|
March 29th, 2001
Welcome to the 4th Annual Screamscape Ultimate Awards. The Ultimate Awards have grown over the past four years as has Screamscape. This year’s awards come after a five week period of polling well over 1200 different opinions from members of the public as well as the theme park industry. As in past years, the Ultimate Awards were designed to have fun topics to vote upon as well as more serious topics. This isn’t just another “Top 10” list, we have taken a long serious look at the industry around the world and then begun to poke holes at the flaws and sing praises to our favorite parks and attractions. Just think of this as the Theme Park equivalent to the MTV Movie Awards... we’re not giving out Oscars, but you’re sure to enjoy the show.
The Ultimate Awards were presented on Screamscape.com for open public voting from 1/26/2001 to 3/1/2001. One vote was allowed for each Award Topic as well as a write in vote if needed. Certain Special Awards as well as the Overall categories were only voted upon by the write in method. The cutoff dates for valid park/attraction nominees is between October 1999 until December 2000. The extended voting period for this year is due to a date change of the Polling starting this year, opposed to previous years when the voting took place in November. Of the 1200+ votes cast, approximately 10% were cast by Industry Professionals hailing from: Universal Creative, Walt Disney Imagineering, Busch Entertainment, Cedar Fair, Six Flags, Paramount Parks, IAAPA, as well as journalists from both Television and Print Media from all over the globe.
The Screamscape Ultimate Awards are the largest and and perhaps the most accurate awards poll on the Internet.
So without further delay, lets take a moment to introduce the industries top players and a quick year in review...
Disney Theme Parks - “M-I-C... K-E-Y... M-I-L-L-E-N-N-I-U-M! Part Two!”
From October 1st, 1999 until January 1st, 2001 Walt Disney World attempted to shove their Millennium Celebration down everyone’s throat. The downside is that all of the “New” attractions came about in 1999 and Disney just attempted to keep riding the same wave for this season, with mixed results. Over in California the focus wasn’t on 2000, but rather on 2001 as they rushed to finish Disney’s California Adventure. Disneyland did rebuild the park’s Autopia attraction, but they seem to have forgotten to advertise this fact. More important to the parks this season was “Safety” as a series of rather odd incidents plagued the park’s normally spot free record.
Six Flags Theme Parks - “Coming Soon to a city near you!”
New Flags were raised over four converted parks during the 2000 season: Six Flags Mexico, Six Flags Holland, Six Flags New England, and Six Flags Ohio. As the formula has worked in the past, each park saw huge increases in attendance and has paved the way for more conversions and park purchases for the 2001 season. (Already announced is Six Flags Belgium, and the purchase of La Ronde in Canada, Enchanted Village in Washington, and the absorbing of SeaWorld Ohio into Six Flags Ohio). Six Flags was busy at many of their other parks this season as well, especially at Magic Mountain where Goliath broke the record for being the biggest coaster on the planet, if only for a few short months.
Busch Theme Parks - “A Little Bit of This and a Pinch of That...”
No one theme ruled the chain this season, except the theme of experimentation. SeaWorld Florida added Orlando’s biggest coaster in Kraken, California park added the Pirates 4D Theater experience, Ohio added the Mission: Bermuda Triangle simulator while Texas quietly added a few kiddie rides. Meanwhile both of the Busch Gardens parks laid low this season while looking forward to larger projects next season. The biggest news from Busch however came from their all new Discovery Cove theme park, allowing a limited number of guests to reserve an experience like no other, including the chance to swim with Dolphins and other marine life.
Universal Studios Theme Parks - “Welcome To The Next Level...”
After building the huge Islands of Adventure theme park in 1999, it made sense for the company to take it light this season, analyze the status of the company... and sell it. Yes... after building up the company’s theme parks to an all new high... they chose to sell out the entire company to Vivendi, a French company. What will happen next is anyone’s guess at this point. Meanwhile they labored long and hard on the new Studio park that will open in Japan in 2001 as well as a major new E-Ticket attraction at the Orlando Studios park as Men In Black brought the whole Dark Ride concept up a notch.
Cedar Fair - “I’m the biggest in the world!! Umm... Would you believe second biggest?”
The global theme park industry held their breath as Cedar Point opened Millennium Force, the world’s biggest roller coaster... for a couple of months until Steel Dragon opened in Japan. This didn’t seem to upset too many of the parks fan who lined up over and over for the massive coaster. Despite The Point getting most of the attention, the company was very active all over the country. Snoopy set up Camp at Dorney Park, a Boomerang was plopped down at Worlds of Fun and Valleyfair reached out for the clouds with their own version of Power Tower. Knott’s set another world record with Perilous Plunge, the world’s biggest, steepest and perhaps most frightening water ride ever built. Speaking of water... the chain also added two new water parks this season as well... both named Knott’s Soak City. One next to Knott’s Berry Farm itself and the other was an existing park bought in San Diego, CA.
Paramount Parks - “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”
The industry was buzzing about two major projects from Paramount this season. Stealth (Vekoma’s Prototype Flying Dutchman coaster) and Son of Beast, the world’s tallest wooden coaster and the first modern woodie to perform an inversion. Stealth was well received but plagued by slow loading problems and S.O.B? Well... the jury is still out on that one... literally. Paramount has filed lawsuits over the construction of the ride’s wooden structure. Despite problems, Sonny did open to much applause... and a few complaints. While Canada’s Wonerland and Kings Dominion had rather quiet seasons... the rest of the headlines came from an unexpected attraction at Carowinds that has quickly gained quite a reputation for itself. The Flying Super Saturator coaster (Setpoint’s Swing Thing) wowed kids and adults like with the ultimate Water War experience, and returning the focus of the park towards “FUN” instead of the record books.
On to the Awards!
2000 “ULTIMATE” PROTOTYPE RIDE AWARD -
For excellence in the design and production of a new prototype ride or attraction.
48.7% - Vekoma’s Flying Dutchman - Stealth - Paramount’s Great America
24.8% - Disney Imagineering’s Trackless Dark Ride - Pooh’s Hunny Hunt - Tokyo Disneyland
14.2% - Premier/RCCA Looping Wood Coaster - Son of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island
7.8% - Intamin Stand-Up Giant Drop - Apocalypse - Drayton Manor
4.2% - Huss Fly Away - Nightwing - Six Flags New England
0.3% - Others...
There are prototype rides and there are things that just wow you... and folks Stealth really just put the WOW factor on to a lot of park guests this season, including international news coverage as well as extensive footage on most of this year’s batch of Theme Park documentaries. Past winners include: Spiderman, Oblivion and Superman: The Escape.
2000 “ULTIMATE” THRILL RIDE AWARD (NON-COASTER) -
For the design and installation of the most thrilling new ride on the planet.
 39.5% - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm - Intamin Giant “Shoot the Chutes”
21.7% - Apocalypse - Drayton Manor - Intamin Stand-Up Giant Drop
13.9% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Themed Indoor Intamin SeaCoaster Flume
11.6% - Power Tower - Valleyfair - S&S Custom 3 Tower Combo
7.5% - Poseidon - Europa Park - Mack Flume/Coaster
4.7% - Tazmanian River Rapids - Wild Adventures - Hafema River Rapids w/ Whirlpool
1.1% - Others...
Knott’s led the pack in a category that has been won by some really heavy duty machines in the past, such as Orlando’s 300 foot Skycoaster, Countdown To Extinction and Spiderman. One look at the drop on Perilous Plunge and it quickly becomes obvious why it has taken this award as the year’s Ultimate Scream Machine.
2000 “ULTIMATE” WATER RIDE AWARD -
For the design and installation of the best new water attraction on the planet.
 59.3% - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm - Intamin Giant “Shoot the Chutes”
18.0% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Themed Indoor Intamin SeaCoaster Flume
10.4% - Poseidon - Europa Park - Mack Flume/Coaster
7.3% - Tazmanian River Rapids - Wild Adventures - Hafema River Rapids w/ Whirlpool
4.6% - Tidal Wave - Thorpe Park - Intamin ‘Shoot the Chutes”
0.4% - Others...
After taking the Ultimate Thrill Ride Award, taking the Water Ride award was a no brainer. This category was added for the 1999 awards and was taken by Dudley-Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls.
2000 “ULTIMATE” 3-D, ANIMATONIC, SPECIAL EFFECTS ATTRACTION
For the design and installation of the highest quality new attraction.
 69.7% - Men In Black: Alien Attack - Universal Studios Florida - Dark Ride w/ Guns
8.6% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Themed Indoor Intamin SeaCoaster Flume
6.9% - Mission: Bermuda Triangle - SeaWorld Ohio - Simulator
6.6% - Hex - Alton Towers - Vekoma Mad House
3.1% - Labyrinth of the Minotaur - Terra Mitica - Global Estudios, Beybe, Sally, GPD, ETF Dark Ride w/ Guns
2.5% - Sea Odyssey - Universal’s Port Aventura - Simulator
2.2% - Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness - Jazzland - Sally Dark Ride w/ Guns
0.4% - Others...
Universal takes this award by a landslide for the second year in a row, wining it for The Adventures of Spiderman in 1999. Each of these have pushed the design envelope by sucking the riders into the experience.
2000 “ULTIMATE” STEEL COASTER AWARD -
For design and excellence in building the best new steel coaster on the planet.
 43.6% - Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Gigacoaster
14.2% - Goliath - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Giovanola Hypercoaster
11.6% - Kraken - SeaWorld Florida - B&M Floorless Looper (7)
10.6% - Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags New England - Intamin Hypercoaster
5.9% - Steel Dragon 2000 - Nagashi Spaland - Morgan Gigacoaster
4.3% - Medusa - Six Flags Marine World - B&M Floorless Looper (7)
3.7% - Stealth - Paramount’s Great America - Vekoma Flying Dutchman (3+4 180º flips)
3.3% - Superman: Ultimate Escape - Six Flags Ohio - Intamin Spiral Impulse Coaster
1.7% - Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags America - Intamin Hypercoaster
1.1% - Others...
There was little doubt which coaster would take this award this year, though I was rather impressed with the good scores for Goliath and Kraken, beating out the much hyped Superman: ROS at Six Flags New England. 2000 also marks the first year that the winner wasn’t a B&M coaster. Past winners: Alpengeist (‘97), Riddler’s Revenge (‘98) and Incredible Hulk (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” WOOD COASTER AWARD -
For design and excellence in building the best new wood coaster on the planet.
 36.7% - Son Of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island - Premier/RCCA w/ Vertical Loop
16.8% - Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce - CCI Terrain Twister w/ PTC Trains
12.4% - Lightning Racers - Hersheypark - GCI Racing/Dueling w/ GCI Millennium Flyer Trains
9.6% - The Villain - Six Flags Ohio - CCI Out & Back Twister w/ Gerstlauer Trains
7.8% - The Legend - Holiday World - CCI Twister w/ Gerstlauer Trains
6.7% - The Boss - Six Flags St. Louis - CCI Terrain Twister w/ Gerstlauer Trains
5.0% - Robin Hood - Six Flags Holland - Vekoma Twister w/ Vekoma Trains
2.5% - Dania Beach Hurricane - The Coaster Works! Out & Back w/ PTC Trains
1.9% - MegaZeph - Jazzland - CCI Out & Back w/ Gerstlauer Trains
0.6% - Others...
As the tallest wooden coaster in the world, Son of Beast was an obvious winner, even without the unique vertical loop. This is also the first year that not only did CCI not win the prize, but many of their coasters ranked rather low when compared to previous efforts. The major difference between this year’s crop was the almost exclusive use of Gerstlauer trains, which were not well received by riders. Past winners include: Stampeda, Shivering Timbers and GhostRider.
2000 “ULTIMATE” THAT LOOKS FUN! AWARD -
An attraction that may not be the biggest of the best, but was made just for the fun of it.
 40.6% - Flying Super Saturator - Paramount’s Carowinds - Setpoint SwingThing + Water
21.5% - Autopia - Disneyland - Redesign of the Classic Autopia Attraction
9.6% - Scooby Doo’s Haunted Mansion - Paramount’s Canada’s Wonderland - Dark Ride w/ Guns
8.2% - Hex - Alton Towers - Vekoma Mad House
7.5% - Pirates 4D - SeaWorld California - 4D Theater
5.9% - Spellbreaker - Legoland California - Caripro Racing Suspended Coasters
4.5% - Tom & Jerry - Warner Bros. MovieWorld Germany - Semi-Enclosed Mack Wild Mouse
1.0% - Bug Out - Wild Adventures - Maurer Soehne Wild Mouse
1.2% - Others...
Setpoint had a vision for this ride it seems... and that was to return the element of FUN to theme parks. Not to scare the living daylights out of you, not to be the biggest or the fastest, but just to pack the most FUN they could into one small package. Previous winners include: Cat In The Hat, Buzz Lightyear and the Reverchon Crazy Mouse.
2000 “ULTIMATE” DISAPPOINTMENT -
Awarded for poor planning, design, and/or execution of a ride, attraction or park.
 31.2% - Dinosaur - Animal Kingdom (WDW) - Toned down experience and renamed
24.8% - Son of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island - Structural problems resulted in heavy downtime
21.8% - Boomerang - Worlds of Fun - A small compact coaster just wasn’t enough
17.6% - Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - Magic Kingdom (WDW) - Minor attraction upgrade
2.1% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Intamin Indoor SeaCoaster Flume
2.5% - Others...
It was a close race this year for this subject... but it was clear to see that there was no one real stand out disappointment in the industry this season. All past awards (Light Magic, Animal Kingdom, Test Track) have all been given to Disney attractions however, reflecting the view that Disney park fans expect much more from the company.
2000 “ULTIMATE’ NEW LAND / EXPANSION -
Awarded to the best new Land, Re-themed Area, or Major Expansion Project of the year.
 35.2% - Six Flags Ohio - Planting the Flags at Geauga Lake
25.6% - Discovery Cove - SeaWorld Florida - New Interactive Park Concept
9.3% - Six Flags New England - The “Flagging” of Riverside Park
8.7% - Jazzland - New Orleans - New Park
7.3% - Knott’s Soak City USA - 2 New Waterparks (Los Angeles & San Diego)
3.7% - Six Flags Holland - The “Flagging” of Walibi Flevo
3.2% - Camp Snoopy - Dorney Park - New Kiddie Land
3.0% - Greece - Europa Park - New Land & Attractions (Poseidon & Cassandra)
1.2% - Magic Springs / Crystal Falls - Park Reopened and Expanded
1.0% - Six Flags Mexico - The “Flagging” of Reino Aventura
0.9% - Beano Land - Chessington Worlds of Adventure - New Kiddie Land
0.9% - Others...
The race between the top two was neck and neck until the very end when Six Flags Ohio burst ahead. Past winners include Edge of Africa (‘97), Star Trek: The Experience (‘98) and Universal’s Islands of Adventure (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” COOL RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park that came up with the best sounding and memorable name of the year.
 19.6% - Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Gigacoaster
19.0% - Kraken - SeaWorld Florida - B&M Floorless Looper (7)
11.2% - Goliath - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Giovanola Hypercoaster
9.7% - Apocalypse - Drayton Manor - Intamin Stand-Up Giant Drop
8.1% - Stealth - Paramount’s Great America - Vekoma Flying Dutchman
5.3% - Legend - Holiday World - CCI Terrain Twister
5.0% - Son Of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island - Premier/RCCA Wood Coaster w/ Inversion
5.0% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Intamin Themed SeaCoaster Flume
4.9% - Medusa - Six Flags Marine World - B&M Floorless Looper (7)
4.6% - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm - Intamin Giant Shoot The Chutes
3.7% - Lightning Racer - Hersheypark - GCI Racing/Dueling Wood Coaster
2.2% - Steel Dragon 2000 - Nagashi Spaland - Morgan Gigacoaster
1.7% - Others...
It was neck and neck until the very end with only 10 votes difference at the very end. Past winners include Alpengest, Shivering Timbers and Rock ‘n Roller Coaster.
2000 “ULTIMATE” LAME RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park that came up with the worst sounding name of the year.
 19.4% - Dinosaur - Animal Kingdom (WDW) - Renamed from “Countdown To Extinction”
17.4% - Beano Land - Chessington World of Adventure - Kiddie Land
11.4% - Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Gigacoaster
10.4% - Speed: The Ride - Sahara Casino - Premier Rides LIM Shuttle Coaster
9.8% - Son Of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island - Premier/RCCA Wood Coaster w/ Inversion
7.8% - La Via Volta - Six Flags Holland - Vekoma Boomerang
6.2% - The Boss - Six Flags St. Louis - CCI Wood Terrain Twister
5.8% - Wall’s Magnum Force - Flamingoland - Schwarzkopf’s “Dreier Looping”
2.5% - Batman: Knight Flight - Six Flags Ohio - B&M Floorless Coaster
2.3% - Superman: Krypton Coaster - Six Flags Fiesta Texas - B&M Floorless Coaster
2.3% - Superman: Ultimate Escape - Six Flags Ohio - Intamin Spiral Impulse Coaster
1.5% - The Villain - Six Flags Ohio - CCI Out & Back Wood Coaster
1.4% - Spellbreaker - Legoland California - Caripro Racing Suspended Coaster
1.8% - Others...
In yet another close race Disney took the booby prize... the ironic thing is it was for renaming a previous Ultimate Award winning attraction. Another item of note is that the winner of the Cool Name Award also came in third place for the worst name. Millennium Force is the kind of name that you either just Love or Hate from the first impression. Previous Awards were given to Playstation: The Ride (‘97) and Boomerang: Coast To Coaster (‘98 & ‘99)
2000 “ULTIMATE” FOREIGN RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park with the most interesting sounding name of the year.
23.4% - I-Fell Tower - Hopi Hari - Intamin Giant Drop
21.4% - Katun - Mirabilandia - B&M Inverted Coaster
18.2% - Badwanna-Sturzfaht (Bath Tub Falls) - Tripsdrill - Mack Flume / Bathtub Themed
17.1% - G-5 - Janfusun Fancyworld - B&M Dive Machine
15.7% - Hojdskracken (Acrophobia) - Lisberg - S&S Turbo Drop
3.8% - Puchi Town - Suzuka Circuitland - New Kiddie Land
0.4% - Others...
The Eiffel Tower themed Giant Drop in Brazil joins the three previous European winners: Tonnerre de Zeus, La Vengence De Gargemel and L’Oxygenarium.
2000 “ULTIMATE” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Awarded to the park that has used the most confusing ride name of the year.
 38.4% - Storm Force Accelatron - Islands Of Adventure - Mack Tea Cups
33.0% - MegaZeph - Jazzland - CCI Out & Back Wood Coaster
9.6% - Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Gigacoaster
9.0% - Superman: Ultimate Escape - Six Flags Ohio - Intamin Spiral Impulse Coaster
8.4% - Speed: The Ride - Sahara Casino - Premier Rides LIM Shuttle Loop Coaster
1.6% - Others...
Universal’s X-Men themed Tea Cups ride takes the prize this year, promising a storm of special effects and failing to deliver. Previous Awards have been given to Superman: The Escape, Doo Whopper and Gwazi.
2000 “ULTIMATE” COOL THEME AWARD -
Awarded to the park that designed the best looking themed appearance for a new attraction.
 53.8% - Men In Black - Universal Studios Florida - Dark Ride w/ Guns
16.8% - Autopia - Disneyland - Revamped Classic Attraction
10.0% - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Indoor Themed Intamin SeaCoaster Flume
9.0% - Hex - Alton Towers - Vekoma Mad House
5.6% - Camp Snoopy - Dorney Park - New Kiddie Land
3.4% - Jocco’s Mardi Gras Madness - Jazzland - Sally Dark Ride w/ Guns
1.4% - Others...
Winning by a landslide is Universal Studios latest and greatest take on the classic dark ride adventure. Universal also won last year’s award with Dueling Dragons. Other past winners were Alpengeist (‘97) and Star Trek: The Experience (‘98).
2000 “ULTIMATE” LAME THEME AWARD -
Awarded to the park that designed or budget cut to end up with the worst looking attraction.
 24.7% - Superman: Ultimate Escape - Six Flags Ohio - Intamin Spiral Impulse Coaster
24.4% - Superman: The Ride - Six Flags Holland - Vekoma LSM Launched Coaster
19.8% - Batman: Knight Flight - Six Flags Ohio - B&M Floorless Coaster
14.3% - Superman: Krypton Coaster - Six Flags Fiesta Texas - B&M Floorless Coaster
13.0% - Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags New England & America - Intamin Hypercoaster
3.8% - Others...
No matter how close the race was, a Six Flags park was going to win it this year... most likely with the name “Superman” attached to the project. The latest batch of Super Hero themed coasters from Six Flags makes the original Batman coasters look like they were designed by Disney. Previous winners include: Superman: The Escape (‘97), Doo Whopper (‘98) and Two-Face: The Flip Side (‘99).
2000 ‘ULTIMATE” ON THE RIGHT TRACK AWARD -
Awarded to the park that, if they continue, will be on the path to greatness.
 24.7% - Six Flags Ohio - Converting into a Six Flags Park & adding many new attractions
18.8% - SeaWorld Florida - Adding Kraken & Discovery Cove
15.3% - Knott’s Berry Farm - Adding Perilous Plunge & Soak City USA
8.3% - Hersheypark - Adding Lightning Racer
8.0% - Six Flags Marine World - Adding Medusa and Cobra
6.5% - Lake Compounce - Adding the complex Boulder Dash coaster
4.8% - Six Flags New England - Converting into a Six Flags Park & adding many new attractions
4.0% - Holiday World - Adding Legend
3.7% - Six Flags Holland - Converting into a Six Flags Park & adding many new attractions
2.7% - Drayton Manor - Adding Apocalypse
Six Flags Ohio took it by a comfortable lead as many park fans were impressed by the transformation of Geauga Lake into a major player. Previously Knott’s has taken this award for the past two years for GhostRider and Supreme Scream and Adventure World (now Six Flags America) took it in ‘97.
2000 “ULTIMATE” MOST POPULAR PURCHASE -
Awarded to the ride that seemed to be the most popular item to buy this year.
35.7% - B&M Floorless Coasters
28.1% - Intamin Hyper/Gigacoasters
12.5% - CCI Wood Coasters
10.2% - Dark Rides with Guns
7.8% - Wild Mice Coasters (Various)
5.2% - S&S Towers
0.5% - Others...
B&M Coasters are always a popular item, but this year the focus seemed to be on their new Floorless coasters: Superman: Krypton Coaster, Batman: Knight Flight, Medusa and Kraken. Previous winners include S&S Space Shots (‘97), CCI Wood Coasters (‘98), S&S Towers (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” YAWN AWARD -
Awarded to the park that installed the most boring attraction of the year.
 29.4% - Journey Into Your Imagination - Epcot (WDW)
20.5% - Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - Magic Kingdom (WDW)
11.3% - Animal Area Rehab - Busch Gardens Tampa
10.1% - Wolf Habitat - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
9.8% - Kiddie Rides - SeaWorld Texas
6.0% - Dreamland Forest - Dollywood
5.2% - Missile Chaser - Six Flags Over Texas
4.8% - Aero 360 - Kennywood
2.9% - Others...
Walt Disney World took the top two spots in this year’s poll, both on projects attempting to reenergize existing attractions. Previous winners have been: Light Magic & Bernestein Bear Country (tie ‘97), Rocket Rods (‘98) and Bugs Bunny World (‘99) at SFMM.
2000 “ULTIMATE” WE SAW THIS COMING AWARD -
Awarded to the park that took the most predictable action based upon past history.
 29.1% - Hurricane Harbor - Six Flags Great Adventure - New Waterpark
26.2% - Camp Snoopy - Dorney Park - New Kiddie Land
22.3% - Power Tower - Valleyfair - S&S Combo Towers
20.5% - Pirates 4D - SeaWorld California - 3D/4D Theater
1.9% - Others...
A tight race all around, but a Six Flags takes it for the fourth year in a row with yet another in a long series of Hurricane Harbor parks. Previous winners: Batman: The Ride SFOT (‘99), Boomerang SFDL (‘98) and Batman: The Ride SFOG (‘97).
2000 “ULTIMATE” WE’RE NOT WORTHY! AWARD -
Awarded to the park that surprised everyone by buying an expensive and well crafted attraction.
 30.9% - Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Intamin Gigacoaster
15.5% - Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce - CCI Wood Terrain Coaster
13.0% - Stealth - Paramount’s Great America - Vekoma Flying Dutchman
11.5% - Medusa - Six Flags Marine World - B&M Floorless Coaster
8.7% - Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags New England - Intamin Hypercoaster
7.4% - Lightning Racer - Hersheypark - GCI Racing/Dueling Wood Coaster
6.2% - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm - Intamin Giant Shoot The Chutes
3.3% - Superman: Ride of Steel - Six Flags America - Intamin Hypercoaster
3.5% - Others... (most notably Kraken & Goliath)
Cedar Point surprised the world in 1989 with the world’s first 200 foot tall coaster... they did it again in 2000 with Millennium Force. Previous Winners: Chang (‘97), Shivering Timbers (‘98) and Spiderman (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” OUCH, THAT HURT! AWARD -
Awarded to the park that installed the most painful new ride of the year.
 60.0% - Son Of Beast - Paramount Kings Island - Premier/RCCA Looping Wood Coaster
11.5% - RC-48 - Morey’s Piers - Pinfari Coaster
9.7% - Nightwing - Six Flags New England - Huss Fly Away
8.5% - The Boss - Six Flags St. Louis - CCI Wood Coaster w/ Gerstlauer Trains
7.7% - The Villain - Six Flags Ohio - CCI Wood Coaster w/ Gerstlauer Trains
2.6% - Others...
In a category that has previously been dominated by steel coasters, this year’s line up just seemed to indicate that there was something just not right with this year’s crop of wood coasters. Previous winners include: Windjammer (‘97), The Chiller (‘98) and Joker’s Jinx (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” WE SAT ON OUR ASS & DID NOTHING! AWARD -
Awarded to the park that did the least to promote growth and higher attendance this year.
 27.7% - Walt Disney World
14.5% - Six Flags Elitch Gardens
11.0% - MGM Grand Adventures
9.7% - Six Flags Astroworld
8.6% - Six Flags Over Georgia
6.8% - Six Flags Great America
5.6% - The Great Escape
4.4% - Efteling
3.8% - Knott’s Camp Snoopy (Mall of America)
2.6% - La Ronde
1.8% - Parc Asterix
1.4% - Phantasialand
2.1% - Others...
Walt Disney World continued to ride along with their Millennium Celebration that they kicked off in 1999. Previous Awards have been given to Universal Studios Hollywood (‘97), Kennywood (‘98), and MGM Grand Adventures (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” ABOUT TIME AWARD -
Given to a park that made a move that was long overdue.
 61.9% - SeaWorld Florida - Adding Kraken
14.7% - Discovery Cove - Putting the unique SeaWorld expertise to the ultimate test
11.8% - Magic Springs - Bringing a dead park back to life
8.8% - Blackpool Pleasure Beach - Adding Valhalla
2.8% - Others...
Both of the top winners can be applied to the SeaWorld Florida complex resulting in 76.6% of the total votes. Previous Awards went to: Six Flags Over Georgia for Batman: The Ride (‘97), Knott’s Berry Farm for Supreme Scream (‘98) and Epcot for opening Test Track (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” SAME NAME / SAME MERCHANDISE AWARD -
Awarded to the parks that copy or use the same name over and over for their rides.
 47.4% - Superman coasters - Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Ohio, America, New England, Holland
38.3% - Batman coasters - Six Flags Ohio, Mexico (Previously at nearly every Six Flags park)
5.9% - Medusa - Six Flags Marine World and Mexico (Previously at SF Great Adventure)
3.3% - Power Tower - Valleyfair (Previously at Cedar Point)
2.9% - Pirates 4D - SeaWorld California (Previously in Ohio & Busch Gardens Williamsburg)
1.7% - Mission: Bermuda Triangle - SeaWorld Ohio (Previously in California & Florida)
0.5% - Others...
Six Flags / Premier Parks takes this award for the fourth year in a row. Previously it went to Mind Eraser (‘97), Boomerang: Coast to Coaster (‘98) and Batman: The Ride (‘99).
2000 “ULTIMATE” LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD -
Given to the best Entertainment Property transformed into a ride or themed land.
 43.7% - Men In Black: Alien Attack - Universal Studios Florida
23.8% - Superman (Krypton Coaster, Ride of Steel, The Ride, Ultimate Escape) - Six Flags Parks
11.0% - Batman (The Ride, Knight Flight, etc...) - Six Flags Parks
10.5% - Dinosaur - Disney’s Animal Kingdom
5.7% - Camp Snoopy - Dorney Park
4.8% - Curse of The Mummy’s Tomb - Universal Studios Hollywood
0.5% - Others...
Universal takes the award for the second year in a row with Men In Black and with Marvel Super Heros in ‘99. Paramount took it in ‘98 with Star Trek: The Experience.
2000 “ULTIMATE” HATED ATTRACTION WE’D LIKE TO SEE REMOVED -
Given to the park ride or attraction that we feel the world would benefit if the plug was pulled.
 21.6% - Journey Into Your Imagination - Epcot (WDW)
21.3% - Dinosaur changed back to Countdown To Extinction - Animal Kingdom (WDW)
16.6% - Viper - Six Flags Great Adventure - TOGO Heartline Coaster
16.2% - Flashback - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Intamin Space Diver
11.2% - Grizzly - Paramount’s Great America - Custom Wood Coaster
5.5% - Hercules - Dorney Park - Custom Wood Coaster
7.6% - Others...(too many to list)
Normally people scream if they touch a Disney attraction, but not after they removed the original Imagination attraction and replaced it with this current version. Previous dishonors went to Windjammer (‘99 and now closed) and PGA’s Grizzly coaster (‘98) which is towards the bottom of the list. The history of the award’s past nominees is starting to look more like a crystal ball of the future. Other attractions previously listed that have been closed or remodeled Mr. Lincoln (Disneyland), Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom), Black Widow (Riverside), and Vampire (SFKK).
2000 “ULTIMATE” BEST REMOVED ATTRACTION -
Given to the attraction that we’re most grateful that it was removed, replaced or remodeled.
 50.8% - Windjammer - Knott’s Berry Farm - TOGO Racing Loop Coaster
11.6% - Vampire - Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom - Vekoma Boomerang
11.4% - Monorail - Busch Gardens Tampa - Animal Tour
10.4% - James Bond - Paramount Canada’s Wonderland - Simulator
8.5% - Bernstein Bear Country - Dorney Park - Kiddie Land
5.2% - Haunted Shack - Knott’s Berry Farm - Classic Walk Through Attraction
2.1% - Others...
Winner of the 1999 Ultimate Hated Attraction, it only make sense that it would win this year. Previous winners were Bettlejuice’s Graveyard Review USH (‘99) and Days of Thunder (‘98).
2000 “ULTIMATE” WORST ATTRACTION REMOVED -
Given to the attraction that we are most upset that it has been removed.
 31.3% - Skyway - Magic Kingdom (WDW) - Aerial Tram
25.3% - Haunted Shack - Knott’s Berry Farm - Walk Through Experience
17.1% - Monorail - Busch Gardens Tampa - Animal Tour
15.0% - Air Racer - Six Flags Over Texas - Classic Flat Ride
9.3% - Wonder Wheel - Kennywood - Ferris Wheel
2.0% - Others... including the Steel Phantom
With the removal of the Disneyland Skyway in 1994 it was only a matter of time before the Florida version met the same fate it seems. Despite the many upset guests, it seems Disney had no choice due to new ADA Laws that would have eventually required the stations to add handicapped access elevators and all new cabins. Previous awards were given to Drachen Fire (‘99) and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (‘98).
The Following “OVERALL” Awards include all current parks and attractions, not just the new attractions that opened in 2000.
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE’ FAVORITE OVERALL THEME/AMUSEMENT PARK
  #1 - TIE
Islands Of Adventure (Last Year #1)
Cedar Point (Last Year - #2)
#3 - Six Flags Magic Mountain (Tie #5)
#4 - Disneyland (#4)
#5 - Busch Gardens Tampa (#16)
#6 - Six Flags Great Adventure (Tie #5)
#7 - Magic Kingdom (#3)
#8 - Knott’s Berry Farm (#11)
#9 - Epcot (#10)
#10 - Paramount’s Kings Island (#9)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL NON-COASTER THRILL RIDES
 #1 - The Adventures of Spiderman - Islands Of Adventure (Last Year - #1)
#2 - Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror - Disney/MGM Studios (#2)
#3 - Power Tower - Cedar Point (#4)
#4 - Supreme Scream - Knott’s Berry Farm (#3)
#5 - Indiana Jones Adventure - Disneyland (#5)
#6 - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm (N/A)
#7 - Drop Zone - Paramount’s Kings Island (#6)
#8 - Test Track - Epcot (#7)
#9 - Men In Black - Universal Studios Florida (N/A)
#10 - Huss Frisbee - Various (#14)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL DARK RIDE
 #1 - The Adventures of Spiderman - Islands Of Adventure (Last Year - #1)
#2 - Men In Black - Universal Studios Florida (N/A)
#3 - Indiana Jones Adventure - Disneyland (#5)
#4 - Haunted Mansion - Magic Kingdom (#4)
#5 - Exterminator - Kennywood (#10)
#6 - Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror - Disney/MGM Studios (#8)
#7 - Haunted Mansion - Disneyland (#2)
#8 - Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - Magic Kingdom (#14)
#9 - TIE
Pirates of the Caribbean - Disneyland (#6)
Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach (N/A)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL WATER RIDE
 #1 - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm (Last Year - N/A)
#2 - Splash Mountain - Magic Kingdom (#1)
#3 - TIE
Splash Mountain - Disneyland (#1)
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges - Islands Of Adventure (#4)
#5 - Dudley Do Right’s Ripsaw Falls - Islands Of Adventure (#2)
#6 - Jurassic Park River Adventure - Universal Studios Hollywood/Islands of Adventure (#3)
#7 - Journey To Atlantis - SeaWorld Florida (#6)
#8 - Kali River Rapids - Disney’s Animal Kingdom (#5)
#9 - Snake River Falls - Cedar Point (#10)
#10 - Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach (N/A)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL WOOD ROLLER COASTER
 #1 - GhostRider - Knott’s Berry Farm (Last Year - #1)
#2 - The Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island (#3)
#3 - Son Of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island (N/A)
#4 - Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce (N/A)
#5 - Gwazi - Busch Gardens Tampa (#2)
#6 - The Villain - Six Flags Ohio (N/A)
#7 - Lightning Racer - Hersheypark (N/A)
#8 - The Legend - Holiday World (N/A)
#9 - Tonerre de Zeus - Parc Asterix (#12)
#10 - Shivering Timbers - Michigan’s Adventure (#8)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL STEEL ROLLER COASTER
 #1 - Millennium Force - Cedar Point (Last Year - N/A)
#2 - Incredible Hulk - Islands Of Adventure (#1)
#3 - Goliath - Six Flags Magic Mountain (N/A)
#4 - Superman: Ride Of Steel - Six Flags New England (N/A)
#5 - Rock ‘n Roller Coaster - Disney/MGM Studios (#3)
#6 - Medusa - Six Flags Marine World (N/A)
#7 - Magnum XL 200 - Cedar Point (#2)
#8 - Dueling Dragons - Islands Of Adventure (#4)
#9 - TIE
Medusa - Six Flags Great Adventure (#6)
Superman: Ride Of Steel - Six Flags America & Darien Lake (SFDL #11)
That’s a wrap people! Thanks for visiting and voting in the 4th Annual Screamscape Ultimate Awards. We enjoyed having you and invite everyone to return next year because this thing just keeps getting bigger!
|
