Legoland California's Galacticoaster has earned the No. 1 Best New Theme Concept honor at Amusement Today's 2026 Golden Ticket Awards, the industry publication announced Sept. 12.

The indoor, space-themed family coaster anchors Lego Galaxy, a 2.4-acre land that opened March 9 at the Carlsbad theme park. The ride also placed No. 4 for Best New Attraction Installation and No. 5 for Best New Coaster, according to Patch Carlsbad. All three honors were shared with the identical Galacticoaster at Legoland Florida Resort, which opened Feb. 27.

Amusement Today, which has presented the Golden Ticket Awards since 1998, bases the honors on voting by industry professionals and enthusiasts. The 2026 ceremony took place at COTAland on the Circuit of the Americas campus in Austin, Texas, according to Coaster Nation.

The Galacticoaster is Legoland California's first new roller coaster in more than 20 years and the park's fastest ride, reaching 40 mph during a roughly 60-second run. Riders as short as 36 inches tall can board, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Before climbing aboard, guests design a digital Lego spacecraft at Customization Bays, choosing a nose, tail, wings and a special feature such as a disco ball or balloons, according to the park's opening announcement. More than 625 combinations are possible. The finished design is saved to an RFID-enabled wristband and appears on digital screens during the ride.

The coaster also features Legoland California's first animatronic figure: Biff Dipper, a digital-faced engineer capable of approximating more than 40 expressions, who greets riders in the preshow, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Tom Storer, North America project director for Merlin Magic Making, said the ride reimagines the space coaster for a new generation. "Space Mountain is a classic from back in the day. But this is kind of the new way," he told the Los Angeles Times ahead of the March opening.

Lego Galaxy and the Galacticoaster are part of a $90 million investment by parent company Merlin Entertainments across its California and Florida Legoland parks, the Los Angeles Times reported. Merlin has called it the company's largest single in-park investment in its U.S. attractions. The land includes two additional rides, the G-Force Test Facility and Duplo Launch and Land, plus a Junior Astronaut Training Zone and dining and retail options.

Legoland Florida also picked up the No. 3 ranking for Best Family Park at the 2026 awards.

The 2027 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 10–11, 2027, at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana.