What's your favorite theme park?
Simple question, yet for many of us it can be quite difficult to answer.
We all love theme parks, from California to Florida and everything in between. There's also some real quality parks outside of the U.S. as well.
Most of us have visited multiple parks, but there's always that one park that stands out as our favorite for whatever reason. It can because of the attraction lineup, nostalgia, location or a combination of these factors and others.
So, which park is your favorite? Lets see which park and/or company stands out among Theme Park Insiders.
For me its gotta be Disneyland.
The classic charm and the amazing attraction lineup takes it to the top.
Universal Studios Florida has lots of attraction I really enjoy, especially Transformers, so its a close 2nd for now. Maybe once the new Harry Potter attraction opens than it jumps over the American classic.
But for now Disneyland gets my vote.
Universal's Islands of Adventure.
The theming alone in Port of Entry, Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, etc. is just enough for the park to be amazing. Then you factor in some of the world's best dark rides, some unique roller coasters, amazing water rides, a freakin' awesome soundtrack and some pretty unique experiences and you've got an awesome park.
I have to second Islands of Adventure.
Haven't we done this before?
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Islands of Adventure! Sorry Disney, but the theming is amazing here, and they have a great selection of thrill rides! This might change with next door's major additions! Also when you stay on-site, you get free front-of-the-line access!
For me it's islands of adventure. It has the 2 best rides and the theming makes it amazingly immersive. When I went last year I couldn't get the smile off my face from the moment I entered to the moment I left.
I also love Hollywood Studios but it could do with being a bit bigger. You struggle to beat the area with rock n roller coaster, tot and fantastic so close to each other though.
IOA, of course.
Magic Kingdom is Disneyland on steroids (bigger monorail; bigger castle; bigger Fantasyland), so my vote goes to MK.
James asked, "Haven't we done this before?"
4,682 times, by my count.
Sorry IOA, but my favorite theme park is Dollywood. The theming, attractions, food and customer service are beyond compare. It may not be perfect, but what it already has is top-notch.
IOA hands down.
Magic Kingdom, but USF could easily top it soon or Disneyland whenever I get there.
From AJ Hummel
Posted July 31, 2013 at 10:42 PM
My top five parks are:
5. Dollywood-Excellent setting, great rides, outstanding employees, the best theme park food anywhere, and overall just a highly enjoyable park. It doesn't have the theming quality of Disney, and it isn't a multi-day park, but Dollywood is still great.
4. Disneyland-The first destination park and still one of the best. Being a local to the park does make it get old if I visit too frequently, but I still love the park and think they do dark rides better than anyone else. Disneyland could use more new attractions, however...the lack of investment is starting to show.
3. Cedar Point-Not technically a theme park, but just one of my favorites in general. Ride-wise, they have some of the best and most intense coasters in the world, and many of the other attractions are quite good.
2. Holiday World-I can't think of a park with better staff than Holiday World, and the park being an amusement park/water park hybrid really increases value. Add in reasonable prices, three outstanding wooden coasters, a decent ride selection, and unlimited free soft drinks and sunscreen, and you've got an excellent park in the middle of nowhere.
1. Busch Gardens Williamsburg-This park has the theming quality of Disneyland, the best landscaping of any park I've visited, some of the best coasters in North America, a lot of unique food offerings, and enough rides and attractions to keep every member of the family entertained for a full day. As of right now, this is my current favorite park and until I finally get to Florida I don't think it has a chance at being dethroned.
Universal Studios Florida for all those of personal, only-makes-sense-to-me reasons.
From Joey I
Posted August 2, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Disneyland. It's not a park at all, it's revolutionary
All Disney World Parks :3
Would like to state, for the record, that of Disney/Universal parks in California and Florida on this site, Epcot has 2 attractions with 9 ratings. USH, USF, and DAK have 3. DHS and MK have 4. And IOA has 5. Both of the California Disney parks have 7.
Just statin that for the record...
IMO, DLR parks are also superior in terms of atmosphere, also. But that's just my opinion.
From David L.
Posted August 3, 2013 at 12:13 PM
Having only been to parks in the southeast (except Elitch Gardens, which certainly won't make this list), Animal Kingdom's themed areas, animal exhibits, and ride collection make it my favorite. I even enjoy riding Primeval Whirl. My next favorite parks are Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Busch Gardens Europe. In general, I enjoy parks with well themed areas that one can spend lots of time exploring. Good food, rides, and shows count, but are secondary to me.
Since I've yet to see the new Fantasy Land expansion at Magic Kingdom, I have to say IOA.
Yes, that's not a simple answer for me. Many of the parks I love are like having a half dozen awesome children that I am proud of. My overall favorite is Busch Gardens Tampa; I love animals, shows, rides, concerts, and they are a beautiful park to walk around in. Their only weakness is due to size they don't have any monster coasters which is a drag, but they have many great mid-large coasters I do enjoy. My favorite coaster park is Six Flags MM and 2nd is Six Flags NJ. I love Sea World and I'm glad they opened a 2nd roller coaster and have a new penguin ride/exhibit. I really love Holiday World is this would be consider the child every parent would love to have. Holiday World is a two in one park with the water park included and they offer the best wooden coasters with the best water slides in the world, plus free drinks, sunscreen, and parking. Holiday World is also the cleanest and friendliest of all the parks I have been to. Also the 2 Universal FL parks. Those would be my top favorite parks. I also love Kings Island, Kings Dominion, Busch Gardens VA, and Knotts Berry Farms. Parks I liked: Cedar Point, Six Flags Arlington and Six Flags GA. World's of Fun and Six Flags near DC are pretty good. I was a little disappointed with Hershey Park, but had fun and who don't like a free chocolate bar? Really miss the free beer at Busch Gardens and Sea World parks but they are not owned by the beer company no more.
PS. I forgot to include the Disney Parks. Somehow they don't come to mind when I think of favorite parks. Epcot and Disney World are both very good with Epcot being my favorite, Disney MGM is pretty good, and Animal Kingdom I was disappointed with, but thank goodness I enjoyed their Everest roller coaster which was sadly the only real enjoyment at that park. I liked Primeval Whirl, it's like the classic wild mouse ride at fairs, their dinosaur ride was closed down, and the animal exhibits were not near what I hoped for.
Mannys Top 4(in no order)
1. All Walt Disney World Parks
2. Dollywood(went there 2 weeks ago loved it)
3. Universal Studios Orlando parks
4. Busch Gardens Tampa
From Lisa Clark
Posted August 18, 2013 at 11:35 PM
Dollywood is my #1 park I've never been to yet, but want to go there. I'm planning to in the next year or two.
Im sorry lisa but you cant say its your fav till you have been there.
Everyone bow to Manny! All Hail Manny!
Manny the All-Powerful! Manny the All-Knowing!
Manny Rules the Kingdom!
She never said it was her favorite park anyway :P
Disneyland first.
Disneyland Paris second
The 90's Epcot Center third
KNEEL BEFORE MANNY
DHS.
Star Wars. Nuff said.
Personally i wouldn't like to rule this kingdom ;1 id rather go play a video game.
I prefer to kneel before Zod anyway...
From N B
Posted August 21, 2013 at 1:28 PM
Used to be IOA, now Universal Studios... Transformers, new Simpsons area, lagoon show and Express on RRR changed my mind.
Potter London will change many people's minds, I am sure.
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