It has to be one of the most controversial subjects in the Amusement Industry, which attractions and parks are the best? Of course everyone has their favorites, but what is the general consensus. Amusement Today, the premiere magazine for the amusement industry has put together their annual list of the best the theme park world has to offer.
The list is put together by Amusement Today and voted on by a “panel of experts divided by region.”
Here is this year’s list of winners:
Best Amusement Park
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Best Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Children’s Park
Idlewild and SoakZone, Ligonier, Pa.
Best Marine Life Park
SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Fla.
Best Seaside Park
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Best Wooden Coaster
The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Steel Coaster
Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Best Kids’ Area
Kings Island, Kings Mills, Ohio
Friendliest Staff
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
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
Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best Shows
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Outdoor Night Show Production
IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth
at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center, Orlando, Fla.
Best Water Ride
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
Best Waterpark Ride
Wildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Best Dark Ride
Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
Best Indoor Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island, Galveston, Texas
Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction
Noah’s Ark at Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pa.
Best Carousel
Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort,
Elysburg, Pa.
Best Indoor Roller Coaster
Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando,
Orlando, Fla.
Best New Ride of 2010 – Amusement Park
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
Best New Ride of 2010 – Waterpark
Wildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.
Some may complain about the list and wonder since Wizarding World of Harry Potter got “Best New Ride” why didn’t it get best dark ride? Like the Academy Awards, the Golden Tickets give the best of last year, with the exception of best new ride.
To see more, including the “almost” list, visit the official Golden Ticket site.
