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September 18th, 2002
Better late than never... Welcome to the 5th Annual Screamscape Ultimate Awards. The Ultimate Awards have really grown over the past five years, with over 2100 votes being cast in just twelve short days. 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. We’re not giving out Oscars, but you’re sure to enjoy the show.
The 2001 Ultimate Awards were presented on Screamscape.com for open public voting for in September 2002... sorry if I was a little late this year. 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 was between January 1st, 2001 until October 31st, 2001. Please note than the previous year’s dates were extended for that particular year (Nov. 1st, 1999 until Dec. 31st, 2000).
The Screamscape Ultimate Awards are the largest and one of 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 - “Oops... we did it again!”
For some reason Disney seems to have lost their knack for building world class theme parks, instead opening park that are very low in the actual number of attractions and just seeming to miss the target when it comes to guests. Yes... we’re talking about Disney’s California Adventure which failed to bring in anything near the level of crowds they had hoped. Meanwhile on the other side of the world, Disney showed off what they can do when given a proper budget to work with from the Oriental Land Company with the opening of Tokyo-DisneySea. Its amazing how two monster theme park projects that opened the very same year could have gone on such different paths. Meanwhile the Paris and Orlando parks were pretty much ignored, attendance already falling short at the Orlando parks for the year even before the events of September 11th squeezed off the flow of tourists to Florida.
Six Flags Theme Parks - “Deja Vu? Not Again...”
While no new US parks were converted for the 2001 season, Six Flags Belgium did appear from the ashes of Walibi Wavre. La Ronde (Canada) and Enchanted Village (Washington) were also gobbled up have have yet to be Flagged. From the look of things, they tried to slow down the number of new rides opening at the various parks in the chain by buying several clones... most notably a trio of Super Inverted Boomerangs from Vekoma called Deja Vu that were plagued with delays and problems throughout the entire season. Arrow’s first 4th Dimension coaster, X, was also announced for Magic Mountain but delays in the project kept it from actually opening until late December 2001, so it wont be included in the Ultimate Awards until 2002.
Busch Theme Parks - “Experimentation is good.”
While it seemed as if the SeaWorld parks laid low for the season, both of the Busch Gardens parks took big risks with new major projects. Tampa finished the extensive Rhino Rally project at last, though not without a few bumps, and Williamsburg rethemed a land into the all new Ireland section of the park to much success.
Universal Studios Theme Parks - “Focus outside the box”
Universal, now under the new ownership of Vivendi, sort of took the year off in America while they focused most of their efforts to opening the all new studio park in Japan, moving their Creative division’s offices from Hollywood to Orlando, as well as opening an all new pyrotechnic attraction experience in Spain.
Cedar Fair - “Oops!”
I think this year will go down as Cedar Fair’s “OOPS!” year due to the strange and unfortunate events that unfolded with their S&S Insane upcharge attraction, VertiGo at Cedar Point. This resulted in the removal of the identical attraction from Knott’s, leaving both parks with nothing to show for the season. Dorney Park however stood out from the rest after opening the Talon inverted coaster to rave reviews.
Paramount Parks - “Family Fun and some new thrills for good measure!”
Paramount seems to stick to its new mission of adding great family fun to most of their parks this season. Everything from the new 7th Portal 3D Simulator ride to Psycho Mouse, Kiddie Rides, Dark Rides and family suspended coasters. Meanwhile thrill seekers near PKD were not disappointed with Hypersonic as well as the all new Lap Bar only trains now running on both Flight of Fear coasters (PKD & PKI).
On to the Awards!
2001 “ULTIMATE” PROTOTYPE RIDE AWARD -
For excellence in the design and production of a new prototype ride or attraction.
 34.9% - Soarin’ Over California - Inverted Simulator - Disney’s California Adventure
30.1% - Acrophobia - Intamin Floorless Gyro-Drop - Six Flags over Georgia
14.9% - Grizzly River Run - Intamin Rapids w/ Multi Flume Drops - Disney’s California Adventure
6.5% - Journey to the Center of the Earth - High Speed Dark Thrill Ride - Tokyo-DisneySea
4.3% - 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea - Dark Ride - Tokyo-DisneySea
2.7% - Templo Del Fuego - Walk-Thru FX Adventure - Universal’s Port Aventura
Considering all the hash comments people have made about DCA since it opened, you can see that people really liked Soarin’. Acrophobia also introduced people to a whole new way to fly and was very popular. Past winners include: Superman: The Escape (‘97), Oblivion (‘98), Spider-man (‘99) and Stealth (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” THRILL RIDE AWARD (NON-COASTER) -
For the design and installation of the most thrilling new ride on the planet.
33.5% - Soarin’ Over California - Disney’s California Adventure - Inverted Simulator
26.2% - VertiGo - Cedar Point & Knott’s Berry Farm - S&S Absolutely Insane
22.2% - Journey to the Center of the Earth - Tokyo-DisneySea - High Speed Dark Ride
7.7% - Shockwave - Paramounts Canada’s Wonderland - Mondial Top Scan
5.9% - Templo Del Fuego - Universal’s Port Aventura - Walk-Thru FX Adventure
4.5% - Sping Shot - Orlando’s Old Town - Spring Loaded Sling Shot
It’s amazing when a family friendly thrill ride takes everyone by storm to become so popular. It’s also worth noting that the now removed VertiGo attraction from the Cedar Fair parks (S&S Insane) managed to rate incredibly high on the list despite only running for a few weeks in each location. Perhaps they were a big hasty in removing them. Past Ultimate Scream Machine winners have included Orlando’s 300 foot Skycoaster, Countdown To Extinction, Spider-man and Perilous Plunge.
2001 “ULTIMATE” WATER RIDE AWARD -
For the design and installation of the best new water attraction on the planet.
 50.5% - Grizzly River Run - Disney’s California Adventure - Intamin Rapids w/ Multi Drops
30.4% - Rhino Rally - Busch Gardens Tampa - Vekoma Runaway River Bridge
8.6% - Vonkaputous – Linnanmaki – Premier Rides Liquid Coaster
8.0% - Wild Thornberrys River Adventure – Paramount’s Kings Island – Log Flume
2.4% - Adventure Falls – Adventureland (Long Island) – Log Flume
Disney claims yet another award for DCA with the park’s signature icon attraction. This category was in 1999 and Dudley-Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls and Perilous Plunge have taken the previous two awards.
2001 “ULTIMATE” 3-D, ANIMATONIC, SPECIAL EFFECTS ATTRACTION
For the design and installation of the highest quality new attraction.
38.5% - Soarin’ Over California - Disney’s California Adventure - Inverted Simulator
12.0% - Journey To the Center of the Earth – Tokyo DisneySea – High Speed Dark Ride
11.7% - Corkscrew Hill – Busch Gardens Williamsburg – 3D Simulator
11.2% - Scooby Doo’s Haunted Mansion – Paramount’s Carowinds – Interactive Dark Ride
8.6% - 7th Portal – Paramount Parks – 3D Simulator
6.8% - StormRider – Tokyo Disneysea – Simulator
5.9% - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – Tokyo DisneySea – Dark Ride
3.5% - Sinbad’s Seven Voyages – Tokyo DisneySea – Dark Ride
1.8% - Ghost Blasters – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – Interactive Dark Ride
Disney grabs their first win in this new category added in 1999. Universal took both of the previous awards with The Adventures of Spider-man in 1999 and Men In Black: Alien Attach in 2000. Soarin’ is in good company, achieving the goal of pulling the riders into the experience.
2001 “ULTIMATE” STEEL COASTER AWARD -
For design and excellence in building the best new steel coaster on the planet.
 19.7% - Nitro - Six Flags Great Adventure - B&M Hypercoaster
17.4% - Déjà Vu – SFMM, SFOG and SFGAm – Vekoma Super Boomerang
12.0% - Expedition Ge-Force – Holiday Park – Intamin Hypercoaster
11.5% - X-Flight / Batwing – Six Flags Ohio / America – Vekoma Flying Dutchman
10.0% - Hypersonic – Paramount’s Kings Dominion – S&S Thrust Air
9.5% - Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood – Morgan Hypercoaster
5.9% - Talon – Dorney Park – B&M Inverted
5.6% - Titan – Six Flags Over Texas – Giovanola Hypercoaster
3.8% - Vertical Velocity – SF Marine World & Great America – Intamin Impulse
4.6% - Wildfire – Silver Dollar City – B&M Sit Down MegaLooper
It was a tough fight for the top spot this year, and I’ve got to wonder if Deja Vu might have took first place if all three rides opened on time with without all of the problems that resulted in lengthy periods of downtime and capacity problems. It’s also worth noting that 4 of the last 5 awards have all gone to B&M (Alpengeist (‘97), Riddler’s Revenge (‘98) and Incredible Hulk (‘99)) with Intamin grabbing the 2000 award for Millennium Force.
2001 “ULTIMATE” WOOD COASTER AWARD -
For design and excellence in building the best new wood coaster on the planet.
 45.0% - Colossos - Heide Park - Intamin Out & Back w/ New Style Track
22.8% - Cornball Express – Indiana Beach – CCI Twister
16.9% - Cheetah – Wild Adventures – CCI Out & Back
10.1% - Loup-Garou (WeerWolf) - Six Flags Belgium – Vekoma
5.2% - ThunderCoaster – Tusenfryd – Vekoma
It was a slow year for wooden coasters, with 3 of the 5 going to Europe and the remaining two in North America being on the small side. Past winners include: Stampeda, Shivering Timbers, GhostRider and Son of Beast.
2001 “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.
 35.9% - Scooby Doo’s Haunted Mansion - Paramount’s Carowinds - Interactive Dark Ride
34.1% - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – Disney/MGM / California Adventure
12.1% - Corkscrew Hill – Busch Gardens Williasmburg – 3D Simulator
10.7% - La Trace Du Houura – Parc Asterix – Mack Bobsled
7.2% - 7th Portal – Paramount Parks – 3D Simulator
Paramount’s Carowinds wins this award for the second year in a row with their Scooby Doo dark ride from Sally Corp. Previous winners include: Cat In The Hat, Buzz Lightyear, the Reverchon Crazy Mouse and Flying Super Saturator.
2001 “ULTIMATE” DISAPPOINTMENT -
Awarded for poor planning, design, and/or execution of a ride, attraction or park.
 36.8% - Déjà Vu - SFMM, SFOG, SFGAm - Vekoma prototype plagued with start-up & capacity problems
33.0% - Disney’s California Adventure – Expensive, Few Attractions, No Interest from locals
22.9% - Rhino Rally – Heavy down time for vehicals and often runs without Vekoma River finale
7.3% - Wuze Town – Themed attraction area failed to open this season
Six Flags and Vekoma had nothing but problems trying to breathe life into the troublesome triplets. Even one year later the rides are still plaged with unresolved problems and painfully slow to reload. This also broke the four year streak of Disney attractions as previous winners: Light Magic, Animal Kingdom, Test Track, and the downgrade of CTX into Dinosaur.
2001 “ULTIMATE’ NEW LAND / EXPANSION -
Awarded to the best new Land, Re-themed Area, or Major Expansion Project of the year.
 35.4% - Tokyo DisneySea –2nd Park, Hotels, Shopping and Monorail
19.6% - Disney’s California Adventure –2nd Park, Hotels and Shopping
18.4% - Six Flags Worlds of Adventure – Absorbing the former SeaWorld Ohio
8.9% - Ireland – Busch Gardens Williamsburg – New Shows, Shops and Ride
4.2% - Nickelodeon Central – Paramount’s Kings Island – New land & 2 rides
3.8% - Bonfante Gardens – New Garden Themed Park
4.4% - Universal Studios Japan – New Park
3.4% - Dolly’s Splash Country – Water Park added next to Dollywood
1.9% - Six Flags Belgium – The “Flagging” of Walibi Wavre
Past winners include Edge of Africa (‘97), Star Trek: The Experience (‘98), Universal’s Islands of Adventure (‘99) and Six Flags Ohio (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” COOL RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park that came up with the best sounding and memorable name of the year.
 22.9% - California Screamin’ - Disney’s California Adventure - Intamin Launched Coaster
11.4% - Acrophobia – Six Flags over Georgia – Intamin Floorless Gyro Drop
10.9% - Déjà Vu – SFMM, SFOG and SFGAm - Vekoma Super Boomerang
6.4% - Nitro – Six Flags Great Adventure – B&M Hypercoaster
6.1% - Hypersonic XLC – Paramount’s Kings Dominion – S&S Thrust Air Coaster
5.8% - StormRider – Tokyo DisneySea – Simulator
5.7% - Talon – Dorney Park – B&M Inverted Coaster
5.6% - Phantom’s Revenge – Kennywood – Morgan Hypercoaster
5.3% - Expedition Ge-Force – Holiday Park – Intamin Hypercoaster
4.2% - StratusFear – Visionland – S&S Space Shot / Turbo Drop
4.2% - Wildfire – Silver Dollar City – B&M Looping Coaster
4.1% - Rhino Rally – Busch Gardens Tampa – Off Road Adventure
7.4% - Others...
The aptly named California Screamin’ won by a healthy lead this year. Past winners include: Alpengeist, Shivering Timbers, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster and Millennium Force.
2001 “ULTIMATE” LAME RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park that came up with the worst sounding name of the year.
 19.5% - Cornball Express – Indiana Beach – CCI Wood Coaster
15.8% - Dr. Dean’s Rocket Machine – Magic Springs – S&S Doubleshot
13.1% - Shaft of Terror – Gold Reef City – Custom Vertical Drop Coaster
10.4% - Orange Stinger – Disney’s California Adventure – Wave Swinger
8.6% - X-Flight – Six Flags Worlds of Adventure – Vekoma Flying Dutchman
8.2% - Eraser – WB MovieWorld Germany – Vekoma SLC Inverted Coaster
5.4% - Mulholland Madness – Disney’s California Adventure – Mack Wild Mouse
4.3% - Nitro – Six Flags Great Adventure – B&M Hypercoaster
3.7% - Vertical Velocity – S.F. Marine World & Great America – Intamin Impulse
3.5% - Hangman – Frontier City – Chance Slingshot Tower
2.2% - Tornado – Sarkanniemi – Intamin Inverted Coaster
2.0% - Submission – Alton Towers – Chance Double Inverter
1.9% - Quicksilver Express – Bonfante Gardens – Morgan Mine Train Coaster
1.3% - Cheetah – Wild Adventures – CCI Wood Coaster
Previous Awards were given to Playstation: The Ride (‘97) and Boomerang: Coast To Coaster (‘98 & ‘99) and the renaming of Dinosaur from “Countdown To Extinction” (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” FOREIGN RIDE NAME -
Awarded to the park with the most interesting sounding name of the year.
 22.5% - Templo Del Fuego - Universal’s Port Aventura - Walk-Thur FX Adventure
21.1% - Expedition Ge-Force – Holiday Park – Intamin Hypercoaster
20.3% - Dodonpa – Fujikyu Highlands – S&S Thrust Air Coaster
16.1% - Vonkaputous – Linnanmaki – Premier Rides Liquid Coaster
10.3% - Loup-Garou – Six Flags Belgium – Vekoma Wooden Coaster
5.6% - La Trace Du Houura – Parc Asteriz – Mack Bobsled
4.1% - Others...
In a neck and neck race, Universal’s Temple of Fire joins the previous winners: Tonnerre de Zeus, La Vengence De Gargemel, L’Oxygenarium and I-Fell Tower.
2001 “ULTIMATE” WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
Awarded to the park that has used the most confusing ride name of the year.
 28.0% - Cornball Express – Indiana Beach – CCI Wood Coaster
25.1% - La Trace Du Houura (Road To Happiness) – Parc Asterix – Mack Bobsled
17.9% - Crazy Flying Coaster – Janfusen Fancyworld – B&M Floorless
16.0% - Aquatopia – Tokyo DisneySea – Trackless Automated Water Cars
8.1% - Eraser – WB MovieWorld Germany – Vekoma SLC Inverted Coaster
4.9% - Others...
Indiana Beach’s CCI wood coaster took the prize this year as well as the Lame Name award. Previous Awards have been given to Superman: The Escape, Doo Whopper, Gwazi and Storm Force Accelatron.
2001 “ULTIMATE” COOL THEME AWARD -
Awarded to the park that designed the best looking themed appearance for a new attraction.
 25.3% - Grizzly River Run - Disney’s California Adventure
16.9% - Mysterious Island (JCE / 20K) - Tokyo DisneySea
11.7% - Paradise Pier - Disney's California Adventure
8.9% - Wildfire - Silver Dollar City
8.4% - Condor Flats / Soarin' Over California - Disney's California Adventure
6.9% - Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion - Paramount's Carowinds
6.9% - Nickelodeon Central - Paramount's Kings Island
6.3% - Templo Del Fuego - Universal's Port Aventura
5.6% - Lego Technics Coaster - Legoland California
3.1% - Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Magic Kingdom
Disney grabs the top three spots this year. Universal also won last year’s award with Dueling Dragons. Other past winners were Alpengeist, Star Trek: The Experience and Men In Black.
2001 “ULTIMATE” LAME THEME AWARD -
Awarded to the park that designed or budget cut to end up with the worst looking attraction.
 33.7% - Batwing - Six Flags America - Vekoma Flying Dutchman Coaster
30.0% - Superstar Limo - Disney's California Adventure
14.6% - Mulholland Madness - Disney's California Adventure
14.0% - Magic Carpets of Adaddin - Magic Kingdom
7.8% - Others...
Normally you don’t see Disney in the running for this category and this year they just missed winning it by a narrow margin with Superstar Limo. But Batwing, like the rest of the current crop of Super Hero themed coasters from Six Flags, are trying their hardest to make the original Batman: The Ride coasters look like they were themed by Disney Imagineers. Previous winners include: Superman: The Escape, Doo Whopper, Two-Face: The Flip Side, and Superman: Ultimate Escape.
2001 “ULTIMATE” ON THE RIGHT TRACK AWARD -
Awarded to the park that, if they continue, will be on the path to greatness.
 25.5% - Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Converting an existing land into Ireland
16.3% - Six Flags over Georgia - Adding 2 major rides (Acrophobia & Déjà Vu)
15.5% - Silver Dollar City - Serious about quality / B&M coaster
11.8% - Dorney Park - Adding Talon, but more is now needed
7.0% - Six Flags America - Adding Batwing to the great collection of coasters
6.3% - Heide Park - Adding Colossos prototype wooden coaster
6.3% - Paramount's Great America - Adding 7th Portal, Psycho Mouse, Swings
5.9% - Holiday Park - Adding Expedition Ge-Force
4.0% - Paramount's Carowinds - Adding 7th Portal, Scooby Doo, Water Slides
1.3% - Others...
After some quiet time it looks like Busch Gardens is back on track and impressing the guests. Previously winners include Adventure World (now Six Flags America) in ‘97, Knott’s Berry Farm in ‘98 and ‘99 for Supreme Scream & GhostRider and Six Flags Ohio in 2000.
2001 “ULTIMATE” MOST POPULAR PURCHASE -
Awarded to the ride that seemed to be the most popular item to buy this year.
 17.7% - Vekoma Boomerang / Super Boomerang (Déjà Vu, Boomerang, Cobra)
16.7% - Wild Mice (Psycho Mouse, Mulholland Madness, Lego Technics, etc...)
15.9% - Simulators (Corkscrew Hill, Soarin', StormRider, 7th Portal, etc...)
13.8% - Vekoma Flying Coasters (X-Flight & Batwing) 13.8%
13.4% - Sally Interactive Dark Rides (Scooby Doo, Ghost Blasters, etc...)
13.3% - S&S Towers (Dr Dean's Rocket, Dragon's Descent, StratusFear, etc...)
6.9% - Sling Shot Style Upcharge Rides (VertiGo, Sling Shot, Spring Shot)
2.4% - Others...
Vekoma seems to be on top of the park’s shopping lists for the 2001 season with a variety of Boomerang style coasters to offer from the normal Boomerang and Invertigo up to the new Super Boomerang designs. Previous winners include S&S Space Shots (‘97), CCI Wood Coasters (‘98), S&S Towers (‘99) and B&M Floorless coasters in 2000.
2001 “ULTIMATE” YAWN AWARD -
Awarded to the park that installed the most boring attraction of the year.
 35.2% - Superstar Limo - Disney's California Adventure
32.8% - Magic Carpets of Aladdin - Magic Kingdom (WDW)
17.3% - Nickelodeon Blast Zone - Universal Studios Hollywood
14.6% - Tiny Timber Town - Six Flags New England
Disney wins two in a row, and just like last year, it was a neck and neck race with another Disney attraction. Previous winners have been: Light Magic & Bernestein Bear Country (tie ‘97), Rocket Rods (‘98) Bugs Bunny World (‘99) at SFMM and Journey Into Your Imagination at Epcot (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” WE SAW THIS COMING AWARD -
Awarded to the park that took the most predictable action based upon past history.
 33.5% - Camp Snoopy - Worlds of Fun - New Kiddie Land
19.8% - Paramount's Carowinds - Scooby Doo's Haunted Mansion
19.0% - Six Flags over Texas - Titan
18.2% - Six Flags Great Adventure - Nitro
9.5% - Six Flags Belgium - The Flagging of Walibi Wavre
By a landslide, Cedar Fair broke the four year Six Flags winning streak by adding another Camp Snoopy land to their parks. Previous winners: Batman: The Ride SFOG (‘97), Boomerang SFDL (‘98), Batman: The Ride SFOT (‘99) and Hurricane Harbor SFGAdv (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” WE’RE NOT WORTHY! AWARD -
Awarded to the park that surprised everyone by buying an expensive and well crafted attraction.
 31.0% - Soarin' Over California - Disney's California Adventure - Inverted Simulator
20.0% - Flight of Fear - Par. Kings Island & Dominion (Lap Bar only trains)
17.1% - Talon - Dorney Park - B&M Inverted Coaster
13.0% - Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood - Morgan Hypercoaster
10.9% - Expedition Ge-Force - Holiday Park - Intamin Hypercoaster
8.1% - Colossos - Heide Park
This marks Disney first entry into this category. Previous Winners: Chang (‘97), Shivering Timbers (‘98), Spider-man (‘99) and Millennium Force (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” OUCH, THAT HURT! AWARD -
Awarded to the park that installed the most painful new ride of the year.
 50.0% - Eraser - WB MovieWorld Germany - Vekoma “SLC” Inverted Coaster
30.1% - Submission - Alton Towers - Chance Inverter
14.8% - Cheetah - Wild Adventures - CCI Wood Cosater w/ Gerstlauer Trains
7.6% - Others...
This was a rough choice this year since there were actually very few new where guests complained about roughness, plus one previous winner has been scrapped and two others modified to become pain free. Previous winners include: Windjammer (‘97), The Chiller (‘98), Joker’s Jinx (‘99) and Son of Beast (2000).
2001 “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.
 29.7% - Islands of Adventure
11.6% - Universal Studios Florida
TOTAL for Universal Orlando - 41.3%
10.9% - Six Flags Astroworld
10.5% - Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom
8.5% - Jazzland
6.2% - Hersheypark
6.1% - Valleyfair
5.5% - Six Flags Darien Lake
4.9% - Blackpool Pleasure Beach
3.3% - Six Flags St. Louis
2.6% - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Both Universal Orlando theme parks make up the top two positions on their own merits and earned a total of 41.3% of all votes. Previous Awards have been given to Universal Studios Hollywood (‘97), Kennywood (‘98), MGM Grand Adventures (‘99) and Walt Disney World (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” ABOUT TIME AWARD -
Given to a park that made a move that was long overdue.
 25.6% - Busch Gardens Williamsburg - A new land & new ride
18.5% - Dorney Park - Adds a B&M Inverted coaster at long last
18.3% - Paramount - Converting Flight of Fear trains to new Lap Bar only design
14.7% - Six Flags over Georgia - Adding two major attractions at once
12.0% - Silver Dollar City - Getting serious about thrill rides by adding WildFire
10.9% - Six Flags over Texas - About time the park got it's own Hypercoater
The Busch parks take the award again for the second year in a row. Previous Awards went to: Six Flags Over Georgia for Batman: The Ride (‘97), Knott’s Berry Farm for Supreme Scream (‘98), Epcot for opening Test Track (‘99) and SeaWorld Florida for Kraken (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” SAME NAME / SAME MERCHANDISE AWARD -
Awarded to the parks that copy or use the same name over and over for their rides.
 75.5% - Déjà Vu - Six Flags Magic Mountain, Great America and Over Georgia
10.0% - 7th Portal - Paramount Parks
7.6% - VertiGo - Cedar Point & Knott's Berry Farm
6.9% - Vertical Velocity - Six Flags Marine World & Great America
By a landslide vote, Six Flags takes this award for the fifth time in a row. Previously it went to Mind Eraser (‘97), Boomerang: Coast to Coaster (‘98), Batman: The Ride (‘99) and Superman: Ultimate Escape (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” LICENSED PROPERTY AWARD -
Given to the best Entertainment Property transformed into a ride or themed land.
 22.4% - Batman (Batwing, Batman Adventure 2) - Six Flags Parks
20.4% - Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull - DisneySea
19.0% - Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Disney/MGM Studios / California Adventure
19.0% - 20,000 Leagues / Journey to the Center of the Earth - Tokyo DisneySea
7.1% - Nickelodeon Central (Rugrats / Wild Thornberrys) - Paramount Parks
4.9% - Camp Snoopy - Worlds of Fun
4.5% - Mermaid Lagoon (Little Mermaid) - Tokyo DisneySea
In a big surprise Six Flags and their Batman franchaise beat out the top three Disney choices by a very narrow margin. Universal took the award for the last two years with Men In Black in 2000 and Marvel Super Heros in ‘99. Paramount won in ‘98 with Star Trek: The Experience.
2001 “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.
 30.3% - Dinosaur changed back into Countdown To Extinction - Animal Kingdom (WDW)
20.4% - Flashback - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Intamin Space Diver
19.3% - Superstar Limo - Disney's California Adventure - Dark Ride
16.4% - Viper - Six Flags Great Adventure - TOGO Heartline Coaster
4.5% - Grizzly - Paramount's Great America - Custom Wood Coaster
4.1% - Hercules - Dorney Park - Custom Wood Coaster
5.6% - Others...(too many to list)
Scoring into second place last year, it seems the movement has grown for Disney to return Dinosaur to its previously popular name and thrill level. Plus it makes no sense to name the top ride in the entire Animal Kingdom theme park after one of Disney’s worst animated films. Previous dishonors went to Journey Into Your Imagination (2000), Windjammer (‘99 and now closed) and PGA’s Grizzly coaster (‘98). 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).
2001 “ULTIMATE” BEST REMOVED ATTRACTION -
Given to the attraction that we’re most grateful that it was removed, replaced or remodeled.
 16.7% - Doug Live Show - Disney/MGM Studios
11.8% - James Bond: Licensed To Thrill - Paramount Parks
10.3% - Country Bear Jamboree - Disneyland
9.1% - Rocket Rods - Disneyland
8.4% - Steps in Time - Disney's California Adventure
8.2% - Viper - Six Flags over Georgia
7.8% - Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show - Universal Studios Hollywood
7.1% - Bernstein Bear Country - Worlds of Fun - Kiddie Land
6.4% - Sea Cabs at The Living Seas - Epcot
6.1% - Cinemagic - Universal Studios Hollywood
5.6% - Air Racer - Six Flags Over Georgia
2.4% - Kenton Cove Keelboat Canal - Paramount's Kings Island
This is the first time that a Disney attraction has recieved this award. Previous winners were: Days of Thunder (‘98), Bettlejuice’s Graveyard Review USH (‘99) and Windjammer (2000).
2001 “ULTIMATE” WORST ATTRACTION REMOVED -
Given to the attraction that we are most upset that it has been removed.
 24.3% - Country Bear Jamboree - Disneyland
20.1% - Viper - Six Flags over Georgia
15.1% - Rocket Rods - Disneyland
10.5% - Sea Cabs at The Living Seas - Epcot
5.9% - James Bond: Licensed To Thrill - Paramount Parks
5.0% - Skywhirl - Six Flags Great America
4.8% - Wild Wild Wild West Stunt Show - Universal Studios Hollywood
4.2% - Canyon Coaster - Phantasialand (Note: Due to Fire)
3.7% - Air Racer - Six Flags Over Georgia
3.4% - Kenton Cove Keelboat Canal - Paramount's Kings Island
3.0% - Others...
Its worth noting that the Country Bears also scored 3rd place for the “Best Removed” attraction as well. SFOG’s Viper also came in with a strong second place vote proving that quite a few people were upset about the quick removal. Previous awards were given to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (‘98), Drachen Fire (‘99) and the Magic Kingdom’s Skyway (2000).
The Following “OVERALL” Awards include all current parks and attractions, not just the new attractions that opened in 2001.
TOP 10 - 2001 “ULTIMATE’ FAVORITE OVERALL THEME/AMUSEMENT PARK
 #1 - Cedar Point (Last Year - Tied for #1)
#2 - Islands of Adventure (Tied for #1)
#3 - Disneyland (#4)
#4 - Six Flags Magic Mountain (#3)
#5 - Tokyo-DisneySea (New Park)
#6 - Magic Kingdom (#7)
#7 - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
#8 - Disney/MGM Studios (#15)
#9 - Six Flags Great Adventure (#6)
#10 - Six Flags Over Texas (#27)
TOP 10 - 2001 “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 - S&S Multi Ride Towers - Power Tower, Dominator, Scream, etc... (#3)
#4 - Soarin’ Over California - Disney’s California Adventure (New)
#5 - Indiana Jones Adventure - Disneyland (#5)
#6 - Acrophpbia (Floorless Gyro Drop) - Six Flags Over Georgia (New)
#7 - Splash Mountain - Various Disney Parks (#14)
#8 - VertiGo / Thrillshot (S&S Absolutely Insane) - Cedar Point, Knott’s, SF Magic Mountain (New)
#9 - S&S Space Shot Towers - Big Shot, Maliboomer, Dr. Doom’s Fearfall (#11 & #19)
#10 - S&S Turbo Drop Towers - Supreme Scream, Turbo Drop, etc... (#4)
TOP 10 - 2001 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL DARK RIDE
 #1 - The Adventures of Spiderman - Islands Of Adventure (Last Year - #1)
#2 - TIE
Haunted Mansion (Regular & Holiday Version) - Disneyland (#7)
Haunted Mansion - Magic Kingdom (#4)
#4 - Indiana Jones Adventure - Disneyland (#3)
#5 - Men In Black - Universal Studios Florida (#2)
#6 - Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror - Disney/MGM Studios (#6)
#7 - Pirates of the Caribbean - Disneyland (#9)
#8 - Scooby Doo’s Haunted Mansion - Paramount’s Carowinds (New)
#9 - Haunted House - Knoebels (#13)
#10 - Journey into the Center of the Earth - Tokyo-DisneySea (New)
TOP 10 - 2001 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL WATER RIDE
 #1 - Splash Mountain - Magic Kingdom (#2)
#2 - Dudley Do Right’s Ripsaw Falls - Islands of Adventure (#5)
#3 - Grizzly River Run - Disney’s California Adventure (New)
#4 - TIE
Splash Mountain - Disneyland (Tied for #3)
Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges - Island of Adventure (Tied for #3)
#6 - Perilous Plunge - Knott’s Berry Farm (#1)
#7 - Journey To Atlantis - SeaWorld Florida (#7)
#8 - Escape from Pompeii - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (#12)
#9 - Jurassic Park - Islands of Adventure (#6)
#10 - Rhino Ralley - Busch Gardens Tampa (New)
TOP 10 - 2001 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL WOOD ROLLER COASTER
 #1 - GhostRider - Knott’s Berry Farm (Last Year - #1)
#2 - The Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island (#2)
#3 - Lightning Racer - Hersheypark (#7)
#4 - Colossos - Heide Park (New)
#5 - Son of Beast - Paramount’s Kings Island (#3)
#6 - Shivering Timbers - Michigan’s Adventure (#10)
#7 - Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce (#4)
#8 - TIE
Phoenix - Knoebels (#24)
Raven - Holiday World (#49)
#10 - Legend - Holiday World (#8)
TOP 10 - 2000 “ULTIMATE” FAVORITE OVERALL STEEL ROLLER COASTER
 #1 - Millennium Force - Cedar Point (Last Year - #1)
#2 - Incredible Hulk - Islands Of Adventure (#2)
#3 - Superman: Ride Of Steel - Six Flags New England (#4)
#4 - Nitro - Six Flags Great Adventure (New)
#5 - Goliath - Six Flags Magic Mountain (#3)
#6 - Expedition Ge-Force - Holiday Park (New)
#7 - TIE
Déjà Vu - Six Flags Magic Mountain, Over Georgia and Great America (New)
Rock ‘n Roller Coaster - Disney/MGM Studios (#5)
#9 - Magnum XL 200 - Cedar Point (#7)
#10 - TIE
California Screamin’ - Disney’s California Adventure (New)
Phantom’s Revenge - Kennywood (New)
That’s a wrap people! Thanks for visiting and voting in the 5th Annual Screamscape Ultimate Awards. We enjoyed having you and invite everyone to return next year because this thing just keeps getting bigger!
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