Amusement Today is a monthly periodical that features articles, news, pictures and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The trade newspaper, which is based in Arlington, Texas, United States, was founded in January 1997 by Gary Slade, Virgil E. Moore III and Rick Tidrow.[1] In 1997, Amusement Today won the Impact Award in the services category for "Best New Product" from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). A year later, in 1998, the magazine founded the Golden Ticket Awards, for which it has become best known for throughout the amusement park industry. On January 2, 2001, Slade bought out his two partners, giving him sole ownership of the paper.[1] The paper has two full-time and two part-time staff members at its Arlington office, along with two full-time writers and several freelance writers in various parts of the world.[2]
 | |
| Editor-in-Chief | Gary Slade |
|---|---|
| Categories | Amusement parks |
| Circulation | 3,000 |
| Publisher | Gary Slade |
| Founder | Gary Slade |
| Founded | 1997 |
| First issue | April 1997 |
| Country | United States |
| Based in | Arlington, Texas[1] |
| Language | English |
| Website | www.amusementtoday.com |
Golden Ticket Awards
editIt has been suggested that this article be split into a new article titled Golden Ticket Awards. (discuss) (March 2023) |
Every year, Amusement Today gives out awards to the best of the best in the amusement park industry in a ceremony known as the Golden Ticket Awards. The awards are handed out based on surveys given to experienced and well-traveled amusement park enthusiasts from around the world. The awards, which were first handed out in 1998, have been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel.
2024 winners
edit2024 Golden Ticket Awards[3]
Host: Kennywood
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 7, 2024.
2023 winners
edit2023 Golden Ticket Awards[4]
Host: Dollywood
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2023.
2022 winners
edit2022 Golden Ticket Awards[5]
Hosts: Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Morgan's Wonderland
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2022.
2021 winners
edit2021 Golden Ticket Awards[6]
Host: National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2021.
2020 winners
edit2020 Golden Ticket Awards[7]
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 23, 2020.
| Category | Rank | 2020 Recipient | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovation of the Year | 1 (Tie) | Six Flags Over Texas | Arlington, Texas |
| 1 (Tie) | Six Flags Entertainment Corporation | Grand Prairie, Texas | |
| 2 | Embed | Dallas, Texas | |
| 3 | Ralph S. Alberts | Montoursville, Pennsylvania | |
| 4 | Chance Rides | Wichita, Kansas | |
| 5 | Zamperla | Vicenza, Italy | |
| Industry Leader: Supplier | 1 | Gateway Ticketing Systems | Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Embed | Dallas, Texas | |
| 3 | Zamperla | Vicenza, Italy | |
| 4 | Bob's Space Racers | Holly Hill, Florida | |
| 5 | Firestone Financial | Needham, Massachusetts | |
| Industry Leader: Amusement/Theme Park | 1 | Knotts Berry Farm | Buena Park, California |
| 2 | Gatorland | Orlando, Florida | |
| 3 | San Antonio Zoo | San Antonio, Texas | |
| 4 | Kentucky Kingdom | Louisville, Kentucky | |
| 5 | Quassy Amusement Park | Middlebury, Connecticut | |
| Industry Leader: FEC | 1 | Urban Air Adventure Parks | Rockwall, Texas |
| 2 | Scene75 Entertainment Centres | Dayton, Ohio | |
| 3 | Funplex | East Hanover Township, New Jersey | |
| 4 | Funspot | Laconia, New Hampshire | |
| Industry Leader: Outdoor Entertainment | 1 | Tally Amusements | Fort Worth, Texas |
| 2 | Sky Eye/Biggest Wheel | Winter Park, Florida | |
| 3 | Rides 4 U | Somerville, New Jersey | |
| 4 | Rocken Graphics | Riverview, Florida | |
| 5 | Delaware State Fair | Harrington, Delaware | |
| Industry Leader: Association | 1 | New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions | Saco, Maine |
2019 winners
edit2019 Golden Ticket Awards[8]
Host Park: Silverwood Theme Park
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2019.
| Category | Rank | 2019 Recipient | Location/Park |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Park | 1 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | |
| 4 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | |
| 5 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas |
| 2 | Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park | Orlando, Florida | |
| 3 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | |
| 4 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | |
| 5 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | |
| Best Family Park | 1 | Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Sesame Place | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | |
| 3 | Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | |
| 4 | Paultons Park | Romsey, England | |
| 5 | Legoland Florida | Winter Haven, Florida | |
| Best Wildlife/Marine Park | 1 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida |
| 2 | Disney's Animal Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | |
| 3 | Discovery Cove | Orlando, Florida | |
| 4 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Tampa, Florida | |
| 5 | Ocean Park | Hong Kong, China | |
| Breakout Family Entertainment Center | 1 | C.J. Barrymore's | Clinton Township, Michigan |
| 2 | Funland of Fredericksburg | Fredericksburg, Virginia | |
| 3 | Two Bit Circus | Los Angeles, California | |
| 4 | Clifton Hill | Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada | |
| 5 | Frankie's Fun Park | Charlotte, North Carolina | |
| Most Beautiful Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia |
| 2 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | |
| 3 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | |
| 4 | Gilroy Gardens | Gilroy, California | |
| 5 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach |
| 2 | Timber Mountain Log Ride | Knott's Berry Farm | |
| 3 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | |
| 4 | Infinity Falls | SeaWorld Orlando | |
| 5 | Jurassic Park River Adventure | Universal's Islands of Adventure | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| 2 | Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | |
| 3 | Canada's Wonderland | Vaughan, Ontario, Canada | |
| 4 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | |
| 5 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | |
| Best Halloween Event of 2018 | 1 | Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida |
| 2 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |
| 4 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | |
| 5 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | |
| Best New Show | 1 | Reuben's Swashbuckling Adventure | Silver Dollar City |
| 2 | Paddington On Ice - The Grand Voyage | Europa-Park | |
| 3 | Detention at Rockville | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | |
| Best New Roller Coaster | 1 | Steel Curtain | Kennywood |
| 2 | Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | Universal's Islands of Adventure | |
| 3 | Copperhead Strike | Carowinds | |
| 4 | Yukon Striker | Canada's Wonderland | |
| 5 | Untamed | Walibi Holland | |
| Best New Family Attraction | 1 | Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run | Disneyland |
| 2 | Kaleidoscape | Elitch Gardens | |
| 3 | Kings Mills Antique Autos | Kings Island | |
| 4 | Tidal Twister | SeaWorld San Diego | |
| 5 | Masters of Flight | Legoland Florida | |
| Best New Water Park Ride | 1 | Cutback Water Coaster | Water Country USA |
| 2 | Lava Drifting | Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park | |
| 3 | Daredevil's Peak | Perfect Day at CocoCay | |
| 4 | Infinity Racers | Schlitterbahn Galveston | |
| 5 | Rapid Remix | SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland | |
| Best New Attraction Installation | 1 | Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure | Universal's Islands of Adventure |
| 2 | Steel Curtain | Kennywood | |
| 3 | Copperhead Strike | Carowinds | |
| 4 | Sesame Street: Street Mission | PortAventura World | |
| 5 | The Zenith | Mega Parc | |
| Best Guest Experience | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| 2 | Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |
| 4 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | |
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure | Shanghai Disneyland |
| 2 | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Universal's Islands of Adventure | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney's Hollywood Studios | |
| 4 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | |
| 5 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Wildebeest (ride) | Splashin' Safari |
| 2 | Krakatau Aqua Coaster | Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park | |
| 3 | Mammoth | Splashin' Safari | |
| 4 | Ray Rush | SeaWorld Orlando | |
| 5 | The Falls | Schlitterbahn | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | |
| 3 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |
| 5 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | |
| Best Christmas Event of 2018 | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |
| 3 | Hersheypark | Hershey, Pennsylvania | |
| 4 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida | |
| 5 | Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio |
2018 winners
edit2018 Golden Ticket Awards[9]
Host Park: Silver Dollar City
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 8, 2018.
2017 winners
edit2017 Golden Ticket Awards[10]
Host Park: Lake Compounce
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2017.
2016 winners
edit2016 Golden Ticket Awards[12]
Host Park: Cedar Point
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2016.
2015 winners
edit2015 Golden Ticket Awards[13]
Host Park: Coney Island
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 12, 2015.
2014 winners
edit2014 Golden Ticket Awards[14]
Host Park: SeaWorld San Diego
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony on September 5, 2014.
| Category | Rank | 2014 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best New Ride (Amusement Park) | 1 | Flying Turns | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 27% |
| 2 | Banshee | Kings Island | 19% | |
| 3 | Goliath | Six Flags Great America | 11% | |
| 4 | Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts | Universal Studios Florida | 10% | |
| 5 | Lightning Run | Kentucky Kingdom | 9% | |
| Best New Ride (Water Park) | 1 | Verrückt | Schlitterbahn Kansas City | 59% |
| 2 | Colossal Curl | Water Country USA | 11% | |
| 3 | Bahama Blasters | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | 10% | |
| 4 | Deep Water Dive | Kentucky Kingdom | 8% | |
| 5 | Snake Pit | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | 4% | |
| Best Park | 1 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 25% |
| 2 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 16% | |
| 3 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 9% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 8% | |
| 6 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 5% | |
| 7 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Tokyo DisneySea | Tokyo, Japan | |||
| 9 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 3.5% | |
| 10 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 3% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn New Braunfels | New Braunfels, Texas | 55% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 17% | |
| 3 | Dollywood's Splash Country | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 5% | |
| 4 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 4.5% | |
| 5 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Best Children's Park | 1 | Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 34% |
| 2 | Story Land | Glen, New Hampshire | 13% | |
| 3 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 12.5% | |
| 4 | Legoland Florida | Winter Haven, Florida | 10% | |
| 5 | Enchanted Forest | Turner, Oregon | 5% | |
| Santa's Village | Jefferson, New Hampshire | |||
| Best Marine Life Park | 1 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida | 52% |
| 2 | SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego, California | 12% | |
| 3 | Discovery Cove | Orlando, Florida | 10% | |
| 4 | Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | Vallejo, California | 9% | |
| 5 | SeaWorld San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | 8% | |
| Best Seaside Park | 1 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California | 45% |
| 2 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 16% | |
| 3 | Grona Lund | Stockholm, Sweden | 15% | |
| 4 | Morey's Piers | Wildwood, New Jersey | 12% | |
| 5 | Belmont Park | San Diego, California | 4% | |
| Best Kids’ Area | 1 | Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 26% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 13% | |
| 3 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 10% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 9.5% | |
| 5 | Nickelodeon Universe | Bloomington, Minnesota | 9% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 23% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 13% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 12% | |
| 4 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 10% | |
| 5 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 9% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 39% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 14% | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 11% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 6% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 5% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 45% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 12% | |
| 3 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 8% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 6.5% | |
| 5 | Disney California Adventure | Anaheim, California | 6% | |
| Best Outdoor Show Production | 1 | IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth | Epcot | 27% |
| 2 | World of Color | Disney California Adventure | 19% | |
| 3 | Fantasmic! | Disneyland | 11% | |
| 4 | Lone Star Nights | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | 10% | |
| 5 | Fantasmic! | Disney's Hollywood Studios | 9% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 24% |
| 2 | Gilroy Gardens | Gilroy, California | 23% | |
| 3 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 17% | |
| 4 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 6% | |
| 5 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 5% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 21% |
| 2 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 18% | |
| 3 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 17.5% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 13% | |
| 5 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 7% | |
| Best Carousel | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 40% |
| 2 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California | 27% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Great America | Gurnee, Illinois | 5.5% | |
| 4 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 5% | |
| 5 | Phantasialand | Bruhl, Germany | ||
| Best Water Ride (Park) | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 21% |
| 2 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 12% | |
| 3 | Splash Mountain | Disneyland | 11% | |
| 4 | Timber Mountain Log Ride | Knott's Berry Farm | 10.5% | |
| 5 | Mountain Slidewinder | Dollywood | 9% | |
| Best Water Park Ride | 1 | Wildebeest | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 23% |
| 2 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 16% | |
| 3 | Mammoth | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 15% | |
| 4 | The Falls | Schlitterbahn | 7% | |
| 5 | Congo River Expedition | Schlitterbahn | 8% | |
| Verrückt | Schlitterbahn Kansas City | |||
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 20% |
| 2 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney's Hollywood Studios | 10.5% | |
| 3 | Radiator Springs Racers | Disney California Adventure | 10% | |
| 4 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 9% | |
| Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | |||
| Best Indoor Water Park | 1 | Schlitterbahn Galveston Island | Galveston, Texas | 25% |
| 2 | Kalahari Resort | Sandusky, Ohio | 19% | |
| 3 | World Waterpark | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 12% | |
| 4 | Kalahari Resort | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | 9% | |
| 5 | Splash Landings | Stafforshire, England | 8% | |
| Best Indoor Roller Coaster | 1 | Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | Universal Studios Florida | 21% |
| 2 | Space Mountain | Disneyland | 14% | |
| 3 | Winja's Fear & Force | Phantasialand | 12% | |
| 4 | Black Diamond | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 9% | |
| 5 | Mindbender | Galaxyland | 8.5% | |
| Best Funhouse/Walk-Through | 1 | Noah's Ark | Kennywood | 32% |
| 2 | Frankenstein's Castle | Indiana Beach | 17% | |
| 3 | Gasten Ghost Hotel | Liseberg | 15% | |
| 4 | Ghost Ship | Morey's Piers | 12% | |
| 5 | Lustiga Juset | Grona Lund | 11% | |
| Best Halloween Event | 1 | Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida | 28% |
| 2 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 20% | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 14% | |
| 4 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 6% | |
| Best Christmas Event | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 41% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 9.5% | |
| 4 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 9% | |
| 5 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 7% |
2013 winners
edit2013 Golden Ticket Awards[15]
Host Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 7, 2013.
| Category | Rank | 2013 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best New Ride (Amusement Park) | 1 | Outlaw Run | Silver Dollar City | 45% |
| 2 | Iron Rattler | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | 19% | |
| 3 | GateKeeper | Cedar Point | 15% | |
| 4 | Gold Striker | California's Great America | 6% | |
| 5 | Transformers: The Ride | Universal Studios Florida | 5% | |
| Best New Ride (Waterpark) | 1 | RiverRush | Dollywood's Splash Country | 53% |
| 2 | Bonzai Pipelines | Six Flags New England | 23% | |
| 3 | Constrictor | Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas | 7% | |
| 4 | Bonzai Pipelines | Six Flags America | 6% | |
| 5 | Bootlegger's Run | Splish Splash | 5% | |
| Best Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 23% |
| 2 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 22% | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| 4 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 8% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 7% | |
| 6 | Tokyo DisneySea | Tokyo, Japan | 6% | |
| 7 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 5% | |
| Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | |||
| 9 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 4.5% | |
| 10 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 4% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 45% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 17% | |
| 3 | Aquatica Orlando | Orlando, Florida | 6% | |
| 4 | Dollywood's Splash Country | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 5% | |
| Noah's Ark | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | |||
| Best Children's Park | 1 | Idlewild and Soak Zone | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 39% |
| 2 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 16% | |
| 3 | Legoland Florida | Winter Haven, Florida | 11% | |
| 4 | Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 7% | |
| Story Land | Glen, New Hampshire | |||
| Best Marine Life Park | 1 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida | 58% |
| 2 | SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego, California | 13% | |
| 3 | SeaWorld San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | 9% | |
| 4 | Discovery Cove | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 5 | Ocean Park | Hong Kong, China | 6% | |
| Six Flags Discovery Kingdom | Vallejo, California | |||
| Best Seaside Park | 1 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California | 36% |
| 2 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 20% | |
| 3 | Morey's Piers | Wildwood, New Jersey | 15% | |
| 4 | Grona Lund | Stockholm, Sweden | 14% | |
| 5 | Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier | Galveston, Texas | 5% | |
| Best Indoor Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn Galveston Island | Galveston, Texas | 31% |
| 2 | Kalahari Resort | Sandusky, Ohio | 21% | |
| 3 | Kalahari Resort | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | 15% | |
| 4 | World Waterpark | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | 12% | |
| 5 | Splash Landings | Staffordshire, England | 8% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 35% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 21% | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 13% | |
| 4 | Knoebel's Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| 5 | Six Flags New England | Agawam, Massachusetts | 7% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 26% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 14% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 4 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 9% | |
| 5 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 8.5% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 41% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 23% | |
| 3 | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Orlando, Florida | 6% | |
| 4 | Europa-Park | Rust, Germany | 5% | |
| SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |||
| Best Food | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 24% |
| Knoebel's Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |||
| 3 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 18% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 14% | |
| 5 | Tivoli Gardens | Copenhagen, Denmark | 5% | |
| Best Water Ride (Park) | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 20% |
| 2 | Splash Mountain | Magic Kingdom | 13% | |
| 3 | Timber Mountain Log Ride | Knott's Berry Farm | 10% | |
| 4 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 9% | |
| 5 | Mountain Slidewinder | Dollywood | 8.5% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Wildebeest | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 24% |
| 2 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 22% | |
| 3 | Mammoth | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 15% | |
| 4 | The Falls | Schlitterbahn | 10% | |
| 5 | Congo River Expedition | Schlitterbahn | 9% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 32% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 15% | |
| 3 | Nickelodeon Universe | Bloomington, Minnesota | 12% | |
| 4 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 8% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 7% | |
| Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | |||
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 19% |
| 2 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 16% | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney's Hollywood Studios | 13% | |
| 4 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebel's Amusement Resort | 8% | |
| 5 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 7% | |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Disneyland | |||
| Best Outdoor Show Production | 1 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 29% |
| 2 | Disney California Adventure | Anaheim, California | 18% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 12% | |
| 4 | Disney's Hollywood Studios | Orlando, Florida | 11.5% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 8% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 33% |
| 2 | Gilroy Gardens | Gilroy, California | 12% | |
| 3 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 11% | |
| 4 | Tivoli Gardens | Copenhagen, Denmark | 8% | |
| 5 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 7% | |
| Best Halloween Event | 1 | Universal Studios Florida | Orlando, Florida | 30% |
| 2 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 22% | |
| 3 | Knoebel's Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 11% | |
| 4 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 7% | |
| Best Christmas Event | 1 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 47% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 12% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 4 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| 5 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 5% | |
| Best Carousel | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 48% |
| 2 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California | 17% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Great America | Gurnee, Illinois | 8% | |
| 4 | Six Flags Over Georgia | Austell, Georgia | 7% | |
| 5 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Best Indoor Coaster | 1 | Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | Universal Studios Florida | 23% |
| 2 | Space Mountain | Disneyland | 14% | |
| 3 | Winja's Fear & Force | Phantasialand | 11% | |
| 4 | Mindbender | Galaxyland | 10% | |
| Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith | Disney's Hollywood Studios | |||
| Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction | 1 | Noah's Ark | Kennywood | 34% |
| 2 | Frankenstein's Castle | Indiana Beach | 23% | |
| 3 | Gasten Ghost Hotel | Liseberg | 14% | |
| 4 | Lustiga Huset | Grona Lund | 13% | |
| 5 | Ghost Ship | Morey's Piers | 12% |
2012 winners
edit2012 Golden Ticket Awards[16]
Host Park: Dollywood
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 8, 2012.
2011 winners
edit2011 Golden Ticket Awards[17]
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
2010 winners
edit2010 Golden Ticket Awards[18]
Host Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg il Teatro di San Marco (outdoor theater)
2009 winners
edit2009 Golden Ticket Awards[19]
Host Park: Legoland California
2008 winners
edit2008 Golden Ticket Awards[20]
Host Park: Give Kids The World Village
2007 winners
edit2007 Golden Ticket Awards[21]
Host Park: Dollywood
2006 winners
edit2006 Golden Ticket Awards[22]
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
| Category | Rank | 2006 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 37% |
| 2 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 10% | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 6% | |
| 6 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 6% | |
| Europa Park | Rust, Germany | |||
| 8 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 5% | |
| Busch Gardens Europe | Williamsburg, Virginia | |||
| 10 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 3% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 52% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 22% | |
| 3 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 6% | |
| 4 | Noah's Ark | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | 5% | |
| 5 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Best Children's Park | 1 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 43% |
| 2 | Idlewild | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 15% | |
| 3 | Memphis Kiddie Park | Cleveland, Ohio | 8% | |
| Sesame Place | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | |||
| 5 | Kiddieland Amusement Park | Melrose Park, Illinois | 6% | |
| Best Marine Life Park | 1 | SeaWorld Orlando | Orlando, Florida | 65% |
| 2 | SeaWorld San Antonio | San Antonio, Texas | 15% | |
| 3 | SeaWorld San Diego | San Diego, California | 8% | |
| 4 | Marineland | Niagara Falls, Ontario | 6% | |
| Six Flags Marine World | Vallejo, California | |||
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 53% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 11% | |
| 3 | Paramount's Carowinds | Charlotte, North Carolina | 6% | |
| 4 | Paramount's Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 5% | |
| 5 | Idlewild | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 4% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 44% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 20% | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 11% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 5% | |
| Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 46% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Europe | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 9% | |
| 4 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 5 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 5% | |
| Best Halloween Event | 1 | Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida | 23% |
| 2 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 22% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 13% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 11% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 9% | |
| Best Landscaping — Amusement Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Europe | Williamsburg, Virginia | 44% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 14% | |
| 3 | Bonfante Gardens | Gilroy, California | 8% | |
| 4 | Busch Gardens Africa | Tampa, Florida | 6% | |
| 5 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 4% | |
| Best Landscaping — Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 29% |
| 2 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 20% | |
| 3 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 17% | |
| 4 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 8% | |
| 5 | Boomerang Bay | Kings Mills, Ohio | 4% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 24% |
| 2 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 17% | |
| 3 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 10% | |
| 4 | Busch Gardens Europe | Williamsburg, Virginia | 9% | |
| Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |||
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 28% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 21% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Europe | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 6% | |
| 5 | Disney-MGM Studios | Orlando, Florida | 5% | |
| Best Outdoor Night Show Production | 1 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 31% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 22% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 14% | |
| 4 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 10% | |
| Disney-MGM Studios | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 25% |
| 2 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 18% | |
| 3 | Mountain Slidewinder | Dollywood | 9% | |
| 4 | Splash Mountain | Magic Kingdom | 8% | |
| 5 | Journey to Atlantis | SeaWorld Orlando | 8% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 34% |
| 2 | Zinga | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 13% | |
| 3 | Zoombabwe | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 7% | |
| 4 | Typhoon | Six Flags New England | 6% | |
| 5 | Black Anaconda | Noah's Ark | 4% | |
| Summit Plummet | Disney's Blizzard Beach | |||
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 35% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 15% | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 7% | |
| 4 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 6% | |
| 5 | The Haunted Mansion | Magic Kingdom | 5% | |
| Best New Ride of 2006 — Amusement Park | 1 | The Voyage | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 50% |
| 2 | Expedition Everest | Disney's Animal Kingdom | 16% | |
| 3 | El Toro | Six Flags Great Adventure | 8% | |
| 4 | Goliath | Six Flags Over Georgia | 7% | |
| 5 | Kentucky Rumbler | Beech Bend Park | 4% | |
| Best New Ride of 2006 — Waterpark | 1 | Bahari River | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 32% |
| 2 | Time Warp | Noah's Ark | 15% | |
| Tornado | Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago | |||
| 4 | Fire Tower Falls | Dolly's Splash Country | 9% | |
| Best Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 42% |
| 2 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 9% | |
| 4 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 4% | |
| Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |||
| Best Theming of an Attraction | 1 | Dueling Dragons | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 22% |
| 2 | Expedition Everest | Disney's Animal Kingdom | 18% | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 11% | |
| 4 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 7% | |
| 5 | Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride | Universal Studios Florida | 6% | |
| Best Concert Venue | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 13% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 12% | |
| 3 | Hersheypark | Hershey, Pennsylvania | 11% | |
| 4 | Six Flags Darien Lake | Darien Center, New York | 10% | |
| 5 | Universal Orlando Resort | Orlando, Florida | 6% |
2005 winners
edit2005 Golden Ticket Awards[23]
Host Park: Six Flags Fiesta Texas
| Category | Rank | 2005 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 37% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 3 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool England | 9% | |
| 4 | Europa Park | Rust, Germany | 7% | |
| Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |||
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 52% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 17% | |
| 3 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 4 | Noah's Ark | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | 5% | |
| 5 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 3% | |
| Best Children's Park | 1 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 44% |
| 2 | Idlewild | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 12% | |
| 3 | Kiddieland Amusement Park | Melrose Park, Illinois | 9% | |
| 4 | Sesame Place | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 5 | Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 6% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 50% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 10% | |
| 3 | Paramount's Carowinds | Charlotte, North Carolina | 8% | |
| 4 | Paramount's Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 4% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 3% | |
| Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | |||
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 47% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 17% | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 7% | |
| Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |||
| 5 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 37% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 9% | |
| 4 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 6% | |
| Best Halloween Event | 1 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 25% |
| 2 | Universal Studios Florida | Orlando, Florida | 24% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 6% | |
| Best Landscaping — Amusement Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 43% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 18% | |
| 3 | Bonfante Gardens | Gilroy, California | 7% | |
| 4 | Europa Park | Rust, Germany | 4% | |
| 5 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Tampa, Florida | 3% | |
| Best Landscaping — Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 30% |
| 2 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 20% | |
| 3 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 4 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 10% | |
| 5 | Dolly's Splash Country | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 6% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 26% |
| 2 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 13% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 12% | |
| 4 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 11% | |
| 5 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 9% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 30% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 19% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 6% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 5% | |
| Disney-MGM Studios | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Best Outdoor Night Show Production | 1 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 27% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 21% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 13% | |
| 4 | Disney-MGM Studios | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 9% | |
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 24% |
| 2 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 20% | |
| 3 | Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-rat Barges | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 9% | |
| 4 | Splash Mountain | Magic Kingdom | 7% | |
| 5 | Mountain Slidewinder | Dollywood | 6% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 29% |
| 2 | Zinga | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 12% | |
| 3 | Zoombabwe | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 10% | |
| 4 | Summit Plummet | Disney's Blizzard Beach | 6% | |
| 5 | Crush 'N Gusher | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | 5% | |
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 38% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 16% | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 5% | |
| Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | |||
| 5 | Droomvlucht | Efteling | 4% | |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | Disneyland | |||
| Best New Ride of 2005 — Amusement Park | 1 | Hades | Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park | 45% |
| 2 | Kingda Ka | Six Flags Great Adventure | 16% | |
| 3 | Italian Job: Turbo Coaster | Paramount's Kings Island | 8% | |
| 4 | maXair | Cedar Point | 6% | |
| Powder Keg: A Blast into the Wilderness | Silver Dollar City | |||
| SheiKra | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | |||
| Best New Ride of 2005 — Waterpark | 1 | Black Anaconda | Noah's Ark Water Park | 21% |
| 2 | Crush 'N Gusher | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | 17% | |
| 3 | Typhoon | Six Flags New England | 14% | |
| 4 | Bahari | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 9% | |
| Funnel of Fear | Michigan's Adventure | |||
| Best Place to Ride Go-Karts | 1 | Mt. Olympus Water & Theme Park | Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin | 86% |
| 2 | NASCAR Speedpark | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 4% | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 3% | |
| Best Souvenirs | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 19% |
| 2 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 12% | |
| 3 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 11% | |
| 4 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 5 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| Best Games Area | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 37% |
| 2 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 13% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| 4 | Six Flags Great Adventure | Jackson, New Jersey | 7% | |
| 5 | Six Flags Great America | Gurnee, Illinois | 5% |
2004 winners
edit2004 Golden Ticket Awards[24]
Host Park: Cedar Point
| Category | Rank | 2004 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 35% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 15% | |
| 3 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 7% | |
| 4 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 7% | |
| 5 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 6% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 56% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 18% | |
| 3 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 6% | |
| 4 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| 5 | Boomerang Bay | Kings Mills, Ohio | 3% | |
| Best Children's Park | 1 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 41% |
| 2 | Idlewild | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 13% | |
| 3 | Memphis Kiddie Park | Cleveland, Ohio | 10% | |
| 4 | Sesame Place | Langhorne, Pennsylvania | 7% | |
| 5 | Dutch Wonderland | Lancaster, Pennsylvania | 4% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 50% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 10% | |
| 3 | Paramount's Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 7% | |
| 4 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 6% | |
| 5 | Knott's Berry Farm | Buena Park, California | 5% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 43% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 11% | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 4 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 6% | |
| 5 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 5% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 36% |
| 2 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 11% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| 4 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 8% | |
| 5 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 7% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 44% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 19% | |
| 3 | Bonfante Gardens | Gilroy, California | 9% | |
| 4 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| 5 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 3% | |
| Most Beautiful Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 36% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 23% | |
| 3 | Europa Park | Rust, Germany | 9% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 5 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 4% | |
| Most Beautiful Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 31% |
| 2 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 25% | |
| 3 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 4 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 7% | |
| 5 | Hyland Hills Water World | Denver, Colorado | 5% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 28% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 13% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | |||
| 5 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 9% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 34% |
| 2 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 14% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 12% | |
| 4 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 8% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 5% | |
| Best Outdoor Night Show | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 22% |
| 2 | Epcot | Orlando, Florida | 21% | |
| 3 | Disney-MGM Studios | Orlando, Florida | 13% | |
| 4 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 12% | |
| 5 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 10% | |
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 23% |
| 2 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 21% | |
| 3 | Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-rat Barges | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 9% | |
| 4 | Splash Mountain | Magic Kingdom | 7% | |
| 5 | Journey to Atlantis | SeaWorld Orlando | 6% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 37% |
| 2 | Zinga | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 14% | |
| 3 | Zoombabwe | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 10% | |
| 4 | Tasmanian Typhoon | Boomerang Bay | 4% | |
| 5 | Voyage to the Center of the Earth | Hyland Hills Water World | 3% | |
| Whitewater Tube Chute | Schlitterbahn | |||
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 37% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 22% | |
| 3 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 6% | |
| 4 | Droomvlucht | Efteling | 4% | |
| Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland |
2003 winners
edit2003 Golden Ticket Awards[25]
Host Park: Schlitterbahn
| Category | Rank | 2003 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 30% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 15% | |
| 3 | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Blackpool, England | 12% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 47% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 23% | |
| 3 | Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 6% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 47% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| 3 | Paramount's Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 7% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 61% |
| 2 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| 3 | Paramount's Kings Dominion | Doswell, Virginia | 3% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 45% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 7% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 37% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 23% | |
| 3 | Bonfante Gardens | Gilroy, California | 7% | |
| Alton Towers | Staffordshire, England | |||
| Most Beautiful Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 38% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 22% | |
| 3 | Europa Park | Rust, Germany | 8% | |
| Most Beautiful Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 24% |
| 2 | Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 18% | |
| 3 | Blizzard Beach | 17% | ||
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 30% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 13% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 32% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 13% | |
| 3 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 8% | |
| Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | |||
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 23% |
| 2 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 14% | |
| 3 | Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-rat Barges | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 6% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Zinga | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 27% |
| 2 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 26% | |
| 3 | Zoombabwe | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 16% | |
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 34% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 20% | |
| 3 | Dreamflight (Droomvlucht) | Efteling | 8% | |
| Best Park Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 53% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 8% | |
| 3 | Magic Kingdom | Orlando, Florida | 6% | |
| Best Non-Coaster Ride | 1 | Giant Drops | Multiple locations | 20% |
| 2 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 14% | |
| 3 | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 8% | |
| Best Theming of an Attraction | 1 | Dueling Dragons | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 27% |
| 2 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 14% | |
| 3 | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 10% |
2002 winners
edit2002 Golden Ticket Awards[26]
Host Park: Paramount's Kings Island
| Category | Rank | 2002 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 28% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 18% | |
| 3 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 48% |
| 2 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 17% | |
| 3 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 9% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 38% |
| 2 | Legoland California | Carlsbad, California | 6% | |
| 3 | Idlewild | Ligonier, Pennsylvania | 5% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 60% |
| 2 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 3 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 6% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 40% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 9% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 8% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 37% |
| 2 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 17% | |
| 3 | Bonfante Gardens | Gilroy, California | 6% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 28% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 11% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 29% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 11% | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | ||
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 16% |
| 2 | Valhalla | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | 15% | |
| 3 | Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-rat Barges | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 6% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 34% |
| 2 | Zoombabwe | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 32% | |
| 3 | Summit Plummit | Disney's Blizzard Beach | 7% | |
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 31% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Amusement Resort | 13% | |
| 3 | The Haunted Mansion | Disneyland | 9% | |
| Best Park Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 45% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 3 | Europa Park | Rust, Germany | 9% | |
| Best Souvenirs | 1 | Knoebels Amusement Resort | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 16% |
| 2 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 13% | |
| 3 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| Best Games Area | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 19% |
| 2 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 11% | |
| 3 | Disney's California Adventure | Anaheim, California | 8% | |
| Best Themed or Background Music | 1 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 38% |
| 2 | Disney's California Adventure | Anaheim, California | 10% | |
| 3 | Efteling | Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands | 7% | |
| Most Classic or Distinctive Coaster Station | 1 | Cyclone | Lakeside Amusement Park | 22% |
| 2 | Racer | Kennywood | 12% | |
| 3 | Dueling Dragons | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 11% |
2001 winners
edit2001 Golden Ticket Awards[27]
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
| Category | Rank | 2001 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 21% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| 3 | Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 11% | |
| 4 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 50% |
| 2 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 3 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 6% | |
| Best Kids' Area | 1 | Paramount's Kings Island | Kings Mills, Ohio | 24% |
| 2 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 24% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Worlds of Adventure | Aurora, Ohio | 7% | |
| Friendliest Park Staff | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 60% |
| 2 | Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 5% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 46% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 16% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 15% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 52% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| 3 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 6% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 23% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 21% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 10% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 23% |
| 2 | Silver Dollar City | Branson, Missouri | 14% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| Best Water Ride | 1 | Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 35% |
| 2 | Perilous Plunge | Knott's Berry Farm | 9% | |
| 3 | Escape from Pompeii | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | 8% | |
| 4 | Journey to Atlantis | SeaWorld Orlando | 7% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 42% |
| 2 | Raging River | Schlitterbahn | 9% | |
| 3 | Summit Plummit | Disney's Blizzard Beach | 7% | |
| Best Park Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 51% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 7% | |
| Best Dark Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 31% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebel's Grove | 23% | |
| 3 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 8% | |
| Best Carousel | 1 | Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 39% |
| 2 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | Santa Cruz, California | 13% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Over Georgia | Atlanta, Georgia | 12% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 6% |
2000 winners
edit2000 Golden Ticket Awards[28]
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office
| Category | Rank | 2000 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 33% |
| 2 | Knoebels Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 18% | |
| 3 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 4 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 11% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 49% |
| 2 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| 3 | Wildwater Kingdom | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 7% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 45% |
| 2 | Knoebels Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 13% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 13% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 28% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 15% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 51% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| 3 | Alton Towers | Staffordshire, England | 6% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Knoebels Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 20% |
| 2 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 15% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 14% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 10% | |
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 22% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 18% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| Best Ride Theming | 1 | Dueling Dragons | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 24% |
| 2 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 11% | |
| 3 | Alpengeist | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | 10% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 35% |
| 2 | Lazy River | (multiple locations) | 16% | |
| 3 | Raging River | Schlitterbahn | 9% | |
| Best Park Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 51% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 3 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 6% | |
| Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Best Indoor Attraction | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 32% |
| 2 | Haunted Mansion | Knoebels Grove | 15% | |
| 3 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 8% | |
| Best Non-coaster Ride | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 17% |
| 2 | Space Shot | (multiple locations) | 13% | |
| 3 | Giant Drops | (multiple locations) | 12% | |
| 4 | Frisbee | (multiple locations) | 9% |
1999 winners
edit1999 Golden Ticket Awards[29]
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office
| Category | Rank | 1999 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement/Theme Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 20% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 14% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 13% | |
| 4 | Universal's Islands of Adventure | Orlando, Florida | 10% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Baunfels, Texas | 43% |
| 2 | Wildwater Kingdom | Allentown, Pennsylvania | 8% | |
| 3 | Disney's Typhoon Lagoon | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 29% |
| 2 | Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 8% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 27% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 16% | |
| 3 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 10% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 58% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 7% | |
| 3 | Alton Towers | Staffordshire, England | 6% | |
| Best Food | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 17% |
| Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | |||
| Knoebel's Grove | Elysburg, Pennsylvania | |||
| Best Shows | 1 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 20% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 17% | |
| 3 | Dollywood | Pigeon Forge, Tennessee | 9% | |
| Best Ride Theming (ride, attraction or queue) | 1 | Dueling Dragons | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 15% |
| 2 | Nemesis | Alton Towers | 13% | |
| 3 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 11% | |
| 4 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 10% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 46% |
| 2 | Pepsi Aqua Blast | Wildwater Kingdom | 7% | |
| Best Park Capacity | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 40% |
| 2 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 14% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| Best Indoor Attraction (noncoaster) | 1 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 17% |
| Haunted Mansion | Knoebel's Grove | |||
| 3 | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye | Disneyland | 9% | |
| Best Non-coaster Ride | 1 | Giant Drops | (multiple locations) | 19% |
| 2 | Space Shot | (multiple locations) | 17% | |
| 3 | The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man | Universal's Islands of Adventure | 7% |
1998 winners
edit1998 Golden Ticket Awards[30]
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office
| Category | Rank | 1998 Recipient | Location/Park | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Amusement/Theme Park | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 37% |
| 2 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 16% | |
| 3 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 9% | |
| Best Waterpark | 1 | Schlitterbahn | New Braunfels, Texas | 28% |
| 2 | Disney's Blizzard Beach | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| Friendliest Park | 1 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | Santa Claus, Indiana | 22% |
| 2 | Six Flags Over Texas | Arlington, Texas | 17% | |
| 3 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 10% | |
| Cleanest Park | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 24% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 14% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 11% | |
| Best Landscaping | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 62% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 6% | |
| Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Busch Gardens Tampa Bay | Tampa, Florida | |||
| Best Food | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 21% |
| 2 | Kennywood | West Mifflin, Pennsylvania | 15% | |
| 3 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 9% | |
| Epcot Center | Orlando, Florida | |||
| Best Shows | 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | Williamsburg, Virginia | 19% |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | San Antonio, Texas | 14% | |
| 3 | Walt Disney World | Orlando, Florida | 12% | |
| Best Themed Ride | 1 | Nemesis | Alton Towers | 11% |
| Batman: The Ride | Six Flags Great America | |||
| Alpengeist | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | |||
| 4 | The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | Disney-MGM Studios | 10% | |
| Best Waterpark Ride | 1 | Master Blaster | Schlitterbahn | 29% |
| 2 | Journey to the Center of the Earth | Hyland Hills Water World | 10% | |
| Best Capacity (fastest moving lines) | 1 | Cedar Point | Sandusky, Ohio | 38% |
| 2 | Disneyland | Anaheim, California | 15% | |
| Best Simulator/Indoor Attraction | 1 | Back to the Future: The Ride | Universal Studios Florida | 23% |
| 2 | Star Tours | Disneyland | 17% | |
| 3 | T2 3-D: Battle Across Time | Universal Studios Florida | 15% | |
| 4 | Dino Island | multiple locations | 11% | |
| Best Non-coaster Ride | 1 | Giant Drops | (multiple locations) | 21% |
| 2 | Space Shot | (multiple locations) | 15% | |
| 3 | Skycoaster | (multiple locations) | 11% |
Publisher's Picks
editPublisher's Pick Award Winners
| Year | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Renaissance Award | Kennywood |
| Park of the Year | Kings Island | |
| Turnstile Award | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | |
| Legends Series | Paul and Alethea Roads (Wonderland Park) Dick Knoebels (Knoebels) | |
| 2021 | Renaissance Award | Six Flags Over Texas |
| Park of the Year | Universal Orlando | |
| Turnstile Award | Scene75 Entertainment Centers | |
| Legends Series | Larry Bill (The Gravity Group) | |
| 2020 | Person of the Year | Gene Staples, Indiana Beach |
| Supplier of the Year | Great Coasters International | |
| Renaissance Award | Europa Park | |
| Turnstile Award | Arnolds Park Amusement Park | |
| 2019 | Park of the Year | Morey's Piers |
| Renaissance Award | Kings Island | |
| Turnstile Award | Silverwood | |
| 2018 | Innovation Award | Chance Rides |
| Turnstile Award | Silver Dollar City | |
| 2017 | Person of the Year | Jerry Brick |
| Park of the Year | Morgan's Wonderland | |
| Supplier of the Year | Intamin | |
| 2016 | Person of the Year | Raffi Kaprelyan |
| Renaissance Award | Ed Hart | |
| Supplier of the Year | B&M | |
| Park of the Year | Cedar Point | |
| 2015 | Park of the Year | Lagoon |
| Persons of the Year | Alberto Zamperla and Valerio Ferrari | |
| Renaissance Award | Huck Finn's Playland | |
| Turnstile Award | Quassy Amusement Park | |
| 2014 | Persons of the Year | SeaWorld Rescue Team |
| 2013 | Person of the Year | John Arie Sr., Fun Spot America Theme Parks |
| Person of the Year | Kim Samarelli, New Jersey Amusement Association | |
| Supplier of the Year | Ronald Bussink, Bussink Design GmBH | |
| Turnstile Award | Timber Mountain Log Ride, Knott's Berry Farm | |
| 2012 | Park of the Year | Disney California Adventure |
| Supplier of the Year | RWS and Associates (Luminosity — Ignite the Night!) | |
| Person of the Year | Tilan K. Fertitta (Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier) | |
| Turnstile Award | SeaWorld San Diego | |
| 2011 | Park of the Year | Gröna Lund |
| Supplier of the Year | Chance Rides Manufacturing | |
| Legends Series | Richard Kinzel (Cedar Fair Entertainment Company) | |
| 2010 | Park of the Year | Beech Bend Park |
| Person of the Year | Jeff Novotny (National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives) | |
| Legends Series | Will Koch (Holiday World & Splashin' Safari) | |
| 2009 | Park of the Year | Wonderland Park |
| Persons of the Year | Dick & Barbara Knoebel (Knoebels Amusement Resort) | |
| Supplier of the Year | Gary Goddard Entertainment | |
| Legends Series | Jack Krantz (Adventureland) | |
| 2008 | Park of the Year | Xocomil Waterpark |
| Person of the Year | Paul Nelson (Waldameer & Water World) | |
| Supplier of the Year | Zamperla | |
| 2007 | Park of the Year | Dollywood |
| Person of the Year | Milton S. Hershey (Hersheypark) | |
| Supplier of the Year | National Ticket Company | |
| 2006 | Park of the Year | State Fair of Texas |
| Person of the Year | Pat Thomson (Western Playland) | |
| Supplier of the Year | William H. Robinson | |
| 2005 | Park of the Year | Disneyland |
| Person of the Year | Nick Laskaris (Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park) | |
| Supplier of the Year | Werner Stengel | |
| 2004 | Park of the Year | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari |
| Person of the Year | Dan Feicht (Cedar Point) | |
| Supplier of the Year | Philadelphia Toboggan Company | |
| 2003 | Park of the Year | Cliff's Amusement Park |
Host venues
edit| Times hosting | Park/Resort | Years |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Dollywood | 2007, 2012, 2023 |
| 3 | Holiday World & Splashin' Safari | 2001, 2006, 2011 |
| 2 | Cedar Point | 2004, 2016 |
| 2 | Six Flags Fiesta Texas | 2005, 2022 |
| 1 | Busch Gardens Williamsburg | 2010 |
| 1 | Give Kids the World Village | 2008 |
| 1 | Kennywood | 2024 |
| 1 | Kings Island | 2002 |
| 1 | Lake Compounce | 2017 |
| 1 | Legoland California | 2009 |
| 1 | Luna Park, Coney Island | 2015 |
| 1 | National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives | 2021 |
| 1 | Quassy Amusement Park | 2017 |
| 1 | Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk | 2013 |
| 1 | SeaWorld San Diego | 2014 |
| 1 | Schlitterbahn | 2003 |
| 1 | Silver Dollar City | 2018 |
| 1 | Silverwood Theme Park | 2019 |
- From 1998 to 2000, there was no Host Park; the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas, office instead.
- The 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the amusement industry. Voting was not held in 2020 and regular categories were not awarded. Instead, a special category of industry leader awards was created along with publisher picks.
Former awards
edit- Best Shows (1998–2018) - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1998), Six Flags Fiesta Texas (1999–2008), Dollywood (2009–2018)
- Cleanest Park (1998–2018) - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1998–1999), Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (2000–2018)
- Friendliest Park (1998–2018) - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (1998–2008, 2010–2011), Silver Dollar City (2009), Dollywood (2012–2018)
- Best Marine Life Park (2006–2018) SeaWorld Orlando
- Best Carousel (2007–2018) Grand Carousel, Knoebels Amusement Resort
- Best Indoor Roller Coaster (2007–2018) - Revenge_of_the_Mummy: The Ride, Universal Studios Florida (2007–2018)
- Best Seaside Park (2007–2018) - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (2007–2014, 2016–2018), Morey's Piers (2015)
- Best Funhouse/Walk-Through (2008–2018) - Frankenstein's Castle, Indiana Beach (2008–2009), Noah's Ark, Kennywood, (2010–2018)
- The award for Best Shows was revamped after 2018, to just showcase a specific new show at a park.
- Best Halloween Event (published 2005–2023 for seasons 2004–2022) - Knott's Berry Farm (2005, 2007), Universal's Halloween Horror Nights (2006, 2008-2018, 2021-2022), Six Flags Fiesta Texas (2020).[a]
- Best Christmas Event (published 2007–2023 for seasons 2006–2022) - Dollywood (2006–2022)[a]
- Best Indoor Waterpark (2007–2013) - Schlitterbahn Galveston Island (tied 2007, 2008–2013), World Waterpark (tied 2007)
Repeat winners
edit- Best Amusement Park – Europa-Park for nine of the last ten years.
- Best Water Park – Schlitterbahn every year since the beginning of the Golden Ticket Awards.
- Best Landscaping/Most Beautiful Park – Busch Gardens Williamsburg for twenty-three of the twenty-five years.
- Best Food – Knoebels for twenty-two out of the twenty-five years, including one tie.
- Best Steel Roller Coaster – Fury 325 for the last eight years.
- Best Wooden Roller Coaster - Phoenix, Knoebels, winner since 2018.
- Best Waterpark – Schlitterbahn Galveston Island for all 8 years the award has been given.
- Best Outdoor Production Show – IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot for 12 out of the 13 years the award has been given.
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Sale of Amusement Today Inc. completed". Amusement Today. 4 (11): 23. 1997.
- ^ "Amusement Today: Contact us". February 20, 2012.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2024" (PDF). Amusement Today. 28 (6.2): 92. September 2024. Archived from the original on September 8, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2023" (PDF). Amusement Today. 27 (6.2): 68. September 2023. Archived from the original on September 10, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2022" (PDF). Amusement Today. 26 (6.2): 68. September 2021. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2021" (PDF). Amusement Today. 25 (6.2): 60. September 2021. Archived from the original on September 9, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2020". Amusement Today. 24 (6.2): 12. September 2020. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2019". Amusement Today. 23 (6.2): 12. September 2019. Archived from the original on January 10, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ "Amusement Today – Golden Ticket Awards 2018" (PDF). Amusement Today. 22 (6.2): 10. September 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
- ^ "Lake Compounce and Quassy host 20th Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Golden Ticket Awards. 21 (6.2). Amusement Today. September 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
- ^ "2017 Top 50 Wooden Coasters". Amusement Today. September 2017. Archived from the original on September 19, 2017. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
- ^ "Cedar Point welcomes 2016 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. September 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ^ "Luna Park, Zamperla hosts 2015 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. September 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ "SeaWorld San Diego hosts 2014 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. September 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2013). "Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Hosts 2013 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 24, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2012). "Dollywood hosts Golden Ticket event for second time" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2011). "Holiday World hosts Golden Ticket event for third time" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2010). "Busch Gardens Williamsburg hosts AT's 2010 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2009). "Southern California hosts AT's 2009 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2008). "Amusement Today's 2008 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2007). "Amusement Today's 2007 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2006). "Amusement Today's 2006 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2005). "Amusement Today's 2005 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2004). "Amusement Today's 2004 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2003). "Amusement Today's 2003 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2002). "Amusement Today's 2002 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 6 (5): 1B–8B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2001). "Amusement Today's 2001 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 5 (5): 1B–8B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (2000). "Amusement Today's 2000 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 4 (5): 1B–8B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (1999). "Amusement Today's 1999 Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 3 (5): 1B–8B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
- ^ Baldwin, Tim (1998). "Amusement Today bestows Golden Ticket Awards" (PDF). Amusement Today. 2 (5): 1B–8B. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2016. Retrieved October 6, 2016.