Tuesday January 11, 2011
As the Theme Parks Guide, I get to sample lots and lots of rides, attractions, and shows, including the good, the bad, and the what-the-heck-where-they-thinking. I also get to share my park ride experiences with you through my ride reviews. And, I get to form opinions, rank the attractions, and come up with a list of what I consider to be the best of the best theme park rides.
2010 was a bountiful year for great attractions, and I've been meaning to update my list--which I just did. Without further ado then, I present the revised, renewed, and refreshed countdown of the top 15 best theme park rides. Can you guess which attraction occupies the top spot?
Connect With Arthur: Twitter | Facebook
Photo: Not all of the best theme park rides can be found at Disney or Universal parks. © Arthur Levine 2005. Licensed to About.com.
Monday January 10, 2011
Generally, I'm the one asking the questions. But Bob McLain, the gentlemen behind the wonderful, info-packed Website, Disney Dispatch, put me in the hot seat. I enjoyed our chat about, well, About.com as well as other topics such as my thoughts about the Disney parks (this is for Disney Dispatch after all), my role as Theme Parks Guide, and my take on The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Bob even got me talking about my favorite parks. You can find the interview here. Thanks for the opportunity Bob.
Monday January 10, 2011
Did you catch SNL a couple of days ago? If not, you missed a great sketch featuring guest host Jim Carrey. As part of a trio of animatronic characters in a cheesy theme park dark ride, Carrey demonstrated his considerable comedic skills to hilarious effect. As you can see in this clip, things aren't quite so merry aboard the Merryville Trolley Ride.
Let's admit it, we've all harbored irrational fears about rides going horribly wrong when relentlessly upbeat characters turn maniacal. The fear has fueled the plotlines of books and films such as The Stepford Wives and Westworld. Of course, the premise of animatronic characters run amok is ludicrous. Or is it? Just what is that it's a small world (sic) doll hiding inside the pineapples perched atop her head?
Connect With Arthur: Twitter | Facebook
Friday January 7, 2011
What was the best new theme park attraction or show of 2010? How about the best new coaster and water park attraction? About.com readers--like you--are going to decide. There is a new awards program we're running on About.com. It's called the Readers' Choice Awards, and it will showcase the best products, features, and services in dozens of categories across all of About.com.
On the Theme Parks site, I'll be accepting nominations, starting next Thursday, January 13, for the categories cited above. You can read more about the program on the Readers' Choice Awards Theme Parks nomination page, but you won't be able to enter your picks until next week.
I know that there are already a number of (great) park awards programs. What makes About.com's a bit different is that it focuses exclusively on achievements in the past year. Think of it as the Academy Awards or People's Choice awards for parks. Nominations will be open from January 13 until February 4, and voting will run from February 11 through March 8, with winners announced March 15. There's no prize--just the bragging rights that come with getting recognized by the readers of a leading website owned by The New York Times Co.
Connect With Arthur: Twitter | Facebook
