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Paramount's Great America

This 100-acre amusement park, originally opened in 1976, is a favorite of roller-coaster fanatics. Its nine coasters include the new Survivor-The Ride, a "reality roller-coaster" based on the TV show, in which rider are divided into competing tribes and whisked through tropical landscapes studded with 40ft-tall fiery torches. Among other thrill rides are the inverted Top Gun jet-coaster, the 210ft Drop Zone tower, the James Bond 007 motion simulator, and three water rides, including the 50ft drop of Whitewater Falls. Scooby-Doo and the characters from Nickelodeon's Rugrats series greet children in more family-oriented areas. There's a full entertainment schedule including IMAX shows, numerous shops and restaurants.