Universal Epic Universe dominated the 2025 Golden Ticket Awards, knocking Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance out of the Best Dark Ride spot. Plus, Universal Volcano Bay was named Best Water Park.
Epic Universe Golden Ticket Awards 2025
The Golden Ticket Awards by Amusement Today “shine a spotlight on the amusement park industry and attractions by recognizing the ‘Best of the Best.'” There were 22 categories in the 2025 awards and Epic Universe earned four wins, plus plenty of runner-up positions.
Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator, said, “It was Universal’s year, unquestionably. There was so much build-up to this park’s opening, dating back before the pandemic. And they pulled it off. The awards alone demonstrate that Universal really delivered the goods.”
Best New Roller Coaster – Stardust Racers
Stardust Racers is built by Mack Rides and, as Amusement Today stated, “bedazzled” by Universal Creative. The magazine said “this mesmerizing attraction features racing trains that intertwine in fascinating ways. Add in the cool factor with night lighting and Stardust Racers is a masterpiece in Universal’s portfolio.”
“It is a huge honor to be named Best New Roller Coaster, and we’re so excited that Stardust Racers has earned this recognition,” said JC Loward, assistant director/executive producer at Universal Creative. “Our team set out to create an ‘out-of-this-world’ dual-launch coaster that feels like you’re riding aboard a comet, and to see the positive guest reactions since we’ve opened has been amazing. Reaching speeds up to 62 mph and heights up to 133 feet, Stardust Racers is definitely a must-do for any thrill seeker visiting Epic Universe.”
“Stardust Racers was in development for several years — a true passion project,” Maximilian Roeser with Mack Rides said. “The fusion of our launch coaster system with Universal’s spectacular design is simply stunning. The attention to detail and immersive theming make this coaster a benchmark for what’s possible when great engineering meets visionary storytelling.”
Best New Attraction Installation – Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry
The flagship Wizarding World attraction at Epic Universe earned Best New Attraction Installation. Amusement Today said this “one-of-a-kind attraction dazzles from the moment guests step into the queue. Inside, the theming is immersive, and the ride system almost defies description.”
“Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry builds upon the incredible ride innovation Universal is known for and is the most ambitious attraction we’ve ever built,” Eileen Stephens, senior director/projects of Universal Creative, said. “Just the sheer scale of this attraction is unbelievable and unlike anything else. The adventure begins from the moment you travel via Métro-Floo from wizarding Paris to the British Ministry of Magic to enter the queue, which is an attraction unto itself. You encounter so much in this ride — massive, breathtaking environments, unprecedented ride technology, lifelike animated figures and so much more — all while trying to bring Dolores Umbridge to justice. This ride is a true gamechanger and so far, our guests have been blown away.”
Watch our Battle at the Ministry ride POV:
Also at Epic Universe, Stardust Racers and Constellation Carousel were two of the finalists in this category. Amusement Today said of Stardust Racers, “the graceful and fluid layout is accented by beauty and ever-so-cool details,” while the carousel is “undeniably breathtaking and serves as an iconic centerpiece to the park.”
Best New Theme Concept – Dark Universe
This category was introduced last year to “acknowledge new ideas regardless of budget.” The Universal Monsters-themed area of Epic Universe took home the gold.
Pete Carsillo, senior creative director at Universal Creative said, “Universal’s earliest blockbusters were the classic monster films, and to be able to continue that legacy has truly been an epic experience. The village of Darkmoor within Dark Universe is the place where the stories of the Universal monsters come together and come to life — and our guests can actually be a part of it. We’re bringing these timeless monsters and stories to the present day within this ravaged village that has so much mystery and thrill throughout. The positive reactions from our guests, regardless of where they fall in monster fandom, have been really cool to see and are a testament to how special these characters and stories are and how this world truly is for everyone.”
Amusement Today said the “themed execution of this spooky village of Darkmoor brings this eerie concept to life.”
Mine Cart Madness in Super Nintendo World was second place in this category.
Best Dark Ride – Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment
Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in Dark Universe earned Best Dark Ride, beating out Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which had won two years in a row.
“Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is one of the most thrilling and terrifying attractions we’ve ever built,” said Carsillo. “There are so many innovative elements that come together to bring this attraction to life, including an original story featuring new and classic characters, state-of-the-art ride technology, massive sets and the most technologically-advanced, life-like animated figures that we’ve ever created. A lot of the creative team behind the attraction are monster fans themselves, and it feels amazing to create such a unique experience that allows guests to encounter the Universal monsters in a whole new way.”
Watch our Monsters Unchained ride POV:
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry took second place, knocking Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance down to third. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure at Shanghai Disneyland was fourth place.
Best Water Park – Universal Volcano Bay
Universal Volcano Bay unseated 26-year winner Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. Volcano Bay took third place two years ago and second last year. Amusement Today said, “The tropical paradise is now the big kahuna of water parks – inching ahead by less than one percentage point.”
“We’re thrilled that Universal Volcano Bay has been recognized as the Best Water Park and is the first new winner in this category in 25 years — what an honor!” said Lisa Hall, senior director and general manager. “Volcano Bay was designed to take the water park experience to the next level in every aspect, from the inventive food guests can savor during their visit to the innovative attractions to the immersive theming throughout the entire park. Our guests continue to enjoy the perfect balance of thrills and relaxation that can only be found at Volcano Bay.”
More Notable Awards
Best New Family Attraction went to Danse Macabre at Efteling but Epic Universe had three out of the four runner-ups — Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, Monsters Unchained, and Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge.
Hiccup’s Wing Gliders in How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk earned second place for Best Family Coaster. Amusement Today said the ride “received universal (no pun intended) praise for its ride experience.” Dollywood won first place for the third year with Big Bear Mountain.
Best Kids’ Area also went to Dollywood but Epic Universe got third place for Super Nintendo World.
Jurassic World – The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood was the third Best Water Ride while Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Universal Islands of Adventure took fifth place. Dudley Do-Right’s was actually the first attraction to win this category and has won 12 times. First place went to Chiapas at Phantasialand in Germany for the third time.
Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Universal Islands of Adventure was once again number two in the list of Top 50 Steel Roller Coasters. Stardust Racers joined the list at number 17, followed by Disney’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at 18. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure was number 23. Number 1 was once again Fury 325 at Carowinds.
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry secured second place for Best New Innovation. Amusement Today cited the trackless ride’s 14-seat “lifts” with 360-degree motion, plus 4K projections. Mine Cart Madness was third place for its side arm design making guests look like they are actually jumping broken track. The number one spot went to Mack Rides’ Rocking Boat.
Epic Universe was second place for Best Park after Europa-Park.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg reclaimed the top spot for Most Beautiful Park. Tokyo DisneySea took fifth place.
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
