As for me, it is, was, and probably always be EPCOT Center (see? I can’t even bring myself to call it by its updated moniker, Epcot) at Walt Disney World.
What say the rest of you?
I’m in the UK, so I’ll vote Alton Towers. There’s only really two proper competing theme parks in the country (Thorpe Park and the Pleasure Beach at Blackpool) and I’ve never been to Thorpe Park and Blackpool is, well, Blackpool.
I’ve always thought Thorpe Park was great, want to go again soon to try the new ride, Saw. Six Flags in the Netherlands is decent too. Not been to Alton Towers.
The original, Disneyland, in Southern California. Also, **Tokyo DisneySea **outside Tokyo.
The US-focus is expected, but why only the Disney and Universal parks?
Because they’re arguably the combined 800 lb. gorilla of the theme park industry. I know that probably my most glaring omission was the Six Flags parks, but then there are so damned many of them that I didn’t feel like singling out certain ones. So the “other” choice was added as an admittedly lazy, CYA kind of thing.
I always liked Dorney Park.
Cedar Point. All others are just pretenders.
Note under awards: “Cedar Point has received the Golden Ticket Award by Amusement Today for “Best Amusement Park in the World” in 2009, winning for the twelfth consecutive year. The park also placed in the categories for “Friendliest Staff”, “Best Outdoor Night Production” and “Best Halloween Event”.”
emphasis in italics mine
Nitpick: Disneyland is simply Disneyland. No more, no less. “Magic Kingdom” is just a description in reference to the California park.
Oh, and ‘amusement park’ ≠ ‘theme park.’
I’ve only been to Universal once and, while fun, it doesn’t quite have the feel of Disney for me. I love Disney.
I like all 4 of the WDW parks. My favorite ride of all – Tower of Terror – is at Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom is a pleasant way to spend a day, but those parks don’t quite rise to the level of the other two.
So for this poll, I thought for a while between EPCOT and WDW’s Magic Kingdom.
Soarin’ and Mission:Space at EPCOT are both incredible. Test Track never quite lived up to the hype but it’s a fun ride nonetheless. The “minor” attractions of Future World such as Spaceship Earth and Living With The Land are always relaxing and enjoyable diversions.
And then I can spend an entire day just strolling through World Showcase, eating and drinking and taking in the sights. It’s an immersive experience like no other. Plus, IllumiNations is absolutely spectacular.
But I voted for Magic Kingdom because there is truly nothing like walking through the front gate and getting that first look up Main Street at Cinderella Castle. It sounds trite, but there really is something magical about just being there. MK’s headliner attractions – Pirates of the Carribean, Haunted Mansion, the Mountains (especially Splash) – still thrill me no matter how many times I’ve done them. Jungle Cruise is still fun, the Tiki Room is a kitschy stitch, the Hall of Presidents is marvelous. And so on and so forth. I just never get tired of the place.
Would you mind enlightening me? They sure look the same.
I liked Disney in Orlando, but can only compare it to the excrement that is Six Flags.
Cedar Point deserves to be up there as distinct from the sameness the various Six Flagses represent. And I will say that Cedar Point has the best collection of rides of any theme (or amusement) park in the U.S.
That said, I still voted for Epcot, for many of the same reasons expressed by Wheelz (who voted for MK, but summed up my preference for Epcot pretty well).
I’ve always thought of an amusement park as just a collection of rides, whereas a theme park ties all the rides and/or attractions together under an overall, uh, theme. The two overlap quite a bit, but there are some amusement parks that are not theme parks, and vice versa.
Other
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
They have 17 roller coasters, four are taller than 200 feet. As of 2009 they had more rides than any other amusement park, at 75.
I’d have to say Cedar Point; after that I have a sentimental love for Six Flags Great America (Gurnee IL).
The Disney parks are fun, but I go for the rides and especially the coasters and Disney does not compete in that area. I’ve never been to any of the Universal parks.
I’m also voting for Cedar Point. That place is friggin’ amazing.
I lead a sheltered life when it comes to theme parks. The best one I’ve been to (and the only one as a human old enough to remember what it was like) is Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
I’ve been to Gulliver’s Kingdom but I was too young to remember it much, and if what I do remember is correct - it had one mediocre roller-coaster and not much else.
I’ve never been to Alton-Towers but I would imagine it’s better than BPB
Sea World (Tampa)
I guess I’ll throw in with Cedar Point as well, but** Busch Gardens Williamsburg** is beautiful, and Hershey Park has their fair share of great roller coasters (including one with an initial drop of more than 90 degrees!).
Pretty much it. Basically, if your park builds a roller coaster, and the planned experience is “you are going to enjoy riding a roller coaster”, then you’re in an amusement park.
If the park builds a roller coaster, and the planned experience is “you’re on a mission to help Spider Man defeat the evil Dr. Octopus! You must navigate through the maze of Doc Oc’s lair until you reach the shuttle which will send you spiraling through the skies as you assist Spidey in his mission!”, then you’re in a theme park.