Park and ride winners Page 2B 2001 Top 25 wooden roller coasters GOLDEN TICKET Pages 6B AWARDS V.I.P. BONUS BEST OF THE BEST! Top 25 steel roller coasters SECTION Page 7B B www.amusementtoday.com AUGUST 2001 Amusement Today’s 2001 Golden Ticket Awards Featuring three new categories piece, Lightning Racer, stormed all 2001 Tim Baldwin the way to 13th place. CEDAR POINT OnceAmusement again, Amusement Today Today Trends V.I.P. has selected a core group of experi- A notable trend this year is BEST PARK enced enthusiasts considered to be coasters that have become more well-traveled park guests to ride, eat, comfortable. The Texas Cyclone and observe, and enjoy the Best of the Flight of Fear coasters started devel- Best. As always, the findings are oping votes again this year. A perfect 2001 interesting as the tabulated results example appears on the list with provide this year’s Golden Ticket Kennywood’s revamped Phantom’s MILLENNIUM FORCE Awards. Revenge moving into the number 15 V.I.P. BEST STEEL Awards Overview position in just a few weeks, scoring COASTER In 1998, the original Amusement much higher than Steel Phantom did Today survey was designed to divide in the past. Clockwise from top left, participants evenly in geographic Gold Stars regions providing the most balanced Three coasters in particular Cedar Point and its poll possible. This year, more than made spectacular strides over the record-setting coaster 400 surveys were mailed. With our past year. While appearing as a new Millennium Force, biggest response ever, 25 percent entry on the 2000 Awards, Cedar came from the Northeastern portion Point’s Millennium Force came close Holiday World and The of the United States, both the to doubling its points from the previ- Raven as well as Southern United States and north ous year to take stronghold as Schlitterbahn and its central states provided 23 percent of Favorite Steel Coaster. Perhaps even the votes, and the west coast tallied more impressive is the rise of two world-famous Master in at 22 percent. The remaining 7 other coasters that debuted in the Blaster were all big win- percent were mailed in from interna- 2000 season. Boulder Dash at Lake ners in AT’s Golden Ticket tional correspondents. Compounce leaps into the Top 10 by Keeping the survey fresh, AT is landing dramatically as the number Awards. pleased to introduce a few new cate- three wooden coaster. Likewise, Photos courtesy Cedar Point, gories this year, adding a broader Superman Ride of Steel at Six Flags Schlitterbahn and AT perspective to the Golden Tickets. New England became powerfully Best Carousel, Best Kid’s Area and competitive battling its way all the Best Water Ride in an amusement way to the number two position on park offer up a new set of entertain- the steel list. ing opinions. An international glance New for 2001 Enthusiasts traveling abroad in Due to our early July postmark that quest for the ultimate coaster deadline, parks are always chal- continue to broaden their expertise. lenged to see their newest attractions With more and more international make our list. While a few new faces tours planned each year, AT predicts are landing in the charts this year, even more European coasters mak- only three have managed to place ing a presence in the upcoming after being open a few short months. years. Nitro and Titan in the Six Flags chain Holding their own again this share boasting rights along with year are Alton Tower’s Nemesis, Kennywood’s reworked Phantom’s Parc Asterix’s Tonerre de Zeus and Revenge as being the only 2001 Oakwood’s Megafobia, with the lat- coasters on our list. New performers ter maintaining a strong reputation on AT’s Top 25 are Six Flags as a Top 10 place holder. Already America’s Superman Ride of Steel newer installations across Europe (2000) and Volcano (1998) on our are gathering rave reviews and 2001 Steel list. The Boss (2000) garnered building momentum when points 2001 throngs of fans climbing all the way were counted. Look for some strong SCHLITTERBAHN RAVEN V.I.P. to the number 15 spot on our wood competition from across the Atlantic V.I.P. list. As predicted last year, Tremors during the next two years. BEST WATERPARK BEST WOODEN COASTER at Silverwood landed firmly in the Top 20 and Hersheypark’s master- See WINNERS, page 2B 2B AMUSEMENT TODAY August 2001 and Disneyland holding a close price. The home cooking and third. delicious offerings of Silver Dollar WINNERS Naturally, any park would be City bring it in at second place, pleased with an award bestowed and Kennywood, led by its world Fiesta Texas’ Circo Continued from page 1B upon it, but Holiday World takes famous fries, rounds out the top Magnifico is one particular pride in its goal to three. The accolade of Best Park is remain the Cleanest Park. As Ride Categories of a broad range of once again bestowed to Cedar guests leave, one look is all it takes Remaining consistent with shows that voters Point, a destination famous for to see the continual effort put forth last year’s winners, IOA’s providing a wide variety of enter- by this park. Likewise, apparent Spiderman webs in first place as rate the best. tainment, huge thrills and the dedication is witnessed at both Best Dark Ride, Knoebel’s Busch Gardens Williamsburg and world’s largest lineup of coasters Haunted Mansion demonstrates Photo courtesy Fiesta Texas and beautiful resort accommoda- Walt Disney World, our second what a great classic dark ride can tions. Coming in second, and third place recipients. still be by taking second place, When 52 percent of votes cast Universal’s Islands of Adventure and Disneyland’s Indiana Jones go to a park for superior landscap- demonstrates what happens when delivers a breathtaking experi- ing, people certainly take notice. beauty, theming and quality rides ence into the third place spot. Park and ride winners Busch Gardens Williamsburg has all combine into a package that One of our newest cate- Ranked by percentage of votes. garnered itself the perennial repu- gories, Best Water Ride (in an exceeds guest expectations. tation of Best Landscaping. The Honest value and a collection of amusement park), allowed voters Best Park beautiful and lush areas through- to highlight a great selection of outstanding rides in a traditional Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 21% out Walt Disney World bring it terrific attractions within the atmosphere allow Knoebel’s into second place, and the old- Islands of Adventure Orlando, Fla. 12% Grove to round out the top three. industry. Dudley Do-Right’s fashioned charm of Silver Dollar Ripsaw Falls takes the top spot Knoebel’s Grove Elysburg, Pa. 11% To no one’s surprise, Schlitter- City is accented by its landscaping Kennywood West Mifflin, Pa. 10% bahn once again takes half the with its humorous theming, placing them at third place. lengthy ride experience and votes earning them the Best Termed the “Year of Best Waterpark Waterpark award. With a seeming- breathtaking steep drop. Steeper Entertainment,” Fiesta Texas con- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Texas 50% ly eternal lock on the award, the yet is the second place winner, tinues its heritage of creating out- Blizzard Beach Orlando, Fla. 7% New Braunfels summer oasis may Knott’s Perilous Plunge, which standing shows for its guests with took splashwater rides through a Splashin’ Safari Santa Claus, Ind. 6% just find its most formidable com- perhaps its strongest line up of tal- petition in its sister park, whole new thrill barrier when it ent in years. While many parks debuted in 2000. What Plunge did Friendliest Park Staff Schlitterbahn Beach, as it contin- may be content to produce a good for thrills, Escape from Pompeii at Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 60% ues to develop in south Texas in show or two, Fiesta Texas can truly the next few years. If theming in a Busch Williamsburg did for Knoebel’s Grove Elysburg, Pa. 5% boast an expansive scope of 11 theming. The effects-heavy, scenic park is what you like, then shows featuring live bands and Disney’s Blizzard Beach serves it adventure comes in at third place. Capacity (fastest moving lines) strong vocal performers, interna- A close contender is SeaWorld up bigtime. The snowy, whimsical tional diversity, a broad range of Cedar Point Sandusky, Ohio 51% environment helps bring the Orlando’s Journey to Atlantis, Walt Disney World Orlando, Fla. 12% musical styles and crowd pleasers which takes all of the previously waterpark in at second place. such as Rockin’ at Rockville High, Disneyland Anaheim, Calif. 7% Escaping the day’s heat while vis- mentioned elements and pack- the amazing Lone Star Spectacular ages them into one terrific attrac- iting Holiday World has allowed and the new dynamic Circo Cleanest Park Splashin’ Safari to rate as the third tion. Magnifico. In a similar vein, Silver Even amongst big thrills, Holiday World Santa Claus, Ind. 46% favorite. Dollar City presents a commit- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va. 16% And speaking of locks, when there is always a place for the ment to talent and variety in its mild side. For Best Carousel, Walt Disney World Orlando, Fla. 15% well over half the participants vote festivals throughout the year. Holiday World as having the Knoebel’s Grand Carousel takes Finally, Walt Disney World pres- the brass ring, just as riders at the Best Landscaping Friendliest Staff, any park would ents a quandary as many voters struggle to even place at all. park can still do while enjoying Busch Gardens Williamsburg Williamsburg, Va.