Disney California Adventure park has been selected “2012 Park of the Year” by Amusement Today, a publication that covers amusement park news and trends. The publication’s Golden Ticket Awards, recently held at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., honors the “best of the best” in the amusement industry.

Gary Slade, publisher and editor-in-chief, personally selected Disney California Adventure park for the Publisher’s Pick Award after visiting this summer. He saluted cast members and Imagineers “for showing the imagination and creativity needed to make [Disney California Adventure park] the must-visit facility of the year.”

Accepting the award on behalf of Disneyland Resort cast members, and Imagineers, was Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park and Guest Services, and Kathy Mangum, Walt Disney Imagineering executive producer.

Mary said, “I was truly honored to accept the ‘Park of the Year’ award on behalf of every cast member who is, and was, a part of the making of the new Disney California Adventure park. Without their hard work and dedication, this award and the joy that you see on our guests’ faces would not be possible.”