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.

2024 winners

Host: Kennywood The Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards were announced on September 7, 2024.

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

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Host venues

Former awards

Repeat winners