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For Immediate Release Contact: Gary Slade, Publisher, (817) 460-7220 August 23, 2003 Eric Minton, West Coast Bureau (520) 514-2254

ANNUAL AWARDS FOR AMUSEMENT, THEME AND WATERPARKS ANNOUNCED FOR 2003 PRESTIGIOUS POLL REVEALS THE “BEST OF THE BEST” IN THE AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY

NEW BRAUNFELS, TEXAS—Among amusement and water parks, the best of the best are truly Golden. During a ceremony today at Waterpark Resort, , the leading amusement trade monthly, announced its annual Golden Ticket Awards with a few surprising new winners among traditional repeaters.

The awards, based on surveys submitted by well-traveled park enthusiasts around the world, honor the top parks and rides as well as cleanest, friendliest and most efficient operations.

New this year was the Publisher’s Pick chosen by Amusement Today Publisher Gary Slade. Winning the first-ever Publisher’s Pick is Gary and Linda Hays, owners of Cliff’s in Albuquerque, N.M., who last year took over construction of their wooden , the New Mexico Rattler, after the manufacturer went bankrupt. The Hays’ therefore were able to keep the construction crew employed, pay suppliers and provide New Mexico it’s first major thrill ride as promised.

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, repeated as the Best Park, and Schlitterbahn repeated as the Best Waterpark. Both parks have won these Golden Tickets in all six years of the awards. Other repeat winners were Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Ind., as Friendliest Park and as Cleanest Park, Williamsburg, Va., for Best Landscaping, Fiesta Texas in for Best Shows, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pa., for Best Food, Paramount’s in Kings Mills, Ohio, for Best Kid’s Area and for Capacity.

In two new categories, Busch Gardens Williamsburg was chosen the Most Beautiful Park, and Schlitterbahn the Most Beautiful Waterpark.

Among rides, competition was much more fierce resulting in some new winners and surprising showings. Ride of Steel at New England in Agawam, Mass., supplanted Cedar Point’s as top ending Cedar Point’s five year reign atop that list, by Millennium Force the past two years and Magnum XL-200 before that. Magnum dropped to fourth this year behind Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park in Hassloch, , the strongest showing so far by a non U.S. coaster.

Another non-U.S. ride topped the Best (amusement park) category, Valhalla at Pleasure Beach in England. The Best Waterpark Ride also saw a new winner this year, Zinga at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari.

The Amazing Adventures of -man at Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando won Best , and Raven at Holiday World won Best Wood Coaster, both repeats. Dueling Dragons, the twin steel coasters at Islands of Adventure, won for Best Theming of an Attraction, and the Giant Drops from /Ride Trade won Best Non- Coaster Ride.

For a complete list winners, including the top 50 coasters and the top three of all other categories, visit www.amusementtoday.com.

P.O. BOX 5427 Arlington, Texas 76005 2012 East Randol Mill Rd. #203 Arlington, Texas 76011 (817)460-7220 Fax: (817) 265-6397 SEPTEMBER 2003 B

All about the BUSINESS of FUN! Amusement Today’s 2003 Golden Ticket Awards The biggest survey

2003

2003 . response ever offers .

SCHLITTERBAHN FIESTA TEXAS V. I. P our 2003 winners V. I. P BEST SHOWS BEST WATERPARK Tim Baldwin Amusement Today As with any survey, its results are always more informative with a larger num- ber of participants. This year, Amusement Today received its biggest response ever. From its inception in 1998, Golden Ticket Awards surveys are sent to experienced enthusiasts from around the globe. The is divided into four geographical regions, and an equal number of surveys sent to each of these regions. Photos courtesy Schlitterbahn and Fiesta Texas International participants make up for the remainder of The 2003 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony did a Texas two-step this year by showcasing Schlitterbahn, left, as the our well-traveled panel. Best Waterpark and Fiesta Texas as the park with the Best Shows. Both parks are repeat winners. New for 2003 The final years of the 1990s On the wooden front, the and Air at Alton Taking top honors in the Kingdom in Allentown, Pa., and the turn of the millennium new Ozark , at the Towers, Grand National at park divisions, two long-stand- rounds out the top three in produced a huge influx of new equally new , , ing favorites snag their awards waterparks. coasters. The past two years landed just outside our top 25 at Six Flags Holland, for best parks for the sixth year A common criticism have seen a slower trend of standings, but has opened to and Euro-Mir at Europa Park in a row. Cedar Point’s huge voiced not only on our surveys, new major installations, in par- rave reviews to the participants all saw a rise in standings in assortment of rides, resort but on myriad Internet chat- ticular dictated by economic that have made it back to this year’s results. Of course, accommodations, and record- rooms is the inefficiency, or times. However, new great Branson. the most notable climb just breaking roller coasters easily poor attitude of a park’s coasters continue to surface. Holiday World’s Zinga might be Superman Ride of rated as Best Amusement Park employees. Thankfully, many Cedar Point’s Top Thrill makes a spectacular debut as Steel at , in the 2003 survey. Waterpark parks do a superb job of - Dragster makes a charging run this year’s top-rated waterpark making a strong enough push afficionados also continue to ing employees to be friendly to at the Top Ten, a feat very diffi- ride as well. to take Amusement Today’s award Schlitterbahn as the visiting guests. In somewhat of cult for a first-year coaster. Due Rising Stars Golden Ticket for Best Steel world’s Best Waterpark, again a sweep of this category, to some operational difficulties, The biggest climbers on Coaster for the first time. for the sixth year. Coming in Holiday World of Santa Claus, Dragster’s performance might our coaster charts are a testa- Best of the Best second in each of the two cate- Ind., continues to impress, tak- have been slightly hindered. ment to the expertise of our The biggest challenge gories is Islands of Adventure ing top honors with a whop- suf- selected panel. Coasters that asked of our survey partici- for amusement park and ping 61 percent of the votes. fered a similar fate when their have made the most significant pants is to narrow their park Splashin’ Safari for waterpark. Likewise, their reputation of new X experienced its share of leaps will be found across the choices down to a single pick. England’s Blackpool Pleasure letting guests see the park just quirks during its debut last world. Expedition GeForce It should be noted that many Beach, known for an amazing as clean as they depart as when year. This year, it saw an made a major leap to the num- parks do (and should!) receive amount of rides and coasters they arrive places them num- increase in the ratings, and Top ber three position, making it high marks for the jobs they do. packed into a compact space ber one in the Cleanest Park Thrill Dragster can very well the top rated international Still, voters get one choice in places third in the amusement race for the sky in 2004. coaster to appear on our lists. the park and ride categories. park category, and Wildwater See AWARDS, page 2B A N O T H E R Thank you readers of GREAT YEAR! Amusement Today!

1 Golden Ticket 2003 . KNOEBELS

AWARD WINNER V. I. P 2 Top 25 Coasters BEST FOOD 2B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2003

updated Lone Star Spectacular Elysburg, Pa., continues to One of the tightest races Orlando take third. AWARDS and a visually wow version of delight their guests with tasty ever tabulated by the Golden In the Best Dark Ride cate- Continued from page 1B Chinese acrobats as only Fiesta snacks and great food at Ticket survey took place in the gory, the Amazing Adventures Texas can do it, compliment accommodating prices for fam- Best Waterpark Ride category. of Spider-man, a long-running category as well. Knoebels and the already marvelous live tal- ilies who visit. Silver Dollar As mentioned, Splashin’ favorite, webs up the top spot. Paramount’s ent performing all season long. City’s wide range of interna- Safari’s new Zinga took top Knoebels’ popular Haunted take second and third places Fiesta Texas once again claims tional and down-home cook- honors as Schlitterbahn’s Mansion, demonstrating a respectively for Friendliest Best Shows for the fifth year. ing rates them as second, and Master Blaster valiantly came quality performance at a tradi- Park, while and Busch Gardens Williamsburg Busch Gardens Williamsburg in second trailing by hardly a tional park level, takes second Busch Gardens Williamsburg takes second place with a takes third in the Best Food trickle. Zoombabwe, Splashin’ place. The elaborate fantasy share the Cleanest Park spot- strong line-up of live perform- category. Safari’s 2002 attraction came in theming of ’s Dream light in silver and bronze slots. ers, and third place is shared Best Kids Area once again third. Flight complete the top three. Fiesta Texas, tucked away by sister parks Silver Dollar goes to Paramount’s Kings Natural Beauty When it comes to theming, down south in San Antonio, City and , long hav- Island. Their collection of Part of the enjoyment of a the “big boys” make for tough manages to maintain its solid ing a reputation of giving water and interactive activi- park visit is enjoying the beau- competition. Islands of reputation of presenting top- crowd pleasing shows. ties, four junior coasters, and ty that is presented throughout Adventure’s Universal touch notch show entertainment for Expensive food is a fre- various flat rides just for kids the day. Once again, Busch rolls out an elaborate queue their guests. Amazing summer quent complaint of many make for a delightful section. Gardens Williamsburg has house, trains, and station that presentations such as an parks, but Knoebels in Jurrasic Park and Seuss impressed our panel, taking give it’s Dueling Dragons top Landing areas for kids earn first place in Best Landscaping. honors in the category. Disney high marks with our panel, Likewise, a new category, Most has a double play for second bringing Islands of Adventure Beautiful Park, was taken by and third place. California’s www.amusementtoday.com into second place. Paramount’s Busch as well. In the landscap- Indiana Jones and the Temple (817) 460-7220 Fax (817) 265-6397 Kings Dominion’s many kids ing category, Efteling of the of the Forbidden Eye and Amusement Today’s annual Golden Ticket Awards were attractions round out the top Netherlands, makes a strong Florida’s Twilight Zone Tower bestowed upon all first-place finishers in each category. Amusement three. charge at second place, while of Terror garner high marks. Today congratulates the many fine parks that won or placed in this Just Add Water third is shared between In Best Non-Coaster Ride, year’s categories. We also would like to thank the many people who The amusement industry Bonfante Gardens in Gilroy, our survey participants had a took the time to return our survey forms and participate in the is evidence alone that people Calif., and in wide open slate to pick their polling process. If you were not selected to vote, and would like enjoy fun in the water. Our two England. Efteling also placed favorite, a broad challenge to your name added to the selection list, please drop us a postcard and water categories brought forth second as most beautiful, and be sure. The Giant Drops by we’ll be glad to add your name to next year’s ballot list. Remember, a list of amazing water attrac- Europa Park of Germany Intamin/Ride Trade received industry employees are ineligible to vote. AT also would like to tions to tabulate. New at the rounded out the three. the most votes, with specific thank our advertisers for their help in making this Bonus Section top of the charts this year is Rotating Categories nods to the new Drop Zone at possible. Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s In an effort to always keep Paramount’s Kings Dominion Thanks also go to Tim Baldwin for his countless hours in tabu- Valhalla as Best Water Ride. As the survey fresh, Amusement and the variety of riding posi- lating the poll results and to Ted Davidson and his staff at a blend of water attraction and Today has a selection of cate- tions of Apocalypse at Drayton Corporate Graphics in Arlington, Texas, for the design and printing of the Golden Ticket Awards. dark ride, Valhalla excels on gories that will appear in a Manor. The afore-mentioned Amusement Today also would like to thank the staffs at many levels, and this year three-year rotating format. In Spider-man and Indiana Jones Schlitterbahn and Fiesta Texas for their help in hosting the 2003 jumps into first place. The this year’s awards, Best score highly in this category as Golden Ticket Awards ceremony. Our thanks also go to all award campy and cartoonish fun of Capacity goes to Cedar Point well taking second and third winners who were in attendance to accept their Golden Ticket. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw for keeping their lines moving respectively. Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published Falls gives second place to the best. In second, Opinions, please monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas Islands of Adventure, as does Disneyland, utilizing their free While Amusement Today 76005-5427. For subscription information, or to order extra copies third place, Popeye and Bluto’s Fast Pass system, ranked sec- had an audience, also, we call (817) 460-7220 or visit: www.amusementtoday.com. Bilge-rat Barges, a wild and ond. The same system helps rollicking rapids ride. the in See AWARDS, page 3B September 2003 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3B AWARDS Survey questions Gary & Linda Hays recipients of first Publisher’s Pick Continued from page 2B Ranked by frequency of mention Best Types of Merchandise Gary Slade take, to add a $2 million full-size custom wooden •T-shirts Publisher, Amusement Today roller coaster. solicited the opinions of our •Magnets The announcement for the New Mexico survey panel. As avid collec- •Postcards For the last several years I watched amazing Rattler, the state’s first super coaster, created a tors and buyers, our voters Biggest Turn Off In a Park buzz throughout the entire state. Everything reported the No. 1 item they feats, milestones and other gestures of good will •Long Lines/Crowds accomplished in our amusement industry. seems to be going to plan, until the ride’s builder buy is T-shirts, followed by •Line Jumping decided to call it quits, and closed the company refrigerator magnets, and post- •Poor Employee Attitude Although our annual Golden Ticket Awards rec- cards. Pins and caps/hats were Favorite Flat Rides ognize many of those it seems like each year one overnight, just as the project was well-underway. next in line. • would slip though without recognition because Not wanting to miss an entire day of con- Everyone’s a critic, and • their simply wasn’t a category that best fit the struction time, Gary and Linda put the construc- when asked their biggest turn- • achievement, until now. tion crew on the Cliff’s payroll, located and off when visiting a park, our With the 2003 edi- ordered all the materials group reported crowds and next followed by inward facing tion of the Golden Ticket and equipment them- long lines were the biggest swinging rides such as the Awards, AT has created selves in order to see turn-off of their park visits. Chance/KMG Afterburner, the Publisher’s Pick, a that the coaster would Not far behind was line jump- and the Fireball. Of note, if all Golden Ticket to be be completed to the ing, a recurring problem no swinging rotating rides were awarded annually to a original specifications matter where patrons visit. combined, this sum would industry professional, or and design plan. Sure Equally tied for third were have been greater than any company who have delays would follow poor employee attitude and other flat ride. It’s popular, made an impact on our and despite having three low capacity, with a strong dis- folks. industry. rides closed during the dain for operating coasters The Power of a Vote This year’s inaugural winners are a team that 2002 season due to the coaster construction, the with only one train. Trash and Amusement Today wishes overcame a difficult situation during their 2002 park managed to have an excellent season. a park being unclean followed. to thank its hundreds of par- operating season, met the challenge head on, and The in-house constructed New Mexico When asked to list their ticipants this year. For anyone are now seeing the results of a job well done, with Rattler did open near the end of the 2002 season, favorite flat rides, a virtual who has heard “Every vote is but now, in its first full operating season, has floodgate was opened with important,” they need look no record attendance at thier park for the 2003 sea- practically every ride ever cre- further than some of our close son. brought guests to Cliff’s at record numbers. The ated mentioned. Top picks races in the final results to The recipients are Gary and Linda Hays, buzz in Albuquerque is once again centered were carousels, particularly if know that each and every sur- owners and operators of the Cliffs Amusement around Cliffs and their new coaster. they were unique or beautiful. vey had weight and value. Park in Albuquerque, N.M. For this, Amusement Today is proud to present Bumper cars and flying scoot- Our gratitude goes out for For the 2002 season, Cliff’s moved ahead the first-ever Publisher’s Pick to Gary and Linda ers tabulated at second and sharing your expertise with with a project most parks with an annual atten- Hays of Cliff’s Amusement Park for their perse- third. Huss’ placed the industry. dance of less than 250,000 guests wouldn’t under- verance and a job well done.

Thanks, AMUSEMENT TODAY for honoring SUPERMAN RIDE of STEEL as the top rated steel roller coaster on the planet!

BEST 2003 .

P GOLDEN STEEL TICKET ROLLER

PRESENTED TO PRESENTED COASTER

V. I. AWARD

SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND NEW FLAGS SIX SUPERMAN RIDE OF STEEL OF RIDE SUPERMAN

"SIX FLAGS and all related indicia are trademarks of Six Flags Theme Parks Inc. ®,™ and ©2003. , characters, names and all related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. , SUPERMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © DC Comics. (s03)." NEW ENGLAND

6B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2003

Park and Ride Winners Ranked by percentage of votes cast Best Park Best Landscaping Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 30% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 37% Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 15% Efteling Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands 23% Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 12% Bonfante Gardens Gilroy, Calif. 7% Best Waterpark Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 7% Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 47% Best Water Ride Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 23% Valhalla Blackpool Pleasure Beach 23% Allentown, Pa. 6% Dudley Do Right’s Ripsaw Falls Islands of Adventure 14% Friendliest Park Staff Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-rat Barges Islands of Adventure 6% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 61% Best Kid’s Area Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 10% Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 47% Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 3% Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 8% Cleanest Park Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 7% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 45% Best Waterpark Ride Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 10% Zinga Splashin’ Safari 27% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 7% Master Blaster Schlitterbahn 26% Best Shows Zoombabwe Splashin’ Safari 16% Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 32% Most Beautiful Park Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 13% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 38% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 8% Efteling Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands 22% Branson, Mo. 8% Europa Park Rust, Germany 8% Best Food Most Beautiful Waterpark Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 30% Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 24% Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 13% Typhoon Orlando, Fla. 18% Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 10% Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 17%

Certain awards get three-year format In an effort to continue winner for Best Non-Coaster the introduction of new Ride. Three yearly categories subscribe Subscribe Online Golden Ticket categories each were moved to the three-year www.amusementtoday.com year, Amusement Today has format: Best Park Capacity; elected to place some awards Best Dark Ride and Best on a three-year rotation for Theming of an Attraction. voting. These categories will not be Last year, AT introduced voted on again until 2005. Best Souvenirs, Best Games Three new yearly cate- Area, Best Themed or gories were introduced this Background Music and Most year: Most Beautiful Park, Classic or Distinctive Coaster Most Beautiful Waterpark Station as new categories. and Publisher’s Pick, a spe- They will not be voted on cial Golden Ticket Award again until 2005. selected by Amusement Today This year, AT debuted the Publisher Gary Slade. Three-year format awards Ranked by percentage of votes.

Capacity Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 53% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 8% Magic Kingdom, WDW Resort Orlando, Fla. 6%

Best Dark Ride Amazing Adventures...Spider-man Islands of Adventure 34% Haunted Mansion Knoebels Amusement Resort 20% Dream Flight (Droom Vulcht) Efteling 8%

Best Non-Coaster Ride Giant Drops Intamin/Ride Trade 20% Amazing Adventures...Spider-man Islands of Adventure 14% Tower of Terror Disney-MGM 8%

Best Theming of an Attraction Dueling Dragons Islands of Adventure 27% Indiana Jones...Forbidden Eye Disneyland 14% Tower of Terror Disney-MGM 10%

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2003 . GOLDEN TICKET The List

AWARDS V. I. P BEST OF THE BEST! Top 50 wooden roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 1995 CCI 1114

2 Shivering Timbers Michigan’s Adventure Muskegon, Mich. 1998 CCI 912

3 Boulder Dash Bristol, Conn. 2000 CCI 892

4 Phoenix Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1985 Dinn/PTC 823

5 Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2000 CCI 724

6 GhostRider Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 1998 CCI 437

7 Hershey, Pa. 2000 GCII 427

8 Beast Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 1979 Dinn 422

9 Oakwood Leisure Park Pembrokshire, Wales 1996 CCI 421

10 Texas Giant Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1990 Dinn 415

11 Colossos Soltau, Germany 2001 Intamin 335

12 Grand National Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 1935 Paige 314

13 Monticello, Ind. 2001 CCI 304

14 The Great Escape Lake George, N.Y. 1994 Schmeck-PTC 284

15 Visionland Bessemer, Ala. 1998 CCI 279

16 () , N.Y. 1927 Keenan/Baker 269

17 The Boss Six Flags St. Louis St. Louis, Mo. 2000 CCI 237

18 Georgia Cyclone Atlanta, Ga. 1990 Dinn/Summers 225

19 West Mifflin, Pa. 1968 Vettel/Miller 194

20 Tonnerre de Parc Asterix Plailly, France 1997 CCI 180

21 Twister Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1999 Fetterman/Knoebels 177

22 Silverwood Athtol, Idaho 1999 CCI 168

23 Viper Gurnee, Ill. 1995 Starkey/Six Flags 139

24 Coaster Vancouver, British Columbia 1958 Phare 130

25 AstroWorld Houston, Texas 1976 Cobb 129

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2003 The List . GOLDEN TICKET

AWARDS V. I. P Top 50 wooden roller coasters BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 Ozark Wildcat Celebration City Branson, Mo. 2003 GCII 121

27 Six Flags Worlds of Adventure Aurora, Ohio 2000 CCI 112

28 Wildcat Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 1996 GCII 104

29 Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 1924 Prior & Church/Looff 97

30 Timberwolf Kansas City, Mo. 1989 Dinn/Summers 89

31 Timber Terror Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1996 CCI 78

32 Parmount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1982 Summers/KECO 76

33 Cylcone Six Flags New England Agawam, Mass. 1983 Cobb 69

34 Excalibur Funtown/Splashtown USA Saco, Maine 1998 CCI 60

35 (tie) Thunder Run Six Flags Louisville, Ky. 1990 Dinn/Summers 54

35 (tie) Blue Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1964 Hoover/PTC 54

37 (tie) Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 2000 Stengel/Parmount 49

37 (tie) Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 1958 Blackpool PB 49

39 Largo, Md. 1998 GCII 48

40 (tie) Screechin’ Eagle LeSourdsville Lake Middletown, Ohio 1938 Miller 45

40 (tie) (Loup Garou) Werewolf Six Flags Belgium Wavre, Belgium 2001 45

42 Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1921 Miller/Baker 44

43 Thunder Coaster Vinterbro, Norway 2001 Vekoma 42

44 (tie) Gwazi Busch Gardens Tampa Tampa, Fla. 1999 GCII 41

44 (tie) Racer Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1927 Miller/PTC 41

44 (tie) Roar Six Flags Marine World Vallejo, Calif. 1999 GCII 41

47 (tie) Big Chief’s Cart & Coaster World Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 1995 CCI 37

47 (tie) Boomers Dania Beach, Fla. 2000 Coaster Works 37

49 Mean Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1991 Dinn 36

50 MegaZeph Six Flags New Orleans, La. 2000 CCI 35

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2003 . GOLDEN TICKET

AWARDS The List V. I. P BEST OF THE BEST! Top 50 steel roller coasters

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags New England Agawam, Mass. 2000 Intamin 1177

2 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2000 Intamin 1093

3 Expedition GeForce Holiday Park Hassloch, Germany 2001 Intamin 794

4 Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1989 Arrow 789

5 Apollo’s Chariot Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1999 B & M 538

6 Nitro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2001 B & M 527

7 Nemesis Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 1994 B&M 361

8 Phantom’s Revenge Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 2001/1991 Morgan/Arrow 353

9 Superman Ride of Steel Darien Center, N.Y. 1999 Intamin 320

10 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1994 B&M 315

11 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2003 Intamin 298

12 Busch Gardens Tampa Tampa, Fla. 1996 B&M 278

13 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags America Largo, Md. 2000 Intamin 272

14 Dueling Dragons Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B&M 257

15 X Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2002 Arrow 243

16 Dorney Park Allentown, Pa. 1997 Morgan 242

17 Raging Bull Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1999 B&M 239

18 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2000 184

19 (tie) Goliath Six Flags Holland Flevo, The Netherlands 2001 Intamin 183

19 (tie) Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1997 B&M 183

21 Incredible Hulk Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B&M 179

22 Busch Gardens Tampa Tampa, Fla. 1993 B & M 148

23 Euro-Mir Europa Park Rust, Germany 1997 Mack 147

24 Air Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 2002 B&M 140

25 Superman Krypton Coaster Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 2000 B&M 138 September 2003 AMUSEMENT TODAY 15B

2003 The List . GOLDEN TICKET

AWARDS V. I. P Top 50 steel roller coasters BEST OF THE BEST!

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

26 Mind Bender Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 1978 Schwarzkopf 137

27 Titan Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 2001 Giovanola 131

28 Volcano Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1998 Intamin 122

29 Big One Blackpool Pleasure Beach Blackpool, England 1994 Arrow 111

30 Mr. Freeze Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1998 97

31 Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Mo. 1998 Morgan 95

32 , England 2002 Intamin 90

33 Hypersonic XLC Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 2001 S&S 87

34 Shock Wave Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1978 Schwarzkopf 80

35 Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 2002 Intamin 79

36 Medusa Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 1999 B&M 68

37 , , Canada 1985 Schwarzkopf 67

38 Superman Ultimate Flight Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 2002 B&M 64

39 Top Gun Paramount’s Charlotte, N.C. 1999 B&M 60

40 Wildfire Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 2001 B&M 59

41 Riddler’s Revenge Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 1998 B&M 56

42 Big Bad Wolf Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 1984 Arrow 47

California Screamin’ Anaheim, Calif. 43 Disney’s California Adventure 2001 Intamin 43

44 Magnum Force Flamingoland Malton, England 2000 Schwarzkopf 39

45 (tie) Superman The Escape Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 1997 Intamin 37

45 (tie) Top Gun Paramount’s Great America Santa Clara, Calif. 1993 B&M 37

47 Superman Ultimate Escape Six Flags Worlds of Adventure Aurora, Ohio 2000 Intamin 35

48 SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 2000 B&M 31

49 Desperado Buffalo Bill’s Hotel and Casino Primm, Nev. 1993 Arrow 30

50 Twister Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2002 Intamin 28 theme park THANK YOU FOR FOUR! 2003 Golden Ticket Awards Thank you to the staff and readers of Amusement Today for honoring us with four Golden Ticket Awards for 2003. This is the fourth consecutive year the Raven has received your highest award as the Best Wooden Coaster. As the recipient of the Cleanliest Park award for the fourth consecutive year and the Friendliest Staff award for the sixth consecutive year, we would like to thank all of our employees for a job well done. We are also honored for your high ranking of Zinga as Best Waterpark Ride, ZOOMbabwe as third Best Waterpark ride and Splashin’ Safari as the second Best Waterpark and the 5th Best Wooden Coaster award for The Legend.

#1 for Family Fun! sm 1-877 GO FAMILY • www.holidayworld.com South of I-64 • Hwy. 162 & 245 • Santa Claus, Ind.