Hersheypark, Kennywood and Knoebels ranked among USA Today's '10 Best'

Damon C. Williams, Bucks County Courier Times
·4 min read

A panel of USA Today readers have voted Hersheypark, Kennywood and Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania high in its most recent rankings of best amusement and theme parks across the nation.

Every week, USA Today invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions across a wide range of categories. USA Today's 10Best editors then publish the results on the "10Best" website.

Wildcat's Revenge, other PA rollercoasters, ranked high by USA Today panel

The "Wildcat's Revenge" rollercoaster was built in 1932 and is Hersheypark's first rollercoaster.

"Our wood and steel Wildcat's Revengecoaster takes riders through one-of-a-kind thrills found only at Hersheyparkamusement park," read the park's online description of the ride. "Climb a 140 foot hill, hit max speeds of 62 MPH, dive into an 82-degree drop, invert 4 times, and stalk your prey through the world's largest underflip on three custom trains."

"Wildcat's Revenge" in Hersheypark is ranked as a one of the "10 Best"rollercoasters in America by a panel of USA Today readers.
"Wildcat's Revenge" in Hersheypark is ranked as a one of the "10 Best"rollercoasters in America by a panel of USA Today readers.

USA Today's '10 Best' rollercoasters: Hersheypark's 'WIldcat's Revenge' ranked as a top rollercoaster by USA Today's "10Best" panel.

The USA Today "10Best" panel ranked "Wildcat's Revenge" fourth, "Phantom's Revenge" at Kennywood third, and the "Phoenix" at Knoebels Amusement Resort in Columbia County pulled in the highest honor:

1. Phoenix at Knoebels

2. Mako at SeaWorld Orlando; Orlando, FL

3. Phantom's Revenge at Kennywood; West Mifflin, PA

4. Wildcat's Revenge at Hersheypark

5. Lightning Rod at Dollywood; Pigeon Forge, TN

6. Giant Dipper at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk; Santa Cruz, CA

7. The Voyage at Holiday World; Santa Claus, IN

8. Fury 325 at Carowinds; Charlotte, NC

9. Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; Tampa, FL

10. Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg; Williamsburg, VA

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Hotel Hershey voted best theme park hotel

The USA Today 10 Best panel ranked HersheyPark's Hotel Hershey as the top theme park hotel, beating out established heavyweights such as Dollywood and several Disney World resorts.

"The Hotel Hershey is one of the finest Historic Hotels of America. Known for its signature service, abundant amenities, family-friendly activities, and views overlooking Hersheypark," read Hersheypark's description of the hotel. "Opening Memorial Day Weekend as part of a phased expansion, The Villas at The Hotel Hershey will showcase refreshed furnishings, unmatched amenities including an all-new exclusive concierge lounge, and a tailored Hersheypark experience."

USA Today's '10 Best' theme park hotels: The Hotel Hershey tops USA Today's "10 Best Amusement Park Hotels" list

1. The Hotel Hershey

2. Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa; Pigeon Forge, TN

3. Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge and Resort; Pigeon Forge, TN

4. Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge; Orlando, FL

5. Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point; Sandusky, OH

6. Disney's Wilderness Lodge; Orlando, FL

7. Disney's Polynesian Village Resort; Orlando, FL

8. Disney's Beach Club Resort; Orlando, FL

9. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando; Orlando, FL

10. Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort; Orlando, FL

Kennywood, Knoebels, and Hersheypark ranked as 'Best Theme Parks' by USA Today

Kenneywood, Knoebels Amusement Resort and Hersheypark all made the cut in USA Today's "Best Theme Park" list, once again besting well-known establishments.

Kennywood ranked eighth, Hersheypark ranked fourth and Knoebels ranked second on USA Today's "10 Best" theme park list.

USA Today's '10 best' theme parks: USA Today panel votes Knoebels, Hersheypark, as top-ten theme parks in the nation

USA Today's 10 Best panel highlighted Knoebels' quaint draw.

"The pizza at this vintage amusement park in Pennsylvania's coal country is nearly as famous as its rides, but don't discount the family-friendly thrills at this Susquehanna River Valley institution," read the panel's description of Knoebels. "The rare amusement park that's still free to enter (rides require old-school-style tickets), Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States. And it's a virtual museum of still-operating classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns, the Haunted Mansion dark ride, and Sky Slide.

"Add in some modern thrills and water rides and you have the perfect mix for a relaxed yet thrilling day in the park."

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The full USA Today "10 best Theme Park" list:

1. Silver Dollar City; Branson, MO

2. Knoebels

3. SeaWorld Orlando; Orlando, FL

4. Hersheypark

5. Dollywood; Pigeon Forge, TN

6. LEGOLAND California; Carlsbad, CA

7. Busch Gardens Williamsburg; Williamsburg, VA

8. Kennywood

9. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay; Tampa, FL

10. Cedar Point; Sandusky, OH

Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Hersheypark's coasters, hotel, rank high with USA Today panel