Not Just Beautiful, But Most Beautiful - Again

By WYDaily Staff Thursday, April 15, 2010

Not only is it still beautiful, it's still the most beautiful in the world.

Despite going through ownership changes that made amusement park lovers fret about the future, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has been named the world's most beautiful theme park for the 20th year in a row.

That's according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association, a respected group among amusement park enthusiasts and within the industry.

Busch Gardens moved up a spot in the "favorite theme park" category, to second behind a place called "Walt Disney World." Third place in that category went to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana, with Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida picking up the fourth spot.

Other winners were:

Traditional Parks: Kennywood (West Mifflin, PA), Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, PA) and Blackpool Pleasure Beach (Blackpool, UK)

Best Park for Families: Walt Disney World; Knoebels Amusement Resort; Idlewild and Soak Zone (Ligonier, PA); and Holiday World

Favorite Wood Roller Coaster: The Voyage (Holiday World); the Phoenix (Knoebels); and Thunderhead (Dollywood, Pigeon Forge TN).

Favorite Steel Roller Coaster: Millennium Force, Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH); Magnum XL200, Cedar Point; Phantom's Revenge, Kennywood

Best New Attraction: Three roller coasters were named by NAPHA members as the Best New Attraction for 2009 – Diamondback (Kings Island), Manta (Sea World Orlando), and Prowler (Worlds of Fun).