Rivals to Disneyland

[PragmaticIdealist]

Among amusement parks, even the worst Disney attraction is superior to most of Disney's competitors, including, perhaps, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios. However, there are projects around the world that are clearly inspired by Disneyland, but that do not compete directly with Disney's theme parks.

What developments around the world do you think may have "out-Disney-ed" Disney in terms of quality of show and level of imagination?

[PragmaticIdealist]

Casino resorts, like The Palace of the Lost City in South Africa (http://cybercapetown.com/LostCity/) and Atlantis in the Bahamas (http://www.atlantis.com/flash.aspx), immediately come to my mind.

[tyler2cfhs]

I can not think of any parks besides IOA that has come close to out doing Disney. And to me IOA doesn't match any of the disney parks. It comes close but it just isn't as good to me. Some of the things that makes me not like IOA is the outdoor rollercoasters like the Hulk and Dueling Dragons. That truely ruins the theme of the area to me. When have you heard of a Lost Coninent with mystical creaters have a steal rollercoaster just sitting on in the open. I mean seriously. IOA did do some things really well though. I think the Jurassic Park area is abosolutely fantastic. Great themeing, great rides, great atmosphere.

[tyler2cfhs]

When Dubailand is finished it might be a rival but we wont know until then.

[monotonehell]

I just spent the past 5 minutes going through the list of other places I've been, and not one out Disneyed Disney IMO. A few came about as close to the tips of the longest armed guest's fingers to the cross beams of the old Space Mountain. Universal was probably the closest, it lacks the ability to emote feelings other than through thrills.

Disneyland (and I'm not including MK FL in this) has a special feeling about it. I'm unsure what it is exactly. It's possibly the combination of history and themeing. But there's something there, some geist, esprit, something that makes Disneyland more than just a themed set of rides.

[monotonehell]

Looks like the tradition in this thread is to double post. So here's mine! (edit button people)

[PragmaticIdealist]

The Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (http://www.startrekexp.com/) is quite clever. And, I, personally, think that the concept for the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure is ingenious.

[monotonehell]

Originally Posted by PragmaticIdealist

The Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (http://www.startrekexp.com/) is quite clever. And, I, personally, think that the concept for the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure is ingenious.

Okay YES! the Star Trek Experience is an AMAZING ride, but I thought we were talking whole parks here, not a two ride, one restaurant and one display attraction at a hotel.

STE is the most immersive experience (note, not just a ride, an experience) I've ever been on. The whole cast / set / ride system / plot is spot on. And yes, it does out Disney Disney on a technical level.

But as for a competing park. Nada.

[tyler2cfhs]

Originally Posted by PragmaticIdealist

The Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton (http://www.startrekexp.com/) is quite clever. And, I, personally, think that the concept for the Port of Entry at Islands of Adventure is ingenious.

I concur to that statement.

[PragmaticIdealist]

Originally Posted by monotonehell

Okay YES! the Star Trek Experience is an AMAZING ride, but I thought we were talking whole parks here, not a two ride, one restaurant and one display attraction at a hotel.

STE is the most immersive experience (note, not just a ride, an experience) I've ever been on. The whole cast / set / ride system / plot is spot on. And yes, it does out Disney Disney on a technical level.

But as for a competing park. Nada.

We're talking about any type of development. It can be a shopping center or a hotel or a casino or anything else, really. I'd like to reflect on just how high the proverbial bar has been raised and just what Disneyland, and the rest of The Walt Disney Company, needs to do to maintain its preeminence.

[The International]

Not having been to IOA, I think it might be up there with Disney, at least in places. The Jurassic Park ride (which I understand is identical to the one in Hollywood) is Disney-quality, I think, and the new Harry Potter land looks like it's going to be extremely well done too.

[PragmaticIdealist]

In the Downtown Disney-GardenWalk thread, Jon Jerde has been mentioned several times, especially for:

• The 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles
• Horton Plaza in San Diego
• Bellagio in Las Vegas
• West Hollywood Gateway in West Hollywood
• Universal CityWalk and Master Plan in Universal City
• Fashion Island in Newport Beach
• The River in Rancho Mirage
• Del Mar Plaza in Del Mar
• Bella Terra in Huntington Beach
• And, several other Disneyesque projects.

http://www.jerde.com/flash.php

[Steve DeGaetano]

Knott's Berry farm's "Ghost Town" section was always far superior to Frontierland's "Main Street." It might even be said that their Mine Train was superior to Natures Wonderland.

[PragmaticIdealist]

Originally Posted by Steve DeGaetano

Knott's Berry farm's "Ghost Town" section was always far superior to Frontierland's "Main Street." It might even be said that their Mine Train was superior to Natures Wonderland.

I think Disney is probably very happy that Cedar Fair has bought Knott's Berry Farm and ruined it, although it should be remembered that Walter Knott purchased most of those historical buildings and just moved them to their present location. So, they re-created a real ghost town as opposed to Disney's creating of an imaginary boom town.

I suppose all of us will have to go to Calico, now, if we want a ghost town without a steel roller coaster rumbling overhead.

[Bubbadunne]

I hate Cedar Fair. They also ruined paramount's great america, took out the steam train, added a second kids land and a dinky water park. That place was so much cooler and better maintained when i was a kid.

As for out disneyned disney parks,

what about Busch Gardens Virginia? When i went there once the themeing was GREAT! Granted, coasters where everywhere but they were well themed and HIDDEN from the publics view. (For the most part).