Amusement Today

 ( Amusement Parks ) 

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.

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. 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.

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Golden Ticket Awards 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.

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2024 winners

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2023 winners

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2022 winners

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2021 winners

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2020 winners

Arlington, Texas

Grand Prairie, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Montoursville, Pennsylvania

Wichita, Kansas

Vicenza

Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania

Dallas, Texas

Vicenza, Italy

Holly Hill, Florida

Needham, Massachusetts

Buena Park, California

Orlando, Florida

San Antonio, Texas

Louisville, Kentucky

Middlebury, Connecticut

Rockwall, Texas

Dayton, Ohio

East Hanover Township, New Jersey

Laconia, New Hampshire

Fort Worth, Texas

Winter Park, Florida

Somerville, New Jersey

Riverview, Florida

Harrington, Delaware

Saco, Maine

---

2019 winners

Rust, Germany

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Sandusky, Ohio

Anaheim, California

Williamsburg, Virginia

New Braunfels, Texas

Orlando, Florida

Santa Claus, Indiana

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Langhorne, Pennsylvania

Ligonier, Pennsylvania

Romsey

Winter Haven, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Hong Kong, China

Clinton Township, Michigan

Fredericksburg, Virginia

Los Angeles, California

Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Charlotte, North Carolina

Williamsburg, Virginia

Rust, Germany

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Gilroy, California

Branson, Missouri

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Knott's Berry Farm

Universal's Islands of Adventure

SeaWorld Orlando

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Kings Mills, Ohio

Vaughan, Ontario, Canada

Kaatsheuvel

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Buena Park, California

Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Rust, Germany

West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

Silver Dollar City

Europa-Park

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Kennywood

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Carowinds

Canada's Wonderland

Walibi Holland

Disneyland

Elitch Gardens

Kings Island

SeaWorld San Diego

Legoland Florida

Water Country USA

Shanghai Haichang Ocean Park

Perfect Day at CocoCay

Schlitterbahn Galveston

SoundWaves at Gaylord Opryland

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Kennywood

Carowinds

PortAventura World

Mega Parc

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Santa Claus, Indiana

Branson, Missouri

Rust, Germany

Anaheim, California

Shanghai Disneyland

Universal's Islands of Adventure

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Disneyland

Knoebels Amusement Resort

Splashin' Safari

Volcano Bay

Splashin' Safari

SeaWorld Orlando

Schlitterbahn

Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Orlando, Florida

Branson, Missouri

Rust, Germany

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Branson, Missouri

Hershey, Pennsylvania

Orlando, Florida

Kings Mills, Ohio

Year
2015
2000
1991 (rebuilt 2018)
2000
2001
1978 (rebuilt 2015)
1992 (rebuilt 2013)
1999
2012
2001
2010
1991 (rebuilt 2001)
2007
2009
2016
1994
2016
1989
2014
2000
2003
2018
2009
2002
1978
1990 (rebuilt 2011)
2012
2010
2008
2006
1996
1997
2014
2019
2016
2011
1994 (rebuilt 2018)
2012
1983 (rebuilt 2015)
1996
2015
2019
2006
1976
2013
1999
1987
2000
2000
2006

Year
1985
2006
2006
2000
1979
1998
2016
2013
2008
2017
2004
2013
2003
2000
1998
2016
1924
1924 (rebuilt 1968)
1994
1921
1995
2013
2012
2007
2007
2000
2014
1927
2009
2001
2007
1958
2013
1998
2015
2000
2008
1964
2009
1938
2017
1976
1995
1996
1915
1999
2009
2011
2015
1982

---

2018 winners

33%
29%
6%
5%
	Alton Towers
23%
21%
12%
11%
9%
25%
20%
8%
7%
6.5%
51%
20%
8%
5%
4%
16%
11%
10%
8%
7%
56%
13%
9%
7%
6%
	Vallejo, California
33%
22%
20%
19%
4%
23%
13%
10%
9%
8%
25%
12%
11%
9%
8%
29%
19%
15%
12%
4%
	Orlando, Florida
42%
14%
9%
5%
	Branson, Missouri
34%
16%
12%
9%
6%
	Rust, Germany
22%
20%
14%
13%
8%
43%
17%
8%
6%
5%
22%
18%
10%
9.5%
9%
29%
16%
11%
10%
9%
13%
12%
11%
10%
9%
25%
12%
11.5%
	Phantasialand
11%
34%
13%
12%
11%
10%
28%
22%
13%
6%
5%
	San Antonio, Texas
35%
14%
8%
6%
	Orlando, Florida

Points
1,222
1,156
829
540
535
522
483
410
390
347
345
344
324
300
283
278
251
248
244
238
234
233
222
212
211
201
187
186
175
173
162
160
158
137
132
116
115
109
99
	1988
97
96
93
92
89
82
81
78
72
70

Points
1,330
1,197
1,086
982
781
691
573
560
497
477
465
329
307
289
260
236
232
229
215
211
206
	1998
201
196
183
182
177
171
169
165
	1998
164
157
148
135
130
118
117
	1976
115
109
107
106
98
87
84
80
79
77
75

---

2017 winners

45%
15%
8%
7%
6%
47%
31%
7%
	Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
4%
27%
18%
11%
10%
6%
57%
17%
6%
4%
3%
19%
11%
9%
8%
7%
	Carlsbad, California
	Winter Haven, Florida
58%
10%
8%
7%
6%
31%
26%
25%
12%
23%
13%
10%
9%
8%
56%
17%
9%
7%
6%
39%
18%
12%
11%
10%
46%
18%
5%
	Orlando, Florida
4%
31%
15%
12%
8%
6%
25%
23%
17%
11%
5%
41%
20%
7%
6%
5.5%
24%
18%
8%
7%
6%
47%
18%
14%
8%
6%
16%
10%
9.5%
9%
8%
24%
11%
10%
9.5%
32%
18%
12%
11%
10%
26%
20%
10%
6%
5%
	San Antonio, Texas
	Hollywood, California
47%
9%
7%
	Orlando, Florida
5%

Points
1,354
1,129
705
657
575
481
442
381
379
375
374
344
330
291
	1983 (rebuilt 2015)
284
276
272
261
254
253
244
238
235
217
209
200
184
181
	2014
171
163
135
113
109
104
98
93
91
84
78
	1996
	2014
76
72
68
	1976
62
61
59

Points
1,241
1,212
1,171
1,113
710
666
612
560
541
489
345
276
269
236
223
221
220
219
	2007
	2013
218
217
214
198
197
188
186
183
177
168
167
157
139
129
119
112
109
107
98
96
92
87
86
84
82
81
80
75
77
66

---

2016 winners

20%
13%
11%
9%
8%
48%
15%
13%
	Kings Island
6%
26%
19%
11%
9%
7%
6%
5%
4.5%
4%
	Tokyo, Japan
47%
28%
6%
5%
4%
23%
12%
10%
	Glen, New Hampshire
9%
57%
10%
8%
7%
6.5%
	Hong Kong, China
30%
28%
26%
12%
4%
23%
13%
9%
8%
7%
	Bloomington, Minnesota
26%
19%
7.5%
7%
6%
45%
15%
7%
6%
5%
45%
15%
7%
6%
5%
27%
18%
15%
7%
6%
23%
20%
14%
13%
8%
40%
22%
7%
6%
5%
27%
20%
7%
	Universal's Islands of Adventure
	Magic Kingdom
	Knott's Berry Farm
40%
18%
11%
6%
14%
13.5%
9%
8%
5%
24%
16%
14%
11%
10%
38%
16%
14%
11%
9%
27%
20%
13%
7%
6%
41%
9%
8.5%
7%
6%

Points
1,126
1,122
698
613
454
397
393
350
330
329
311
306
286
283
279
272
268
265
258
255
254
203
202
198
178
175
168
166
165
144
128
122
	2016
113
110
107
105
99
97
94
	2000 (Rebuilt 2014)
92
	1993
90
85
81
80
74
72
	2013

Points
1,216
1,144
1,121
1,028
692
670
641
611
525
347
336
292
267
256
245
241
233
222
213
208
206
179
175
174
166
	2009
165
153
141
141
140
132
129
128
122
118
117
116
116
115
110
103
94
84
84
81
78
77
76
73

---

2015 winners

27%
14%
13%
10%
9.5%
15%
14%
13%
	Wet 'n' Wild Las Vegas
10%
24%
14%
11%
9%
7%
5%
	Williamsburg, Virginia
4.5%
4%
	Santa Claus, Indiana
	Orlando, Florida
	Tokyo, Japan
52%
19%
6%
5%
4%
21%
20%
9%
8%
7%
	Winter Haven, Florida
55%
10%
9%
8%
7%
27%
26.5%
26%
12%
27%
10%
9.5%
8%
6%
	Bloomington, Minnesota
25%
14%
11%
9%
8%
35%
18%
12%
9%
8%
42%
11%
8%
7%
6%
24%
15%
12%
11%
9%
29%
17%
11%
9%
7%
23%
20%
16%
9%
7%
42%
23%
6%
5%
	Austell, Georgia
28%
19%
9%
7%
6%
25%
18%
14%
9%
8%
13%
12%
9%
8.5%
7%
28%
17%
12%
11%
6%
23%
12%
11%
10%
7%
	Disney's Hollywood Studios
27%
23%
12%
10%
8%
28%
18%
11%
8%
5%
40%
10%
9%
6%
5.5%

1,205
929
714
671
650
597
499
491
462
450
440
427
408
405
355
315
302
301
294
275
	2002
257
251
238
219
207
200
193
179
154
138
	2012
136
127
114
110
109
108
	1993
	2014
107
105
101
96
92
90
89
86
83
	2000 (Rebuilt 2014)

1,625
1,464
1,301
1,184
904
740
722
637
560
421
391
286
278
269
265
242
231
231
228
219
211
	1921
207
198
193
185
171
167
158
157
156
152
149
140
133
	1938
132
130
123
115
98
91
88
83
78
	1912 (rebuilt 2011)
74
70
	1997
69

---

2014 winners

27%
19%
11%
10%
9%
59%
11%
10%
8%
4%
25%
16%
9%
8%
8%
5%
4%
	Tokyo, Japan
3.5%
3%
55%
17%
5%
4.5%
4%
34%
13%
12.5%
10%
5%
	Jefferson, New Hampshire
52%
12%
10%
9%
8%
45%
16%
15%
12%
4%
26%
13%
10%
9.5%
9%
23%
13%
12%
10%
9%
39%
14%
11%
6%
5%
45%
12%
8%
6.5%
6%
27%
19%
11%
10%
9%
24%
23%
17%
6%
5%
21%
18%
17.5%
13%
7%
40%
27%
5.5%
5%
21%
12%
11%
10.5%
9%
23%
16%
15%
7%
8%
	Schlitterbahn Kansas City
20%
10.5%
10%
9%
	Knoebels Amusement Resort
25%
19%
12%
9%
8%
21%
14%
12%
9%
8.5%
32%
17%
15%
12%
11%
28%
20%
14%
9%
6%
41%
10%
9.5%
9%
7%

1,139
1,049
764
579
563
500
484
465
422
387
384
367
366
	2010
318
317
304
292
273
249
245
229
220
179
165
157
	2012
138
	2012
134
124
117
116
115
113
110
106
101
95
90
87
81
79
77
76
74
73
71
70
	1998

1,480
1,291
1,129
1,036
837
719
619
614
605
393
342
302
298
270
264
260
238
211
204
203
200
177
166
162
155
143
137
122
119
117
114
110
108
105
104
	2007
103
101
	2013
100
98
96
95
94
86
85
78
70
69
68

---

2013 winners

45%
19%
15%
6%
5%
53%
23%
7%
6%
5%
23%
22%
9%
8%
7%
6%
5%
	Orlando, Florida
4.5%
4%
45%
17%
6%
5%
	Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
39%
16%
11%
7%
	Glen, New Hampshire
58%
13%
9%
7%
6%
	Vallejo, California
36%
20%
15%
14%
5%
31%
21%
15%
12%
8%
35%
21%
13%
10%
7%
26%
14%
10%
9%
8.5%
41%
23%
6%
5%
	Orlando, Florida
	Branson, Missouri
24%
	Elysburg, Pennsylvania
18%
14%
5%
20%
13%
10%
9%
8.5%
24%
22%
15%
10%
9%
32%
15%
12%
8%
7%
	Doswell, Virginia
19%
16%
13%
8%
7%
	Disneyland
29%
18%
12%
11.5%
8%
33%
12%
11%
8%
7%
30%
22%
11%
10%
7%
47%
12%
10%
8%
5%
48%
17%
8%
7%
4%
23%
14%
11%
10%
	Disney's Hollywood Studios
34%
23%
14%
13%
12%

1,204
1,011
598
596
542
512
494
478
416
412
393
356
334
301
298
290
276
257
247
210
192
183
156
148
147
136
134
113
103
102
100
98
97
94
92
	2005
87
86
85
80
78
76
	2005
	2001
73
	2012
63
60
	1987
58

1,333
1,302
1,088
1,086
923
712
599
555
364
304
296
290
278
225
222
215
207
192
166
	2000
160
146
138
132
127
118
116
115
113
111
108
100
99
94
90
88
84
83
80
76
70
	2008
66
64
	1995
62
	2011
60
59
55

---

2012 winners

30%
15%
14%
7%
6%
	Hersheypark
54%
11%
7%
4%
	Aquatica San Antonio
21%
14%
13.5%
9%
8%
7%
6%
	Orlando, Florida
4.5%
4%
53%
15%
7%
6%
5%
	Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
31%
18%
12%
7%
6%
55%
11%
10%
8%
6%
34%
20%
19%
16%
4%
33%
18%
17%
12%
8%
46%
25%
7%
6%
4%
	Orlando, Florida
29%
16%
14%
13%
8%
45%
15%
8%
7%
6%
27%
20%
18%
13%
6%
26%
17%
11%
10%
8%
26%
23%
12%
7%
5%
31%
15%
13%
9%
6%
24%
18%
13%
10%
6%
42%
17%
13%
11%
10%
36%
13.5%
13%
8%
7%
35%
26%
13%
11%
4%
33%
13%
10%
	Branson, Missouri
4%
44%
18%
8%
7%
6%
30%
16%
10%
9%
8.5%
30%
25%
14%
12%
	Morey's Piers

1,272
946
650
597
564
537
520
480
444
395
374
351
332
318
292
238
224
209
196
195
189
173
141
133
132
124
	1978
116
115
113
111
109
100
99
98
94
93
91
87
80
78
77
74
66
59
58
56
55
50
49

1,279
1,190
1,091
1,018
1,009
762
677
385
378
364
351
344
284
259
228
197
179
171
169
161
149
147
142
120
117
116
115
111
107
106
104
100
99
97
93
90
87
85
80
	2001
79
73
	1927
65
57
55
	1996
52
50
49

---

2011 winners

45%
12%
11%
5%
	Bay Beach Amusement Park
45%
15%
8%
	NRH2O
23%
13%
12%
8%
7%
6.5%
5.5%
5%
	West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
4.5%
	Blackpool
66%
14%
6%
5%
4%
30%
25%
11%
10%
6%
55%
14%
11%
10%
6%
29%
28%
16%
5%
4%
31%
16%
15%
12%
11%
32%
25%
13%
12%
5%
35%
15%
10%
9%
8%
30%
28%
10%
8%
7%
29%
17%
15%
13%
7%
26%
19%
10%
9%
7%
34%
24%
13%
8%
5%
30%
16%
12%
8%
7%
26%
23%
15%
10%
6%
34%
17%
16%
10%
	Orlando, Florida
33%
13%
12%
9%
7%
32%
26%
16%
10%
5%
38%
14%
13.5%
10%
7%
55%
18%
7%
5%
4%
31%
15%
13%
12%
9%
24%
23%
15%
13%
12%

1,540
1,201
864
794
756
743
643
	2001
627
510
493
470
381
331
278
276
217
212
207
190
187
186
182
180
178
177
156
149
148
	1998
144
130
129
123
116
108
102
99
98
97
	2000
93
87
85
84
	1989
80
79
75
73

1,631
1,375
1,359
1,267
1,065
969
591
494
484
452
444
405
377
267
264
263
241
240
215
212
	1999
196
195
179
173
161
151
147
139
138
134
127
123
118
111
110
	2011
102
101
99
95
93
86
74
	1912 (rebuilt 2011)
68
65
62
60
52

---

2010 winners

24%
21%
20%
14%
4%
	Efteling
69%
12%
6%
5.5%
26%
11%
10%
9%
7%
	Rust, Germany
6%
	Blackpool
4.5%
	Santa Claus, Indiana
	Tokyo
57%
16%
8%
6%
5.5%
38%
30%
8%
6%
4%
60%
13%
10%
6%
5%
37%
28%
22%
5%
4%
33%
17%
16%
12%
9%
34%
24%
20%
9%
4%
37%
15%
11%
10%
9%
35%
18%
10%
8%
7.5%
27%
18%
	Branson, Missouri
12%
8%
24%
17%
13%
11%
9%
33%
21%
9%
8%
7%
33%
13%
12%
7%
5%
	Kaatsheuvel
30%
19%
14%
10%
5%
	Disneyland
40%
17%
15%
11%
7%
33%
13%
12%
9%
7%
32%
25%
19%
11%
5%
36%
17%
16%
12%
6%
50%
16%
11%
9%
4%
30%
16%
12%
	Galaxyland
11%
34%
32%
10%
7%
6%

1,175
1,013
773
573
560
514
484
427
392
312
295
288
236
228
213
199
198
181
172
	2005
152
	2007
145
129
	1994
127
124
	1997
122
120
118
107
103
102
88
86
85
79
74
73
71
62
57
49
47
46
43
42
	2004
41

1,154
991
952
874
864
781
552
510
439
403
393
386
242
214
211
159
158
157
147
146
144
142
141
133
128
124
122
116
113
87
86
79
78
74
70
67
57
51
48
46
43
39
	2007
38
36
35
34
33
31
29

---

2009 winners

35%
30%
12%
7%
4%
	Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
67%
11%
10%
5%
4%
27%
13%
8%
7%
	Orlando, Florida
6.5%
6%
5.5%
5%
	Santa Claus, Indiana
60%
14%
9%
5%
4.5%
37%
26%
11%
7%
6%
61%
11%
9%
	San Diego
5%
41%
28%
21%
4%
28%
17%
14%
13%
7%
30%
28%
13%
6%
4%
36%
14%
13%
11%
7%
25%
23%
15%
10%
	Orlando, Florida
30%
25%
13%
11%
7%
27%
16%
12%
8%
7%
35%
15%
9%
	Schlitterbahn
8%
41%
17%
10%
6%
	Buena Park, California
32%
16%
12%
8%
5%
41%
19%
16%
11%
	Orlando, Florida
35%
16%
14%
6%
5%
	Branson, Missouri
34%
25%
17%
12%
35%
19%
13%
12%
6%
46%
19%
10%
8%
6%
28%
14%
13%
12.5%
12%
38%
36%
10%
8%
6%

1,245
1,192
785
662
584
541
432
431
423
348
282
280
263
251
230
227
219
182
181
180
171
169
161
160
148
144
139
119
118
115
111
109
107
105
103
99
97
85
	2004
81
80
75
58
53
52
51
50
47
45
44

1,250
1,049
948
929
899
617
604
502
487
475
418
415
239
227
223
194
191
187
176
173
167
153
141
133
124
121
113
112
108
104
102
101
100
91
76
72
64
63
59
58
57
52
49
48
46
44
42
	1964
39
38

---

2008 winners

53%
11%
10%
6%
5.5%
52%
23%
11%
8%
5%
26%
16%
7%
6.5%
6%
	Blackpool
5.5%
	West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
5%
4.8%
53%
15%
9%
8%
6%
41%
27%
10%
6%
5%
	Langhorne, Pennsylvania
56%
14%
10%
8%
	Vallejo, California
46%
30%
15%
4%
25%
18%
15%
12%
11%
32%
27%
13%
6%
4%
35%
16%
11%
	Orlando, Florida
9%
27%
24%
12%
10%
8%
28%
19%
18%
13%
8%
34%
22%
13%
9%
8%
25%
20%
14%
12%
7%
38%
21%
8%
7.5%
	Bloomington, Minnesota
38%
25%
18%
7%
5%
38%
22%
13%
10%
8%
36%
17%
13%
12%
7%
29%
22%
16%
12%
6%
38%
17%
14%
10%
7%
48%
21%
9%
7%
6%
28%
15%
14%
11%
10%
36%
33%
10%
	Gröna Lund

1,363
1,107
838
718
651
646
518
428
366
343
278
254
246
239
232
227
205
186
174
170
169
161
	1994
149
143
141
139
133
123
110
102
100
96
87
85
82
73
66
64
63
	1998
59
57
	1985
55
52
51
	2007
50
46

1,225
1,047
1,029
993
861
677
523
471
447
428
427
287
272
249
237
227
218
187
186
182
	1998
177
170
163
156
148
139
134
131
128
118
96
93
88
81
	2006
78
73
66
63
58
55
51
50
44
43
42
40
35
	2002

---

2007 winners

42%
23%
17%
5%
3%
40%
30%
11%
6%
3%
33%
10%
9%
7%
6%
	Blackpool, England
5%
4.5%
4%
3%
	Tokyo, Japan
45%
23%
9%
4%
	Orlando, Florida
51%
15%
7%
	Langhorne, Pennsylvania
5%
57%
26%
8%
6%
3%
49%
21%
12%
4%
3%
18%
12%
10%
	Sandusky, Ohio
6%
	Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
	Staffordshire, England
48%
20%
5%
4%
3%
	Bowling Green, Kentucky
49%
14%
6%
	Orlando, Florida
4%
29%
27%
8%
	Branson, Missouri
6%
25%
15%
14%
11%
9%
26%
17%
8%
6%
5%
32%
10%
8%
7%
	Blizzard Beach
54%
10%
5%
4%
	Buena Park, California
43%
16%
10%
5%
	Buena Park, California
37%
16%
13%
11%
7%
37%
20%
7%
5%
4%
26%
25%
11%
9%
7%
40%
18%
8%
5%
4%
17%
16%
	Disneyland
13%
8%

1,181
1,083
733
616
589
542
439
392
372
309
255
249
220
219
	2000
208
198
183
170
167
165
149
140
130
	2002
119
106
104
95
89
87
84
	2006
	2005
81
80
76
75
66
64
63
	1999
57
56
49
47
45
43
42
41

1,240
932
844
740
702
550
548
506
494
402
358
313
308
257
193
188
176
170
169
164
149
137
136
134
121
112
93
88
87
86
76
74
71
68
64
61
58
57
54
51
	2000
47
46
45
44
42
38
35
34
	2001

---

2006 winners

37%
10%
8%
7%
6%
6%
	Rust, Germany
5%
	Williamsburg, Virginia
3%
52%
22%
6%
5%
4%
43%
15%
8%
	Langhorne, Pennsylvania
6%
65%
15%
8%
6%
	Vallejo, California
53%
11%
6%
5%
4%
44%
20%
11%
5%
	Orlando, Florida
46%
10%
9%
7%
5%
23%
22%
13%
11%
9%
44%
14%
8%
6%
4%
29%
20%
17%
8%
4%
24%
17%
10%
9%
	Branson, Missouri
28%
21%
10%
6%
5%
31%
22%
14%
10%
	Orlando, Florida
25%
18%
9%
8%
8%
34%
13%
7%
6%
4%
	Disney's Blizzard Beach
35%
15%
7%
6%
5%
50%
16%
8%
7%
4%
32%
15%
	Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Chicago
9%
42%
14%
9%
4%
	Elysburg, Pennsylvania
22%
18%
11%
7%
6%
13%
12%
11%
10%
6%

1,129
1,052
663
615
610
500
446
388
354
333
319
304
237
219
214
212
206
204
182
181
157
	1993
156
155
110
102
98
88
83
79
77
74
72
71
68
62
59
58
57
56
	2006
51
	2000
48
47
	2000
	2005
43
	2002

904
844
746
	2005
720
696
624
431
420
385
286
279
218
211
209
208
196
167
163
160
	2003
155
154
153
148
146
135
130
115
112
108
103
92
86
77
76
70
63
57
54
52
	1996
49
	1996
47
46
40
36
35
33

---

2005 winners

37%
14%
9%
7%
	Elysburg, Pennsylvania
52%
17%
7%
5%
3%
44%
12%
9%
8%
6%
50%
10%
8%
4%
3%
	Buena Park, California
47%
17%
7%
	Elysburg, Pennsylvania
4%
37%
10%
9%
7%
6%
25%
24%
10%
9%
6%
43%
18%
7%
4%
3%
30%
20%
14%
10%
6%
26%
13%
12%
11%
9%
30%
19%
10%
6%
5%
	Orlando, Florida
27%
21%
13%
12%
9%
24%
20%
9%
7%
6%
29%
12%
10%
6%
5%
38%
16%
5%
	Disneyland
4%
	Disneyland
45%
16%
8%
6%
	Silver Dollar City
	Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
21%
17%
14%
9%
	Michigan's Adventure
86%
4%
3%
19%
12%
11%
10%
8%
37%
13%
9%
7%
5%

1,032
923
569
542
508
498
436
393
333
329
249
235
228
227
219
218
185
183
152
148
133
127
101
91
81
80
79
77
75
	1999
72
70
69
65
	2001
64
55
50
47
44
	2005
43
42
41
38
	2002
	1998
	2002
36
35

838
690
671
662
616
579
537
436
355
301
263
238
236
220
218
212
199
195
193
163
153
149
	1935
	1924 (rebuilt 1968)
113
112
104
102
93
87
80
70
68
	1991
	1996
63
68
53
51
47
42
41
37
	1999
36
33
	2001
32
31
27

---

2004 winners

35%
15%
7%
7%
6%
56%
18%
6%
4%
3%
41%
13%
10%
7%
4%
50%
10%
7%
6%
5%
43%
11%
8%
6%
5%
36%
11%
10%
8%
7%
44%
19%
9%
4%
3%
36%
23%
9%
7%
4%
31%
25%
14%
7%
5%
28%
13%
10%
	West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
9%
34%
14%
12%
8%
5%
22%
21%
13%
12%
10%
23%
21%
9%
7%
6%
37%
14%
10%
4%
3%
	Schlitterbahn
37%
22%
6%
4%
	Disneyland

1,181
1,167
767
694
636
554
433
421
347
314
282
266
260
248
245
244
242
233
232
203
181
152
135
130
124
94
93
90
88
86
84
81
79
66
65
64
63
60
55
50
48
47
46
45
43
38
31
30
28
	1999

972
854
843
745
634
530
448
434
395
376
290
289
279
251
246
231
230
221
207
199
162
160
159
142
125
124
119
117
115
111
98
92
88
87
86
71
	2000
70
67
62
59
57
56
54
47
45
	1999
40
36
33

---

2003 winners

30%
15%
12%
47%
23%
6%
47%
8%
7%
61%
10%
3%
45%
10%
7%
37%
23%
7%
	Staffordshire, England
38%
22%
8%
24%
18%
17%
30%
13%
10%
32%
13%
8%
	Branson, Missouri
23%
14%
6%
27%
26%
16%
34%
20%
8%
53%
8%
6%
20%
14%
8%
27%
14%
10%

1,177
1,093
794
789
538
527
361
353
320
315
298
278
272
257
243
242
239
184
183
	1997
179
148
147
140
138
137
131
122
111
97
95
90
87
80
79
68
67
64
60
59
56
47
43
39
37
	1993
35
31
30
28

1194
912
892
823
724
437
427
422
421
415
335
314
304
284
279
269
237
225
194
180
177
168
139
130
129
121
112
104
97
89
78
76
69
60
54
	1964
49
	1958
48
45
	2001
44
42
41
	1927
	1999
37
	2000
36
35

---

2002 winners

28%
18%
9%
48%
17%
9%
38%
6%
5%
60%
8%
6%
40%
9%
8%
37%
17%
6%
28%
11%
10%
29%
11%
Branson, Missouri
16%
15%
6%
34%
32%
7%
31%
13%
9%
45%
10%
9%
16%
13%
8%
19%
11%
8%
38%
10%
7%
22%
12%
11%

970
897
723
398
359
353
330
329
303
303
267
247
244
243
	1999
224
213
203
188
169
137
131
128
102
	2000

838
788
764
661
604
570
394
363
328
321
307
278
244
221
218
216
200
166
153
152
149
147
118
116
113

---

2001 winners

21%
12%
11%
10%
50%
7%
6%
24%
24%
7%
60%
5%
46%
16%
15%
52%
8%
6%
23%
21%
10%
23%
14%
8%
35%
9%
8%
7%
42%
9%
7%
51%
12%
7%
31%
23%
8%
39%
13%
12%
6%

758
682
661
399
336
305
298
266
261
252
220
210
201
196
168
164
163
158
148
146
126
125
100
99
93

688
615
554
533
431
424
369
363
336
295
283
271
269
192
186
185
165
142
137
130
129
125
115
97
73

---

2000 winners

33%
18%
14%
11%
49%
8%
7%
45%
13%
13%
28%
15%
14%
51%
12%
6%
20%
15%
14%
10%
22%
18%
14%
24%
11%
10%
35%
16%
9%
51%
7%
6%
	Orlando, Florida
32%
15%
8%
17%
13%
12%
9%

700
464
327
319
313
296
241
240
205
192
190
189
165
153
151
144
127
122
119
118
117
82
81
80
70

502
490
459
341
337
305
287
286
269
253
212
201
183
182
165
117
116
114
101
91
86
79
78
77
73

---

1999 winners

20%
14%
13%
10%
43%
8%
7%
	Orlando, Florida
29%
9%
8%
27%
16%
10%
58%
7%
6%
17%
	West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
	Elysburg, Pennsylvania
20%
17%
9%
15%
13%
11%
10%
46%
7%
40%
14%
9%
17%
	Knoebel's Grove
9%
19%
17%
7%

637
391
364
319
293
260
189
174
151
147
127
117
97
96
95
94
93
77
75
69
64
63
61
59
57

515
391
345
338
286
279
274
241
220
185
181
170
164
131
106
103
100
98
80
68
64
62
61
51
49

---

1998 winners

37%
16%
9%
28%
12%
22%
17%
10%
24%
14%
11%
62%
6%
	Orlando, Florida
	Tampa, Florida
21%
15%
9%
	Orlando, Florida
19%
14%
12%
11%
	Six Flags Great America
	Busch Gardens Williamsburg
10%
29%
10%
38%
15%
23%
17%
15%
11%
21%
15%
11%

466
329
311
257
241
203
176
146
113
100
94
90
84
83
82
	1978
74
61
57
53
52
49
47
	1992
45

477
295
231
213
197
193
189
168
157
135
121
96
95
85
77
69
66
65
	1976
57
50
49
48
47
44

---

Publisher's Picks

Kennywood

Kings Island

Six Flags Fiesta Texas

Paul and Alethea Roads (Wonderland Park) Dick Knoebels (Knoebels)

Six Flags Over Texas

Universal Orlando

Scene75 Entertainment Centers

Larry Bill (The Gravity Group)

Gene Staples, Indiana Beach

Great Coasters International

Europa Park

Arnolds Park Amusement Park

Morey's Piers

Kings Island

Silverwood

Chance Rides

Silver Dollar City

Jerry Brick

Morgan's Wonderland

Intamin

Raffi Kaprelyan

Ed Hart

B&M

Cedar Point

Lagoon

Alberto Zamperla and Valerio Ferrari

Huck Finn's Playland

Quassy Amusement Park

SeaWorld Rescue Team

John Arie Sr., Fun Spot America Theme Parks

Kim Samarelli, New Jersey Amusement Association

Ronald Bussink, Bussink Design GmBH

Timber Mountain Log Ride, Knott's Berry Farm

Disney California Adventure

RWS and Associates (Luminosity — Ignite the Night!)

Tilan K. Fertitta (Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier)

SeaWorld San Diego

Gröna Lund

Chance Morgan

Richard Kinzel (Cedar Fair Entertainment Company)

Beech Bend Park

Jeff Novotny (National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives)

Will Koch (Holiday World & Splashin' Safari)

Wonderland Park

Dick & Barbara Knoebel (Knoebels Amusement Resort)

Gary Goddard

Jack Krantz (Adventureland)

Xocomil

Paul Nelson (Waldameer & Water World)

Zamperla

Dollywood

Milton S. Hershey (Hersheypark)

National Ticket Company

State Fair of Texas

Pat Thomson (Western Playland)

William H. Robinson

Disneyland

Nick Laskaris (Mount Olympus Water & Theme Park)

Werner Stengel

Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

Dan Feicht (Cedar Point)

Philadelphia Toboggan Company

Cliff's Amusement Park

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Host venues

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	Carowinds	2025
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 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.

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Former awards

• 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) - , 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).
• Best Christmas Event (published 2007–2023 for seasons 2006–2022) - Dollywood (2006–2022)
• Best Indoor Waterpark (2007–2013) - Schlitterbahn Galveston Island (tied 2007, 2008–2013), World Waterpark (tied 2007)

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Repeat winners

• 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 – at Epcot for 12 out of the 13 years the award has been given.

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Notes

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External links

• Golden Ticket Awards

Categories: Amusement Parks, Professional And Trade Magazines Published In The United States, Magazines Established In 1997, Monthly Magazines Published In The United States, Magazines Published In Texas, American Awards