2018 Golden Ticket Awards
2018 may go down in history as one of the best year’s for new coasters and rides. This year, we saw many records shattered and even a new type of track. The time has finally arrived for us to find out which of those rides emerged victorious. This weekend, industry professionals from across the globe gathered at Silver Dollar City for the annual Golden Ticket Awards Ceremony.
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, Silver Dollar City, home to the world’s fastest, tallest, and steepest spinning coaster, rolled out the red carpet.
Sit back and relax because the wait is over. 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- Phoenix/ Knoebels Amusement Resort (PA )(top 10 below)
Best Indoor Roller Coaster- Revenge of the Mummy / Universal Studios (FL)
Best New Amusement Park Attraction of 2018- Steal Vengeance / Cedar Point (OH)
Best New Water Park Attraction of 2017: Ray Rush / SeaWorld Aquatica (FL)
Best Water Park- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort (TX)
Best Children’s Park- Idelwild & SoakZone (PA)
Best Marine Life Park- SeaWorld Orlando (FL)
Best Seaside 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:
- Innovation – Chance Rides
- Turnstile Award – Silver Dollar City
Top 10 Best Steel Roller Coasters
1. Fury 325 / Carowinds
2. Millennium Force / Cedar Point
3. Steel Vengeance / Cedar Point
4. Expedition GeForce / Holiday Park
5. Superman: The Ride / Six Flags New England
6. Apollo’s Chariot / Busch Gardens Williamsburg
7. Iron Rattler / Six Flags Fiesta Texas
8. Leviathan / Canada’s Wonderland
9. Maverick / Cedar Point
10. Diamondback / Kings Island
Top 10 Best Wood Roller Coasters
1. Phoenix / Knoebels Amusement Resort
2. El Toro / Six Flags Great Adventure
3. The Voyage / Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
4. Boulder Dash / Lake Compounce
5. The Beast / Kings Island
6. Lightning Rod / Dollywood
7. Outlaw Run / Silver Dollar City
8. Ravine Flyer II / Waldameer
9. Gold Striker / California’s Great America
10. Thunderhead / Dollywood
Next year the Golden Ticket Awards will heading to Idaho at Silverwood Theme Park!
For more information, visit the official Golden Ticket Awards site here.
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