“They’ve got a Golden Ticket!”
Kennywood and Morey’s Piers received top honors at the 2019 Golden Ticket Awards, presented by Amusement Today. The Awards, which recognize the “Best of the Best” across the amusement industry, are nominated and voted upon by a panel of approximately 500 experienced park enthusiasts from around the world. This year’s Awards Weekend was co-hosted by Silverwood Theme Park and Rocky Mountain Construction in Athol, Idaho, USA.
Kennywood received “Best New Roller Coaster of 2019” for Steel Curtain, the star attraction of the park’s new Steelers Country zone. With its 4,000 feet of steel track, 75 mile per hour speed, and nine inversions, the S&S Sansei coaster breaks multiple records and has been thrilling audiences since its opening. In addition to providing master planning and design for Steelers Country, JRA provided car theming and environmental graphics for Steel Curtain.
“The Steel Curtain was one of the most eagerly anticipated attractions of 2019. It’s fantastic that it has lived up to every bit of its hype,” said Tim Baldwin, Golden Ticket Communications Coordinator, Amusement Today. “This ride goes way beyond records; it’s just great. The layout is creative and original and smooth. All the inversions are so fluid, you float through them effortlessly. The cheers from the riders at the end of the ride are the real testimony — it’s a blast! What a spectacular ride that fans are going to rave about for decades.”
“It’s hard to put into words what a thrill it is to see Steel Curtain be voted Best New Coaster,” added Kennywood General Manager Jerome Gibas. “Every year, the biggest and best parks in the world compete to deliver the best coaster of the year, so to be able to say we’re bringing that title home to Southwestern Pennsylvania is incredibly rewarding.”
This year, Morey’s Piers is celebrating its 50th anniversary – the perfect time to honor the New Jersey amusement park with the Golden Ticket Award for Park of the Year. According to Amusement Today, “the Publisher’s Pick Golden Ticket Award recognizes a park that has risen to the challenge in recent years and earned industry recognition. They’ve been a leader, an innovator, and their accomplishments have made them an inspiration to the industry-at-large.”
JRA recently collaborated with Morey’s Piers on the coaster and station theming of Runaway Tram, the park’s newest coaster. The family-friendly coaster pays homage to the Wildwood Sightseer Tramcar, an icon of the Wildwood Boardwalk for 70 years. Amusement Today pointed to the ride as one of the many ways the Moreys are innovating to keep their parks fresh and their guests coming back.
“Morey’s Piers has not only helped define the city of Wildwood, but it’s a perfect example of what summer memories are all about,” said Baldwin. “The leadership there is not content to be average. Or even good. That team is demonstrating the steps to greatness. Clean, fun, creative and full of heart — it’s the perfect mix for a vacation destination or just a day off. The success of Morey’s Piers for 50 years should not be a surprise. It’s family business at its best.”
From left to right – Will, Janice, Karen, and Jack Morey in the Runaway Tram station
“We’ve known the Moreys for decades, so we couldn’t be happier for them to receive a Golden Ticket Award for their 50th Anniversary season,” said JRA Owner and Chief Executive officer, Keith James. “We’re also thrilled at the recognition that Kennywood and Steel Curtain are receiving, including all of the positive guest feedback. Congratulations to both parks on this fabulous honor.”