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Vote of the week: Coke or Pepsi in the parks?

Christopher Elliott (whom you might know from National Geographic Traveler and MSNBC websites), did a Q&A with me that's he posted on his site, elliott.org. In the interview, I threw a shout out to Holiday World's unique "free soft drinks" promotion, which has inspired my vote of the week.

Yes, you can get all the free soft drinks you care for at the Southern Indiana park, provided you don't mind going without Coke. Holiday World's a Pepsi shop, as were the Busch and Cedar Fair parks the last I checked. Disney, Universal and Six Flags parks pour Coke products.

Once upon a time, you could find beverages from both companies in the same park. Pepsi, for example, was the original sponsor of the Country Bear Jamboree at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, while you'd find Coke sponsoring attractions on Main Street USA and in Tomorrowland.

These days, though, the two big soft drink companies have locked down exclusive pouring rights at almost all public facilities, from theme parks to sports stadiums... even for entire college campuses. When I went to Northwestern, students eagerly awaited the evening arrival of "The Sandwich Man" and his food truck, because he sold cans of Coke, while every vending machine on campus dispensed only Pepsi products.

So, which company's drinks do you prefer? (For reference, Coke products include A&W, Barq's, Canada Dry, Coke, Dasani, Dr Pepper, Fanta, Minute Maid, Schweppes, Sprite and Powerade. Pepsi products include Aquafina, Gatorade, Lipton, Mountain Dew, Mug, Pepsi, Sierra Mist, Sobe and Tropicana.)

I'm throwing in a neither option for people, like me, who don't drink the fizzy drinks.

In the comments, please defend your choice, and attack the oblivious know-nothings who picked the other. Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Disney, SeaWorld and Universal win 2009 Theme Park Insider Awards

ThemeParkInsider.com readers have been voting, and for the second year in a row, they've selected Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California as their choice for the world's best theme park.

Disneyland leads the winners in this year's Theme Park Insider Awards, selected based on cumulative reader ratings submitted to the site over the past 12 months. Disneyland earned the highest average rating for its attractions and restaurants, among ThemeParkInsider.com readers who submitted ratings for locations at multiple parks during the past year.

Our goal at ThemeParkInsider.com is to give people the best advice on finding the best value in a theme park vacation for their families. The Theme Park Insider Awards provide us the chance to say 'thank you' to the very best of the best in the theme park industry, from its millions of customers and fans.

Best Theme Park - Disneyland Park

"We are always happy when people enjoy and appreciate our product," said Mike Hyland, director of public relations for Disneyland Resort. "Thank you for honoring Disneyland as World's Best Theme Park."

Theme Park Insider's Top Three Theme Parks:

• Disneyland Park
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Universal's Islands of Adventure

Best New Attraction - Manta, SeaWorld Orlando

This year's Best New Attraction is Manta, the new Bolliger & Mabillard flying roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando. ThemeParkInsider.com readers gave Manta the highest average reader rating among all attractions that debuted between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009.

"We've known since the early design stages that Manta would be crowned as one of the world's top thrill rides, there's just nothing else like it," said SeaWorld spokesperson Nick Gollattscheck. "And to have Manta named Best New Attraction by readers of Theme Park Insider is quite an honor. They are our biggest fans and people who know an incredible thrill ride when they see one."

Theme Park Insider's Top Three New Attractions:

• Manta, SeaWorld Orlando
• Prowler, Worlds of Fun
• Diamondback, Kings Island

Best Theme Park Hotel - Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando.

Theme Park Insider honors the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort as the Best Theme Park Hotel of 2009. The Portofino Bay earned the highest average reader rating among all on-property theme park hotels over the past 12 months. Readers raved about the Portofino Bay's setting, service... and its free front-of-the-line access to Universal Orlando's rides and shows.

"The entire team here at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is thrilled and delighted to receive this honor," said General Manager Paul Leclerc. "Our loyal guests mean so much to us and ensuring their satisfaction is our highest priority. Our commitment to delivering a taste of 'la dolce vita' - the sweet life - to our guests is stronger than ever."

Theme Park Insider's Top Three Theme Park Hotels:

• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World
• Disney's Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World

Best Theme Park Restaurant - Les Chefs de France, Epcot.

And in the final - and closest - category, Epcot's Les Chefs de France edged six-time Theme Park Insider Award winner Mythos to claim this year's honor as Best Theme Park Restaurant. Voting's been tight in this category for the past several years, reflecting the high quality of the top three honored restaurants, and the passion they elicit among their fans.

Theme Park Insider's Top Three Theme Park Restaurants:

• Les Chefs de France, Epcot
• Mythos Restaurant, Universal's Islands of Adventure
• Sharks Underwater Grill, SeaWorld Orlando

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists... and thank you for providing us such great places to spend our vacations!

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Soft opening for Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit this weekend?

One of our go-to Universal Orlando insiders says the word going around the park is that the long-delayed Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit roller coaster might be opened to visitors on a "soft opening" basis as early as this weekend.

Universal's been testing the ride with water dummies this week and witnesses report a much swifter, smoother ride than they've seen on test runs in the past. Universal's replaced track and support systems on the ride to get it operational and the next step would be runs with real passengers.

Expect runs with employees first. But if those go well, hey, folks who just happen to be hanging around the ride entrance when ops are ready to make another test run might get their chance.

(And if that is you, full reports will be expected from you, back here on TPI!)

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Legoland's Michael Jackson tribute: Now what?

Yesterday I got a press release from Legoland California promoting a Michael Jackson tribute that the park was planning to install today outside its Chinese Theater display in the park's Miniland section:

Model Builders are creating a four-inch tall Minilander of Jackson, complete with white glove and red leather jacket, that can be seen by Park guests as he exits a limousine in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. The scene will include photographers and random paparazzi surrounding the limousine as mini-lander fans try to catch a glimpse of the pop icon.

I didn't run with it because, frankly, I'm a little burned out on the Jackson coverage (our neighbors have been blaring Jackson music nearly 24/7), and I was chasing down info on the Dueling Dragons accident.

Well, I got another release from Legoland this afternoon. A picture of His Holy Plasticness perhaps?

Not so fast...

"We were looking forward to installing a small tribute to Michael Jackson in Miniland," said Peter Ronchetti, General Manager of LEGOLAND California Resort. "However, legal matters have come to light that prevent us from displaying the model in the Park."

Lemme read between the lines here... someone in Jackson's camp wanted Legoland to pay for the right to use the dead celebrity's likeness is a theme park and a deal wasn't signed, so no Michael in Miniland?

Hey, let's not give up so quickly, Legoland.

Perhaps Legoland ought to take another crack at a Jackson tribute. Perhaps instead of the gloved one in Hollywood, Legoland could create a procession of four-inch lawyers, Lego briefcases in hand, surrounding the limo? Or, if not a limo, surrounding a Lego Hearse? (I'm so bad. Wait a minute. I can't say 'bad' - that's a Jackson album title! I am so sued now....)

I suspect that a few snarky TPI readers might be able to offer additional suggestions. The comments are open...

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Six Flags Great Adventure celebrates 35 years; Happy birthday!

Hard to belive the Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey openned 35 yrs ago this weekend. And over the years has managed to become one of the most visted theme parks in America.

Six Flags should take the time to mark this mile stone. And look back at what made the park work in the early years. And use that to makes it plans for its future.

That being said I will be attending a event there in Auguest for all past cast members. Which should be interesting.

I wonder what Warner Le Roy would think of his creation today?

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