pictured l-r: Larry, Will & Lori Koch (Holiday World) & Mike

Recently, Larry and I were able to attend the 2008 Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards in Florida.  The award ceremony was generously hosted by Give Kids the World Village which is an amazingly heartwarming place in Kissimmee, Florida.  They gave us all a very warm welcome, and I hope to write more about this magical facility.

As for the award winners, we are deeply thrilled to have been the designers of the rides that won the two highest honors for wooden coasters. The Voyage at Holiday World repeated as the Golden Ticket recipient for the Best Wooden Coaster.  Holiday World also received as the Cleanest and Friendliest Park again. The values and character they build into each and every employee is truly phenomenal.

pictured l-r: Waldameer's Paul Nelson, Steve Gorman, Mike, Larry, Nancy Gorman, Lane Nelson

Also, our new ride, Waldameer’s Ravine Flyer II received the Golden Ticket for the Best New Ride of 2008 by garnering 53% of all the votes!  The man behind this long-awaited project, Waldameer’s Paul Nelson also received the Publisher’s Pick as Person of the Year.  His impressive 51 years at the park and his hands-on approach to owning and operating the park have shown his leadership in the industry.  On a side note, this award was indeed successfully kept as a surprise to him with the rest of the park’s family even sliding in a different Golden Ticket advertisement without him knowing.

Not to be outdone, The Boardwalk Bullet at Kemah Boardwalk came in second place for best new ride – besting even the top new steel coasters and other rides!  The Bullet opened after last year’s voting so it was on this year’s ballot.

2008 Golden Ticket Advertisement

Can you believe that!  Hades at Mt. Olympus received the Golden Ticket for 2005 Best New Ride.  The Voyage captured the Best New Ride in 2006.  In 2008 Ravine Flyer II took home the Best New Ride and the 2007 Boardwalk Bullet finished second only to the other Gravity Group design this year.  You have to think there just might be a common golden thread for all of these awards.

For a complete list of Golden Ticket recipients, visit AT’s Golden Ticket Awards page.