Foto Fridays: October 1st Anniversaries Face-off

Congratulations on making it to the conclusion of another work week! With your weekend about to start, hopefully this eases you into relaxation mode. In this edition of Foto Face-off Friday, the weekly blog that features photographs from our TouringPlans Flickr Group that are an extension of the Disney Debates we’ve been holding on our Twitter Account, @TouringPlans, we are featuring a battle between two of the Disney Empire’s grandest parks: EPCOT and Magic Kingdom, both of which celebrate their anniversaries (or birthdays) today! Since pictures speak louder than words we’ve decided to seek definitive resolution photographically for this especially hotly contested Disney Debate!

Here is what some of our followers on Twitter had to say:

@NS_WDW_Mom Yikes! That’s like asking which child you prefer! :$

@OldRock935DJ I will always have a soft spot for Epcot Center. This one. The original one>>> http://twitpic.com/2tlrc4

@disneybabiesblg MK is my absolute favorite. It’s the park that makes the vacation feel real. But EPCOT is a close 2nd! #disneydebate

@cmanning127 I LOVE MK, cause it’s …. Well Magical!

@narniaexpert Epcot because it is more unique than Disneyland

@lechmom epcot because of the beer food and rides.

@newenglandcampr If I had only 1 day I would pick MK for its attractions, rides, shows, magic, etc. #disneydebate

@wandaiveliz I prefer Epcot…three words: THE best food!

@FluffedMojo As much as I love Epcot, nothing beats Magic Kingdom. I always feel like a kid there. #disneydebate

Many good points raised by the Twitter group about the relative strengths of each park, really showcasing the dramatic differences between EPCOT and the Magic Kingdom.

Along with their photo entries, we asked for an explanation as to why each Flickr poster preferred their respective choice. Their reasons may pertain to photography, general enjoyment of the choice, or both. Their personal thoughts are provided below their photo-entry. To view more of their photography click on their respective submission, which will direct you to their Flickr photostream.

EPCOT

wonderful world of Hilary:

EPCOT has and always will be my favorite park. I just love the entire atmosphere from the educational and technologically adapt Future World to the serene always picture prefect World Showcase there is never a spot in EPCOT that I don’t want to be.

Photogineer (Doug):

Alright I have gone on about these two parks before but I will still have to side on EPCOT again. While it is close where else can you immerse yourself in so many cultures around the world in one place. While the themes in MK are great they are not as great as the real life cultural experience that you can get in EPCOT. It was not until EPCOT opened that I really fell in love with WDW. I was hooked for life on my first day to this park. It is also why my favorite resort is now the Beach Club (or any of the EPCOT Resorts) because of that proximity to this park.

ddindy:

I approached this week’s Foto Face-off from the viewpoint of “If I one day to go to one park, which would it be?” On my first-ever trip to Walt Disney World, I did just that. I spent an entire day in November 1982 at the six-week-old EPCOT Center. I don’t remember much about the trip other than the lack of guests after sunset. Fortunately, I took many photos that day to prove to myself that I was actually there. Several attractions have changed since then, but it’s still my favorite park. Mission Space and Test Track are among my favorite attractions. The variety of food and beverage offerings and the opportunity to meet cast members from around the world are all part of the appeal of World Showcase. And with IllumiNations to finish off the day, Epcot is the clear winner.

Carol30day:

I love both of the parks but Epcot is definitely my favorite! I love the atmosphere of the park especially the area around the Innoventions fountain. The music that plays when you enter the park makes me smile! We love Soarin’, Test Track and spending an afternoon taking in the architecture and wonder of all the countries in the World Showcase. And IllumiNations is a perfect way to end your day at the park.

Silver1SWA (Ryan Pastorino):

I’m going to have to go with EPCOT. I already have a Magic Kingdom close to my heart…Disneyland! When I go WDW, the park I look forward to visiting most is EPCOT. It’s a beautiful park with great views, interesting attractions and I like how it has two major elements, Future World and World Showcase. I also find EPCOT to be a bit more photogenic as well. But to top it off, one element that EPCOT has (as well as Disneyland!) that Magic Kingdom does not is monorails traveling through the park! Gotta go with the mornorails high above!

Magic Kingdom

Sparks68:

Wishes Fireworks is always guaranteed to bring a tear to the eye and leaves you with a warm heart on the coldest of evenings. My vote goes to the Magic Kingdom

Sarita Linda:

While Disney prides itself on details big and small at every park, in my opinion the Magic Kingdom outshines the others. There is not a square inch of that park that does not have an AMAMZING photo op. You truly feel as if you have stepped away from the world, into something wonderful.

twillet (Lorem_Ipsum):

I have to go with the Magic Kingdom. The name says it all right? When I think of the Magic Kingdom, I think of my first magical Disney moment and all the magic moments that have happened there since. I love all the other parks too, but I could skip one of them on a trip and still feel like I went to WDW, but not the Magic Kingdom. My then two year old daughter summed it up pretty well on her first trip to WDW….anytime we visited another park she asked “Can we go back to Disney World now?” For me, Magic Kingdom embodies everything that makes a trip to Disney World special.

Burnsland (Steve Burns):

EPCOT has nothing that can compare to the atmosphere of Main Street USA. Whether it is full of people on a sunny day or activity returning after a rain shower, Main Street is definitely unique.

Isabelle Boivin:

It’s been a full 2 weeks of thinking for this one. Both parks were a dream for Walt and both (in Florida) never came true during his lifetime. But only one came out how he wanted it… so Magic Kingdom it is..Happy Bithday Magic and EPCOT ! I love you both… 😉

Finally, my entry and commentary:

This one was surprisingly easy for me. If you asked me in 1998, it would have been much more difficult, but today it’s pretty clear-cut. In the last ten-plus years, the park debuting in 1982 has gone from EPCOT Center, a beauteous park filled with well-orchestrated attractions and an almost artistic vision to Epcot, somewhat of a hodge-podge of aesthetic clutter and dumbed-down attractions. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Epoct, and I think the park is starting to head in the right direction, but the damage down in the early 2000s will take some time to undo, and some of the things I loved most about EPCOT Center likely never will return unless there is a fundamental change in the way Americans like to be entertained. I really don’t fault Disney for these changes. However, fixating on the shortcomings of contemporary Epcot is not the purpose of this Face-off. Discussing our favorites, and the reason why we prefer our respective choices is the purpose.

The Magic Kingdom is my choice. Like Epcot, I think the Magic Kingdom has experienced wonderful growth in the past few years, and it will continue to grow with the additions to Fantasyland. While I lament the losses of Alien Encounter and Timekeeper, I think the Magic Kingdom of today is the best it has ever been–or at least the best it has been in my lifetime. To me, it has the seminal “Disney” attractions: the TTA Peoplemover, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and so on. EPCOT has its own great unique attractions and experiences, but it just can’t compete with Magic Kingdom for what it offers as the “Disney” experience.

That isn’t the only thing for me, though. Magic Kingdom holds a place in my heart for the nostalgia and memories I’ve made there, both as a child with my parents, and as an adult with my wife. I can still remember my mom banging the metaphorical cymbals at 6 a.m. during trips throughout my childhood, waking both my dad and I, because the Unofficial Guide (circa 1990) said we needed to be at the Magic Kingdom by some crazy hour so we could do the dash to Big Thunder Mountain (this was pre-Splash and I wasn’t yet tall enough to ride Space). As an adult, the tables have turned and many memories consist of ushering Sarah up and heading to Space Mountain at Rope Drop. I have many other great memories from the Magic Kingdom of Sarah and me enjoying the tranquility of Summer Evening Extra Magic Hours, nary another person in the park around the 3 a.m. closing, as we zip around the TTA all by ourselves, despite the hoards of people there just a few hours earlier. No matter how unique EPCOT may be, the Magic Kingdom wins out. I succumb to the lure of the quintessential “Disney” attractions at the Magic Kingdom, and the memories I’ve made in that park are, bar none, some of the best of my life.

What are your thoughts on the face-off? Magic Kingdom or EPCOT? Let us know in the comments!

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I feel bad for leaving the “other” two Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, out this week so the next Face-off will pay them their dues. On most fan lists these parks attempt to avoid being last place, so let’s see what kind of case you all can make for them either park being better than the other (or if you’re so inclined, explaining why one is actually better than MK and/or EPCOT). Also, please help us settle the debate on Twitter by voicing your thoughts to @TouringPlans and entering your submissions in the TouringPlans Flickr Group discussion entitled “TouringPlans’ Foto Face-off Friday Blog – Animal Kingdom v. Disney’s Hollywood Studios!” You could have your comments and picture chosen to be featured in the next Face-off blog, so get to Tweetin’ and Postin’!