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 of 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.

2023 winners
Host: Dollywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2023.

2022 winners
Hosts: Six Flags Fiesta Texas and Morgan's Wonderland The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2022.

2021 winners
Host: National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2021.

2020 winners
The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 23, 2020.

2019 winners
Host Park: Silverwood Theme Park The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2019.

2018 winners
Host Park: Silver Dollar City The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 8, 2018.

2017 winners
Host Park: Lake Compounce The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 9, 2017.

2016 winners
Host Park: Cedar Point The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 10, 2016.

2015 winners
Host Park: Coney Island The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 12, 2015.

2014 winners
Host Park: SeaWorld San Diego The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony on September 5, 2014.

2013 winners
Host Park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 7, 2013.

2012 winners
Host Park: Dollywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced at a ceremony held September 8, 2012.

2011 winners
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

2010 winners
Host Park: Busch Gardens Williamsburg il Teatro di San Marco (outdoor theater)

2009 winners
Host Park: Legoland California

2008 winners
Host Park: Give Kids The World Village

2007 winners
Host Park: Dollywood

2006 winners
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

2005 winners
Host Park: Six Flags Fiesta Texas

2004 winners
Host Park: Cedar Point

2003 winners
Host Park: Schlitterbahn

2002 winners
Host Park: Paramount's Kings Island

2001 winners
Host Park: Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

2000 winners
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office

1999 winners
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office

1998 winners
No host park, the awards were announced from Amusement Today's Arlington, Texas office

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 Carousel (2007–2018) Grand Carousel, Knoebels Amusement Resort
 * Best Funhouse/Walk-Through (2008–2018)
 * Best Indoor Roller Coaster (2007–2018)
 *  Best Seaside Park (2007–2018) - Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (2007–2014, 2016–2018), Morey's Piers (2015)
 * Best Shows (1998–2018) - Busch Gardens Williamsburg (1998), Six Flags Fiesta Texas (1999–2008), Dollywood (2009–2018)
 * The award for Best Shows was revamped after 2018, to just showcase a specific new show at a park.
 * 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)

Repeat winners

 * Best Amusement Park – Europa-Park for the last 7 years.
 * Best Water Park – Schlitterbahn for all 24 years.
 * Best Landscaping/Most Beautiful Park – Busch Gardens Williamsburg for 22 years
 * Best Halloween Event – Universal Studios Orlando for 10 out of the 13 years the award has been given.
 * Best Food – Knoebels for 18 out of last 19 years (tied once).
 * Best Steel Roller Coaster – Fury 325 for the last 6 years.
 * Best Wooden Roller Coaster - Phoenix, Knoebels, winner since 2018.
 * Best Shows – Dollywood for the last 10 years.
 * Best Indoor Waterpark – Schlitterbahn Galveston Island for all 8 years the award has been given.
 *  Best Outdoor Production Show – IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot for 12 out of the 13 years the award has been given.