Pennsylvania’s Hersheypark, Kennywood and Nobel’s Amusement Resort topped a recent ranking of the best amusement and theme parks in the country, as voted for by USA Today readers.
Each week, USA Today invites industry professionals to nominate their favorite landmarks and attractions across a wide range of categories, after which USA Today’s 10Best editors publish the results on the “10Best” website.
Wildcats Revenge and other Pennsylvania roller coasters ranked highly by USA Today panel
The “Wildcat’s Revenge” roller coaster was built in 1932 and was Hersheypark’s first roller coaster.
“The wood-and-steel Wildcat Revenge Coaster delivers a unique thrill experience only found at Hersheypark,” the ride’s online description reads. “It climbs a 140-foot hill, reaches speeds of up to 62 mph, plummets into an 82-degree drop, flips four times and stalks its prey with the world’s biggest underflip on three custom-built train cars.”
USA Today’s “10 Best” Roller Coasters: Hersheypark’s “Wildcats Revenge” has been ranked the top roller coaster by USA Today’s “10 Best” panel.
USA Today’s “10Best” panel selected “Wildcat’s Revenge” at No. 4, Kennywood’s “Phantom’s Revenge” at No. 3 and Knoebels Amusement Resort in Columbia County’s “Phoenix” for top honors.
1. Novels Phoenix
2. Mako at SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
3. Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood (West Mifflin, Pennsylvania)
4. Wildcats Revenge at Hersheypark
5. Dollywood’s Lightning Rod, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
6. Giant Dippers on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, California
7. The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, Indiana
8. Fury 325 Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina
9. Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, Florida)
10. Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
“10 Best” One-Tank Trips from Delaware: USA TODAY 10Best: Here are the 10 best theme parks and water parks within driving distance of Delaware
Hotel Hershey Named Best Theme Park Hotel
USA Today’s 10 Best panel ranked Hotel Hershey at Hersheypark as the top theme park hotel, beating out established big names like Dollywood and Disney World Resort.
“The Hotel Hershey is one of America’s finest historic hotels, known for its distinctive service, abundant amenities, family-friendly activities and views overlooking Hersheypark,” Hersheypark describes the hotel. “Opening Memorial Day Weekend as part of a phased expansion, The Villas at The Hotel Hershey will showcase refreshed furnishings, unparalleled amenities including an all-new exclusive concierge lounge and a customized Hersheypark experience.”
USA Today’s “10 Best” Theme Park Hotels: Hotel Hershey tops USA Today’s “10 Best Amusement Park Hotels” list.
1. Hotel Hershey
2. Dollywood DreamMore Resort and Spa (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
3. Dollywood Heartsong Lodge and Resort (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
4. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Orlando, Florida)
5. Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
6. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (Orlando, Florida)
7. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Orlando, Florida)
8. Disney’s Beach Club Resort (Orlando, Florida)
9. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
10. Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort (Orlando, Florida)
Kennywood, Nobels and Hersheypark Named “Best Theme Parks” by USA Today
Kennywood, Nobel’s Amusement Resort and Hersheypark all made it onto USA Today’s “Best Theme Parks” list, once again outranking big-name establishments.
USA Today’s “10 Best” theme parks list ranked Kennywood at number eight, Hersheypark at number four, and Novelles at number two.
USA Today’s “10 Best” Theme Parks: A USA Today panel named Knobel’s and Hersheypark among the top 10 theme parks in the country.
USA Today’s 10 Best panel highlighted Knoebels’ quaint charm.
“The pizza at this old-fashioned amusement park in Pennsylvania’s coal country is as famous as the rides, but don’t miss the family thrills at this Susquehanna River Valley attraction,” the panel explained of Nobels. “The rare amusement park with free admission (rides require old-fashioned tickets), Nobels is also home to one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States, the Phoenix. It’s also a virtual museum of classic rides that still operate, including the Whipper, the Flying Turn, the Haunted Mansion dark ride and the Skyslide.”
“Add in some modern thrills and water rides and you have the perfect combination for a relaxing yet thrilling day at the park.”
Cost of a Family Trip to an Amusement Park: Are you planning on taking your family to an amusement park this summer? What is the expected cost?
Read the full USA Today “10 Best Theme Parks” list:
1. Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri
2. Novels
3. SeaWorld Orlando (Orlando, Florida)
4. Hershey Park
5. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
6. Legoland California (Carlsbad, California)
7. Busch Gardens Williamsburg (Williamsburg, Virginia)
8. Kennywood
9. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (Tampa, Florida)
10. Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
Damon C. Williams covers trends and local happenings for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism by subscribing.
