2010 Best Theme Park Attraction: Aladdin vs. Lights! Motors! Action!

March 23, 2010 at 9:14 AM · I loved watching LMA! I had such a good time. It was really cool to see how they did all the tricks and some of the choreography was just amazing and executed perfectly. I hope this one wins. I haven't seen Aladdin, so I can't vote for it over LMA!

March 23, 2010 at 9:20 AM · I love the soon to be gone Aladdin show as it's a great combination of action, drama, music, and dance. Basically a free Broadway style show without paying Broadway prices!

Sadly, I have a hunch that it will lose to Lights as Lights is action-packed, has explosions, cars, and stunts. All that seems more popular than musicals.

No offense to Lights though... I think it looks awesome in all of the videos I've seen. I just can't vote for it as I've never been to it or any carbon copy (as they don't exist... but I would hope for one in California!)

Plus I think that more people have been to Florida's parks on here than California's. Maybe I'm wrong?

March 23, 2010 at 9:34 AM · Aladdin is definitely superior. The theater alone is a work of art, unlike that of LMA, which feels too Nascar-ish.

Unfortunately, as Brandon pointed out, big explosions will earn more fans than musicals. Oddly enough, though, LMA has so much downtime between scenes that the action loses momentum very quickly.

Disney's musicals are better than their stunt shows. Leave the stunt shows to Universal. They know how to work 'em.

March 23, 2010 at 9:39 AM · I love Aladdin, but I am first and foremost a car guy, and I was absolutely blown away by Lights Motors Action. This show was a dream come true for someone who likes Disney parks and the smell of melted rubber. The automotive aspects were detailed, accurate, and interesting, the action is captivating, and the scale is very, very impressive. What puts LMA completely over the edge is that my entire family considered it one of the highlights of the trip to Walt Disney World, and asked to see it again before we left. None of them are car people at all. In Aladdin's defense, it truly is a grand, near-Broadway level play with an extremely talented cast, and a must see for every California Adventure visit. It really pains me to vote against it, but LMA is really that good.

March 23, 2010 at 9:47 AM · Come on people, we can't let Aladdin, which is easily one of the best theme park shows ever lose. If you're looking to see cars explode, just watch Nascar.

March 23, 2010 at 9:52 AM · I'd love to watch LMA within the next few years, but repeat viewings would be affected by pacing for sure. I just got back from watching Cirque du Soleil's Kooza a few weeks ago and as great as the show was, there were a few acts that slowed the pacing wayyyy too much. The transitions were great, filled in by the clowns and other characters, but two extremely slow paced acts (solo trapeze and chair balancing guy) just didn't do much for me.

From the sounds of it LMA sounds like an average Jackie Chan movie. (Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE JC fan, but his run of the mill movies are just action action action with some story built around it) Phenomenal stunts and action, but the filler in between can be fast forwarded. But of course, I should just see it for myself!

March 23, 2010 at 10:22 AM · I think the transition breaks and pacing are what change LMA from an explosion fest to a quality show. The purpose is to show you how these stunts are done and create an appreciation for the machinery. Most "drivers" in America regard driving as something they unfortunately must do to get somewhere, and they involve themselves as little as possible (with tragic results). An appreciation and understanding of car control is something this country needs. Maybe LMA can spark an interest in actually learning about cars and the fine art of really driving.

March 23, 2010 at 10:45 AM · I think this where we're really seeing this site's East coast bias. The majority of the site's users seem to only visit the east coast parks and have never seen Aladdin. Since there is no version of the show at WDW, I think a lot of people are voting for the show they've seen.

March 23, 2010 at 10:57 AM · Wow this is shocking. Aladdin is pure Disney genious and the best show at a theme park. The actors are really good, especially the genie who keeps the show fresh. LMA is good but, like other people have said the pacing is a bit off. Aladdin is wonderful and its a shame its losing to an ok but inferior, story-less car show.

March 23, 2010 at 11:07 AM · Tyler -
If the transition scenes actually taught you about how it's done, the show would be more interesting. They have one brief moment where they show you the engine and interior, but the rest is just useless filler (i.e. the "remote-controlled" car featuring some hapless child from the audience, Herbie's explosion, and other garbage). Disney made the exact same mistakes that they made with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - too much downtime with very little insight as to how the stunts are performed. Rather, they employ cheesy filler material to get cheap laughs.

March 23, 2010 at 11:08 AM · While I have seen LMA more often than I've seen Aladdin, I've gotta go with the West Coast show. I would go to see Aladdin every time I was at DCA. The stunt show, I can take or leave. I've seen it, it's always the same, it'll be there next time I'm at DHS.

I've also seen the original show in France, and I like that version better than DHS's since they use audience volunteers as extras during the show.

March 23, 2010 at 11:26 AM · Another tough vote. Aladdin is a very entertaing show. Brodway style with great music. LMA is just action packed and very interesting. It immerses the audience

March 23, 2010 at 12:22 PM · Both entertaining. I'm a guy though, and I'll take a show with car crashes, stunts and explosions over Broadway plays every time, especially when they are as well done as LMA.

March 23, 2010 at 12:40 PM · Aladdin by a mile. LMA is a poor excuse for a stunt show with way too many slow, plodding moments. It can't hold a candle to Waterworld. Aladdin is one of the best musical shows that Disney has ever produced.

March 23, 2010 at 1:13 PM · Aladdin is an absolutely amazing, wonderfully entertaining show, and I will be very sad to see its run end. LMA was extremely unenjoyable for me: too loud, sun in my eyes, had to climb a zillion steps to get to a seat, bottleneck in exit pattern caused a huge delay in leaving the amphitheater... just not a fun time. I'd hate to see LMA beat such a fabulous musical extravaganza as Aladdin. Once was more than enough for LMA, but I could watch Aladdin again and again. (And have!) Just hearing what new jokes and pop-culture references the Genie will toss in makes it worth seeing multiple times!

March 23, 2010 at 1:52 PM · Having seen both shows I am actually glad Lights, Motors, Action won. I live in New York and trust me Aladdin is not even close to a Broadway caliber show (with the exception of set quality). Lights, Motors, Action is easily the best stunt show I have ever seen and is perfectly coordinated.Don't let appearances deceive you!

March 23, 2010 at 2:30 PM · I agree that Aladdin is not a Broadway caliber show, but it still blows LMA out of the water.

LMA just seems to eat the day. It's hot, slow, long, and only plays a couple of times daily. Since you have to queue about 45 minutes before the show to get a decent seat, I find that the whole day must be planned around it, and it ain't worth planning around.