Amusement Today

EXTRA! EXTRA! The NOVEMBER 2026 Pre-IAAPA issue of @amusementtoday now available for FREE via our Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/yc2b6399)!

EXTRA! EXTRA! The OCTOBER 2026 issue of @amusementtoday is now available for FREE via our Digital Edition (tinyurl.com/5fn7yxzh)!

The 2027 Golden Ticket Awards will be hosted by Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari!

For his incredible passion, dedication to the industry and for coining the phrase “Think Rides!,” Len Soled of Rides 4 U is a GOLDEN TICKET LEGEND.

For his contributions to the amusement industry and his inspiring charitable contributions, Amusement Today is pleased to recognize Todd Nelson of Kalahari Resorts & Conventions as a GOLDEN TICKET LEGEND.

For the eleventh time, Europa-Park wins the Golden Ticket Award for BEST PARK. It is one of only three parks to ever receive this award.

A new winner emerges for BEST WATER PARK. Splashin’ Safari, Holiday World’s water park, has continuously rated highly on the charts. This year, it rises to the top spot.

Making it 10 years, Fury 325 at Carowinds snags the gold for one more time for BEST STEEL COASTER!

This year, The Voyage at Holiday World has reclaimed the gold as it is pronounced the Golden Ticket Award winner for BEST WOODEN COASTER!

For 2026, Dollywood wins MOST BEAUTIFUL PARK.

Falcons Flight takes the Golden Ticket for BEST NEW ROLLER COASTER.

Former AIMS International President, David Bromilow has received the prestigious AIMS International Lifetime Contribution Award.

AIMS International, has honored the International Amusement & Leisure Defense Association (IALDA) and professional engineer David Wells with the 2026 AIMS International Safety Award.

In recognition of her continuous commitment to the amusement industry, Franceen Gonzales is the 2026 recipient of the LEADERSHIP AWARD.

A brand-new winner has emerged for BEST FAMILY PARK — Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire.

For a second year in a row, Splashin’ Safari’s Mammoth takes the Golden Ticket for BEST WATER PARK ATTRACTION.

Dollywood has claimed the Golden Ticket for BEST FAMILY COASTER since Amusement Today introduced the category in 2023. Maintaining its streak, Big Bear Mountain, manufactured by Vekoma, is the park’s longest coaster, which is a surprising characteristic for a family coaster.

For a second year in a row, the outlandish experience of Universal’s Epic Universe’s Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment takes the Golden Ticket for BEST DARK RIDE.

Although the industry lost Dick this year, the world celebrates his accomplishments and those who still carry out all the popular decisions that have entertained families for 100 years. Amusement Today recognizes Knoebels Amusement Resort as the PUBLISHER’S PICK PARK OF THE YEAR.

Taking COTALand from square one to the final product through experience and foresight, Amusement Today honors Matt Hughey with the PUBLISHER’S PICK PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD.