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2013 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AT: AWARDS TICKET GOLDEN 2013

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It is also worth noting that viewers of the the of viewers that noting worth also is It event. event. COURTESY DOLLYWOOD COURTESY

— Tim Baldwin Tim — ties a record for these awards. these for record a ties

picked up a record five Golden Tickets during the two-day two-day the during Tickets Golden five record a up picked

Olympic Games as well. Enjoy the fanfare. the Enjoy well. as Games Olympic five Golden Tickets were claimed in 2012, which which 2012, in claimed were Tickets Golden five

by 2013 Golden Ticket attendees. The Tennessee park park Tennessee The attendees. Ticket Golden 2013 by

But in many ways, the competition is like the the like is competition the ways, many in But than any other competitors, but an astounding astounding an but competitors, other any than

Express steam train are but a few of the highlights enjoyed enjoyed highlights the of few a but are train steam Express

they are much like the People’s Choice Awards. Awards. Choice People’s the like much are they the park finished as finalists in more categories categories more in finalists as finished park the

Dollywood’s beautiful park setting and authentic Dollywood Dollywood authentic and setting park beautiful Dollywood’s

the “Oscars” of the amusement industry. Perhaps Perhaps industry. amusement the of “Oscars” the Tickets this year than any other park. Last year, year, Last park. other any than year this Tickets

The Golden Ticket Awards are often called called often are Awards Ticket Golden The Phelps-like adrenaline, collecting more Golden Golden more collecting adrenaline, Phelps-like

our categories and four Publisher’s Picks. Publisher’s four and categories our lywood, the park finds itself on the podium with with podium the on itself finds park the lywood,

Amusement Today Amusement tions are due for each and every finalist in all 25 of of 25 all in finalist every and each for due are tions - Dol to returns as year This

- Congratula indeed. feat monumental a is Best” any of the categories. the of any

to stand among those rated “The Best of the the of Best “The rated those among stand to Ticket Awards, yet were without a single win in in win single a without were yet Awards, Ticket

AT’s Golden Ticket categories, categories, Ticket Golden in parks amazing hosted the Golden Golden the hosted Dollywood 2007, In gold. take

timidating. There is so much good product and and product good much so is There timidating. with no medals, only to return in London to rise to to rise to London in return to only medals, no with

- in of short nothing is world the around petition ed in the Games in Beijing (2008) and went home home went and (2008) Beijing in Games the in ed

- com The accomplishment. amazing an is Awards - compet athletes year’s this of Many redemption.

to rank among the finalists in the Golden Ticket Ticket Golden the in finalists the among rank to The 2012 Summer Olympics also had tales of of tales had also Olympics Summer 2012 The

and fall slightly short of the Golden Ticket, just just Ticket, Golden the of short slightly fall and lar tight lock. tight lar

it is reasonable for parks to strive for their best best their for strive to parks for reasonable is it - simi a maintain that finalists contain to seem ries

Amusement Today’s Amusement and be amazingly proud to do so. Likewise, while while Likewise, so. do to proud amazingly be and - catego of few A Bolt. Usain

on the medal stand to simply receive a bronze — — bronze a receive simply to stand medal the on exceptionally fierce. Witness Michael Phelps and and Phelps Michael Witness fierce. exceptionally

to see those athletes who tried so hard just to get get to just hard so tried who athletes those see to take the gold, but sometimes the competition is is competition the sometimes but gold, the take

a silver medal. On the flipside, it was encouraging encouraging was it flipside, the On medal. silver a Ticket Awards. Everyone involved would love to to love would involved Everyone Awards. Ticket

those that were tragically tearful to collect “only” “only” collect to tearful tragically were that those comparisons between the Games and the Golden Golden the and Games the between comparisons

them, but also be curiously baffled when watching watching when baffled curiously be also but them, the worldwide competition can easily draw some some draw easily can competition worldwide the

al lives of these athletes, it was easy to cheer for for cheer to easy was it athletes, these of lives al this Olympic year, those that were avidly riveted to to riveted avidly were that those year, Olympic this

- person the into drawn got watched that those As gold” has such an Olympic connotation, and in in and connotation, Olympic an such has gold”

Olympics got caught up in many touching stories. stories. touching many in up caught got Olympics PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — “Going for the the for “Going — Tenn. FORGE, PIGEON

Host Park • 2012 Golden Ticket Awards • September 7 & 8, 2012 8, & 7 September • Awards Ticket Golden 2012 • Park Host

Dollywood

29 Golden Tickets during ceremony during Tickets Golden 29

Amusement Today hands out hands Today Amusement

Dollywood hosts Golden Ticket event for second time second for event Ticket Golden hosts Dollywood

Vol. 16 • Issue 6.2 Issue • 16 Vol. SEPTEMBER 2012 SEPTEMBER

CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF GOLDEN TICKETS GOLDEN OF YEARS 15 CELEBRATING TM 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint GTA event is for you

When Amusement Today started the Golden Ticket Awards in 1998, we did it as a way to honor those parks and facilities who were doing a great job. Long before that first “live” ceremony started at Holiday World, AT still awarded Slade the parks with their winning Golden Ticket bricks. Some were sent in the mail while the very first bricks to be hand delivered were by former AT staffer Randy Duffer, who hand-delivered winning Golden Tickets to Dick Knoebel, Knoebel’s Amusement Resort. 2012 marks the 15th year of the awards and what I am most proud of is that the awards ceremony has given all of us in the amusement industry a reason to get together at the end of the long, hard summer grind. Sure, the awards are fun for our industry winners, but I must confess that I now enjoy the visitation time with the parks and suppliers during the GTA event. EDITORIAL: Tim Baldwin, [email protected] With that said, we have worked hard to keep the program new and fresh each year with different tours Hunches and items on the agenda. I think this year’s program is Each year as I tabulate like never before. another example as we have cut time on the rides, in the Golden Ticket Awards I Getting voters to take notice is part of the order to give more exclusive time in two indoor always have a hunch of what battle. Savvy marketing, enthusiast events, attractions at Dollywood. The National Roller Coaster might take the No. 1 spot for group tours…it all brings exposure to what Museum has its first-ever exhibition of coaster and Best New Ride. There is always parks hope will bring them particular notice to park history on display and Chasing Rainbows at the strong competition, but I usu- voters. ally have a gut feeling of which This year marked the advancement of al- Dolly Parton Museum gives time to view all the history Baldwin way it could go. lowing our panel of experts to vote online for and collections on display of the Nashville recording This year, however, the play- the first time. While this had numerous benefits, artist fame. ing field was much more competitive than ever. it took a little bit of the “nail biting” races out Next year we take our event to the lovely Santa It was certainly an impressive year for B&M. of my hands. Most of the categories had tabula- Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where much of the agenda is What with introducing their new wing coast- tions done electronically, so the ballot-by-ballot already in place. Again, we have some unique tours ers to the U.S., breaking the 300-foot barrier tabulation was consolidated into survey end re- for the first time, building the tallest coaster in sults. We could take a look at certain intervals and events on the agenda. The dates are set for Europe, and after a five-year absence, unleash- to see how voting was going, but for a year in September 6 & 7, 2013, so add this to your calendar ing their newest inverted coaster (their most which I didn’t have a strong hunch for Best New and plan to join us! prolific product) to rave reviews with the Eu- Ride, the down-to-the-wire counting was most- As we move forward, AT has locked in parks for ropean audience — clearly a competitive year ly gone, taking away my delicious moments of both the 2014 and 2015 awards. If anyone has ideas or just among its own installations. Throw in one suspense. As it turns out, congratulations go to suggestions for something you want to see added to of Disney’s most thematic and innovative at- Dollywood for flying above the stiff competi- tractions and the competition gets even more tion. the event agenda, please let us know. After all, the elevated. Then add creative launched coasters, As 2013 announcements are starting to sur- annual Golden Ticket Awards event is for you, the a new woodie at the virtually perfect park, im- face, I’m already getting hunches for next year. amusement industry professional. mersive dark rides, the world’s tallest drop ride Let the speculation — and the fun — begin. —Gary Slade and so much more…2012 had a “wow factor”

AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation (817) 460-7220 [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Stacey Childress / Childress Media Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA, Web & Graphic Design [email protected] Advertising NAARSO and IISF [email protected] (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180; Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Editorial Please allow up to six weeks for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed. Daily E-mail Newsletter [email protected] Bubba Flint [email protected] Cartoonist Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected] Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Presort Standard Postage (Permit No. 2069) pre-paid at Fort Worth, Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper and its related Web sites are copyrighted and trademarked Editorial / Special Projects by Amusement Today 2012, with all rights reserved. [email protected] POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas Contributors: Dan Feicht, Terrance Lind, David Lipnicky, Richard Munch, B. Derek Shaw, Joel Styer, Janice Witherow, WHR Inc. 76005-5427. September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 3

Our panel of experts Since Amusement Today introduced the Golden Ticket Awards in 1998, we continue to seek out the most experienced park enthusiasts to participate in our survey. AT follows a fair and balanced protocol of divid- ing our ballots between four geographical regions (see col- or map at right) of the United 3 States. In addition to the hun- 2 dreds of surveys sent to Ameri- can enthusiasts, international fans are also sought out and we 1 invite such fans to contact us for participation in future years. Amusement Today thanks the hundreds of voters who helped form this year’s panel of experts and make the 2012 Golden Ticket Awards a reality. Are you a qualified candi- 4 date? Contact Golden Tick- et Awards Communications Coordinator Tim Baldwin at [email protected] and we’ll see if you would make a good representative for your region on next year’s new panel. Of note, park employees, manufacturers, and Amusement 5 ­– International Surveys Today staff are not eligible to be on the panel. 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Excellence is acknowledged in 2012 Park Winners STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected] There is often specula- tion that long-time winners just can’t be beat. We’ve seen over the years that this is not necessarily true, but the only into the finalists, but a bit strengths of our park winners higher year after year. After do give testimony to the ex- nudging up to third place last cellent components that help year, the German park’s spec- them take the Golden Ticket. tacular offerings have helped Cedar Point has an unbroken it climb one more notch into streak of winning our BEST the No. 2 spot for 2012. Like- PARK category for 15 years wise, Dollywood had moved in a row. The huge selection up one place to take the No. of rides, the world class roller 3 position. coaster collection, the Great Knoebels (No. 4) and Dis- Lakes setting and resort hotels neyland (No. 5) continue to — it certainly sets the park up stay in the top five this year. for being tough to beat. Our voters have placed Busch Change is really evident Gardens Williamsburg up in our other finalists. Europa- a notch to No. 6, while the Cedar Point’s record breaking rides and diverse resort entertainment has swept the cat- Park has inched its way not 4See PARKS, page 6 egory of Best Park for 15 years. COURTESY CEDAR POINT/DAN FEICHT Park and Ride Winners

Ranked by percentage of votes cast

Best New Ride for 2012 (Amusement Park) Best New Ride for 2012(Waterpark)

Wild Eagle Dollywood 30% Mammoth Splashin’ Safari 54% Radiator Springs Racers Disney California Adventure 15% King Kaw Rapids River Schlitterbahn Kansas City 11% Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland 14% King Cobra Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (N.J.) 7% Verbolten Busch Gardens Williamsburg 7% The Lost City Mount Olympus Theme Park 4% (tie) OzIris Parc Astérix 6% (tie) Walhalla Wave Aquatica (San Antonio) 4% (tie) Skyrush Hersheypark 6% (tie) Best SEASIDE PARk Best Park Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 34% Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 21% Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Blackpool, England 20% Europa-Park Rust, Germany 14% Gröna Lund Stockholm, Sweden 19% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 13.5% Morey’s Piers Wildwood, N.J. 16% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 9% Galveston Island Pleasure Pier Galveston, Texas 4% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 8% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 7% Best INDOOR WATERPARk Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 6% (tie) Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Galveston, Texas 33% Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 6% (tie) Kalahari Resort Sandusky, Ohio 18% Tokyo DisneySea Tokyo, Japan 4.5% Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 17% Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Blackpool, England 4% World Waterpark Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 12% Splash Landings Staffordshire, England 8% BEST WATERPARK Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 53% BEST KIDS’ AREA Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 15% Kings Island Mason, Ohio 31% Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 7% Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 15% Dollywood’s Splash Country Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 6% Nickelodeaon Universe Bloomington, Minn. 13% Aquatica Orlando, Fla. 5% (tie) Efteling Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands 9% Noah’s Ark Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 5% (tie) Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 6% Best CHILDREN’s Park CLEANEST PARK Idlewild & SoakZone Ligonier, Pa. 31% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 29% Legoland California Carlsbad, Calif. 18% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 16% Fårup Sommerland Saltum, Denmark 12% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 14% Legoland Florida Winter Haven, Fla. 7% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 13% Sesame Place Langhorne, Pa. 6% Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 8%

Best MARINE LIFE Park BEST SHOWS SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 55% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 45% SeaWorld San Diego San Diego, Calif. 11% Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 15% SeaWorld San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 10% Disney’s Hollywood Studios Orlando, Fla. 8% Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, Calif. 8% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 7% Discovery Cove Orlando, Fla. 6% SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 6% September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 5

From its signature Master Blaster to its Torrent River and beyond, Schlitterbahn’s (left) unique flare and setting keeps the 2012 Golden Ticket for Best Waterpark. Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (right) multiple winner as Best Seaside Park and winner again in 2012 will host the Golden Ticket Awards on Sept. 6 & 7, 2013. AT/TIM BALDWIN Park and Ride Winners Ranked by percentage of votes cast

BEST FOOD BEST LANDSCAPING Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 27% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 36% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 20% Gilroy Gardens Gilfroy Calif. 13.5% Epcot Orlando, Fla. 18% Efteling Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands 13% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 13% Dollywood Orlando, Fla. 8% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 6% Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen, Denmark 7% BEST WATER RIDE (PARK) BEST HALLOWEEN EVENT Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls Universal’s Islands of Adventure 26% Universal Orlando Resort Orlando, Fla. 35% Valhalla Pleasure Beach, Blackpool 17% Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 26% Splash Mountain Magic Kingdom 11% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 13% Mountain Slidewinder Dollywood 10% Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 11% Pilgrim’s Plunge Holiday World 8% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 4% BEST WATERPARK RIDE BEST CHRISTMAS EVENT Wildebeest Splashin’ Safari 26% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 33% Master Blaster Schlitterbahn 23% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 13% The Falls Schlitterbahn 12% Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 10% (tie) Congo River Expedition Schlitterbahn 7% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 10% (tie) Zoombabwe Splashin’ Safari 5% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 4% FRIENDLIEST PARK BEST CAROUSEL Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 46% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 44% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 25% Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 18% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 7% Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga 8% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 6% Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 7% Beech Bend Bowling Green, Ky. 4% (tie) Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 6% Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 4% (tie) BEST INDOOR COASTER BEST DARK RIDE Revenge of the Mummy Universal Studios Orlando 30% Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Universal’s Islands of Adventure 24% Space Mountain Disneyland 16% Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Universal’s Islands of Adventure 18% Black Diamond Knoebels Amusement Resort 10% Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney’s Hollywood Studios 13% Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9% Haunted Mansion Knoebels Amusement Resort 10% Space Mountain Magic Kingdom 8.5% Indiana Jones...Temple of the Forbidden Eye Disneyland 6% BEST FUNHOUSE/WALK-THROUGH ATTRACTION BEST OUTDOOR SHOW PRODUCTION Noah’s Ark Kennywood 30% Epcot Orlando, Fla. 42% Frankenstein’s Castle Indiana Beach 25% Disney California Adventure Anaheim, Calif. 17% Lustiga Huset Gröna Lund 14% Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 13% Gasten Ghost Hotel Liseberg 12% (tie) Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 11% Ghost Ship Morey’s Piers 12% (tie) Disney’s Hollywood Studios Orlando, Fla. 10% 6 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012

booster,” says Marq Lipton, PARKS vice president of marketing Continued from page 4 and sales for the Boardwalk. Magic Kingdom in Orlando “The award is discussed in jumps right onto the charts in employee orientations and the No. 7 spot — an impres- trainings, and it adds pride sive new appearance. Univer- and excitement to our bi- sal’s Islands of Adventure, annual company meetings. Tokyo DisneySea and Plea- Many of our seasonal employ- sure Beach, Blackpool fill in ees are local teens who see the final top 10 spots, respec- the Boardwalk as ‘just’ their tively. local park. Understanding BEST WATERPARK has that our park is recognized an equally solid leader with nationally and internationally Schlitterbahn, the New is an eye-opener for many of Braunfels original that could them.“ easily be considered the most Other finalists include innovative of all waterparks. two international treasures — Introducing the uphill water Pleasure Beach, Blackpool coaster, originating the Tor- (No. 2), and Sweden’s Gröna rent Tidal River and them- Lund climbing up to No. 3. ing up water attractions, not Morey’s Piers (No. 4) domi- to mention innovating the nates the Atlantic Ocean for amount of time guests stay the States and a new player, in the water with their sheer Galveston Island Historic miles — nearly four! — of Pleasure Pier completes the tube chutes, Schlitterbahn top five. This new kid on the has been an obvious pioneer block has the ironic twist of in the industry, all within its knocking sister property Ke- shaded riverside setting. mah Boardwalk off the final- Splashin’ Safari has ist podium. guarded its No. 2 spot, and BEST MARINE LIFE has been unable to be shak- PARK is a virtual competition en in years past. The thriving amongst the SeaWorld prop- waterpark in Santa Claus, In- erties. SeaWorld Orlando diana, has built some attrac- maintains its hold of the Gold- Taking home the 2012 tions of giant proportions in en Ticket in 2012, but sister Golden Ticket, all as repeat the last decade, and its most park SeaWorld San Diego winners, were from top to recent two water coasters are moves up a notch, fueled by bottom: Idlewild & Soak- ground-breakers in their own its fantastic new Manta attrac- Zone as Best Children’s right and deserve every acco- tion. SeaWorld San Antonio Park, SeaWorld Orlando, lade received. takes the No. 3 spot this year, Best Marine Life Park; and Blizzard Beach keeps its while Six Flags Discovery Schlitterbahn Galveston No. 3 spot for its thematic Kingdom bumps up to No. Island, Best Indoor whimsy and imaginative ambi- 4, the only player outside the Waterpark. ence. No other waterpark can Busch family. Discovery Cove AT/TIM BALDWIN give a first impression quite comes in at No. 5. like this Orlando legend. Two Idlewild & SoakZone out for second and third with new faces enter our finalist keeps the title of BEST CHIL- Sandusky taking Place and arena — Dollywood’s Splash DREN’S PARK for a third year Wisconsin Dells taking Show. Country sees a first time ap- in a row, a distinction they are Two international proper- pearance at No. 4 and Aquat- pleased to market to their ties complete our top five — ica in Orlando ties for fifth southwestern Pennyslvania World Waterpark in Alberta, place with long-standing No- audience. Legoland Califor- Canada and Splash Landings ah’s Ark in Wisconsin Dells. nia holds its No. 2 spot, as at the Alton Towers Hotel in The folks at Santa Cruz does Fårup Sommerland in England, respectively. Beach Boardwalk take their Denmark in third place. New With the right acknowl- Golden Ticket for BEST SEA- to the finalists is the recently edgement, placing in these SIDE PARK seriously, particu- opened Legoland Florida. categories can have an im- lar with a whisker-thin win in This Winter Haven themer pact on everyone involved. 2011. Voters retaliated in sup- has given a new life and en- Marq Lipton of Santa Cruz port this year and the park tirely different direction for Beach Boardwalk adds, “Win- found a more comfortable the beautiful property once ning the award is a tangible margin for its category vic- known as Cypress Gardens. company goal, and helps all tory. Attendees at the 2013 Sesame Place in Langhorne, employees understand that Golden Tickets will be sure to Penn. is a new face, once they are working at a world- enjoy all the fun and character again returning to the charts class attraction and that their of this Pacific gem as the park for the first time since 2008. job performance affects the will host AT’s award ceremony The category of BEST IN- visitor experience and our next year. DOOR WATERPARK remains standing among the world’s “At the Santa Cruz Beach unchanged from 2011 with top amusement parks. Bot- Boardwalk, we’ve found the Schlitterbahn Galveston Is- tom line, they understand that goal of winning the Golden land holding on to the Gold- their job performance is con- Ticket Award a very motivat- en Ticket. Once again the sidered a very important part ing training tool and morale two Kalahari Resorts battle it of a bigger picture.” September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 7

Thanks for your support in the Golden Ticket Awards!

2012

BEST PRESENTED TO GOLDEN PARK CEDAR TICKET

POINT AWARD V.I.P.

2012 MILLENNIUM FORCE PRESENTED TO PRESENTED TO GOLDEN GOLDEN 2012 CEDAR BEST KINGS TICKET STEEL BEST POINT ISLAND TICKET KIDS’ AWARD COASTER V.I.P. AWARD AREA V.I.P. 8 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 World-Class FUN From Coast to Coast!

TOP Steel Roller Coasters BEST Halloween Event BEST New Ride BEST Kids’ Area BEST Landscaping

7 8 10 12 2 3 5 2 Intimidator™ Carowinds Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Diamondback Kings Island Intimidator™ 305 Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt® Knott’s Berry Farm Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Knott’s Berry Farm Gilroy Gardens

Canada’s Wonderland

Valleyfair Michigan’s Adventure

13 17 21 22 Cedar Point Wildwater Top Thrill Dragster® Cedar Point Behemoth Canada’s Wonderland Maverick® Cedar Point Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Soak City Kingdom Dorney Park Castaway Bay TOP Wooden Roller Coasters

Worlds of Fun Kings Island Oceans of Fun Kings California’s Dominion Great America Gilroy Gardens FAMILY THEME PARK Carowinds Knott’s Soak Knott’s Berry City Farm PALM SPRINGS Knott’s Soak City

7 9 13 23 The Beast® Kings Island Shivering Timbers® Michigan’s Adventure Prowler Worlds of Fun GhostRider® Knott’s Berry Farm

Sandusky, OH • cedarpoint.com Santa Clara, CA • cagreatamerica.com Toronto, ON • canadaswonderland.com Buena Park, CA • knotts.com Aurora, OH • wildwaterfun.com Kansas City, MO • worldsoffun.com

Sandusky, OH • soakcity.cedarpoint.com Richmond, VA • kingsdominion.com Allentown, PA • dorneypark.com One Cedar Point Drive • Sandusky, OH 44870-5259 (419) 627-2233 • cedarfair.com Orange County • San Diego Cedar Fair is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FUN” Palm Springs • soakcityusa.com Muskegon, MI • miadventure.com Gilroy, CA • gilroygardens.org Cincinnati, OH • visitkingsisland.com Charlotte, NC • carowinds.com Shakopee, MN • valleyfair.com © 2012 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Intimidator™ and Intimidator™ 305 take their names from Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator”. © Peanuts Worldwide LLC, Peanuts.com © 2012 Cedar Fair, L.P. September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 9 World-Class FUN From Coast to Coast!

TOP Steel Roller Coasters BEST Halloween Event BEST New Ride BEST Kids’ Area BEST Landscaping

7 8 10 12 2 3 5 2 Intimidator™ Carowinds Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Diamondback Kings Island Intimidator™ 305 Kings Dominion Halloween Haunt® Knott’s Berry Farm Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Knott’s Berry Farm Gilroy Gardens

Canada’s Wonderland

Valleyfair Michigan’s Adventure

13 17 21 22 Cedar Point Wildwater Top Thrill Dragster® Cedar Point Behemoth Canada’s Wonderland Maverick® Cedar Point Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Soak City Kingdom Dorney Park Castaway Bay TOP Wooden Roller Coasters

Worlds of Fun Kings Island Oceans of Fun Kings California’s Dominion Great America Gilroy Gardens FAMILY THEME PARK Carowinds Knott’s Soak Knott’s Berry City Farm PALM SPRINGS Knott’s Soak City

7 9 13 23 The Beast® Kings Island Shivering Timbers® Michigan’s Adventure Prowler Worlds of Fun GhostRider® Knott’s Berry Farm

Sandusky, OH • cedarpoint.com Santa Clara, CA • cagreatamerica.com Toronto, ON • canadaswonderland.com Buena Park, CA • knotts.com Aurora, OH • wildwaterfun.com Kansas City, MO • worldsoffun.com

Sandusky, OH • soakcity.cedarpoint.com Richmond, VA • kingsdominion.com Allentown, PA • dorneypark.com One Cedar Point Drive • Sandusky, OH 44870-5259 (419) 627-2233 • cedarfair.com Orange County • San Diego Cedar Fair is traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “FUN” Palm Springs • soakcityusa.com Muskegon, MI • miadventure.com Gilroy, CA • gilroygardens.org Cincinnati, OH • visitkingsisland.com Charlotte, NC • carowinds.com Shakopee, MN • valleyfair.com © 2012 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Intimidator™ and Intimidator™ 305 take their names from Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator”. © Peanuts Worldwide LLC, Peanuts.com © 2012 Cedar Fair, L.P. 10 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012

2012

PRESENTED TO GOLDEN BEST IDLEWILD CHILDREN’S & TICKET PARK

SOAKZONE AWARD V.I.P.

Visit Us at IDLEWILD.com or call 724.238.3666 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 11 12 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Almost there...six parks finish second in Best Parks voting

Best Park (No. 2) Best Waterpark (No. 2) Best Children’s Park (No. 2) Europa-Park Splashin’ Safari Legoland California AT/JEFFREY SEIFERT AT/TIM BALDWIN AT/GARY SLADE

Best Marine Life Park (No. 2) Best Seaside Park (No. 2) Best Indoor Waterpark (No. 2) SeaWorld San Diego Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Kalahari Sandusky AT/GARY SLADE AT/B. DEREK SHAW COURTESY KALAHARI Thank You! 2012 WINNERS Amusement Today says thank you to our suppliers who make the BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG CEDAR POINT 2012 Golden Ticket Awards possible DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE DOLLYWOOD DOLLYWOOD EPCOT • TILLMAN J. FERTITTA ACCENT AWARDS OF ARLINGTON CHILDRESS MEDIA HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI IDLEWILD & SOAKZONE EMBROIDME KENNYWOOD PARK EXCALIBUR PRINTING KINGS ISLAND MAILINGS UNLIMITED KNOEBELS AMUSEMENT RESORT TEXOMA WEB OFFSET WILLIAM H. ROBINSON, INC. RWS AND ASSOCIATES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK • SCHLITTERBAHN ALL OF OUR CEREMONY PRESENTERS SCHLITTERBAHN GALVESTON ISLAND SEAWORLD ORLANDO SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 13 14 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Dollywood takes two new wins for industry cornerstones — Best Food and Friendliest Park STORY: Tim Baldwin Dollywood. “This Golden every guest that brought a park finally has a victorious [email protected] Ticket represents the creativ- camera grateful they did so. grab at the No. 1 spot. “I’ve ity, hard work and dedication Gilroy Gardens moves always said that Dollywood’s Thrilling rides and great of a grateful team who goes up a notch to the No. 2 po- most valuable assets go home roller coasters help bring above and beyond to be the sition. Not nearly as big on each night, and that’s our guests to come in, but the best.” thrill rides and roller coasters hosts,” said Ken Bell, The industry cornerstones make Long time winner Knoeb- as other contenders in this Dollywood Company presi- sure they come back. Food, els Amusement Resort takes category, voters still appreci- dent emeritus. “Our hosts cleanliness, landscaping and the silver in the category, giving a good first impression ate the effort and beauty that breathe life into Dollywood friendly employees are key while Epcot lands the bronze and a lasting impression by go into the out-of-the-way each day, and they treat our components to a perfect park position. As in 2011, the top the end of the day. California jewel. Under vari- guests with a level of South- visit. Each and every park five also contains Silver Dol- In comparison to the 2011 ous management throughout ern hospitality that makes me strives (or should) to make lar City (No. 4) and Busch charts, Dollywood (No.2) its history, including opening so very proud to be a member high marks in all of these cat- Gardens Williamsburg (No. and Busch Gardens Williams- as Bonfante Gardens in 2001, of the Dollywood family.” egories. 5). burg (No. 3) have done a flip the park has always kept lush Holiday World, which has Dollywood rises to the CLEANEST PARK is a flop with their positions, while landscaping at its core. held the award an amazing 13 top in our BEST FOOD cat- hardy challenge, not only to cousins Disneyland (No. 4) Efteling (No. 3) has pe- times, holds the No. 2 spot egory in 2012. A long-running motivate your employees to and Magic Kingdom (No. 5) rennially been Europe’s most in 2012. Long-timers Silver finalist for many years, the help keep it spotless, but also have done the same. noted park for its landscap- Dollar City (a Golden Ticket park finally takes the Golden being at the mercy of each The marvelous floral ar- ing. Dollywood (No. 4) and winner in 2009) and Knoeb- Ticket this year. “We strive and every park guest. Holiday rangements and manicured new-to-this-category Tivoli els hold down the Nos. 3 and to create food that is appeal- World has solidified a reputa- landscaping at Busch Gar- Gardens of Denmark (No. 5) 4 spots, respectively. A tie ing to the palette while also tion for taking cleanliness se- dens Williamsburg have giv- complete our finalists. for fifth completes our final- engaging our guests in the riously. With staff and guests en the park world-renowned In a banner Golden Ticket ists, with Beech Bend being preparation as often as pos- working in tandem, the Santa fame. As the only park ever year, Dollywood also claims joined by Orlando’s Magic sible,” said Joe Lindsey, Di- Claus, Ind. theme park has a to secure BEST LANDSCAP- a new win for FRIENDLIEST Kingdom. rector of Food Services for successful formula of always ING, Busch Gardens makes PARK. Always a finalist, the Top row, left to right: Dollywood took two new Golden Tickets at this year’s awards ceremony claiming the top spot for Best Food and for Friendliest Park. The Tennessee themer’s down home country surroundings and craftsmen, like this blacksmith, leave guests feelings as if they are part of the Smokey Mountain fam- ily. Bottom row left, Busch Gardens Wil- liamsburg continues its amazing run for Best Landscaping, and is the only park in his- tory to win this Golden Ticket. While Holiday World may have been unseated as Friendliest Park, the Santa Claus, Indiana park kept its top spot for Cleanest Park thanks to ex- amples and leadership set by the Koch family. Show here from left are Dan, Pat and Nata- lie who lead the charge every day, often seen with pan and brooms in hand. AT/TIM BALDWIN COURTESY DOLLYWOOD AT/GARY SLADE AT/GARY SLADE September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 15 16 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Seasonal festivals and shows provide superb entertainment STORY: Tim Baldwin note is that a new player has be one of the most impressive The category of BEST [email protected] entered the finalists. In both laser/firework/multimedia ex- SHOWS has only seen three categories, Busch Gardens travaganzas produced by a re- different winners since AT The two holiday festi- Williamsburg has entered the gional theme park. Orlando’s began our international sur- val categories retained their scene for each holiday festival. Magic Kingdom (No. 4) and vey in 1998. Dollywood has Golden Ticket winners this They join the ranks of Disney- Disney’s Hollywood Studios held on to it for four years in year. Dollywood kept BEST land (No. 2), Magic Kingdom (No. 5) finish out the finalists. a row. Six Flags Fiesta Texas CHRISTMAS EVENT and (No. 3) and Silver Dollar City Best Outdoor Show Pro- in the No. 2 position took the Universal Studios Orlando (No. 4) for Christmas finalists category. Epcot continues to duction has seen a lot of ac- Golden Ticket for 10 years has scared up a five-years- and Knoebels (No. 3) and take the Golden Ticket, but tivity. Cedar Point, Canada’s (1999-2008). Our other three in-a-row win for BEST HAL- Kennywood (No. 4) for Hal- Disney California Adven- Wonderland, and the Sea- finalists in the shows category LOWEEN EVENT. There was loween. October has become ture’s “World of Color” con- World and Busch parks have for 2012 are Disney’s Hol- a time when Knott’s Berry a huge attendance season for tinues to gain momentum, all focused on substantial lywood Studios, jumping up Farm (No. 2) and Univer- the industry, and Christmas moving into the second place night shows to keep their two places to take the No. 3 sal wrestled back and forth seems to be on the grow. slot this year. Six Flags Fiesta guests in the park longer. Dis- spot, Silver Dollar City (No. for the Golden Ticket on this For BEST OUTDOOR Texas (No. 3) has bragging ney has a slight advantage to 4), and SeaWorld Orlando event, but the Orlando them- SHOW PRODUCTION, Dis- rights for being the only theme year round operation and a completing the five. Inciden- er seems to be running with it ney still reigns supreme, al- park to break through into the longer show season, but this tally, the original winner in for now. Spooky. though many theme parks are block of Disney muscle. “Lone competition could build in the 1998 was Busch Gardens Wil- On a more interesting gearing up their game in this Star Nights” still continues to years ahead. liamsburg.

Shows and fall season spe- cial events keep patrons entertained and help parks extend their fall and winter season with big crowds. Clockwise from top left are this year’s Golden Ticket Awards winners: Dollywood repeats for Best Shows, Epcot hangs on one more year with Best Outdoor Show Production; Dollywood wins by a big margin for Best Christmas Event and Universal Studios Orlando edges out Knott’s Berry Farm once again for Best Halloween Event.

COURTESY DOLLYWOOD; EPCOT AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ORLANDO September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 17 18 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Ride categories proclaim Best of the Best STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected]

Despite Splashin’ Safari debuting the Best New Wa- terpark Ride with Mammoth, the waterpark’s Wildebeest still claims the Golden Ticket Splash Mountain at for BEST WATERPARK RIDE, Magic Kingdom moves up a at least for one more year. notch, snaring the No. 3 spot. The hydromagnetic water Dollywood’s Mountain Slide- coaster opened in 2010 and winder appears on the chart has claimed the Golden Tick- this year, landing at No. 4, and et for a third year. In Golden Pilgrim’s Plunge at Holiday Ticket history, only two parks World, once the world’s tall- have ever beaten themselves. est water ride, rounds out the Cedar Point had Millennium final five. Force beat out previous win- Going indoors, the Golden ner Magnum XL-200, and Ticket for BEST FUNHOUSE/ Universal saw Harry Potter WALK-THROUGH ATTRAC- and the Forbidden Journey TION goes to Kennywood’s beat out the long-running win Noah’s Ark for a third year of Amazing Adventures of win. The classic family-friendly Spider-man. Splashin’ Safari fun journey, beginning with a is now poised to be the third rocking ship on many various park to potentially do so. Will levels, has entertained guests 2013 be the year? since the 1930s. Splashin Safari’s Wildebeest held onto its top spot to win the Golden Ticket at least one Schlitterbahn’s famous Frankenstein’s Castle, a more year in the category Best Waterpark Ride. The hydromagnetic water coaster from assortment of rides gives previous Golden Ticket win- ProSlide opened in 2010. AT/TIM BALDWIN them three places in our top ner, still thrills guests at Indi- five. Master Blaster, holding ana Beach and holds the No. at No. 2, was a Golden Ticket 2 spot. Two different parks in winner for an impressive 10 Sweden take the Nos. 3 and years. The New Braunfels park 4 positions — Lustiga Huset also features The Falls (No. 3), at Gröna Lund and Gasten 2011’s Best New Waterpark Ghost Hotel at Liseberg, the Ride, and the highly-themed latter of which returns after Congo River Expedition (No. dropping off the chart last 4). year. Morey’s Piers’ Ghost Splashin’ Safari sees one Ship is still the main thrill on other finalist with Zoomba- the Atlantic Coast, finishing in bwe. Like Mammoth and Wil- the No. 5 position. debeest, all three rides are BEST INDOOR COAST- supplied by ProSlide. ER once again is claimed by Dudley Do-Right’s Rip- Universal Studios’ Revenge saw Falls, built by Mack Rides of the Mummy. Themed to and themed to the hilt by Uni- the various movies, riders at versal’s Islands of Adven- the Orlando theme park are ture, has dominated the cat- treated to fire, fog, a swarm of egory of BEST WATER RIDE. scarabs, a dramatic launch, a Only twice was it dethroned cool fake-out and, of course, and that was by Valhalla at mummies. Space Mountain at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool in both Disneyland (No. 2) and 2003 and 2005. Valhalla stands Magic Kingdom (No. 5) capi- in the No. 2 position for 2012. 4See RIDES, page 20 Universal Studios Orlando Resort’s two parks kept their three past ride winning Golden Tickets including (above) Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Best Water Ride; (left) Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Best Dark Ride and (right) Re- venge of the Mummy, Best Indoor Coaster. DUDLEY COURTESY DAVID LIPNICKY; POTTER/ AT / TIM BALDWIN; MUMMY COURTESY UNIVERSAL STUDIOS September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 19 20 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012

RIDES Continued from page 18 talize on all the fun of a cosmic voyage. For this year, Knoeb- els enters this category with its new player, Black Diamond (No. 3), giving a great com- bination of a long dark ride, coupled with a roller coaster journey. This restored and pre- served coaster once operated in Wildwood as the Golden Nugget. The Knoebels resort is well known for preserving rides from our industry’s past, and this is the latest example of their dedication to history, family fun and value. At Dis- ney’s Hollywood Studios the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Adventure (No. 2) and Nick- Repeating their Golden with its Aerosmith grooviness, elodeon Universe (No. 3) Ticket wins are (above) once claimed the Golden Tick- hold their respective positions Kennywood’s Noah’s Ark, et for multiple years. In 2012, from 2011, but Efteling in Best Funhouse / Walk- it holds the No. 4 position. the Netherlands moves up a Through Attraction; (above Kings Island has main- notch to take fourth. Knott’s right) Kings Island’s Planet tained that key mix of numer- Berry Farm makes a return to Snoopy, Best Kids’ Area and ous children’s rides, small size the charts, with a No. 5 spot to (right) Knoebels’ The Grand coasters, and fun themes to complete the finalists. Carousel, Best Carousel. hold onto the BEST KIDS’ Many folks believe that AT/TIM BALDWIN; AREA Golden Ticket. This Knoebels has a true lock on CAROUSEL COURTESY year’s win cements their foot- the category of BEST CAROU- KNOEBELS ing as the only park to ever SEL. Its authentic band organ park’s pride-and-joy, as well take the gold for this category. and ring dispenser make The as a nostalgic crowd favorite. Universal’s Islands of Grand Carousel one of the 4See RIDES, page 22 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 21 22 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012

Get Your Free Daily Update Delivered Directy To Your Inbox! RIDES Continued from page 20

Rare is the ability to safely op- EXTRA! EXTRA! DESKTOP EDITION erate a carousel where riders reach for the brass ring, but Breaking amusement industry Knoebels has done it beauti- fully and safely for decades. news delivered directly to your Sign up today at: Likewise, the 1911 Looff com Carousel at Santa Cruz e-mail inbox each weekday. amusementtoday Beach Boardwalk celebrated its 100th anniversary last year And it’s free! and also shares the grand tra- dition of being able to reach for the ring. Attendees at the 2013 Golden Ticket Awards are sure to enjoy a whirl on this magnificent piece of his- tory. Six Flags Over Georgia (No.3) and Six Flags Great America (No. 4) take the next spots. Georgia lovingly pre- served Riverview Carousel with its wood carved horses and decades of memories from the long lost Riverview Park in the Chicago area. Great America’s Columbia Carousel boasts the claim of world’s largest and its double- deck platforms beautifully welcome guests beyond a reflecting pool at the park’s front entrance. Completing the top five is Universal’s Is- lands of Adventure and their Caro-Seuss-El. Taking tradi- tion and throwing it out the window, this whimsical carou- sel features awkward Dr. Se- uss creations with their blink- ing, quirky and deliciously fun characteristics to delight kids and every parent that has ever shared the fun world of Dr. Se- uss. BEST DARK RIDE sees a repeat of our 2011 finalists. New and high-tech dominate the charts with the elaborate Harry Potter and the For- bidden Journey taking the Golden Ticket a second year. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-man follows in second. Both of these crowd-pleasing attractions are at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (No. 3) is also an Or- lando resident. Although spectacular and technically advanced dark rides are wowing guests, Knoebels still finds its place as a finalist with their tra- ditional Haunted Mansion (No. 4). Finishing the finalists is Disneyland’s Indiana Jones and the Temple of the For- bidden Eye at No. 5. September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 23 24 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 25 26 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Dollywood, Splashin’ Safari win Best New Rides STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected]

The Best New Ride cat- egories were introduced by Amusement Today in 2005 and they are some of the most eagerly sought. If the compe- tition had to be summed in one word this year, it would be: fierce! Each year, there is always an admirable crop of new offerings, but 2012 seemed particularly impres- sive. It clearly was anyone’s ballgame. If you had the goods, you needed to get the voters to take notice.

Above and left, Dolly- wood’s new B&M wing coaster, Wild Eagle took the gold for Best New BEST NEW RIDE this year Ride, thanks in part to its went to Dollywood’s new being the first of its kind Wild Eagle. B&M, long con- in the U.S. and its im- sidered one of the most repu- pressive size and layout. table companies with which At right, Splashin Safari’s to do business, debuted their new ProSlide Mammoth newest product — the wing massive size, capac- coaster — in Italy last year. ity and layout took Best Two wing coasters opened in New Waterpark Ride. North America this year and it TOP: WILD EAGLE was Dollywood’s version that COURTESY DOLLYWOOD; had the dimensions. The larg- LEFT: AT/TIM BALDWIN; est wing coaster built to date, RIGHT: MAMMOTH Wild Eagle perched itself atop COURTESY PROSLIDE Dollywood’s highest point. With a lift height of 190 feet, ride features four inversions, able theming Disney has cre- Canada’s Wonderland got delivered the wow factor to the peak stood 220 feet below all taken with fluidic grace. ated to date. It is the premiere the roller coaster firm to sur- the park’s audience. With an the plaza area outside the sta- Spectacular in other ways attraction in the new themed pass the 300-foot threshold. entirely different feel than the tion. Of the four installations was Radiator Springs Racers area, one that has had a major Leviathan (No. 3), B&M’s fast- previous mega speed coast- created by B&M, Wild Eagle is (No. 2) in the new Cars Land impact on the park, very much est coaster to date, changed ers B&M has produced, Levia- the only one to incorporate a at Disney California Adven- along the lines of the Wizard- the Ontario theme park for- than was reliably producing an vertical loop and has the fast- ture. Truly a thematic mas- ing World of Harry Potter at ever, in both appearance and hourly ridership of more than est speed of the breed with terpiece, this mega-themed Islands of Adventure in Or- thrills. Stretching along the 1,500. a top speed of 61 mph. The Test Track like experience had lando two years ago. park’s perimeter and slither- New technology tends to view of the Smoky Mountains speedsters racing through It was long thought that ing up and over the main en- get noticed, and the first roller is dramatic, even if brief. The some of the most unbeliev- B&M would never do it, but trance, this blue behemoth coaster in the U.S. to feature a piece of track that experi- ences a free-fall drop — that’s big. Verbolten at Busch Gar- dens Williamsburg (No. 4) introduced this slick trick to America and incorporated it into a fun stylized ride that also features two launches, an indoor “event” building, and a large plunge to the river. Built by Zeirer, this highly-antici- pated ride is the latest attrac- tion to be built in the park’s Germany section. It utilizes a similar footprint from the re- moved Big Bad Wolf coaster. Finishing No. 2 for Best New Ride, Radiator Springs Racers Although north of the U.S. border, voters didn’t stop from This category is complet- are but one of the new rides that make up the new Cars Land casting a vote for Leviathan, Canada’s Wonderland’s new ed by a tie for the No. 5 spot. at Disney California Adventure. 300-foot coaster from B&M. The ride finished No. 3 for Best The two finalists are OzIris at AT/GARY SLADE New Ride. AT/GARY SLADE 4See NEW RIDES, page 27 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 27

NEW RIDES Continued from page 26

Parc Astérix and Skyrush at Hersheypark. OzIris is B&M’s first inverted coaster in five years, and the excellent Egyp- tian theming and dynamic lay- out helped this ride open to rave reviews. Skyrush is the latest coaster built by Inta- min to open in the U.S. With a new winged vehicle, riders on the outside of the four- across seats are suspended over open air. Fans of the ride Two unique and completely opposite types of thrills for Best New Waterpark Ride rounding out the top three spots. Taking noted the ride layout’s airtime the No. 2 position was King Kaw Rapids River at Schlitterbahn Kansas City (left) and King Cobra, Polin’s first such ride in the to be quite considerable. U.S., at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in N.J. AT/TIM BALDWIN; KING COBRA COURTESY SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE For BEST NEW WATER- reach 1,000 riders — on a wa- weren’t other notable rides. bra at Six Flags Hurricane a WhiteWater Rain Fortress PARK RIDE, the heavy fa- terslide. The $9 million invest- Schlitterbahn Kansas City’s Harbor adjacent to Six Flags that features a blast of water vorite was Splashin Safari’s ment is one of the largest ever delayed King Kaw Rapids Great Adventure in New Jer- reaching 100 feet in the air new Mammoth. Following for a waterpark attraction. For River proved worth the wait. sey. Supplied by Polin, King and Walhalla Wave, the first the huge success of the wa- Mammoth to take the Golden The second longest water- Cobra earns top marks for one of its kind in the Western terpark’s popular Wildebeest Ticket didn’t come as a huge park ride in the world (behind aesthetics and thematic cool Hemisphere debuting with the just two seasons prior, Holiday surprise. The statistics practi- The Falls at the mother park factor. The overall snakeskin all new Aquatica San Anto- World and Splashin’ Safari re- cally demanded it. in New Braunfels), King Kaw appearance and imposing nio. The ProSlide ride stands turned with an even bigger “We have not regretted Rapids River provides a never Cobra’s head are, well, strik- seven stories and guests uphill water coaster supplied naming this monstrous water ending ride experience that ing. This dual racing slide is a board four-person cloverleaf by ProSlide. Setting all sorts coaster Mammoth – as it’s a connects to other channels signature calling card for the tubes for the downward de- of world records, this new big- perfect fit!” exclaims Paula and rivers in the park, or can park, the first of its kind in the scent. Midway through the ger version features a length Werne, director of commu- circle back to the aquaveyor U.S. ride, riders climb a 40 foot of 1,763 feet, six drops and nications for Holiday World to do it again. This ride scored The Nos. 4 and 5 spots “wave,” a virtual vertical wall rafts seating six riders at a and Splashin’ Safari. the No. 2 spot in the category. are completed by Mount that gives passengers a feel- time. The hourly capacity can That’s not to say there Taking third was King Co- Olympus’ new The Lost City, ing of weightlessness.

FOR THE HONOR Th aAnMkUSsE MENT TODAY!

2012 #2 WORLD’S BEST GREAT NEW RIDES NEW WATERPARK RIDE DOUBLE THE SIZE! ® 2012 Waterpark Management, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 28 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 29 30 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 2012 Publisher’s Picks: Park, Supplier Disney California Adventure finally gets its icon in $1.1 billion makeover

When Disney California Adventure 2012 PRESENTED AS opened across the front gate from its big GOLDEN PARK brother Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. in TICKET OF THE AWARD YEAR

2001, it had big shoes to fill. PRESENTED TO V.I.P. While the original park design, rides DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE and other attractions were enjoyed by the average guests, true Disney fans knew the park was lacking what they called the ‘Disney Magic.’ Less than stellar attendance in the following years would prove the die-hard fans were right. The decade following would see the addition of more Disney-branded rides, shows and parades, but despite the efforts, DCA just couldn’t get over the hump to the next level. That was until June 15, 2012. That’s the day the park reopened to the public showcasing its new front gate entry area, new Buena Vista Street and new industry-icon Cars Land. The $1.1 billion makeover of DCA was complete, and now little brother had its own star attraction with the Radiator Springs Racers car ride. As this publisher witnessed first-hand, the Disney fandom came by the This season, Cedar Point debuted thousands, camping out all night on the sidewalks just outside the front gate Luminosity, as the park’s new night- hoping to have a chance to be among the first to enter the new Cars Land. time show. The $1 million-plus No, this wasn’t a line for tickets to a hot concert or to game one of the World production is the largest in park Series, it was a line to get into a theme park. Every park operator dreams of history. It was built and produced this. When I asked one family of four why they spent the night on the side- by N.Y.-based RWS and Associates walk, their reply was typical of any fan saying, “We love Disney and we buy Entertainment, Inc. passes every year. We had this day on our calendar from the very moment it COURTESY CEDAR POINT was announced.” Cars Land and the Radiator Springs Racers is the real deal. Every attention RWS rises to the challenge, delivers to detail that could be thought of is in play in this new section. Rides, signage, concrete rock formations, food, clothing, neon and of course audio tracks all blockbuster show on tight schedule come together to make this the mega-hit of the year. And the general public is noticing as DCA is enjoying sell-outs on a regu- I must confess, I would have never 2012 lar basis, and Radiator Springs Racers is seeing a two-hour wait on most days. believed it, so I had to go see it in per- PRESENTED AS GOLDEN SUPPLIER DCA has just hit this one of out the park for their grand slam. son, live. TICKET OF THE Amusement Today salutes Disney California Adventure, its thousands of When Cedar Point informed Amuse- AWARD YEAR PRESENTED TO they were putting in a big V.I.P. cast members, Imagineers and it management, for showing the imagination ment Today RWS AND ASSOCIATES ENTERTAINMENT, INC. and the creativity needed to make this park the hottest must visit facility of nighttime show on its main midway that the year, and thus making it AT’s choice for 2012 Park of the Year. would include a huge cast of live perform- ers, LED’s and other state of the art lights, video boards, pyrotechnics and much more, my first reaction was that’s a nice way to fill in a season until the next big attractions arrives. Then the calls started coming in: Gary, you’ve got to see that show at Cedar Point. OK, now you have my attention. So, I booked a flight to Ohio. What I witnessed that night on Cedar Point’s main midway was unbeliev- able for any regional park to even attempt to pull off, but CP did just that. When Ryan Stana and his RWS team received the call from Cedar Fair they were less than six months out from the project’s opening day. They wanted RWS to deliver the biggest, grandest and most expensive night show in Cedar Point’s history, a show that would come in well in excess of $1 million. RWS met with Cedar Fair’s VP of Entertainment, Charles Bradshaw, at Cedar Point to discuss the goals of the project and specific requests that came from Matt Ouimet, the newly appointed CEO. The goal was to produce a spectacular show that would keep guests in the park later in the evening, provide a live club atmosphere after the show and would be interesting and exciting enough to bring guests back night after night. Once the goals of the project were established, RWS worked with Cedar Fair executives for three solid days to begin to create, from the ground up, an elaborate performance space from a currently vacant midway. Stana and the RWS crew, as well as countless other supporting companies, delivered a smashing hit. The installation took four months, the rehearsal pro- cess took three weeks and the project, which featured 23 dancers, 4 singers, As part of its $1.1 billion 3 drummers and 2 cirque performers and 10 technical staff members, is now makeover, Disney Califor- a show that has garnered critical acclaim throughout the amusement industry nia Adventure received the and was enjoyed by up to 5,000 guests staying at the park later to highly promoted Cars Land, see Luminosity. above, and thrilling Radiator One word to Cedar Point for 2013, you now need a bigger midway! Springs Racers as the park’s Amusement Today salutes RWS and Associates Entertainment, Inc. for newest icons. its high-octane energy and drive that made the vision of Luminosity at Cedar CARS LAND COURTESY DCA; Point a huge show success this year and making RWS AT’s choice for 2012 AT FILE Supplier of the Year. September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 31 32 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 2012 Publisher’s Picks: Person, Turnstile Tilman J. Fertitta’s love affair with Galveston goes back to childhood

2012 As a kid, Tilman J. Fertitta grew up just PRESENTED AS blocks away from the Galveston Island Plea- GOLDEN PERSON sure Pier. Then as a teenager, he enjoyed the TICKET OF THE AWARD YEAR

summer sights as a lifeguard at the pool for PRESENTED TO V.I.P. the Flagship Hotel located on the Pleasure TILMAN J. FERTITTA Pier. Tilman’s career path would take him into the restau- rant business of which he would have much success. To- day, as President & CEO of Landry’s, Inc., this Houston- based company operates more than 400 properties in 34 states and 30 international properties. The company has more than 50,000 employees and combined revenues and assists totaling in excess of $5 billion. While historical records are not clear, it is known that the last of the local amusement parks closed around 1960. Galveston Island had a rich history of amusements with parks named Electric Park, Chutes Park, Joyland Fertitta Park and Pleasure Park. With its collection of parks, rides and the Mountain Speedway roller coaster, Galveston Island became known as the “Coney Island of the South.” SeaWorld San Diego showed Tilman and the Landry’s chain first got their feet wet in amusements when this season that roller coasters they added a few amusement rides to their popular Kemah Boardwalk, a don’t have to be big in order small property on the Texas Gulf coast made up of restaurants, shops and a to be fun or exciting. It’s new hotel. That success led to additional rides, and later adding rides and attrac- Manta ride is never more than tions at other Landry’s restaurant properties where needed. 30 feet above ground. As a major player in the Galveston tourism market with restaurants, hotels AT / GARY SLADE and attractions, Tilman purchased the Flagship Hotel with the idea of bringing the old girl back to her grand star-studded life. That was until Hurricane Ike wrecked the greater Galveston coast and damaged the hotel beyond repair. SeaWorld San Diego’s vision for family, That’s when Tilman had the vision to demolish the hotel and bring state- capacity was realized with new Manta of-the-art amusements to the historic pier. With an investment of $60-plus million, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier opened in time for this

Today’s technology can make visions 2012 year’s summer tourism season marking the return of amusements to the city. never achieved in past decades a reality The entire Landry’s team did an amazing job of transforming an eyesore GOLDEN TURNSTILE and do it with ease and grace. TICKET AWARD into a pier that is now active with food, fun and the making of new memories. SeaWorld San Diego, the nation’s AWARD PRESENTED TO

Amusement Today salutes Tilman J. Fertitta for stepping up to the chal- V.I.P. first SeaWorld park, has limitations when it SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO lenge of contributing to the rebuilding of Galveston Island and its historic pier comes to adding new attractions. Leased following Hurricane Ike by returning amusements to the area following a 50- land, the environment and height are but a few of the many obstacles this plus year absence. Amusement Today is honored to name Tilman J. Fertitta marine-life park must overcome before it can move forward on any new capital as our choice for 2012 Person of the Year. expenditure. The park knew it had an aging area of the park that needed to be redeveloped from the ground up. The new attraction needed to be thrilling enough to gain interest from the teen market, but it also had to have the fami- ly-appeal as the family market is the backbone of the park. The new attraction needed to have interaction with the guests and it must have a high capacity. Already having a great relationship with Germany-based Mack Rides on previous attractions, SeaWorld turned to them for help. The end result was a four-train family coaster featuring a height of just 30 feet above ground, two- LSM launches, once of which is centered around a 30-second, 22 projector pre-show film on a 270-degree wrap around screen from Falcon’s Treehouse. With a top speed of 43 mph, SeaWorld had their perfect family coaster. Manta was born on May 26, 2012. Theming elements are found with manta art and manta ray pools throughout the ride entry area, and a massive manta ray interaction pool awaits riders just outside the exit area. A gift shop and small food facility were also part of the overall Manta themed experience. With Mack’s technical support, the coaster continues to deliver as prom- ised. Since its opening on May 26, 2012, Manta has delivered more than 900,000 rides, it has seen 15,628 guests ride in a single day, is riding 1,200 passengers per hour on a regular basis and has seen as many as 66 trains launch in one hour. Amusement Today salutes the entire team at SeaWorld San Diego for its vision to bring a high-tech thrill ride to this marine-life park. One that kept Following the destruction Hurricane Ike left behind on Galveston Island, the park’s theme in mind, one that reached a broad demographic of riders, Tilman J. Fertitta bought the city-owned historic Pleasure Pier and brought and one that would also deliver the capacity demands placed on a year-round it back to life as a new $60-plus million amusement pier. It opened this year destination park. AT is honored to present the first ever Turnstile Award to just in time for the city’s tourism crowds. SeaWorld San Diego, for the job done in moving the turnstile in 2012, both at COURTESY LANDRY’S INC. the front gate and at the ride. September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 33 34 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012

the 2012 golden ticket awards at

are presented by:

amusement today thanks you for your support September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 35 Steel Coasters: Millennium Force stays on top STORY: Tim Baldwin up a notch to enter the top [email protected] five. Expedition GeForce at By mid-August of this Holiday Park in Germany has season, Millennium Force at consistently been the highest Cedar Point had given more rated coaster in Europe and than 21 million rides since places this year at No. 6. In- it opened in 2000. Keeping Ride of Steel at Six Flags New timidator at Carowinds sees the Golden Ticket for BEST England. the biggest jump this year, STEEL COASTER, this Intamin Looking at this year’s top leaping into the top 10 at No. creation has taken the honor 10, Magnum is the only one 7 from its 2011 position of for seven years throughout on the charts to have actually No. 19. Goliath at Six Flags the past 15. Only three coast- been built when Amusement Over Georgia (No. 9) and Di- ers have received top honors Today started the Golden amondback at Kings Island in this category — Magnum Tickets in 1998. Newer coast- complete the top 10 by add- XL-200, also at Cedar Point ers are striking the fancy of ing two more B&M coasters. and ranking this year at No. our voters, and with the size As observed in the past, 8, AT’s first steel coaster to and innovation of such rides, no coasters currently in AT’s stand on top, and Bizarro it’s easy to see why they are steel top 10 go upside down. (No. 2), formerly Superman so popular. Nitro at Six Flags The first listing on the chart to Great Adventure was built in do that is Montu at Busch Gar- 2001 by B&M and keeps its dens Tampa, placing at No. Cedar Point’s Millennium No. 3 spot held in 2011. The 14. Not to mention, Best Steel Force keeps its number one steel giants just below Nitro Coaster is a category that cel- spot and reclaims the gold have shifted places this sea- ebrates the young. Only 17 of for Best Steel Coaster. The son. Climbing a few rungs is the 50 existed before the turn Intamin coaster opened in Apollo’s Chariot at Busch of the millennium, and only 2000 and has delivered more Gardens Williamsburg (No. 12 were built in time for AT’s than 21 million rides since. 4) and New Texas Giant at first chart in 1998. The old- AT/TIM BALDWIN Six Flags Over Texas inches est coasters on the list are a pair of vintage Schwarzkopf coasters — Mind Bender at Six Flags Over Georgia (No. 20) and Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas (No. 26). Both were built in 1978 and still boast a multitude of fans. Eleven coasters are out- side of the U.S. Those include: Nemesis (No. 16) Alton Tow- ers, England, which at one time placed in the top 10; Behemoth (No. 17) and the new-for-2012 Leviathan (No. 22), both at Canada’s Won- derland in Ontario; Goliath (No. 25), LaRonde, Quebec, Canada; Blue Fire (No. 32) and Euro-Mir (No. 50), both No 2: Bizarro, Six Flags New England No. 3: Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure at Europa-Park, Germany; COURTESY SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND AT/GARY SLADE Lisebergbanan (No. 33), Lise- berg, Sweden; Piraten (No. 37), Djurs Sommerland, Den- mark; Goliath (No. 48), Wal- abi World, the Netherlands; and Black Mamba (No. 49) Phantasialand, Germany. Dollywood’s Wild Eagle is the highest placing new- for-2012 coaster, coming in at 15th. Leviathan and Her- sheypark’s Skyrush (No. 42) are the others. Combined with the wooden charts, Cedar Point has more roller coasters listed than any other park — a for- midable seven. GateKeeper, their new wing coaster an- No. 4: Apollo’s Chariot, Busch Gardens Williamsburg No. 5: New Texas Giant, Six Flags Over Texas nounced for 2013, is bound to AT/GARY SLADE AT/GARY SLADE be a heavy hitter next year. 36 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 The List 2012 Top 50 STEEL roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2000 Intamin 1272

2 Bizarro Six Flags New England Agawam, Mass. 2000 Intamin 946

3 Nitro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2001 B & M 650

4 Apollo’s Chariot Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1999 B & M 597

5 New Texas Giant Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 2011 Rocky Mountain 564

6 Expedition GeForce Holiday Park Hassloch, Germany 2001 Intamin 537

7 Intimidator Carowinds Charlotte, N.C. 2010 B & M 520

8 Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1989 Arrow 480

9 Goliath Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga. 2006 B & M 444

10 Diamondback Kings Island Mason, Ohio 2009 B & M 395

11 Phantom’s Revenge Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 2001 Morgan/Arrow 374

12 Intimidator 305 Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 2010 IntaRide 351

13 Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2003 Intamin 332

14 Montu Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 1996 B & M 318

15 Wild Eagle Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 2012 B & M 292

16 Nemesis Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 1994 B & M 238

17 Behemoth Canada’s Wonderland Vaughan, Ontario, Canada 2008 B & M 224

18 X2 Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2002 Arrow 209

19 Raging Bull Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1999 B & M 196

20 Mind Bender Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga. 1978 Schwarzkopf 195

21 Maverick Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2007 Intamin 189

22 Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Vaughan, Ontario, Canada 2012 B & M 173

23 Kumba Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 1993 B & M 141

24 Alpengeist Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1997 B & M 133

25 Goliath La Ronde Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2006 B & M 132 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 37 The List 2012 Top 50 STEEL roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 (tie) Griffon Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 2007 B & M 124

26 (tie) Shock Wave Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1978 Schwarzkopf 124

28 Tatsu Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2006 B & M 116

29 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags America Largo, Md. 2000 Intamin 115

30 SheiKra Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 2005 B & M 113

31 Raptor Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1994 B & M 111

32 Blue Fire Europa-Park Rust, Germany 2009 Mack 109

33 Lisebergbanan Liseberg Gothenberg, Sweden 1987 Schwarzkopf 100

34 Manta SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 2009 B & M 99

35 Dragon Challenge Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B & M 98

36 Titan Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 2001 Giovanola 94

37 Piraten Djurs Sommerland Jylland, Denmark 2008 Intamin 93

38 Kingda Ka Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2005 Intamin 91

39 Steel Force Dorney Park Allentown, Pa. 1997 Morgan 87

40 Volcano: The Blast Coaster Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1998 Intamin 80

41 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2000 Giovanola 78

42 Skyrush Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2012 Intamin 77

43 Ride of Steel Darien Lake Darien Center, N.Y. 1999 Intamin 74

44 Storm Runner Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2004 Intamin 66

45 Afterburn Carowinds Charlotte, N.C. 1999 B & M 59

46 PowderKeg Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 2005 S & S 58

47 Incredible Hulk Coaster Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B & M 56

48 Goliath Walabi World Biddinghuizen, The Netherlands 2002 Intamin 55

49 Black Mamba Phantasialand Brühl, Germany 2006 B & M 50

50 Euro-Mir Europa-Park Rust, Germany 1997 Mack 49

Add your name to our list today! CONGRATULATIONS! childress-media.com/portfolio to all the 2012 Golden Ticket Award winners.

Web Design • Graphic Design • Social Media CHILDRESS www.childress-media.com • [email protected] Media 38 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 39 El Toro takes top spot on wooden coaster list STORY: Tim Baldwin El Toro’s win, John Fitzgerald, [email protected] park president for Six Flags Great Adventure, remarked, Amusement Today has “Tremendo! The Golden Ticket had more different winners in Award is an awesome recogni- the category of BEST WOOD- tion for the park and El Toro. EN COASTER than any other It is without question the best category. Over the course of in which it debuted. wood coaster in the world!” 15 years, six different woodies This year, the entire top Kristen Siebeneicher, public have risen to the top. Four of five have shifted positions relations manager for the park, those are still in the top five. with not a single one retain- adds, “Since El Toro opened in However, 2012 sees The Voy- ing its placement from 2011. 2006, it has given more than 8 age being unseated from its Taking over the top spot is El million rides. It averages about five year run in the top spot. Toro at Six Flags Great Ad- 1.2 million riders per year — In its seven years of operation, venture. This Intamin creation the most of any wooden coast- the coaster has never been has long been known for its er in the Six Flags chain.” lower than the No. 2 position, extreme airtime and remark- The top five shuffle also able smoothness. In 2006, the sees Knoebels’ Phoenix at Taking the Golden Ticket ride debuted at No. 13 and No. 3. For the past decade for the first time as BEST over the years has climbed to and a half, this ride is one of WOODEN COASTER is higher placements. The Voy- two woodies which has main- El Toro at Six Flags Great age, Holiday World’s legend- tained its top 10 placement Adventure in Jackson, N.J. ary woodie received substan- since the inception of the The ultra-smooth ride from tial structure and track work Golden Ticket Awards. New- Intamin opened in 2006 prior to this season to amp it comers may enter and others and has become a guest back to top form, so it looks might slip out, but Phoenix has favorite, with more than 1.2 like 2013 could be a head-to- a legion of fans, and they know million riders each year. head battle between these a good coaster and a brilliant COURTESY SIX FLAGS two wooden giants. design when they see one. GREAT ADVENTURE Upon hearing the news of Dollywood’s Thunderhead (No. 4) and Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce (No. 5) have switched places to complete a top five which presents a solid block of the best of what the industry has to offer, each from a different supplier and a vari- ety of coaster trains. The Raven at Holiday World (No. 8), once a No. 1 place holder, has climbed its way back into the top 10. Also of note is Balder at Sweden’s Liseberg, another Intamin cre- ation that has reached top 10 status, bringing an internation- al woodie to AT’s charts for the first time in nine years. Mega- fobia at Oakwood in Wales, now at No. 27, appeared in No. 2: The Voyage, Holiday World No. 3: Phoenix, Knoebels Amusement Resort the No. 5 spot in the inaugu- AT/DAN FEICHT AT/GARY SLADE ral year of the Golden Tickets. Remaining a top 10 contender for several years, it slipped out following 2003, leaving the chart without a top 10 woodie outside of the States. Like El Toro, Balder is known for its airtime and smoothness, so expect a multi-year charge to remain in the upper echelon of woodies. In total, an impressive 13 woodies on our charts operate outside of the U.S., a tribute to the expertise of our panel of experts. Ten countries are found within this international grouping. Gröna Lund’s Twist- er debuted at No. 36 last year and has climbed up to No. 24 No. 4: Thunderhead, Dollywood No. 5: Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce in the top half of our list of 50. COURTESY DOLLYWOOD AT/TIM BALDWIN 40 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Wood coaster #1 Steel coaster millennium force El Toro

2012 MILLENNIUM 2012 FORCE EL GOLDEN BEST TORO PRESENTED TO STEEL CEDAR TICKET COASTER BEST POINT WOODEN AWARD COASTER

GOLDEN V.I.P. TICKET PRESENTED TO AWARD SIX FLAGS GREAT

ADVENTURE V.I.P.

Photo ©Cedar Point | Photo by Dan Feicht

El Toro Millennium Force Six Flags Great Adventure Cedar Point Date opened: 2006 Date opened: 2000 Riders: Over 8 million Riders: Over 21.3 million

INTAMIN AMUSEMENT RIDES INT. CORP. EST., Landstrasse 126, FL-9494 Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein Phone: +423 237 03 43, Fax: +423 237 03 40, E-mail: [email protected] www.intaminworldwide.com September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 41 Wood coaster #1 Steel coaster millennium force El Toro

2012 MILLENNIUM 2012 FORCE EL GOLDEN BEST TORO PRESENTED TO STEEL CEDAR TICKET COASTER BEST POINT WOODEN AWARD COASTER

GOLDEN V.I.P. TICKET PRESENTED TO AWARD SIX FLAGS GREAT

ADVENTURE V.I.P.

Photo ©Cedar Point | Photo by Dan Feicht

El Toro Millennium Force Six Flags Great Adventure Cedar Point Date opened: 2006 Date opened: 2000 Riders: Over 8 million Riders: Over 21.3 million

INTAMIN AMUSEMENT RIDES INT. CORP. EST., Landstrasse 126, FL-9494 Schaan, Principality of Liechtenstein Phone: +423 237 03 43, Fax: +423 237 03 40, E-mail: [email protected] www.intaminworldwide.com 42 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 43 44 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 Thank you!

and all the volunteers

for helping make the National Roller Coaster Museum Premier Exhibit a reality!

PREMIERE EXHIBITION www.rollercoastermuseum.org

Photos courtesy Joel Styer September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 45 46 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012 The List 2012 Top 50 wooden roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 El Toro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2006 Intamin 1279

2 The Voyage Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2006 Gravity Group 1190

3 Phoenix Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1985 Dinn/PTC-Schmeck 1091

4 Thunderhead Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 2004 GCII 1018

5 Boulder Dash Lake Compounce Bristol, Conn. 2000 CCI 1009

6 Ravine Flyer II Waldameer Erie, Pa. 2008 Gravity Group 762

7 The Beast Kings Island Mason, Ohio 1979 KECO 677

8 The Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 1995 CCI 385

9 Shivering Timbers Michigan’s Adventure Muskegon, Mich. 1998 CCI 378

10 Balder Liseberg Gothenburg, Sweden 2003 Intamin 364

11 Lightning Racer Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2000 GCII 351

12 Hades Mount Olympus Theme Park Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2005 Gravity Group 344

13 Prowler Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Mo. 2009 GCII 284

14 Cyclone Coney Island/Luna Park Brooklyn, N.Y. 1927 Kenan/Baker 259

15 Thunderbolt Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1968 Vettel/Miller 228

16 Jack Rabbit Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1920 PTC - Miller 197

17 Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 1924 Prior & Church/Looff 179

18 The Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2000 CCI 171

19 Colossos Heide Park Soltau, Germany 2001 Intamin 169

20 Comet The Great Escape Lake George, N.Y. 1994 PTC - Schmeck 161

21 Tremors Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1999 CCI 149

22 Kentucky Rumbler Beech Bend Bowling Green, Ky. 2006 GCII 147

23 GhostRider Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 1998 CCI 142

24 Twister Gröna Lund Stockholm, Sweden 2011 Gravity Group 120

25 Troy Toverland Sevenum, the Netherlands 2007 GCII 117 September 2012 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 47 The List 2012 Top 50 wooden roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 Viper Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1995 Starkey/Six Flags 116

27 Megafobia Oakwood Pembrokshire, Wales 1996 CCI 115

28 Apocalypse Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2009 GCII 111

29 Playland Wooden Coaster PNE Playland Vancouver, B.C., Canada 1958 Phare 107

30 Grand National Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Blackpool, England 1935 Paige 106

31 American Thunder Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Mo. 2008 GCII 104

32 Wooden Warrior Quassy Amusement Park Middlebury, Conn. 2011 Gravity Group 100

33 Twister Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1999 Fetterman-Knoebels 99

34 El Toro Freizeitpark Plohn Lengenfeld, Germany 2009 GCII 97

35 Thunderbird PowerLand Alahärmä, Finland 2006 GCII 93

36 Hellcat Timber Falls Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2004 S & S 90

37 Tonnerre de Zeus Park Astérix Plailly, France 1997 CCII 87

38 Blue Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1964 PTC - Hoover 85

39 (tie) Boardwalk Bullet Kemah Boardwalk Kemah, Texas 2007 M&V/Gravity Group 80

39 (tie) Cornball Express Indiana Beach Monticello, Ind. 2001 CCI 80

41 Rutschebanan Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen, Denmark ca. 1914 LaMarcus Thompson 79

42 (tie) The Boss Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Mo. 2000 CCI 73

42 (tie) Racer Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1927 PTC - Miller 73

44 Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park Conneaut Lake, Pa. 1938 Vettel 65

45 Mean Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1991 Dinn-Summers 57

46 (tie) T Express Everland Yonjin-si, South Korea 2008 Intamin 55

46 (tie) Timber Terror Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1996 CCI 55

48 Great American Scream Machine Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga. 1973 PTC - Allen 52

49 Wild Mouse Pleasure Beach, Blackpool Blackpool, England 1958 Wright 50

50 Renegade Valleyfair! Shakopee, Minn. 2007 GCII 49 48 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2012