Travelocity Highlights Favorite Theme Park Rides for Summer Adventure Seekers; From the Nostalgic Roller Coasters of Yesterday
April 05 2006 - 6:00AM
Business Wire
Today's theme park goers have more than 600 amusement parks and
traditional attractions to choose from in the U.S. alone, according
to the International Association of Amusement Parks and
Attractions, leaving adrenaline-seekers a myriad of options for
their next vacation. With summer approaching and vacationers making
their getaway plans, Travelocity editors dug deep to compile
coasters, thrillers and soakers from across the country that top
the list of amusement park favorites. "Millions of U.S. travelers
head to theme parks each year in search of rides, games and shows,"
said Jennifer Gaines, a Travelocity editor. "Theme park rides
remain the top attraction, and they run the gamut, catering to
everyone from families with kids to true adrenaline junkies." From
the more nostalgic rides of earlier generations to the contemporary
thrill rides of today, Travelocity editors suggest 10 attractions
worth standing in line for when visiting theme parks this summer:
-- Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin - Buzz Lightyear, a space
ranger who made his debut in the Disney presentation of Pixar's Toy
Story, also stars in a cosmic mission that unfolds in the Magic
Kingdom(R) Park at Walt Disney World(R) Resort. This ultramodern,
high-tech adventure gives riders the illusion they're traveling
through another galaxy. It allows both kids and adults to become
junior Space Rangers, piloting a Star Cruiser equipped with laser
cannons through imaginative celestial worlds on a mission to save
the toy universe. This interactive ride evokes friendly competition
among the entire family, allowing riders to score points as they
navigate through outer space (a version of this attraction also can
be found at Disneyland(R) Park). -- Curse of Darkastle - Travel
through an ice-bound world in a golden sleigh, experiencing
eye-popping visuals and heart-stopping excitement while traversing
a castle frozen in time. The impeccable visuals on the Curse of
Darkastle blends perfectly with the aesthetic scenery for which
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is known. The ride utilizes intense 3-D
imagery to thrust riders into the fictional life of young King
Ludwig who took over the throne and turned his castle into a
terrifying, impenetrable fortress. Beware as the coaster-like
sleigh makes its way through the castle, encountering wind, fire,
shattering ice and a larger-than-life wolf looming throughout the
palace. -- Cyclone - Rough around the edges and evocative of the
days "back when...," Coney Island's Cyclone embodies an attitude
only found in Brooklyn, New York. With decades of history under its
brakes, the coaster tells stories of merry summers and troubled
times. The Cyclone began making a name for itself after being built
in 1927, achieving legendary status and possibly earning the title
of America's most famous coaster. While the 86-foot hill and
various turns may seem tame next to the mega-coasters of today,
this undeniably nostalgic experience overlooking Surf Avenue is
certainly worth a trip to Coney Island. -- Dueling Dragons - With
two separate coasters that intertwine with one another to create a
combat-like impression, it's the world's first dueling, inverted
roller coaster. Located at Orlando's Universal Studios Islands of
Adventure, ride the Fire Dragon or the Ice Dragon as they narrowly
pass within inches of one another on the intertwining tracks. Soar
125 feet in the air, reaching speeds of 55 mph on two exceptional
rides that seemingly collide midair. The ride itself is not only
thrilling, but theme park junkies agree that it boasts "one of the
best queues ever," winding through an intricate castle that builds
the suspense. -- Insanity - An amusement park in itself, Las Vegas
has a number of thrill rides to ponder, but none capture a view of
the Las Vegas strip like Insanity, which extends 64 feet over the
north edge of the Stratosphere tower. Spin up to three Gs while
being pulled out in "escape-proof" seats at an angle of 70 degrees
and learn why it's called Insanity. While buckled in, try to muster
the courage to open your eyes for a view of the Las Vegas Strip,
which lies a terrifying 900 feet below. -- Journey to Atlantis -
Part thrill ride, part water ride and part roller coaster, this Sea
World attraction combines elements of classic theme park rides with
remarkable special effects to create one of the top adventure rides
of its kind. Not your usual lift hill, the journey starts in a boat
on an atypical elevator ride to the top of the coaster's crest.
Plummet down the ride's 60-foot flume drop to get utterly soaked
before facing the powers that be, where riders learn that the
people of Atlantis lost their connection to the sea and are trying
to regain it. This ride's drops and screams promise thrills of
their own, but the real entertainment comes with each and every
t-shirt soaking splash. (Found in Sea World San Diego and Orlando)
-- Pirates of the Caribbean - So captivating and adventurous that
it inspired a hit Hollywood film, Pirates of the Caribbean is
perhaps one of the most well-known theme park attractions ever
built. A classic indeed, Walt Disney himself had a hand in
designing the ride, which first opened at Disneyland(R) Park in
1967. This lively attraction takes its crew on a hunt for pirate
booty. Traverse the dark, spooky waters of the Caribbean, where an
explosion of cannonballs, a village of sinister pirates and a town
blazing with fire await. Currently closed to add inspirations from
the movie (including Captain Jack Sparrow), climb aboard when it
re-opens this summer. (This ride is also featured at the Magic
Kingdom(R) Park in Orlando.) -- Raptor - Known for its world class
collection of roller coasters, Ohio's Cedar Point was one of the
first amusement parks to introduce an inverted coaster. As these
inverted thrillers go, the Raptor is one of the best. Let your feet
hang free as you reach heights of more than 130 feet on this
outside looping coaster. Encounter a barrel roll, a high-speed
helix and cobra roll, which flips passengers over and spirals them
upside down into a 180-degree roll. This twisting move also repeats
in reverse order. -- Timber Mountain Log Ride - Knott's Berry Farm
in Buena Park, Calif. is known for firsts, including being
America's first theme park and introducing the first-ever log flume
ride. Experience the darkness of Timber Mountain Log Ride as this
traditional mine-themed attraction twists along a 2,100-foot
waterway at speeds ranging from eight to 12 feet per second.
Plummet down the flume propelled by 24,000 gallons of water, and
expect to be splashed. During Halloween, the ride is haunted by
ghosts and goblins for extra excitement. -- Titan - If the 255-foot
drop doesn't send chills up your spine, then the Titan's climactic
85 mph plunge certainly will. This roller coaster, a Six Flags Over
Texas favorite boasts a track more than a mile long constructed
with half a million pounds of steel. Experience three-and-a-half
minutes of larger-than-life thrills, encountering spirals, plunges,
helixes and a 120-foot tunnel masked in total darkness. Tip:
Consider riding this thriller before lunch and don't forget to hold
on tight! What's New for 2006 -- Disney's Animal Kingdom (Orlando)
officially opens Expedition Everest this month. In Disney lingo,
this "high-altitude, high-speed train adventure" sends riders
through a Himalayan village outfitted with hairpin turns and
nail-biting peaks. -- Head to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for Dollywood's
Timber Tower, a first of its kind in North America. Board a vehicle
that sends riders spiraling up a 65-foot tower. After reaching the
top, the tower topples from side to side, narrowly missing jets of
water from below. -- Don't miss "the world's first reality coaster"
at Paramount's Great America (Santa Clara, Calif.) Survivor the
Ride, based on the CBS series, is a spinning coaster that takes
riders atop a revolving platform in motorcycle seats as it
navigates the hills of a short coaster track. Amusement Park Tips
-- Use the buddy system and agree on a meeting place should anyone
get lost. -- Always wear sunscreen, comfy walking shoes and
clothing with zipper pockets. -- Arrive early and stay late to take
advantage of smaller crowds. For more rides and tips, go to
www.travelocity.com/rides About Travelocity Travelocity is
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