originally posted on 9/11/2023 2:10:00 PM
Started in 1998, the Golden Ticket Awards were established by Amusement Today to shine a spotlight on the amusement park industry and attractions by recognizing the “Best of the Best.” Today, they are among the most sought-after awards among theme parks, amusement parks, family entertainment centers and water parks. In 2023, Amusement Today celebrates the 25th anniversary of the coveted accolades.
On September 9, industry professionals from across the nation and beyond gathered at Dollywood to enjoy the awards ceremony and talk about best practices.
Here is a summary of the awards presented:
Best Park: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Best Family Park: Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Best Guest Experience: Dollywood
Breakout Family Entertainment Center: Fun Land of Fredericksburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Best New Roller Coaster: Wildcat’s Revenge, Hersheypark, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Best Family Coaster: Big Bear Mountain, Dollywood
Best Kids Area: Dollywood
Best New Water Park Ride: Rocket Blast, Waldameer & Water World, Erie, Pennsylvania
Best Water Park Ride: Mammoth, Splashing’ Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana
Best Water Park: Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Water Ride: Valhalla, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England
Most Beautiful Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Best Food: Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pennsylvania
Best New Attraction Installation: ArieForce One, Fun Spot America, Fayetteville, Georgia
Best New Family Attraction: Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Universal Studios Hollywood, California
Best Dark Ride: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Orlando, Florida
Best Halloween Event: Universal Studios Orlando, Orlando, Florida
Best New Show: “Le Mime et l’Etolle”, Puy du Fou, France
Best Christmas Event (of 2022): Dollywood
2023 Top 5 Wooden Roller Coasters:
1. Phoenix, Knoebels;
2. Voyage, Holiday World;
3. El Toro, Six Flags Great Adventure;
4. Thunderhead, Dollywood;
5. Boulder Dash, Lake Compounce
2023 Top 5 Steel Roller Coasters:
1. Fury 325, Carowinds;
2. Millennium Force, Cedar Point;
3. Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Universal Islands of Adventure;
4. Steel Vengeance, Cedar Point;
5. Iron Gwazi, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Full details of all the awards and coaster rankings can be found
here.
#ACENewsNow