Amusement Today’s 2016 Golden Ticket Awards by Amusement Today were revealed this evening, highlighting some of the best parks and attractions in the amusement industry. See this year’s Golden Ticket Awards 2016 winners below.
Top-10 Steel Coasters
- Fury 325 at Carowinds
Fury 325 at Carowinds
- Millennium Force at Cedar Point
- Superman: The Ride at Six Flags New England
- Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Intimidator at Carowinds
- Diamondback at Kings Island
- Phantom’s Revenge at Kennywood
Top-10 Wooden Coasters
- Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce
- Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort
- El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- The Voyage at Holiday World
- Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer
- The Beast at Kings Island
- Thunderhead at Dollywood
- Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City
- Gold Striker at California’s Great America
- Lightning Racer at Hersheypark
Best Park
Europa Park in Rust, Germany
Europa Park
Best Waterpark
Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas
Best New Ride
Lightning Rod at Dollywood
Lightning Rod at Dollywood
Read our Lightning Rod review.
Best New Waterpark Ride
Massiv at Schlitterbahn Galveston Island
Best Indoor Coaster
Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando
Best Dark Ride
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney California Adventure
Friendliest Park
Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Dollywood
Best Shows
Dollywood
Best Carousel
Grand Carousel at Knoebels
Best Funhouse or Walkthrough
Noah’s Ark at Kennywood
Best Food
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Best Marine Life Park
SeaWorld Orlando in Orlando, Florida
SeaWorld Orlando
Best Children’s Park
Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Best Seaside Park
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, California
Best Water Ride (in a Park)
Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Best Water Park Ride
Wildebeest at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Wildebeest at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Best Kids’ Area
Planet Snoopy at Kings Island
Cleanest Park
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana
Best Landscaping
Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Christmas Event
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Best Halloween Event
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando
Publisher’s Picks:
- Person of the Year: Raffi Kaprelyan (Cedar Fair)
- Renaissance Award: Ed Hart (Kentucky Kingdom)
- Park of the Year: Cedar Point
- Supplier of the Year: Bolliger & Mabillard
How are Golden Ticket award winners chosen? Amusement Today uses a panel of voters — those national (and some international) park enthusiasts who visit parks regularly. The U.S. ballots are split between four geographical regions. Each region has roughly the same number of voters.
According to Amusement Today, voters submit their favorite pick in each category except “best coaster.” The park or attraction with the most number of votes wins that category.
For the roller coaster categories, voters submit lists of their top 10 steel and wooden coasters.
The official list of winners will be posted on Amusement Today’s website.
What do you think about the 2016 Golden Ticket Awards winners? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Idlewild winning any award is a joke and proves the lack of voter credibility. The park is so run down and unsafe we drive an additional 2 hours and pay twice the money to visit safer parks.