Universal nabs 5 Golden Tickets: 4 for Epic, 1 for Volcano Bay

[Disney4me]

Universal Orlando scored five victories in the Golden Ticket Awards, including four for its new Epic Universe theme park and one for its Volcano Bay water park.

Epic’s Dark Universe area was named as the best new theme concept of 2025, and its centerpiece attraction Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment was tabbed as best dark ride.  The Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry ride won for best new attractions, and Stardust Racers was named best new roller coaster of 2025. The new theme park debuted in late May.

Volcano Bay, which opened in 2017, was awarded best water park of ’25, edging out Schlitterbahn. That attraction, located in New Braunfels, Texas, had won the category every year since the awards were established in 1998.

The Golden Tickets are determined by Amusement Today, an industry publication, which uses a worldwide panel of experienced park enthusiasts as voters. The winners were announced in a Saturday ceremony at Carowinds, a theme park near Charlotte.

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“With so many years in the making, seeing the park emerge complete and over-the-top spectacular, it is no surprise to industry professionals, enthusiasts or day-to-day guests that something truly special has happened,” Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards communications coordinator, wrote in an editorial in the September edition of Amusement today.

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Other notable winners include Europa-Park of Rust, Germany, as best park of 2025 (Epic Universe was runner-up) and Busch Gardens Williamsburg as most beautiful park. Dollywood, an attraction in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, won three awards, including Big Bear Mountain as best family coaster, as well as best kids’ area and best guest experience of 2025.

Keith James of RWS won the leadership award. James, a former Universal Orlando executive, will be inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame later this year.

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