Re: Parks Ranked by Company.
I'll give it a go, but the only ones that i feel I know enough about them to rank them are Disney and Universal.
Universal
1.
Islands of Adventure - It was originally a toss up between this and Japan for the #1 spot. This feels a lot more cohesive and I love theming from each land is very consistent and are very different to the other lands. I really love the Toon Lagoon water rides and the lost continent area. Suess landing is also a perfect kids area. When it opened it was the 'perfect theme park' and with additions like Harry Potter and King Kong, its even better.
2.
Universal Studios Japan - The B&Ms look a lot better than the ones at IOA (and no IP
). They lack theming, but still they are visually fantastic (I am obsessed with Hollywood Dream - it looks like a coaster Cinderella designed). The park has a strong line-up as it's almost the best bits of the two Florida parks merged together, but doesn't feel as cohesive as IOA. At least its got Space Fantasy!
3.
Universal Studios Florida - This gets big points for Diagon Alley, which looks ridiculous. Nothing else to note on as you can find most things at the other resorts.
4.
Universal Studios Singapore - Almost third, the park looks small and I'm annoyed with a lot of the decisions made with the design. Considering the IP, Far Far Away and Madagascar look stunning from the outside, but I just hate so much invaluable space was wasted on things like Shrek 4D and two useless creds. Scifi-City is visually a step up from Marvel Superhero Island, but again I don't care much for it. The Lost World looks interesting, but I'm not keen on the rapids. Ancient Egypt just wins. Definitely the most rewarding and impressive facade (probably the best version too). I really want to like the place a whole lot more...
5.
Universal Studios Hollywood - Small, expensive, weird layout, worst version of the Mummy, even post-Harry Potter it has an unappealing line up. The Tram tour looks really cool, but it's the sort of thing you only need to do once, plus its taking up so much space. I doubt its ever not going to be bottom of the pile. Nice views though.
Disney
1.
Tokyo DisneySea - It's pretty obvious...
2.
Tokyo Disneyland - #2-#7 are completely interchangeable. The amount of times I've already re-ordered them is just silly! It has the best bits of Magic Kingdom and Disneyland but with entirely amazing looking exclusive attractions like Poohs Hunny Hunt and Monsters Inc. Although Fantasyland and Tomorrowland need work, the park looks in tip top shape and has nearly everything a castle park could ask for. Some other unique things I love about this park is the Westernland Train, the extinct Mystery Castle Tour, Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall, the Typhoon Lagoon-esque area in Adventureland and the fact you don't need to go to the main hub to get to the rest of the park. The park looks well maintained, the shows actually look appealing and their Critter Country looks amazing.
3.
Disneyland - It has by far the most attractions than any other Disney Park and has the likes of Matterhorn and Indiana Jones. Although not as refreshed as Magic Kingdom's I think it's Fantasyland is almost on par and the park generally looks nicer too.
4.
Shanghai Disneyland - I haven't seen too much of it yet (and none of Roaring Rapids!) and it's among parks with a much larger lineup, but the only thing I really disagree with is the Jet Packs ride. The details I've found so far are overwhelming, multiple attractions are improving on already phenomenal rides, I'm even obsessed with the Soarin' queue line. It's feels more one-of-a-kind than the other castle parks. We'll see more of what this park has ot offer in the coming months, but for now I'm placing it here.
5.
Disneyland Paris - With the recent refurbishments, I'm beginning to find the hated for this park predictably rote. It has the best Frontierland and the best "old" versions of Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates. Discoveryland is astonishing, Adventure Isle and Adventureland are so great. The classic rides feel different, There's a an Alice in Wonderland maze, the castle looks the best aesthetically and it has a dragon underneath!
6.
Magic Kingdom - There's so much here, but It's main strengths are Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Transit Authority and New Fantasyland.
7.
EPCOT - I don't mind people hating it as Future World feels more and more dated and useless, there aren't that many (good) attractions (and NO CREDS!), but as a park it's wonderful to stroll round and I find a lot of it really beautiful.
8.
Disney's Animal Kingdom - Another one people often dislike. Similar to EPCOT its a personal thing to me and i think it's the best themed park after DisneySea (*casually ignores Dinoland*). Like Alton Towers, i enjoy walking through the park so don't mind that its so spread out and it has so many intricate thematic details to absorb. That coupled with it being based on animals and nature, it ticks all the right boxes for me. I don't like Avatar, but i think the park's really going to (critically) benefit from it.
9.
Hong Kong Disneyland - I don't know too much about this park, only a few months ago I was surprised to learn it has a Small World train bridge in front of the attraction. The park is...cute minus Toy Story, but apart from Mystic Point, Grizzly Gulch and Tomorrowland, there's not much that interests me (compared to the others). The location is lovely, and they are adding things quickly
[citation needed], but it's far too sparse at the moment and yes you could say that about animal kingdom, but like Epcot, there's much to do and see at DAK that aren't necessarily traditional rides. Hong Kong does look pretty, but it needs more.
10.
Disney's California Adventure - Woo lord didn't this look hideous when it opened! It was the pits, but they've begun to turn it around. Cars Land is a million times better than I ever could have imagined and California Screamin' looks like something I'd LOVE. The park is very different and contains some other great attractions and has more rides than most people realise, but it's hard to ignore the other verrucas dotted around the park.
11.
Disney Hollywood Studios - I have sentimental nostalgia surrounding this park, but I can't put it anywhere but second last. Apart from the best ride ever, there's like nothing here and the theming can't be compared to the other Disney Parks, (one of my main gripes about all 'studios' parks - You're better off with an IOA approach).
12.
Walt Disney Studios Park - I'd sacrifice Ratatouille just to tear this hole down and start again. It's unbelievable how many things you can find wrong with it. Even with the recent, supposedly "good" additions, why did they put Tower of Terror there, in the middle of the f**king park. It might be towards(ish) the back for now, but the more the park expands, the more opportunities for the most unflattering angle of the tower, looking like a high rise block in a developing country, to ruin any view. That's just one of them many things I could moan about.
GuyWithAStick said:
Disney:
-Epcot
-Tokyo Disneysea
-Hollywood Studios
-Shanghai Disneyland
-HK Disneyland
-Magic Kingdom
-Disneyland
-California Adventure
-Tokyo Disneyland
-Animal Kingdom
-Disneyland Paris
I'm gonna need some explanations
Hollywood Studios 3rd!?!?!
Hong Kong the second best castle park?!?!?
Tokyo Disneyland bottom 3!?!
Disneyland Paris last!?!?!
Not you throwing shade at WDSP
