A lot of the millions of people who visit the Disney theme park each year do so because they're Disney fans - they love the company's movies, TV shows and theme parks. But they don't necessarily care about anyone else's theme parks, and many Disney fans never visit them.
At the other end of the fan spectrum, perhaps, are the roller coaster fans - people who value thrill over theme and who travel the country in search of airtime. For them, a trip to a Disney park is a rare occasion, more a favor to other family members who wanted to go than a chance to increase their coaster count.
Theme Park Insider exists, at least in my mind, for those of us in the middle - people who enjoy and value themed attractions but aren't beholden just to Disney. We enjoy Universal, SeaWorld and the best of other companies' parks, as well as Disney. Sure, we enjoy roller coaster rides now and then, just as we go see Disney movies when they look good. But the world's best and most popular theme parks are our focus.
Hey, that's what I think. Today's vote is about what you think. I figure it's time to put my assumption to the test and to ask you, the Theme Park Insider community, where your loyalties lie.
Rather than pushing you toward one extreme or the other, I've given you five choices. Here are the options for this weekend's vote, with explanations for each. Please pick the option that best describes you.
I'm a Disney fan. Period - You care only about the Disney theme parks, and have no interest in reading about, much less visiting, anyone else's parks. You're here today only because this post included the word "Disney." A lot.
I'm mostly a Disney fan, but like other parks, too - You're primarily a Disney fan, but sometimes visit other companies' theme and amusement parks, even though you devote most of your trips to Disney.
I'm equally a Disney fan and a theme park fan - You're a fan both of Disney and of theme parks. You visit the Disney parks, but care just as much about Universal, SeaWorld or other parks, as well, and visit them just as often. But you've got some Disney collectibles at home and consider yourself a fan of all things Disney.
I'm mostly a theme park fan, but like the Disney parks, too - You're primarily a theme park fan. You visit and like to read about Walt Disney World or Disneyland in addition to other parks, but don't especially care for the rest of what Disney offers any more than the stuff from other movie studios or entertainment companies.
I'm a theme park fan who doesn't care about Disney - You're a theme park fan who doesn't care about Disney at all. You visit only other companies' parks and look forward to spring, when we start writing more about those parks instead of all this Disney stuff.
Time to vote.
As always, thank you for reading Theme Park Insider. Whatever your reasons. ;^)
Anyway, if I had to rank the major chains, I would rank them as follows:
Disney
Universal
Herschend (SDC / Dollywood)
Busch
SeaWorld
Cedar Fair
Six Flags
This way you wouldn't have to choose between theme park or Disney. It would be all inclusive.
I definitely enjoy other parks. And visiting offers a lot of variety, but in the long run I could give up the six flags and cedar fairs of the world for Disney and BGW.
until we moved to CA in '60. First trip was in the first half of the '60's and...
What was the question? Oh, yeah. Disney was the only theme park out there for a long time and that's my background. Although we did enjoy the original Busch Gardens...well, not the Pasadena one but v.2 in Van Nuys ('66-'79). I suspect the free admission, free beer and, IIRC, free parking had something to do with it.
I think I voted "equally". But now I really don't remember.
What makes me like Disney parks more than others has to do with that Disney Parks, for the most part, are pioneers in Theme Park form and function. I will explain using my home park SFGA, which I will admit is actually one of the better SF parks out there:
Disneyland, as small as it is, is still a park that is relivitly easy to get around and everything seems to be set up in the perfect spot. They have repeated this spoke and wheel at MK, AK, DLP, HKDL, and TDL. SFGA has the wheel, but not the spoke which makes it sometimes more challenging to get around.
Going further, many of the Disney attractions are experiments in crowd movement and control. One attraction I know we all like to hate is the Dark Knight Roller coaster at the Six Flags Park. It never stops moving, but it only can carry 600 people per hour. Haunted Mansion or Pirates of the Carribean, on the other hand, can carry over 1,000 people per hour.
Also, Disney has seem to revolutionize the classic theme park ride and has given it a theme and a new face:
Mission Space is a Gravetron
Tower of Terror is a Drop Tower
Star Wars is a Motion Simulator
Its Tough to be a Bug is a 3D Movie
Rockin Roller Coaster is (well) a Steel Roller Coaster.
While I like Disney, I like the parks more for what they offer in form and function (if that makes sense).
SFGA, my home park, is a roller coaster wonder which has stayed pretty stable from competly throwing out theme for thrills. They are on the brink of being a spectacular park. I highly suggest a visit to anybody!
On the other hand I am an avid follower and rider of new rides and roller coasters. Just because there is no theming doesn't mean a ride isn't good. As someone who lives in England I get very little chance to visit the Disney parks but when I do I know that the experience is second to none. But that said, one should not ignore the fact that places like that exist elsewhere. Eftleing in Holland has been around longer than the original Disneyland but it's virtually the same in terms of suspension of disbelief. The attention detail and loving care is evident in everything you see.
So for that reason being a Disney fan and a theme park fan, in my eyes, cannot be mutually exclusive. I love everything Disney equally as I love theme parks in general. I am just thankful that every now and again I can go to a place that combines these two. Where I can leave the world behind. The magic of Disney is alive in all good theme parks whether we like it or not.
That being said, I'm more of a Disney fan than a theme park fan. Universal, while still fun is still too "edgy" for my taste. Although USF drastically raised the bar with the Wizarding World, the fact that USH has a vastly inferior Mummy Ride, a mediocre 3D Shrek Show, and the worst use of Fast & the Furious cars ("dancing" German cars on an exploding Japanese set set to Latin Dance Music? really??? That's the best they could do?) really shows me that Universal on the West Coast has a long way to go. Magic Mountain, while physically fun, lacks any sort of visual theme. I prefer to be transported to worlds that I can't go to than be thrown around. And Knott's is just... sad.
I Respond: How do you see the impact of that assertion manifesting itself? Decreasing park revenues? Lower attendance? Negative comments?
Now I feel like I started with a point and now I don't know what I'm trying to say. I love Disney and I love theme parks just like I love bananas and toffee. They're just better when they're together.
Primarily negative comments and the seeking of alternatives. I don't see Disney impacted from revenues and lower attendance. It is awfully hard to displace Disney for what it offers, but there will be alternative experiences that are more suitable their needs. This has already occurred via the rise of Legoland, Universal, and SeaWorld. (Disney's Magic Your Way passes are a ripoff. It presents admission to 4 parks in 4 days as the best deal when it isn't true. $250 is too much to spend for questionable value.)
Previously, it was assumed that Universal will go the way of Six Flags (irrelevant and money losing). I thought so myself, but this didn't happen. Now, rejuvenated from Harry Potter and its advancements in ride technology has made Universal the go to place instead of Disney.
Disney does a poor job of another niche market, young kids. Legoland and SeaWorld takes the lead in this area.
I can see Disney making inroads with its purchase of Marvel for the boy and genre market in light of how they didn't license Harry Potter, but hmmm.. Star Wars is right there and ready to be exploited. Disney needs a Star Wars Land. Well, at least Legoland got that one right.
Disney's competition is rising to fill the void that Disney has intentionally missed. Frankly, a dollar that isn't spent at Disney is spent elsewhere. Vacation dollars once spent elsewhere will never be spent at Disney for that particular year. For myself, I have yet to go to Disney this year. My toddler is best entertained from SeaWorld and Legoland. The rides are more suited for her age and height. Besides, when you only have 3 hours, which is what happens with kids, you have to wonder why bother with Disney when you spent so much to get inside.
And THC, why so defensive of Disney?
Right there... "I'm a Disney fan. Period - You care only about the Disney theme parks, and have no interest in reading about, much less visiting, anyone else's parks."
I noticed that you changed your criteria later. "But you've got some Disney collectibles at home and consider yourself a fan of all things Disney."
There's a mixed message here. I can't keep up. You need to be consistent or it messes up our frame of reference.
I Respond: Comments from this thread:
“I did recently visit Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, though, and I enjoyed them a lot. I was actually very surprised by the quality and uniqueness of most of the rides.”
“I prefer theme parks to iron ride parks, and my favorite theme parks are Disney parks.”
“i have to call my self primarily a Disney fan who enjoys all theme parks as well.
“I'm a big Disney fan, but it's mainly because they create such great theme parks.”
“I am vastly more familiar with Disney, and think the general experiences they offer are better than most of the amusement industry.”
“There's no place like Disney. You just come alive when you step inside the parks. I LOVE DISNEY!!!”
“I was raised on Disney. Rarely a year went by without a family vacation there and therefore I am a huge Disney fan.
“I voted I'm more of a Disney fan, but enjoy other parks too. Magic Kingdom was the first park I ever went to, and today it's still my favorite park.”
“I am first and foremost a DisneyNUT, I love and support pretty much everything Disney.”
“Every time I go to Walt Disney World though, the place amazes me.”
“What makes me like Disney parks more than others has to do with that Disney Parks, for the most part, are pioneers in Theme Park form and function.”
“Without Disney, it's likely we wouldn't have theme parks - at least, not to the degree we have them today.”
“I really do love Disney and it has a special place in my heart. From a toddler to now, the magic of Walt Disney has always been there to make the world a better place.”
“I think you have to experience (sic) the Disney parks to really appreciate (sic) being a disney fan and seeing the work that is put into the place!”
Anon Mouse writes: I don't see Disney impacted from revenues and lower attendance.
And then Anon Mouse writes: “Disney's competition is rising to fill the void that Disney has intentionally missed. Frankly, a dollar that isn't spent at Disney is spent elsewhere. Vacation dollars once spent elsewhere will never be spent at Disney for that particular year.
I Respond: So does that mean revenue is impacted or it’s not impacted?
Anon Mouse: This has already occurred via the rise of Legoland, Universal, and SeaWorld.
I Respond: Not sure about Legoland (it has not been open a full year). Universal got a jolt from Potter. Looking forward to see how that jump sustains in next months TEA attendance report. As for Sea World, I’m not sure you can claim a park that experienced a 12% drop in attendance in 2010 can be considered on a rise.
Anon Mouse: And THC, why so defensive of Disney?
I Respond: I don’t think I was being defensive. I was surprised by the claim and assumed you had a reason for advancing the assertion.
I just wish more people would base opinions on visits to both resorts before making "fanboy-ish" statements regarding either one.
"So does that mean revenue is impacted or it’s not impacted?"
I never made any claim about revenue. Instead, I was challenged to prove my assertion with hard evidence.
You're fishing for a rebuttal and so it goes.
"Not sure about..."
Again, looking for a rebuttal.
"I don’t think I was being defensive. I was surprised by the claim and assumed you had a reason for advancing the assertion."
Are you THC or someone else? You got my reason, yet you're still trying to discredit it. You have some nerve.
I will say Disney is likely spooked. Why else will they license the Blue Man Group (Avatar)?
I Respond: Actually, 5% voted “I'm a theme park fan who doesn't care about Disney.” 95% responded to the other answers – all of which, to some degree, indicate that they have a relatively positive opinion of Disney.
Anon Mouse: “I never made any claim about revenue.
I Respond: Um ... you wrote “Frankly, a dollar that isn't spent at Disney is spent elsewhere.” That would be an implication about revenue … hence my inquiry.
Anon Mouse: “Instead, I was challenged to prove my assertion with hard evidence.”
I Respond: Actually I just asked a couple of questions. Your post was fairly assertive and I was just assuming you had an opinion as to how the circumstances you describe will manifest themselves. If Disney is in fact “out of touch with the way they are pricing their parks” and truly “worsening guest experience” it would seem logical that it would be illustrated by drops in attendance, revenue or some other measurable condition.
Truth be told, the Los Angeles Times reported on February 7, 2012: “Disney said revenue for parks and resorts rose 10% to $3.2 billion in the (first quarter of 2012), compared with a year earlier, and that operating income increased 18% to $553 million. The company said visitors were spending more at its domestic parks.”
Anon Mouse: I will say Disney is likely spooked. Why else will they license the Blue Man Group (Avatar)?
I Respond: I’d say it is because their business model is historically based on expanding the parks. Walt Disney is famous for saying (paraphrased) that his parks would “never be finished” and that Walt Disney World gave them room to grow.
Make no mistake, I think Disney is troubled by a handful of concerns – mainly the weak performance of DVC and box office humiliation by productions like “Mars Needs Moms” and “John Carpenter.” But I doubt that Disney's execs are currently concerned about the performance of their theme park operations.
"all of which, to some degree, indicate that they have a relatively positive opinion of Disney."
Positive opinion does not mean they do not have an negative opinion as well as I have voted. The poll merely asks if you're a Disney Fan or a Theme Park Fan and lots of variations. It is nice that you have qualified your remark with "to some degree" and "relatively". Why are you rebutting me when you already conceded?
"Um ... you wrote"
I never made any claim about revenue in my original post (April 16, 2012 at 1:22 PM). That was in my follow up post where the inquiry was made. You're just fishing for a rebuttal. Why are asking about impact on revenue when I never raise the issue? "How do you see the impact of that assertion manifesting itself? Decreasing park revenues? Lower attendance? Negative comments?" Should I have said, NO COMMENT? And what is wrong with just saying negative comments. You quickly dismissed that without evidence that I was wrong.
"it would seem logical that it would be illustrated by drops in attendance, revenue or some other measurable condition"
No Comment. This doesn't prove anything other than you get your jollys from arguing this.
"Truth be told" "The company said visitors were spending more at its domestic parks.”
What does this prove? Less than you think. Visitors were spending more. It doesn't tell you anything about increase in attendance, which Disney doesn't release.
"I’d say it is because their business model is historically based on expanding the parks."
If you say so and I'm not surprised by the arrogance of your own superior authority on theme parks.
"Make no mistake, I think Disney is troubled by a handful of concerns – mainly the weak performance of DVC and box office humiliation by productions like “Mars Needs Moms” and “John Carpenter.” But I doubt that Disney's execs are currently concerned about the performance of their theme park operations."
Yes, Disney makes mistakes so this means they are perfect with theme parks. LOL!!! Disney has a $1 Billion DCA makeover to sell you in June 15th. (No doubt, the performance of the park has something to do with the investment on expansion.) And the upcoming MK Fantasyland renovation is coming soon.
That's John CARTER. LOL!!!
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