Editor: Here is the second part of Laura Townsend Elion’s comparison of three major theme parks. The first section can be found by clicking here.
Saving the best for last, we get to Disney. There are many reasons to like Disney. It’s long been a family favorite in all its iterations (Disneyland, DW, Disney Cruise), but every time I mention going, friends roll their eyes at the expense. This got me thinking at Disneyland, and after the benefit of comparison with the other parks, is it, really??
No, its not. Granted Disney will never be a low budget choice, but compared to other parks, its competitive. Here’s why.
Fast Passes. Disney actually pioneered the concept of entry ease in the major theme parks (the original idea was floated at a world’s fair), and you know how they say the original is always best? It is, because its FREE!! As long as the ride you favor is part of the system (only the most popular rides issue Fast Passes) and that day’s allotment hasn’t been exhausted, you can get a Fast Pass (you’re limited to a certain time interval before you can get another for the same ride). But again, it’s FREE! And there are plenty of diversions to while away the time between rides. We used them for both rides and the “World of Color” performance without a problem. (Hint: Make the rounds and collect favored ones first thing in the morning).
Disney has elevated park presentation to an art form. There are topiaries, statues, fountains, and gardens galore. And everything looks perfect. When we rode the monorail we got a peak at the enormous nursery operation that replaces damaged or declining plants. Plus they have a knack for matching the flora to the environment, creating Polynesian paradises for the Tiki Bird Room and the Polynesian hotel, while turning around and creating formal gardens around the castle.
At the submarine ride my husband and I were fascinated by the plants along the wait line that looked like tendrils of seaweed and coral. They say that the devil is in the details, but if you ask me, the Disney is in the details. Storyland canal boats take you on a tour past exquisite bonsais used in the miniature fairy tale tableaus. (In fairness, Busch Gardens routinely wins awards for their gardens and they’re impressive as well).
Disney creates whole other worlds through landscaping and presentation
Cleanliness & Maintenance. The parks are taken care of in minute and almost obsessive detail. This struck me the most after the Main Street parade where performers tossed tons of confetti onto the street and sidewalks. Less than twenty minutes later, it was like it never happened – all the confetti, and every ice cream cone drip, every spilled soda, every piece of paper left behind by a careless guest, had been cleaned up even though we’re talking thousands of people.
Walking the parks you see street cleaners galore* (always in costume), the trash never overflows and nary a wad of gum stays stuck anywhere. Disney is also fanatical about closing areas to refurbish them regularly. Seldom do you see paint chipping, or anything torn, broken, or abused unless it’s purposely ‘distressed’ for a theme. When you think of value, you get it – who do you think pays for that amount of detail? In my office we’re lucky if the staff vacuums the carpet once a month. *Tip –all the street cleaners carry park maps and schedules if you lose yours.
Friendliness. I don’t know if they’re biting their tongues inside, but their lips are always smiling on the outside. With a few sporadic exceptions, Disney employees are overwhelming helpful and friendly.
At the other parks I recently visited they were often harried and cordial at best, frantic and neglectful at worst (again Sea World fared better than Six Flags, the gate attendant there was extremely nice, at Six Flags the ‘Security’ monitoring the ‘loose items’ were rude).
You don’t automatically think of this when you’re buying tickets, but it means a lot when your kid is overwrought and cranky, or you think you lost your camera. (Tip – Go to Disney’s lost and found and ask about your item noting the date you lost it. Disney employees send everything they find to that location and it’s filed by the date it’s found. You’d be amazed at what you think is gone forever, but can be reclaimed).
If you really think about it, the ‘cast members’ demeanors are phenomenal given all the whiny kids and overbearing parents they encounter every day. I had an off-the-record discussion with several interns at Disney’s California Adventure and they raved about the patience and forbearance of the full-time staff (while displaying some pretty good vibes themselves).
I myself paused to consider how lady-like I would be if I got dinged by one more stroller and then reminded myself they handle that every day, all day. (The oblivious, maniacal stroller pushers are the worst hazard at Disney in my book).
One episode we had illustrates how kid-centric Disney employees are. My 5 year old stood in line with me for the Thunder Mountain Railroad coaster (personal favorite) but insisted he would opt out once we got to the actual departure.
At the loading site the young attendant spent a lot of time talking him through his fears (while simultaneously moving other passengers along – it was amazing) and promised him a special something if he would try the ride. He did -but the ride ends at a different place. I wondered how that would be resolved. No worries there. As we exited, another young attendant, who had never seen us before, came over and said, “I hear this young man is due a surprise,” and handed him an “Honorary Citizen of Disneyland” button. It made his day. (We asked him about the ride and he said he liked it, but that he wouldn’t go back on. He’s a charmer and we wondered if he was lobbying for another button).
I’m not sure what the average age of a Disney cast member is, but many seem to have the calm, poise and coping skills of a hostage negotiating team. Disney is to be commended for its training program.
Ambiance, or should I say that special je ne sais quoi? I think one of the prime differences between all the parks I visited this trip was that, as wholesome as it is, and as unrealistic as the ‘otherworldlly, fantasy village’ concept would be translated into real life, Disney embraces you and makes you feel like you belong (or at least, never want to go home).
Sea World and Six Flags (and some other parks I’ve been to in the past) seem more like transit stops. Whereas six hours at Six Flags had me fantasizing about the comfort of my hotel room, I left Disneyland as late as 1:30 a.m., enthusiastically planning to get up for the next course at 8 a.m..
Specific to Disney in California, we actually got two theme parks for the price of one — Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. The pass we had enabled us to go in and out of both parks as we pleased (as long as we got hand stamps), and they’re so close it’s conveniently like walking across the street. I was initially concerned that since the California version is smaller, it would be underwhelming, but happily we liked some things about Disney CA better. Comparing relative value, again, Disney won because our admission covered two parks.
Size, it matters, especially when you have small children. Florida’s park has almost infinite variety and space, but the more intimate feel of California allowed our five year old to feel more at ease. Simply said, it was just his size.
We worried because our earlier park experiences occurred when he was still in a stroller (these can still be helpful for kids as old as 5, 6 or even 7). This trip he’d be walking. The close proximity to the adjacent park, and the scaled-down version of some attractions meant he got less tired and experienced more. If you have girls, the much reduced castle might disappoint, but our son ignored it and they make it up to royally inclined with the Princess Faire.
Organization. The parks are laid out in a very rational fashion (a wheel with spokes) that gives you optimal variations to get from one place to another. (If you’ve been to Magic Kingom (FL) you won’t have any problems navigating Disneyland, the layout is essentially the same). Plus, more than other parks, they offer a variety of ways to get from point A to point B that don’t require walking, including trains, horse carriages, old time cars and fire engines, the monorail, and (in FL) boats (in limited cases). It goes without saying that the modes of transportation are as entertaining as the places they’re getting you to.
Dining options – and I don’t mean the price plans, although they have those for resort guests. Disney offers more variety in terms of themed cuisine (regional, international, specialty).
We ate in a restaurant that had really decent gumbo, and another had pretty good French pastry. Hands down, if you’re not on a diet, the best deal in Disney is the $5.75 huge sundae several of the ice cream shops (Gibson Girl, Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream) offer — it’s a meal. In sum, our casual dining choices were more appealing than the huge cafeteria or walk-up window options we saw in Six Flags where not much inspired us, and more varied than at Sea World.
We did do one character meal (Surf’s Up Breakfast with Mickey & Friends, adults $35, kids $15) — those are always popular with small kids, and always entertaining. The food was very good, and fun for kids -think breakfast pizza and lots of Mickey shaped food. (Hint, get your kids to eat before the characters come out, after that they lose interest). Savvy parents know that these meals are the one way to guarantee your child can collect character autographs and closely interact with them.
Surfs Up
More than rides, Disney offers an omnipresent entertainment experience, which is why perhaps folks lament about ever being able to do it all. In addition to the rides, there are shows, roving musical groups, parades, and spectacles, just for starters. Throw in fireworks, costumed characters and staff, water features and amazing vistas, and you get more of the idea.
Even standing in line can be pleasant — Disney provides pre-ride experiences that incorporate animated characters, themed décor and other presentations that make the wait enjoyable. (The animated Mr. Potato Head in the queue for Toy Story Mania at CA Adventure made us wanting to stay back in line). If you’re bored you can also indulge yourself in the Imagineers’ favorite ’insider’ entertainment – finding the hidden Mickeys. It kept my son busy, even if he only found imaginary Mickeys.
The two ‘signature’ shows running in California are Fantasmic! (very similar to the same show in Florida) and World of Color. World of Color (held in CA Adventure) is almost indescribably, breathtakingly, entrancing. It’s a water show, it’s a laser show, it’s got film segments on water screens, and fire elements, all of it set to music. There’s a reason why folks rush to get the Fast Passes for the best seats first thing in the morning. (Go to the earliest show and they entertain the waiting crowd with large fiber-optically lit puppets).
Oh, and it reportedly cost $75 million to design and build. (Big Hint: If you miss the ‘only’ two WOC shows, there’s almost always a third one that Disney doesn’t advertise. A helpful employee told us they’re not allowed to post it because on rare occasions it’s not held, but if the first two shows are filled to capacity, a third will be added. It’s late though, after 11 p.m. If you’re willing to risk it – and there are no fast passes dispensed for it – you can fit Fantasmic and the Disneyland fireworks plus WOC in all in one night with a bit of a fast shuffle).
The cost for World of Color seems shocking for a 26-minute show, but its truly spectacular. Every component, segment and piece of equipment was specially designed and manufactured for only that one purpose and it took years from concept to culmination. Think about that when you complain about paying for tickets. Another favorite, the new Toy Story Mania ride, cost $80M. (All of these outlays were part of the $1 billion overhaul of California Adventure). In short, creativity costs, and Disney is always willing to make a down payment.
And a mention about special events at Disney. At least once we have paid for admission to these sorts of things – most recently, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Disney World. It’s not cheap (about the same price as daily admission for a 5 hour party) but there are substantial benefits.
Crowds are notably light, meaning you can ride many attractions numerous times. There are special shows, costumes, parades and fireworks that are never displayed at other times. (The “Haunted Mansion” brigade in the parade is awesome).
I hear Christmas at Disney can be a mob scene (never been, it’s on the list), but my son loved trick-or-treating with Mickey and you know it will be a fun, safe experience. If you buy tickets online or early it’s often cheaper.
At this goes to press, Disney has just raised ticket prices. After looking at the increases, and comparing them to the going rate at some other parks, I’m sure I’ll still be headed there. Most kids dream of a Disney adventure, and if you can afford to give it to them, I don’t think you will be disappointed. I’ve never heard a kid ask Santa Claus for a trip to Six Flags.
"I'm going to Disneyland!"
(Disclaimer – I have no relationship with Disney except as a frequent visitor. I paid consumer admission rates and never disclosed I was writing an article — thus I received no benefit for recommending it based on my personal opinion).
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