EWING, N.J., June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Family Vacation Critic, TripAdvisor's family travel site, has just named the Best Amusement Parks for Families in 2017 - naming the best parks in the U.S., and sharing the year's newest attractions and highlights for every age group.

"Amusement parks are one of the most quintessential summertime activities for families," explains Lissa Poirot, editor-in-chief of Family Vacation Critic. "But for those traveling with family members of various ages - including kids-at-heart - finding a park that caters to thrill-seekers and the younger set isn't always so easy. This list includes parks that successfully cater to both, and those that also have exciting new features for the 2017 season."

The list of the best amusement parks for families in 2017 include:



    --  Cedar Point (Sandusky, OH)What's New: Cedar Point Shores, an 18-acre
        waterpark located along Lake Erie with 17 water attractions for all
        ages, VIP cabanas, restaurants, shopping and live entertainment.

    --  Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN)What's New: Drop Line, a 230-foot tall drop
        tower, with a spinning gondola that offers riders a breathtaking view of
        the Great Smoky Mountains. Also joining the park in 2017 is Whistle Punk
        Chaser, a junior coaster positioned as a great first-coaster for younger
        park visitors.

    --  Hersheypark (Hershey, PA)What's New: Hershey Triple Tower offers three
        drop towers for park guests to choose from - Hershey's Tower, the
        tallest at 189-feet high; Reese's Tower, is the second tallest at
        131-feet high; and Hershey's Kisses Tower standing at 80-feet tall.

    --  Kings Island (Mason, OH)What's New: Mystic Timbers, a 3,265-foot long
        wooden coaster with a 48" height requirement - making it an ideal
        coaster for riders of various ages.

    --  Silver Dollar City (Branson, MO)What's New: New Silver Dollar Food Days
        run from July 31 - August 20, highlighting favorite festival food like
        funnel cakes, kettle corn and milkshakes, and taking them to new levels.

    --  Universal's Islands of Adventure (Orlando, FL)What's New: For guests
        visiting the park, plan a trip to Universal Orlando Resort's newest
        water theme park, Volcano Bay - a 25-acre park featuring 18 unique
        attractions including a wave pool, winding river, raft rides, body
        slides and more.

    --  Universal Studios (Hollywood, CA and Orlando, FL)What's New: Race
        Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon brings guests a simulated race
        through New York City - a history of The Tonight Show, Hashtag the Panda
        and the Ragtime Gals barbershop quartet also join in the fun.

    --  Six Flags (Nationwide)What's New: Six Flags is unveiling new rides at
        each of its parks across North America, including Warner Brothers and DC
        Comics-branded rides and attractions.

For more information, visit Family Vacation Critic's full list of the Best Amusement Parks for Families in 2017. For photos of the top parks, click here.

About Family Vacation Critic
 Family Vacation Critic(®) is a comprehensive online travel resource for families that offers reviews of family hotels, resort and destinations. The site features vacation ideas, family travel tips and an online forum for family travelers. Family Vacation Critic is published by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

About TripAdvisor
 TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ:TRIP), through its subsidiaries, manages and operates websites under 23 other travel media brands: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.citymaps.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.thefork.com (including www.lafourchette.com, www.eltenedor.com, www.iens.nl and www.dimmi.com.au), www.gateguru.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.housetrip.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.jetsetter.com, www.niumba.com, www.onetime.com, www.oyster.com, www.seatguru.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travelpod.com, www.tripbod.com, www.vacationhomerentals.com and www.viator.com. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, reaching 390 million average unique monthly visitors* in 49 markets worldwide, and offers advice from millions of travelers, with 465 million reviews and opinions covering 7 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions.

*Source: TripAdvisor log files, Q3 2016

Media Contact:
 Aubrey Manzo Dunn
aubrey@familyvacationcritic.com
609-583-0054

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SOURCE Family Vacation Critic