2016 Golden Ticket Awards

[Unagi]

The 2016 Golden Ticket Awards will be streamed live tonight on Cedar Point's youtube channel.

It should be starting soon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHT4PGISVNE

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Well, the live feed has been a bust so far.  

Tower of Terror at Disney Hollywood Studios won for Best Dark Ride.

Edit: The live stream is now working.

Best Fun House/Walk-Through Attraction: Noah'a Ark at Kennywood

Best Food: Knoebels

Best Marine Life Park:  SeaWorld Orlando

Best Children's Park: Idlewild & Soak Zone

Best Seaside Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Best Water Ride: Valhalla - Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Best Water Park Ride: Wildebeest - Holiday World & Splashin Safari

Best Kids Area: Planet Snoopy - Kings Island

Cleanest Park: Holiday World & Splashin Safari

Best Landscaping: Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Best Christmas Event: Smokey Mountain Christmas - Dollywood

Best Halloween Event: Halloween Horror Nights - Universal Studios Orlando

2016 AIMS International Safety Award: Harold Hudson

Best New Water Park Ride: Massiv - Schlitterbahn Galveston Island

Best New Ride: Lightning Rod - Dollywood

Best Indoor Coaster: Revenge of the Mummy - Universal Studios Orlando

Best Wood Coaster: Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce

Best Steel Coaster: Fury 325 - Carowinds

Best Water Park: Schlitterbahn Water Park Resort - New Braunfels, TX

Best Amusement Park: Europa Park - Rust, Germany

Publisher's Picks Awards

Supplier of the Year: Bolliger & Mabillard

Person Of The Year: Raffi Kaprelyan (Cedar Fair)

2016 Renaissance Award: Ed Hart (Kentucky Kingdom)

2016 Park of the Year: Cedar Point

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Here's how the top coasters were ranked according to votes received

Top Wood Coasters
1. Boulderdash - Lake Compounce
2. Phoenix - Knoebels
3. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure
4. The Voyage - Holiday World & Splashin Safari
5. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer
6. The Beast - Kings Island
7. Thunderhead - Dollywood
8. Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City
9. Gold Striker - California’s Great America
10. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark

Top Steel Coasters
1. Fury 325 - Carowinds
2. Millennium Force - Cedar Point
3. Superman - Six Flags New Englnd
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 - Kennywood

 

[Eric]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Good to see apollos chariot still going strong in the awards year after year. Also, finally, millenium force has reluquisehed its crown to another coaster besides bizarro/superman, which honestly I thought I would never see happen

 

[Nicole]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Honestly, the fact that Caro's Intimidator made the list but neither Mako nor i305 did is absurd. On the other hand, I guess this whole process is sketchy anyway.

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Honestly, the fact that Caro's Intimidator made the list but neither Mako nor i305 did is absurd.  On the other hand, I guess this whole process is sketchy anyway.

There's a set of voters that travel to these places and ride these coasters this year. I'm guessing I-232 made the list since many of them ventured out to Carowinds to ride Fury 325. And it's possible that they went to KD as well, but if I-305 is down during their visit, it gets no vote.

 

[Zimmy]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

so are we saying the process is not fraudulent?

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

so are we saying the process is not fraudulent?

Why would it be fraudulent?

Amusement Today has a set criteria of rating coasters and parks, and the voters go by what they ask them to do.  You may not agree with that list but they're not trying to fraudulently have a coaster ranked and keep others off the top of the lists.

Here's the criteria they want the voters to take into consideration when they fill out their ballots...

For roller coasters, we ask that each voter submit a list of their top 10 coasters — wood and steel — in order from one to ten, taking into consideration the overall experience including capacity, operations, reliability and re-rideability.

Based on what they ask for right there, it shouldn't be a surprise that I-305 or other coasters you may feel are better aren't ranked in the top ten.  

These polls are all based on opinions anyway.  I have Kumba as my #1 steel coaster, but you do see my crying foul because it is ranked #42 on the list of the top 50?  I just take these polls with an "It is what it is" attitude.

Here's how the 2016 Top 50 fared.

Best Steel Coaster
1. Fury 325 - Carowinds
2. Millennium Force - Cedar Point
3. Superman - Six Flags New England
4. Expedition Geforce - Holiday Park
5. Nitro - Six Flags Great Adventure
6. Apollo's Chariot - Busch Gardens Willamsburg
7. Leviathan - Canada's Wonderland
8. Intimidator - Carowinds
9. Diamondback - Kings Island
10. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood
11. Nemesis - Alton Towers
12. Maverick - Cedar Point
13. Banshee - Kings Island
14. Blue Fire - Europa-Park
15. Magnum XL-200 - Cedar Point
16. New Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas
17. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion
18. Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England
19. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point
20. Goliath - Six Flags Over Georgia
21. Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas
22. Montu - Busch Gardens Tampa
23. X2 - Six Flags Magic Mountain
24. Behemoth - Canada's Wonderland
25. Black Mamba - Phantasialand
26. Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain
27. Mind Bender - Six Flags Over Georgia
28. Storm Chaser - Kentucky Kingdom
29. Helix - Liseberg
30. Alpengeist - Busch Gardens Williamsburg
31. Goliath - La Ronde
32. Raging Bull - Six Flags Great America (Tie)
32. Taron - Phantasialand (Tie)
34. Thunderbird - Holiday World
35. Mako - Seaworld Orlando
36. Wild Eagle - Dollywood
37. Steel Force - Dorney Park
38. Lisebergbanan - Liseberg
39. Cheetah Hunt - Busch Gardens Tampa
40. Euro-Mir - Europa-Park (Tie)
40. Medusa Steel Coaster - Six Flags Mexico (Tie)
42. Cannibal - Lagoon (Tie)
42. Kumba - Busch Gardens Tampa (Tie)
44. Lightning Run - Kentucky Kingdom
45. Whizzer - Six Flags Great America
46. Olympia Looping - Weiner Prater
47. Raptor - Cedar Point
48. Bizarro - Six Flags Great Adventure
49. Expedition Everest - Disney's Animal Kingdom (Tie)
49. Gatekeeper - Cedar Point (Tie)

Best Wooden Coaster
1. Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce
2. Phoenix - Knoebels Amusement Resort
3. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure
4. The Voyage - Holiday World
5. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer
6. The Beast - Kings Island
7. Thunderhead - Dollywood
8. Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City
9. Gold Striker - California's Great Adventure
10. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark
11. Lightning Rod - Dollywood
12. Balder - Liseberg
13. Goliath - Six Flags Great America
14. Prowler - Worlds of Fun
15. The Raven - Holiday World
16. The Legend - Holiday World
17. Giant Dipper - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
18. Colossus - Heide Park
19. Shivering Timbers - Michigan's Adventure
20. Jack Rabbit - Kennywood
21. Thunderbolt - Kennywood
22. Cú Chulainn - Tayto Park
23. Wodan - Europa Park
24. Troy - Toverland
25. Comet - The Great Escape (Tie)
25. El Toro - Freitzeitpark Plohn (Tie)
27. Cyclone - Luna Park
28. Wildfire - Kolmården
29. Ghostrider - Knott's Berry Farm
30. Playland Wooden Coaster - Playland
31. The Boss - Six Flags St. Louis
32. Wild Mouse - Blackpool Pleasure Beach
33. American Thunder - Six Flags St. Louis
34. White Lightning - Fun Spot America
35. Megafobia - Oakwood Leisure Park
36. Hades 360 - Mount Olympus
37. Rampage - Alabama Splash Adventure
38. Blue Streak - Conneaut Lake Park
39. Screamin' Eagle - Six Flags St. Louis
40. Tremors - Silverwood
41. Flying Turns - Knoebels Amusement Resort
42. Blue Streak - Cedar Point
43. Racer - Kennywood
44. T-Express - Everland
45. Twister - Gröna Lund
46. Wooden Warrior - Quassy Amusement Park
47. Twister - Knoebels Amusement Resort
48. Kentucky Rumbler - Beech Bend
49. Wood Coaster - Knight Valley

 

[Zimmy]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

I just find it odd that certain parks BGW for example seem to homestead on certain titles. (best landscaping or whatever)

I was not specifically speaking to i305 or any coaster category

 

[Eric]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

I believe the best example of that would be, "best marine life park," I mean they could totally rename it to," What is totally and obviously the best SeaWorld"

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

I just find it odd that certain parks BGW for example seem to homestead on certain titles.  (best landscaping or whatever)

I was not specifically speaking to i305 or any coaster category

Here's what they state in the FAQ section...

Why does it seem like the same parks win all the time?

Change happens gradually but it does happen. As new rides and attraction are built they eventually find their way to the top of the lists. A park that wins best food or best shows or the friendliest park or the cleanest for several years is unlikely to all of a sudden stop serving good food or producing good shows or let their park get dirty or unfriendly. It takes time for one park to overtake another, but several of awards have changed over the years.

Cedar Point for instance, had maintained a lock on best park since the Golden Tickets began and for good reason. It is a consistent favorite among enthusiasts; the park holds events specifically for enthusiasts and it has one of the world’s largest collections of roller coasters and rides. It has beautiful grounds, a scenic shore, and the coasters and rides are well maintained. But in 2014 Germany’s Europa-Park overtook Cedar Point for best park.

 

[BGW Family]

2016 Golden Ticket Awards

#1 BEST LANDSCAPING
#5 CLEANEST PARK
#6 Apollo’s Chariot
#7 BEST PARK

WTH BGW? Carowinds has 2 coasters on the best steel coaster list. CAROWINDS?!

Edit: Check out page 6, too. This is why BGW needs B&M instead of all these kiddie ride makers.

 

[BGW Family]

Fury 325 is Golden Ticket's Best Steel Coaster in 2016

2016 Golden Ticket Awards

BEST STEEL COASTER
#1 Fury325
#8 Intimidator

BEST NEW RIDE (WATER PARK)
#2 Blackbeard’s Revenge

Fury 325 soars to the top, taking Best Steel Coaster

If ever there was a nail- biter in the 2016 balloting, the BEST STEEL COASTER category would certainly qualify. Like those millisec- onds in Olympic competi- tions, the final results were determined by a single bal- lot. Taking the Golden Tick- et for the first time ever, is Fury 325 at Carowinds. Its impressive 2015 debut in the No. 4 position — not to mention snagging the Golden Ticket for Best New Ride — was an indication that this coaster was a ris- ing star.

“The Carowinds team is impressed and excited for our newest thriller now hold- ing the title of Best Steel coaster in the World,” said Pat Jones, Carowinds vice president and general man- ager. “Fury 325 had done everything we wanted it to do — speed, beauty, thrills — which sets a standard for the new Carowinds."

Jones also praises the people involved as well. “Something powerful hap- pens when talented people work together toward a common goal: to provide a best day ever experience. We are thankful for the col- laboration with Bolliger and Mabillard and our de- sign team at Cedar Fair.”

 

[strycker]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

I like Apollo's Chariot, don't get me wrong. But for it to be #6 and Intimidator 305 to be #17?? Really?? And Grizzly didn't even make the list of Top 50 woodies?

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

I like Apollo's Chariot, don't get me wrong.  But for it to be #6 and Intimidator 305 to be #17??  Really??

Not a shocker that I305 is ranked 17.  I love the ride and it makes my top ten, however, based on some of the criteria when ranking your list for the GTA's, I305 fails miserably for many when it comes to re-rideability.  The ride is just too intense for a lot of people.

And Grizzly didn't even make the list of Top 50 woodies?

That's not a surprise at all considering the number of far superior wood coasters built over the last two decades.  Grizzly was designed by Curtis Summers, and the only ranked coaster on the list he could take some credit for is The Beast at Kings Island.

Here's a small breakdown of some of the top manufacturers that made the Top 50.  If you total all of them together, that comes to 35 and all from companies that started making wood coasters years after Grizzly opened.  GCI has 12 of their total 18 currently operating coasters ranked.

Great Coasters International - 12
Custom Coasters International - 9
The Gravity Group - 6
Rocky Mountain Construction - 4
Intamin - 4

 

[Nicole]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

In my opinion, if you ride in the back, Apollo is significantly better than i305.

As for Grizzly, I just rode a similar woodie that was much, much better; both are double out and backs. Great White at Morey's Piers is smooth and fast and has great airtime with intense turns and a fun drop. Grizzly seems rough and poorly maintained by comparison.

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

3 times in a row and you will need an Aleve and a nap.

I'd be dead. I need at least 15 minute breaks between each ride. I305 and Voyage at Holiday World are the two coasters I can not marathon.

 

[strycker]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

3 times in a row and you will need an Aleve and a nap.

I'd be dead.  I need at least 15 minute breaks between each ride.  I305 and Voyage at Holiday World are the two coasters I can not marathon.

Wow, really? I find it rather re-rideable and enjoyable I guess. I've stayed on for 3 in a row with 2 line walk-thrus to reride for a total of 5 in a row consecutive and didn't have any after effects. I love that ride.

 

[Unagi]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

Wow, really?  I find it rather re-rideable and enjoyable I guess.  I've stayed on for 3 in a row with 2 line walk-thrus to reride for a total of 5 in a row consecutive and didn't have any after effects.  I love that ride.

That first turn gets me good. I've never had a grey-out on it like many people have but I definitely feel it. I always come off the ride a bit light-headed and need some time to recoup.

I really wish they would've had an overbanked turn in that spot like Millennium Force.

 

[CastleOSullivan]

RE: Golden Ticket Awards 2016

As for Grizzly,  [...] smooth and fast [..]

If I could get a smoother Grizzly, I think I would love it. Then again, I do count the trees as part of the thrill. The way Grizzly is right now, I think "Wow! Smooth as a B&M! ( after first drop or so) Ouch! am I still on the same ride?" Still fun though.