have a great story to them and some of the best theming you can get in a park today.
Of course thier is one more thing that wraps up this argument.
1 word: SPIDERMAN
Boasting a ride choc-a-bloc full of scenary and storytelling value this ride takes the cake and covers it with webbing. It also in my opinion contains the best queue line video (the video before you board the ride). This is mainly thanks to the bumbling scientists in the video and interuptions from everyones favourite madhatter, J Jonah Jameson.
LOL I havn't even got round to describing the ride yet! Nevermind I don't wish to ruin it for those who havn't riden Spidey yet (and if you havn't, where have you been?!).
I'll put it this way, Spiderman was the best rated attraction on TPI for 4 years running and did NOT lose its crown. The editor decided to get rid of this award (quite right to do so, its no fun if the same ride wins year after year after year). But it's still the best.
Aah, I remember the topics now. People thought Revenge of the Mummy might rid it of its perch, spidey won, Darkcastle? Spidey won again. Coasters of course battled it for top spot, Spidey triumphs again. Great rides come and go but the lesson is, Spidey may live forever.
Thanks to the major asset of IOA, Universal wins the war for me. Of course that's not to say I hate disney parks, I love some of their rides (Dinosaur etc). However in conclusion I believe that Universal beats Disney in this war.
Eat that Disney!
Any Disney fans care to retaliate?
I'm not saying Disneys BAD, I'm just saying Universal is BETTER.
With theming and rides aside for a moment, music is another factor. I would rather be humming along every song in IOA than than anything in Disney. Ooh, this is an excellent point, when's the last time someone on TPI sang to 'It's A Small World'?
Disney fans, eat your cheese!
Um. Splash Mountain goes under water level too doesn't it?
Anyway, so you are all saying that its ok for Universal to make a buck, but not ok for Disney to do the same thing!
Yep, that makes alot of sense!
Universal (as I have said before) is great, but Disney is better!
I also hate the Jurrasic Park ride because I feel it is so short and Ripsaw Falls stinks! Now Popeye, now thats a ride!
However, no matter what, I am going to like Disney, Erik is going to like Universal and we are all going to go our seperate ways by our own opinions. In other words, I think we are all right in some way!
What is Universal's? Two theme parks and Wet n Wild!
Though that seriously a pretty good deal for you in regards to Universal!
Good gift ideas though!
I have noticed that everybody is getting on the nighttime spectacular wagon now. Even Seaworld has one!
So the Cryptkeeper will host the show for HHN (not an event particulary for kids Anthony). I'm sure the show will go back to normal after HHN.
I mean, Wet'n'Wild started to close again at 7pm this week, despite it being really hot. No more 11pm weekend closure there.
Universal will start closing at 9pm from Monday, the nightly show ends 11th or 14th....
Very weird opening hours despite the brits being over in force (I work in a british bar on I-drive a couple nights a week)
Considering the British pretty much keep Florida open during the winter you'd think they'd have a better understanding of when they come over and adjust hours accordingly.
Looks like Universal will be victorious!!!
Yeah, I definitely have to give my vote to Universal. I also really enjoy Disney but not half as much as Universal.
I don't think Universal gets enough credit for what they've done over the past decade. I think their vacation experience is very different from Disney. You have two world-class theme parks (with incredible theming at that) walking distance from your hotels which I've gotten for as low as $130 a night. (I don't even want to say what I've been quoted for one of Disney's monorail resorts..) And I think the hotels are as nice if not nicer than most of Disney's Deluxe Resorts.
I love being a Universal Annual Passholder. The benefits are awesome. It can pay for itself in just one trip. It's nearly impossible to find a 10% discount in Disney with your AP. ("Disney doesn't need to discount" "Disney doesn't need to discount".. umm.. there's a reason why I have like 7 Universal shirts and my 2 from Disney were bought on sale at a Disney Character Warehouse).
I've had nothing but great experiences at Universal. I've gone with lots of friends who have had an overall much better time at Universal. (Being neither a Disney nor a Universal nut.. or a theme park nut, really).
So I have to give it to Universal. I'll be there for my birthday next week because I can't think of a more fun place I'd like to celebrate it.
I PREFER UNIVERSAL! but Disney is just as cool.
Bottom line: for families, especially those with kids less than 54" tall (like mine), Disney wins, hand down. There is no contest. Disney simply provides the best all around family entertainment theme parks in the world.
On a side note, comparing the attractions at the rival parks: I agree with most of you that the best attraction, Spider-Man, is at IOA (although Mission Space runs a close second). However, the best coaster, imho, is Expedition Everest at AK. The theming on Everest just cannot be beat. And one thing I applaud more than all else is a good theme!
The best thing about the Disney/Universal debate, is that there is a debate!!!! Two great THEME park makers...and we are the ones who reap the rewards of their fierce competition!!
So in the end it I think it comes down to what your going to each park looking for. I enjoy both parks since I find each to have appealing and aggravating parts.
Now onto more personal opinions...
With that being said I have my own personal and strong opinions on Disney. I honestly believe they have sold out to the all mighty dollar and no longer care about being "THE" park to out shine all others as they once where. Disney used to set the industry standard for not only up and coming technology but for customer service and dozens of other factors. It used to be a family where you (being and employee) where well taken care of and not just another number who can be easily replaced as it is now.
The other parks in Orlando at least still hold onto some aspects of customer service as well as giving half a crap about their employees. Mind you it has been several years now since I've worked for any of them but I can honestly say as of 1999-2000 both Universal and Seaworld CARED if their employees had personal life problems and would at least attempt to be understanding. From Disney, this has not mattered to them since the mid 1980's when Eisner showed up. Disney has gone downhill slowly the last 10 years and at this point I feel they are riding (and cashing in) on reputation alone.
...but that's just my own opinion.
All in all, I think Disney has it ALL over Universal in terms of food, family appeal, cleanliness, friendliness and general park upkeep and consistent (if not to a lesser degree lately) plussing of attractions. And I prefer the Fast Pass system to Universal's Express Pass.
Universal has it over Disney in the cost and convenience arenas... as well as in big time thrills. Their themeing is second ONLY to Disney, but I wish they would take the time to maintain and improve their current attractions
(JPRA needs far more dinosaurs, Ripsaw Falls needs work on its faltering animatronics, Suess Landing needs a fresh coat of paint, there seems to have been a smudge on the print in the firts room of Spider-Man for at LEAST the last year, killing the 3D in that room... stuff like that.)
I love both resorts... a lot... both are amazing experiences, but both are also far from perfect.
But despite my griping...9 of my 10 favorite rides EVER are split almost evenly between the two, so...
Man, I need more coffee... I am just rambling.
disney for me
And since when is hotel size an advantage ?
They cater to totally different people, and outside of the Disney Hollywood Studios, have absolutely nothing in common by which to properly compare and contrast them.
Why can't they co-exist as competition and complimentary experiences to one another without the need to promote one over the other as being better? They both have their strengths and weaknesses but in the end they are just totally different.
I know it's fun to debate this kind of stuff. Ride to ride, restaraunt to restaraunt, but park to park in this example just doesn't work. The thread about Disney Studios vs Universal Studios had it right on. Now that's something worth discussin. :)
I'm a fan of WDW myself, the attention to detail and themeing is great, somthing I admire more about a theme park than anything else. mY favorite ride of any other is the Tower of Terror, I can't imagine a better attraction and fits into DHS perfectly.
At the same time I love both Universal parks and if I wanted thrill rides I would be heading straight to IOA rather than any of the Disney Parks.
Yes, Disney as a corporation doesn't seem to have the same morals as it did in the days when Walt was around but in an industry now put under so much pressure from shareholders for financial preformance can you expect anything else?
The main reason I love Disney is that even though I'm now 16 and in college I still get that same feeling I get when I went as a kid, that excitment before you go and the general feeling of happiness when in the park, an escape from reality. Although I love Universal, it doesn't have the same affect on me.
Anyway, I was away because I was trying out for an internship for the Land. Didn't get it, but I am still loving Disney (just not the LAND at this moment)
Anyway, this is old news. We have had this problem for years of D vs U. I think the winner is all of us since Disney and Universal together is a theme park juggernat. I went to Disney World for Spring Break and I will say that Disney is still the best when it comes the overall package. I went on a a behind the scenes tour and it was amazing how much work is put in to make the illusion of a dream world. I think Universal is good in regards to having probably the most inspired rides in the past few years, but if you want to feel like you are stepping into a new world, Disney World is king. I wouldn't mind going to Universal Either!
But if my wife and I were going to go out to the parks together we'd definitely head to Walt Disney World.
Sorry Folks, not a suprise, but Disney all the way! I find Universal does really well in hiccups of Spiderman, Hulk, Cat in the Hat, but fades in the stretch.
Universal Studios and IOA may as well just be gates #5 and #6 with Sea World being #7 in the Orlando Theme Park resort. That's 7 unique gates with really only 2 being similar in USO and DHS.
Hey T H what about Holy Land??
Once at the gates, Disney has many more security guards to check bags and again the lines move quick even on sick busy days. At the turnstiles almost every one is open and manned. Good flow for even massive crowds. Inside the parks, Disney is almost whistle clean. Attractions have cast members galore throughout starting with the Fastpass kiosks and ending at the exits. Restaurants; almost every register is manned and open for business. Many cast members behind the counters and in the kitchen. Food comes out hot and almost always as ordered. Topping bars are clean and stocked.
Most importantly how are the rides and shows? Excellent I say. Top marks for Everest and Lion King at AK. American Adventure and Soarin at Epcot. Beauty and the Beast and Toy Story as well as Aerosmith and the Tower and Fantasmic at the Studios. Wishes at MK is, in my humble opinion, the finest fireworks show in the U.S. Overall nobody can touch Disney on quality although Seaworld is closing in.
Universal: parking entrance usually has 4 booths closed, lines back up. One guy making sure only those with their blinkers on and a piece of paper on the windshield go into the preferred lane. Everyone else into 2 lanes up the ramps. One guy inside the garage. That's it. You walk to the bag check where 2 security guards glance in your bag and a cop stands in the background. Lines back up. At the turnstiles, maybe 2/3 are manned and open on a busy day. I have passes so I don't wait to buy tickets there, I just walk past the long lines at the ticket booths. Once inside, I notice few employees, the bare bones minimum necessary to run the operation while still being able to extort $75 and not be sued for theft. Restaurants? Louie's has 2 sides, typically one side is open with 3 employees behind the counter to give out food, fill drinks and cash out. Lines back up. Let's take The Simpsons as an example for the rides. One guy outside to check Express pass. One inside to check again and feed the crowds into the lanes. At the entrance to the building, one more employee who needs pen and paper to figure out where to seat 8 people at a time. The theme here is fewest possible employees while making the guest wait as long as possible without needing Health Services to assist them or having to pay $40 more for Express.
Basically the same at Islands execpt even fewer lanes open at the entry so even on light days you wait in the sun to scan your ticket. Then there's the guy hawking pictures. I won't even go into the quality here. Now, you have no shows and no night show. Let's take the Hulk as an example for the rides. Overall the Hulk is a great coaster but once you ride Manta you'll see it has been overtaken as the best. How many times have I seen the line out the door, 60 minute wait and Universal only running 2 Hulk trains instead of 3? How many times have I gone to ride Dueling Dragons and had to wait 30 minutes because they are only running ONE train?
In closing, Disney charges a high price and delivers high quality. Universal charges the same high price and delivers far lower quality. The winner, hands down is Disney.
Good points, William, however, I disagree on one thing: I argue that Universal is a far less expensive option than Disney for my family.
Let's call the food thing a wash, as both parks charge outrageous amounts of money for food.
So we're left with tickets and lodging. Throw out all the current deals as they too are a wash, and we'll just use the normal rack rates for travel in May or September (that's when I travel).
One week at the Universal's Royal Pacific (Universal Express and park hopper included) for my family of 5 will run about $1500 including tickets.
One week at Disney's Port Orleans (which is not as good as the Royal Pacific and is about $50 cheaper, but I will give Disney the benefit of the doubt) will run me about $2700 with tickets and park hopper included.
With the $1200 Universal just saved me, I could go to SeaWorld (free transportation), see the Blue Man Group, and eat a boat load of food at Citywalk.
So Universal may be expensive compared to Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa, but not when compared to Disney.
To defend Disney and its big bucks to go there, you do have two more giant parks plus two water parks and a Virtual Theme park. No doubt Universal is great deal, but it depends on how you look at it. Universal has gotta figure out how to better explain WHY its worth staying there vs Disney.
Let's say you spend 3 days at Universal, using unlimited Express you will see and ride absolutely everything. Then you take a day at Seaworld, Manta is a must ride. Okay now what? 3 days left. You going back to Universal? My guess is you come home to Disney. Now your vacation is really going to get costly as you need 5 tickets for only say 2 days. That means you pay more per day. In any event I can't see how Universal comes out cheaper in the long run unless you stay put on Universal property.
Blue Man Group. Saw it once. $70 each adult advance passholder. They got me once and won't again. Enough said on that.
I too can only speak from experience: I spent two weeks in Orlando in 2007, one week at Disney and one week at Universal (no SeaWorld that trip). Our week at Universal was more relaxing, more leisurely, and more like a vacation than the harried week we spent at WDW. And we never ran out of things to do. We'd (occasionally) sleep in, tour the parks whenever we wanted (with the express pass that comes with your room you never worry about lines), eat good food (Mythos and NBA City rule), and swim in one of the largest pools in Orlando.
Don't get me wrong, we had a lot of fun at Disney, and I look forward to visiting again in 2010, but my week at Universal was, without a doubt, the best part of that vacation.
Besides, the best ride in North America is at Universal: Revenge of the Mummy. And the best attraction the the World is at Islands of Adventure: Spider-Man. How could you ever get bored with those two masterpieces?
William, I think you might need to spend a week or two in Kansas City going to Worlds of Fun so you can reacquire your appreciation for how lucky you are to live near Orlando! Let's face it: occasionally you have to spend a few weeks in Theme Park Hell in order to better appreciate Theme Park Heaven! ;)
(Thats my excuse for drinking and I'm stickiing to it)
But as for the thread, it really does come down to personal choice. I like them both, and Sea World (Manta) /Busch Gardens all the same. I go to each for different reasons. As one park comes up with something new, it raises the bar for the other parks, which in the end we all win (other than when they raise ticket pricing). And you have to think each park will have there days where they won't shine, trash, crowds, but overall I don't think they would be where they are right now without each other pushing to be top.
Best ride in Florida goes to, by a hair over Manta, Sheikra. Best ride in the world? I'll limit my response to the rides I have actually ridden which includes: Great Adventure NJ, Hershey Park PA, Seaworld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Disney World, Disneyland. Best ever, and I think this might be a good idea for a new thread, goes to ..............
Tune in tomorrow.
As for Spider-man being the best attraction in the world, that is somewhat my opinion, and somewhat not. It won the TPI best ride contest four years in a row, and placed in the final four each of the last two years. It is widely held that no park has yet matched Universal's unique 4D adventure, and only Busch Gardens Williamsburg has even made the attempt (Curse of the DarKastle). Essentially it is one of a kind, and a work of pure genius. Until Universal unveils their new Transformers ride, there is no Spidey-killer on the horizon. So while this pick is somewhat debatable, I think I stand on pretty solid ground.
I am anxious to read your opinion of what is best, but you better have some solid proof to back it up. ;)
Incidentally, I haven't ridden Manta yet, but I would take Kraken over Shiekra.
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Spider-Man is original, immersive, amazingly well themed, fun, repeatable, and...is one attraction that receives praise from both coaster and theme ride fanatics across the board. Even Amusement Today (a publication devoted to iron ride parks like Cedar Point) acknowledges Spider-Man as the best dark ride in the world.
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[Spider-Man is] the best ride in the country. [It] is absolutely amazing. Everything about the ride is awesome. The theming and effects are great...Spider-Man is the best ride in Orlando and is deserving of all of its positive hype. The indoor queue area is nicely themed...and the sensation of driving and flying the streets of New York City fighting Spidey villains are realistic and fun. This ride is worth coming to Orlando by itself and is an absolute must ride. Lines for this are pretty long but who cares, this ride is worth any wait.
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An all-around outstanding attraction, with an immersive environment, strong story and enough detail to entice you to ride again and again. One of the world's top attractions... and not to be missed.
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The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman would win over any other ride I have been on so it got my vote. It is just so different to any other ride I have experienced by virtue of the great 3D effects.
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Spidey is number one. I doubt anything can top it. I'm backing it for the number one spot this time.
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Spiderman - This one's a no-brainer...how could anyone vote against the greatest ride on the planet?
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The fact that Spiderman rides on a flat slab and coordinates 3-D film and moving set pieces makes it a miracle of modern theater. The spinning sequence into the steam tunnel is fantastic, as is the final climactic fall and the blazing "guitar army" version of the Spidey theme that closes the attraction.
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Spiderman...is special. Few rides incorporate the senses like Spiderman does, and when it comes down to it, I would just rather have Spiderman in my park...Was and still is a groundbreaking ride...Spiderman is one of the few themed rides out there that stacks up against the best coasters.
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Spiderman all the way. It's just such a great attraction.
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I can go on Spider-Man again and again and always discover something new, whether it be in the detailed queue or the ride itself.
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Spider-man...is still the best ride at Universal and the most technologically advanced ride on earth (ten years later on top of that). Anyone who can't recognize its greatness has no business commenting. It would be like calling Thunderhead an average woodie. Spider-man's early exit from this competition would truly be a sign of the apocalypse.
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Spider-Man is just an incredible ride. And it hurts that it is up against my favorite B&M inverted, but for best ride and total immersion - I have to give it to Spider-Man.
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Without a doubt, and without peer, Spider-Man is still the best ride in North America.
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If y'all don't [vote] Spider-Man into at least the final four, I'd seriously consider wiping out the site's registration database, banning everyone here and starting over with a new crop of readers. ;-) Or, at least, inviting only the ones with the good sense to recognize Spidey's greatness.
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If you still have doubts about Spider-Man's greatness, please go ride it again. And again. And again...
Which is probably why Cedar Fair is high on our list, more thrill rides. So i guess my vote goes to Universal, it's the perfect balance of both company's.
I'm predicting here that Manta wins best ride in the next competition. Ride it yourself this summer and you'll be a believer. Anyway, on Saturday it's a full day at Busch Gardens Tampa. They open at 9 and close at 7:30 and it likely won't be a busy day there so... plenty of rides. I don't think Montu is getting the respect it deserves. I have a personal fondness for coasters over simulators though. Pirates 3D there is an embarrassment, except for Rodney at the end, and needs renovation.
Sunday it's back to Seaworld for another full helping of Manta. Front row, back row and a couple rides in the middle. With both Kraken and Manta, Seaworld is really shining. The park is clean, the shows are great and the food is good. I've always loved Seaworld and now well, it's a force to be reckoned with in Orlando.
Like William, I prefer coasters over simulators, but I will truly give Spidey it's props for best dark ride. Yet next year, I really can see Manta pulling out a win over Mummy or any other ride after riding it already a few times. I don't see RRR winning other than maybe a Golden Ticket for something, but I can see it in for the running too. Anyway you look at it, it's a good year to be a local (and native) to Orlando. I just hope Disney still pushes on with the Monster idea, cause I have to still give Rockin' at DHS props for a very well done coaster when Disney really wants to do one.
I love coasters too, but I have plenty to chose from locally, and while they are not as good a Kraken or Montu, they do offer similar experiences. However, there is nothing locally that matches or even comes close to the kind of experience offered by Spider-Man. So I probably appreciate the S-Man's ride a bit more than you Orlando folks who are surrounded by high quality, non-coaster attractions! ;)
I also agree with David in that Disney, when they put their minds and wallets to it, can make a fantastic themed coaster. RnRC is a lot better than it should be just because Disney themed it so well. Furthermore, back when I first rode Everest and all its special effects were in good working order (and the Yeti still moved and lunged), I thought it was the best themed coaster I had ever ridden. By far. Furthermore, I would love to see Disney devote their energy to making a truly great, one of a kind coaster like the oft discussed Fire Mountain or the Monster Inc. door coaster, but that just does not seem to be a priority of the company or most of its clientele. Alas... all that money and talent, and no 500 ft, 17 inversion coaster to show for it!
Still 2 cranes up at RRR, lots of landscaping to be done, but can't see it taking that long.
Tracks been painted now and its looking goooooooood!
