Golden Ticket Issue 2006

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C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 01

September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 1B

SEPTEMBER 2006 B All about the BUSINESS of FUN! Amusement Today’s 2006 Golden Ticket Awards

Tim Baldwin park aficionados that share Amusement Today their thoughts and insights. While an honor to be They are the biggest fans selected to be on our panel of �� and harshest critics. Both loved experts, it is also a challenge and tolerated at the same time, for the visitor and enthusiast the amusement park enthu- to assess the countless posi- siast embraces our industry tive attributes of each park with a passion and devotion and narrow the top perform- �� that cannot be matched. They ers down into a single answer. are the well-traveled connois- Hundreds and hundreds of seur, as testified by finalists coasters are ridden, sever- �� in ten international countries al outfits are drenched, and outside of the U.S. on our many a tasty meal have been charts. devoured with their hard- �� When placed together, this earned cash. �� community of park fans forms Such a challenge is a good a voice no outside marketing thing. More than just a matter can obtain. It is their collec- of adding capital and machin- tive experience that enables ery, today’s parks are focusing Amusement Today to honor the on the various qualities of a INSIDE Best of the Best. Originated guest’s satisfactory experience in 1998, the Golden Ticket and evaluating how they can PAGE 2 PAGE 14 PAGES 24, 26-27 Awards by Amusement Today surpass those expectations. New Category Park & Ride 2006 have since been labeled the When determining the Best of “Oscars of the Amusement the Best, a more difficult chal- Added to 2006 Winners Top 50 Steel Industry.” We at AT stand lenge for our panel means our Best Parks Award • Roller Coasters humbled and are indebted to industry is continuing to head • PAGE 15 • the hundreds of amusement in the right direction. PAGE 10 Three-Year PAGES 29, 30-31 Friendliest Format Awards 2006 Staff, • Top 50 Wooden Cleanest PAGE 16 Roller Coasters Park, Best Shows, • Best Landscaping Outdoor Night Show, PAGE 32 and Best Food Concert Venue A look at the • • Golden Ticket PAGE 11 PAGE 19 Repeat Winners Publisher’s Picks: Best Dark Ride, • Host Park Park of the Year Water Ride, PAGE 38 Supplier of the Year Waterpark Ride Best New Rides 2006 Golden Ticket Awards Person of the Year and Kid’s Area of 2006 August 27, 2006 THE PHOENIX 2006 WINNER VOTED # 5 BEST TOP WOODEN AMUSEMENT PARK ROLLER COASTER FOOD

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KNOEBELS V V NO.5 WOOD COASTER Thank You for BEST PARK FOOD ANOTHER GREAT YEAR! C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 02 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 03

2B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 A new category added to 2006 park winners SeaWorld Orlando joins Cedar Point, Schlitterbahn and Legoland as Best Parks SeaWorld Orlando clearly place wins. Rounding out the plant to the New Braunfels Best Children’s Park is a re-

swam away with Amusement finalists were Marineland in �� area. While Schlitterbahn has peat win for Legoland in Carls- Today's newest category in Canada and Six Flags Marine a loyal fan base, Siebert can bad, California. Specifically the Golden Ticket park divi- World in California. �� relate to the first time visitor. geared toward the younger set,

sion. Added this year was Best Best Park is taken by Cedar �� “It is surprising just how interactive attractions and an �� Marine Life Park. With 65 per- Point for the 9th straight year. �� much there is to do in a day.” atypical blend of amusement cent of the vote, the Orlando The massive amusement resort Siebert continues, “My family rides make this Lego-branded themer was able to capture complex in Sandusky, Ohio Point as a kid.” can go into one area and stay park a unique find. Also ap- this inaugural Golden Ticket. continues to rate as a top desti- A 9th annual win is also there for a long time because preciated is that parents and Jim Atchison, general manager nation. John Hildebrandt, gen- shared by Schlitterbahn for Best we like doing those attractions their children can ride almost of SeaWorld, states, “It is an eral manager for Cedar Point, Waterpark. Once an undiscov- over and over. We can spend all of the rides together. John honor to be recognized as the says, “The best part of the job is ered gem, the New Braunfels a whole day and only cover a Jakobsen, general manager leader of the newest category. being able to walk the park. It’s waterpark is now a statewide third of what Schlitterbahn has of Legoland California, says, SeaWorld has an unwaver- a special time. I love to talk to treasure that has helped revolu- to offer.” “We are only seven years old, ing commitment to providing the guests and the employees, tionize the industry while still With a vast variety of areas but have added twelve new at- a high-quality prodcut and as well.” Hildebrant continues, maintaining its home grown and attractions, high tech inno- traactions in the last two-and- world-class guest experience.” “People tell you wonderful sto- roots. vations nestle in nicely among a-half years alone. We are con- Sister parks SeaWorld San ries. We’re very multi-genera- Jeffrey Siebert, direc- toddler-sized fare. “People are tinuing to find ways to create Antonio and SeaWorld San tional. Fathers taking their kids tor of communications for so passionate about their favor- new and exciting experiences Diego take the second and third remember coming to Cedar Schlitterbahn, is a new trans- ite attractions,” Siebert adds. for our guests.” –Tim Baldwin

PHOTO COURTESY CEDAR POINT PHOTO COURTESY SCHLITTERBAHN The Cedar Point skyline is packed with plenty of rides and attractions. Schlitterbahn holds onto its title as king of the waterparks. It has been This destination/resort has been voted Best Park for nine years straight. voted Best Waterpark for nine seasons in a row.

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PHOTO COURTESY LEGOLAND PHOTO COURTESY SEAWORLD ORLANDO 2006 is Legoland California’s third consecutive win for Best Children’s SeaWorld Orlando takes the top spot as it takes the debut Golden Ticket �� Park. Unique interactive family fun makes Legoland the Best of the for Best Marine Life Park. Shamu seems pleased. �� Best. �� C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 04 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 05 ��

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THANKS. THANKS, AMUSEMENT TODAY, FOR NAMING US #1 KIDS PARK THREE YEARS IN A ROW.

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THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS.

THANKS. THANKS. THANKS.

THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. AT THE HEART OF EVERY BEING IS A SPIRIT OF WONDER AND CURIOSITY. THANKS. THANKS. FEEL THAT SPIRIT SOAR IN OUR ALLNEW, VISUALLY STUNNING SHAMU® SHOW. THANKS.

THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. THANKS. SHAMU’S NEW SHOW...NOW OPEN

©2006 Busch Entertainment Corporation. All rights reserved. LEGOLAND® California, with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, is located in Carlsbad, 30 minutes north of San Diego. LEGO, LEGOLAND, the LEGO and LEGOLAND logos and the brick configurations are trademarks of the LEGO Group. ©2006 The LEGO Group.

Legoland 470-SC-M-LL1270 Ver A

Thank you ad for Amusement Today Date: 8-9-06 Time: 11:52 AM 4/c File Name: D3216 1270 ThankYouAd VA C2 Output to: NP File type: PDF Ad Size: 10" x 13" Paper used: NP Vendor Prep: Graphic Orb Prepped by: CJ Prepared By: Dailey & Associates THIS IS NOT A BLEED AD 38479C BGM AmusementY K Ad.qxdSept 20068/9/06 page 4:19 BPM 0 8Page 1 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 09

t takes 6,000 cubic yards of mulch (enough to cover 35 Ifootball fields), 150,000 annuals, 80,000 tulips, 4,000 chrysanthemums and 700 “container” gardens. Not to mention more than two dozen landscape artists who spend six hours every day pruning, planting and weeding (all by hand). And did we mention the tens of thousands of beneficial bugs, like ladybugs, that are released into the park every year to help keep our gardens pristine?

As you can tell, we’re quite proud of our landscaping excellence. And we’re honored that you recognized our efforts. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 10 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 11

10B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 September 2005 AMUSEMENT TODAY 11B Courteous staﬀ , landscaping and food add to guest experience Park, individual, supplier each recipients of 2006 Publisher’s Pick Holiday World, Knoebels, Busch Gardens Europe, Schlitterbahn all repeat winners The granddaddy of all fairs, Bill Robinson’s marketing

Her name tag says “Queen The State Fair of Texas celebrates success outlasts many parks, of Clean” due to a flattering 120 years , plans for bigger future celebrates 45 years in business magazine article in the past, For 120 years, The State Fair of Texas has made its Success brings longevity. but if she had to take on an home in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas State Fair and Expo- That’s certainly the case for William H. “Bill” Rob- official title of Holiday World sition, to which the present State Fair of Texas traces its inson and his advertising and marketing firm WHR Inc. and Splashin’ Safari, Pat Koch origin, was chartered as a private corporation on Jan. Celebrating 45 years in the business this year is proof says it would be Director of 30, 1886, by a group of Dallas businessmen. In 1904, the this Cincinnati-Ohio-based firm is doing it right. Values. These core values are Texas State Fair sold its property to the City of Dallas Bill’s roots in the amusement industry began in obviously taken seriously under an agreement that set aside a period each fall to April, 1962 when he took a job as a ride operator in by park employees as wit- hold the annual exposition. Kiddieland at LeSourdsville Lake / Americana Amuse- nessed by the continual wins The reorganized fair prospered, establishing new ment Park near Middletown, Ohio. Little did this young of Cleanest and Friendliest PHOTO COURTESY WESTERN PLAYLAND records for receipts and attendance as 300,000 people man realize the path he had just chosen. Golden Tickets categories. streamed through the gates in 1905. Automobile races The new Western Playland opened this season in During his 21 years at the family-owned park, he Apparently the guests see it as and stunt flying exhibitions became top attractions. At- time for the July 4 holiday. headed nearly every department at one time or anoth- well. Pat Koch recalls talking tendance topped the 1 million mark in 1916. The 1920’s er, from group sales to operations to marketing. Those with former employees that brought significant development and increased activity Unable to expand, Pat Thomson marketing efforts opended the door for him to start an have grown and gone on to to the fairgrounds. in-house advertising agency in 1977. careers in their own lives. did what many said couldn’t be done, In 1930 the fair constructed the football stadium In 1983 Bill left Americana, and along with a part- “They tell me that they PHOTO COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI PHOTO COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI now know as The Cotton Bowl. In 1934, the fair park moves Western Playland to new site ner, started the marketing consulting group—Adel- find themselves frequently Thanks to dedicated staff Holiday World is spotless. Holiday World takes great pride in making certain guests grounds were selected as the central exposition site man, Robinson & Associates, Inc.—to provide a variety picking up trash when they go feel right at home. El Paso’s amusement park since 1960, Western for the proposed Texas Centennial celebration and of marketing services to amusement parks, waterparks somewhere.” Koch also knows enjoying their day simply by Waterpark goes once again Playland is still El Paso’s fun park, but it’s no longer construction began on a $25 million project that trans- and others in the industry. In 1991, his partner left the that their employees identify being in a beautiful environ- to Schlitterbahn in New in Texas. It’s now across the state line in Sunland Park, formed the existing fairgrounds into a masterpiece of industry, and Bill formed his own company William H. with these standards. “People ment. Amusement Today has Braunfels. Xeriscaping brings New Mexico. art and imagination. The 1936 Texas Centennial Expo- Robinson, Inc. have told me they have left often heard guests comment in natural vegetation native to After 46 years of operation, Western Playland is set sition attracted more than 6 million people during its During the past 42 years, Bill has served two terms a job because it didn’t have that they just enjoy walking Texas to complement the beau- up for business on a new 25-acre site, west of town in six-month run. as a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors. As a our same values that they had around a park. Busch Gardens ty of the Comal River ambi- a growing entertainment district that features a casino Following the Centennial, the fair’s success contin- member of IAAPA’s�� Public Relations Committee (1981- experienced while working at in Williamsburg, Virginia con- ence. Walt Disney World’s and a horse-race track across the highway. Park owner ued with numerous marquee rides and coasters includ- 1986) he wrote the popular column Promotions Corner Holiday World.” tinues its stronghold on Best Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Pat Thomson has the family-geared park positioned for ing the Triple Track Racer and later the Comet coaster. in the associations Funworld magazine. He has also In the Cleanest category, Landscaping in an amuse- Lagoon boast the Disney success and growth for years to come. Most famous was perhaps the 1950’s addition of the served as chairman of the Promotions and Advertising Busch Gardens Europe placed ment park. Donnie Mills, touch to battle for second and But the path to the future has had as many ups and fair’s mascot, Big Tex, a talking 52-foot tall cowboy. Scrapbook Committee, and in 1986, he named, formed second, and three Disney parks general manager of Busch third place. Splashin’ Safari downs as a roller coaster ride. And it’s a roller coaster, But to guests making their annual visit to the Texas and co-chaired the first IAAPA Brass Ring Awards. —the original in California Gardens Europe, praises the and Boomerang Bay at Kings that was never built, causing all the problems. fair, two things stand out. A Fletcher’s corny dog is a Since 1974, Bill has received six service awards from and two parks at the Walt parks’ workers for its acco- Island close out the category. Park founders, Leo Hines and Wally Thompson must have and the Texas Star is a must do. Opening in IAAPA for work in the amusement industry. His clients Disney World complex—com- lades. “We are dedicated to Let’s eat! Good food at ��were ready to retire. Son Pat, who started working at 1985, the 212-foot-tall Ferris wheel was the tallest wheel have taken home the brass time and time again, win- plete the top five. excellence and credit our suc- a good price places Knoebels the park at the age of 12, was the natural choice to take in North America. ning more than 100 IAAPA Brass Ring Awards. They Other high ranking parks cess to our hard-working team firmly at the top once again over the park. As a result, he took over the park in 1998 Today, the 24-day fair draws more than 3 million have also been repeat receipents of the Wave Review in the Friendliest category are members,” Mills states. in the Best Food category. as president and part owner. His management style led guests and looks more like a park than a fair. That suc- �� Awards from the WWA and the Golden Token Awards Dollywood, which nabs a sec- Efteling, located in The Variety and quality speak to to much success in the park overseeing the installation cess is from the creative mind of fair president Errol from IALEI. Bill and his associates have also received ond place spot, followed by Netherlands, still has an the other finalists in the cat- Knoebels’ delicious, afford- of several new rides. But one new ride Pat wanted, he

McKoy, a longtime amusement industry veteran who advertising industry awards for creative and produc- Cedar Point, Knoebels, and impressive presence on our egory—Epcot, Dollywood, able food puts a smile on �� could never get—a roller coaster.

�� started with Six Flags Over Texas. tion excellence including the CLIO, ADDY and TELLY Magic Kingdom respectively. charts at second place. Bon- Busch Gardens Europe, and Because Western Playland was located in a county everyone’s face. Under McKoy’s watchful eye, the fair now features awards to name a few. Repeat winners are fante Gardens, Busch’s sister Silver Dollar City. park, Ascarate Park, it paid lease money to the county �� more than 300 exhibitors, 200 food vendors, 70 rides, �� To date Bill has been assisted more than 50 amuse-

also found with the Best park in Tampa, and Dollywood –Tim Baldwin �� for the land as well as a precentage of the ticket sales. �� PHOTO COURTESY livestock competitions, creative arts contests, football ment parks and related facilities with their develop- Landscaping category. So round out the top five. KNOEBELS / DAN FEICHT The amusement park was the lifeline of the county �� and first-class entertainment. His theme park roots ment of advertising and marketing campaigns, as well often guests find themselves Best Landscaping in a park. The worn out baseball fields and other park am- are seen throughout the grounds in signage, lighting, as their group sales efforts. menities never drew in the visitors like Western Play- the 2,000-plus trash cans and now with the planting of From the Benson’s, Hamel’s and Americana’s of land did. flowers that is second only to Disney’s Epcot for num- our past to Bill’s current list of Indiana Beach, Lake The first attempt to add a coaster was in 1990 when ber of flowers planted. The future looks even brighter Winnepesaukah and Knight’s Action Park, we know a deal had been reached to move an Arrow loop and with a sky ride, looping coaster, observation tower and those parks are like Allstate, they’re in good hands. corkscrew coaster to the park, but the county would not more planned in the next few years. Congratulations Bill Robinson on “supplying” our allow it. In 2000, Pat thought he would try to build a Congratulations to the State Fair of Texas on your industry with 45 years of outstanding work! new $2 million wooden coaster on 1.5-acres of unused 120 outstanding years! land next to park. On paper it looked good. The park would finally get its new signature ride and the county would get more money from the park on land rental and the increased ticket revenues. Once again, the county commissioners said no. That turned out to be the last straw for Pat, who then spent the next several years searching for a way out. He wanted out of the county park and out of his lease. He found the right opportunity and quickly took advantage, making plans to move the park. On July 1, the new 23 ride facility opened to the joys of the El Paso faithful. Two new rides, a Miler family coaster and a Larson Flying Scooter give the guests the new rides they wanted, at least until that signature PHOTO COURTESY WHR INC. roller coaster arrives. And when it does, this time, Pat Thomson won’t have to get permission from the coun- The group sales force at Americana Amusement PHOTO COURTESY BUSCH GARDENS EUROPE PHOTO COURTESY SCHLITTERBAHN PHOTO COURTESY TEXAS STATE FAIR Park in 1976 included l to r: Tom Moulton, Ron Each fall the State Fair of Texas super midway ty. Guests at Busch Gardens are mesmerized by beautiful, thematic land- Lush foliage and playful topiaries enhance the scenic beauty of the origi- For his continued efforts, we salute Pat Thomson as Berni, Guy Sutton, Uncle Freddy the Fun Bear, scapes rich with details of authentic European botanical gardens. nal Schlitterbahn waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas. features more than 70 thrilling rides. AT’s Person of the Year. Frank Silvani and William Robinson. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 12 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 13

CongratulationsCongratulations Bill!Bill! OverOver 4545 YearsYears ofof “Big“Big Ideas”Ideas” andand BigBig ResultsResults!!

FROM YOUR FRIENDS & ASSOCIATES:

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14B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 15B

�� Park and Ride Winners Three-year format awards Certain Golden Ticket Awards get a rotating format Ranked by percentage of votes cast �� BEST CAPACITY Each year, a few categories go into a rota- the new-for-2006 Expedition Everest at Disney’s Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 42% tion while newer categories are introduced. The Animal Kingdom. The elaborately-themed run- �� Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 14% 2006 edition sees Best Capacity returning after a away roller coaster encountering a fabled yeti �� Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 9% three year rotation, as well as Best Theming of an made an admirable charge, but the over-the-top The Best New Rides of 2006 Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. (tie) 4% Attraction. A new category, Best Concert Venue experience of castle queuing, themed trains, and BEST PARK Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. (tie) 4% in a Park was introduced. thematic environment let Dueling Dragons at the Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 37% BEST THEMING OF AN ATTRACTION Moving lines quickly is very important to Universal property stay on top. BEST NEW RIDE FOR 2006 (Amusement Park) parks wanting to reach a quality capacity to their Two more Disney attractions, Twilight Zone Pleasure Beach Blackpool Blackpool, England 10% Dueling Dragons Islands of Adventure 22% Voyage Holiday World 50% attractions. Cedar Point once again takes the Tower of Terror and Indiana Jones and the Temple Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 8% Expedition Everest Disney’s Animal Kingdom 18% Expedition Everest Disney’s Animal Kingdom 16% Golden Ticket for moving their lines efficiently. of the Forbidden Eye rated highly. Universal's Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 7% Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney-MGM 11% El Toro Six Flags Great Adventure 8% Indiana Jones...Forbidden Eye Disneyland 7% The Point was the previous winner on this rotat- Revenge of the Mummy closed out the finalists. Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. (tie) 6% Goliath Six Flags Over Georgia 7% Revenge of the Mummy Universal Studios Orlando 6% ing category. A trickier category for our panel may have Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. (tie) 6% Kentucky Rumbler Beech Bend Amusement Park 4% Other finalists are Magic Kingdom and been this year’s Best Concert Venue in a Park. Europa Park Rust, Germany (tie) 5% BEST PARK CONCERT VENUE Disneyland, partly due to their free Fast Pass The top four places were all separated by one per- Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 13% Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. (tie) 5% system available to all guests. Holiday World and centage point.Taking first place was Paramount’s Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 4% Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 12% BEST NEW RIDE FOR 2006 (Waterpark) Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 11% Knoebels also earn high marks in the category. Kings Island. Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Hersheypark Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 3% Best Theming of an Attraction saw a strong and Six Flags Darien Lake closely followed. Bahari River Splashin’ Safari 32% Six Flags Darien Lake Darien Center, N.Y. 10% Universal Orlando Orlando, Fla. 6% competition between previous champion Universal Orlando closed out the category. BEST WATERPARK Time Warp Noah’s Ark (tie) 15% Dueling Dragons at Islands of Adventure and —Tim Baldwin Tornado Six Flags Great America (tie) 15% Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 52% Fire Tower Falls Dolly’s Splash Country 9% Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 22% Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 6% Noah’s Ark Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 5% Typhoon Lagoon Orlando, Fla. 4% BEST WATERPARK RIDE BEST CHILDREN’S PARK Master Blaster Schlitterbahn 34% Legoland California Carlsbad, Calif. 43% Zinga Splashin’ Safari 13% Idlewild Ligonier, Pa. 15% Zoombabwe Splashin’ Safari 7% Memphis Kiddie Park Cleveland, Ohio (tie) 8% Typhoon Six Flags New England 6% Sesame Place Langhorne, Pa. (tie) 8% Black Anaconda Noah’s Ark (tie) 4% Kiddieland Chicago, Ill. 6% Summit Plummet Blizzard Beach (tie) 4%

BEST MARINE LIFE PARK BEST KIDS’ AREA SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 65% Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 53% PHOTO COURTESY CEDAR POINT PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE PHOTO COURTESY PARAMOUNT’S KINGS ISLAND SeaWorld San Antonio San Antonio, Texas 15% Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 11% Moving guests quickly through queue lines is Dueling Dragons, IOA’s “king of the castle,” Top honor for park concert venue went to PKI’s SeaWorld San Diego San Diego, Calif. 8% Paramount’s Carowinds Charolotte, N.C. 6% one of Cedar Point’s award-winning specialties. retains the title for best themed attraction. massive TimberWolf Amphitheatre. Marineland Niagara Falls, Ontario (tie) 6% Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 5% Six Flags Marine World Vallejo, Calif. (tie) 6% Idlewild Ligonier, Pa. 4%

FRIENDLIEST PARK BEST LANDSCAPING (Park) Golden Ticket survey ballots defined by region �� Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 44% Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 44% From its inception in �� Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 20% �� Efteling Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands 14% 1998, Amusement Today has Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 11% �� Bonfante Gardens Gilroy, Calif. 8% continued to seek out the Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. (tie) 5% Busch Gardens Africa Tampa, Fla. 6% well-traveled enthusiast and Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. (tie) 5% Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 4% park afficianado. In an effort to keep the Golden Ticket CLEANEST PARK BEST LANDSCAPING (Waterpark) Award survey balanced and Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 46% Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 29% as fair as possible, the United Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 10% Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 20% States is divided into four Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 9% Typhoon Lagoon Orlando, Fla. 17% geographical regions and an 3 Magic Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 7% Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 8% equal number of survey bal- 2 Epcot Orlando, Fla. 5% Boomerang Bay/PKI Kings Mills, Ohio 4% lots were sent to each region. In addition, several interna- BEST SHOWS BEST OUTDOOR NIGHT PRODUCTION tional participants also took 1 Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 28% Epcot Orlando, Fla. 31% the survey. Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 21% Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 22% Amusement Today is Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 10% Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 14% extremely indebted to the Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 6% Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio (tie) 10% hundreds of kind people Disney-MGM Orlando, Fla. 5% Disney-MGM Orlando, Fla. (tie) 10% who took the time, effort, and thought into completing the BEST FOOD BEST DARK RIDE survey and returning it to Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 24% Amazing Adventures of Spiderman Islands of Adventure 35% AT. Your expertise is not only 4 Epcot Orlando, Fla. 17% Haunted Mansion Knoebels Amusement Resort 15% appreciated, but also your Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 10% Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney-MGM 7% kindness. Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. (tie) 9% Indiana Jones...Forbidden Eye Disneyland 6% Any well-traveled enthu- Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. (tie) 9% Haunted Mansion Magic Kingdom 5% siasts who wish to be considered for the 2007 survey BEST WATER RIDE (Park) BEST HALLOWEEN EVENT can contact us by email at tbaldwin@amusementtoday. Dudley Do-Rights’ Ripsaw Falls Islands of Adventure 25% Universal Orlando Orlando, Fla. 23% com or by postal mail. Valhalla Pleasure Beach Blackpool 18% Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 22% Amusement Today is eagerly Mountain Slidewinder Dollywood 9% Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 13% interested in expanding our Splash Mountain Magic Kingdom 8% 5 – International Surveys Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 11% intenational participants. Journey to Atlantis SeaWorld Orlando 8% Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 9% C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 16 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 17

16B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 It’s Show time! Six Flags Fiesta Texas takes Best Show category; Epcot’s Illuminations wins Best Outdoor Night Production; Universal Orlando puts on ghoul make-up to win Best Halloween Event

Shows can often be a sim- the category of Best Shows so we consistently look for Six Flags Fiesta Texas’ ple place to duck out of a rain- and keeps the historical foun- new and innovative ways to extremely popular Lone Star

�� storm or just to take a break dation upon which the park dazzle our guests and pres- Spectacular with a cliff wall from the heat. But quite often, was built continually at the �� ent an unparalleled quality of as its backdrop takes run- they are an integral part of a forefront. Adopting the tag- �� show productions.” ner up in the category, and guest’s experience and many line, “Come for the Rides, Stay �� Other finalists include a Cedar Point’s Summertime parks take particular pride in for the Shows,” Fiesta Texas strong second place show- Spectacular rounds out the showcasing some first class believes its many shows cater ing by Dollywood. The top finalists in 4th position. entertainment. to each and every member of states, “We do realize you five are completed by Busch Introduced as a new cat- For the last eight years, Six the family. Martin Bozer, gen- just can’t become comfortable Gardens Europe, Silver Dollar egory for AT last year, Best Flags Fiesta Texas has taken eral manager for Fiesta Texas with this acknowledgement, City, and Disney-MGM of the Halloween Event is a produc- Walt Disney World Resort. tion all its own. In 2005 it was Many parks offer an out- one of the closest races on door extravaganza to close the Golden Tickets. This year out a day’s experience that was no different with just one quite often becomes a grand percentage point separating finale. Disney parks take three second place from top bill. In a of the top five, with Epcot’s flip-flop of last year, Univer- Illuminations: Reflections of sal’s Halloween Horror Nights Earth claiming top prize. Brad overtook Knott’s Halloween Rex, vice president of Epcot, Haunt for the 2006 Ticket. This says, “Illuminations is a source year will be the 16th year for of great pride for all of us at Halloween Horror Nights. Jim Walt Disney World Resort. Timon, senior vice president On behalf of the terrific cast of entertainment for Universal members at Epcot, we are Orlando, says, “Our scream indeed grateful for the indus- team of designers has created try recognition as represented a twisted ‘Sweet 16’ celebra- in this Golden Ticket Award.” tion that will not be for the Fantasmic on both coasts place faint-of-heart.” Disneyland and Disney-MGM The Halloween cate- as finalists, with Disneyland gory also sees Kennywood, providing an additional fire- Knoebels, and Cedar Point as works celebration at closing top five finalists. time. –Tim Baldwin

PHOTO COURTESY SIX FLAGS FIESTA TEXAS This Broadway caliber rock ‘n’ roll stage production is one of several hit shows that gar- nered Six Flags Fiesta Texas the Best Show win for an unprecedented 8th year in a row.

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSAL ORLANDO Universal’s annual Halloween Horror Nights killed the PHOTO COURTESY EPCOT competition to take the top honor in the Best Halloween Illuminations takes the ticket for Best Outdoor Night Show Production at Disney’s Epcot. Event category. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 18 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 19

September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 19B It’s Ride time! Best Dark Ride; Best Water Ride; Best Waterpark Ride and Best Kid’s Area winners announced

Go for a ride! Riding is the favorite activity at Master Blaster maintains its dominance as Best virtually any park a guest might visit. Our panel of Waterpark Ride. Schlitterbahn’s masterpiece opened experts have ridden countless unique and beloved in 1996. Splashin’ Safari’s double “z”s, Zinga and

favorites from around the world. Among their favor- �� Zoombabwe, take the next two spots. Two uphill ites are those found in AT’s Best Dark Ride category. coasters by ProSlide complete the category with Votes cast range from Rehobeth Beach to Tokyo. In Typhoon at Six Flags New England’s Hurricane a repeat win from previous years, IOA’s Amazing �� Harbor and Black Anaconda at Noah’s Ark in Adventures of Spiderman has captivated our panel. �� Wisconsin Dells.

Knoebel’s traditional Haunted Mansion dark ride, The Paramount chain continues to showcase �� always well-maintained, rates highly as well. Disney �� the formula for kids’ areas. Three Paramount parks closes out the top five with Florida’s Twilight Zone appear in the top five with Kings Island continuing Tower of Terror, Disneyland’s Indiana Jones and the to seize the Golden Ticket for Best Kids’ Area. Sister Temple of the Forbidden Eye, and Haunted Mansion parks Carowinds and Kings Dominion place third at the Magic Kingdom. park. Placing second is last year’s victor, Valhalla and fourth respectively. Islands of Adventure contin- Heat waves in 2006 made water rides in parks at Pleasure Beach Blackpool. Rising in the ranks is ues to delight audiences with its Seuss Landing with extremely popular ways to cool off. An annual battle the hootin’ and hollerin’ Mountain Slidewinder at a second place win. Idlewild, a top competitor in the between our two top contendors sees a switch once Dollywood. Splash Mountain at the Magic Kindgom Best Children’s Park, also wins high marks with its again. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls reclaims and Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando put a dedicated kids’ area to round out the top five. the title for Best Water Ride in an amusement Floridian hold on closing out the category. –Tim Baldwin

It’s nice to get an award everyone looks up to.

PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSAL’S ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE IOA’s Amazing Adventures of Spiderman hangs onto its title as Best Dark IOA’s Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls splashes back into the number one Ride for the sixth consecutive year. spot for Best Park Water Ride.

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PHOTO COURTESY SCHLITTERBAHN PHOTO COURTESY PARAMOUNT’S KINGS ISLAND The Best Waterpark Ride ticket goes to MasterBlaster. Schitterbahn’s Another sixth time recipient, Paramount’s Kings Island keeps the win-

�� beloved water attraction has won this award eight out of nine years since ning streak going for Best Kid’s Area. the Golden Ticket Awards debuted in 1998. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 20 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 21 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 22 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 23 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 24 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 25

24B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2005 Hold on tight and scream! Six Flags New England reclaims Top Steel Coaster spot in survey

Hold on tight, its a long way up. The 2006 roller coast- �� er charts offer the latest sur- �� prise in the war of steel. ��

Since the debut of our �� top two steel coasters in 2000, they have battled annually with each claiming top prize With the removal of the inver- at some point. Year after year, sions and a concentration on the competition heats up, often speed and drops, Phantom’s coming down to the final day Revenge climbs even higher of tabulation to determine a this year into the No. 7 spot. victor. B&M set the coaster world Superman Ride of Steel on fire with the introduction at Six Flags New England has of the inverted coaster in the enthralled coaster fanatics 1990s. Since then, dozens have for years with the abundance appeared worldwide. The of wild airtime, or negative highest one on our charts is g’s, experienced on its amaz- Montu, landing in the top ten ing layout. In 2003, it took at No. 8. the Golden Ticket for No. 1 The only new-for-2006 Steel Coaster after a two-year steel coaster to land in AT’s run by Millennium Force at top ten list this year is Goliath Cedar Point. Following that, at Six Flags Over Georgia. Millennium Force took it back Receiving rave reviews, this for the last two years. In a vir- PHOTO COURTESY SIX FLAGS NEW ENGLAND graceful beauty is also a cre- tual steel wrestling match, our Superman Ride of Steel stands high above the banks of the Connecticut River at Six ation of B&M. voters have rated Superman Flags New England. It also stands high above all other steel roller coasters—in the No single park can claim to the No. 1 Steel Coaster once have two steel coasters in the Number 1 position. again in 2006. Millennium Golden Ticket top ten, except Force places at No. 2 poised to not forgotten it. It rates No. 3 in Williamsburg reaches for Intamin. for Cedar Point, which can do battle in the next season. on this year’s charts. the sky with Apollo’s Chariot. What started as a mega actually boast three. Top Thrill With its debut in 1989, Magnum birthed a The highest rated inter- coaster with four inversions Dragster, a record setter when Magnum XL-200 was the first genre of hyper coasters and national coaster continues in 1990, Kennywood’s Steel it opened in 2003 for breaking coaster to break the 200-foot two by B&M round out the to be Expedition Ge-Force at Phantom, saw a re-emer- the 400-foot barrier, completes barrier. Now, Cedar Point has top five. Six Flags Great Holiday Park in Hassloch, gence by being transformed our top ten. Dragster is a proj- four coasters over 200 feet, but Adventure features Nitro, Germany. Like our top two by Morgan Manufacturing in ect by Intamin. Magnum’s legion of fans have while Busch Gardens Europe coasters, it is also built by 2001 into Phantom’s Revenge. –Tim Baldwin

PHOTO COURTESY ACE / HOWARD GILLOOLY AT PHOTO / GARY SLADE AT PHOTO / GARY SLADE PHOTO COURTESY ACE / JOE SCHWARTZ Rounding out the Top 5 on the Best Steel Coasters list are (left to right): No. 2-Cedar Point’s 310-foot tall speed demon, Millennium Force; No. 3-the world’s first coaster to break the 200-foot height level, Magnum XL-200, also at Cedar Point; No. 4-The always intense B&M Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure; and No. 5-Apollo’s Chariot, another dynamic B&M thriller, at Busch Gardens Europe. Congratulations to all of the winners. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 26 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 27

26B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 27B

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�� The List The List �� 2006 TOP 50 STEEL ROLLER COASTERS 2006 TOP 50 STEEL ROLLER COASTERS ��

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags New England Agawam, Mass. 2000 Intamin 1129 26 Mamba Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Mo. 1998 Morgan 102

2 Millennium Force Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2000 Intamin 1052 27 Titan Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 2001 Giovanola 98

3 Magnum XL-200 Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1989 Arrow 663 28 Kingda Ka Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2005 Intamin 88

4 Nitro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2001 B & M 615 29 Goliath Walabi World Flevo, The Netherlands 2002 Intamin 83

5 Apollo’s Chariot Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 1999 B & M 610 30 Big Bad Wolf Busch Gardens Europe Wiliamsburg, Va. 1984 Arrow 79

6 Expedition Ge-Force Holiday Park Hassloch, Germany 2001 Intamin 500 31 Expedition Everest Disney’s Animal Kingdom Orlando, Fla. 2006 Vekoma/WED Imag. 77

7 Phantom’s Revenge Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 2001 Morgan/Arrow 446 32 Top Gun The Jet Coaster Paramount Carowinds Charlotte, N.C. 1999 B & M 74

8 Montu Busch Gardens Africa Tampa, Fla. 1996 B & M 388 33 Superman Krypton Coaster Six Flags Fiesta Texas San Antonio, Texas 2000 B & M 72

9 Goliath Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 2006 B & M 354 34 Euro-Mir Europa Park Rust, Germany 2002 B & M 71

10 Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 2003 Intamin 333 35 Xcelerator Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 2002 Intamin 68

11 Raging Bull Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1999 B & M 319 36 Shock Wave Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1978 Schwarzkopf 62

12 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags Darien Lake Darien Center, N.Y. 1999 Intamin 304 37 Goliath La Ronde Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2006 B & M 59

13 SheiKra Busch Gardens Africa Tampa, Fla. 2005 B & M 237 38 Riddler’s Revenge Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 1998 B & M 58

14 Raptor Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1994 B & M 219 39 Storm Runner Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2004 Intamin 57

15 Steel Force Dorney Park Allentown, Pa. 1997 Morgan 214 40 (tie) Talon Dorney Park Allentown, Pa. 2001 B & M 56

16 Nemesis Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 1994 B & M 212 40 (tie) Tatsu Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2006 B & M 56

17 Alpengeist Busch Gardens Europe Williamsburg, Va. 1997 B & M 206 42 (tie) The Big One Pleasure Beach Blackpool Blackpool, England 1994 Arrow 51

18 Dueling Dragons Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B & M 204 42 (tie) Dominator Geauga Lake Aurora, Ohio 2000 B & M 51

19 Mind Bender Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 1978 Schwarzkopf 182 44 Mindbender Galaxyland Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 1985 Schwarzkopf 48

20 X Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2002 Arrow 181 45 (tie) Desperado Buffalo Bill’s Casino Primm, Nev. 1993 Arrow 47

21 (tie) Incredible Hulk Coaster Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 1999 B & M 157 45 (tie) Kraken SeaWorld Orlando Orlando, Fla. 2000 B & M 47

21 (tie) Kumba Busch Gardens Africa Tampa, Fla. 1993 B & M 157 45 (tie) Medusa Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 1999 B & M 47

23 Superman Ride of Steel Six Flags America Largo, Md. 2000 Intamin 156 48 PowderKeg Silver Dollar City Branson, Mo. 2005 S & S 45

24 Goliath Six Flags Magic Mountain Valencia, Calif. 2000 Giovanola 155 49 (tie) Air Alton Towers Staffordshire, England 2002 B & M 43

25 Volcano Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1998 Intamin 110 49 (tie) Superman Ultimate Flight Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 2003 B & M 43

WeWe wouldwould likelike toto thankthank ourour worldwideworldwide fansfans forfor makingmaking 969s

#1 in Europe five years in a row! Amusement Today Golden Ticket Award 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 /Germany · www.holidaypark.de ® C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 28 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 29

September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 29B New from and Clickety clack! Dollywood’s Thunderhead repeats as winner of Best Wooden Coaster

Those who listen to fathers

talk to their children at amuse- �� ment parks might commonly �� hear them speak about the ��

"clickety clack" of a roller coast- �� er. While many steel coasters are �� now the high-profile showpiec- es to several parks, that ines- five years later to give the park capable nostalgic ambience of a a solid one-two punch. With wooden coaster never goes out Voyage, Holiday World can not of style. The sights, sounds, and only boast being the only park smell of an authentic wooden to have two wooden coasters in coaster have mesmerized park- the top ten, but now an incred- goers for over a century. ible three. Dollywood holds on tight At No. 8, Kings Islands' Bounty with its second year win. Beast still maintains a foot- Thunderhead roared onto the hold on the top ten. It has held scene in 2004 and reached the the record for world's longest top of the chart last year. wooden coaster since its debut Hot on its heels is Holiday in 1979. World's new Voyage, which Bookending the top ten Back Splash 8- & 10-Inversion Coaster made the highest debut of any is another creation by Great roller coaster in the history Coasters International and is of the Golden Ticket Awards. the highest rated racing coaster Voyage also took the Golden on our charts - Hersheypark's

Accelerator Ticket for Best New Ride of Lightning Racer. Its intertwined 2006. Next year we could see a layout and racing action has PHOTO COURTESY JOEL STYER hard fought battle between the often been viewed as a master- top two champs. The Best Wooden Coaster of 2005 is also the Best Wooden Coaster of 2006. Designed piece of engineering. Amazingly, even with hun- and constructed by Great Coasters International, Dollywood’s sensational Thunderhead Other new-for-2006 woodies dreds and hundreds of points, wooden twister continues to be a fan favorite. are Intamin's El Toro debuting Amusement Today has seen a tie as at No. 13 and GCII's Kentucky high as third place. BoulderDash could have more than one major to be the quintessential roller debut in 1998. Rumbler tying at No. 20. at Lake Compounce and Hades competition on its hands. coaster ride. Out-distanced by Voyage, A sheer testament to the at Mount Olympus share this Phoenix, with roots dating Shivering Timbers main- but not forgotten is another pair expertise of the panel can be upper tier spot. BouderDash back to the 1940s, was relo- tains its top ten performance, of woodies at Holiday World. found with coasters listed No. was a previous No. 1 place hold- cated to Knoebels in 1985, and even with newer brethren The park's original wooden 23-30. There you will find eight er two years ago, and Hades since then, there was no turning squeezing into a place or two. gem, Raven, put the park on coasters from eight different took Best New Ride of 2005 last back. The legendary classic by It has brought in crowds at enthusiasts' radar screens, countries on those consecutive year. It would appear that 2007 Herbert Schmeck is often said Michigan's Adventure since its which was followed by Legend listings. –Tim Baldwin

Halfpipe

Rapids Ride

Accelerator Double Splash

The Art of Thrill PHOTO COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD / DAN FEICHT PHOTO COURTESY LAKE COMPOUNCE AT PHOTO / GARY SLADE PHOTO COURTESY JOEL STYER Landstrasse 126, P.O. Box 644, FL-9494 Schaan, Liechtenstein Rounding out the Top 5 on the Best Wooden Coasters list are (left to right): Making an impressive debut at No. 2, The Voyage at Holiday World is grab- Phone: +423/237 03 43, Fax: +423/237 03 40, E-Mail: [email protected], www.ridetrade.com bing the attention of seasoned riders; Tied in the No. 3 spot are-Boulder Dash, the terrain gripping mountain coaster at Lake Compounce, and Hades at Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, with its wild layout and thrilling underground tunnels; and No. 5-Phoenix, Knoebel’s air-time extravaganza. C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 30 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 31

30B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 September 2006 AMUSEMENT TODAY 31B

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�� The List The List �� 2006 TOP 50 WOODEN ROLLER COASTERS 2006 TOP 50 WOODEN ROLLER COASTERS ��

RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS RANK NAME PARK LOCATION YEAR SUPPLIER POINTS

1 Thunderhead Dollywood Pigeon Forge, Tenn. 2004 GCII 904 26 Grand National Pleasure Beach Blackpool Blackpool, England 1935 Paige 146

2 The Voyage Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2006 Gravity Group 844 27 Balder Liseberg Gothenberg, Sweden 2003 Intamin 135

3 (tie) BouderDash Lake Compounce Bristol, Conn. 2000 CCI 746 28 Coaster Playland Vancouver, British Columbia 1958 Phare 130

3 (tie) Hades Mt. Olympus Theme Park Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2005 Gravity Group 746 29 Twister Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1999 Fetterman/Knoebels 115

5 Phoenix Knoebels Amusement Resort Elysburg, Pa. 1985 Dinn/PTC-Schmeck 720 30 Tonnerre de Zeus Parc Asterix Plailly, France 1997 CCI 112

6 Shivering Timbers Michigan’s Adventure Muskegon, Mich. 1998 CCI 696 31 Georgia Cyclone Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 1990 Dinn/Summers 108

7 Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 1995 CCI 624 32 Viper Six Flags Great America Gurnee, Ill. 1995 Starkey/Six Flags 103

8 The Beast Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 1979 KECO 431 33 The Boss Six Flags St. Louis Eureka, Mo. 2000 CCI 92

9 Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 2000 CCI 420 34 Giant Dipper Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Santa Cruz, Calif. 1924 Prior & Church/Looff 86

10 Lightning Racer Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 2000 GCII 385 35 Silver Comet Martin’s Fantasy Island Grand Island, N.Y. 1999 CCI 77

11 Avalanche Timber Falls Wisconsin Dells, Wis. 2004 S & S 286 36 New Mexico Rattler Cliff’s Amusement Park Albuquerque, N.M. 2002 Cliff’s 76

12 GhostRider Knott’s Berry Farm Buena Park, Calif. 1998 CCI 279 37 Jack Rabbit Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1921 Miller/PTC 70

13 El Toro Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, N.J. 2006 Intamin 218 38 Blue Streak Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 1964 Hoover/PTC 63

14 Texas Giant Six Flags Over Texas Arlington, Texas 1991 Dinn/Summers 211 39 Roar Six Flags America Largo, Md. 1998 GCII 57

15 Rampage Alabama Adventure Bessemer, Ala. 1998 CCI 209 40 Great Am. Scream Machine Six Flags Over Georgia Atlanta, Ga. 1973 Allen/PTC 54

16 Cyclone Astroland (Coney Island) Brooklyn, N.Y. 1927 Keenen/Baker 208 41 (tie) Grizzly Paramount’s Kings Dominion Doswell, Va. 1982 Summers/KECO 52

17 Tremors Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1999 CCI 196 41 (tie) Timber Terror Silverwood Athol, Idaho 1996 CCI 52

18 Cornball Express Indiana Beach Monticllo, Ind. 2001 CCI 167 43 (tie) Racer Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1927 Miller/PTC 49

19 Thunderbolt Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 1968 Vettel/Miller 163 43 (tie) Wildcat Hersheypark Hershey, Pa. 1996 GCII 49

20 (tie) Kentucky Rumbler Beech Bend Amusement Park Bowling Green, Ky. 2006 GCII 160 45 Hurricane Boomers Dania Beach, Fla. 2000 Coaster Works 47

20 (tie) Ozark Wildcat Celebration City Branson, Mo. 2003 GCII 160 46 Gwazi Busch Gardens Africa Tampa, Fla. 1999 GCII 46

22 Comet The Great Escape Lake George, N.Y. 1994 Schmeck/PTC 155 47 Thunder Coaster Tusenfryd Vintebro, Norway 2001 Vekoma 40

23 Colossos Heide Park Soltau, Germany 2001 Intamin 154 48 Son of Beast Paramount’s Kings Island Kings Mills, Ohio 2000 Stengel/RCCA 36

24 Megafobia Oakwood Leisure Park Pembrokeshire, Wales 1996 CCI 153 49 Timberwolf Worlds of Fun Kansas City, Mo. 1989 Dinn/Summers 35

25 Aska Nara Dreamland Nara, Japan 1998 Intamin 148 50 Cyclone Lakeside Park Denver, Colo. 1940 Vettel 33

Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005- 5427. For subscription information visit www.amusementtoday.com or call (817) 460-7220. The entire contents of this Bonus Section are copy- righted 2006 by Amusement Today Inc. Additional copies of the Bonus Section are available by calling Amusement Today. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all our survey participants and advertisers for making this section possible.

Bonus Section Staff: Gary Slade, Tim Baldwin, Alice Baron, Sammy Piccola, Janice Witherow and Terrence L. Lind, TL Creative Design C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 32 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 33

32B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 Repeat! Wooden Wonders Golden Ticket Awards reveal Year after year, the Best Wooden Coaster surveys parks that love to repeat rank several fan-favorites A repeat performance. consistently in the Top 10. For several parks, that’s what the annual Golden Ticket Awards The Beast at Paramount’s have become. But for four parks, they can lay claim to a perfect Kings Island takes riders record. on a long journey through Their ability to shine on a season-to-season basis has made the woods; Shivering them “The Best of the Best” for nine years in row, the entire lifespan Timber’s at Michigan’s of the Golden Ticket Awards. They have not been unseated from Adventure offers a lengthy their respective category. out-and back experi- Who are they? �� ence; Lightning Racer at •Busch Gardens Europe, Best Landscaping �� •Cedar Point, Best Amusement/Theme Park Hersheypark is a racing ��

•Holiday World, Friendliest Park and dueling coaster built �� •Schlitterbahn, Best Waterpark exclusively for fun. The survey partcipants have voted these four parks in as the very best at what they do for nine consecutive years. For that, PHOTO COURTESY PARAMOUNT’S KINGS ISLAND Amusement Today says congratulations on an outstanding job. From your manangement team to your seasonal staffer, you have mananged to carry on the tradition of being the best. Other parks worth mentioning for their outstanding yearly contributions include: •Schlitterbahn, Best Waterpark Ride (8 years) •Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Best Shows (8 years) and, •Cedar Point, Best Capacity & Best Steel Coaster (7 years) •Holiday World, Cleanest Park, (7 years) •Knoebels Amusement Resort, Best Food (7 years) Since its beginning in 1998, Amusement Today has presented a total of 169 Golden Ticket Awards, including this year’s class of winners. Congratulations to all the winners, from the one-time winners to the repeat performers. Keep up the great work! —Gary Slade AT PHOTO / GARY SLADE PHOTO COURTESY JOEL STYER VOTEDVOTED THETHE NUMBERNUMBER 0NE0NE WOODENWOODEN ROLLERROLLER COASTERCOASTER TWOTWO YEARSYEARS ININ AA ROW!ROW! THUNDERHEADTHUNDERHEAD CONGRATULATIONS TO DOLLYWOOD!

THE BEST WOODEN COASTER GREAT FEATURES THE BEST COASTER TRAINS Millennium Flyer COASTERS HIGH PERFORMANCE COASTER TRAINS EXCLUSIVELY FROM GCII INTERNATIONAL, INC. GREAT COASTERS INTERNATIONAL is THE leader in designing, engineering and building the world's highest quality wooden roller coasters, including www.greatcoasters.com THUNDERHEAD — Voted the BEST WOODEN ROLLER COASTER two years in a row in the 2005 & 2006 Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards Survey. CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS: Phone: (570) 286-9330 • email: [email protected] INQUIRIES IN NORTH AMERICA: Leisure Labs LLC • Phone: (941) 929-0535 • email: [email protected] INQUIRIES IN EUROPE & ASIA: Güenter-Engelhardt GmbH • Phone: +49 511 814001 • email: [email protected] C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 34 C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 35

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36B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 Class of 2005 - A look back at last year’s Golden Ticket Winners 8 OF THE 2005’s Golden Ticket Winners THE VOYAGE BOULDER DASH WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SA E COMPOUNCE THEME PARK HOLIDAY FARI LAK Did you forget who won Golden Tickets in 2005? In all, 25 Golden Tickets were awarded to 16 different parks and two differ- TOP 10 ent individuals. Here is a quick recap: WOODEN COASTERS •Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Best Water Ride •Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Best Landscaping (Amuse- ALL USE THE WORLD’S ment Park) •Cedar Point Amusement Park, Best Park, Best Souvenirs, Best Games Area, Best Steel Coaster MOST POPULAR •Disneyland, Publisher’s Pick (Park of the Year) •Dollywood, Best Wooden Coaster •Epcot - Walt Disney World, Best Outdoor Night Show Pro- COASTER TRAINS! HADES THE PHOENIX duction MUSEMENT R LYMPUS WATER & THEME PARK KNOEBEL’S A ESORT •Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Friendliest Park, Cleanest MT. O Park •Knoebels Amusement Resort, Best Food •Knott’s Berry Farm, Best Halloween Event •Nick Laskaris (Mt. Olympus Park), Publisher’s Pick (Person of the Year) •Legoland California, Best Children’s Park AT PHOTO / STACEY CHILDRESS •Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park, Best New Ride 2005 in The 2005 Golden Ticket Award attendees: (back row l to r) Rusty Razor, SeaWorld San an Amusement Park, Best Place to Ride Go-Karts Antonio; Nick Laskaris, Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park; Gary Henry, Schlitterbahn; •Noah’s Ark Waterpark, Best New Ride 2005 in a Waterpark Maureen kaiser, Paramount’s Kings Island; (middle row l to r) Becky Phelps, Disneyland; •Paramount’s Kings Island, Best Kid’s Area Rebecca Godsil, Walt Disney World; Adam Sandy, Ride Entertainment Systems; Jane •Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Best Waterpark, Best Waterpark Cooper, IAAPA; Gina Kellogg, World Waterpark Association; Terri Adams, Schlitterbahn; Ride, Best Landscaping in a Waterpark Pat Koch, Holiday World; Carole Sanderson, ACE; David Blazer, Six Flags Fiesta Texas; SHIVERING TIMBERS THE RAVEN •Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Best Shows Barbara Joines, Dollywood; Jack Falfas, Cedar Fair; (front row l to r) Dick Knoebel, GAN’S ADVENTUR WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SA MICHI E HOLIDAY FARI •Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Best Dark Ride Knoebel’s Amusement Resort; John Hildebrant, Cedar Point; Tim Baldwin, Amusement •Werner Stengel, Publisher’s Pick (Supplier of the Year) Today; Harold Hudson, Gary Slade, Amusement Today; and Dick Kinzel, Cedar Fair.

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38B AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2006 2006 Best New Rides swept by Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

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On the waterpark side, it was a quieter year than most. Attractions debuted here and there, but captured less of the attention of our panel this season. Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari’s new Bahari River added needed capacity to the waterpark. This second lazy river made several advancements over the park’s PHOTO COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI PHOTO COURTESY HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI / DAN FEICHT original, including interactive Splashin’ Safari guests love to chill out in Bahari River. Holiday World’s debut of The Voyage rolls in as this year’s water elements and larger Beat the heat in the Best New Ride in a Waterpark. Best New Ride in an Amusement Park. size. Bahari River took Best New Ride in a Waterpark. Best New Ride category, the capacity and we needed space is the anchor to the new sec- in this category, Hades at Mt. Noah’s Ark took this amusement park scenario was —so the section came first.” tion and it has taken our panel Olympus. category last year, but their anything but. Holiday World’s Koch said several ideas were on a thrilling journey they are Two wooden and two new Time Warp, an enclosed The Voyage made a trium- discussed before adopting the still raving about. The Voyage, steel coasters complete this and themed behemoth bowl phant surge to dominate the Thanksgiving themed area, debuting at No. 2 on our category. Disney’s Expedition by ProSlide, grabbed a sec- category. and it also seemed like an wooden list, easily claimed Everest takes the No. 2 spot, ond place tie with Six Flags Amusement Today asked opportunity to add a dark Best New Ride for 2006. “A followed by El Toro at Six Great America’s Tornado, also Holiday World’s matriarch, ride, something she had want- wooden coaster is considered Flags Great Adventure. Our by ProSlide. Dolly’s Splash Pat Koch, as to which came ed at the park for a long time. a family ride,” Koch adds. “It’s last two finalists are Goliath Country was the remaining first, the new coaster or the The Thanksgiving section let a good anchor to the section.” at Six Flags Over Georgia and finalist with Fire Tower Falls. new Thanksgiving section. the park incorporate one, but The new thriller was designed Kentucky Rumbler at Beech While waterparks may Koch paused before replying. didn’t have to make it scary. by Gravity Group, which also Bend in Bowling Green. have had a quieter year for “We knew we had to increase Still, it is The Voyage that designed last year’s top pick –Tim Baldwin C M Y K Sept 2006 page B 40