Top 10 Theme Parks

[Harmony]

Astroland Amusement Park - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Busch Gardens - Tampa Bay, Fla.
Cedar Point Amusement Park - Sandusky, Ohio
Disneyland - Anaheim, Calif.
Kennywood Park - West Mifflin, Pa.
Knott's Camp Snoopy - Bloomington, Minn.
Magic Kingdom - Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Paramount's Carowinds - Charlotte, N.C.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk - Santa Cruz, Calif.
Six Flags Astroworld - Houston, Texas


*******************************

I seriously can't believe that MK wasn't number 1. What's wrong with these editors! lol (btw, source was a link on msn.com)

My top 5 would be...well, I don't know what the 5th one would be but the top 4 would be MK, Epcot, MGM and then AK.

 

[lauran cameron]

WOW!!!

I mean of course I've never been to 90% of those places but geewilikers!

And I though WDW was supposed to be the happiest place on earth

 

[safetymom]

I used to go to Kennywood and no way does it compare to any of the parks at WDW.

 

[MiniMe]

I agree with Safetymom about Kennywood...not as good as WDW.

I wonder what their criteria for determining this was b/c I see parks like Cedar Pointe as a rollercoaster park (great if you are a fan of them since there are more than anywhere else), but it's not one for family's of all ages.

 

[purplern]

I used to go to Kennywood and no way does it compare to any of the parks at WDW.

I agree!! There is no way Kennywood is better than the Magic Kingdom!!

We also went to Bush Gardens and unless you like thrill coasters there isnt much else.

 

[saffymom]

Astroland Amusement Park - Brooklyn, N.Y.
Busch Gardens - Tampa Bay, Fla.
Cedar Point Amusement Park - Sandusky, Ohio
Disneyland - Anaheim, Calif.
Kennywood Park - West Mifflin, Pa.
Knott's Camp Snoopy - Bloomington, Minn.
Magic Kingdom - Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Paramount's Carowinds - Charlotte, N.C.
Santa Cruz Boardwalk - Santa Cruz, Calif.
Six Flags Astroworld - Houston, Texas


*******************************

I seriously can't believe that MK wasn't number 1. What's wrong with these editors! lol (btw, source was a link on msn.com)

My top 5 would be...well, I don't know what the 5th one would be but the top 4 would be MK, Epcot, MGM and then AK.

I'm not sure that these are listed in order of rank. They seem to be in alphabetical order.

 

[WDSearcher]

I'm not sure that these are listed in order of rank. They seem to be in alphabetical order.

Correct. Also ... wasn't the ranking of "amusement" parks and not theme parks? Because there is a difference.

 

[WDSearcher]

My top 5 would be...well, I don't know what the 5th one would be but the top 4 would be MK, Epcot, MGM and then AK.

I assume the 5th would be DisneyLAND?

 

[elgerber]

I can't even believe Knotts Camp Snoopy made the list?!?!?!

 

[Harmony]

Correct, they aren't listed from 1-10 but I'm just surprised that Epcot and the other WDW parks didn't even make the top 10 list! I've never been to Kennywood but could it really be better than Epcot? I know that Astroworld isn't. It's fun, sure...but better than MGM? No way!

And WDSearcher...you are right...theme and amusement parks are different. Gotta keep that in mind.

I've never been to DL. *puts that on things to do before I die list*

(every time vacation rolls around, we just can't pull ourselves away from WDW though California would be nice to visit again)

 

[freakylick]

Correct. Also ... wasn't the ranking of "amusement" parks and not theme parks? Because there is a difference.

While we all know that there is a difference...msn doesn't. They use the terms interchangeably.

Also, you can not go by these rankings...or any other rankings that msn does. I am not sure what their criteria is for making their top 10 lists, but every one that I have seen has had several picks that are way off base. For example...how many people would actually rate BG-Tampa over BG-Williamsburg?! I am sure that a few might, but the vast majority would have BGW on that list before BGT. I think they put the few "must see's" (like MK and DL) on their list and then each editor add's his own personal fave (likely their hometown park)...jmho.

 

[ntburns22]

I love Cedar Point! It is nice too because we are only about 40 minutes away.

 

[MNSusan]

Whose list is this? We're off to visit rellies in Pittsburgh next week, and DH insists we go to Kennywood. Childhood memories and all that...

Knott's Camp Snoopy isn't bad in February (its inside), but it in no way compares to the Disney parks.

 

[GGOOFY1]

I can't believe Busch Gardens made the list. We were there about 5 years ago and it was so run down and dirty. I hope they cleaned the place up. Give me WDW anyday, anytime.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We visit Kennywood a few times a year. Its OK but no comparison to MK. I agree that Cedar Point is awesome but if you're not into thrill rides, its not that great and not really geared toward little ones.

 

[novajeanjellybean]

Ok I was born and raised in Pittsburgh so I know all about Kennywood. I love it but it's definitely not better than MK. Cedar Point's pretty good too, but again not better than MK. Its for coaster lovers. I live in Houston and I can't believe Astroworld made the top ten. They must have never been to Astroworld. It's terrible.

 

[TimothyG]

To be honest, MK and DL deserve to be there because they are so well themed and they get major points right there, but other parks lose their luster when compared to MK. I mean, which is better themed: Epcot or MK? MGM or MK? AK or MK? You get the point. All 4 WDW theme parks fall into the top 20, which is for sure, but there are major categories which WDW can fall short in.

I mean, each park has its own strong and weak points and WDW parks can't take over the entire list, that would be seriously unfair. Yes, WDW runs some of the best parks in the country, but I wouldn't say that the other parks should be discarded. I mean, Cedar Point is one of the biggest parks in the country and is consistently voted #1 theme park in America. Now, I think that MK is a great park and should be #1 but then it lacks the thrill rides that Cedar Point has, which is the main reason why most visit theme parks. That is probably why the list is the way it is. It needs to be about the trill a bit too as Disney parks are moreso "Family Theme Parks" rather than "Thrilling Theme Parks."

I still love Disney but agree with the list. And Epcot never stood a chance this year because of the Mission:Space accident. I mean, yes, it was declared not the rides fault but it still looks horrible to the park's name. And even though it wasn't declared, the ride aggrivated the condition. As for the POTC death, that was a natural cause and could have happened anywhere. If the child didn't ride M:S, the death wouldn't have happened.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

On June 24, Forbes magazine released their top 10 list in the world... The Disney Corp Florida Parks didn't even make the list. http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/050624/1124930.html?.v=1

 

[All Aboard]

And, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a much better park than Busch Gardens Tampa.

 

[UrsulasMyHero]

And, Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a much better park than Busch Gardens Tampa.

Having worked for BG for HOS, I have to say it is the ONE JOB I have loved the best. I do know that TB's Busch is better for Howl O scream than just about everywhere.