2002 Theme Park Insider Awards Announced

When will the madness end?!

Spider Man the best attraction?! What has this world come to?

Why are you so suprised IOA is the best Theme Park?, have you even been there?, If you have you should have a decent excuse not to of like it ..... and Spiderman Top Attraction .. Well deserved, no suprise there.

The carousel is gone now, rotted through from years of "deferred maintenance." The castle is closed, with no timetable for reopening. The Tiki room's roof was falling off, Space Mountain can't get its audio to work, very little on Tom Sawyer's Island is open anymore, attractions close early, restaurant service has been cut back, and the park doesn't add new attractions anymore.

In my opinion, Disneyland in 1995 beats the tar out of Islands of Adventure today. But it is not 1995 anymore. I applaud Disney for its current efforts to rehab Disneyland. But the company never should have let the park deteriorate to the point where it is today. Perhaps in two years it can reclaim the top spot for theme park quality.

Have a nice day. :-)

Call me crazy for using a movie to sum up this whole fiasco, but I recall a scene in the movie 'Dante's Peak'. It was Pierce Brosnon's character who said if you put a frog in boiling water, it'll immediately jump right out, but if you put a frog in water at a normal temperature and slowly turn up the heat, the frog will stay and eventually boil to death.

That's what's happening to Disney. Had we jumped immediately five years into the future, EVERYBODY would notice the trouble Disney is in now, but a lot of us have just been sitting in the pot, letting the water get hot.

This reality has not been lost on TPI regulars, and it is that fact that is why Disneyland is NOT in the top three and why any Disney park has the top one spot. Who knows? One day, Disney might actually manage to snatch the number one spot, but until they can get their act together, Universal--namely Islands Of Adventure--will be the MVP for people who care about quality Theme Parks.

I visited TOKYO Disney just over a year ago and agree with you that it was excellent, The Japanese are VERY proud of their parks. The CM are very helpful and polite and it is a very visitor-friendly park. However, there is NO way on earth you can say that the choice of rides is as good at Islands of Adventure, at either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disneysea. Tokyo Disneysea does most definitely not put IOA to shame, O.K the attention to detail and scenery at the park is probably JUST as good as IOA, but the quantity and quality of the rides are poor. There are few attractions, and the only (in my opinion) must see rides are Stormrider and Indiana Jones. Tokyo Disneyland does however does have good attractions but lacks a detailed intriguing atmosphere… it’s just a general magic kingdom park, which is although magic not as different and well/interestingly themed as IOA. I am also a fan of Pooh’s Honey Hunt but there is no chance on earth that it is better than Spider-Man at IOA, especially in state-of-the-art-technology.

If Tokyo Disney Resort is as good as you say it is, then it's quite sad that you have to go halfway around the world to find that kind of quality.

So let's take a look at Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Spiderman. In the Hunny Hunt, we have your standard fair dark ride, themed with a VERY popular Disney character with one major exception: no track. And somehow, the program manages to carefully control these cars as they move from scene to scene just right so that the ride becomes a large, realistic experience. Is this a technological marvel? Yes. This is something I don't doubt and would like to experience someday.

With Spiderman, you have your standard fair dark ride themed with a VERY popular Marvel character with a few different exceptions: the vehicle spins 360 degress and moves like a simulator. The props and sets are combined with movie screens which show 3D films, some include additional effects, such as heat and fire, water and wind, and smoke to further enhance the experience. And somehow, the program manages to time all the effects just right so that the ride becomes a large, realistic experience. Is THIS a technological marvel? Yes. I've been on this ride dozens of times and it never ceases to amaze me.

What we have here are two clearly phenominal must-rides of great quality, with great effects and great characters. But because the main audience for TPI has had more exposure to Spiderman, he has been rated as the number one attraction.

Is it unfair? Perhaps--if our awards were forced upon others, but frankly, as far as I know, you haven't been forced to like or accept Spiderman as the greatest ride in the world and, in fact, you have even made your opinion heard that you were unimpressed with it (and also made a point that you were 'WOW'ed by Pooh's Hunny Hunt).

So how do we wrap this up? Through logic and reasoning, we can say that BOTH attractions are exceptional compared to standard fair dark rides. I love theme parks and good rides. I'm a Haunted Mansion fan, get a thrill from Test Track, Tower of Terror, and even Rock'n'Rollercoaster, and I think Disney/MGM Studios Fantasmic is wonderful. I think that Island's of Adventure is beautifully themed and not the least bit boring in any case--that Universal's attractions pushed the envelope and raised the bar for bigger and better things.

The question is, Mr. Matthew Smithson, are you a theme park fan, also? Or are you simply here to put Disney on a golden throne, ignore what has been tarnished, and simply bash Universal because it is your competition. Can you say anything GOOD... ANYTHING at all about Universal Orlando? Such character quality is what I'm personally seeking, and to blame your actions and responses on the opinions of other TPI regulars would make you just as blind and bigoted as one who simply hated Disney 110% and supported Universal simply because of it.

Although comparing the themes of TDS and IOA is like comparing apples to oranges and watermelons and pineapples, I would admit that TDS's theming is far more gorgeous than IOA's. But IOA's isn't meant to be gorgeous; it is meant to be fun. And it succeeds greatly at that.

But if TDS was in Orlando and not Tokyo, I'm not all that sure it would compare overall to IOA. Take a look at AK. That place is extremely gorgeous also. Well, except for Dinoland. Yet, people are abandoning that park like its a leper colony. So being gorgeous obviously isn't enough. ATTRACTIONS, which you seem to scoff at, are obviously far more important to most people.

Seuss Landing certainly isn't a Fantasyland by any stretch of the imagination--it's something totally different. It's a world that is as true to Dr. Seuss' illustrations as can be--no straight lines anywhere whatsoever. It's magical.

I just had a sort of revelation: what may make IOA difficult for some people to consider well themed than for others is the manner in which it is open. The center of the park is The Great Inland Sea (yes, it's a giant lake), which gives you a perfect view of the other islands on the other side. Perhaps seeing all these different themes in such a manner can make it hard for one to focus on one central theme, unlike Disney which generally contains all it's themes to specific areas.

Still, there's something to be said about the transition one can experience walking from, for example, Toon Lagoon to Jurassic Park. As soon as the walkways change from one island to another, you can also notice the Toon Lagoon music fade and the JP score swell up. It's a beautiful thing--something many tourists likely don't notice--and that is certainly how it should be.

"Disneyland's fall from the top should come as no surprise to anyone's who has visited in the past six years, and remembers what the park looked like a decade ago."

Yes, as wonderful as IOA is, Disneyland 1995 was the superior park.

I wonder, then, if there's anything WE can do to change this?

By the way, when Baxter tells you that "You are CLEARLY in the minority" here with your alternate views on Disney, I have to admit that he may be right...

But remember...the majority of the people in this world are stupid.

But I was talking about the people on this site, most of whom are total smarties. So there.

Although I think that most people in other countries only THINK they're smarter than Americans; arrogance has a way of making one look smarter than one actually is...

I truthfully think
Epcot or Universal Studios Florida does not get its due on this site. All you talk about is rides but the parks have a lot more. Where else besides Epcot can u experince the worlds fair at first hand. Epcot holds every bit of magic that disney brings and creates an educational, entertaining exerience. Where else can u experience around a dozen countries architecture, culinary arts, entertainment, and culture. Someone can go to epcot for a week and still not do everything they have to offer. This site misses what high quality theme parks are all about. Rides sure play an important part, but its the experience of the area that is most important. People have all these guidelines about how to tackle a park, forget about them. The best way to experience disey and universal is to stay on property and go to the parks with know obligation to do any one thing. If your rushing to go on a ride before it gets crowded, then you see some street entertainent that interests u forget the ride and enjoy that. If people look at parks this way they will experience Epcot, Universal Studious, and Orlando parks as as whole in a new refreshing light and though IOA is a great park i dont think people wouldconsider other orlando parks as a downgrade from it.

A rather refreshing point of view. Thanks for being so candid...

It is important to remember the "theme" in themepark rather than just focusing on the rides themselves. Most people on this site are pretty good in that regard, I think, but it's good to remember...

My pride is strong, and it's hard to admit when I might be wrong, but your comments ring true in that an experience at a theme park shouldn't rest solely on which park has better rides but a better atmosphere. I've never directly ignored this factor, but with all the emphasis on rides and attractions that we keep making, it's easy to forget some of the better things.

That being said, you can have a great park with wonderful atmosphere and that's themed nicely, but if you don't have any attractions worth visiting, then you have to wonder if you've really gotten your money's worth.

In the end, I personally still think IOA and Spiderman are good for getting their top votes--call it a blind devotion if you want, but it's what I agree with.

THAT being said, I do realize that Epcot is unique in certain ways and there is a lot to be said for World Showcase, it's themeing, the cultures, it's shows and attractions, and especially its food. It's a unique experience you can't get anywhere else.

You, sir or ma'am, I commend. I truly do.

I'm taking a break from the site for a couple of weeks. There is just to much bickering, sarcastic remarks, and half-baked comments that the site has lost all its draw to me. My best to Robert and the TPI regulars.

People argue that IOA doesn't have the nationwide tourism that Disney attracts. Well give it time, for Pete's sake! WDW's been around since the early 70's.....they've had 3 decades to be where they are now. Universal Orlando has only been around in its present form since 1996! I think your taking away too much credit from Universal, don't you think?

But of course your one of the people that seams only think about rides and thats all good and IOA does have the best.

But theming and atmosphere only take me so far. Yes, I DO need attractions! I'm sure not paying $50 for atmosphere. If I want Disney atmosphere I can find it for free at Downtown Disney. Or I can eat at one of the hotel restaurants and wander the grounds of that hotel for less than $50. I guess I have about a 70/30 split on the two. 70% of liking a park, for me, is all about the attractions with 30% of my appreciation going towards theming and atmosphere. While Epcot fills my Atmosphere Meter completely to the top, it isn't anywhere close to filling my Attraction Meter. Three more excellent attractions and we will see where I stand.

Matthew, trust me, he does not speak for all of us (or even most of us, I think....)

So responding by saying Disneyland sucks doesn't help matters. In fact, it probably hurts them because according to attendance numbers, IOA-is-Number-One fans are still a minority. So it would be nice if, as an obviously vocal minority, we could show the more open-minded Disney fans that we actually know what we are talking about.

I'm unsure on a couple other points, tho. I was not aware Six Flags operated theme parks. They have themes within thier parks and scantally themed attractions, but I don't think of them as *theme* parks (tho, they should clearly be represented here on ThemeParkInsider.com for obvious reasons). And, while Millenium Force may be the "Greatest Roller Coaster on Earth!!" and a *WOW* of a ride ... I don't see this as a *themed* attraction.

Here we go ... I think (this is *me* thinking folks, and, sorry, no ... I did not vote as I have too recently become a member ... Busch Gardens Williamsburg slams the competition ... Ha ha ha ha ... And Alpengiest rules!! (See my review -- shameless plug -- it's the ONLY *themed* attraction I've rated a 10 -- read why).

BTW -- Busch Gardens is only 30 minutes away from where I currently live. I've been to both Disney parks just as often and I've been to IOA only once. I saved up my money to visit Magic Mountain (again, this time just to ride the X), however, now that X is closed, there is a Six Flags closer to my house. I will go there this vacation instead. Although, there are now so many 'Batman' themed rides at SF these days, I think they should change their name to BATLAND!

-scam p

But for people saying Disneyland for best park has no brains. That place sucks and I will never go there.

I'm inclined to agree that IOA is, decidedly, the best park in the nation right now and that it's quite a stretch for people to consider Disneyland the top park. However, I think it's a bit harsh to dismiss Disneyland as a place that just "sucks"...could you be a little more specific? Do you dislike the whole idea of Disneyland or do you simply dislike Disneyland of the "Eisner" administration?

Did you just make a PRO-Disney comment (well, most of it was...)...somebody pinch me!

Just kidding--I'm a bit selective about who does the pinching...;p

But like the TPI Awards say, IOA beats them both!!!!

Whether you love or loathe Disney or Universal, it has to be accepted that IOA is the most comprehensively themed park in the USA. It has a more aggressive ride package, which seems to appeal to this sites visitors. (I for one think that MK is a better experience for kids or USF for the whole family). MGM is too mixed to deliver a comprehensive experience. Spidey would be a great ride if the sound was better.

Portofino Hotel best hotel - really? Did none of the voters stay at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal? It fills up first and they have to put the overflow at the Portofino, which is over priced - over themed and has no atmosphere. If your voters are so far out of touch on the hotel front might they also be out of touch on the park side?

Food for thought!

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