2009 Attraction Tourney: Final Four

Tower of Terror over Curse of DarKastle














Expedition Everest over Spider-Man














Tower of Terror over Expedition Everest

2009 Quiet Pool Theme Park Attraction of the Year

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

2009 Attraction Tourney: Six Flags Region

And now for the most controversial of my final four attractions...The Curse of DarKastle. The brother of Universal's Spider-Man ride, DarKastle has been a favorite of mine and JJ's since we first went on it two years ago. Many other people think we overrate the attraction, but it is a carbon copy of the highly toughted Spider-Man. I think the queue and theming of DarKastle are better than Spidey. The Sweet 16 in this region was incredible, with DarKastle, Splash Mt., Soarin' and Griffon. All four are unique, three of the four have great theming, and the one that doesn't, Griffon, is one of the best coasters I've been on. When it came down to it the overall experience of DarKastle barely edged out Splash Mountain to reach the Final Four.

2009 Attraction Tourney: Busch Gardens Region

It's crazy that Kingda Ka couldn't even get out of the second round, but that's what happens when you're faced with the monster that is Expedition Everest.

2009 Attraction Tourney: Universal Region

Absolutely no upsets until #3 Indiana Jones Adventure takes down #2 Incredible Hulk? Crazy bracket. In the heated play-in game The Enchanted Tiki-Room, with dancing, took out Leslie's Nielsen's Pirates 4D show of Busch Gardens fame, only to inevitably lose to Spider Man in the first round. The top half of this bracket was stacked compared to the bottom. Spider Man, Rock 'n Roller Coaster, Test Track, Nitro, Jungle Cruise, Kumba and Tiki Room...all-star cast. Nothing to talk about down bottom other than Indy Adventure, which still has one of the best queues I've even walked through. Needless to say, Spidy comes out of the region to make it to the Final Four.

2009 Attraction Tourney: Disney World Region

So today begins the 2nd Annual Quiet Pool Theme Park Attraction Tournament. Last year I was inspired by ThemeParkInsider.com who created a 64 attraction tournament to figure out the best ride in America. TPI had readers vote on the individual match-ups to decide the winner of each round and since I have no readers, I just decide which ride is better on my own.

After this year's disgrace of a result so far over at TPI, it seems that mine is the most reliable source for a subjective theme park attraction tournament on the internet. The people at Cedar Point have linked to the TPI website, so that their rides will win and it has worked like a charm. Last year's winner, Tower of Terror, was upset by the 33rd seeded Maverick of the aforementioned Cedar Point. There were 3,000 votes on Maverick's day of voting, compared to 500-600 on every other day.

To make the seedings I again used the ratings from TPI's readers.

Disney World Region

Last year's champ, Tower of Terror glided through the region with its toughest match-up in round two against Buzz Lightyear. Nice little run by Great Adventure's Superman coaster, making it to the Regional Final. Pirates and Haunted Mansion are rated highly and have great theming, but don't have the juice to get by good coasters.