INSIDE: Best Parks...Pages 4-13 Landscaping race...Pages 14 & 15 Shows, Events...Pages 16 & 17 Publisher’s Picks...Pages 18-20 Best New Rides...Pages 21-25 Best Rides...Pages 26-33 Wooden Coasters...Pages 34-42 TM & ©2014 Amusement Today, Inc. Steel Coasters...Pages 44-47 September 2014 | Vol. 18 • Issue 6.2 www.amusementtoday.com SeaWorld San Diego hosts 2014 Golden Ticket Awards Amusement Today presents awards in 29 categories SAN DIEGO, Calif. — In 1964, George Millay debuted SeaWorld San Diego, bring- ing us up close and personal to the experienc- 2014 es found in a marine life park. Incorporating P. GOLDEN TICKET sea life attractions and making it the focus of I. an entire day of discovery would prove to be a AWARDS success. Following this, Millay would eventual- V. BEST! ly expand SeaWorld into a chain of parks. Over BEST OF THE the years, the SeaWorld family of parks has sakes honoring our industry winners and their evolved — educating, entertaining and mov- accomplishments, but the ceremony weekend ing those that come. The number of animals has become an enjoyable networking opportu- saved and protected has been inspiring. Bring- nity full of laughter and fun, as well as a chance ing people and animals together in encounters to experience the strengths of each host park. and interactions, these are life memories peo- Like athletes in training or musicians pour- SeaWorld San Diego, celebrating its 50th anniversary this ple take home with them every day. ing their soul into their songs, the many parks season, hosted the 2014 Golden Tickets Awards, presented Rick Schuiteman, vice president of en- and water parks within the amusement indus- by Amusement Today, on Sept. 6, 2014. Event attendees tertainment, looks forward to welcoming the try strive to make their guests’ days at the park were treated to the park’s mix of animal shows and marine- industry. “It’s so cool for SeaWorld San Diego the best they can possibly be and to continue themed rides. COURTESY SEAWORLD to be hosting this year’s Golden Ticket Awards to push themselves harder to make the best ceremony…what an honor! We not only have even better. Or perhaps, making connections the opportunity to showcase our beautiful park within families that children will remember long to the leaders of the theme park industry, it after they are grown is a way they touch lives also allows them to experience the wonders day after day. The Golden Ticket Awards salute of San Diego, also known as America’s Finest the finest in the industry. Congratulations go City!” to those that not only have taken top prize, but John Reilly, general manager for Sea- also to those that have worked hard to rank on World San Diego, enjoys this property on a the charts, and even especially those who each daily basis. When AT asked what he feels is the day try to make it there in the future with their defining attribute of the San Diego property, continual expectations of excellence. Reilly responds, “Our team members. Their With each year, our experienced panel of passion and talent wow me every day.” experts continues to grow worldwide. AT has Amusement Today is thrilled to be host- never had the exact same group of voters twice. ing its 17th annual Golden Ticket Awards at Hundreds of people around the globe have SeaWorld San Diego. Here, attendees enjoy shared their collective expertise with us along a dynamic mix of shows, encounters, rides and with their hard-earned dollars in the parks to beauty — all at the original SeaWorld park, give back to those that have made their lives now celebrating its 50th anniversary. a little more pleasurable. Amusement Today “I hope our industry visitors leave the is indebted to the fan, those enthusiastic in- Golden Ticket Awards weekend so inspired by dividuals that “get” what this industry does the animals at SeaWorld that they take action day after day, and celebrates with parks when to make a difference for wild populations,” they’ve given it more than 100 percent. says Reilly. — Tim Baldwin The annual awards presented by Amuse- ment Today have not only become prized keep- Dated material. material. Dated SUBSCRIBE TO RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: September 8, 2014 Mailed Monday, PLEASE AMUSEMENT TODAY PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. (817) 460-7220 PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 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.