TM & ©2018 Amusement Today, Inc. September 2018 | Vol. 22 • Issue 6.2 www.amusementtoday.com Silver Dollar City hosts 21st annual Golden Ticket Awards Missouri theme park excels as first-time host BRANSON, Mo. — Nothing says “Welcome” more than a day at Silver Dollar City. The mid-America theme park has enchanted guests since 1960. With theming cen- tered around the late 1800s, the park has often used the tagline: “You’ve got a great past ahead of you.” Even with Silver Dollar City opened its gates and arms modern thrillers added to the to welcome Golden Ticket Awards attendees. ever-growing lineup of world- The Showboat Branson Belle (above) played class attractions, they all find host to the awards ceremony. their place in the storyline that COURTESY SILVER DOLLAR CITY; AT/TIM BALDWIN makes Silver Dollar City unique. Attendees to the 21st event. “After a hectic summer, Entertainment without Marvel “I am excited and hon- Lake for an exclusive voyage annual Golden Ticket Awards I am hopeful that attendees Cave. The vast Cathedral ored to be presenting for dedicated to the Golden Ticket found much to keep them busy. will be able to take a much Room entrance (tall enough for the first time this year at the Awards and its attendees on “The Networking Event of the needed break, relax and enjoy a 20-story building to stand in!) Golden Tickets Awards at the evening of September 8. Year” provided opportunities all that the Ozark Mountains along with the other natural Silver Dollar City,” said Pete “Gary Slade and the for behind-the-scenes tours have to offer. This is a special beauty and a cool 65-degree Barto, director of sales, S&S Amusement Today fam- that highlighted the park’s place filled with special peo- temperature provides a unique Worldwide, heading into the ily are always working hard strengths: culinary expertise, ple. It is our sincere pleasure 55-minute experience not event. “Herschend Family to make each Golden Ticket craft-making experiences and to welcome industry leaders to available in most any other Entertainment is a top-notch event a special celebration,” the park’s world-renowned our hometown.” theme park.” operator, and I look forward said Thomas. “The Showboat Christmas festival. In addi- September 7 was a day Located in the Ozark to being in Branson for one of Branson Belle provided a tion, all the customized one- to enjoy the park or area Mountains, Silver Dollar City’s the best industry networking unique environment – we had of-a-kind attractions were on attractions. Facilities shar- sloped topography has con- events of the year.” a taste of Showboat entertain- offer. PowderKeg, Outlaw Run ing the welcoming hospitality tributed to the signature rides “Come hungry, walk and ment, enjoyed a meal togeth- and Fire in the Hole delighted were Branson Ferris Wheel, at the park. “Built in 2013, sample,” said Thomas. “Stop er, and celebrated this year’s industry professionals, as well Bigfoot Fun Park, Ripley’s Outlaw Run was a great into Sullivan’s Mill for warm Golden Ticket recipients, all as the innovative new-for-2018 Believe It Or Not and ground-breaker for Silver cinnamon bread or watch them while cruising Table Rock Lake Time Traveler, built by sponsor Runaway Mountain Coaster. Dollar City as well as Rocky make peanut brittle or hand- and enjoying some of the Mack Rides. According to Thomas, Mountain Construction,” said dipped chocolates at Brown’s sights along the 900 miles of “We are excited to wel- a “Don’t Miss” list for Silver Thomas. The wooden coaster Candy Factory.” Several attend- shoreline.” come our friends from around Dollar City would include: Time dives into the valleys of the ees also checked out the park’s A full recap of the event the amusement industry to Traveler, Home of American hillside. The park promoted famous big-skillet dishes. weekend will be featured in Branson and to Silver Dollar Craftsmanship, Culinary & it as the World’s Most Daring For the first time ever, the the Nov I/Pre-IAAPA issue. City,” Park President Brad Craft School, Outlaw Run and Coaster, and it won the Golden awards ceremony was held on Thomas told Amusement Marvel Cave. “There would Ticket Award for Best New water. The Showboat Branson All stories this issue Today leading up to the be no Herschend Family Ride that year. Belle set out on Table Rock by Tim Baldwin Amusement Views...Page 3 Publisher's Picks...Pages 5 Best Parks...Pages 8-19 Dated material. material. Dated Best Rides...Pages 20-33 RUSH! Best New Rides for 2018...Pages 34-39 NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE September 10, 2018 Mailed Monday, Food, Cleanest, Friendliest, Landscaping...Pages 40-41 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT INSIDE: FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. Shows, Seasonal Events...Pages 42-43 PAID US POSTAGE US Steel Roller Coasters...Pages 44-45 PRSRT STD PRSRT Wooden Roller Coasters...Pages 46-53 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY Golden Ticket Awards September 2018 Golden Ticket Awards September 2018 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 AMUSEMENT VIEWS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint A Golden 'Thank You' Each year Amusement Today's staff works hard alongside our host facility to make sure our attendees have a wonderful two-day event. As the event continues to grow we must acknowledge that AT and our host facilities could not continue to offer this free event without the financial support Slade of our sponsors. We would like to take this moment to recognize them once again for their generous contributions: Mack Rides GmbH & Co. Rocky Mountain Construction S&S Worldwide We must also say thank you to Brad Thomas, Lisa Rau, Martha Bohner and Dalton Fischer at Silver Dollar City and Casey Robertson at the Showboat Branson Belle for their hard work to showcase these two unique facilities to the industry. Not to be forgotten, AT would like to send a thank EDITORIAL: Tim Baldwin, [email protected] you to the board of directors for both AIMS International Family forever and the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives for I feel very blessed to be in this industry. riding partner was not about to raise his continuing to conduct their annual meetings the day before This role allows me to see so much that is hands, but his screams had that magical the GTA event kickoff. Thanks for the continued support! happening in the business of fun, for which I blend of joy and terror. We high-fived on • feel fortunate. the brake run, and I felt honored to be a Replacement Golden Tickets offered: if your park or However, great as that is, traveling from part of his experience. facility has won a previous Golden Ticket Award and that park to park by yourself can at times get a bit Likewise, on the next day, I was award has faded — or is beginning to fade — Amusement lonely. I’m sure that is why enthusiast groups queuing with a family behind me who Today would like to replace the artwork for you at no change. thrive. Shared connections among friends are Baldwin were neither American or British, but We know your facility is proud of your Golden Ticket awards irreplaceable. speaking English. I was intrigued enough On a recent international trip, I was thoroughly to eventually ask where they were from. They as we see them on display throughout the park industry. embracing the park I was visiting, but I couldn’t shared their family history with me and (again) were There was a three-year time period when printing shake my longing to share the experience with surprised that I had traveled from Texas. methods were different. Some of the awards produced someone. Two accidental family moments were I was reminded of my family trips when I was during that time have begun to fade. We want our Golden highlights of my trip. a school-age boy. My oldest memory is of my first Tickets looking 'Golden' for your visitors so let us help make As I boarded the back row of my favorite roller coaster ride at the age of six. It was on a fam- then new again. But if you don't contact us, we don't know coaster at the park, I joined a young teen. His par- ily vacation, and, ironically, that coaster still runs what to replace. ents were in front of us. In the brief time from the just a couple of minutes away from the Amusement Please email Savannah Breen at sbreen@ station to the first drop, we had those exhilarating Today offices. I still enjoy every ride I take on it. amusementtoday.com. Include the CATEGORY WIN NAME moments to discuss our adventure. They thankfully As I boarded the boat with that family, we yelled of the Golden Ticket Award and the YEAR. spoke English and were impressed that I had trav- and laughed together. I immediately felt connected. eled all the way from Texas. As it turned out, I was They purchased the on-ride photo and told me I was AT plans to compile a list of replacement art through riding along with the young lad on his very first big now linked with them forever. What an honor. the IAAPA show and reprint all replacement awards in roller coaster. What a thrill! Having been on more This industry creates family memories that last December. You will receive just the newly printed artwork than 1,000 coasters, it is easy to forget that extreme a lifetime. I hope we never lose sight of the impor- for replacement in your existing acrylic brick.