Herewith, in no particular order (except for the first entry), my choices for the best of the best:
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
This incredible--OK, Amazing--attraction combines a unique roving motion base simulator technology with a 3-D film experience to totally immerse riders in the world of Spidey and his archenemies. The height of park design and creativity, Spider-Man borders on mind-altering. This is my choice for the industry's very best theme park attraction. At Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure.
Star Trek: The Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton.
This theme park attraction opus (that isn't in a theme park) transports guests into the 24th century for an astonishing 25-minute immersion into the Trek oeuvre, complete with motion sumulators, live actors, multiple sets, and Klingons. Resistance is futile; it's holodeck nirvana.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
TofT is a modern-day classic Disney theme park attraction. Combining a thrilling freefall ride, dazzling effects, and an inspired and fiendishly clever storyline based on the seminal "The Twilight Zone" television series, Disney Imagineers have created a ride that, like a select few E-ticket attractions, is so much greater than the sum of its parts. At Disney-MGM Studios in the Walt Disney World resort and at Disney's California Adventure in the Disneyland Resort.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Many consider this classic Disneyland ride to be the best theme park attraction ever. Walt himself was deeply involved in its creation but died before it opened in 1967. Also at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and the Disneyland parks in Tokyo and Paris.
Terminator 2:3D
This mind-blowing attraction is the best 3-D theater-style film. It is so engaging, many guests refer to it as a ride--even though they remain seated in a theater. At Universal Studios Hollywood and Florida.
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
An E-Ticket tour de force, Indiana Jones Adventure immerses guests into the world of the popular movie series through the use of Disney's innovative Enhanced Motion Vehicles, highly elaborate sets, and a stunning array of effects. Rather than retell one of the Indiana Jones films, it creates a new story and casts riders in leading roles. It is one of Imagineering's crowning achievements.
Curse of DarKastle
Think of a traditional amusement park dark ride. On steroids. It is a 20th-Century-style romp through a haunted, Gothic 15th-Century castle using cutting-edge 21st-Century technology. Like Spider-Man, Curse uses 3-D CGI animation, roving motion-base vehicles, "4-D" sensory enhancements, onboard audio, and other new-age features. It's an incredible achievement, particularly for a seasonal park like Busch Gardens Williamsburg (VA).
Soarin' Over California
Soarin' is the definitive attraction at the park where it debuted, Disney's California Adventure: It's a captivating Disney E-ticket ride; it's all about California; and it's a giddy adventure that figuratively, if not damn near literally, sends you soarin'. Also at Epcot'.
Men in Black Alien Attack
The latest twist in theme park attractions is to have guests interact with the ride. MIB at Universal Studios Florida is the best of the shoot-em-up breed.
Haunted Mansion
More rib-tickling than gut-wrenching, this classic Disneyland attraction is stuffed with gags and effects. Also at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and the Disneyland parks in Tokyo and Paris.
Revenge of the Mummy
Universal incorporates so many innovations into its utterly unique dark ride/coaster, it has coined a new label for Revenge of the Mummy: psychological thrill ride. But the ride also unleashes physical thrills, including a surprisingly potent coaster experience, to produce a wild, kinetic, frenetic attraction. At Uinversal Studios Hollywood and Florida.
Mission: SPACE
From the start, the Disney theme parks have married technology and storytelling to whisk guests away to fantastic places. Mission: SPACE, the groundbreaking, awe-inspiring attraction at Epcot delivers sensations unlike any you have ever felt (unless you're an astronaut) and replicates space travel with an astonishing degree of reality. It figuratively--and literally--takes your breath away.
Journey to Atlantis
SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld San Diego entered the high-concept arena of theme park attractions in a big way with this roller coaster/flume ride. Great themeing throughout and a cool ending.
Photo: © Jeremy Levine 2003, licensed to About.com, Inc.
