# 2012 in amusement parks

Part of a series on :
Years in amusement parks :
| ← 2011 | 2012 | 2013 → |
This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that have occurred in 2012. These various lists are not exhaustive.

## Amusement parks
### Opening

* United States Aquatica San Antonio – May 19, replaced the former Lost Lagoon water park.
* United States Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier – Summer
* People's Republic of China Happy Valley, Wuhan – April 29
* Malaysia Legoland Malaysia – September 15

### Change of name

* Alabama Adventure » Splash Adventure
* The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom » Great Escape
* Boomerang Bay » Soak City
* Disney's California Adventure » Disney California Adventure

### Change of ownership

* Alabama Adventure – Adrenaline Family Entertainment » General Attractions LLC
* The Beach – Unknown » Adventure Holdings LLC
* Knott's Soak City (San Diego) – Cedar Fair Entertainment Company » SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

### Birthday

* United States Adventureland (New York) - 50th birthday
* England Chessington World of Adventures – 25th birthday
* France Disneyland Paris – 20th birthday
* Netherlands Efteling – 60th birthday
* United States Epcot – 30th birthday
* France Futuroscope – 25th birthday
* United States Kings Island – 40th birthday
* Canada La Ronde – 45th birthday
* Australia Luna Park, Melbourne – Centenary celebration (100th birthday)
* Italy Mirabilandia – 20th birthday
* People's Republic of China Ocean Park Hong Kong – 35th birthday
* United States Six Flags Fiesta Texas – 20th birthday
* United States Six Flags Over Georgia – 45th birthday
* France Walt Disney Studios Park – 10th birthday

### Closed

* Camelot Theme Park - September 2
* Dash n Splash
* Le Bioscope - September 30

## Additions
### Roller coasters
#### New

| Name | Park | Type | Manufacturer | Opened |
| Arctic Blast | China Ocean Park | Powered roller coaster | Mack Rides | July 13 |
| Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars | China Hong Kong Disneyland | Mine train roller coaster | Vekoma | July 13 |
| Bullet Coaster | China Happy Valley, Shenzhen | Launched roller coaster | S&S Worldwide | July 28 |
| Dauling Dragon | China Happy Valley, Wuhan | Wooden roller coaster | Martin & Vleminckx | April 29 |
| Dinoconda | China China Dinosaurs Park | 4th Dimension roller coaster | S&S Worldwide | April 29 |
| Divertical | Italy Mirabilandia | Water Coaster | Intamin | June 16 |
| Dragon Fly | Netherlands Duinrell | Family roller coaster | Gerstlauer | March 31 |
| Iron Shark | United States Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter | Gerstlauer | June 1 |
| Lego Technic Test Track | Malaysia Legoland Malaysia | Wild Mouse roller coaster | Mack Rides | September 15 |
| Leviathan | Canada Canada's Wonderland | Giga coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | May 6 |
| Manta | United States SeaWorld San Diego | Launched roller coaster | Mack Rides | May 26 |
| OzIris | France Parc Astérix | Inverted roller coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | April 7 |
| Polar X-plorer | Denmark Legoland Billund | Family roller coaster | Zierer | April 29 |
| Shambhala: Expedición al Himalaya | Spain PortAventura Park | Hyper coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | May 12 |
| Skyrush | United States Hersheypark | Hyper coaster | Intamin | May 26 |
| Superman: Ultimate Flight | United States Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | Launched roller coaster | Premier Rides | June 30 |
| The Swarm | Thorpe Park | Wing Coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | March 15 |
| Tren de la mina | Spain Parque de Atracciones Madrid | Family roller coaster | Gerstlauer | March 30 |
| Verbolten | United States Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Launched roller coaster | Zierer | May 18 |
| Wild Eagle | United States Dollywood | Wing Coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | March 24 |
| Wodan Timbur Coaster | Germany Europa-Park | Wooden roller coaster | Great Coasters International | March 31 |
| X-Flight | United States Six Flags Great America | Wing Coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | May 16 |

#### Relocated

| Name | Park | Type | Manufacturer | Opened | Formerly |
| Apocalypse | United States Six Flags America | Stand-up roller coaster | Bolliger & Mabillard | June 7 | Iron Wolf at Six Flags Great America |
| Cliffhanger | United States Glenwood Caverns | Steel roller coaster | S&MC | June 15 | Thunderbolt at Celebration City |
| Goliath | United States Six Flags New England | Giant Inverted Boomerang | Vekoma | May 25 | Déjà Vu at Six Flags Magic Mountain |
| Stinger | United States Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | Invertigo | Vekoma | April 28 | Invertigo at California's Great America |
| Triops | France Bagatelle | Invertigo | Vekoma | June 10 | Tornado at Sommerland Syd |
| Wild West Express Coaster | United States Glenwood Caverns | Steel roller coaster | Zierer | May 25 | Endicott Emerald Mine at Wild Zone Adventures |
| Western-Expressen | Norway TusenFryd | Sit Down roller coaster | Vekoma | April 28 | Family Adventure at Mirabilandia |

#### Refurbished

| Name | Park | Type | Manufacturer | Opened | Formerly |
| Arkham Asylum – Shock Therapy | Australia Warner Bros. Movie World | Suspended Looping Coaster | Vekoma | April 7 | Lethal Weapon – The Ride |
| Cosmic Coaster | United States Worlds of Fun | Junior roller coaster | Preston & Barbieri | April 14 | Wacky Worm |
| The Barnstormer | United States Magic Kingdom | Junior roller coaster | Vekoma | March 12 | The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm |
| Escape from Madagascar | Australia Dreamworld | Suspended Family Coaster | Vekoma | March 31 | Sky Rocket |
| Hoot N Holler | United States Darien Lake | Junior roller coaster | Zierer | May 12 | Brain Teaser |
| Mr. Freeze: Reverse Blast | United States Six Flags Over Texas United States Six Flags St. Louis | Launched roller coaster | Premier Rides | May 12 May 5 | Mr. Freeze |
| Twisted Typhoon | United States Wild Adventures | Inverted roller coaster | Vekoma | 2012 | Hangman |

### Other attractions
#### New

| Name | Park | Type | Opened |
| Adventure Alley | United States Six Flags Great Adventure | Themed area | April 5 |
| Air Jumbo | United States Six Flags Great Adventure | Aerial carousel | May 23 |
| Alpine Freefalls | United States Great Escape | ProSlide water slide complex | June 2 |
| Angry Birds Land | Finland Särkänniemi | Themed area | June 8 |
| Aquanura | Netherlands Efteling | Dancing fountain show | May 31 |
| Big Red Boat | Australia Dreamworld | Rockin' Tug | December 14 |
| Black Widow | United States Kennywood | Zamperla pendulum ride | June 8 |
| Bonzai Pipeline | United States Six Flags St. Louis | ProSlide SuperLoop | May 26 |
| Buena Vista Street | United States Disney California Adventure | Themed area | June 15 |
| Burnout | Australia Funfields | Chance Rides Trabant | November 23 |
| Cars Land | United States Disney California Adventure | Themed area | June 15 |
| Celebrate the Magic | United States Magic Kingdom | Nighttime spectacular | November 13 |
| Celebration Plaza | United States Cedar Point | Themed area | June 8 |
| Constrictor | Australia Wet'n'Wild Water World | WhiteWater West Family Constrictor water slide | September 28 |
| Das verrückte Hotel Tartüff | Germany Phantasialand | Funhouse | June 23 |
| Déjà Vu | United States Six Flags Great Adventure | Scrambler | May 23 |
| Despicable Me Minion Mayhem | United States Universal Studios Florida | Infitec 3D simulator ride | July 2 |
| Dinosaur Island | Australia Sea World | Dinosaur exhibit | June 16 |
| Dinosaurs Alive! | Canada Canada's Wonderland United States Cedar Point United States Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom United States Kings Dominion | Dinosaur exhibit | May 6 May 12 April 28 April 6 |
| Disney Dreams! | France Disneyland Park (Paris) | Nighttime spectacular | April 1 |
| Dragster H2O | United States Soak City: Cedar Point | Multi-lane racer | May 27 |
| DreamWorks Experience | Australia Dreamworld | Themed area | March 31 |
| Fender Benders | United States Six Flags Great Adventure | Bumper Cars | August 7 |
| Geyser Gulch | China Hong Kong Disneyland | Water play area | July 13 |
| Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs | England Alton Towers Italy Gardaland Australia Warner Bros. Movie World Germany Movie Park Germany | 4D film | March 24 March 31 June 23 March 31 |
| Justice League: Alien Invasion 3D | Australia Warner Bros. Movie World | Sally Corporation 3D Shooting Dark ride | September 22 |
| King Cobra | United States Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: New Jersey | Polin King Cobra | July 24 |
| Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom | United States Six Flags Magic Mountain | Intamin Drop tower | July 7 |
| Luigi's Flying Tires | United States Disney California Adventure | Flying Saucers attraction | June 15 |
| Luminosity — Ignite the Night! | United States Cedar Point | Nighttime show | June 8 |
| Mad T Party | United States Disney California Adventure | Nighttime Show | June 15 |
| Madagascar Live! Prepare to Party | England Chessington World of Adventures | Live Show | March 31 |
| Mammoth | United States Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | ProSlide water coaster | May 11 |
| Mater's Junkyard Jamboree | United States Disney California Adventure | Unknown | June 15 |
| Nemesis: Sub-Terra | England Alton Towers | ABC Drop Tower | March 24 |
| New Fantasyland | United States Magic Kingdom | Themed area | December 6 |
| New Test Track | United States Epcot | High speed simulated test track | December 6 |
| Pandamonium | Australia Dreamworld | Air Race | December 21 |
| Pirate Reef | United States Legoland California | Hopkins Shoot-the-Chutes | May 24 |
| Quadzilla | United States Noah's Ark Water Park | Mat Slides | Unknown |
| Radiator Springs Racers | United States Disney California Adventure | Racing dark ride | June 15 |
| Red Car Trolley | United States Disney California Adventure | Tram ride | June 15 |
| RipTide | United States Morey's Piers | Pirate Ship | Summer 2012 |
| SkyPoint Climb | Australia Q1 | External building walk | January 14 |
| SkyScreamer | United States Six Flags Fiesta Texas United States Six Flags Great Adventure | Tower swinger | May 27 May 23 |
| Sling Shot | United States Six Flags Magic Mountain | Funtime Sling Shot | December 15 |
| Sparkler | United States Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Tower swinger | May 11 |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shell Shock | United States Nickelodeon Universe | Gerstlauer Sky Fly | March 17 |
| Texas Star Flyer | United States Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | Tower swinger | July 27 |
| Tidal Wave Bay | United States Soak City: Kings Island | Wave pool | May 27 |
| Toy Story Midway Mania! | Japan Tokyo DisneySea | Interactive 4D ride | July 9 |
| Transformers: The Ride 3D | United States Universal Studios Hollywood | Dark ride | May 24 |
| Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid | United States Magic Kingdom | Omnimover dark ride | December 6 |
| Universal's Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Memories | United States Universal Studios Florida | Nighttime spectacular | May 8 |
| Universal's Superstar Parade | United States Universal Studios Florida | Parade | May 8 |
| Vol Ultime | Canada La Ronde | Tower swinger | May 19 |
| WindSeeker | United States Carowinds United States Kings Dominion | Tower swinger | March 31 April 6 |

## Closed attractions & roller coasters

| Name | Park | Type | Manufacturer | Closed |
| Cactus Coaster | United States Elitch Gardens | Family roller coaster | Allan Herschell Company | October 28 |
| Disaster Transport | United States Cedar Point | Bobsled roller coaster | Intamin | July 29 |
| Flashback | United States Six Flags Over Texas | Boomerang | Vekoma | September 3 |
| Hurricane | United States Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Hurricane | S.D.C. | September 3 |
| Pandemonium | United States Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | Spinning roller coaster | Gerstlauer | January 1 |
| Adventure Golf | United States Valleyfair | Mini Golf | Unknown | Unknown |
| Avalanche | Australia Dreamworld | Matterhorn | Bertazzon Rides | July 15 |
| Catapult | United States Six Flags New England | Sky Swatter | S&S Worldwide | October 28 |
| Congo River | United States Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Lazy River | Unknown | Unknown |
| DreamWorks Holiday Shrektacular | Australia Dreamworld | Live show | Unknown | January 27 |
| ElecTRONica | United States Disney California Adventure | Nighttime show | Walt Disney Imagineering | April 15 |
| Glow in the Park Parade | United States Six Flags Great America | Parade | — | Unknown |
| Inferis | Italy Gardaland | Horror House | Unknown | January 6 |
| Jaws | United States Universal Studios Florida | Water ride | MCA Planning and Development | January 2 |
| Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure | Australia Warner Bros. Movie World | 4D film | Iwerks Entertainment | June 4 |
| KidZville | United States Kings Dominion | Themed area | — | October |
| Perilous Plunge | United States Knott's Berry Farm | Shoot the Chute | Intamin | September 3 |
| Raging Seas | United States Darien Lake | Seesturmbahn | Mack Rides | Unknown |
| Roller Soaker | United States Hersheypark | Suspended roller coaster | Setpoint | September 3 |
| Rowdys Ridge | United States Darien Lake | 3 rides | | |
| Snow White's Scary Adventures | United States Magic Kingdom | Dark ride | Walt Disney Imagineering | May 31 |
| Space Spiral | United States Cedar Point | Gyro tower | Von Roll | August 14 |
| Star Jet | United States Casino Pier | Steel roller coaster | E&F Miler Industries | October 29 |
| Star Tours | Japan Tokyo Disneyland | Motion simulator | Walt Disney Imagineering | April 2 |
| Stingray | Australia Dreamworld | Trabant | Chance Rides | May |
| T2-3D: Battle Across Time | United States Universal Studios Hollywood | 4-D film | Universal Creative | December 31 |
| Texas Chute Out | United States Six Flags Over Texas | Parachute Drop | Intamin | September 3 |
| Thunder Alley | United States Kings Island | Go-karts | R.E. Enterprises | Unknown |
| Timber Tower | United States Dollywood | Topple Tower | HUSS | Unknown |
| Tree Top Racers | United States Adventure City | Wild Mouse | Miler Manufacturing | Unknown |
| Wheelie | United States Six Flags Over Georgia | Enterprise | Schwarzkopf | October 28 |
| WindSeeker | United States Knott's Berry Farm | Wind Seeker | Mondial | September 19 |

## Themed Accommodation
### New

| Name | Park | Theme | Opening | ref(s) |
| Disney's Art of Animation Resort | Walt Disney World | Disney Animated Films | May 31 | |
| Hotel Bell Rock | Europa-Park | New England | June 27 | |

## Amusement parks in terms of attendance
### Worldwide

This section list the top 25 largest amusement parks worldwide in order of annual attendance in 2012.
| Rank | Amusement park | Location | 2012 Attendance |
| 1 | Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort | Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US | 17,536,000 |
| 2 | Disneyland at Disneyland Resort | Anaheim, California, US | 15,963,000 |
| 3 | Tokyo Disneyland | Tokyo, Japan | 14,847,000 |
| 4 | Tokyo DisneySea | Tokyo, Japan | 12,656,000 |
| 5 | Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris | Marne-la-Vallée, France | 11,200,000 |
| 6 | Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort | Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US | 11,063,000 |
| 7 | Disney's Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort | Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US | 9,998,000 |
| 8 | Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort | Lake Buena Vista, Florida, US | 9,912,000 |
| 9 | Universal Studios Japan | Osaka, Japan | 8,700,000 |
| 10 | Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida, US | 7,981,000 |
| 11 | Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort | Anaheim, California, US | 7,775,000 |
| 12 | Ocean Park Hong Kong | Hong Kong, China | 7,436,000 |
| 13 | Everland | Yongin, Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea | 6,853,000 |
| 14 | Hong Kong Disneyland | Hong Kong, China | 6,700,000 |
| 15 | Lotte World | Seoul, South Korea | 6,383,000 |
| 16 | Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida, US | 6,195,000 |
| 17 | Universal Studios Hollywood | Universal City, California, US | 5,912,000 |
| 18 | Nagashima Spa Land | Kuwana, Japan | 5,850,000 |
| 19 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida, US | 5,358,000 |
| 20 | Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris | Marne-la-Vallée, France | 4,800,000 |
| 21 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 4,600,000 |
| 22 | SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego, California, US | 4,444,000 |
| 23 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Tampa, Florida, US | 4,348,000 |
| 24 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands | 4,200,000 |
| 25 | OCT East | Shenzhen, China | 4,196,000 |

## Poll rankings
### Golden Ticket Awards

The 2012 Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were held at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
| Category | 2012 Recipient | Location |
| Best New Ride (Amusement Park) | Wild Eagle | Dollywood |
| Best New Ride (Waterpark) | Mammoth | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari |
| Best Amusement Park | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio |
| Best Waterpark | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas |
| Best Children's Park | Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania |
| Best Marine Life Park | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida |
| Best Seaside Park | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California |
| Best Indoor Waterpark | Schlitterbahn Galveston Island | Galveston, Texas |
| Friendliest Park | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| Cleanest Park | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana |
| Best Shows | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| Best Food | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| Best Water Ride (Park) | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Islands of Adventure |
| Best Waterpark Ride | Wildebeest | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari |
| Best Kids' Area | Kings Island | Mason, Ohio |
| Best Dark Ride | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Islands of Adventure |
| Best Outdoor Show Production | Epcot | Bay Lake, Florida |
| Best Landscaping | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Best Halloween Event | Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida |
| Best Christmas Event | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| Best Carousel | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Best Indoor Coaster | Revenge of the Mummy | Universal Studios Orlando |
| Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction | Noah's Ark | Kennywood |
Top 10 Steel Roller Coasters :
| Rank | 2012 Recipient | Park | Supplier | Points |
| 1 | Millennium Force | Cedar Point | Intamin | 1272 |
| 2 | Bizarro | Six Flags New England | Intamin | 946 |
| 3 | Nitro | Six Flags Great Adventure | B&M | 650 |
| 4 | Apollo's Chariot | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | B&M | 597 |
| 5 | New Texas Giant | Six Flags Over Texas | Rocky Mountain Construction | 564 |
| 6 | Expedition GeForce | Holiday Park | Intamin | 537 |
| 7 | Intimidator | Carowinds | B&M | 520 |
| 8 | Magnum XL-200 | Cedar Point | Arrow | 480 |
| 9 | Goliath | Six Flags Over Georgia | B&M | 444 |
| 10 | Diamondback | Kings Island | B&M | 395 |
Top 10 Wooden Roller Coasters :
| Rank | 2012 Recipient | Park | Supplier | Points |
| 1 | El Toro | Six Flags Great Adventure | Intamin | 1279 |
| 2 | The Voyage | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | The Gravity Group | 1190 |
| 3 | Phoenix | Knoebels Amusement Resort | PTC/Schmeck | 1091 |
| 4 | Thunderhead | Dollywood | GCI | 1018 |
| 5 | Boulder Dash | Lake Compounce | CCI | 1009 |
| 6 | Ravine Flyer II | Waldameer Park | The Gravity Group | 762 |
| 7 | The Beast | Kings Island | KECO | 677 |
| 8 | The Raven | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | CCI | 385 |
| 9 | Shivering Timbers | Michigan's Adventure | CCI | 378 |
| 10 | Balder | Liseberg | Intamin | 364 |

### Best Roller Coaster Poll

Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll is yet to be held for 2012.
Top 10 Steel Roller Coasters :
| Rank | Name | Park | Location | Manufacturer | Debut Year |
| 1 | Expedition GeForce | Holiday Park | Germany | Intamin | 2001 |
| 2 | Bizarro | Six Flags New England | United States | Intamin | 2000 |
| 3 | New Texas Giant | Six Flags Over Texas | United States | Rocky Mountain Construction | 1990 |
| 4 | Intimidator 305 | Kings Dominion | United States | Intamin | 2010 |
| 5 | Kawasemi | Tobu Zoo Park | Japan | Intamin | 2008 |
| 6 | Shambhala: Expedición al Himalaya | PortAventura Park | Spain | Bolliger & Mabillard | 2012 |
| 7 | Skyrush | Hersheypark | United States | Intamin | 2012 |
| 8 | iSpeed | Mirabilandia | Italy | Intamin | 2009 |
| 9 | Katun | Mirabilandia | Italy | Bolliger & Mabillard | 2000 |
| 9 | Maverick | Cedar Point | United States | Intamin | 2007 |
| 9 | Mega-Lite | Happy Valley Shanghai | China | Intamin | 2009 |

## Records broken

| Record name | Record attribute | Ride | Amusement Park | Date broken |
| Amusement park with the most number of roller coasters | 17 roller coasters | | United States Six Flags Magic Mountain | May 2 |
| World's Longest Water Coaster | 1,763 feet (537 m) | Mammoth | United States Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | May 11 |
| World's Tallest Vertical Drop Ride | 400 feet (120 m) | Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom | United States Six Flags Magic Mountain | July 7 |