2009 Golden Tickets

http://www.amusementtoday.com/corndog/2009gtawinners.html

Pretty much the usual suspects. :)

Yawn.

This is where I point out annually that this silly poll exists solely to sell advertising to parks who will pay for the honor of having an award. It's an exercise in advertorial, mutual inappropriate touching that is typical of vertical industry trade rags of the last several decades.

Even this industry will consider it a dead medium in the long run. Mark my words.

Raging Bull is #14 on the steel coaster list. Yeah I'm ready to throw these awards out. ;)

Considering the thousands of steel coasters operating around the world #14 is a pretty dang good place to be ranked.

Exactly. I think they left an extra "1" out of the number or something. Maybe it's supposed to be #114, or maybe #141. ;)

I guess Disney and Universal didn't pay enough this year cause Knoebels outspent them.

Bizzaro#1????

It's an ok coaster, but to rank it #1 is silly.

And it should be even lower on the list due to the new restraints.

And why do they keep ranking cedarpoint as number 1? Sure they have some great coasters, but beyond that I don't see it. They have some of the worst food and prices, and the shows have really taken a nose dive this year.

It's no surprize who won "Best Park," and "Best Waterpark."

This is, what, 10 or 11 years in a row they've each won those two catagories?

It IS nice to see Knoble's did pick up two GT's: Best Food and Best Carousel.

It's even more amazing that Magum's still in the top ten steel after 20 years!!!!

Egad...same thing every year. Yet again I ask, where is Dragon Wagon?

I agree that knoble's has some good food. But to put it in the same league as epcot is crazy.

I think it might be interesting see if Kings Island's switch from Nick to Snoopy in 2010 will effect their top ranking in the "best kids' area" category.

I agree.

How did Prowler beat Diamondback for best new ride? Oh well, at least Give Kids the World had an ad.

James Whitmore said:
I think it might be interesting see if Kings Island's switch from Nick to Snoopy in 2010 will effect their top ranking in the "best kids' area" category.

It won the award before they brought in the Nick characters, so I'd expect it to continue to win after they're gone as well.

Prowler was part of a large enthusiast event and Diamondback was not. In this less-than-scientific poll the more riders you get the more votes you get.

Since "respondents votes" no longer determine the winners, and voters are encouraged to vote for rides they themselves haven't ridden.....well, I like Mitch's poll (under the rubric of "If I haven't experienced it myself, who am I to judge?") ;)

Did you guys also check out the "Publisher's Pick's" Section?

The Knoble's owner, Dick & Barb, got a mention. After visiting their park, I must say they deserve it!

RCMAC said:
Prowler was part of a large enthusiast event and Diamondback was not. In this less-than-scientific poll the more riders you get the more votes you get.

Uh, what was that two-day thing they did in the spring? That sure sounded like an enthusiast event.

Ensign Smith said:
Yawn.

Oh, I don't know about that.

I was shocked to see Bizarro replace Superman as the top steel coaster (just kidding).

I was shocked to see Holiday World unseated as friendliest park (not kidding).