Park and ride winners Page 3B AMUSEMENT 1999 Top 25 wooden TODAY roller coasters GOLDEN TICKET Page 6B AWARDS V.I.P. Top 25 steel BEST OF THE BEST! BONUS roller coasters Page 7B SECTION BONUS SECTION AUGUST 1999 1B Winners named in 2nd annual survey Amusement Today’s 1999 Golden Ticket Awards As you may recall, Amusement Today introduced a survey in 1998 to poll the well-traveled park experts and experienced enthusiasts to recog- BEST PARK BEST WOODEN COASTER nize the Best of the Best within the amusement industry. With an even CEDAR POINT larger response this year — and not to SANDUSKY, OHIO mention new parks and a mother lode of new coasters for the 1999 season — the results, as always, prove very interesting. Survey overview The poll group selected to complete the survey certainly could boast some TEXAS GIANT well-traveled experience. A greater SIX FLAGS familiarity with the North American OVER TEXAS coasters is apparent among those cho- sen, but the wood and steel coaster lists each show overseas entries. Anyone who believes a single vote doesn’t count only has to glance at the point BEST WATERPARK BEST STEEL COASTER totals to see the value of each opinion. Using various sources, selected MAGNUM XL-200 afficionados were evenly balanced by CEDAR POINT dividing the United States into four geographical regions, with an equal number of surveys sent to each region. Incidentally, all 50 states had a repre- sentative to receive a survey. An addi- tional amount of surveys were sent outside the United States to represent SCHLITTERBAHN foreign expertise. NEW BRAUNFELS, Of the surveys returned, the TEXAS southern region, eastern region, and north central United States each repre- sented 25 percent of the votes cast. The eight steel coasters. The top performer The only new wooden coaster to Pleasure Beach’s Grand National also west coast region accounted for 17 was Superman Ride of Steel, the only appear on the list is Knott’s Berry appears on the list this year. The ven- percent of the votes, and foreign sur- 1999 coaster to break into the top ten Farm’s Ghost Rider, which opened to erable racing coaster was built in 1935. veys accounted for the remaining 8 in just a few short weeks. Other new rave reviews last December. Two 1998 Relocation has proven to be quite percent. Industry manufacturers, park steel creations to appear on the list are masterpieces, Visionland’s Rampage the success story for many rides, as the management and the staff of Raging Bull at No. 14, Medusa at No. and Michigan’s Adventure’s No. 5, No. 6 and No. 21 wooden roller Amusement Today were not included 16, Top Gun at No. 18, and Apollo’s Shivering Timbers, both reached the coasters — Comet at Great Escape, in survey recipients. Chariot in 20th place. top five in their second year of exis- Phoenix at Knoebel’s Grove and Wild New for 1999 Both of Universal’s Islands of tence. One at Six Flags America, respectively Because the surveys had to be sent Adventure coasters, the Incredible Something old... — had been moved from former back to Amusement Today postmarked Hulk and Dueling Dragons, landed on But modern coasters didn’t neces- homes, only to be reborn winners at by July 6, new-for-’99 installations the list at No. 19 and No. 21, respec- sarily have all the fun. Coney Island’s their new parks and a true triumph for had a challenge to work their way into tively. Completing new-for-’99 steel Cyclone, the 1927 benchmark for all preservation to coaster enthusiasts. coasters is SeaWorld San Antonio’s wooden coasters, still rides in the top the ranks in such a short time. This See AWARDS, page 2B amazing feat was accomplished by Steel Eel at No. 23. 10 at No. 8 after 72 years. Blackpool 2B AMUSEMENT TODAY August 1999 third are Walt Disney World’s Williamsburg receiving top hon- AWARDS Blizzard Beach and Typhoon ors for Cleanest Park. Walt Lagoon. Disney World and Holiday Continued from page 1B The outstanding and cour- World also rate highly. Also of note is the contin- teous staff at Holiday World in Long lines or slow lines are ued enjoyment of the Coaster Santa Claus, Ind. repeatedly the bane of many park guests. at Playland in British earn top marks for Friendliest A clear winner in this category Columbia. With the Pacific Staff. Knoebel’s Grove and is Cedar Point for Best National Exhibition still in Walt Disney World round out Capacity. The park’s fast-mov- uncertain negotiations to the category this year. ing lines are an exemplary move, it appears this classic The biggest lead of any cat- blueprint for the industry to will continue to roll for at least egory is Busch Gardens follow. Walt Disney World and a few years more before fears Williamsburg for Best Kennywood are recognized in of the wrecking ball rise anew. Landscaping. While most this category as well. An international look agree that the majority of the Themed experiences are a A familiarity with the parks look nice and are well big goal for parks today. The Photos by AT, Fiesta Texas North American coasters is kept, Williamsburg takes com- lush and dramatic theming of IOA’s dramatic entrance, queuing, and trains for Dueling obvious with the surveys mand in this category by claim- Universal’s Islands of Dragons take top bill for Best Theming. Below, Fiesta returned. However, many ing over half of all votes cast. A Adventure is spectacular. Its Texas’ Rockin’ at Rockville is part of the outstanding experienced enthusiasts con- distant second is held by the new Dueling Dragons is variety that lands the park in first place for Best Shows. tinue to travel the globe in lushly landscaped Walt Disney bestowed the honor of Best search of the great ride beyond World and England’s Alton Theming in this year’s survey. their borders. An obvious Towers. Also of note are Alton Tower’s example is Oakwood’s The return of Rockin’ at Nemesis, Disneyland’s Indiana Megafobia. The Wales coaster Rockville showcases the live Jones and Walt Disney World’s lands in top five on nearly performances of Fiesta Texas, a Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. every survey on which it park long known for outstand- Schlitterbahn’s Master appears — with the majority of ing shows. Its first-place status Blaster all but monopolized the the time taking the No. 1 spot. this year for Best Shows illus- Best Waterpark Ride. The only This renowned excellence trates that parent company Six other contender is the Pepsi makes it the top international Flags/Premier Parks has not Aquablast at Wildwater ride on our list and in the lost sight of the park’s roots. Kingdom. wooden top 10. Also placing highly are Busch Best (noncoaster) Ride Likewise, a more remote Gardens Williamsburg and went to Intamin for their Giant location is Parc Asterix in Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Drop rides, with frequent men- France, where Tonnerre de Tenn. tion of AstroWorld’s Dungeon Zeus captured those enthusi- Yum. People are enjoying Drop. Also popular are the asts who made it there. It ranks the food at parks out there. tower rides by S&S Sports, in the top five of every survey Twenty-seven parks were nom- delivering Space Shot and panelist who has experienced inated for the Best Food cate- Turbo Drop experiences. it. Just mere points from mak- gory. Ironically, the results The Amazing Adventures ing our list, look for it to rise in declared a three-way tie with of Spiderman not only rounds future years as more experts Busch Gardens Williamsburg, out the best noncoaster rides, get to France. Kennywood, and Knoebel’s but tops the list for Best Indoor Park categories Grove sharing the accolades. Attraction. Haunted is also The park and ride cate- Various comments from “in,” with five attractions men- gories allow the Best of the Best those who took the survey indi- tioned and Knoebel’s Haunted to truly shine. The abundance cated that by and large, the Mansion tying Spiderman for of parks and rides submitted parks they visit are very clean. first. Disney’s Indiana Jones clearly shows that the industry Certain parks seemed recogniz- scores high marks for third. is doing several things right. ably so, with Busch Gardens — Tim Baldwin Again this year, Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio leads the way for Best Amusement Park to visit. Strong contenders that follow are Busch Gardens (817) 460-7220 Fax (817) 265-6397 Williamsburg, the traditionally classic Kennywood, and the The Golden Ticket Awards Bonus Section was produced by brand-new superpark Islands the staff of Amusement Today. of Adventure. Golden Ticket Awards were bestowed upon all first-place The uniqueness of New finishers in each category. Amusement Today congratulates the Braunfel’s Schlitterbahn gives many fine parks that won or placed in this year’s categories. it a clear and unbeatable lead for Best Waterpark. On the Amusement Today would like to thank Ted Davidson and banks of the spring-fed Comal Corporate Graphics in Arlington, Texas for the design of the River, its amazing mix of Golden Ticket Award logos. attractions continues to delight We would also like to thank the many people who took the waterpark guests in record time to return our survey forms and participate in the numbers. Also splashing in is polling process. If you were not selected to vote, and would Wildwater Kingdom in like your name added to the selection list, please drop us a Allentown, Pa., and tying for postcard and we’ll be glad to add it to next year’s list of names.