Roll up, roll up for the battle of the theme parks, with two new rides in Orlando opening this week.

In the Disney corner, Toy Story Mania, after the Pixar movie that launched computer-generated feature films. In the Universal Studios corner the Simpsons' Krustyland, after what is not simply the most popular cartoon series of all time, but the longest-running sitcom. There's no love lost between the two companies.

This year Disney celebrates 80 years since Uncle Walt founded it. Did Universal Studios time its Simpsons launch to rain on Toy Story's parade? Is it pure coincidence that both are themed like old-fashioned Midway carnival attractions? Officially, no comment. But, as Homer might say, does the Pope s*** in the woods? Is a bear Catholic?

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BACKGROUND

• Orlando's latest theme park

• France's futuristic theme park

• Welcome to Germany's pleasure dome

• Riding the Big Shot in Nevada

• Denmark, home of Legoland

BACKGROUND

• Swedish green fun parks... for kids

• Nemo found - in Paris

• A long way from reality in Orlando

• Is Disneyland for girls?

• Bring me sunshine - Florida is family funtime

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Toy Story: You are one of Andy's toys, shrunk to size in his giant bedroom. The toys stage a fair under his bed, which involves you riding in a spinning car wearing 3-D glasses, and shooting moving fairground targets with a giant pop-gun. Sometimes they hit back with a blast of real air or water - touch being the additional “dimension” that lets Disney call this a 4-D ride.

Simpsons: You enter Krustyland through the head of Krusty the Clown, his tongue laid out in a 35ft-long red carpet. The big ride is a motion simulator in which evil Sideshow Bob attempts to kill you on a giant screen.

FUN FACTOR

Toy Story: There is an atavistic pleasure in pumping away on an old-fashioned pop-gun rather than pressing an electronic button; though some suggestible young women were rendered hysterical on launch day by what this repetitive action suggested, particularly since one of the Midway attractions, a ring-toss game, is called “Buzz Lightyear's Tossers”.

There is a real thrill and novelty in the way your shots are translated by one of 150 computers into balls, darts or other missiles on the screen.

Simpsons: The six minutes of action are so fast and furious that you'll immediately want to go again, to catch the bits you missed. It begins with the destruction by Sideshow Bob of the roller coaster you seem to be on, unleashing a chaotic rampage through Krustyland.

Your car careers out of control into Captain Dinosaur's Pirate Rip-Off (a none-too- subtle parody of Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean), then makes a giant evil robot panda knock the head off an irritating singing elf (woo-hoo! Take that, Disney's Small World ride), before getting towed around a water tank by a killer whale (Sea World).

Semi-finally, you re-create the Simpsons' opening credits by bumping the family into their house and on to their sofa... before the mayhem starts up all over again.

IN-QUEUE ENTERTAINMENT

Toy Story: The antechamber is a giant bedroom, with outsized toys and board games, and features the world's most sophisticated Animatronic: a talking, moving Mr Potatohead, which cost $1 million to build.

Simpsons: TV screens show clips from past episodes linked with newly commissioned material, such as safety tips from hopeless police chief Wiggum: “If you must throw up, do it in your hat. And beware Sideshow Bob: if you see him, call 119... no, 191... er...”

FAITHFULNESS TO THE ORIGINAL

Toy Story: The ride has been in development since 2005, though it was only after Disney formally acquired Pixar in 2006 that Toy Story creator John Lasseter properly came on board. He insisted on the original animators being involved, as well as on the inclusion of Buzz Lightyear, whom Disney had left out as he already has his own ride called Astro-Blasters.

Simpsons: Creator Matt Groening, producer James Brooks and the writing team were heavily involved throughout the two-year development of the ride. The original voice artists are featured, most notably Kelsey “Frasier” Grammer as Sideshow Bob.

MERCHANDISING

Toy Story: The gift shop has yet to open, but is expected to include merchandise from a range of Pixar films, not just Toy Story.

Simpsons: The gift shop is housed in - yes! - a Kwik-E-Mart, and has an awesome selection for all ages.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Toy Story: Four floats carry 40 insanely enthusiastic dancers, many dressed in stifling Pixar character suits, grinning away despite the heat. And they do this three times a day.

Simpsons: Whaddya want? as Krusty might say. You've had your yuks, now get outta here already ya big schlemiel.

And the winner is...

... you. Toy Story may come out just ahead on points, but both rides are terrific fun. And both companies stand to benefit. As Buzz Lightyear would surely put it, “To liquidity and beyond!” Or, as Homer would more succinctly riposte: “Do'h!”

THE SHOWDOWN: HEAVYWEIGHTS OR LIGHTWEIGHTS?

Toy Story

Big idea 4/5

Fun factor 4/5

In-queue surprises 5/5

True to the original 5/5

Add-ons 4/5

Special events 4/5

The Simpsons

Big idea 4/5

Fun factor 5/5

In-queue surprises 4/5

Faithfulness to the original 5/5

Add-ons 4/5

Special events 0/5

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