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Cedar Point named best U.S. amusement park
Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Awards were announced this weekend, and Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, nabbed the top spot as the best amusement park in the United States.
The theme park industry considers the Golden Tickets a top honor. Industry mag Amusement Today surveys experienced, well-traveled theme park enthusiasts from around the country to determine the best theme parks in a variety of categories.
Here's a complete list of the 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.
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[Image credit: Flickr user daveynin]
Filed under: North America, United States, Theme Parks
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
m j lowden Sep 13th 2010 8:11PM
Evidently the newly opend MORGAN'S WONDERLAND PARK in SAN ANTONIO Tx.wasn't even considered....maybe cause just opened a month ago...
BUT...there is no other park that took into consideration any and all needs of children with "special needs" which is what this particular park did.
Swings, slides, etc. in fact entire park designed exclusively with those with special needs in mind.
Thank you San Antonio for being the g reatest city to live in or near
Don Juan Sep 13th 2010 10:46PM
Schlitterbahn..... top waterpark in the U.S.. You have got to be kidding. Have you even been there? My family and I love water parks, we've been laying plans for the last five years to go to the worlds best waterpark.
Went last May. What a rip off, 1/2 the park was closed, waited forever to get on a ride..... Schlitterbahn hasn't a clue on how to manage a line let alone a park. There was hardly anyone there and you still waited 30 to 40 minutes to go on a lame.... and I'm 59 years old..... a lame ride. This park has nothing, absolutelely nothing on SoaK City in Sandusky Ohio, or the Beach in cincinnnati, or Water world in Denver....what a dump........what a waste of time..don't go......
Eliza Sep 14th 2010 12:37AM
Seriously!?! You've got to be kidding me! THIS PARK IS AWESOME!! I have gone almost every summer since I was 7. I'm now 22. The park is always adding new rides and has tons of rides for every age. The whole park is based around family so every person has something to do. The have adult only areas with hot tubs and in addition to all the thrill rides, they have so many kiddie areas it's crazy. My guess is you caught the park on an off day b/c I have never more than one ride closed. (They update one ride each year or replace it).
Also, FREE parking, tube rentals...and you can bring in your own food!
I've been to a lot of water parks over the years...every person I know loves Schlitterbahn.
Mark in Arlington Sep 13th 2010 8:40PM
And probably the oldest, too? Good for you, Cedar Point! Haven't been there in 45 years but used to go every summer. Glad to see SOMETHING has lasted for a while...
MTM Sep 13th 2010 8:41PM
I've been to most parks in this country. Cedar Point has ALWAYS been the best. Few others even are worth bothering with.
Gina P Sep 13th 2010 8:50PM
I hate to be snarky, but Cedar Point "napped the top spot"? Has the meaning of "napped" changed and I just haven't heard about it?
In any case, I think it's interesting that Disney parks only garnered one win.
Leigh Caldwell Sep 13th 2010 8:56PM
Hi Gina! I was just trying to think of a nice way of saying Cedar Point slept its way to the top. But seriously, thanks for pointing that out; I've corrected it.
TONY Sep 13th 2010 9:55PM
@ Leigh ??
how did Cedar Point "slept its way to the top" ?? The rides speak for themselves.
Leigh Caldwell Sep 13th 2010 10:04PM
@Tony, it's a joke. That's why it's followed by the words "But seriously..."
There was a typo in the story originally that said Cedar Point "napped" the top spot, rather than nabbed it.
TONY Sep 14th 2010 3:17AM
@leigh my fault didn't see that..
Gary Mayer Sep 13th 2010 9:20PM
Wisconsin Dells (specifically Noah's Ark, in the town of Wisconsin Dells) is inundated with visitors but didn't make the list in any category. Of course, it is a water park and not necessarily designed for a lot of thrill rides not involving water. It sure has versatility, however, with Devil's Lake for camping, hiking, cliff climbing; Noah's for kids and casino gaming for adults - plus, the scenic splendor. Add Mirror Lake and lots of golf courses. The Dells is the whole package.
What about Marriott's Great America, in Gurnee, IL (outside of Chicago)? That is just one of several Great America locations and, perhaps, why it did not pass muster.
Another one I like is Busch Gardens in Tampa; like being on a safari and drinking a few free Buds in the beer garden (or are they still free?).
Sure glad Sandusky is known for something other than a high unemployment rate and crime galore.
mischfmkr Sep 13th 2010 10:05PM
I agree with you Gary, I was surprised that Wis. Dells was not named. However, Great America in Gurnee certainly has gone downhill over the past 5 years. Busch Gardens is great too, except when we went there a couple months ago, we found that they "sold out" and is no longer affiliated with Budweiser, therefore, the beers are now $8.00. :(
judy Sep 13th 2010 10:21PM
But do they accomodate the larger person????
t Sep 13th 2010 9:40PM
Holliday World rules, can't beat free soda and sunblock! Not to mention the staff and cleanliness and also the great new rides!
beastie Sep 13th 2010 10:29PM
Cedar Point is a ripoff. The last time we went, we rode 3 rides in 8 hours and waited over an hour to stand in line for something to eat. In fact, they got everyone snookered into going there. You get there, and half the big rides are shut down for so called break downs or maintenance, and the next day whoa and behold, they are up and running and the ones that were running the day before are shut down. This has happened to us on a few occasions. So we just dont go anymore.
lac Sep 13th 2010 11:30PM
Definitely not the oldest, in fact Kennywood in West Mifflin PA is the oldest theme park in the US
lac Sep 13th 2010 11:30PM
Beastie, try going in September. Thats when I go with my family and the longest I have ever waited in line for any ride was 15 min and there were no scheduled breaks from what I could see. We usually go mid september. The water park is closed though.
Matthew Barich Sep 17th 2010 11:03PM
You should go to Cedar Point on a day OTHER than Saturday when school is universally in session. The lines are then FAR shorter.
When I went to Cedar Point on Wednesday, May 26, 2010, the first time I rode Top Thrill Dragster that day, I got on it in less than 10 minutes. And every time I rode it that day, the wait was less than 30 minutes.
Richard Hight Sep 13th 2010 10:30PM
Come on folks,Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm and Disneyland have drawn crowds from around the world for over a half century and served as the model for all the imitators that won 'Golden Tickets'. Oh well, such recognition just serves to over crowd the parks mentioned.
ANNE Sep 13th 2010 11:02PM
It's no wonder that Holiday World in Santa Claus, IN received the award for
cleanest park. Mrs. Koch, the owner, can be seen everyday sweeping and
doing her very best to keep the park clean.
She went through more than any Mother should have to experience this
year when she lost her son, Will, who was with her every day helping
to make Holiday World what it is. God Bless her!
Evansville, In
formerly from S. Spencer Cty. In.