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Busch Gardens Rides To The Top

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By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: October 17, 2008

TAMPA - If you've been to Busch Gardens and dared to take a ride on the Montu, SheiKra or Kumba rides, then you've been on some of the top amusement park rides in the country.

At least that's the consensus of a panel of amusement park aficionados polled by Amusement Today, an industry trade journal.

The three rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay are considered among the top 50 nationwide, Amusement Today says in a recent issue.

The industry journal ranked the rides this way for its 2008 Golden Tickets Award: Montu,10th; SheiKra 19th; and Kumba, 27th.

"It is the opportunity to tell people they've done a good job," said Tim Baldwin, who coordinates the awards.

The Golden Ticket Awards have been featured on the Travel Channel, the Discovery Channel, and even the Food Network, Baldwin said.

Other big amusement park rides in Florida fared well.

Orlando's Islands of Adventures placed Dueling Dragons 14th and the Incredible Hulk Coaster 26th, while Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista ranked 35th. Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando ranked 42nd.
SeaWorld Orlando ranked as the best marine life park, and Universal Orlando was the top pick for best Halloween event. Disney's Magic Kingdom ranked second for best Christmas event.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

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