Florida Theme Parks In Running For USA Today 10Best Awards

TAMPA, FL — Fans of thrills rides, animal safaris and fantastical characters have until noon on June 21 to cast their votes for the country's 10Best amusement parks, including eight Florida theme parks.

There are more than 400 amusement parks and attractions in North America, attracting some 375 million visitors annually, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

To help families choose which to visit, USA Today hosts an annual callout to readers to cast their ballots in its 10Best Reader's Choice awards.

The 10 amusement parks with the most votes will be announced Friday, July 2.

Last year's top 10 winners for Best Amusement Park were:

1. Silver Dollar City - Branson, Missouri
2. Cedar Point - Sandusky, Ohio
3. Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Williamsburg, Virginia
4. Kings Island - Mason, Ohio
5. Busch Gardens Tampa - Tampa
6. Dollywood - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
7. Knoebels - Elysburg, Pennsylvania
8. Kennywood - West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
9. Knott's Berry Farm - Buena Park, California
10. Hersheypark - Hershey, Pennsylvania

The 2021 nominees are:

• Busch Gardens Tampa
• Busch Gardens Williamsburg
• Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio
• Disney California Adventure in Anaheim
• Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando
• Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando
• Disneyland in Anaheim
• Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
• Epcot in Orlando
• Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania
• Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
• Kings Island in Mason Ohio
• Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
• Magic Kingdom in Orlando
• SeaWorld in Orlando
• Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri
• Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California
• Universal Studios Florida in Orlando
• Universal Studios Hollywood, California
• Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando

Some amusement parks will have an opportunity to garner multiple awards.

Busch Gardens Tampa, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando Resort, Universal's Islands of AdventureEpcot, Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom are in the running several categories.

In addition to Best Amusement Park, Busch Gardens' Montu, known for its seven thrilling inversions, is a contender for Best Roller Coaster. Montu made history as the first roller coaster to combine both a loop and a roll at the same time. At 104 feet tall, it's one of the tallest inverted coasters you can ride and reaches speeds of 60 miles per hour with a G-force of 3.85. The 104-foot-tall loop will leave your stomach in your throat.

Also making the list is SeaWorld Orlando's newest coaster, Mako , billed as Orlando's tallest, longest and fastest coaster reaching speeds of 73 miles per hour.

Joining the competition is Universal's Islands of Adventure's coaster designed by Harry Potter film production designer Stuart Craig and art director Alan Gilmore, Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. This coaster takes thrill-seekers through the Forbidden Forest on the grounds of Hogwarts Castle and features seven launches, more than any other coaster in the world, as well as a free-fall vertical drop.

Other contenders for Best Roller Coaster are:

• Phoenix - Knoebels
• Lightning Rod - Dollywood
• Fury 325 - Carowinds
• Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood
• The Voyage - Holiday World
• Steel Vengeance - Cedar Point
• Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion

Readers also have a chance to vote for their favorite Amusement Park Restaurant. Ten Florida theme park eateries made this list:

• Zambia Smokehouse - Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
• Be Our Guest - Magic Kingdom
• Biergarten Restaurant - Epcot
• Mythos Restaurant - Universal Orlando Resort
• Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria - Epcot
• Les Chefs de France - Epcot
• Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - Disney Springs
• Tiffins Restaurant - Disney's Animal Kingdom
• Teppan Edo - Epcot
• Katsura Grill - Epcot

Other categories include Best Amusement Park Entertainment, Best Outdoor Water Park, Best Amusement Park Hotel and Best Indoor Water Park.