Top 10 Amusement parks

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

as voted by CitySearch editors

Those amusement parks that we loved as kids still call to us as adults, so get set for fun at the country's best theme parks.


Astroland Amusement Park: Brooklyn, N.Y.
Lindbergh once said riding the Cyclone was scarier than flying the Atlantic solo.


Busch Gardens: Tampa Bay, Fla.
See the animals on Africa's Serengeti Plains; then ride the Congo river rapids.


Cedar Point Amusement Park: Sandusky, Ohio
This vintage lakeside park holds records for the most rides and the tallest, fastest roller coaster.


Disneyland: Anaheim, Calif.
The granddaddy of all amusement parks remains an enduring American classic.


Kennywood Park: West Mifflin, Pa.
Famous for its old-fashioned atmosphere and big-league roller coasters.




Knott's Camp Snoopy: Bloomington, Minn.
This shopping mall centerpiece is the nation's largest indoor theme park.


Magic Kingdom: Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Mickey's East Coast outpost makes even the most world-weary adult feel like a kid again.


Paramount's Carowinds: Charlotte, N.C.
Straddling two states, this park features a coaster aptly named the Hurler.


Santa Cruz Boardwalk: Santa Cruz, Calif.
This California beachfront gem stands out for its old-time boardwalk and classic rides.


Six Flags Astroworld: Houston, Texas
Boasting the fourth largest collection of coasters in the world, including the Serial Thriller.

 

[Cindy B]

I have to say that some of these choices would not be my top 10.


Personally I didn't like Busch Gardens, It is my least favorite of all the Central Florida Attractions (MK, MGM, AK, epcot, USF, IOA, Seaworld, WW, BG and Discovery Cove)

Cedar Point definetely deserves to be top ten, in not wth first one. It is one of the most amazing parks around.

Disneyland, been there, and enjoyed it,b ut it wouldn't be top ten either.

Magic Kingdom deserves to be on this list as well.

I am suprised and pleased to see the Santa Cruz boardwalk on there. I haven't been there in many years (over eight to be exact), and I have fond memories there.. riding that big wooden coaster, and the Skyride...

 

[disykat]

Camp Snoopy? I'm not much of an expert on Amusement Parks, but we just returned from a trip where we visited Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America and Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. SDS was hands down better. Camp Snoopy was a big disappointment.

 

[Grog]

Six Flags Astroworld: Houston, Texas

Did they have a chimpanzee picking names out of a hat? SF:AW is a pit! I wouldn't wish a trip there on my worst enemy. The whole place is run down and tacky looking, hasn't seen a drop of paint in years. Old gum stuck everywhere, trash on the ground. As far as employee attitudes, give me a Disney CM who is having a bad day over your typical SF:AW "High Schooler with a chip on his shoulder because Dad made him get a Summer job" any day. Rant finished.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I didn't say I agreed with the choices
I have to wonder if the picks are based on attendance and admission (bang for the buck) as opposed to actual being a fun, thrill-ride filled park. And the parks aren't numbered, so I don't even know if they're in any sort of order.

 

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by Grog
Did they have a chimpanzee picking names out of a hat? SF:AW is a pit! I wouldn't wish a trip there on my worst enemy. The whole place is run down and tacky looking, hasn't seen a drop of paint in years. Old gum stuck everywhere, trash on the ground. As far as employee attitudes, give me a Disney CM who is having a bad day over your typical SF:AW "High Schooler with a chip on his shoulder because Dad made him get a Summer job" any day. Rant finished.

You beat me to it, Grog!

Originally posted by Cindy B Disneyland, been there, and enjoyed it,b ut it wouldn't be top ten either.

Cindy B, please turn in your ears IMMEDIATELY.

 

[Grog]

These are the current reader's choice rankings from Themeparkinsider.com, in order. I've seen other lits that are similar and DL is usually a couple of notches ahead of MK.

Islands of Adventure - 7.92
Sea World Orlando - 7.76
Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 7.71
Disney-MGM Studios - 7.55
Cedar Point - 7.35
Universal Studios Florida - 7.31
Disneyland Park - 7.26
Six Flags Over Georgia - 7.24
Knott's Berry Farm - 7.23
Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom - 7.19
Disneyland Paris - 7.09
Busch Gardens Tampa - 7.09
Alton Towers - 7.07
Kings Island - 7.06
Kings Dominion - 7.05
Disney's Animal Kingdom - 7.05
Six Flags Great America - 7.05
Six Flags Magic Mountain - 6.92
Epcot - 6.91
Universal Studios Hollywood - 6.86
California Adventure - 6.61
Six Flags Great Adventure - 6.5

It's kind of hard being a "DL Rebel" on a predominantly WDW forum, but I think DL blows MK out of the water any day of the week. Just to list a few reasons...

Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden eye, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, better IASW, better POTC, Blue Bayou, better Toontown, and finally...at the end of a long day, looking up and seeing the light left on in Walt's office over the Main Street Fire Station. Priceless.

(jumping off my DL soapbox )

 

[WDWHound]

Originally posted by Grog

It's kind of hard being a "DL Rebel" on a predominantly WDW forum, but I think DL blows MK out of the water any day of the week. Just to list a few reasons...

Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden eye, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, better IASW, better POTC, Blue Bayou, better Toontown, and finally...at the end of a long day, looking up and seeing the light left on in Walt's office over the Main Street Fire Station. Priceless.

(jumping off my DL soapbox )

They're both great parks, but I agree that Disneyland is superior. Did you note the rankings for California Adventure? Not good, but not suprising either.

 

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by Grog


It's kind of hard being a "DL Rebel" on a predominantly WDW forum, but I think DL blows MK out of the water any day of the week. Just to list a few reasons...

Matterhorn, Mr. Toad, Alice in Wonderland, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden eye, Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, better IASW, better POTC, Blue Bayou, better Toontown, and finally...at the end of a long day, looking up and seeing the light left on in Walt's office over the Main Street Fire Station. Priceless.

(jumping off my DL soapbox )

I agree with you again, my friend. Is it something in the water???

When I saw the light in the window I was totally choked up. Way cool.

 

[Grog]

Did you note the rankings for California Adventure?

I've seen it ranked as high as 14th on another list (which I tried to find, but to no avail). I'm interested to see what effect ToT will have when it opens next year. At first rumor had it being a watered down version of the one at WDW, but latest, and consistent, rumors have it being the superior version. Hopefully we'll know by next Spring.

 

[CruiserDew73]

Originally posted by iNTeNSeBLue98
Kennywood Park: West Mifflin, Pa.
Famous for its old-fashioned atmosphere and big-league roller coasters.

Wahoo! My home theme park... NUMBER 5!

 

[jcemom]

I was just at Kennywood last Saturday. I love it, it definitely has charm, not to mention some GREAT coasters...
...but I'm not sure it's in the same league as some of the others.

Of course, maybe that wasn't a factor in the rankings...which would be a good thing--making the smaller parks competitive.

I'd like to know their guidelines though.

Kennywood is a great park! (As long as you don't go expecting Busch Gardens or Disney! LOL)

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

Someone posted this on ThrillNetwork (a coaster enthusiasts forum) too. They were confused by the list as well. The link was on MSN's homepage. I haven't gone back to seek it out since posting. A link found in a search is either temporarily unavailable or no longer exists. It was there three days ago


I found this and it makes more logical sense.

Top 10 USA Amusement Parks by Attendance (1-10)

Disneyland, California
Magic Kingdom, Disney World, Florida
EPCOT, Disney World, Florida
Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park, FL
Universal Studios, Florida
Universal Studios, California
Sea World, Florida
Busch Gardens, Florida
Great Adventure, New Jersey
Sea World, California