2012 Readers Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks

There are seven categories this year, including three new ones. The nomination period begins Wednesday, January 18, 2012. The nomination period ends Wednesday, February 15, after which nominations will be tallied, and five finalists will be determined for each category.

The voting phase begins Wednesday, February 22, 2012 and continues through Wednesday, March 21. Readers can vote once per day in each of the seven categories. The winners, as determined by your votes, will be announced on Friday, March 30, 2012.

Got that? Good. Now, on to the categories.

This category includes any new ride or park attraction that debuted anywhere in the world during 2011 except a show, roller coaster, or ride in a water park (which have their own categories). The finalists are:

• The Little Mermaid- Ariel's Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure
• Star Tours - The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios. (Note that the "sequel" that opened last year is substantially different from the original Star Tours and therefore qualifies as a "new" attraction.)
• Madagascar: A Crate Adventure at Universal Studios Singapore
• SkyScreamer at Six Flags St. Louis
• Barnstormer at Dollywood

Vote now for the Best New Theme Park Attraction of 2011

Vote for the best new park show that debuted anywhere in the world during 2011. A "show" is any outdoor presentation, including a parade, or indoor theater-type presentation. The finalists are:

• The Magic, The Memories and You! projection shows at Magic Kingdom.
• One Ocean at SeaWorld Orlando.
• Survivor Live at Six Flags New England
• Starlight Spectacular at Carowinds, Canada's Wonderland, and Kings Dominion.
• Neighborhood Street Party at Sesame Place

Vote now for the Best New Theme Park Show of 2011

Vote for the best new coaster that debuted anywhere in the world during 2011. Coasters that were moved from one location to another are not eligible. The finalists are:

• Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park.
• Green Lantern at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
• Cheetah Hunt at Busch Gardens Tampa.
• Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia.
• New Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. (Note that, while the 2011 ride shares a name and location with the original Texas Giant, it was changed substantially and therefore qualifies as a "new" roller coaster for the awards.)

Vote now for the Best New Roller Coaster of 2011

Cast your vote for the best new water park ride at either outdoor or indoor water parks (including indoor water park resorts) that debuted anywhere in the world during 2011. Note that water rides in theme parks (such as shoot-the-chute or whitewater raft rides) are not eligible. The ride must be located in a water park, including water parks that are part of theme parks. The finalists are:

• Constrictor at Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix
• La Chute at Jay Peak Indoor Water Park
• 360 Rush at Spring Valley Beach
• The Falls at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
• Summit Tower at Calypso Waterpark

Vote now for the Best New Water Park Ride of 2011

What will get your vote for the best new food item at a theme park or water park (including indoor water parks) that debuted anywhere in the world during 2011? It could be a snack item, a quick-service dish, or something new at a full-service restaurant. New food served anywhere at theme park or water park resorts, including on-property hotels and onsite dining/entertainment/shopping complexes would be eligible. This is a new category for the 2012 Theme Park Readers' Choice Awards. The finalists are:

• Pretzel Sandwich at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Adventureland in Disneyland Park
• Goliath Burger at The Holy Land Experience
• Waffle Sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow in Liberty Square at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom
• Pizza at Via Napoli in Walt Disney World's Epcot

Vote now for the Best New Park Food of 2011

Which park will get your vote for the best Halloween event last year? This award is not for any one attraction, but for the best overall presentation, including haunted mazes, scare zones, shows, and decorations. This is another new category for the 2012 Theme Park Readers' Choice Awards. The finalists are:

• Knott's Scary Farm 2011
• Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights 2011
• Busch Gardens Tampa Howl-O-Scream 2011
• Universal Studios Orlando Halloween Horror Nights 21
• Terror on the Boardwalk at Morey's Piers

Vote now for the Best Theme Park Halloween Event of 2011

Which park will get your vote for the best Christmas holiday event last year? As with the Halloween award, this category is for the best overall presentation, including shows, holiday lights, festive food, special attractions, and decorations. This is yet another new category for the 2012 Theme Park Readers' Choice Awards. The finalists are:

• Holiday Lights at Kennywood
• Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
• Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Texas
• Christmas at The Holy Land Experience
• A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place

Vote now for the Best Theme Park Christmas Holidays Event of 2011