Of course, we were voting only on attractions shared in both locations. While I made a pitch for the virtues of San Diego's version of Journey to Atlantis, I expected that ride to lose overwhelmingly to the Orlando original, which it did. But I still think readers stiffed Universal Studios Hollywood's version of Jurassic Park, by choosing the Islands of Adventure version instead.
On the Disney rides and shows, the final score was Orlando 6, Southern California 3. I think the Orlando parks enjoyed a natural advantage, given how many more people visit the Orlando parks than the Southern California ones each year. If you look at the annual theme park attendance figures, each Orlando park outdraws its Southern California counterpart. In addition, the SoCal parks rely more on multiple visits from locals to boost their attendance than do the Orlando parks, further widening the gap in the number of actual individuals who visit the parks each year.
That said - Space Ranger Spin over Astro Blasters? Really? I voted for Disneyland's Space Mountain over Orlando's too, given the on-ride music, better starfield and much smoother ride. (Though I concede that Disney World's version has the comfiest roller coaster seats ever and a better queue.)
If you are interested, we didn't vote on Star Tours or Toy Story because those are identical on both coasts, once you get past the queues. I wanted to limit the voting to attractions where there was some significant difference in the ride or show itself. Same goes for Shrek 4-D, The Simpsons Ride, and a slew of attractions in the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland.
Finally, I want to announce that I am planning to bring back the annual Theme Park Insider ride tournament next spring, and learned a few things from this mini-tournament that I'll be applying to that event. I've got some ideas on how I can distinguish it from many of the other ride tournaments that have appeared on the Web since we first ran ours back in 2008. Keep reading - I'll be revealing more details this winter.
Orlando/Southern California Theme Park Showdown winners:
Disappointed.
I do agree that since many have mostly experienced the WDW version that maybe it was good enough.
I would have hoped that Astro Blasters, Space Mountain in DLR, and Jurassic Park Hollywood would have won. I feel they are at least marginally superior than their East Coast Counter Parts... Astro Blasters being much more flexible with the cords, Space Mountain with the Halloween overlay as well as the on board sound (there's no sound in space so it doesn't make sense to have sounds as you pass things... but yeah, you do hear the other cars on both), and JP having the Explorer fall as well as the Barbasol Easter Egg... not to mention the double attack of the T-Rex.
Tower of Terror, IASW, Mummy, and Atlantis are definitely superior by far in Orlando. Much much better on the East Coast for multiple reasons... almost too many to break down in a few sentences!
And Splash Mountain shouldn't have been such a landslide considering how much the show is shoddy these days in Orlando.
I'm not making excuses for the West Coast, but attendance numbers alone make me think that a lot of people voted for their "side" even if they haven't been to the other coast.
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