Yay, theme park season is upon us!

-El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ
Coolest woodie ever!

-Revenge of The Mummy at Universal Orlando
Super scary dark ride and coaster all in one

-Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
300 foot drop!

-Steel Eel at Sea World San Antonio, Texas
More airtime than network television!

-Hollywood Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios, Orlando
One of the most amazing dark/thrill rides ever

Posted By Martin on April 25, 2008, 2:27 PM

The steam locomotive ride at Train Town in Sonoma, California. Excellent choice for kids who are too short/young for the majority of rides at the majority of amusement parks.

Posted By Wendy Perrin on April 26, 2008, 12:16 PM

For years my favorite ride has been Space Mountain at Walt Disney World. It is the fascination of outer space that brings me back time after time.

Posted By Suzanne on April 26, 2008, 4:50 PM

Some faves:
• the aforementioned Hulk ride at Islands of Adventure
• the Vortex, the Beast (and Son of the Beast) at King's Island
• Joker's Jinx at the DC area Six Flags
• Batman, Runaway Mountain and the old Runaway Mine Train at Six Flags over TX.

Posted By prof B on April 27, 2008, 1:14 PM

I don't think it's possible to get much better than the iconic coasters at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio:

1.) The Bluestreak

2.) The Gemini

Pop a couple Advil and enjoy the ride!

Posted By Pete on April 28, 2008, 10:39 AM

Still my favorite:

Loch Ness Monster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, VA

I remember the joy of being tall enough to ride it for the first time.

Posted By AB on April 28, 2008, 12:54 PM

Oh, this is a tough one! Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios in Orlando tops my list. I'm still a big fan of Spiderman at Islands of Adventure (Universal Orlando), Hollywood Tower of Terror at MGM Disney, and Mission Space (Epcot Disney).

Posted By Jenn Lewis on April 28, 2008, 12:55 PM

Expedition Everest at Disneyworld's Animal Kingdom.

Posted By Cathy on April 28, 2008, 1:14 PM

While I enjoy the classic like the Haunted Mansion, and the simplicity of the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (WEDWay PeopleMover to me), the fantasy of Peter Pan's Flight, and the majesty of Soarin', there is something about riding Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom at night that is truly spectacular! The story, the details, the immersive experience all make it an amazing attraction.

Posted By Lou Mongello - WDW Radio Show on April 28, 2008, 3:44 PM

Lou nailed it with Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. The whole presentation is so amazing, it tops the Aerosmith Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, even though that one has a bit more roller coaster to it. And don't forget on the West Coast, California Screamin' at Disney's California Adventure is an instant classic.

Posted By Anthony F on April 28, 2008, 4:17 PM

I can't believe Spiderman has only been mentioned once so far!
Revenge of the Mummy and Spiderman are my top two. After that I like Kraken and Rock'n'Roller Coaster, and Soarin'.

Posted By Joel on April 28, 2008, 5:14 PM

Definitely the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster because of the fantastic start. And the Roller Coaster at New York New York in Las Vegas, especially at night when you can see all the lights on the strip.

Posted By Erin on April 28, 2008, 6:30 PM

Don't forget that there are two "Soarin' Over Californias" One on each coast. Its truly a magical ride, and even better barefoot!

And if you can time it right, Big Thunder Mountain during the nightly fireworks.

Posted By stella on April 28, 2008, 9:32 PM

I agree with Erin about the coaster ay NY NY in Vegas, but the scariest and most insane ride is INSANITY on top of Stratosphere. The highest thrill ride in the world!

Posted By Larry on April 28, 2008, 11:05 PM

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. That is a truly awesome ride.

Also enjoy Batwing at 6 Flags America in Maryland.

Posted By Terecia on April 29, 2008, 11:02 AM

My favorite theme park rides are:
Milinium force Cedar Point
Maverick Cedar Point
Tower of Terror MGM Orlando
Beast Kings Island
Son of Beast Kings Island

Posted By Lamar Horne on April 29, 2008, 1:19 PM

The Italian Job Stunt Track in KINGS ISLAND.

Posted By MICHAEL GLASS on April 30, 2008, 10:09 PM

The carousel at Pier 39 in San Francisco. The city was the first place we went on vacation as a family after my partner and I adopted our four-year-old nephew. His eyes got wide as saucers as the carousel started to spin; and he went "eeeeee" and he ooed and aahed the entire time. Then we went to the edge of the pier and watched the sea lions bark at each other and at us, and we barked right back at them.

He had been shy and withdrawn before then (we had lost his mommy and daddy in a car accident), but he hasn't stopped chattering since. I wouldn't trade that for all the Space Mountains in the galaxy.

Posted By Lee Bolin on May 1, 2008, 2:47 PM

My favorite coaster is The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana! It's intense, fun, and exciting from start to finish!

Check out the video! http://www.holidayworld.com/hw_video.html (click on Voyage On-Ride)

Posted By Neil on May 1, 2008, 5:00 PM

I'm with Terecia! Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point is by far my favorite ride. I've ridden it over 400 times. Can't wait to get back on it when the park opens on May 10.

My favorite wooden coaster is Voyage at Holiday World.

Posted By Mark S on May 1, 2008, 5:06 PM

The Voyage at Holiday World, insane amounts of airtime and that great out of control feeling, go and ride it is all i have to say!

Posted By Joseph Hoagland on May 1, 2008, 5:06 PM

My favorite has definitely got to be Thunderhead at Dollywood. It has the most cross-overs of any coaster in the USA. Two thumbs up for this wild woodie. Is that applause I hear in the background?

Posted By wvu freshman on May 1, 2008, 5:06 PM

My favorite theme park ride is at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana....... My favorite ride would have to be the Bakuli.

Posted By Mollie Scheiber on May 1, 2008, 5:13 PM

Steel coasters: Millennium Force at Cedar Point and Raging Bull at Six Flags Great America. As for Wooden coasters, I'll second Thunderhead at Dollywood, as well as Raven at Holiday World in Indiana... Hi Paula! :D

For non-coaster rides, Haunted Mansion at Disneyworld and Spiderman at Islands of Adventure take the cake.

Posted By Coastermom on May 1, 2008, 7:14 PM

Without a doubt...The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN

Posted By Steve Kille on May 1, 2008, 9:45 PM

The Voyage, at Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, is my favorite theme park ride. It's over a mile long, has eight tunnels, 3 90-degree turns, and airtime galore! I travel all the way from Los Angeles every year to ride it and its way better than anything at my local parks.

Posted By Matthew on May 2, 2008, 1:58 AM

Pirates of the Carribbean has always been my favorite. Not WDW but Disneyland's.

Posted By Gregory Jay McKnight on May 2, 2008, 8:45 AM

My favorite rides are: The Raven, The Legend, The Vogage, and Ragin' Rapids at Holiday World. And The Tower of Terror at Disneyland. Looking forward to going to Michigan's Adventure to check out Shivering Timbers this summer along with our annual family trip to Holiday World.

Posted By Amy on May 2, 2008, 9:04 AM

The Sheikra at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is by far the coolest coaster! What a great design! Everyone needs to ride this at least once if they are not too scared!

Posted By Jenny on May 2, 2008, 10:11 AM

Our favorite ride is The Voyage at Holiday World in Santa Clause IN.
My kids have been to all of the Orlando theme parks and they love Universal Islands of Adventure.

Posted By Brenda on May 2, 2008, 8:10 PM

Favorite coasters:
Tonnere de Zeus, Parc Asterix in France
Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce
Beast, Kings Island
Twister, Knoebels
All of them are totally out of control.

Other unique rollercoasters:
Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, 17 sec. rush
Beast, Kings Island, scariest coaster ever
Hochschaubahn, Wiener Prater, a real scenic railway

Favourite non coasterrides:
Spiderman, IOA
Terminator 3D
Riesenrad, Wiener Prater
Haunted Mansion, Knoebels
Stoomcaroussel, Efteling, Netherlands
Caroussel, Knoebels

Posted By Hans on May 3, 2008, 6:28 AM

1. The Voyage at Holiday World (Relentless speed and air-time and not too rough for a wooden coaster. I'll be there again in two weeks!)
2. Powder Keg at Silver Dollar City (Unbelievable air time, air-powered launch and over-banked turns all on a coaster with a 42" height requirement!)
3. Mr. Freeze at Six Flags St. Louis (I haven't been on it in a few years, but the ride really improved when they removed the OTS restraints.)

Posted By Doug on May 4, 2008, 12:08 AM

For the readers of Budget Travel, there's no better choice than than The Voyage at Holiday World & Splashin Safari, in Santa Claus, Indiana. Not only is it the best wooden coaster on the planet, the park is unmatched in value.

Our family vacations there every Memorial day weekend, driving right past an (overpriced, overcrowded) Six Flags park to do so. Holiday World offers free sodas (!) and free sunscreen in the water parks, and free parking. YES, FREE PARKING.

Add to that one of the greatest waterparks in the country, and three of the best wooden rollercoasters on the planet, and there is no greater theme park "value" out there.

Posted By bret on May 4, 2008, 4:03 PM

I like all the rides at Holiday World and Splashin' Safari in Santa Clause In. My family goes on a vacation there every summer, and it never gets old. I will be going there in a few weeks and sharing the experience with my boyfriend. Best amusement park in the world!!

Posted By Lyndsey on May 4, 2008, 9:11 PM

Oh, the Thunderbolt in Kennywood Park in Pittsburgh.....50 miles/hour on the oldest wooden slats available..the steam carousel at De Efteling in Holland and then going for a plate of poffertjes afterwards and the ferris wheel in the Prater in Vienna...you can see for miles all the while humming the theme to The Third Man under you breath. Just wonderful!!

Posted By Kaaskop on May 5, 2008, 4:04 PM

The Phoenix at Knoebels is the most laugh out loud fun I've ever had on a roller coaster. That said, my favorite ride overall is the Voyage at Holiday World and is simply amazing. For steel coasters check out Apollo's Chariot at Busch Gardens Europe for some monster airtime.

Posted By Nick Weisenberger on May 5, 2008, 11:05 PM