LiveForTheLaunch
CF Legend
Re: Top 10 Theme/Amusement Parks: 2015 Edition page 6
I'm not doing these in any order, because in some cases it really is apples to oranges.
Disneyland- I know it's not a thrill seeker's paradise, but it really is magical for young and old alike. The atmosphere is amazing and authentic, and there's so much to do there! It truly does feel like another world when you're there, not to mention that there's not a shortage of rides, even if they're not the most intense on the planet. Everything is so immersive, and that's what's so fantastic about it.
Alton Towers- I really liked the atmosphere of this place. It has the massive gardens which makes it unique to most other theme parks, well themed coasters and areas, and some interesting other bits and bobs that aren't really found over here in North American parks. A lot of the coasters are very good as well, with both Nemesis and Oblivion ranking pretty high in my top creds. I also believe Air is very under rated (argue with me all you'd like, it actually simulates flying better than a lot of other flying coasters).
Islands of Adventure- Like someone else said in this thread, I don't lump this together with Universal. They have separate entrances, separate concepts, and thus in my opinion, are separate parks. I was SO overwhelmed and blown away by the amazing detail in every nook and cranny at the park, and I was very surprised because I didn't really have high expectations for it. Couple that with some of the greatest rides I've ever been on, and one of the most ridiculously well-themed areas in any park I have ever been to, and there's no question that this ranks in the upper echelon of my park list!
Port Aventura- A park I have always wanted since I first learned of it back when I first became an enthusiast at age 11 or 12, and needless to say I was not disappointed. Although I found that the creds really left a lot to be desired, with Dragon Khan being incredibly meh and Baco being a headband eating experience I'd rather forget (despite the top notch launch), Shambhala and the overall atmosphere of the park more than made up for it. Well themed areas, lots to do, and overall, I believe it is well deserving of all the praise it gets.
Magic Kingdom- For the same reasons as Disneyland, but on a lesser scale, I think Magic Kingdom deserves a spot on this list.
Busch Gardens Tampa- I'm not a huge fan of Busch Williamsburg, which is strange because it gets so many great reviews, so I didn't go to Busch Tampa with very high expectations. Despite the limited riding time I got there due to a horrible storm, and the fact that it closed early, really isn't enough to deter me from putting it in my top ten parks! The zoo/park combination is quite nice, the rides were far better than I had hoped (Kumba, and especially Montu, were way better than I thought they'd be), and there's not a shortage of things to do, that's for sure!
Hersheypark- Although I don't think the atmosphere is quite as good as some of the other parks I have on this list, I have always had a soft spot for this park. There are many rides there that I consider above average, one of which is in my top five and the other ones are probably in my top thirty. It's a nice place to spend the day with a lot to do, in a decent setting that doesn't look like creds were plonked carelessly on a parking lot.
Blackpool- Sue me, I love it. I love the seaside park atmosphere, probably because we don't have much of anything like it over here, so it was a really different experience for me. The only thing comparable that I have been to would be Indiana Beach. I had a great day here, despite the weather, and even though there really isn't any theme to it (unless you consider tacky seaside resort a theme), it's different.
Universal Orlando- I love simulators, and this park is full of really great ones! Although it's not really a full day park, and the parade leaves a bit to be desired, I had a great time there back when I was a kid and loved it just as much last year.
And no list would be complete without...
Cedar Point- A stupid amount of coasters and creds in a crappily themed chain park.
I think that California's Adventure, Chessington, Canada's Wonderland, Prater Park, and Indiana Beach almost made this list as well, so honorable mentions to them!
I'm not doing these in any order, because in some cases it really is apples to oranges.
Disneyland- I know it's not a thrill seeker's paradise, but it really is magical for young and old alike. The atmosphere is amazing and authentic, and there's so much to do there! It truly does feel like another world when you're there, not to mention that there's not a shortage of rides, even if they're not the most intense on the planet. Everything is so immersive, and that's what's so fantastic about it.
Alton Towers- I really liked the atmosphere of this place. It has the massive gardens which makes it unique to most other theme parks, well themed coasters and areas, and some interesting other bits and bobs that aren't really found over here in North American parks. A lot of the coasters are very good as well, with both Nemesis and Oblivion ranking pretty high in my top creds. I also believe Air is very under rated (argue with me all you'd like, it actually simulates flying better than a lot of other flying coasters).
Islands of Adventure- Like someone else said in this thread, I don't lump this together with Universal. They have separate entrances, separate concepts, and thus in my opinion, are separate parks. I was SO overwhelmed and blown away by the amazing detail in every nook and cranny at the park, and I was very surprised because I didn't really have high expectations for it. Couple that with some of the greatest rides I've ever been on, and one of the most ridiculously well-themed areas in any park I have ever been to, and there's no question that this ranks in the upper echelon of my park list!
Port Aventura- A park I have always wanted since I first learned of it back when I first became an enthusiast at age 11 or 12, and needless to say I was not disappointed. Although I found that the creds really left a lot to be desired, with Dragon Khan being incredibly meh and Baco being a headband eating experience I'd rather forget (despite the top notch launch), Shambhala and the overall atmosphere of the park more than made up for it. Well themed areas, lots to do, and overall, I believe it is well deserving of all the praise it gets.
Magic Kingdom- For the same reasons as Disneyland, but on a lesser scale, I think Magic Kingdom deserves a spot on this list.
Busch Gardens Tampa- I'm not a huge fan of Busch Williamsburg, which is strange because it gets so many great reviews, so I didn't go to Busch Tampa with very high expectations. Despite the limited riding time I got there due to a horrible storm, and the fact that it closed early, really isn't enough to deter me from putting it in my top ten parks! The zoo/park combination is quite nice, the rides were far better than I had hoped (Kumba, and especially Montu, were way better than I thought they'd be), and there's not a shortage of things to do, that's for sure!
Hersheypark- Although I don't think the atmosphere is quite as good as some of the other parks I have on this list, I have always had a soft spot for this park. There are many rides there that I consider above average, one of which is in my top five and the other ones are probably in my top thirty. It's a nice place to spend the day with a lot to do, in a decent setting that doesn't look like creds were plonked carelessly on a parking lot.
Blackpool- Sue me, I love it. I love the seaside park atmosphere, probably because we don't have much of anything like it over here, so it was a really different experience for me. The only thing comparable that I have been to would be Indiana Beach. I had a great day here, despite the weather, and even though there really isn't any theme to it (unless you consider tacky seaside resort a theme), it's different.
Universal Orlando- I love simulators, and this park is full of really great ones! Although it's not really a full day park, and the parade leaves a bit to be desired, I had a great time there back when I was a kid and loved it just as much last year.
And no list would be complete without...
Cedar Point- A stupid amount of coasters and creds in a crappily themed chain park.
I think that California's Adventure, Chessington, Canada's Wonderland, Prater Park, and Indiana Beach almost made this list as well, so honorable mentions to them!
