Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey takes Golden Ticket for best new ride

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure was voted the best new ride of 2010 in an international poll that determines the Golden Ticket Awards for Amusement Today newspaper. But the Hogwarts-house attraction within Wizarding World of Harry Potter could not nab honors of best dark ride away from its IOA brethern, the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Universal Orlando parks landed three other top prizes: best water ride, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at IOA; best indoor roller coaster, Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios; and best Halloween event for Halloween Horror Nights.

SeaWorld Orlando was awarded the Golden Ticket for best marine life park.

Disney World took the prize for best outdoor night show production with Epcot’s IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Epcot finished second in the best food category behind Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania.

Cedar Point of Sandusky, Ohio, was named best amusement park. No Florida roller coasters were included in the lists of top 10 wooden coasters or top 10 steel coasters.

Forbidden Journey won out over the Dale Earnhardt-inspired Intimidator 305 coaster at Kings Dominion for the new-ride title, but finished fourth in the dark-ride category behind Spider-Man, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Knoebels’ Haunted Mansion.