The Golden Ticket Awards were held earlier tonight at Lake Compounce.
And the winners are...
Best Amusement Park – Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Best Water Park – Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Children’s Park – Idlewild & SoakZone, Ligonier, Pa.
Best Marine Life Park – SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Seaside Park – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Best Wooden Coaster – El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J.
Best Steel Coaster – Fury 325, Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C.
Best Kids’ Area – Kings Island, Kings Mills, Ohio
Friendliest Park – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Cleanest Park – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Halloween Event – Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Landscaping – Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.
Best Christmas Event – Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Food – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Shows – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Water Ride – Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Best Water Park Ride – Wildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Dark Ride – Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Fla.
Best New Ride of 2017 – Amusement Park – Mystic Timbers at Kings Island, Kings Mills, Ohio
Best New Ride of 2017 – Water Park – Thunder Rapids at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas
Best Carousel – Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best Indoor Roller Coaster – Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction – Noah’s Ark at Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pa.
Personally chosen by Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today, this year’s Publisher’s Pick Awards were presented in the following categories:
• Supplier of the Year – Intamin in Wollerau, Switzerland, for its success story of creating a diverse catalog of products and hundreds of rides in all parts of the world spanning the last 50 years;
• Park of the Year – Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, for its ongoing mission to provide a safe, clean and beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers; and
• Person of the Year – Jerry Brick of Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn., for his passion and commitment to providing a quality, thrilling and safe amusement park that caters to the New England family audience.
Top 25 Steel Coasters
Rank, Coaster, Park, Location, Manufacturer, Year Opened, # of Votes
1. Fury 325 - Carowinds - Charlotte, NC - B&M - 2015 - 1354
2. Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Intamin - 2000 - 1129
3. Superman The Ride - Six Flags New England - Agawam, MA - Intamin - 2000 - 705
4. Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio, TX - Rocky Mountain - 2013 - 657
5. Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park - Hassloch, Germany - Intamin - 2001 - 575
6. Leviathan - Canada's Wonderland - Vaughan, ON - B&M - 2012 - 481
7. Nitro - Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ - B&M - 2001 - 442
8. Diamondback - Kings Island - Mason, OH - B&M - 2009 - 381
9. New Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas - Arlington, TX - Rocky Mountain - 2011 - 379
10. Maverick - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - B&M - 2007 - 375
11. Apollo's Chariot - Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Williamsburg, VA - B&M - 1999 - 374
12. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood - West Mifflin, PA - Morgan - 2001 - 344
13. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion - Doswell, VA - Intamin - 2010 - 330
14-tie Goliath - Six Flags Over Georgia - Austell, GA - B&M - 2006 - 291
14-tie Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England - Agawam, MA - Rocky Mountain - 2015 - 291
16. Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, CA - Rocky Mountain - 2015 - 284
17. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Intamin - 2003 - 276
18. Blue Fire - Europa-Park Rust, Germany - Mack - 2006 - 272
19. Intimidator - Carowinds - Charlotte, NC - B&M - 2010 - 261
20. Nemesis - Alton Towers - Staffordshire, England - B&M - 1994 - 254
21. Taron - Phantasialand - Brühl, Germany - Intamin - 2016 - 253
22. Banshee - Kings Island - Mason, OH B&M - 2014 - 244
23. Magnum XL-200 - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Arrow - 1989 - 238
24. Skyrush - Hersheypark - Hershey, PA - Intamin - 2012 - 235
25. X2 - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, CA - Arrow - 2002 - 217
Top 25 Wood Coasters
Rank, Coaster, Park, Location, Manufacturer, Year Opened, # of Votes
1. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ - Intamin - 2009 - 1241
2. Phoenix - Knoebels Amusement Resort - Elysburg, PA - Dinn-PTC/Schmeck 1985 - 1212
3. Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce Bristol, CT - Custom Coasters - 2000 - 1171
4. Voyage - Holiday World - Santa Claus, IN - Gravity Group 2006 - 1113
5. Lightning Rod - Dollywood Pigeon - Forge, TN - Rocky Mountain - 2016 - 710
6. Beast - Kings Island - Mason, OH - KECO - 1979 - 666
7. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer Erie, PA - Gravity Group - 2008 - 612
8. Thunderhead - Dollywood Pigeon Forge, TN - Great Coasters Int. - 2004 - 560
9. Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO - Rocky Mountain - 2013 - 541
10. Gold Striker - California's Great America - Santa Clara, CA - Great Coasters Int. - 2013 - 489
11. Mystic Timbers - Kings Island Mason, OH - Great Coasters Int. 2017 345
12. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark Hershey, PA - Great Coasters Int. 2000 276
13. Goliath - Six Flags Great America - Gurnee, IL - Rocky Mountain - 2014 - 269
14. Boardwalk Bullet - Kemah Boardwalk - Kemah, TX - M&V/Gravity Group - 2007 - 236
15. Wodan - Europa-Park - Rust, Germany - Great Coasters Int. - 2012 - 223
16. Balder - Liseberg - Gothenburg, Sweden - Intamin - 2003 - 221
17. Thunderbolt - Kennywood West Mifflin, PA - Vettel/Miller - 1968 - 220
18-tie. GhostRider - Knott's Berry Farm - Buena Vista, CA - Custom Coasters 1998 219
18-tie. Troy Toverland - Sevenum, Netherlands - Great Coasters Int. 2007 219
18-tie. White Lightning - Fun Spot America Orlando, FL - Great Coasters Int. 2013 219
21. Rampage - Alabama Splash Adventure - Bessemer, AL - Custom Coasters 1998 218
22. Cyclone - Luna Park - Brooklyn, NY - Keenan/Baker - 1927 - 217
23. Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, IN - Custom Coasters 1995 - 214
24. Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, IN - Custom Coasters 2000 - 198
25. Shivering Timbers - Michigan's Adventure - Muskegon, MI - Custom Coasters - 1998 - 197
And the winners are...
Best Amusement Park – Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Best Water Park – Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Children’s Park – Idlewild & SoakZone, Ligonier, Pa.
Best Marine Life Park – SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Seaside Park – Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Best Wooden Coaster – El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, N.J.
Best Steel Coaster – Fury 325, Carowinds, Charlotte, N.C.
Best Kids’ Area – Kings Island, Kings Mills, Ohio
Friendliest Park – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Cleanest Park – Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Halloween Event – Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Landscaping – Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.
Best Christmas Event – Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Food – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Shows – Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Water Ride – Valhalla at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Best Water Park Ride – Wildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Dark Ride – Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Fla.
Best New Ride of 2017 – Amusement Park – Mystic Timbers at Kings Island, Kings Mills, Ohio
Best New Ride of 2017 – Water Park – Thunder Rapids at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, Texas
Best Carousel – Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best Indoor Roller Coaster – Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction – Noah’s Ark at Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pa.
Personally chosen by Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief of Amusement Today, this year’s Publisher’s Pick Awards were presented in the following categories:
• Supplier of the Year – Intamin in Wollerau, Switzerland, for its success story of creating a diverse catalog of products and hundreds of rides in all parts of the world spanning the last 50 years;
• Park of the Year – Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio, for its ongoing mission to provide a safe, clean and beautiful environment free of physical and economic barriers; and
• Person of the Year – Jerry Brick of Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn., for his passion and commitment to providing a quality, thrilling and safe amusement park that caters to the New England family audience.
Top 25 Steel Coasters
Rank, Coaster, Park, Location, Manufacturer, Year Opened, # of Votes
1. Fury 325 - Carowinds - Charlotte, NC - B&M - 2015 - 1354
2. Millennium Force - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Intamin - 2000 - 1129
3. Superman The Ride - Six Flags New England - Agawam, MA - Intamin - 2000 - 705
4. Iron Rattler - Six Flags Fiesta Texas - San Antonio, TX - Rocky Mountain - 2013 - 657
5. Expedition GeForce - Holiday Park - Hassloch, Germany - Intamin - 2001 - 575
6. Leviathan - Canada's Wonderland - Vaughan, ON - B&M - 2012 - 481
7. Nitro - Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ - B&M - 2001 - 442
8. Diamondback - Kings Island - Mason, OH - B&M - 2009 - 381
9. New Texas Giant - Six Flags Over Texas - Arlington, TX - Rocky Mountain - 2011 - 379
10. Maverick - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - B&M - 2007 - 375
11. Apollo's Chariot - Busch Gardens Williamsburg - Williamsburg, VA - B&M - 1999 - 374
12. Phantom's Revenge - Kennywood - West Mifflin, PA - Morgan - 2001 - 344
13. Intimidator 305 - Kings Dominion - Doswell, VA - Intamin - 2010 - 330
14-tie Goliath - Six Flags Over Georgia - Austell, GA - B&M - 2006 - 291
14-tie Wicked Cyclone - Six Flags New England - Agawam, MA - Rocky Mountain - 2015 - 291
16. Twisted Colossus - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, CA - Rocky Mountain - 2015 - 284
17. Top Thrill Dragster - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Intamin - 2003 - 276
18. Blue Fire - Europa-Park Rust, Germany - Mack - 2006 - 272
19. Intimidator - Carowinds - Charlotte, NC - B&M - 2010 - 261
20. Nemesis - Alton Towers - Staffordshire, England - B&M - 1994 - 254
21. Taron - Phantasialand - Brühl, Germany - Intamin - 2016 - 253
22. Banshee - Kings Island - Mason, OH B&M - 2014 - 244
23. Magnum XL-200 - Cedar Point - Sandusky, OH - Arrow - 1989 - 238
24. Skyrush - Hersheypark - Hershey, PA - Intamin - 2012 - 235
25. X2 - Six Flags Magic Mountain - Valencia, CA - Arrow - 2002 - 217
Top 25 Wood Coasters
Rank, Coaster, Park, Location, Manufacturer, Year Opened, # of Votes
1. El Toro - Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ - Intamin - 2009 - 1241
2. Phoenix - Knoebels Amusement Resort - Elysburg, PA - Dinn-PTC/Schmeck 1985 - 1212
3. Boulder Dash - Lake Compounce Bristol, CT - Custom Coasters - 2000 - 1171
4. Voyage - Holiday World - Santa Claus, IN - Gravity Group 2006 - 1113
5. Lightning Rod - Dollywood Pigeon - Forge, TN - Rocky Mountain - 2016 - 710
6. Beast - Kings Island - Mason, OH - KECO - 1979 - 666
7. Ravine Flyer II - Waldameer Erie, PA - Gravity Group - 2008 - 612
8. Thunderhead - Dollywood Pigeon Forge, TN - Great Coasters Int. - 2004 - 560
9. Outlaw Run - Silver Dollar City - Branson, MO - Rocky Mountain - 2013 - 541
10. Gold Striker - California's Great America - Santa Clara, CA - Great Coasters Int. - 2013 - 489
11. Mystic Timbers - Kings Island Mason, OH - Great Coasters Int. 2017 345
12. Lightning Racer - Hersheypark Hershey, PA - Great Coasters Int. 2000 276
13. Goliath - Six Flags Great America - Gurnee, IL - Rocky Mountain - 2014 - 269
14. Boardwalk Bullet - Kemah Boardwalk - Kemah, TX - M&V/Gravity Group - 2007 - 236
15. Wodan - Europa-Park - Rust, Germany - Great Coasters Int. - 2012 - 223
16. Balder - Liseberg - Gothenburg, Sweden - Intamin - 2003 - 221
17. Thunderbolt - Kennywood West Mifflin, PA - Vettel/Miller - 1968 - 220
18-tie. GhostRider - Knott's Berry Farm - Buena Vista, CA - Custom Coasters 1998 219
18-tie. Troy Toverland - Sevenum, Netherlands - Great Coasters Int. 2007 219
18-tie. White Lightning - Fun Spot America Orlando, FL - Great Coasters Int. 2013 219
21. Rampage - Alabama Splash Adventure - Bessemer, AL - Custom Coasters 1998 218
22. Cyclone - Luna Park - Brooklyn, NY - Keenan/Baker - 1927 - 217
23. Raven Holiday World Santa Claus, IN - Custom Coasters 1995 - 214
24. Legend Holiday World Santa Claus, IN - Custom Coasters 2000 - 198
25. Shivering Timbers - Michigan's Adventure - Muskegon, MI - Custom Coasters - 1998 - 197
