PRSRT STD

US POSTAGE

PAID

(817) 460-7220 (817) FT. WORTH TX PERMIT # 2069

AMUSEMENT TODAY AMUSEMENT PLEASE RUSH! Mailed Monday,Mailed September8,2014 POSTMASTER: NEWSPAPER

SUBSCRIBE TO SUBSCRIBE Dated material.

ment Today ment - keep prized become only not have

- Amuse The annual awards presented by by presented awards annual The

— Tim Baldwin Tim —

says Reilly. says

they’ve given it more than 100 percent. 100 than more it given they’ve

to make a difference for wild populations,” populations,” wild for difference a make to

day after day, and celebrates with parks when when parks with celebrates and day, after day

the animals at SeaWorld that they take action action take they that SeaWorld at animals the

dividuals that “get” what this industry does does industry this what “get” that dividuals

Golden Ticket Awards weekend so inspired by by inspired so weekend Awards Ticket Golden

- in enthusiastic those fan, the to indebted is

“I hope our industry visitors leave the the leave visitors industry our hope “I

Amusement Today Amusement pleasurable. more little a

now celebrating its 50th anniversary. 50th its celebrating now

give back to those that have made their lives lives their made have that those to back give

beauty — all at the original SeaWorld park, park, SeaWorld original the at all — beauty

with their hard-earned dollars in the parks to to parks the in dollars hard-earned their with

a dynamic mix of shows, encounters, rides and and rides encounters, shows, of mix dynamic a

shared their collective expertise with us along along us with expertise collective their shared

. Here, attendees enjoy enjoy attendees Here, . Diego San SeaWorld

Hundreds of people around the globe have have globe the around people of Hundreds

at at Awards Ticket Golden annual 17th its ing

never had the exact same group of voters twice. twice. voters of group same exact the had never

Amusement Today Amusement - host be to thrilled is

AT has has worldwide. grow to continues experts

passion and talent wow me every day.” every me wow talent and passion

With each year, our experienced panel of of panel experienced our year, each With

Reilly responds, “Our team members. Their Their members. team “Our responds, Reilly

continual expectations of excellence. excellence. of expectations continual

defining attribute of the San Diego property, property, Diego San the of attribute defining

day try to make it there in the future with their their with future the in there it make to try day

AT asked what he feels is the the is feels he what asked When basis. daily

the charts, and even especially those who each each who those especially even and charts, the

World San Diego, enjoys this property on a a on property this enjoys Diego, San World

also to those that have worked hard to rank on on rank to hard worked have that those to also

- Sea for manager general , Reilly John

to those that not only have taken top prize, but but prize, top taken have only not that those to

City!” City!”

the finest in the industry. Congratulations go go Congratulations industry. the in finest the

of San Diego, also known as America’s Finest Finest America’s as known also Diego, San of

day after day. The Golden Ticket Awards salute salute Awards Ticket Golden The day. after day

also allows them to experience the wonders wonders the experience to them allows also

after they are grown is a way they touch lives lives touch they way a is grown are they after

to the leaders of the theme park industry, it it industry, park theme the of leaders the to

within families that children will remember long long remember will children that families within

the opportunity to showcase our beautiful park park beautiful our showcase to opportunity the

even better. Or perhaps, making connections connections making perhaps, Or better. even

ceremony…what an honor! We not only have have only not We honor! an ceremony…what

to push themselves harder to make the best best the make to harder themselves push to

to be hosting this year’s Golden Ticket Awards Awards Ticket Golden year’s this hosting be to

the best they can possibly be and to continue continue to and be possibly can they best the themed rides. rides. themed COURTESY SEAWORLD COURTESY

industry. “It’s so cool for SeaWorld San Diego Diego San SeaWorld for cool so “It’s industry.

try strive to make their guests’ days at the park park the at days guests’ their make to strive try were treated to the park’s mix of animal shows and marine- and shows animal of mix park’s the to treated were

tertainment, looks forward to welcoming the the welcoming to forward looks tertainment,

- indus amusement the within parks water and Amusement Today, Amusement on Sept. 6, 2014. Event attendees attendees Event 2014. 6, Sept. on by

- en of president vice , Schuiteman Rick

ing their soul into their songs, the many parks parks many the songs, their into soul their ing season, hosted the 2014 Golden Tickets Awards, presented presented Awards, Tickets Golden 2014 the hosted season,

ple take home with them every day. every them with home take ple

- pour musicians or training in athletes Like SeaWorld San Diego, celebrating its 50th anniversary this this anniversary 50th its celebrating Diego, San SeaWorld

- peo memories life are these interactions, and

to experience the strengths of each host park. park. host each of strengths the experience to

ing people and animals together in encounters encounters in together animals and people ing

nity full of laughter and fun, as well as a chance chance a as well as fun, and laughter of full nity

- Bring inspiring. been has protected and saved

- opportu networking enjoyable an become has

ing those that come. The number of animals animals of number The come. that those ing

accomplishments, but the ceremony weekend weekend ceremony the but accomplishments,

- mov and entertaining educating, — evolved

sakes honoring our industry winners and their their and winners industry our honoring sakes

the years, the SeaWorld family of parks has has parks of family SeaWorld the years, the

ly expand SeaWorld into a chain of parks. Over Over parks. of chain a into SeaWorld expand ly

BEST BEST OF OF THE THE

BEST!

- eventual would Millay this, Following success.

V. AWARDS

an entire day of discovery would prove to be a a be to prove would discovery of day entire an

I. of focus the it making and attractions life sea GOLDEN GOLDEN

TICKET

P. Incorporating park. life marine a in found es

- experienc the to personal and close up us ing

2014

- bring , Diego San SeaWorld debuted Millay

George George 1964, In — Calif. DIEGO, SAN

Amusement Today presents awards in 29 categories 29 in awards presents Today Amusement

SeaWorld San Diego hosts 2014 Golden Ticket Awards Ticket Golden 2014 hosts Diego San SeaWorld

September 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 6.2 Issue • 18 Vol. | 2014 September www.amusementtoday.com

...Pages 44-47 ...Pages Coasters Steel 

TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. Today, Amusement ©2014 & TM

...Pages 34-42 ...Pages Coasters Wooden 

...Pages 26-33 ...Pages Rides Best 

...Pages 21-25 ...Pages Rides New Best 

...Pages 18-20 ...Pages Picks Publisher’s 

...Pages 16 & 17 & 16 ...Pages Events Shows, 

...Pages 14 & 15 & 14 ...Pages race Landscaping 

...Pages 4-13 ...Pages Parks Best  INSIDE: 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

I. AWARDS V. NEWSTALK BEST OF THE BEST!

EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Golden Ticket Awards fun facts When Amusement Today and SeaWorld San Diego host the 2014 Golden Ticket Awards on Sept. 6 in the Mission Bay The- ater, it’s easy to remember and recognize the 29 award catagories that will be given out to those who won. But so many other Slade parks have placed, or are simply worth a mention. Here are a few GTA fun facts as tab- ulated by AT’s Tim Baldwin: •Dollywood (along with its sister property Dolly- wood’s Splash Country) is a finalist in more categories than any other park — 10. •Cedar Point has more coasters on the charts than any other park — seven. Six Flags Magic Mountain is a close six. •A total of 94 parks from 11 different countries are on the GTA charts. •Winners in seven categories, out of 25, have gone undefeated. •The oldest coaster on the charts is Rutschebanen. It opened at Tivoli Gardens in 1914 and celebrates its 100th birthday this year. The newest coaster is Goliath at EDITORIAL: Tim Baldwin, [email protected] Six Flags Great America, which opened on June 19 of A Year of Innovation this year. What a year of amazing tirely new innovative ride system that is nothing •The farthest coaster from the Amusement Today of- new rides. Granted some had short of amazing. Universal Orlando took the fices is Wood Coaster at Knight Valley in China. some delays in opening, but I indoor coaster idea and gave it a sensory over- •Thirteen roller coasters on the charts have been have to admit that this year’s load as they’ve never done before. And who designated ACE Roller Coaster Landmarks by American crop of new rides saw one of couldn’t be moved by the Knoebel family suc- Coaster Enthusiasts. the most impressive displays of cessfully opening a ride concept from almost a innovation I’ve seen in years. century past? After countless people told them •No roller coasters in the Top 10 Steel Coaster list go Each season typically brings to give up after years of trial and error, Knoeb- upside down. Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is Baldwin about a crop of solid new rides, els triumphantly opens the only wood trough the highest ranking coaster with a full inversion. Ironically, but 2014 made it supremely Flying Turns on earth. Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City does go upside down challenging for the voters. Family rides opened to great success as and is in the Top 10 on the Wood Coaster chart. Start with record holders. Kings Island not well. Filling a void at Dollywood, FireChaser only brings back the inverted coaster after an Express proved a less intimidating ride can •Mammoth at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is eight year absence in the U.S., but delivers the still be exciting no matter what your age. Sto- the most expensive Water Park Ride on the charts pricing longest, tallest and fastest version ever made. ry Land in Glen, New Hampshire rose up the out at $8 million. The Falls at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Six Flags Great Adventure took the drop ride charts by opening a junior sized woodie that Resort gives the longest ride. One circuit on The Falls to terrifying new heights. Canada’s Wonder- is packed with excitement and was met with lasts more than 20 minutes. land created an interactive dark ride with the great fanfare. longest uninterrupted projection screen. Six Before the year closes out, I will have vis- • Flags Great America created the steepest ited more than 30 parks in 2014 alone, and I Amusement Today would like to thank our 2014 host drop on a wooden coaster that currently holds feel extremely blessed to have enjoyed so facilities, U.S.S. Midway, Belmont Park, San Diego Zoo, records for speed and height on that drop as many of these marvelous new attractions. And and our host park SeaWorld San Diego, as well as our well. Schlitterbahn Kansas City captivated the yet, I still yearn to embrace those I have yet to event sponsors, Mack Rides, Leisure Labs LLC, Chance media with the world’s tallest waterslide. do, because I know the dedication and effort Then there was the reimagining of classic that goes into opening each one. Kudos to the Rides, Larson International, Extreme Engineering, Dy- ride concepts. Phantasialand pushed the flume industry for making a memorable new year for namic Advantage and Chestnut Identity Apparel, for ride to spectacular new levels. Europa-Park cre- visitors to parks everywhere. all their help in making this year’s event another success! ated the next-generation dark ride with an en-

AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Dean Lamanna Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation [email protected] [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Stacey Childress / Childress Media Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Web & Graphic Design Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA, [email protected] [email protected] Advertising NAARSO and IISF (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates (U.S. & International) are: 1 year (14 issues) $50; 2 years (28 issues) $100; 3 years (42 John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. Scott Rutherford [email protected] issues) $150. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Please allow up to six Daily E-mail Newsletter Editorial weeks for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed. [email protected] [email protected] Bubba Flint Cartoonist Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Tim Baldwin 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 websites are copyrighted and trademarked Editorial Editorial / Special Projects by Amusement Today 2013, with all rights reserved. [email protected] [email protected] POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas Contributors: Andrew Mellor, Keith Kastelic, Richard Munch, B. Derek Shaw, Curt Schimmel, Joel Styer, Janice Witherow 76005-5427. September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 3

Belmont Park • SeaWorld • The Midway • San Diego Zoo • Aquatica San Diego

© 2014 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 Europa-Park overtakes top spot for Best Park STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected]

2014

It could potentially be P. GOLDEN TICKET

called the biggest upset in I. AWARDS V.

Golden Ticket history. For the BEST OF THE BEST! past 16 years, Cedar Point has claimed the ticket for 235 years of family business. BEST PARK. Their massive I wish my father was able to collection of rides, extensive share this award in person.” roller coaster line-up and Mack adds, “A big thank you resort hotels made for a dy- to our production company, namic package that most fans Mack Rides, whose top level thought to be unbeatable. attractions have contributed Across the waters, Europa- largely to our success.” Park has quietly been gain- Cedar Point, however, ing momentum. First charting still claims its sheer legions in 2005, the largest attended of fans. Unquestionably the theme park in Germany would highest rated park in North step forward and move back America, the land of giants for a period of years, ranking stands tall in the No. 2 posi- in various positions from No. tion. Dollywood, as a finalist 4 to No. 8. It was all forward in more categories than any BEST PARK: Europa-Park COURTESY EUROPA-PARK starting three years ago. In other park, moves up a notch 2011, the park finally moved to No. 3, nudging Knoebels ney World’s Blizzard Beach into third, and the following Amusement Resort to the (No. 4) and Typhoon Lagoon year it was No. 2. Last year, No. 4 spot. Disneyland keeps (No. 5) make a return to the the vote was so close that it its No. 5 ranking to complete charts, bumping off two other was less than 1 percent dif- the upper half of the 10 parks contenders from last season. ference in the voting. Today, on our BEST PARK list. BEST CHILDREN’S the park welcomes more than Schlitterbahn Water- PARK gives Idlewild & Soak- 5 million guests a year with park Resort, also consid- Zone a five-year run with the its successful formula and has ered to be an untouchable Golden Ticket. Taking con- done what many thought to legend, maintains its lead to trol in 2010, the idyllic haven be impossible — taken the take BEST WATER PARK. in the woods has delighted Golden Ticket. Nestled along the Comal Riv- families with youngsters since “We graciously thank the er in New Braunfels, Texas, 1878. voters for this prestigious the property redefines one- One of the most dramat- honor, says Roland Mack, of-a-kind with its abundance ic rises of the 2014 results is owner of Europa-Park. “Ev- of signature attractions and Story Land in Glen, N.H. Last BEST PARK No. 2: Cedar Point COURTESY CEDAR POINT ery day we pour our hearts imaginative creativity. The year, the children-centered Eric Dziedzic. “Although we Story Land what it is. It is an into the attention to details massive Splashin’ Safari (No. park finally appeared on the are biased, we have always honor to be included in the and into making Europa-Park 2), which has grown by mon- charts in a tie for No. 4. This known that Story Land is a list.” a little bit better. What a thrill umental proportions from its year, it climbs significantly special place. With the addi- Two sister properties, to know that the most ex- simple debut in 1993, today into the No. 2 spot. The park tion of the Roar-O-Saurus this Legoland California (No. 3) perienced enthusiasts in the occupies close to 40 acres. added the Roar-O-Saurus year, we have received some and Legoland Florida (No. world have voted Europa- Dollywood’s Splash roller coaster this year and it great press. The staff here 4) challenge each other for Park as Best Amusement Park Country first appeared on was welcomed favorably with takes each guest experience the next positions. Follow- and also the first European the finalist charts three years guests and voters. to heart; we have great rides, ing those siblings is a pair of park to achieve this award. ago in the No. 4 position. It “We are absolutely shows, landscaping, charac- newcomers gladly welcomed It is a great honor for the moves up a ranking this year thrilled to hear about our ters, shops, and food, but it is to the charts. Scoring an whole Mack family and our to No. 3. Ironically, Walt Dis- jump,” say General Manager our team members that make equal amount of votes, En- chanted Forest in Turner, Or- egon, and Santa’s Village in Jefferson, N.H. score a tie for the finalist charts this year. As of yet uncontested, Santa Cruz Beach Board- walk glides to a cozy win for BEST SEASIDE PARK in 2014. Its perfect mix of sand, sun and fun resonates with our voters. Blackpool Pleasure Beach holds onto the No. 2 spot with its location ad- jacent to the Irish Sea. This English classic has welcomed holiday travelers since 1896. BEST MARINE LIFE PARK: BEST MARINE LIFE PARK: Also in Europe, Gröna Lund SeaWorld Orlando No. 2: SeaWorld San Diego 4See PARKS, page 6 AT/TIM BALDWIN AT/GARY SLADE September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 5

Experience. Time. Together.

Thanks to all our fans for supporting us in the Golden Ticket Awards! It is a great honor to follow in the footsteps of Cedar Point. See you soon – at EUROPA-PARK, the best park 2014!

2014

PRESENTED TO GOLDEN BEST EUROPA– PARK

PARK TICKET V.I.P. AWARD blue fire Megacoaster powered by GAZPROM

Splashing fun High-speed thrill rides Amazing Shows Wonderful overnight stays

Europa-Park – Theme Park & Resort in Rust near Freiburg/Black Forest Info-Line +49 7822 77-6688 · www.europapark.com

EP14_AI_113_Amusement_Today_SST14.indd 1 15.08.14 12:20 6 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST! PARKS Continued from page 4

(No. 3) in Stockholm, Swe- den, has welcomed visitors since 1883, many of whom arrive by cruise ship and pas- senger ferry from other coun- tries. Morey’s Piers, a locale that has made summer trips BEST WATER PARK: BEST INDOOR WATERPARK: to Wildwood, N.J. an an- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort Schlitterbahn Galveston Island AT/TIM BALDWIN COURTESY SCHLITTERBAHN nual tradition, claims the No. 4 finalist. And on the other Ticket for BEST INDOOR ter of minutes. Kalahari Re- monton Mall. This park was lenger to go up against for coast, San Diego’s Belmont WATER PARK for 2014. The sort Sandusky continues to the first to take the Golden BEST MARINE LIFE PARK. Park, with its historic and pre- South Texas property has a hold the No. 2 spot, while its Ticket in this category. Splash SeaWorld Orlando has al- served Giant Dipper coaster unique roofing system that sister property, Kalahari Re- Landings at the Alton Towers ways maintained a solid lead pops onto the chart to round can change from indoors to sort Wisconsin Dells, slips a Resort in Staffordshire, Eng- in this category and once out the top five. outdoors during desirable notch to No. 4. Taking that land completes the top five. again ranks No. 1. The San Schlitterbahn Galves- temperatures and back to third place position is World Event host SeaWorld Diego property, the original ton Island snares the Golden an indoor setting in a mat- Waterpark inside West Ed- San Diego has a tough chal- 4See PARKS, page 7

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

PARK AND RIDE WINNERS Ranked by percentage of votes cast I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST!

BEST NEW RIDE FOR 2014 (Amusement Park) BEST NEW RIDE FOR 2014 (Water Park)

Flying Turns Knoebels Amusement Resort 27% Verrückt Schlitterbahn Kansas City 59% Banshee Kings Island 19% Colossal Curl Water Country USA 11% Goliath Six Flags Great America 11% Bahama Blasters Six Flags Fiesta Texas 10% Harry Potter and the Deep Water Dive Kentucky Kingdom 8% Escape from Gringotts Islands of Adventure 10% Snake Pit Dorney Park/Wildwater Kingdom 4% Lightning Run Kentucky Kingdom 9% BEST PARK BEST SEASIDE PARK Europa-Park Rust, Germany 25% Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 45% Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 16% Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 16% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 9% Gröna Lund Stockholm, Sweden 15% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 8% Morey’s Piers Wildwood, N.J. 12% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 8% Belmont Park San Diego, Calif. 4% Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 5% Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 4% (tie) BEST INDOOR WATER PARK Tokyo DisneySea Tokyo, Japan 4% (tie) Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Galveston, Texas 25% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 3.5% Kalahari Resort Sandusky, Ohio 19% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 3% World Waterpark Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 12% Kalahari Resort Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 9% BEST WATER PARK Splash Landings Staffordshire, England 8% Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 55% Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 17% BEST KIDS’ AREA Dollywood’s Splash Country Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 5% Kings Island Mason, Ohio 26% Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 4.5% Efteling Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands 13% Typhoon Lagoon Orlando, Fla. 4% Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 10% Universal’s Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 9.5% BEST CHILDREN’S PARK Nickelodeon Universe Bloomington, Minn. 9% Idlewild & SoakZone Ligonier, Pa. 34% Story Land Glen, N.H. 13% CLEANEST PARK Legoland California Carlsbad, Calif. 12.5% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 23% Legoland Florida Winter Haven, Fla. 10% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 13% Enchanted Forest Turner, Ore. 5% (tie) Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 12% Santa’s Village Jefferson, N.H. 5% (tie) Europa-Park Rust, Germany 10% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 9% BEST MARINE LIFE PARK SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 52% BEST SHOWS SeaWorld San Diego San Diego, Calif. 12% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 45% Discovery Cove Orlando, Fla. 10% Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 12% Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Vallejo, Calif. 9% Europa-Park Rust, Germany 8% SeaWorld San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 8% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 6.5% Disney California Adventure Anaheim, Calif. 6% September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 7

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST! PARKS Continued from page 6 in the chain of parks, cel- ebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and keeps the silver in the No. 2 position. Also in Orlando, Discovery Cove, where all guests get to swim with dolphins, moves up into the No. 3 spot. Six Flags Dis- covery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., mixes marine life, zoo animals and thrill rides into one multi-faceted property. It also climbs a rung slotting in at No. 4. These two climbs cause SeaWorld San Anto- nio to slip a couple of notch- BEST CHILDREN’S PARK: BEST SEASIDE PARK: es back to the No. 5 position. Idlewild & SoakZone Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk COURTESY IDLEWILD AT/JEFFREY SEIFERT

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

PARK AND RIDE WINNERS Ranked by percentage of votes cast I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST! BEST FOOD BEST LANDSCAPING Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 21% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 24% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 18% Gilroy Gardens Gilroy Calif. 23% Epcot Orlando, Fla. 17.5% Efteling Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands 17% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 13% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 6% Europa-Park Rust, Germany 7% Epcot Orlando, Fla. 5%

BEST WATER RIDE (PARK) BEST HALLOWEEN EVENT Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls Universal’s Islands of Adventure 21% Universal Orlando Resort Orlando, Fla. 28% Valhalla Pleasure Beach, Blackpool 12% Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 20% Splash Mountain Disneyland 11% Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 14% Timber Mountain Log Ride Knott’s Berry Farm 10.5% Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 9% Mountain Slidewinder Dollywood 9% Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 6%

BEST WATER PARK RIDE BEST CHRISTMAS EVENT Wildebeest Splashin’ Safari 23% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 41% Master Blaster Schlitterbahn 16% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 10% Mammoth Splashin’ Safari 15% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 9.5% The Falls Schlitterbahn 7% Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 9% Congo River Expedition Schlitterbahn 8% (tie) Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 7% Verrückt Schlitterbahn Kansas City 8% (tie) BEST CAROUSEL FRIENDLIEST PARK Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 40% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 39% Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 27% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 14% Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 5.5% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 11% Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 5% (tie) Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 6% Phantasialand Brühl, Germany 5% (tie) Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 5%

BEST DARK RIDE BEST INDOOR COASTER Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Universal’s Islands of Adventure 20% Revenge of the Mummy Universal Studios Orlando 21% Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney’s Hollywood Studios 10.5% Space Mountain Disneyland 14% Radiator Springs Racers Disney California Adventure 10% Winjas Phantasialand 12% Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Universal’s Islands of Adv. 9% (tie) Black Diamond Knoebels Amusement Resort 9% Haunted Mansion Knoebels Amusement Resort 9% (tie) Mindbender Galaxyland 8.5%

BEST OUTDOOR SHOW PRODUCTION BEST FUNHOUSE/WALK-THROUGH ATTRACTION Illuminations Epcot 27% Noah’s Ark Kennywood 32% World of Color Disney California Adventure 19% Frankenstein’s Castle Indiana Beach 17% Fantasmic! Disneyland 11% Gasten Ghost Hotel Liseberg 15% Lone Star Nights Six Flags Fiesta Texas 10% Ghost Ship Morey’s Piers 12% Fantasmic! Disney’s Hollywood Studios 9% Lustiga Huset Gröna Lund 11% 8 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

We’re flying high with excitement! Thank you for voting us Best Children's Park.

2014

BEST CHILDREN’S GOLDEN PARK PRESENTED TO TICKET IDLEWILD& AWARD

SOAKZONE IDLEWILD.com V.I.P. September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 9 10 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 11

Congratulationsto Europa-Park!

EnjoyFROM YOURThe FRIENDS Ride! AT

Photo: Europa-Park 12 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 World-Class FUN

2014 2014 MILLENNIUM BEST FORCE PRESENTED TO PRESENTED TO GOLDEN KIDS’ GOLDEN BEST KINGS TICKET AREA CEDAR TICKET STEEL

ISLAND AWARD POINT AWARD COASTER

V.I.P. V.I.P.

for your support in the Golden Ticket Awards! Cedar Fair is Thanksproud to be the winner of two Golden Ticket Awards, and to have 25 other amusement parks, rides and roller coasters ranked among the best in the world!

BEST Amusement/Theme Park BEST Kids’ Area TOP Steel Roller Coasters TOP Wooden Roller Coasters Cedar Point, Best Park 16 years in a row! #3 Knott’s Berry Farm #4 Diamondback • Kings Island #7 Gold Striker® • California’s Great America #6 Leviathan™ • Canada’s Wonderland #8 The Beast® • Kings Island BEST Landscaping BEST Water Ride #10 Intimidator™ • Carowinds #12 Prowler® • Worlds of Fun #2 Gilroy Gardens #4 Timber Mountain Log Ride #13 (tie) Magnum XL-200 • Cedar Point #15 Shivering Timbers® • Michigan’s Adventure Knott’s Berry Farm #13 (tie) Intimidator™ 305 • Kings Dominion #35 Blue Streak • Cedar Point BEST New Ride #15 Behemoth® • Canada’s Wonderland #44 Ghostrider® • Knott’s Berry Farm #2 Banshee™ • Kings Island BEST New Waterpark Attraction #16 Banshee™ • Kings Island #5 Snake Pit #19 Top Thrill Dragster® • Cedar Point Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom BEST Halloween Event #28 Maverick® • Cedar Point #37 Steel Force® • Dorney Park #2 Knott’s Berry Farm #49 Volcano, The Blast Coaster #5 Cedar Point Kings Dominion September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 13 Coast Coast! fromOffering Best Day of the Summerto Experiences Every Day

Cedar Point® Canada’s Wonderland® Valleyfair® Sandusky, OH cedarpoint.com Toronto, ON canadaswonderland.com Shakopee, MN valleyfair.com Soak City® Kings Dominion® Worlds of Fun & Oceans of Fun® Sandusky, OH www.soakcitycp.com Richmond, VA kingsdominion.com Kansas City, MO worldsoffun.com Knott’s Berry Farm® Carowinds® Michigan’s Adventure® Buena Park, CA knotts.com Charlotte, NC carowinds.com Muskegon, MI miadventure.com Knott’s Soak City® California’s Great America Wildwater Kingdom® Orange County www.soakcityoc.com Santa Clara, CA cagreatamerica.com Aurora, OH wildwaterfun.com Kings Island® Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom® Gilroy Gardens Cincinnati, OH visitkingsisland.com Allentown, PA dorneypark.com Gilroy, CA gilroygardens.org

One Cedar Point Drive Sandusky, OH 44870-5259 (419) 627-2233 cedarfair.com NYSE: FUN

© 2014 Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Intimidator™ and Intimidator™ 305 take their names from Dale Earnhardt, “the Intimidator”. © 2014 Peanuts Worldwide LLC, Peanuts.com © 2014 Cedar Fair, L.P. 14 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 Busch and Gilroy duke out Landscaping in close race Two garden theme parks separated by just two votes

STORY: Tim Baldwin race, she said, “Really! We [email protected] were that close? It does From time to time, feel a bit like the Olympics the Golden Ticket Awards – winning a silver medal can prompt some fierce is fantastic, especially for competitions. Long time such a little property, but winner Busch Gardens it would have been incred- Williamsburg is the only ible to have gotten gold.” park to claim BEST LAND- Granter smiles, “Gilroy is SCAPING. This year, how- ‘the little park that could,’ ever, became battle of the so watch out! One day we Gardens. Gilroy Gardens will make it.” made a charge against In addition to a vari- the Busch Gardens pow- ety of color the landscap- erhouse and all but came ing provides, the sculpted BEST LANDSCAPING: Busch Garderns Williamsburg down to a photo finish, bushes and famous Circus COURTESY BUSCH GARDENS with Williamsburg holding Trees add a completely day’s experience. “There on to the prize, but only by unique and one-of-a-kind is such steep competition a mere two votes. Could experience to a visit to Gil- in our industry. We are so second place Gilroy unseat roy. excited with this Golden the perennial giant? The Last year’s tight race Ticket; it is a testament to true winners here would be ended in a tie between our team’s focus on quality visitors to both parks who Dollywood and Knoeb- and variety.” would benefit from the els for BEST FOOD. This Rounding out the five beauty that such a compe- year the tie was broken finalists are familiar faces: tition brings. Kudos to both with Dollywood taking the Epcot (No. 3) with its world- challengers for dazzling Golden Ticket and Knoeb- wide smorgasbord, and Sil- your audiences. els maintaining a relatively ver Dollar City (No. 4) and When AT asked Barba- close second. its hometown cooking. Eu- ra Granter, general manag- Joel Lindsey, director ropa-Park is our newcomer er for Gilroy Gardens, how of foods for Dollywood be- on the chart this year. The she felt about the close lieves eating is a part of the German theme park offers 54 restaurants today with a No.2 Gilroy Gardens vast array of cuisine, com- AT/TIM BALDWIN pared to five when the park opened in 1975. FRIENDLIEST PARK could be an extremely tough category for our voters as most parks train employees to be friendly. To make it on the charts is a true accomplishment. Dollywood has taken the Golden Ticket for a third year in a row. Three parks have claimed top rank in this category in Golden Ticket history. Holiday World, a CLEANEST PARK: Holiday World BEST FOOD: long-time recipient, still COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD Dollywood holds the No. 2 spot, and Holiday World makes Dollywood (No. 2) AT/TIM BALDWIN Silver Dollar City still it a 15-year lock on the and Disneyland (No. 3) charts highly at No. 3. CLEANEST PARK cate- keep their respective rank- Knoebels Amusement gory. The Golden Ticket is ings from last year’s chart.

2014 Resort has been noted for utilized in training of new Europa-Park enters this P. GOLDEN TICKET I. AWARDS friendly employees among employees to stress not category in the No. 4 posi- V. its many charms and takes only the reputation of the tion, bumping down Busch BEST OF THE BEST! No. 4 on the list, and Dis- park, but the importance of Gardens Williamsburg a neyland makes a return to a commitment by everyone notch, but still retains its FRIENDLIEST PARK: the chart, rounding out the to continue the exemplary claim to finalist in the cat- Dollywood top five. standards. egory. AT/TIM BALDWIN September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 15

Thank you very mulch! ©2014 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

To our landscapers, voters and everyone who help make Busch Gardens® naturally fun and beautifully wild year after year, Thank you. buschgardens.com/va 16 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 That’s entertainment! Shows and festivals delight audiences

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST!

STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected]

Dollywood takes BEST SHOWS for a sixth year, this time with an impressive mar- gin. With the park’s namesake at the helm, entertainment must certainly be a high prior- ity. Many genres of music are featured in numerous shows BEST SHOWS: Dollywood (top as well as family offerings in left); No. 2: Six Flags other varieties of performanc- Fiesta Texas (left). es. Even with such formidable COURTESY DOLLYWOOD; competition, Six Flags Fi- AT/TIM BALDWIN esta Texas retains its second • place hold and still maintains BEST OUTDOOR SHOW its 20-plus year reputation for PRODUCTION: Illuminations: outstanding performances. Reflections of Earth, Europa-Park, in a first year ap- Epcot (left); No. 2: pearance last year, was locked World of Color, in a three-way tie for fourth Disney California Adventure place. The German them- AT/JEFFREY SEIFERT; er, which offers 15 different COURTESY DCA shows daily, moves up a notch to claim the bronze this year. Silver Dollar City continues its tradition of being one of the honored finalists in fourth place, while Disney California Adventure is a newcomer to the chart rounding out the top five. In the category of BEST OUTDOOR NIGHT SHOW PRODUCTION, our five fi- nalists remain, but positions have juggled. Epcot fans have stayed the course when it comes to voting, still loving the “Illuminations: Reflections of Earth” multi-media extrava- BEST HALLOWEEN EVENT: ganza for more than a decade. Universal Studios Orlando It has only been unseated (top left); once. Industry speculation per- No. 2: Knott’s Berry sists that its West Coast cousin Farm (left). can eventually overtake it with COURTESY UNIVERSAL; “World of Color” at Disney COURTESY KNOTT’S California Adventure. The • gap continues to shrink, but BEST CHRISTMAS EVENT: Epcot stays strong, leaving Dollywood (top right); “World of Color” still locked in No. 2: Disneyland (right). at No. 2. COURTESY DOLLYWOOD; The other three positions COURTESY DISNEYLAND have shifted. Disneyland re- surfaced on the charts last ing for voters to get to numer- Coast with its legendary “The If the weather cooperates, shiny bow as the sole winner of year with its extremely popular ous incarnations. Parks have Haunt at Knott’s Scary Farm,” the addition of Christmas op- this category intact. Our No. 2 “Fantasmic!” show. This year it now established reputations and takes the No. 2 spot. In erating days has really allowed and No. 3 spots flip-flop this climbs two notches up to third for making the trek more of a this category, all positions re- many parks to extend their year, with Disneyland nudging place. This upward movement planned destination for many main unchanged (for now) with season and up their atten- up just ever-so-barely ahead causes Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ voters. Many people make an Knoebels Amusement Resort dance. The magic of the holi- of Silver Dollar City. Magic “Lone Star Nights” and Disney annual pilgrimage to Univer- (No. 3) and Kennywood (No. days is a time for families to Kingdom continues its spirited Hollywood’s Studios’ version sal Studios Orlando for its 4) taking Halloween fun to the have fun together and this of- popularity in the No. 4 spot. of “Fantasmic!” to each slip a Halloween Horror Nights. The traditional park scale. Cedar ten can make for the right for- Kennywood was a new con- notch, but still hang on to the mega-event once again claims Point jumped on the charts mula for a successful yuletide tender on our charts last year, charts as finalists. the ticket for BEST HALLOW- last year and keeps its spooky festival. BEST CHRISTMAS and it looks to start a yuletide Due to their short run, holi- EEN EVENT. Knott’s Berry fun in place again this year EVENT is once again wrapped tradition of staying in the top day festivals are often challeng- Farm dominates the West completing the top five. up by Dollywood, keeping its five finalists. September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 17

Thank You Amusement Today!

BEST BEST FRIENDLIEST BEST SHOWS FOOD PARK CHRISTMAS EVENT 2014 2014 2014 2014

PRESENTED TO PRESENTED TO BEST PRESENTED TO GOLDEN BEST GOLDEN BEST GOLDEN FRIENDLIEST PRESENTED TO GOLDEN DOLLYWOOD DOLLYWOOD FOOD DOLLYWOOD PARK DOLLYWOOD CHRISTMAS TICKET SHOWS TICKET TICKET TICKET EVENT

V.I.P. AWARD V.I.P. AWARD V.I.P. AWARD V.I.P. AWARD

Love every momenttm

Dollywood.com 18 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 2014 Publisher’s Picks: Turnstile, Legend Hyland Hills Water World protects its icons George Millay reshaped industry with water When a water park has enter- If ever an individual created a sea tained long enough to celebrate 35 change in the amusement industry,

2014 2014 summers of providing fun to its guests, it was George Millay. As the leading PRESENTED AS it means they have done their job GOLDEN TURNSTILE creative force behind the SeaWorld GOLDEN LEGENDS TICKET AWARD TICKET SERIES during that time, or the guests would AWARD theme park chain and the father of the AWARD

PRESENTED TO PRESENTED TO V.I.P. not continue to come back as repeat V.I.P. HYLAND HILLS WATER WORLD water park, Millay had a vision that was GEORGE MILLAY customers. more than just adding water to fun — it Along the way it usually means revolutionized our business by using our the park has created a ride, or attrac- most vital natural resource to engage tion, that becomes a park icon in the parkgoers and enhance the interactivity of their guests eyes. Such is the case with the experience. community-owned Water World, part Water, or at least his close proximity to it, of the Hyland Hills Parks & Recreation was a constant in Millay’s life. Born in 1929 in District in Federal Heights, Colorado, just outside of Denver. San Diego, he grew up in Ocean Beach, San But in this case, the park created not one, but two unique rides that are Francisco and Hawaii and served in the Navy truly entrenched into the park’s slide lineup, and labeled as “must-do” rides. for three years. Upon graduating from UCLA in First up was the 1990 installation of Lost River of the Pharaohs, followed 1955, he worked briefly as a stockbroker before by the 1993 installation of Voyage to the Center of the Earth. Both of these he and a business partner opened the Reef family rafting type rides are indoors and are of dark ride in nature. Restaurant in Long Beach in 1956. That eatery The creative minds of R&R Creative Design, Sally Corporation’s lifelike became the cornerstone of Specialty Restau- animatronic figures, special effects, and custom rockwork from National Rock rants Corporation, with which Millay remained & Sculpture allowed the park to create these two inconic attractions inhouse involved for another decade. and with lasting success. Even while enjoying that success, Millay Now in 2014, these two guest favorite dark-ride attractions have been partnered with two UCLA fraternity brothers, George Millay enhanced in a big way. Dave DeMotte and Milt Shedd, and the wildlife Voyage to the Center of the Earth, with its 1,600 foot-long course, now curator at Marineland in Palos Verdes, Ken Nor- features a more realistic looking, life-sized T-Rex which underwent a complete ris, to begin developing a marine life park called SeaWorld on San Diego’s overhaul this winter. The T-Rex is now able to take a six-foot leap towards the Mission Bay. Today, half a century after that landmark opened in 1964, the company encompasses 11 destination and regional parks across the U.S. floating guests with four very intimidating movements. Also added were three Millay’s enthusiasm for the business of fun did not stop with SeaWorld. At animated prehistoric turtles and two birds featuring wingspans of 10 feet. The the start of the 1970s, he assisted with the development of Magic Mountain T-Rex Cave was enhanced with even more animation as well as all new light- theme park north of Los Angeles. And in 1974, he formed another company, ing and sounds effects from R&R Creative. Leisure Marine, in San Diego, with which he explored the feasibility of a new At the 1,500 foot-long Lost River of the Pharaohs, the park added type of park featuring water-based attractions. From this, the national Wet ‘n animation to the two scary statues in the Throne Room. It added laser effects Wild water park chain emerged. to both a new mural and numerous mummies and added the off-the-wall “Water-oriented activities are among the fastest-growing forms of recreation water effects of the spitting Pharaoh hounds. in America,” Millay said at the time. “People are demanding activities that they Hyland Hills Water World spent just $150,000 to upgrade these two classics can participate in.” for their guests to enjoy, proving that just a little effort can move the turnstile. Millay left us in 2006, but he also has left us with a legacy of entertainment The results have been phenomenal with guest feedback off the charts. that has fulfilled the public’s desire for participatory fun while also promoting With their vision to enhance these two very unique icons through added conservation and showcasing the natural wonders of our world. Like water is storylines, visuals, animation, lighting and sound, Amusement Today is hon- to humanity, his concepts will remain a life force in our industry — and for this, ored to name Hyland Hills Water World as our Publisher’s Pick for the 2014 Amusement Today honors George Millay with its 2014 Legend Series Award. Turnstile Award.

Hyland Hills Water World spent SeaWorld San Diego, opened in 1964, was the off-season refurbishing two the pride of George Millay, who co-founded of its very unique and iconic the original park and presided over the attractions. Shown here are SeaWorld chain until 1974, when he built, the Lost River of the Pharaohs in Orlando the first of what would be seven (above) and Voyage to the Wet ’n Wild water parks by the time he sold Center of the Earth (left). the company in 1998. At left, George with COURTESY WATER WORLD his wife, Anne, at SeaWorld. COURTESY SEAWORLD PARKS & ENTERTAINMENT September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 19 2014 Publisher’s Picks: Person, Persons Jeff Pike gave the gift of ‘life’ SeaWorld Rescue teams rehabilitate wildlife Finding one’s dream job is The 50th anniversary of a goal to which many of us SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

2014

PRESENTED AS 2014 aspire. Those able to attain it do so this year celebrates a milestone PRESENTED AS GOLDEN PERSON PERSONS through desire, diligence and hard OF THE beyond the creation of fun. It marks GOLDEN TICKET TICKET OF THE work. Jeff Pike is one of those AWARD YEAR the fifth decade of the company’s AWARD YEAR PRESENTED TO

PRESENTED TO V.I.P. people. He knew as a young boy that JEFF PIKE V.I.P. unique commitment to conserva- SEAWORLD RESCUE he wanted to design roller coasters. tion. This includes public education His unwavering resolve paid off and — through the work of the handsomely when Great Coasters nonprofitHubbs-Sea World International, Inc. co-founders Clair Research Institute, established in Hain, Jr. and Michael L. Boodley 1963 — species study and pres- recognized Jeff’s potential and hired ervation, as well as environmental him as he completed his engineering stewardship. degree in the late ‘90s. This commitment culminates While Jeff brought with him the with SeaWorld’s recently announced technical wizardry of modern Blue World Project, a greatly engineering techniques, he was able to expanded, state-of-the-art killer whale environment that first will be built at flourish due to the assistance of Mike, SeaWorld San Diego, plus more than $10 million in new matching funds for who acted as his mentor. Mike and Jeff research and conservation projects related to killer whales and ocean health. combined their talents, and along with These developments will enhance further the company’s reputation as one of the GCII team, they created some of the world’s foremost zoological organizations and a global leader in animal the most amazing wooden coasters welfare, training, husbandry and veterinary care. seen since the industry’s Golden Age in Behind the scenes, important work has long been carried out through the early 20th century. During this time, SeaWorld’s animal and rehabilitation program, which gives ill, injured and a close bond between the pair Jeff Pike (left) and Mike Boodley stranded animals a second chance at life and with the goal of returning them developed, which further facilitated in a New Jersey hospital following to their ocean home. Nationally, SeaWorld Animal Rescue Teams have their inspired work. kidney transplant surgery. rescued and rehabilitated more the 23,000 animals. SeaWorld San Diego’s When Mike decided to retire in COURTESY MIKE BOODLEY team alone has rescued more than 7,000 marine mammals and more than 2000, he effectively passed the torch to Jeff, who was working his way up to a position as GCII’s lead designer. Thanks 8,000 marine birds since 1965. to Mike’s influence and tutelage, Jeff helped GCII become a respected global In 2013, the SeaWorld San Diego team — utilizing a state-of-the-art leader in finely crafted wooden coasters. Jeff would forever be grateful to Mike medical and laboratory facility — rescued a near-record number of California for taking the chance on him and allowing him to realize his dream. sea lions as a result of an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) that caused Thirteen years later, Jeff faced a difficult decision when he learned that juvenile sea lions to strand on beaches along the central and southern coast- Mike’s health was in rapid decline with his kidneys failing due to line of California. SeaWorld cared for more than 411 sea lions, the majority complications from diabetes. He needed a kidney transplant. Many of Mike’s of which were part of the UME, in addition to other marine mammal species, close friends stepped up to help by being tested to see if they were a match. including 10 elephant seals, 12 harbor seals, one fur seal and five dolphins. In Mike was adamant that Jeff not be a transplant candidate due to addition, SeaWorld took in and cared for 267 birds. As of the first quarter of commitments to his wife and young children. Of course, Jeff would not be this year, the park had already rescued more than 185 marine mammals and deterred. Against astronomical odds, he turned out to be a perfect match. After more than 120 sea birds. much testing and working to lose weight as the doctors ordered, both Mike and For their tireless dedication to animal welfare, Amusement Today Jeff checked into a New Jersey hospital for the procedure in presents its 2014 Persons of the Year Award to the SeaWorld Animal December 2013. Rescue Teams based in San Diego, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; and San Antonio, Texas. The surgery was a complete success, but the road to recovery was a difficult one, especially for Jeff. The pain he endured as he healed was substantial, but with the same fortitude that served him all his life, he persevered. Today, both Mike and Jeff are healthy and living life to the fullest with their enduring friendship intact. For selflessly offering the ultimate gift — the gift of life to a dear friend — as well as helping to keep the traditional wooden roller coaster alive and well into the 21st century, Jeff Pike is AT’s choice for 2014 Person of the Year.

SeaWorld Animal Rescue Teams based in San Diego, Orlando and San An- Jeff Pike has enjoyed much success as a designer with Great Coasters Inter- tonio, are on call 24/7 to give ill, injured and stranded marine mammals national, creating top-ranked wooden roller coasters for many age groups and sea birds a second chance at life. Nationally, more than 23,000 animals to enjoy. AT FILE have been rescued and rehabilitated. COURTESY SEAWORLD 20 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 21 Knoebels, Schlitterbahn Kansas City win Best New Rides

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET

I. AWARDS V.

BEST OF THE BEST!

STORY: Tim Baldwin [email protected] When Amusement Today introduced the Best New Ride categories in 2005, Hades at Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park became our first winner, which was followed by The Voyage at Holiday World a year later. These two BEST NEW RIDE (PARK): No. 2: Banshee, Kings Island AT/GARY SLADE coasters pushed the boundar- Flying Turns, Knoebels Amusement Resort ies of what a wooden coaster AT/GARY SLADE could do. Maverick at Cedar City utilized Rocky Mountain has received. The squeals and ga-statistics creating the tall- For BEST NEW RIDE (WA- Point was our next winner. and Ride Centerline to re- laughter we hear coming from est, longest and fastest ver- TER PARK), one stood above For a park of giants, it was a think the wooden coaster from the trough tell us it’s a suc- sion ever created. Likewise, the others, literally. Verrückt new direction of something the ground up. The innovative cess.” Having ridden a Flying Six Flags Great America at Schlitterbahn Kansas City exciting that remained low to Outlaw Run raced to a Gold- Turns at Euclid Beach and be- followed the success of last and its journey to opening the ground with Intamin us- en Ticket win. ing completely thrilled by it in year’s winner and built a new day has been under scrutiny ing a dual launch. Each year Water parks also saw in- his younger years, Dick Knoe- wooden coaster from the via the internet microscope. since, we’ve continued to see novation over the years with bel adds, “When the idea was ground up that incorporates At more than 17 stories, the some real innovations. Wal- LIM water coasters such as brought to the Knoebel family radical maneuvers, including world’s tallest waterslide is dameer’s Ravine Flyer II by Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest about recreating it, I was con- one of the longest spans of thrilling passengers with its The Gravity Group overcame and Mammoth. Schlitterbahn vinced this would be a coup. upside down travel. Yes, on a high-speed plummet in three- years of obstacles to become reintroduced thematic ver- At the IAAPA summer meet- wooden coaster. Goliath (No. person rafts. Terri Adams, the signature ride for the park, sions of aging rides into visual ing in 2005, I was told by Kurt 3) also boasted records of tall- COO of Schlitterbahn Water- one that jumps a roadway be- and interactive experiences Mack-Even ‘you’ll never get est, steepest and fastest drop parks, says, “Having ridden, low. Prowler at Worlds of Fun such as Dragon’s Revenge it.’ I replied sternly that, ‘We of any woodie running today. it is an incredible ride! Every- pushed Great Coasters Inter- and Congo River Expedition. would.’ And, with my Ger- Universal Studios Orlando one I’ve talked to – whether national into a more tradition- Later they truly pushed the en- man stubbornness and Marine knows a good themed attrac- from Kansas, Texas or wher- al out-and-back layout that velope with The Falls, creat- Corps resolution, we pushed tion, and the indoor coaster ever they traveled from – has somehow incorporated all the ing an endless attraction that on, overcoming each obstacle Harry Potter and the Escape said the ride was more than action of their twister coasters. lasted longer than 20 minutes that we met – and there were from Gringotts (No. 4) con- worth it and lived up to the Harry Potter and the Forbid- for a single circuit. substantial ones.” Knoebel tinues to capitalize on the im- hype. Now that is gratifying!” den Journey at Universal’s Innovation was still strong grins, “But, with the perse- mense popularity of that liter- She adds, “The ride isn’t just Islands of Adventure showed in 2014 (see editorial, page 2). verance of the Knoebel family ary and film franchise. a great success, it has created us we only thought we knew BEST NEW RIDE (PARK) ar- and staff, we won.” A true tes- Our fifth finalist actually an icon in the city, something what a dark ride could do. rives this year in a mindset not tament to dedication, Flying came down to a battle be- that is a ‘must do’ when you New Texas Giant at Six Flags seen in the category before. Turns takes the Golden Ticket. tween two new steel coasters: are in the area. In that way, we Over Texas from the minds at In contrast to all our previous Other finalists took pre- Helix, a dual-launched multi- have given something back to Rocky Mountain Construction winners for new attractions, vious successes and carried inversion coaster from Mack our local fans that have sup- and Ride Centerline innova- Knoebels’ new Flying Turns them further. Banshee at Rides at Liseberg and Light- ported us year after year.” tively transformed an aging is not intended to be a thriller Kings Island (No. 2) reintro- ning Run from Chance Rides ProSlide supplied a trio woodie into a new, smooth, at all. Joe Muscato of Knoe- duced America to the excite- at the newly re-opened Ken- of finalists this season. Colos- dynamic experience. Dolly- bels Amusement Resort said, ment of the inverted roller tucky Kingdom. Separated by sal Curl stands dramatically wood’s Wild Eagle brought “It was never meant to be an coaster, B&M’s most prolific a mere two votes, Lightning at the front of Water Coun- the new B&M wing coaster extreme ride. We wanted a style of coaster. After an eight Run snags the final spot and try USA combining a funnel genre to North America with ride that is unique and a lot year absence since the last proved a coaster with modest and wave into the exhilarat- its biggest incarnation at the of fun. We’re very pleased U.S. installation, Kings Island height can still pack an amaz- ing four-person slide. Bahama time. Last year, Silver Dollar with the reception the Turns sculpted the skyline with me- ing punch. Blasters at Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Deep Water Dive at Kentucky Kingdom capi- talize on the hot trend of drop capsule waterslides. The San Antonio version is the world’s steepest, while the Louisville installation is the tallest of all drop capsule rides. These at- tractions come in at Nos. 2, 3 and 4, respectively. WhiteWater West brings in Snake Pit at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom to round out the five finalists. This multi-slide complex includes six slides, three of which are BEST NEW RIDE (WATER PARK): No. 2: Colossal Curl, Water Country USA drop capsule slides, a pair of Verruckt, Schlitterbahn Kansas City AT/TIM BALDWIN tube slides and a tight-twist- COURTESY SCHLITTERBAHN KANSAS CITY ing Constrictor slide. 22 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 23 24 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 25 26 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 Hang on! – 2014 Golden Ticket ride winners

STORY: Tim Baldwin around in future years? [email protected] 2014 BEST FUNHOUSE/

P. GOLDEN TICKET WALK-THROUGH ATTRAC- The wide variety of ride I. AWARDS TION goes to Kennywood’s attractions is what makes the V. Noah’s Ark once again. The BEST OF THE BEST! true amusement park experi- following two places also ence completely memorable. remain unchanged: Fran- Our 2014 charts see some For BEST INDOOR kenstein’s Castle at Indiana consistent winners and some COASTER, the top three Beach (No. 2) and Gasten new faces. spots remain unchanged: Ghost Hotel at Liseberg For BEST DARK Revenge of the Mummy at (No. 3). Ghost Ship at Mo- RIDE, Harry Potter and the Universal Studios Orlando rey’s Piers climbs a rung up Forbidden Journey at Uni- (No. 1), Space Mountain at to No. 4 and Lustiga Huset versal’s Islands of Adven- Disneyland (No, 2), and Win- at Gröna Lund rounds out ture takes the Golden Ticket jas at Phantasialand (No. 3). the five finalists. for a fourth year. Twilight Knoebels surfaces in this cat- In the category of BEST Zone Tower of Terror at Dis- egory with Black Diamond in KIDS’ AREA, the apparent ney’s Hollywood Studios fourth place, moving down lock on the Golden Ticket re- takes a step higher over last Galaxyland’s Mindbender to mains with Planet Snoopy at year and moves into second fifth, and incidentally pushes Kings Island, the only park to place. A new player, Radia- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – ever claim this prize. Efteling tor Springs Racers in Dis- once a Golden Ticket winner in the Netherlands moves up ney California Adventure’s – at Disney’s Hollywood Stu- two spots into the No. 2 spot, amazing new Cars Land hits dios off the chart of finalists. while Knott’s Berry Farm our charts at No. 3. This su- A new question is pon- (No. 3) jumps back on the per dark ride has passengers dered: How long will it be charts following its kids’ area encountering all the char- before Universal becomes its revamp. These two develop- acters from the famous film own competition with Harry ments push back Universal’s while indoors before bursting Potter and the Escape from Islands of Adventure to No. BEST DARK RIDE: into a race with an opposing Gringotts once voters get 4 and Nickelodeon Universe Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, vehicle outdoors for a grand back to Orlando for this new Universal’s Island of Adventure finish. Our other two finalists player? What will be pushed 4See RIDES, page 28 AT/TIM BALDWIN stay on the charts, but drop a couple of notches – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Islands of Ad- venture (No. 4) and Haunt- ed Mansion at Knoebels Amusement Resort at No. 5. While not quite making the official charts, it was very inspiring to see the newly-re- furbished Calico Mine Ride at Knott’s Berry Farm receive a significantly large number of votes this year thanks to the park’s dedication and respect for rides from the past. Although the separation BEST CAROUSEL: BEST FUNHOUSE/ WALK-THROUGH ATTRACTION: of first and second was re- Grand Carousel, Knoebels Amusement Resort Noah’s Ark, Kennywood Park duced considerably this year, COURTESY KNOEBELS COURTESY KENNYWOOD the Grand Carousel at Knoe- bels Amusement Resort still keeps BEST CAROUSEL and is the only park to ever do so. Santa Cruz Beach Board- walk would seem to be pos- sibly closing in. Both historic carousels feature beautifully restored band organs and offer ring dispensers to thrill both the young and old. Six Flags Great America keeps its third place position, but is followed by two new entries into the charts. Tying for the No. 4 spot are Ken- nywood and Phantasialand with their beautiful carousels. The Phantasialand installa- BEST KIDS’ AREA: BEST WATER RIDE: tion is Europe’s largest car- Planet Snoopy, Kings Island Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, AT/TIM BALDWIN ousel. Universal’s Island of Adventure AT/TIM BALDWIN September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 27

Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction Noah’s Ark, Kennywood

Kennywood says “Thank You!!” to Amusement Today and its readers for this prestigious award.

kennywood.com 28 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 RIDES Continued from page 26 2014 P. GOLDEN TICKET I. AWARDS to No. 5. V. BEST OF THE BEST! Want to get wet? Peo- ple seem to love doing just that during a hot day at an the No. 5 spot introduces a amusement park. Universal’s new player, and one that is Islands of Adventure and sure to be a significant chal- their long-running favorite, lenger in the years ahead. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw The standings in this catego- Falls, take the gold for BEST ry start with Holiday World WATER RIDE. Interestingly, & Splashin’ Safari with its Valhalla at Blackpool Plea- Golden Ticket win for Wil- sure Beach climbs back to debeest and the third place second place. The Intamin win for Mammoth, both built ride took the Golden Ticket by ProSlide. Schlitterbahn in 2003. Splash Mountain Waterpark Resort in New at Disneyland appears on Braunfels boasts three final- our charts this year (No. 3), ists: Master Blaster (No. 2), while interestingly it was its The Falls (No. 4) and Congo Florida counterpart in 2013. River Expedition (No. 5). Timber Mountain Log Ride All of these world famous BEST INDOOR COASTER: at Knott’s Berry Farm (No. attractions were developed Revenge of the Mummy, 4) remains in the list after its in-house. Now, tying for that (top) fantastic 2013 restoration, fifth spot is sister park Schlit- Universal Studios Orlando COURTESY UNIVERSAL and Dollywood’s Mountain terbahn Kansas City. The Slidewinder still has numer- debut of Verrückt created a • ous fans keeping it on our media frenzy from the mo- chart of finalists at No. 5. ment it was announced as BEST WATER PARK Two parks have estab- the world’s tallest water slide. RIDE: Wildebeest, (left) lished a stronghold on BEST Three riders at a time plum- Holiday World WATER PARK RIDE in re- met down a steep drop from & Splashin’ Safari cent years, and that would more than 17 stories. Watch AT/TIM BALDWIN still remain true, but a tie for this one. It’s going to climb.

ongratulationsongratulations CC the toto allall ofof the wwinnersinners 20142014 aawardward ! && nnomineesominees!

olden ttiiCCketket wee areare YYourour ggolden w thethe BBestest ...... toto thethe BBestest ofof arketingarketing!! inin aamusementmusement mm

50 1428 Maple Ave. • Hamilton, OH 45011 • 513.737.9012 • www.TheBigIdeaPeople.com September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 29 30 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 more Four #1 Golden Ticket Award Winners

BEST DARK RIDE BEST HALLOWEEN EVENT Harry Potter and Universal Studios Florida® - the Forbidden Journey™ Halloween Horror Nights®

BEST WATER RIDE BEST INDOOR COASTER Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® Revenge of the Mummy®

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls® Revenge of the Mummy® Halloween Horror Nights®

See it all at UniversalOrlando.com

HARRY POTTER, characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s14) Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends TM & © Ward Prods. Universal elements and all related indicia TM & © 2014 Universal Studios. © 2014 Universal Orlando. All rights reserved. 1404992/LR September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 31 32 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

Water Holiday Country World USA 1st place 2nd place

Holiday World, USA Water Country USA, USA

SiX Flags Kentucky Fiesta Texas kingdom 4th place 3rd place

Six Flags Fiesta Texas, USA Kentucky Kingdom, USA YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR PASSION. Passion for this industry is the lifeblood of our company. It fuels our quest for the ultimate water rides and our full devotion to every project.

Because we’re invested in our customers’ success on a personal level, nothing feels better than helping you be your best.

Congratulations to these ProSlide customers, all recognized with 2014 Golden Ticket Awards. And special recognition to Holiday World’s Wildebeest for its Best Water Park Ride Award. Now a  ve-time champion, winning every year since the HydroMAGNETIC® ROCKET™ was installed.

Find the perfect water ride for your park: www.proslide.com

® Visit us at EAS, Booth 8557 & WWA, Booth 601 Copyright © 2014 ProSlide Technology Inc. All rights reserved. ProSlide, the ProSlide logo and any other marks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of ProSlide Technology Inc. in Canada, the United States of America and other countries. September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 33 34 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 The roar of wood — old and new — continues to thrill STORY: Tim Baldwin true testament to preserva- [email protected] 2014 tion, keeps a Top 5 grasp at

P. GOLDEN TICKET No. 4, while Thunderhead

I. AWARDS at Dollywood competes The look, the sound, V.

the smell — there is some- BEST OF THE BEST! with the pack. Like a race thing unique and special of fine thoroughbreds, this about the nostalgic charm Ever since 2008, five charge of wooden coasters of a wooden coaster. From power hitters are dominat- could quite possibly be the century old classic to the ing the top spots for BEST most nail-biting category of most modern of marvels, a WOODEN COASTER. Four all. wooden coaster is a “must of them have snatched the The remainder of the have” for any park. And ticket at some point, and Top 10 is story-filled as those parks that have dis- true to the nature of coaster well. Ravine Flyer II at mantled one know the loss rankings, it flexes just a bit Waldameer Park, the only that this entails. Wooden this year. Boulder Dash at coaster on Earth to jump a coasters have a loyalty Lake Compounce snagged highway, has firmly held the among enthusiasts that no top billing last year, just as No. 6 spot for years, not other genre can claim. As it had done in 2004. It holds giving an inch. Gold Strik- evidence to that, Magic tight a second year in a row. er at California’s Great Mountain’s Colossus has El Toro at Six Flags Great America, a co-host park of never placed on the Golden Adventure refuses to slip last year’s Golden Ticket Ticket charts, until this year any further than No. 2, and Awards, jumps higher than when it was announced the The Voyage at Holiday any other coaster from its ride would be closing in Au- World inches back up to previous position, moving gust. Perhaps as an hom- third place after a five-year from No. 26 last year into the Top 10 at No. 7. The BEST WOODEN COASTER age to the appeal of wood, streak of taking the Golden No. 1: Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce it appears on our charts for Ticket. Phoenix at Knoeb- Beast at Kings Island (No. COURTESY LAKE COMPOUNCE the first time at No. 44. els Amusement Resort, a 8) shares bragging rights with Knoebels’ Phoenix as the only two Top 10 coast- ers from our inaugural year in 1998 that still remain rated with that prestige in today’s charts. Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City was voted Best New Ride last year and stays in the top tier at No. 9. Balder at Liseberg in Sweden climbs a few notches into upper rungs making it the highest rated international wooden coaster and the only one to break into the ten most popular woodies. Two other international No. 2: El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure No. 3: The Voyage, Holiday World coasters make significant AT/GARY SLADE AT/TIM BALDWIN climbs. Troy at Toverland located in the Netherlands leaps from its No. 28 spot last year up to No. 16. Wodan Timbur Coaster at Germany’s Europa-Park climbs from its previous spot of No. 31 up to No. 21. Overall, 12 wooden coast- ers outside the U.S. land on our charts. With those com- ing from nine international destinations, such diversity speaks to the experience of our panelists. First timers on our charts also include the new- for-2014 Goliath at Six Flags Great America (No. No. 4: Phoenix, Knoebels Amusement Resort No. 5: Thunderhead, Dollywood 23), the long awaited first AT/GARY SLADE COURTESY JOEL STYER 4See WOOD, page 35 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 35

WOOD And making a return is the oldest Continued from page 34 coaster on the charts, Rutschebanen full season of Flying Turns at Knoeb- at Tivoli Gardens in Denmark. The AMusement today els Amusement Resort (No. 25) and rare scenic railway celebrates a 100th White Lightning at Fun Spot Amer- birthday this year. NEW ica, a summer opener from 2013. D IGITAL EDITION exclusively for print subscribers

INSIDE: Food and Concessions Spotlight : Pages 7-14 TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc.

April 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 1 www.amusementtoday.com Adventuredome’s El Loco newest thriller at Circus Circus STORY: Dean Lamanna [email protected]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Over INSIDE: the last two decades, roller coasters in this desert destina- Food and tion have launched, looped, Concessions corkscrewed and even coiled languorously atop a tower al- Spotlight : most 1,000 feet up. iPad Pages 7-14 With at least two such high-profi le rides and an en- tire theme park adjacent to one casino resort having also www.amusementtoday.com been dismantled in that time, The Adventuredome at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino — the indoor fun park that has sur- vived the local vicissitudes of family entertainment since its TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. debut as Grand Slam Canyon in 1993 — has done something exceedingly right: providing April 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 1 rides and att ractions in a cli- mate-controlled environment connected to a resort known Adventuredome’s El Loco newest thriller at Circus Circus for its kid friendliness for half STORY: Dean Lamanna a century. [email protected] It took more than six years LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Over of planning and decision- the last two decades, roller making to choose and custom- Tom Nolan, vice president coasters in this desert destina- El Loco, from tion have launched, looped, ize a new thrill att raction that of operations for the park, de- S&S~Sansei Technolo- scribed the coaster as “the per- corkscrewed and even coiled would both compliment the gies, Inc., performs its languorously atop a tower al- park’s popular Canyon Blaster fect addition” to the enclosed most 1,000 feet up. wild mouse-on-steroids With at least two such corkscrew coaster and fi t into facility’s arsenal of two dozen acrobatics with precision djacent to high-profile rides and an en- the tight, dome-roofed foot- rides and att ractions. and family-friendly com- “El Loco off ers our guests tire theme park a print left by the Rim Runner fort within the dramatic one casino resort having also fl ume ride. something they have never ex- confi nes of The been dismantled in that time, But on Feb. 18, after sev- perienced before,” Nolan said Adventuredome at The Adventuredome at Circus Circus Hotel & Casino — the eral weeks of extensive test- in a chat with Amusement To- Circus Circus. It replaces un park that has sur- ing and media teasing, El day just outside the coaster’s indoor f the park’s 20-year-old, vived the local vicissitudes of Loco — an acrobatic, inverting exit on opening day. “Riders fi ve-acre Rim Runner family entertainment since its wild mouse-style coaster from enjoy El Loco’s twists, turns Shoot the Chute ride. debut as Grand Slam Canyon in 1993 — has done something S&S~Sansei Technologies, Inc., and drops in such close prox- COURTESY THE exceedingly right: providing of Logan, Utah — fi nally cut imity to our other rides that, El Loco, from ADVENTUREDOME AT rides and attractions in a cli- TM & ©20 loose inside The Adventure- for an instant, they get the sen- CIRCUS CIRCUS 14 mate-controlled environment Amusement Today, Inc. S&S~Sansei Technolo- INSIDE: dome for its offi cial opening. See EL LOCO, page 4 + connected to a resort known April 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 1 gies, Inc., performs its Fo for its kid friendliness for half - od and Tom Nolan, vice president wild mouse-on-steroids Adventuredome’s El Loco newest thriller at ConcessionsCircus Circus The oldest wooden coaster on the GTA charts S a century. TORY: Dean Laman dlama It took more than six years of operations for the park, de- acrobatics with precision nna@amuse Spotlight : m na enttoday scribed the coaster as “the per and family-friendly com- LA .com Pages 7-14 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS | September 5-7, 2014 of planning and decision- the last twoS VEGAS, decad Nev. — Over coast fect addition” to the enclosed fort withinconfines the dramatic of The er making to choose and custom- tio s in this desert esdest n have launched, looped,, rol corks ler www.amusementtoday.com facility’s arsenal of two dozen crewed and eve i Dated material. material. Dated ize a new thrill attraction that na- Adventuredome at languorously atop a t most 1, 2014 rides and attractions. n coiled would both compliment the 000 SUBSCRIBE TO “El Loco offers our guests With at leastfeet up.two suchower h al- o- Circus Circus. It replaces igh-profile park’s popular Canyon Blaster T tire theme park rid e something they have never ex- the park’s 20-year-old, one casino s a n corkscrew coaster and fit into musement d a n en- A five-acre Rim Runner been dismantled reso in thatadjacent time, to

NEWSPAPER rt ha perienced before,” Nolan said The Adventuredome atving Cir POSTMASTER: is the Rutschebanen at Tivoli Gardens. The PLEASE RUSH! 21, 2014 March Mailed Friday, AMUSEMENT TODAY the tight, dome-roofed foot- also Circus in a chat with Shoot theCOURTESY Chute ride.ME THE AT H print left by the Rim Runner indoor otel & Casino — t - fun cus

vived th park t

PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT day just outside the coaster’s - family entertainmente local ha sincet has its sur he-

flume ride. ADVENTUREDO vi CIRCUS CIRCUS cissit FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. debut as But on Feb. 18, after sev- exit on opening day. “Riders udes of

(817) 460-7220 in 19 Gr

93 and Sla PAID exceedingl — has m Canyon

enjoy El Loco’s twists, turns - don

P. eral weeks of extensive test ride y ri e some US POSTAGE US s a nd attractght: thing

and drops in such close prox mate-co providing

nt ion PRSRT STD PRSRT ing and media teasing, El conn rolled environments ected in a cli- imity to our other rides that, for its kid friendl to a resort known Loco — an acrobatic, inverting 2014 aGOLDEN century. TICKET AWARDS | September 5-7, 2014 ine TICKET for an instant, they get the sen It ss for wild mouse-style coaster from took half See EL LOCO, page 4 of planning andmore decision- than six years Denmark coaster celebrates its 100th birthday making to choose and cus GOLDEN S&S~Sansei Technologies, Inc., ize a n

ew thril I. wo of Logan, Utah — finally cut uld l attraction tothat park’ both compliment th m- s p corkscrewopu coaste Tom Nolan, vice p loose inside The Adventure- lar of o Canyon e perations for the park, de- the tight, dome-roofed foot Blaster- scrib r r a ed eside dome for its official opening. print left by nd fit into fect addition” the coaster to the asenclosed “the p nt flume r fa ide. the R cility’s ars

im Runn rides and attractions. er- S El Loco, from 14 But &S on Feb. 18, e enal ~Sanse eral weeks of ext r of two d gies “E ozen , Inc., perfoi Technolo-

, 20 , ing and media teasing, Elafter l Loco offe wild m sev- something Loco — a ensive rs acro ous rms it

perienced before,”they have Nolanour never guestssaid ex - bat e-on s material. material. t SUBSCRIBE TO wil n a est- and family-frienics -ster wit oids

d d mouse-scrobati in a chat with h precis S c, i &S~Sanse tyle c nve day fort within the dramaticion AWARDS oaste rting just ou Amuseme dly

of Logan, Utah — finally cut com

Date i Tec e

xit o V. h r fr tsid - TOP COURTESY OF CURT SCHIMMEL; loos nologies, Inc.,om n openi e the coaster’snt To - co this year. enjoy nfines of The e i n A dome f nside The Adventure- El g da Cir dventuredome at

and drops Loin co’ssuch t closey. prox“ cus Circus. It replaces

RUSH! Riders Friday, March 21 March Friday, or its official imity to our other riwists, turns the park’s 20-year-old,

d AMUSEMENT TODAY

SE MASTER: op

. ening. for an ins five- ial a r cre Rim Runner

e tant, d - Shoot t Maile See EL LOCO, they ge pagees that, 4

PLEA mat he Chu NEWSPAPER POST 21, 2014 t (817) 460-7220 d the s te ride. e

ch n COURT ate - ADVENT

D ar

E P S ! M Y THE ERMIT # 2069 # ERMIT , URE H

ER: y DOME AT

T a CIRC US

R FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. AS rid US CIRCUS E F

TM S NEWSPAPER led

O LEAS

P

P

Mai

PAID SUBSCRIBE TO

9

06 US POS US 2

RMIT # RMIT

BEST! PE AMUSEMENT TODAY TAGE

PRSRT STD PRSRT

THE TX WORTH FT. AID

P

E 2014 GOLDEN TICK

OF G

A T

POS

US US

TD BEST S BOTTOM AT/TIM BALDWIN PRSRT (817) 460-7220 ET AWARD S | September 5-7, 2014

Access all of the professional NEWS content you expect from Amusement Today right on your tablet, phone or laptop! Plus, it’s Android and iOS compatible!

Try the Digital Edition FREE today at www.amusementtoday.com/digital THANK YOU AMUSEMENT TODAY!

TOP 10 STEEL COASTERS TOP 10 WOODEN COASTERS VOTED VOTED #5 #2 36 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 37 38 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET THE LIST I.

AWARDS V. 2014 TOP 50 WOOD ROLLER COASTERS BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Boulder Dash Lake Compounce Bristol, Conn. 2000 Custom Coasters 1480

2 El Toro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson,N.J. 2006 Intamin 1291

3 The Voyage Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2006 Gravity Group 1129

4 Phoenix Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1985 Dinn - PTC/Schmeck 1036

5 Thunderhead Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 2004 Great Coasters Int. 837

6 Ravine Flyer II Waldameer Erie, Pa. 2008 Gravity Group 719

7 Gold Striker California’s Great America Santa Clara, Calif. 2013 Great Coasters Int. 619

8 The Beast Kings Island Mason, Ohio 1979 KECO 614

9 Outlaw Run Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 2013 Rocky Mountain 605

10 Balder Liseberg Gothenburg, Sweden 2003 Intamin 393

11 Lightning Racer Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2000 Great Coasters Int. 342

12 Prowler Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Mo. 2009 Great Coasters Int. 302

13 The Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 1995 Custom Coasters 298

14 Thunderbolt Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1968 Vettel/Miller 270

15 Shivering Timbers Michigan’s Adventure Muskegon, Mich. 1998 Custom Coasters 264

16 Troy Toverland Sevenum, Netherlands 2007 Great Coasters Int. 260

17 Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 1924 Prior & Church/Looff 238

18 Comet The Great Escape Lake George, N.Y. 1994 PTC/Schmeck 211

19 Jack Rabbit Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1920 PTC/Miller 204

20 Kentucky Rumbler Beech Bend Bowling Green, Ky. 2006 Great Coasters Int. 203

21 Wodan Timbur Coaster Europa-Park Rust, Germany 2012 Great Coasters Int. 200

22 Cyclone Luna Park/Coney Island Brooklyn, N.Y. 1927 Kenan/Baker 177

23 Goliath Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 2014 Rocky Mountain 166

24 Colossos Heide Park Soltau, Germany 2001 Intamin 162

25 Flying Turns Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 2013 Knoebels 155 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 39

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET THE LIST I.

AWARDS V. 2014 TOP 50 WOOD ROLLER COASTERS BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 Hades 360 Mount Olympus Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2005 Gravity Group 143

27 The Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2000 Custom Coasters 137

28 Wooden Warrior Quassy Park Middlebury, Conn. 2011 Gravity Group 122

29 El Toro Freizeitpark Plohn Lengenfeldl, Germany 2009 Great Coasters Int. 119

30 Blue Streak Conneaut Lake Park Conneaut Lake, Pa. 1938 Vettel 117

31 American Thunder Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Mo. 2009 Great Coasters Int. 114

32 Grand National Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 1935 Paige 110

33 Megafobia Oakwood Leisure Park Pembrokeshire, Wales 1996 Custom Coasters 108

34 Tremors Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1999 Custom Coasters 105

35 (tie) Blue Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1964 PTC/Hoover 104

35 (tie) Boardwalk Bullet Kemah Boardwalk Kemah, Texas 2007 M&V/Gravity Group 104

37 Playland Wooden Coaster Playland at the PNE Vancouver, B.C., Canada 1959 Phare 103

38 (tie) Apocalypse Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2009 Great Coasters Int. 101

38 (tie) White Lightning Fun Spot America Orlando, Fla. 2013 Great Coasters Int. 101

40 Twister Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1999 Fetterman/Knoebels 100

41 Rutschebanen Tivoli Gardens Copenhagen, Denmark 1914 Thompson 98

42 Racer Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1927 PTC/Miller 96

43 Wild Mouse Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 1958 Wright/Blackpool 95

44 GhostRider Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 1998 Custom Coasters 94

45 Colossus Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 1978 IAD 86

46 Tonnerre de Zeus Parc Asterix Plailly, France 1997 Custom Coasters 85

47 Hellcat Timber Falls Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2004 S&S 78

48 The Boss Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Mo. 2000 Custom Coasters 70

49 Viper Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1995 Starkey/Six Flags 69

50 Wood Coaster Knight Valley Shenzhen, China 2011 Great Coasters Int. 68

INSIDE: Food and Concessions Spotlight : Pages 7-14 TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc.

April 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 1 www.amusementtoday.com Adventuredome’s El Loco newest thriller at Circus Circus STORY: Dean Lamanna [email protected]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Over INSIDE: the last two decades, roller PRINT + DIGITAL EDITIONS coasters in this desert destina- tion have launched, looped, corkscrewed and even coiled ONLY languorously atop a tower al- most 1,000 feet up. iPad With at least two such high-profi le rides and an en- 2014 Park Preview: Pages 6-9 tire theme park adjacent to one casino resort having also www.amusementtoday.com been dismantled in that time, The Adventuredome at Circus for FireChaser Express. It is Circus Hotel & Casino — the perfect for what we wanted to indoor fun park that has sur- - accomplish. It is a family ride vived the local vicissitudes of laborated on Mystery Mine, - that is exciting; helps tell our TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. the Herschend creative team - story of volunteer remen but family entertainment since its has some surprises!” knew the German ride manu Decked out in a custom- debut as Grand Slam Canyon facturer could help them ac in 1993 — has done something STORY: Scott Rutherford designed reghter outt, [email protected] complish their goal. Dolly Subscribe now to access all of the exceedingly right: providing May 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 2 PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. wood’s Pete Owens explains - Dolly Parton ocially opened why Gerstlauer was selected the ride to media and invited rides and att ractions in a cli- — During the past 29 years, to provide the ride system guests on March 20, 2014. Dollywood has steadily mate-controlled environment for what would become Fire “My new FireChaser Express Dollywood opens FireChaser Express,evolved into a Gerstlauer dining and family coaster connected to a resort known Chaser Express. “This is the has folks goin’ in all di erent entertainment destination second project we have done directions, and that’s going to for its kid friendliness for half with sumptuous food options with Gerstlauer in the last be a lot of fun, but it teaches - a century. and award-winning live seven years. They understand an important lesson, too,” said It took more than six years shows. But it’s also rapidly - that we are doing more than Parton. “FireChaser Express becoming a true thrill ride of planning and decision- just creating a ride — we want celebrates our heroes — re park. Home to world-class making to choose and custom- Tom Nolan, vice president to tell a story and create an ex - ghters — and it reminds the El Loco, from attractions such as the top- AT. “We have perience for families to enjoy,” rest of us that we can all be ize a new thrill att raction that of operations for the park, de- rated Thunderhead wooden S&S~Sansei Technolo- Owens told heroes if we’ll just step up and would both compliment the scribed the coaster as “the per- roller coaster (2004), Mystery gies, Inc., performs its been very pleased with Mys help others, whether it’s in a Mine (2007) steel coaster/dark park’s popular Canyon Blaster fect addition” to the enclosed tery Mine, the rst Gerstlauer small way or a big way.” wild mouse-on-steroids ride and the Wild Eagle wing See DOLLYWOOD, page 4 corkscrew coaster and fi t into facility’s arsenal of two dozen Euroghter built in the U.S. It acrobatics with precision coaster (2012), Dollywood t the story we were trying to professional NEWS content you expect from the tight, dome-roofed foot- rides and att ractions. o ers an evolving arsenal of and family-friendly com- tell and created the experience print left by the Rim Runner “El Loco off ers our guests high-prole rides. fort within the dramatic But park ocials wisely we wanted. The same is true fl ume ride. something they have never ex- confi nes of The But on Feb. 18, after sev- perienced before,” Nolan said recognized that there was Adventuredome at still a niche to be lled. They in a chat with Amusement To- Dollywood’s new eral weeks of extensive test- Circus Circus. It replaces knew they needed a ride that ing and media teasing, El day just outside the coaster’s the park’s 20-year-old, FireChaser Express family could provide excitement for Loco — an acrobatic, inverting exit on opening day. “Riders fi ve-acre Rim Runner roller coaster features top- both families with children as wild mouse-style coaster from enjoy El Loco’s twists, turns notch theming around the well as more seasoned visitors Shoot the Chute ride. ride’s station and queue and drops in such close prox- looking for thrills. That may S&S~Sansei Technologies, Inc., COURTESY THE area. During the ride’s seem like a dicult thing to of Logan, Utah — fi nally cut imity to our other rides that, ADVENTUREDOME AT debut, Dolly cheers on do, but Dollywood managed loose inside The Adventure- for an instant, they get the sen- CIRCUS CIRCUS + reghters as their water to pull it o with the nesse - TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. INSIDE: dome for its offi cial opening. See EL LOCO, page 4 bucket brigade prepares to one has come to expect from April 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 1 launch the rst thetrain course. onto the Smoky Mountain themer Food and and its parent company Her Adventuredome’s El Loco newest thriller at ConcessionsCircus Circus STORY: Dean Lamanna COURTESY DOLLYWOOD schend Family Entertain- [email protected] Spotlight : Amusement Today right on your tablet, phone ment. To accomplish the task LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Over Pages 7-14 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS | September 5-7, 2014 the last two decades, roller of creating an exciting ride coasters in this desert destina- tion have launched, looped, with across-the-board appeal, corkscrewed and even coiled www.amusementtoday.com Dated material. material. Dated

languorously atop a tower al- including a relatively mod- - As thismost photo 1,000 feet up. illustrates, FireChaser Express is able to accom- SUBSCRIBE TO With at least two such est rider height requirement modatehigh-profile a wide rides and range an en- of riders and physical dimensions. The tire theme park adjacent to of just 39 inches, Dollywood train’sone casino individual resort having also ratcheting AT/SCOTT lapbars RUTHERFORD accommodate full-size been dismantled in that time, NEWSPAPER once again turned to Gerst adultsThe Adventuredome on down at Circus to small children who’ve reached the 39-inch POSTMASTER: PLEASE RUSH! 21, 2014 March Mailed Friday, AMUSEMENT TODAY Circus Hotel & Casino — the lauer. The result is FireChaser indoorheight fun park requirement. that has sur-

vived the local vicissitudes of

PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT Express, a dual-launched fam-

family entertainment since its FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. ily roller coaster like no other. debut as Grand Slam Canyon

(817) 460-7220 in 1993 — has done something

Having successfully col- PAID exceedingly right: providing

rides and attractions in a cli-

US POSTAGE US mate-controlled environment PRSRT STD PRSRT connected to a resort known for its kid friendliness for half 2014 GOLDENa century. TICKET AWARDS | September 5-7, 2014 It took more than six years of planning and decision- making to choose and custom- ize a new thrill attraction that would both compliment the park’s popular Canyon Blaster corkscrew coaster and fit into Tom Nolan, vice president or laptop! It’s Android and iOS compatible! of operations for the park, de- the tight, dome-roofed foot- scribed the coaster as “the per print left by the Rim Runner fect addition” to the enclosed flume ride. facility’s arsenal of two dozen But on Feb. 18, after sev- rides and attractions. - S&S~SanseiEl Loco,Technolo from- eral weeks of extensive test gies, Inc., performs its “El Loco offers our guests ing and media teasing, El something they have never ex- wild mouse-on-steroids Loco — an acrobatic, inverting perienced before,” Nolan said acrobatics with precision SUBSCRIBE TO wild mouse-style coaster from - and family-friendly com- in a chat with S&S~Sansei Technologies, Inc., day just outside the coaster’s fort within the dramatic

of Logan, Utah — finally cut Amusement To- Dated material. material. Dated exit on opening day. “Riders loose inside The Adventure- confines of The $50 enjoy El Loco’s twists, turns Adventuredome at

dome for its official opening. and drops in such close prox Circus Circus. It replaces RUSH! AMUSEMENT TODAY imity to our other rides that, the park’s 20-year-old, for an instant, they get the sen five-acre Rim Runner

- Shoot the Chute ride.

Mailed Friday, April 25, 2014 25, April Friday, Mailed See EL LOCO, page 4

PLEASE

NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: (817) 460-7220 - ADVENTUREDOMECOURTESY THE AT

Dated material.

PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT CIRCUS CIRCUS

RUSH! FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. NEWSPAPER

POSTMASTER:

PLEASE Mailed Friday, March 21, 2014 SUBSCRIBE TO PAID

US POSTAGE US

PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT AMUSEMENT TODAY

FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PRSRT STD PRSRT

PAID 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS | September 5-7, 2014 US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT (817) 460-7220 www.amusementtoday.com/subscribe

SUBSCRIBE PER YEAR 40 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 Thanks For Voting

One Of The Top 10 Wooden Roller Coasters

Branson, MO silverdollarcity.com

AT OLR ad.indd 1 8/18/14 10:23 AM September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 41

w we ho r is o l is l h

T

Reriding coaster history

(208) 772-8181 www.rockymtnconstruction.com

IBox Track Patent US 8,590,455 | Topper Track Patent Pending GreatCoasters-GreatThen ad.pdf 8/13/14 10:25:57 AM 42 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 43

Our panel of experts

P.

GOLDEN 2014 Since Amusement Today I. TICKET introduced the Golden Ticket V. AWARDS Awards in 1998, we continue to BEST OF seek out the most experienced THE BEST! 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 2014 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. 44 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014 New favorites break into Steel Top 10 survey results

STORY: Tim Baldwin tremendous climb to No. 6 [email protected] 2014 from its previous ranking at

P. GOLDEN TICKET No. 15. The 300-foot coaster With barely a half century I. AWARDS has made major advances of history behind them, tubu- V. each year since being built. BEST OF THE BEST! lar steel coasters don’t retain Other B&M coasters on the the admiration quite to the Top 10 list are Six Flags Great extent that wooden coasters Golden Ticket for the fifth Adventure’s Nitro (No. 5), do. Voters — and the public year in a row, and ninth time Apollo’s Chariot at Busch — tend to be drawn to newer, overall. Bizarro at Six Flags Gardens Williamsburg (No. flashier installations. In that New England continues to 7), Six Flags Over Georgia’s light, a glance at this year’s thrill riders and easily holds Goliath (No. 9), and Intimida- BEST STEEL COASTER chart the No. 2 spot. Last year, Eu- tor at Carowinds (No. 10). will find that not a single ride in rope’s highest-rated coaster, Completing the Top 10 the Top 10 even existed when Expedition GeForce at Holi- is Rocky Mountain Construc- Amusement Today introduced day Park, inched up into third tion’s original hit, New Texas the Golden Ticket Awards in place, but this year adds even Giant at Six Flags Over Tex- 1998. Certainly a shout out more votes to secure the No. as. The wood-to-steel trans- BEST STEEL COASTER has to go to Arrow’s Magnum 3 spot. formation saved this legend- No. 1: Millennium Force, Cedar Point XL-200 at Cedar Point for That’s when things ary woodie from the wrecking AT/TIM BALDWIN holding on the longest. For change. Six of the remaining ball years back and started a The oldest a time a No. 1 Golden Ticket Top 10 are claimed by B&M successful strand of transfor- steel coaster holder, Magnum remained in machines. Diamondback at mations that continue to de- on the GTA the upper tier longer than any Kings Island finds a new re- liver hit after hit. survey is the other 20th century coaster. It surgence this year leaping Three new-for-2014 coast- bicentennial is only this year that it finally all the way to No. 4. Its jump ers debut on the charts this favorite, the slips from the Top 10, still from last year’s No. 14 posi- year, all provided by differ- Whizzer at popular at No. 13. tion is one of two significant ent manufacturers. Banshee at Kings Island reintroduced Six Flags A trio of Intamin power- changes. Leviathan at Can- houses still control the top ada’s Wonderland not only the B&M inverted coaster Great America. three spots. Millennium Force is the second international to America, complete with AT/GARY SLADE at Cedar Point maintains its steel coaster in the coveted record-breaking dimensions. wild popularity and takes the upper 10, but also makes a It lands at No. 16. Lightning Run at Kentucky Kingdom, a new style Hyper GT-X coaster from Chance, appears in the upper half at No. 25, and He- lix, an impressive new dou- ble-launched, multi-inversion thriller at Sweden’s Liseberg screams in at No. 30. Seeing a surge in popu- larity are other European in- stallations, including Blue Fire Megacoaster at Euro- pa-Park, rising up to No. 17, Phantasialand’s Black Mam- ba vaults up to No. 24 from its 2013 position at No. 34. Lisebergbanan at Liseberg, streams up to No. 35 from its No. 2: Bizarro, Six Flags New England No. 3: Expedition GeForce, Holiday Park prior ranking of No. 48. Back AT/TIM BALDWIN COURTESY KEITH KASTELIC here in the states, another in- teresting and radical climb is Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Tatsu, flying into the No. 34 spot from its 2013 ranking at No. 50. Eleven international coast- ers are on our steel charts. Those not yet mentioned are: Behemoth at Canada’s Wonderland (No. 15), Alton Towers’ Nemesis (No. 21), Goliath at La Ronde (No. 26), Euro-Mir at Europa-Park (No. 42), and Piraten, a returning favorite from Djurs Sommer- land, now at No. 46. The oldest coaster on the charts? Six Flags Great No. 4: Diamondback, Kings Island No. 5: Nitro, Six Flags Great Adventure America’s bicentennial family AT/GARY SLADE AT/GARY SLADE favorite, the Whizzer. September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 45

#2 #3

AND AGAIN: THE VERY BEST IN STEEL

#1

... AN ER! D OUR WOODIES DON'T NEED TO HIDE EITH #2 #10

AS Amsterdam#8335

www.intaminworldwide.com Booth See us at E 46 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET THE LIST I.

AWARDS V. 2014 TOP 50 STEEL ROLLER COASTERS BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2000 Intamin 1139

2 Bizarro Six Flags New England Agawam, Mass. 2000 Intamin 1049

3 Expedition GeForce Holiday Park Hassloch, Germany 2001 Intamin 764

4 Diamondback Kings Island Mason, Ohio 2009 B&M 579

5 Nitro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2001 B&M 563

6 Leviathan Canada’s Wonderland Vaughan, Ont., Canada 2012 B&M 500

7 Apollo’s Chariot Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1999 B&M 484

8 New Texas Giant Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 2011 Rocky Mountain 465

9 Goliath Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga. 2006 B&M 422

10 Intimidator Carowinds Charlotte, N.C. 2010 B&M 387

11 Phantom’s Revenge Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 2001 Morgan 384

12 Iron Rattler Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 2013 Rocky Mountain 367

13 (tie) Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1989 Arrow 366

13 (tie) Intimidator 305 Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 2010 Intamin 366

15 Behemoth Canada’s Wonderland Vaughan, Ont., Canada 2008 B&M 318

16 Banshee Kings Island Mason, Ohio 2014 B&M 317

17 Blue Fire Megacoaster Europa-Park Rust, Germany 2009 Mack 304

18 X2 Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2002 Arrow 292

19 Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2003 Intamin 273

20 Mind Bender Six Flags Over Georgia Austell, Ga. 1978 Schwarzkopf 249

21 Nemesis Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 1994 B&M 245

22 Montu Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 1996 B&M 229

23 Alpengeist Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1997 B&M 220

24 Black Mamba Phantasialand Brühl, Germany 2006 B&M 179

25 Lightning Run Kentucky Kingdom Louisville, Ky. 2014 Chance 165 September 2014 GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS AMUSEMENT TODAY 47

2014

P. GOLDEN TICKET THE LIST I.

AWARDS V. 2014 TOP 50 STEEL ROLLER COASTERS BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 (tie) Goliath La Ronde Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2006 B&M 157

26 (tie) Skyrush Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2012 Intamin 157

28 (tie) Maverick Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2007 Intamin 138

28 (tie) Wild Eagle Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 2012 B&M 138

30 Helix Liseberg Gothenburg, Sweden 2014 Mack 134

31 Raging Bull Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1999 B&M 124

32 GateKeeper Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2013 B&M 117

33 Griffon Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 2007 B&M 116

34 Tatsu Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2006 B&M 115

35 Lisebergbanan Liseberg Gothenburg, Sweden 1987 Schwarzkopf 113

36 Kumba Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 1993 B&M 110

37 Steel Force Dorney Park Allentown, Pa. 1998 Morgan 106

38 SheiKra Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 2005 B&M 101

39 Full Throttle Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2013 Premier 95

40 Shock Wave Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1978 Schwarzkopf 90

41 Manta SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 2009 B&M 87

42 Euro-Mir Europa-Park Rust, Germany 1997 Mack 81

43 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2000 Giovanola 79

44 Whizzer Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1976 Schwarzkopf 77

45 Kingda Ka Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2005 Intamin 76

46 Piraten Djurs Sommerland Jylland, Denmark 2008 Intamin 74

47 Raptor Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1994 B&M 73

48 Cheetah Hunt Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa, Fla. 2011 Intamin 71

49 (tie) California Screamin’ Disney California Adventure Anaheim, Calif. 2001 Intamin 70

49 (tie) Volcano: The Blast Coaster Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1998 Intamin 70 48 AMUSEMENT TODAY GOLDEN TICKET AWARDS September 2014

POWERED BY OPERATED BY