2007 Theme Park Insider Awards: Best new theme park attraction

May 25, 2007, 8:50 AM · It's time again for the annual Theme Park Insider Awards. The sixth annual awards, to be announced on the Fourth of July, will honor the world's best in four categories:
  • Best New Attraction
  • Best Theme Park Restaurant
  • Best Theme Park Hotel
  • Best Theme Park

    The winners will be the eligible venues that receive the highest average rating in ThemeParkInsider.com's reader ratings. Click the links below to rate and review this year's new theme park attractions, if you have not already.

    In addition, this year, I will be running polls on each of the TPI Award categories. The polls themselves will not determine the winner, but I'm interested to see what they say, as a "check" against TPI's normal methodology for computing attraction ratings. (I was a stats major in college, so I'm really into data. Call me a geek...)

    On the poll, please vote for your favorite among the choices, if you believe that it is worthy of getting an award. If you don't care for any of the choices, vote for none of the above. If I've missed your favorite, select and fill in the write-in vote.

    For best new attractions, only attractions that opened to the public between June 1, 2006 and May 31, 2007 are eligible. (So if Cedar Point's Maverick opens between now and next Thursday, I will add it to the list. Now added - Ed.) This is hardest list for me to keep track of, so if I've missed something obvious that you love, please use the write-in field to vote for it.

    Finally, use the comments below to make your case for your favorite. Campaigning, here and on other websites, is always encouraged. ;-)

    What is this year's best new theme park attraction?

    Busch Gardens Europe
    Griffon

    Cedar Point [added]
    Maverick

    Dollywood
    Mystery Mine

    Epcot
    Gran Fiesta Tour

    Islands of Adventure
    The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride

    Legoland
    Splash Battle

    SeaWorld San Antonio
    Journey to Atlantis

    Six Flags Fiesta Texas
    Tony Hawk's Big Spin

    Six Flags Great Adventure
    El Toro

    Universal Studios Hollywood
    Universal's House of Horrors

    Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
    Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Comedy Club

    Write-In:

    None:
    Nothing deserves an award

    Also: Best theme park restaurant

    Replies (13)

    May 25, 2007 at 11:29 AM · El Torro is a no-brainer. Easily the best new attraction. If you haven't had the chance to ride it, it's worth a trip up to New Jersey (along with Kingda Ka and Nitro).
    May 25, 2007 at 12:24 PM · Why is El Toro on this poll if it opened last year? Didnt it open before June?

    And Maverick opens tomorrow, so that needs to be added!

    May 25, 2007 at 3:48 PM · Nope. El Toro actually opened mid-June. So it is eligible.

    And as I mentioned to someone in an e-mail earlier today: I ain't jinxing Maverick. When the first train leaves the station (and comes back!), *then* I'll add it.

    You can write it in in the meantime, though.

    May 25, 2007 at 3:56 PM · If you go on the cp blog that will tell you that the ride is all ready to go becuase the park manager and and important staff members rode it today and Maverick was all in check.
    May 25, 2007 at 6:53 PM · But just because a ride is ready to go, its not open until it makes a succesful run with visitors.
    And I've got to say Mystery Mines. All the rest are great coasters, I'm sure....but Mystery Mine takes not only crazy coaster elements (that 90 degree lift is insane) but also some really killer dark ride elements.
    May 26, 2007 at 8:33 AM · I'm voting for Maverick right now on the basis that, not only does it have decent theming, which most coasters on the list lack, but also that they invented a totally new inversion specifically for this ride. So not only did Cedar Point work their magic again and come up with another world class coaster, but they also brought something fresh to the world of coasters.
    May 26, 2007 at 9:28 AM · im gonna have to say Maverick and, I totally agree with Dustin.
    May 26, 2007 at 10:13 AM · FWIW, Kings Island's Firehawk is not on the list because it was previously open at Geauga Lake, so it is not a "new" attraction.
    May 26, 2007 at 9:04 PM · Well I have to say Journy to Atlantis......it's the only one I've ridden :D Anyone been on the Busch Gardens ride?
    May 28, 2007 at 3:41 PM · How come no mention of Renegade at ValleyFair??
    Ive seen some reports that are saying it is better than Thunderhead which is a excellant wooden coaster at Dollywood. I havent ridden it yet, but I am looking forward to riding it in mid June.
    May 28, 2007 at 3:25 PM · Another vote for Renegade at Valleyfair!
    May 28, 2007 at 5:05 PM · I haven't been on all of these new attractions, but after riding El Toro last month, I find it hard to believe that any of them could top it. Griffon is excellent too, and I'm looking forward to Mystery Mine.
    May 29, 2007 at 6:40 PM · Griffon is the best one that I have ever ridden. I haven't been to all the parks listed, but Griffon is my favorite of all coasters. :)

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