The winners of the 2019 Golden Ticket Awards were announced today at the annual awards ceremony, held this year at Silverwood in Idaho.
Honoring the “best of the best” in the amusement industry, the Golden Ticket Awards are calculated from an international poll conducted by Amusement Today, a newspaper founded in 1997 that covers international amusement and water park news and trends. The prestigious Golden Ticket Awards survey asks experienced amusement park voters around the country and world to rate the “bests” in multiple categories.
To keep the awards current and relevant, the 2019 Golden Ticket Awards voters not only included industry fans, but also — in some categories — industry suppliers, manufacturers and journalists.
See the official list of winners below:
Best Steel Coaster of 2019
Fury 325 at Carowinds
Best Wooden Coaster of 2019
Phoenix at Knoebels Amusement Resort
Top 10 Steel Coasters
- Fury 325 at Carowinds
- Millennium Force at Cedar Point
- Steel Vengeance at Cedar Point
- Superman: The Ride at Six Flags New England
- Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park
- Twisted Colossus at Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Iron Rattler at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
- Leviathan at Canada’s Wonderland
- Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure
See the entire list of the top 50 steel coasters here.
Top 10 Wooden Coasters
- Phoenix at Knoebels
- Voyage at Holiday World
- El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure
- BoulderDash at Lake Compounce
- Beast at Kings Island
- GhostRider at Knott’s Berry Farm
- Lightning Rod at Dollywood
- Outlaw Run at Silver Dollar City
- Ravine Flyer 2 at Waldameer
- Mystic Timbers at Kings Island
See the entire list of the top 50 wooden coasters here.
Best New Roller Coaster of 2019
The Steel Curtain at Kennywood
Read our review of The Steel Curtain at Kennywood.
Best New Attraction Installation of 2019
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Celebrating a new attraction that’s been installed and is operating in 2019. The attraction’s uniqueness, popularity, theming and effect on the industry are all considered.
Best New Family Attraction of 2019
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disneyland
Best New Water Park Ride of 2019
Cutback Water Coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Amusement Park of 2019
Europa Park
Best Water Park of 2019
Schlitterbahn
Innovation of the Year (2019)
Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland (for the loose article storage and transfer system)
The #YukonStriker loose article conveyor system is such a slick design and is synced up to know when your train returns to the station at Canada’s Wonderland. @WonderlandNews pic.twitter.com/WaLEIRiQYW
— CPFoodBlog 🎯 Winterfest (@CPFoodBlog) August 18, 2019
Celebrating an idea, an attraction, a concept or other industry innovation that may be a game changer in the industry for years to come. These innovations can come from a supplier, a park, a ride manufacturer or virtually anyone involved in the industry.
Most Beautiful Park of 2019
Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Best Wildlife/Marine Life Park of 2019
SeaWorld Orlando
Best Family Park of 2019
Dutch Wonderland
This category focuses on smaller parks that feature rides that parents ride with their kids. Roller coasters don’t go upside down and the majority of rides are of moderate size. Which park exemplifies the highest level of quality experiences, warmth and character and a wide variety of rides all within a well-maintained family-friendly park.
Best Guest Experience of 2019
Dollywood
Photo Courtesy of Dollywood
Best New Show of 2019
Reuben’s Swashbuckling Adventure at Silver Dollar City
Best Kids Area In A Park of 2019
Wildwood Grove at Dollywood
Best Food of 2019
Knoebels
Best Dark Ride of 2019
Pirates of the Carribean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland
Spoilers ahead: Read about the Secrets Behind Shanghai Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean.
Best Water Ride In An Amusement Park of 2019
Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Best Water Park Ride of 2019
Wildebeest
Best Halloween Event of 2018
Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Orlando
Best Christmas Event of 2018
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood
Breakout Family Entertainment Center of 2019
C.J. Barrymore’s
Chosen by Amusement Today publisher and editor-in-chief Gary Slade, the 2019 Publisher’s Pick Awards were presented in the following categories:
Park of the Year
Morey’s Piers “for celebrating 50 years of innovation and creative success and for taking the lead in bringing big rides to vacationing families along the Jersey Shore.”
This Publisher’s Pick Golden Ticket Award recognizes a person or park that has risen to the challenge in recent years and earned industry recognition. They’ve been a leader, an innovator, and their accomplishments have made them an inspiration to the industry-at-large.
The Renaissance Award
Kings Island “for respecting its roots and being committed to guest experience as evidenced in the installation of the Kings Mills Antique Autos and makeover of historical park attractions and aspects.”
Sometimes it’s taking the step back and remembering the roots of the amusement industry that leads facilities into their future. This Publisher’s Pick Golden Ticket Award recognizes the person, supplier or park who has resurrected a part of industry history in a new, fun, popular and/or innovative way to welcome guests for years to come.
Turnstile Award
Silverwood Theme Park “for its imagination through the magic of storytelling and charm, which has resulted in bringing people through the gates and providing a lifetime of memories.”
Recognizing a commitment to excellence, a willingness to push themselves and the courage to take risks, this Publisher’s Pick Golden Ticket Award recognizes the facility or supplier who’s shown dedication to keep their ‘turnstiles’ active with delighted and eager guests.
To learn more about these awards, visit the official Golden Ticket Awards website.
What are your thoughts on the 2019 Golden Tickets Awards recipients? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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