James Covington
Forum Moderator
This month we are holding a countdown of the Top Ten Amusement
Parks on this Planet. This is one of the most controversial
topics because it is nearly impossible to visit every park
on the planet and experience everything what that park has
to offer, but here at RCPro we have the general idea of
things and we can make anything happen. You might be a bit
surprised to find out what our number one park is.
#10: Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, CA
The acclaimed Americas first “Theme Park”, Knotts
has been entertaining guests since 1940. Founded by the
late Walter Knott, he had an idea of entertaining his guests
while they waited for Mrs. Knotts famous fried chicken dinners.
He built The Ghost Town to entertain the guests offering
authentic western buildings and environment, but it was
the chicken and the berries that brought the customers in.
Walter Knott brought in the authentic Old Western buildings
form various Ghost Towns from all over the West to fit the
Ghost Town theme. Later on in the 1960's he added two new
attractions, The Timber Mountain Log Ride and the Calico
Mine Ride, both of which are still in operation today.
Years pass and KBF has become one of the premier parks
in the World offering seven world class coasters and former
home to the worlds greatest single rail roller coaster ever
to be made, The Wacky Soap Box Derby Racers. But that lot
is now in good use as its home of the innovative, high tech
Xcelerator, the worlds first “rocket coaster”.
Also get ready cause Knotts is still giving us new thrills
with the all new addition of Silver Bullet coming in December
2004.
#9: Kennywood Park | West Mifflin, PA
One of the oldest “amusement” parks in the country,
Kennywood delivers great thrills with classic rides. Kennywood
is a traditional style amusement park dating back to the
late 1800's. It started as a trolley park where guests would
spend the day with the family. It later grew with the boom
of American roller coasters. Their first roller coaster
was the Figure Eight then later built the world famous The
Racer. Kennywood still packs a punch with its redesigned
Steel Phantom. Kennywood is the classic American park suitable
for all ages of the family.
#8: Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, TX
Known as the park having what other SF parks don't have,
beautiful atmosphere. You may not know to much about this
park, but look farther into this park, and you will see
why it deserves to be in the top ten. This park is built
within a Quarry, and serves for beautiful landscaping. It
literally is in a hole in the Earth.
Among this park there are waterfalls, giant cliffs, and
overall just a nice appealing park. Among this park there
are many thrill rides including the biggest floorless coaster
in the world, Superman Krypton Coaster. All in all there
are 6 coasters and an assortment of flats that continue
to surprise many of the first time visitors to this beautiful
park. A definite must visit park on your next visit to Texas.
#7: Busch Gardens | Williamsburg, VA
One of the most, if not the most beautiful parks in the
world, Busch Gardens Williamsburg offers one of the most
unique park settings any park has to offer. The Park is
based on a 17th century European theme offering many different
sections of entertainment. Including six different themed
areas; Italy, France, Germany, Netherlands, England, and
Ireland, BGW gives you the feeling that you are actually
on the other side of the Atlantic. BGW goes into extreme
detail with their park, showcasing authentic looking buildings
and fully outfitted employees “acting” the part
of a local from that region.
Theming isn't the only thing BGW has though, there are some
of the best coasters on the planet located at this park
including our number one invert Alpengeist. Along with Alpengeist
they have three other coasters including another national
award winning coaster Apollo's Chariot. Along with excellent
rides, and excellent theming, BGW also has another unique
feature very few other parks have, animals. BGW contains
animal exhibits to teach the guests about animals and their
environment. All in all BGW has something for everyone and
it doesn't get national awards every year for nothing you
know.
#6: Hershey Park | Hershey, PA
Now get ready, here we go. Hershey park is full of thrills
and excitement. The atmosphere at this park is like no other.
You will see all sorts of different things going on here,
live shows, and their famous Strolling Bands. The Strolling
Bands are very unique, they travel the park playing marching
band style music and dance and really liven whatever area
they are located at.
Along with great live attractions, they have some of the
best coasters. Storm Runner, their newest coaster, is a
hydraulic launch coaster very similar to Xcelerator, but
not quite. Storm Runner is the first rocket coaster to contain
inversions, and these inversions aren't your average inversions.
These are jet fighter esque maneuvers, never before seen
on coasters. This ride is truly innovative and packs a real
punch. Along with Storm Runner, they have nine other coasters
including a top ten invert Great Bear.
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