2008 Golden Ticket Awards from Amusement Today magazine are out and the usual suspects have most of the top spots. In my travels I have been to a number of amusement parks, some good, some great, and some just so-so. My personal favorite is Kennywood near Pittsburgh. But I have to admit that I did like Cedar Point as well. The Sky Ride was among the old style rides that I prefer to death defying roller coasters. It is nice to see Schlitterbahn makes three appearances on the list, as well as Six Flags San Antonio- always root for the home teams.
I have heard great things about Legoland, but have not yet make it out there. Most of the parks, well, I have not had the pleasure. I don’t travel as often or as far as I once did, so most of these will just be on the When I Win the Lotto list. But it is fun that someone takes the time to make a list of silly things like Best Halloween Festival. The Wife and I really like Halloween themed events. The problem with most amusement parks is that you go during the day, and a haunted maze just isn’t the same in the day light.
There was one odd thing about Cedar Point when we were there. They have a rating system that goes from 1 to 5, with 1 being kiddie rides and 5 being Giant Roller Coaster of the day. I can’ttride roller coasters, so I like to pay attention to these ratings when I can. But there was the Cedar Downs Racing Derby with a rating of 4-it has since been down graded to a 3. But at the time it was-a carousel and next step up, a roller coaster. 5 still seems to be the top of the rating system, with most of the coasters having a 4 or 5. I guess all Amusement Parks have these kind of pointless rating systems, but the merry-go-round with a 4 out 5 rating will always stick out in my memory.
Best Amusement Park
Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Best Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas
Best Children’s Park
Legoland California, Carlsbad, Calif.
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
Superman Ride of Steel
at Six Flags New England, Agawam, Mass.
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 Europe, Williamsburg, Va.
Best Christmas Event
Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood,
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Best Food
Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.
Best Shows
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio
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
Master Blaster at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort,
New Braunfels, Texas
Best Dark Ride
Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Fla.
Best New Ride of 2008 – Amusement Park
Ravine Flyer II at Waldameer Park, Erie, Pa.
Best New Ride of 2008 – Waterpark
Dragon’s Revenge at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort,
New Braunfels, Texas.
Best Carousel
Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort,
Elysburg, Pa.
Best Indoor Roller Coaster
Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Orlando,
Orlando, Fla.
Best Indoor Waterpark
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island, Galveston, Texas
Best Funhouse/Walk-Through Attraction
Frankenstein’s Castle at Indiana Beach, Monticello, Ind.
