The High Cost of the Roller Coaster Craze
Sure, a day at an amusement park with the family can cost you a bundle, but take a look at the prices for building some of the rides
By Mark Hyman
Theme parks may seem like all fun and games, but new attractions can be a high-stakes gamble. The next wild ride can be a magnet for new customers, or it can be a financial albatross that haunts a park operator for years. In the past decade, Six Flags spent hundreds of millions on jaw-dropping roller coasters for its 30 parks -- Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles boasts 17 coasters alone. The attractions often haven't lived up to their promise.
The race to build the most spectacular ride has resulted in some spectacular price tags. Here are five that were among the most expensive to create, as compiled by International Theme Park Services.