2016 Golden Ticket Award Winners – Best of the Best!

The Golden Ticket Awards by Amusement Today are like the Oscars for amusement parks. Each year, a detailed survey is sent to a database of experienced and well-traveled amusement park fans around the world. The surveys are sent out in balanced geographical regions asking enthusiasts to rate the “best” in 23 categories. Amusement Today then tallies up those votes and presents Golden Ticket Awards to the winners. Each year the event is held at a different location. This year, Cedar Point “Roller Coaster Capital of the World” rolled out the red carpet to host the event!

On Saturday Night (9/10/16), Amusement Today announced the winners of its prestigious 2016 Golden Ticket Awards, which were presented annually to the “Best of the Best” in the amusement industry for the 19th consecutive year. The presentation also included performances of some of Cedar Point’s shows including Luminosity and even Snoopy!

Sit back and relax because the votes have been counted and the winners are…

Best Amusement Park- Europa-Park (Rust, Germany)

Best Steel Roller Coaster- Fury 325 / Carowinds (NC) (top 10 below)

Best Wood Roller Coaster- Boulder Dash/ Lake Compounce (CT )(top 10 below)

Best Indoor Roller Coaster- Revenge of the Mummy / Universal Studios (FL)

Best New Amusement Park Attraction of 2016- Lightning Rod / Dollywood (TN)

Best New Water Park Attraction of 2016: Massiv / Schlitterbahn Galveston (TX)

Best Water Park- Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (TX)

Best Children’s Park- Idelwild & SoakZone (PA)

Best Marine Life Park- SeaWorld Orlando (FL)

Best Seaside Life Park- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (CA)

Best Kid’s Area- Planet Snoopy / Kings Island (OH)

Cleanest Park- Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (IN)

Friendliest Park- Dollywood (TN)

Best Shows- Dollywood (TN)

Best Landscaping- Busch Gardens Williamsburg (VA)

Best Food- Knoebels Amusement Resort (PA)

Best Carousel- Knoebels Amusement Resort (PA)

Best Water Ride (In a Park)- Valhalla / Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England)

Best Water Park Ride- Wildebeest / Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (IN)

Best Dark Ride- Tower of Terror / Walt Disney World (FL)

Best Funhouse- Noah’s Ark / Kennywood Park (PA)

Best Halloween Event- Halloween Horror Nights / Universal Orlando Resort (FL)

Best Christmas Event- Smoky Mountain Christmas / Dollywood (TN)

Every year Gary Slade, Publisher and Editor-In-Chief of Amusement Today, makes personal selections for the Publisher’s Pick Awards. Here are the selections he made this year:

Publishers Choice:

Supplier of the Year- Bolliger & Mabillard
Person of the Year- Raffi Kaprelyan, VP & GM (currently Regional VP, Cedar Fair) / Knott’s Berry Farm
Renaissance Award- Ed Hart, GM / Kentucky Kingdom
Park of the Year- Cedar Point

In 2016 The Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers Association (AIMS), started a new tradition. They will be annually selecting an AIMS International Safety Award. This award will be presented to the individual or organization that demonstrates leadership, innovation, and foresight in improving safety in the amusement industry. With safety as the industry’s #1 concern for amusement industry guests and employees worldwide, efforts in improving safety are shown in many forms: the design and implementation of new products and technology, the development of safety education programs and training, and by exemplary leadership in influencing others. The winner is selected by a vote of AIMS International’s board of directors and presented with an award during the annual Golden Ticket Awards event.

Aims 2016 International Safety Award- Harold Hudson

Top 10 Best Steel Roller Coasters

1. Fury 325 / Carowinds

2. Millennium Force / Cedar Point

3. Superman: The Ride / Six Flags New England

4. Expedition GeForce / Holiday Park

5. Nitro / Six Flags Great Adventure

6. Apollo’s Chariot / Busch Gardens Williamsburg

7. Leviathan / Canada’s Wonderland

8. Intimidator / Carowinds

9. Diamondback / Kings Island

10. Phantom’s Revenge

Top 10 Best Wood Roller Coasters

1. Boulder Dash/ Lake Compounce

2. Phoenix / Knoebels Amusement Resort

3. El Toro / Six Flags Great Adventure

4. The Voyage / Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

5. Ravine Flyer II / Wadlameer

6. The Best / Kings Island

7. Thunderhead / Dollywood

8. Outlaw Run / Silver Dollar City

9. Gold Striker / California’s Great America

10. Lightning Racer / Hershey Park

Next year the Golden Ticket Awards are headed to New England! The event will take place over two days at two great parks! Lake Compounce and Quassy Amusement Park will host the 2017 GTA’s on September 8 & 9, 2017.

For more information, check out the official Golden Ticket Award website by clicking here.

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