Worlds Voted Best Theme Park
If you ask an average European, ‘What do you think is the best theme park in the world?’ you may get many answers claiming Disney maintains the top spot. However if you ask an average American you may get a different, surprising answer.
Universal Island of Adventure in Orlando and Tampa Bay’s Busch Gardens have both secured the top spot according to recent polls this year, knocking of the reigning champion, Disney California Adventure. What’s the reason for this park’s sudden rise to claim the top spot?
Universal’s new attraction, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter continues to be a roaring success, especially with the American audiences, who can’t get enough of the franchise, seeking their own experience of Hogwarts and Diagon Alley. Guests can see the Hogwart’s Express pulling into the station at Hogsmead or take the Dragon Challenge aboard a thrilling rollercoaster.
Busch Gardens, also located in Florida, have had a very timely arrival to the top spot as the world’s best theme park. Their latest rollercoaster, Cheetah Hunt, opened earlier in 2011 and has been received well by ride enthusiasts. This new ride boasts a 4,429 foot long track reaching speeds of 45mph, weaving through tunnels and valleys. Not only will this satisfy the adrenaline junkies, but you can also come face to face with wild animals such as lions, rhinos and giraffes.
The polls also revealed the best theme park attraction this year and again, the result may surprise people as it’s not a rollercoaster. Disneyland opened Star Tours: The Adventure Continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this summer. This new ride is a revamp on the old Star Tours, which took guests through the universal of Star Wars, experiencing well known space battles from the movies. The new version of the ride has been converted to 3D and takes to various locations each time you ride, meaning the last experience won’t be the same as the last.
This year has shown a good round up of the best theme parks and attractions and once again Florida is the epicentre of this, encouraging more people to get their Orlando tickets for this summer and 2012.
However, this isn’t the first time Universal Island of Adventure has been nominated as the best theme park in the world. The park also won this achievement in 2002, 2003 and 2004 consecutively with the best voted attraction ‘The amazing Adventures of Spider-Man’ for the same years.