Amusement Today

Amusement Today is a monthly periodical that features articles, news, pictures and reviews about all things relating to the amusement park industry, including parks, rides, and ride manufacturers. The trade newspaper, which is based in Arlington, Texas, United States, was founded in January 1997 by Gary Slade, Virgil E. Moore III and Rick Tidrow.

In 1997, Amusement Today won the Impact Award in the services category for "Best New Product" from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). A year later, in 1998, the magazine founded the Golden Ticket Awards, for which it has become best known for throughout the amusement park industry. On January 2, 2001, Slade bought out his two partners, giving him sole ownership of the paper. The paper has two full-time and two part-time staff members at its Arlington office, along with two full-time writers and several freelance writers in various parts of the world.

Golden Ticket Awards

Every year, Amusement Today gives out awards to the best in the amusement park industry in a ceremony known as the Golden Ticket Awards. The awards are handed out based on surveys given to experienced and well-traveled amusement park enthusiasts from around the world. The awards, which were first handed out in 1998, have been featured on the Discovery Channel and the Travel Channel.

2025 winners

<div class="center">Host: Carowinds The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 6, 2025.

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2024 winners

<div class="center">Host: Kennywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 7, 2024.

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2023 winners

<div class="center">Host: Dollywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2023.

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2022 winners

<div class="center">Hosts: Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Morgan's Wonderland The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2022.

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2021 winners

<div class="center">Host: National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2021.

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2020 winners

2019 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Silverwood Theme Park The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2019.</div>

2018 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Silver Dollar City The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 8, 2018.</div>

2017 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Lake Compounce The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2017.</div>

2016 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Cedar Point The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2016.</div>

2015 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Coney Island The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 12, 2015.</div>

2014 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: SeaWorld San Diego The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony on September 5, 2014.</div>

2013 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 7, 2013.</div>

2012 winners

<div class="center">Host Park: Dollywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 8, 2012.</div>

2011 winners

2010 winners

2009 winners

2008 winners

2007 winners

2006 winners

2005 winners

2004 winners

2003 winners

2002 winners

2001 winners

2000 winners

1999 winners

1998 winners

Publisher's Picks

Host venues

• From 1998 to 2000, there was no Host Park; the awards were announced from Amusement Today Arlington, Texas, office instead.
• The 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected the amusement industry. Voting was not held in 2020 and regular categories were not awarded. Instead, a special category of industry leader awards was created along with publisher picks.

Former awards

• Best Shows (1998–2018) - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1998), Six Flags Fiesta Texas (1999–2008), Dollywood (2009–2018)
• Cleanest Park (1998–2018) - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1998–1999), Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (2000–2018)
• Friendliest Park (1998–2018) - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (1998–2008, 2010–2011), Silver Dollar City (2009), Dollywood (2012–2018)
• Best Marine Life Park (2006–2018) SeaWorld Orlando
• Best Carousel (2007–2018) Grand Carousel, Knoebels Amusement Resort
• Best Indoor Roller Coaster (2007–2018) - , Universal Studios Florida (2007–2018)
• Best Seaside Park (2007–2018) - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (2007–2014, 2016–2018), Morey's Piers (2015)
• Best Funhouse/Walk-Through (2008–2018) - Frankenstein's Castle, Indiana Beach (2008–2009), Noah's Ark, Kennywood, (2010–2018)
• The award for Best Shows was revamped after 2018, to just showcase a specific new show at a park.
• Best Halloween Event (published 2005–2023 for seasons 2004–2022) - Knott's Berry Farm (2005, 2007), Universal's Halloween Horror Nights (2006, 2008-2018, 2021-2022), Six Flags Fiesta Texas (2020).
• Best Christmas Event (published 2007–2023 for seasons 2006–2022) - Dollywood (2006–2022)
• Best Indoor Waterpark (2007–2013) - Schlitterbahn Galveston Island (tied 2007, 2008–2013), World Waterpark (tied 2007)
• Best Food (1998-2025) - Knoebels for twenty-three out of the twenty-seven years, including one tie.

Repeat winners

• Best Amusement Park – Europa-Park for nine of the last 10 years.
• Best Water Park – Schlitterbahn for 26 of the last 27 years.
• Best Landscaping/Most Beautiful Park – Busch Gardens Williamsburg for 26 of the 27 years.
• Best Steel Roller Coaster – Fury 325 for the last nine years.
• Best Wooden Roller Coaster - Phoenix, Knoebels, winner since 2018.
• Best Indoor Waterpark – Schlitterbahn Galveston Island for all 8 years the award has been given.
• Best Outdoor Production Show – at Epcot for 12 out of the 13 years the award has been given.

See also

• Attractions Magazine
• Funworld Magazine

Notes

References

External links

• Golden Ticket Awards