Considered the Academy Awards of the amusement industry, the Golden Ticket Awards are presented to the "best of the best" in 22 categories based on the results of an international poll conducted by Amusement Today magazine.
The Thunderhead roller coaster was also named Coaster of the Year and Best New Wood Coaster at the 2005 Coasters' Choice Awards. It was the first wooden coaster to take the top honor in the awards' five-year history.