Disney has ruined other theme parks for us!

We don't go to other theme parks anymore. I'd rather save my money and go to Disney. Scrappy checked into going to Hershey for a few days and doing the whole spa thing. It would have cost almost as much as Disney.

I havent been to much since we have been going to Disney the past 4 years regularly. I do plan on going to Cedar Point though... but to me its a much different experience, so I guess ill find out soon... lol

You just got to put in your head that its a much different experience. Going for rollercoasters and such rather than animatronics. Thats how I look at it... lol

With you here, Mase. I don't really do other theme parks-Disney has spoiled me, but on the rare times I have, I go there knowing it will be different. . . I think that way about lots of stuff or life is full of disappointments.

Hey, I LOVE dole whips, but sometimes I have to settle for DQ softserv!

As my lawyer said, "At Universal and Six Flags they just strap you in and scare the hell out of you. At Disney World they entertain you first, then they strap you in and scare the hell out of you."

I was thinking the same thing the other day to....We had season tickets one year for Kings Island and went several times...but haven't been to any other theme park since we have started going to Disney....I just don't think I would like it as much anymore

I mentioned this before. I got the chance to go to Ceaderpoint last year, and it is certainly worth checking out, especially if you are a thrill ride fan. You won't find better ones anywhere. But I couldn't help but think it just didn't have the magic. I agree with those who say it is just a differnt experince. If you go expecting the same amazement as Disney, you will be disapointed. If you don't, then you can still enjoy them.

Nothing wrong with some good ol DQ......especially Snickers Blizzards which sadly we don't have here in Canada

I don't really go to other parks. Maybe that's because I grew up Disney and have always expected that sort of quality. When we do things that aren't Disney related, we tend to visit museums, historical sites/villages, shopping. We don't really go to other theme parks because we know that they just won't live up to our expectations.

I totally understand. I like coasters and stuff but the upkeep of the non Disney parks turns me off. I love that Disney looks like it did on opening day only updated with new rides. Yes, thing close and new things open but for the most part it's a comfortable, known experience. I also like the crowds better. I've seen some Disney meltdowns but the crowds aren't rude like at other parks.
Disney just does it better and I appreciate that more than I think they know.
Dee

I went to Dollywood a couple of months ago and it really wan't that bad. They do a really good job of upkeep and constantly building new things. The only things I can say is that since it wasn't crowded, we rode everything in the first 3 hours and the food was wayyyyy more than Disney. But it was not average theme park chicken tenders and burgers at most of the counter service. (I had a foot-long corndog! )

I agree! During my tenure at Disney, I visited Universal Islands of Adventure (free, and before HP) and Busch Gardens (paid.) Both were disappointments, because I spent my time thinking of how much money and time I was wasting, not being at Disney. Like Kristen said, I guess I don't have any room in my heart for a theme park that isn't Disney. If I'm doing something else, then I'm doing something else.

so, yeah...I'm Disney hardcore, and I'm not really messing with others...although I do wonder if that's doing my children a disservice. Nah

I seem to be in the minority here. Of course, I'd rather go to a Disney park, but there isn't one close to home. What we do have is Hersheypark. No, it isn't Disney, but it's clean, well-maintained, and while it doesn't have the Disney magic it is a lot of fun. Our season passes cost $120 each, and we can go as often as we want during the spring event (two weekends in April), the summer season (May-September), and the Halloween and Christmas events (three weekends in October, and then most of November and all of December). The passes are paid for after two daytime visits or four evening visits, plus we get free parking and discounts on food and merchandise. I think it's worth the cost.

That's terrific, CCP! I think if there were a spot close by - a regional favorite - that I had grown up with or it had endeared itself to me in some way, I would feel the same. King's Island is kind of like that for me. It was the closest major theme park when I was growing up. But I haven't been there for 20+ years, so I don't know how I'd feel about it now. But I can see your point, and the cost is so much more affordable.

We did a road trip through Pennsylvania years ago - my son was into rocks, caverns, etc. I had been to Hershey Park when I was in my 20's, and loved it, so we spent a day there. It's lovely. Not Disney, but still a great way to spend a day.

I think when we go to Disney, it's an event! Multiple days are never enough to see everything, so there's always a reason to return. For other amusement parks, I adjust my thinking, and just enjoy the day while we are there. Different expectations, but fun too.

I'm not much of a roller coaster person (although I can handle rockin roller coaster at HS) so I don't go to other parks anyways. I have been to Universal (I'm a huge Harry Potter fan) a few times and SeaWorld but i just like the Disney atmosphere better. I'm obsessed with Disney!

I do find though that Disney has ruined fireworks for me. They are just so awesome that the ones they have back home seem so wimpy.

I have to admit it. Other than a trip to Wildwood NJs boardwalk, which isn't a theme pask of course, I've stopped going to Six Flags in Jersey, unless there's a good concert. I've often walked thru the park to see trash in the landscape, and I don't feel the excitement there that I do at Disney. I also don't find the entertainment, and magic there that I feel while walking thru the parks at WDW. When you get right down to it, Disney has always added extra touches to detail, and all around presentation, that I just don't see at SF. I see more of an attempt in the other Orlando theme parks, but WDW still pulls it off better for some reason.

HA! I love this! So true!

So, my kids and I decided that we're going to go to Six Flags Great America in August with their DeMolay Chapter. I'm sort of excited, and I'm sort of dreading it. I have this feeling I'll just be comparing it to Disney the entire time. Also, I don't do thrill rides, so I'm not even sure if I'll be doing much besides sitting on a bench.

Mhmm, I'm right with you there. Six Flags is rough if you aren't into crazy rollercoasters and mega death drops.

Disney has such a huge advantage as a theme park. Not only does it have an outrageous amount of live action shows, it has all of the animatronic combination rides/shows, and rides that are create an experience with visual and robotic technology rather than just throwing your body around. Overall the range of low to high intensity experiences is just better.

And I must add, nothing is as CLEAN as Disney. Six Flags Over GA is just gross. I love the clean factor.

This is why I like Hersheypark (after the Disney parks, of course). It's cleaner than most parks and has enough non-thrill rides and shows to keep me entertained. No, it isn't Disney fantastic, but it's a nice way to spend a day. If you're somewhere in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, or even the eastern Midwest, give it a try.

When I want magic-and comfort-and fun-I go to Disney, it's my happy place. I could sit in the Tiki Room for hours-but no one will let me! I love to wander the parks and laugh and eat and pin trade and find new places and hidden treasures I didn't know before, and enjoy the most magical day ever with someone that loves it as much if not more than I do. I love Disney
When I want coasters-I put my running shoes on, grab my small back back with ony essentials (my disney bag is crazy!) and head to Busch Gardens. I don't care for the park its self, but man they got good coasters! Since they opened Cheetah, last few times I went before school was out, all the other major coasters were under 25 minute w/t and that was Sheikra. Everything else was practically walk on! Yep, at Busch,I get in, ride the coasters and get out!

That's so funny, we are the same way w BG! We don't have passes anymore because we would always end up at Disney and didn't use the BG passes. They do have great coasters, we'd go in the morning, ride all the big coasters and be home by noon. The only bad thing is most of my friends and my teens friends have passes and always ask us to go, so I kinda miss that, it's fun to go w friends, but a whole different experience than Disney.
I LOVE Sheikra, but have not been there since the Cheetah has opened, I'm sure I'd love it though.

Dont tell me this We arent going to Disney this year and we are tossed between Hershey Park and VA Busch Gardens with a stay at Great Wolf Lodge.

I have to say that we were very impressed with our first time at Busch Gardens this past March. We are huge Disney fans of course and usually no other parks are even up there close to the scale of what we consider Disney's ranking to be. Up until our trip in March we had only ever been to WDW and other small amusement parks. We spent the entire week in Orlando and never went to Disney( we had gotten our fix in December) It was difficult but we were able to enjoy Universal, Sea World and especially Busch Gardens.

Though Disney will be our first choice always, we will now consider planning one non-Disney park day on our trips and going to Busch Gardens or Universal.

Of course we are still in the same place as most of you, and really cannot take going to Valley Fair ( The Twin Cities local theme park) because it just isn't as fun.

I hear you, mteam! A few friends wanted to get season passes to Valleyfair this year, but one time was more then enough for me! All it made me do was long for Disney

VA Busch Gardens might have a slight edge in terms of big steel coasters with inversions and stuff (I don't recall exactly how many they have), but they have NO traditional wooden coasters at all. Hersheypark has (mentally counting) six steel coasters with inversions etc., one vintage wooden coaster, two modern wooden coasters, a "tame" coaster (not quite a kiddie ride, but close), a Wild Mouse, and a water coaster. In terms of shows, the two parks are about equal IMO. And Hersheypark has a lot more less-thrilling rides than VA Busch Gardens has. Honestly, there wasn't much for me to do at BG since I get queasy on thrill rides. Oh, and at Hersheypark the water park is inside the main park - no separate admission or higher-priced two-park ticket required.

Hershey just launched a new coaster that looks AWESOME! Plus, if you can't do Disney, you can beat going to a place that has a CHOCOLATE WORLD!