MASON, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)— One of the year’s most celebrated family attractions is at Kings Island, the premier entertainment destination in the Midwest. Saturday night, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare earned top honors in the amusement industry, capturing first place for Best New Family Attraction and second place for Best New Attraction Installation at the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards.
Widely recognized as the amusement industry’s highest honors, the Golden Ticket Awards are presented annually by Amusement Today to honor the very best rides, attractions and parks around the world. The prestigious awards celebrate excellence across dozens of categories, from roller coasters and water parks to live entertainment and industry leaders and are determined by an international panel of experienced amusement park industry experts and enthusiasts.
The Best New Family Attraction category honors attractions designed for families that elevate the guest experience through original storytelling, theming and innovation, surpassing a traditional production-model ride installation. Additionally, Best New Attraction Installation recognizes rides and attractions that have made the biggest impact in a given year, whether by redefining a park’s identity, attracting new audiences or setting new standards for the industry.
“The curtain has never risen higher for Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare! Earning the Gold Ticket Award for Best New Family Attraction is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the passion, innovation and imagination behind every scene,” said Tony Carovillano, park president of Kings Island. “We’re honored by this recognition and grateful to the guests and fans who have made Phantom Theater one of the most talked-about new attractions in the industry. This award belongs to the talented team who honored the ride’s history while bringing a completely new experience to life for our guests.”
Debuting earlier this year, Phantom Theater: Opening Nightmare is a reimagining of the beloved Phantom Theater legacy through a new dark ride adventure featuring multi-sensory effects, immersive scenes and a cast of colorful characters led by the mischievous Maestro and supported by No Legs Larry, the Phantom Theater’s legendary usher. Since opening, the attraction has become an instant guest favorite and a signature addition to Kings Island’s lineup of world-class experiences.
In addition to Kings Island’s win, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE:FUN), the largest regional amusement park operator in North America, had a standout showing in the awards, earning top honors across numerous categories and reinforcing its position as a global leader in thrills, family entertainment and immersive guest experiences. This year, Six Flags parks and attractions earned 25 top 10 Golden Ticket Award rankings, including five No. 1 honors, and a sweep of the top four positions in the Best New Roller Coaster and Best New Show categories as well as Fury 325 at Carowinds for Best Steel Coaster for the 10th year in a row.
THE GOLDEN TICKET TO AN AWARD-WINNING SEASON OF FAMILY FUN
Guests can experience the award-winning attraction throughout the fall season with a season pass or membership, including during Kings Island’s popular Halloween Haunt, Tricks and Treats and WinterFest events, as the park continues to deliver unforgettable family experiences for visitors from across the region.