2007 Golden Tickets Announced

[DerekRx]

I think a lot of the problem with these awards are the high number of ballots placed from certain areas. Cedar Point, Beast, and all things Ohio find themselves on the list (as does Holiday World, even if their new ride is something 900 other parks also got the same year, as it's close enough that Ohio people can venture there without feeling like they're too far out of their comfort zone). Amusement Today's HQ is in Texas, and Schlitterbahn seems to win every year, coincidence?? In short, things will never change, simply because the ballots go out to the same people and those two markets are pretty much TOLD to vote local at the events. And sure, they may give out ballots to those who travel frequently or to other countries, but they definitely do not do so to the same degree. And when someone has been to every park in the world, his vote for Europa as the best park has the same vote count as someone who has only been to Geauga Lake, Cedar Point, and Kings Island. Thus making his vote pointless when compared to all the people who don't get out of Ohio and vote the same every year.

 

I mean, come on, Haunt being better than Halloween Horror Nights? That probably only won because HHN keeps changing what park it's in each year. Same with how Holiday World keeps winning for cleanliness. Of course it's much easier to keep a small park clean than it is to keep Magic Kingdom looking beautiful, yet Disney seems to do it on a daily basis, 365 days a year.

 

These Golden Tickets are meaningless to "those who know better" and are only used by the same parks as advertising gimmicks. The only way they will ever change is if there is some conspiracy where those of us who do vote and have been to lots of places can all agree to pick the same place for each category. That's why the only one of these awards that will ever mean anything is Mitch's Poll, plain and simple.

[timetrial3141592]

Of course, Mitch's poll places SROS@SFNE and EGF as best steelies every single year... because they're both damn good rides. Out of curiosity, in the Golden Ticket rankings, where did Ka place?

[TopThrill182]

Let me preface this by saying one thing. I'm just putting my opinions out there like everyone else, I am truly not trying to fight with anyone.

 

I thought that was an interesting list that ginzo put out there and I'd like to comment on it.

 

1- No Q-bots, or any other fast pass system. I went to CP last Sunday, and Maverick's queue spilled out onto the midway for at least 100 yards. CP is the best park, yet they can't even install a large enough queue to accomodate Maverick's line?

 

I actually think not having a fast pass system is a huge plus. I don't like how parks allow the people who can shell out another ridiculous sum of money for a fast past product to have a substantially better visit than those who can not. I just think it is a slap in the face for people who those who can't. There is nothing more annoying to me than watching fast pass people coming in by the heard and slowing down the line.

 

2- The hotels just ain't that nice, yet they cost as much as some 4 or 5 diamond hotels.

 

The Breakers Express Hotel is ridiculously over priced, but I think all the other hotels are quite nice (specifically Castaway Bay and Sandcastle). They are quite costly, but how is that different than the Disney hotels?

 

 

3- The counter service level food is awful. And there aren't enough sit down restaurants to really call CP a resort. Let's see. Would I rather eat at the Yachtman's steakhouse, or TGI Fridays?

 

Over the counter service food could be better (specifically burgers), but I don't think any other over the counter food is any worse than any other parks. And I actually think the selection of sit down restaurants at Cedar Point is the best selection of non-Disney parks. You have Famous Dave's (which is really good food), Johnny Rockets (which is also good), TGI Fridays (yes its a chain, but still I like their food), Macaroni's, Dominics, Breakwater Cafe, and Game Day Grille. You also have Breakwater Cafe, but that is more secluded by the hotels. I'd say that is an impressive list of restaurants for one park, but that's just me.

 

4- The kiddie area is pathetic. Kings Island whomps them in this department. 8- If you're not into thrill rides, there isn't much to do apart from eat.

 

The kids area does need a major update, I will agree with that, but still, all the kids I see are entertained. I combined those two since they are somewhat similar. Sure CP's focus is the coasters and the thrill rides, but I still think there is a pretty good selection of things for people to do that don't like thrills. They have 3 car rides, an observation tower, ferris wheel, Thunder Canyon, the train ride, and numerous flats that non-thrill seekers like. I do agree they need to add a good new family attraction, but I don't think it is a problem.

 

5- The park is ugly. Not nearly enough theming or shade.

 

Ugly? Sure there are some older areas of the park but I don't think anything is ugly. Gemini's midway could use some updates, the main entrance could use some new lights, and Raptor's queue could use some aesthetic appeal, but other than that I think things look great. The back of the park with Frontier Town and all has great themeing in my opinion, and while the rest of the park doesn't have a ton of themeing I think the atmosphere is better than any other park I have been to. I think there is a ton of landscaping, trees, streams, water, buildings, etc.

 

6- The vast majority of the coasters are just average.

I have been to a lot of parks, and I actually think CP has a far better collection of coasters than other parks, and I think many are great.

 

Blue Streak: Better than Average

Cedar Creek Mine Ride: Below Average (aimed as less of a thrill though)

Corkscrew: Average

Disaster Transport: Average

Gemini: Above Average

Iron Dragon: Average

Magnum XL 200: Great

Mantis: Below Average

Maverick: Great

Mean Streak: Above Average

Millennium Force: Great

Raptor: Great

Top Thrill Dragster: Great

Wicked Twister: Great

Wild Cat: Above Average

 

That's only 5 coasters I consider average or below average, the rest being very good or great. There is no other park that I can say has so many good or great coasters. Obviously some people are going to laugh at my Mean Streak assessment, but honestly, unless it is one of its rough days, I enjoy it.

 

I agree or don't really think much about your other comments.

 

 

Other comments:

 

I don't get how a standard bowl slide is the best, From what I have heard Voyage is incredibly rough, I don't think Nitro is close to a top 3 coaster, and I don't think Dudley Do Rights is the best water ride by any means (lightly themed and for the most part dull).

 

Well thats my 2 cents.

[Airtime&Gravity]

This is still a heavily biased award as the list almost never changes through the years. Now, Maverick is probably the years best coaster, BGE is a beautiful park, S:RoS is great, but every other category has something way better. Even BGE lose to parks like Europa of Disney Sea if given the chance.

[browntggrr]

10 Reasons why CP is not #1:

7- Bird poop all over the parking lot.

 

While I did find your top 10 list to be rather funny, this one is just grasping at straws to come up with a top 10 list.

[alpengeist04]

There are so many things I could say, but why bother.

 

...at least Mitch's poll comes out in a couple months.

[ginzo]

The Breakers Express Hotel is ridiculously over priced, but I think all the other hotels are quite nice (specifically Castaway Bay and Sandcastle). They are quite costly, but how is that different than the Disney hotels?

 

Disney's Deluxe Resorts are on a *much* higher level of quality. Breakers basically has $100 rooms that they sell for $250 or more. In fact, I've stayed at $100 hotels that I think are much nicer than Breakers.

 

While I did find your top 10 list to be rather funny, this one is just grasping at straws to come up with a top 10 list.

 

How is an abundance of avian feces not a valid complaint? They could spray wash that stuff.

[PKI Jizzman]

 

6- The vast majority of the coasters are just average.

I have been to a lot of parks, and I actually think CP has a far better collection of coasters than other parks, and I think many are great.

 

Blue Streak: Better than Average

Cedar Creek Mine Ride: Below Average (aimed as less of a thrill though)

Corkscrew: Average

Disaster Transport: Average

Gemini: Above Average

Iron Dragon: Average

Magnum XL 200: Great

Mantis: Below Average

Maverick: Great

Mean Streak: Above Average

Millennium Force: Great

Raptor: Great

Top Thrill Dragster: Great

Wicked Twister: Great

Wild Cat: Above Average

 

What's your scale range from? Bad to Great? Horrible to amazing?

 

Mine goes like this:

0-1 Horrible

2-3 Bad

4-5 Mediocre

6-7 Pretty Good

8-9 Great Ride

10 - Amazing!

 

I think most coasters at Cedar Point are either 7-9 or 4-5.

 

Corckscrew, Mine Ride, Disaster T, Iron Dragon, Wildcat, Mean Streak: All mediocre rides IMHO.

Wicked Twister is in the middle, about 6.5-7

Raptor and Mantis are Great Rides. [8]

Millennium Force and Top Thrill Dragster are also great rides [9]

And Maverick is Amazing.

 

All IMHO.

 

Is CP really the greatest park out there? I bet it's one of the better ones, but not the best. It's layout SUCKS. And the scenery/landscaping can go from good to poor to great! Food is same as other theme parks, but Elephant Ears RULE. But I do have to admit I love the CP operators. All of my experiences at CP have been great. They are funny, very interactive, and can get the lines moving.

 

 

 

 

And the Beast doesn't deserve to be a top 10 woodie. It USED to be an amazing wooden rollercoaster, but now it's just a really fast and long meandering through the woods through straight sections, brakes, two helixes, and umm....what was the last thing? Oh yeah, BRAKES! With some rough spots too.

 

That's my views on what was said.

 

-JZ

[Electerik]

My take (since I'm at work and bored):

 

It's been said before, but I think it's important enough to mention again: These are industry awards, and there are (political) things going on in them that we can only guess at. But I'll take a wack at the big three....

 

 

Cedar Point: They're big, long-lived, consistent, independent, and true to themselves. They're the top of the food chain. They have no corporate overlords who makes dishwashers. Little parks want to be big parks, and big parks want to be Cedar Point. They command respect in the industry, and this is how the industry pays that respect.

 

Do I think they're the best park? No, not even close. But I understand.

 

 

The Voyage: You know how actors always win Oscars for directing? Well, Will Koch is an actor who's directing. He's an underdog geek made good, and he seems like a legitimately good guy who really cares about this stuff.

 

Sure, El Toro is awesome, but it's an Intamin at a Six Flags. The Voyage is Cinderella, and Will Koch will appreciate it more. If you're on the fence about which ride is better, that's a pretty good tie-breaker.

 

 

Superman Ride of Steel: If anything I've said above makes any sense at all, then this choice seems to contradict it. The only thing I can think of is that's it's just a legitimately great ride, and there's nothing at a "more popular" park that can give it a run for its money. I think that's reflected in just how long it took for this ride to finally overtake Magnum. But I'm still sort of surprised it's not Millennium up there.

 

 

Anyway, those are my ridiculous thoughts on the matter. Your mileage may vary.

 

 

Electerik

Ringleader of Rationalization

[Bubba83]

I have never understood why Magic Mountain as a park and individual rides there are always so low on the golden ticket list. It seems to me like they need to send some more ballots out west! Not that there's much out here besides SFMM, but hey...

[CoasterEricHP]

Go Milton Hershey!!

 

I'm happy that Knoebels and the Phoenix are getting some respect..

 

Once again Dragons is ranked way better than the Hulk (the most overrated coaster ever).. I'm just happy about that because having worked at Dragons, we are always in the shadow of the Hulk... which has gotten rough and has always had a really boring 2nd half.

 

The thing that popped out the most is El Toro is only one position better than Lightning Racer! Dont get me wrong.. Lightning Racer is a fun (and pretty much forceless ride), and El Toro is always being called at least a top 5 coaster.

[sam06pr]

These awards never change...just once a blue moon something different wins on a small category. I think this poll is not that accurate.

I really do not get how SFFT wins best show knowing that other park have more superior shows that are breathtaking and how does Knotts haunt wins best Halloween event(not that i have been there but...) Isn't Universals studios Halloween horror nights better? (at least from what I have heard from numerous people)

it just gets tire to see many parks and rides to win the same awards. *cough cough* CP. *Cough cough* spider man

[alpengeist04]

Go Milton Hershey!!

 

I'm happy that Knoebels and the Phoenix are getting some respect..

 

Once again Dragons is ranked way better than the Hulk (the most overrated coaster ever).. I'm just happy about that because having worked at Dragons, we are always in the shadow of the Hulk... which has gotten rough and has always had a really boring 2nd half.

 

IMO, there's no contest which coaster(s) is better. Dragons all the way.

[captain]

All I can say about this poll is, that Derek is 100 % right (page6).

 

I like all you guys in the states, but hey, there are a lot of good parks all over the world, like in Europe or Asia.

This Amusement Today poll is so focused on the states.

 

Polls in general are always hard to trust, and this one is no exception.

 

I used to be a AT reader, but this newspaper is far to uninteresting to pay such a high oversea price.

[yankees15]

Well this is nothing that I didn't expect. The Golden Ticket's always tick me off a little, but they don't mean anything to Mitch's.

 

I believe El Toro, Storm Runner, Balder, and Griffon should all be rated higher and Steel Force, Magnum, and Raging Bull are rated too high.

 

I'm surprised that Nitro is number 3. Also, is there that much of a difference between TTD #9 and KK #31?

[slither37]

^Did you hear about OSU's name change? Yeah, I heard they are changing the name to THE University of Florida at Columbus since OSU got completely owned two championship games in a row by UF.

 

Sorry, I had to.

 

Yes, very true, Not much as a Buckeye fan that I can say. BUT, to be owned by Appalachian State? GO BLUE! LOLOLOL

[kewlcoasterdude]

My take (since I'm at work and bored):

 

It's been said before, but I think it's important enough to mention again: These are industry awards, and there are (political) things going on in them that we can only guess at. But I'll take a wack at the big three....

 

 

Cedar Point: They're big, long-lived, consistent, independent, and true to themselves. They're the top of the food chain. They have no corporate overlords who makes dishwashers. Little parks want to be big parks, and big parks want to be Cedar Point. They command respect in the industry, and this is how the industry pays that respect.

 

Do I think they're the best park? No, not even close. But I understand.

 

 

The Voyage: You know how actors always win Oscars for directing? Well, Will Koch is an actor who's directing. He's an underdog geek made good, and he seems like a legitimately good guy who really cares about this stuff.

 

Sure, El Toro is awesome, but it's an Intamin at a Six Flags. The Voyage is Cinderella, and Will Koch will appreciate it more. If you're on the fence about which ride is better, that's a pretty good tie-breaker.

 

 

Superman Ride of Steel: If anything I've said above makes any sense at all, then this choice seems to contradict it. The only thing I can think of is that's it's just a legitimately great ride, and there's nothing at a "more popular" park that can give it a run for its money. I think that's reflected in just how long it took for this ride to finally overtake Magnum. But I'm still sort of surprised it's not Millennium up there.

 

 

Anyway, those are my ridiculous thoughts on the matter. Your mileage may vary.

 

 

Electerik

Ringleader of Rationalization

 

Very well said. This is the best post I have seen in a while.

[LcHg5265]

Also, is there that much of a difference between TTD #9 and KK #31?

 

Kingda Ka has horrible operations, is very rough, and has OTSR.

 

TTD has amazing operations, is very smooth, and only a lapbar.

 

This is my opinion as if each ride were a stand alone attraction seperate from any park.

[almightyfire]

its funny that CP won for best park but the categories that actually make a park good it didn't win in.

[yankees15]

Kingda Ka has horrible operations, is very rough, and has OTSR.

 

From what I have heard all summer Kingda Ka has had GREAT operations. This includes all four trains running, dispatching one side of the station as soon as the other side is back, and the line keeps moving.

 

Have you ridden Kingda Ka in the front car of the train? It's definitely not rough up there.

[christianscoasters]

Why is Schlitterbahn always so highly ranked ?

[alpengeist04]

I'm surprised that Nitro is number 3. Also, is there that much of a difference between TTD #9 and KK #31?

 

Yea, one was built at Cedar Point, enough said.

 

Actually, I would put TTD ahead of KK, but the difference wouldn't be that great.

[hemmy]

^ I actually look at the "lack of a FastPass" system as a plus. But ... different strokes for different folks.

 

Same, using them slows the regular Qs down a ton

 

I just don't care about theming in my parks much, perhaps that is why Cedar Point is my #1 park.

[sixflagsguy5]

I was thinking that Dollywood would win some award, because they hosted the event and that's usually the equivalent to a bribe.

[rbpia]

That way, you wont come off as a Cedar Point humping, prepubescent moron.

That needs to go in the TPR Dictionary/Encyclopedia to define fanboy.

 

I wonder what the odds are that CP's new hole in the ground will win next year?

 

Ron "Loves to go to CP, but it's not even close to the best park" Patton