Best Ride in America Tournament: Round one, day one
It's the first day of Theme Park Insider's first theme park tournament, pitting the top 64 rides in America, as rated by Theme Park Insider readers, in a single-elimination tournament. Click through to the attraction names from complete listings and descriptions, then vote in the polls below for your picks as the better attractions. Winners move on to the next round.
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man vs. Doctor Doom's Fearfall pits two neighbors from Universal's Islands of Adventure's Marvel Super Hero Island against one another.
Tatsu vs. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride sets up two Southern California favorites - one new-school B&M thrills versus one old-school Disney dark ride with a passionate online following.
Maverick vs. Kingda Ka puts together two recent coasters from two of America's top thrill parks, Cedar Point and Six Flags Great Adventure.
Finally, Journey to Atlantis vs. Loch Ness Monster faces off two of Busch's more famous nautical-themed thrill rides.
You'll have one day to vote on each match-up. Check back tomorrow for four more contests. And, please, feel welcome to debate your picks in the comments.
Replies (17)
I also find it interesting that, as of this moment, the neck-and-neck battle between Maverick and Kingda Ka is getting the fewest votes. Of course, the other three match-ups all feature larger (by attendance) parks, so I suppose the relatively low number of votes makes sense.
Why was Tatsu paired against a "b" ticket ride?
I've got to agree with Robert - Toad over Tatsu? Maybe pitting what is arguably the best flying coasting (certainly better than the multiple superman clones)against such a beloved classic as Toad is going to unfairly knock Tatsu out in the first round. (Sad, because Tatsu is one of the few reasons I'd make the drive back up to Magic Mountain when I'm visiting LA.)
The Disney fans are lurking, I suppose.
The matchups ended up the way they ended up, sorting the TPI ride ratings from 1-64, though I had to break a few ties based on what I thought were the better match-ups. I thought Toad would give Tatsu a fight, but never thought it would win. Shows what I know. Still, it's early in the day.
Very suprised in the Tatsu matchup, but I guess thats why the rides have to meet head to head to find out. This is great Robert.
Mr Toad is a classic ride, Tatsu is just another flying coaster which can be found in alot of parks, the ride elements may be somewhat different, but it is still a flying coaster and not a classis dark ride that can be enjoyed by the whole family!!
Go TOAD!!!
Here's the really big question: who in the world would pick Dr. Doom's Fearfall over Spider-Man????? I guess some folks just have to be contrary!
Looks like Maverick is turning things around!
Toad looks like an early Cinderella, think about it, it's like a team like Villanova (toad) a team with some good history but no one things there a threat, going up against an upstart team like USC (Tatsu) there young athletic everyone thinks they are going to win. I like the match up, makes things a-lot more interesting.
How is Lochness Monster not going to win. It is the best arrow looper still around.
The Cedar Point fans are turning out.... Who else is spreading the word?
Us Toad lovers are just hanging on to the ride in the hopes that Disneyland doesn't dismantle it. It's a classic!!
And the vote between Dr. Doom and Spider Man was the hardest of all...
Mr Toads Wild Ride??? are you kidding me??
The Cedar Point Fans are indeed turning out...can't imagine why huh Mike.
In all seriousness, Maverick is a better ride..why? It's a lot of fun, and it actually works.
Obviously the BGE fans aren't turning out for the LNM.
I really thought BGE would do well in this tournament too. LNM was one of my first, too bad it looks like its going down in the first round. Also, Tatsu is in my top 3 favorites, this toad ride must be pretty awesome. Cant wait for tomorrows matchups.
So far it looks like the key to the match-ups is to look over to the right side of the page, at the parks' attendance order. At least today, readers are taking the ride from the more popular park. (With the one blow out coming in the match-up of two rides from the same park. Heck, the same land.)
We'll see if that dynamic holds.
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Toad? Over Tatsu? Really?