Top 10 highest-attended theme parks and water parks of 2023
The top theme parks and water parks of 2023 have been revealed in the annual Global Attendance Report. Did your favorite make the list?
The annual Global Attractions Attendance Report was published Aug. 15, 2024 by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM Economics & Advisory. Overall, the top 25 theme parks globally saw 244.6 million guests collectively in 2023, an increase from 198.7 million in 2022.
As the report phrased it, “Operators around the world are approaching or exceeding their pre-pandemic attendance figures while taking note of industry shifts that might endure for decades to come.”
Photo courtesy of Disney
“This year’s report reflects the industry’s dynamic nature and its capacity to adapt, innovate, and thrive in the face of all challenges,” said Ben Thompson, chief strategy officer of Storyland Studios, the presenting sponsor of this year’s report. “As the industry continues to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic, the continued emphasis on enhancing guest experiences, strategic investments, and leveraging IP — both evergreen and emerging — will be pivotal in sustaining growth and success across the global theme park and museum landscape.”
Interesting factoids from the Global Attendance Report
Globally between 2022 and 2023, Disney saw a 17% increase in attendance, Universal had an 18% increase, and United Parks (formerly SeaWorld Parks) had a decrease of 2%.
Among the top 10 theme parks in the U.S., Epcot grew its attendance the largest percentage from 2022 to 2023, increasing by 20%.
The highest-attended Cedar Fair park in 2023 was Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., with 4.2 million guests.
The highest-attended Six Flags park in 2023 was Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, Calif., with 3.4 million guests.
Due to ongoing restrictions in China in 2022, many of its parks saw major attendance increases in 2023: Hong Kong Disneyland (88%), Universal Studios Beijing (109%), Chimelong Paradise (143%), Shanghai Disneyland (164%), Zigong Fantawild Dino Kingdom (178%), and Chimelong Ocean Kingdom (185%).
Photo courtesy of Disney
Notable parks that decreased attendance from 2022 to 2023: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (3%), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (6%), Universal Islands of Adventure (9%), and Universal Studios Florida (9%).
The newest park in the global top 10 is Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, which debuted in 2014.
Top 10 theme parks worldwide in 2023
10.) Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10.3 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
9.) Disneyland Park (France): 10.4 million guests
Disneyland Paris
near Paris, France
8.) Epcot: 12 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
Photo courtesy of Disney
7.) Tokyo DisneySea: 12.4 million guests
Tokyo Disney Resort
near Tokyo, Japan
6.) Chimelong Ocean Kingdom: 12.5 million guests
Chimelong International Ocean Tourist Resort
Zhuhai, China
5.) Shanghai Disneyland: 14 million guests
Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai, China
Photo courtesy of Disney
4.) Tokyo Disneyland: 15.1 million guests
Tokyo Disney Resort
near Tokyo, Japan
3.) Universal Studios Japan: 16 million guests
Osaka, Japan
Image courtesy of Universal
2.) Disneyland Park (U.S.): 17.3 million guests
Disneyland Resort
near Anaheim, Calif.
Photo courtesy of Disney
1.) Magic Kingdom Park: 17.7 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
Photo by Samantha Davis-Friedman
Top 10 theme parks in North America in 2023
10.) SeaWorld Orlando: 4.3 million guests
Orlando, Fla.
Image courtesy of SeaWorld
9.) Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: 8.8 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
8.) Universal Studios Hollywood: 9.7 million guests
near Los Angeles, Calif.
Photo by Samantha Davis-Friedman
7.) Universal Studios Florida: 9.8 million guests
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Fla.
Image courtesy of Universal
6.) Disney California Adventure Park: 10 million guests
Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, Calif.
Image courtesy of Disney
5.) Universal Islands of Adventure
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Fla.
4.) Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10.3 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
3.) Epcot: 12 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
2.) Disneyland Park (U.S.): 17.3 million guests
Disneyland Resort
near Anaheim, Calif.
1.) Magic Kingdom Park: 17.7 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
Top 10 water parks in North America in 2023
10.) Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Arlington: 476,000 guests
adjacent to Six Flags Over Texas
near Dallas, Texas
9.) Schlitterbahn Galveston Waterpark: 539,000 guests
Galveston, Texas
8.) Knott’s Soak City Waterpark: 580,000 guests
adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm
Buena Park, Calif.
7.) Adventure Island: 640,000 guests
adjacent to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Tampa, Fla.
6.) Aquatica San Antonio: 650,000 guests
adjacent to SeaWorld San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas
5.) Water Country USA: 736,000 guests
adjacent to Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Williamsburg, Va.
4.) Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Waterpark: 933,000 guests
New Braunfels, Texas
3.) Aquatica Orlando: 1.4 million guests
adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando
Orlando, Fla.
2.) Universal Volcano Bay: 1.9 million guests
Universal Orlando Resort
Orlando, Fla.
1.) Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: 1.9 million guests
Walt Disney World Resort
near Orlando, Fla.
See the full Global Attendance Report for many more statistics about the top theme parks of 2023.
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