Cedar Point named best amusement park, Kings Island wins for best kids area in industry honors

Ohio amusement parks win industry awards

SANDUSKY, Ohio — A trade publication has northern Ohio’s Cedar Point amusement park on a roll.

Amusement Today has named the park in Sandusky the overall best amusement park for the 13th straight year.

The industry newspaper has announced the winners of its annual Golden Ticket Awards, based on a survey of people described as “experienced and well-traveled” amusement park fans around the world. Awards have been given in 25 categories.

The awards also named Universal Orlando’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey as the best new ride of 2010.

The Wildebeest at Splashin’ Safari, Santa Claus, Ind., was named the best new waterpark ride of the year.

Cedar Point also took the prize for best steel coaster, for its Millennium Force.

Kings Island amusement park in southwest Ohio won the award for best kids’ area.

Both Cedar Point and Kings Island are owned by Sandusky-based Cedar Fair.

Other winners in the Golden Ticket Awards include:

—Best waterpark: Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort, New Braunfels, Texas

—Best children’s park: Idlewild and SoakZone, Ligonier, Pa.

—Best marine life park: SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando, Fla.

—Best seaside park: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, Calif.

—Best wooden coaster: The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, Ind.

—Friendliest staff: Holiday World & Splashin< Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.

—Cleanest park: Holiday World & Splashin< Safari, Santa Claus, Ind.

—Best Halloween event: Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando, Orlando, Fla..

—Best landscaping: Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Va.

—Best Christmas event: Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

—Best food: Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.

—Best shows: Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

—Best outdoor night show production: IllumiNations: Reflections of the Earth at Walt Disney World

—Best dark ride: Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man at Universal

—Best carousel: Grand Carousel at Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pa.