The top 17 theme parks in North America

Magic Kingdom is part of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida and opened in 1971. Disney’s first theme park in the state is home to six themed lands, which are Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

The park contains famous rides and attractions such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion. Its latest is TRON Lightcycle / Run – the fastest Vekoma coaster at the park, and one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.

At D23 in 2024, Disney announced something to rival the Universal classic monsters land coming to Epic Universe. Construction on a new villains land at Magic Kingdom is set to start soon. Part of a major Magic Kingdom expansion, the land will contain two new attractions, as well as retail and dining experiences.

“Since the beginning, our Disney villains have given us endless possibilities to tell new stories,” D’Amaro said. “In this new land, you’ll see storytelling on a grand scale that only Disney can deliver.”

2022 attendance – 17,133,000

2023 attendance – 17,720,000

Part of Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland made its debut as the original Disney theme park in July 1955. Its opening introduced a new concept in family entertainment, launching today’s theme parks industry.

The resort’s $1.9 billion DisneylandForward expansion plan received final approval from Anaheim City Council in May 2024. Via the multi-decade proposal, Disneyland will build new attractions, hotels and retail locations on its existing space, like parking areas and unused land.

The plan includes potential experiences based on Frozen, Tangled, Peter Pan, Zootopia, Toy Story, Black Panther, Coco and Tron, as well as an Avatar land and an Encanto experience.

Disneyland president Ken Potrock said in a statement: “We’re ready to build on decades of innovation, creativity, and storytelling to bring new, exciting experiences for our guests. The possibilities are boundless, and I can’t wait to see what our Disney Imagineers dream up next.

“We’re honored to partner with Anaheim on this historic project and excited to move into this next chapter together.”

2022 attendance – 16,881,000

2023 attendance –17,250,000

Opened in October 1982 at Walt Disney World in Florida, Epcot features attractions, shows and performances. In 2024, the park’s multi-year transformation was completed with the launch of the CommuniCore Hall events space and CommuniCore Plaza. The historic transformation of Epcot has included new experiences such as Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and Journey of Water.

Cosmic Rewind is Epcot’s first-ever coaster, and the longest fully enclosed coaster in a Disney theme park, while Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a motion-based trackless 3D dark ride. Journey of Water is the first Disney parks attraction inspired by Moana.

Disney is to spend $30 billion on its theme parks over the next decade as part of a total $60bn investment in its parks, experiences and products division.

2022 attendance – 10,000,000

2023 attendance – 11,980,000

Disney’s Hollywood Studios opened in 1989 at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Rides include Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Slinky Dog Dash and Star Tours – The Adventures Continue.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, a 14-acre Star Wars-themed expansion, opened at the park in 2019. The land is home to two major attractions – Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. In 2022, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened, providing an immersive two-night hotel experience. The attraction, which received a Thea award, has already closed down.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is getting a new land inspired by Pixar franchise Monsters, Inc. In this land will be Disney’s first-ever suspended coaster. Construction starts in 2025.

“The power of friendship and laughter is at the heart of so many Disney stories – especially Monsters, Inc.,” D’Amaro said at D23. “Now we’re giving fans a whole new way to experience this world in a Disney theme park and connect with the characters they love.”

2022 attendance – 10,900,000

2023 attendance – 10,300,000

Universal’s Islands of Adventure is part of Universal Orlando Resort in Florida. The park opened in 1999 and houses rides and attractions such as Hagrid’s Magical Motorbike Adventure, the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Jurassic World VelociCoaster. Lands include Jurassic Park and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade.

In addition to the new Epic Universe theme park in Orlando, Universal is expanding its parks and attractions business to Texas, Las Vegas and even the UK. In Texas, the company is building a family-friendly resort, and in Vegas it’s creating a year-round horror experience. In the UK, Universal is planning another new park.

2022 attendance – 11,025,000

2023 attendance – 10,000,000

Disney California Adventure joined Disneyland at the company’s original resort in California in 2001. It houses Cars Land and Pixar Pier, as well as the new Avengers Campus. The immersive Marvel land features an animatronic Spider-Man flying through the air, and Spider-Man and Guardians of the Galaxy rides. Since 1955, Disneyland Resort has welcomed more than 800 million guests.

Disney California Adventure is getting new experiences inspired by Marvel, the Avatar franchise, and Coco, as announced at Disney’s D23 fan event in August 2024. The Marvel-themed attractions will double the size of the existing Avengers Campus. The new Avatar land will offer an innovative experience, while work on the first-ever Coco ride in a Disney park will begin in 2026.

“We’re bringing our skeletal cast of characters to life in a big way through the latest audio-animatronics technology,” D’Amaro said. “These figures will appear in ways you’ll have to see to believe.”

2022 attendance – 9,000,000

2023 attendance – 10,000,000

Opened in June 1990, Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando is owned and operated by Comcast NBCUniversal. It includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and the new DreamWorks land, as well as rides including Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, the Simpsons Ride, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, and Revenge of the Mummy.

The theme park will soon be joined at Universal Orlando by Epic Universe. Universal’s largest theme park in the US is on track for a 2025 opening. It will house five themed lands with more than 50 attractions, entertainment experiences, and retail and F&B outlets. The new lands are: Super Nintendo World, Dark Universe, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Celestial Park.

2022 attendance – 10,750,000

2023 attendance – 9,750,000

Universal Studios Hollywood is a film and TV-inspired theme park that brings the world of Hollywood to life. Opened in 1964, the park in California boasts world-class rides, attractions and events, including the Simpsons Ride in the immersive Springfield area, Jurassic World – The Ride, and Halloween Horror Nights.

The first Super Nintendo World in the US opened in early 2023 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Its signature attraction is the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge ride, which uses cutting-edge augmented reality (AR), projection mapping technology and set pieces. “We hope people of all ages will enjoy visiting the Mushroom Kingdom in real life and experiencing all the interactive surprises this land has to offer,” said Nintendo game developer Shigeru Miyamoto.

2022 attendance – 8,400,000

2023 attendance – 9,660,000

Animal Kingdom, the fourth gate at Walt Disney World Resort, opened in April 1998. It is Disney’s largest theme park, covering 500 acres and offering animal encounters, exciting attractions and elaborate stage shows. The animal-inspired park is home to 1,500 specimens of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.

Animal Kingdom is building a new land called Tropical Americas, themed to a village in the heart of the rainforest. There will be a new Indiana Jones attraction, which takes place inside a mysterious Maya temple. Additionally, the 11-acre land will include the first ride-through Encanto attraction at a Disney park. Tropical Americas is set to open in 2027.

“With Tropical Americas, we’re bringing huge projects to life for generations of fans. This is the type of signature storytelling that our Disney Imagineers have been creating for 70 years,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney’s theme parks and experiences division.

2022 attendance – 9,027,000

2023 attendance – 8,770,000

SeaWorld Orlando is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts. The park debuted in Florida in 1973 and contains various rides and roller coasters. SeaWorld Orlando’s water park, Aquatica, includes wave pools and thrilling slides. Discovery Cove is SeaWorld Orlando’s sister theme park.

In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando added the new Ice Breaker coaster. This was followed in 2023 by Pipeline: The Surf Coaster, and in 2024 by Penguin Trek. The latter is SeaWorld Orlando’s first family launch coaster. Located in the park’s new Antarctica realm, Penguin Trek boasts an indoor and outdoor track, with guests racing on snowmobile-style ride vehicles. The new ride is manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard.

“SeaWorld Orlando is already recognised as the coaster capital of Orlando. We already have an amazing array of coaster attractions catering to the whole family,” Mike Denninger, executive VP of attractions and capital development at United Parks & Resorts, told blooloop.

2022 attendance – 4,454,000

2023 attendance – 4,342,000

Located in California, Knott’s Berry Farm started out as a small berry farm. The theme park, opened in 1920, was owned and operated by Cedar Fair until the 2024 merger with Six Flags. It provides world-class roller coasters, family-friendly rides and interactive experiences. Highlights also include the 1800s Ghost Town, the Knott’s Soak City Waterpark, and the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel.

In June 2024, Knott’s opened its new Camp Snoopy land, which contains a new family-friendly coaster and a giant swing. These are both manufactured by Zamperla.

2022 attendance – 3,899,000

2023 attendance – 4,228,000

Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio contains 70 rides. These range from the family-friendly Snake River Expedition to roller coasters such as Steel Vengeance and Millennium Force. Also available at the park are beach activities, live shows, areas for children and hotels. Cedar Point, which first opened in 1870, was Cedar Fair’s flagship amusement park until its merger with Six Flags.

In 2024, Cedar Point opened the record-breaking Top Thrill 2 coaster, manufactured by Zamperla, a leading ride manufacturer. The new ride is the world’s fastest triple-launch coaster. “Top Thrill 2 is a next-level roller coaster experience for Cedar Point, Zamperla and the entire attractions industry,” said Antonio Zamperla.

2022 attendance – 3,444,000

2023 attendance – 4,050,000

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a theme park in Tampa, Florida. Owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts, it includes thrill rides, animal encounters and entertainment. The park, which made its debut in 1959, is home to nearly 12,000 animals. The world’s fastest and steepest hybrid coaster, Iron Gwazi, launched at Busch Gardens in March 2022.

In 2024, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay opened its new family-friendly suspended coaster, called Phoenix Rising. Manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), Phoenix Rising is the park’s 10th coaster, and its first to feature on-board audio and a unique soundtrack to enhance the ride experience.

2022 attendance – 4,051,000

2023 attendance – 4,000,000

Launched in 1964, California’s SeaWorld San Diego is owned and operated by United Parks & Resorts, formerly SeaWorld. Attractions include Emperor, the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the state, and the Electric Eel and Manta multi-launch coasters. Family-friendly offerings include Tentacle Twirl and Sea Dragon Drop.

In June 2023, SeaWorld San Diego opened Arctic Rescue, the fastest and longest straddle coaster on the West Coast. Manufactured by Intamin, the new family-friendly thrill ride features snowmobile-style seats. It boasts three launches and top speeds of 40 mph along 2,800 feet of track.

In 2024, SeaWorld changed its corporate name to United Parks & Resorts to unite its portfolio of seven brands across 13 theme parks in the US and Abu Dhabi.

2022 attendance – 3,507,000

2023 attendance – 3,990,000

Kings Island in Mason, Ohio has more than 100 rides, shows and attractions, including 15 coasters. One of these is the Beast – the world’s longest wooden coaster – which broke its own record in 2022. Also available at the 364-acre amusement park are the Banshee, Diamondback and Mystic Timbers coasters. In 2024, Kings Island opened its new Peanuts-themed coaster, called Snoopy’s Soap Box Racers.

Kings Island is now part of the new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation following a merger with Cedar Fair that formed the largest operator of amusement parks in North America. The combined company now looks after 42 parks and 9 resort properties in the US, Canada and Mexico.

Selim Bassoul, executive chairman of the Six Flags board of directors, said: “We believe that by combining the best ideas and most successful entertainment practices of both Six Flags and Cedar Fair, the new Six Flags can deliver a superior level of joy and excitement that has yet to be experienced by regional park guests.”

2022 attendance – 3,340,000

2023 attendance – 3,488,000

Opened in 1971, Six Flags Magic Mountain can be found in Valencia, California. The 260-acre park contains 20 roller coasters, which is more than any other theme park in the world. It also boasts the tallest, fastest and steepest coasters in the world, as well as 100 rides, attractions and games. Wonder Woman Flight of Courage debuted in summer 2022 as the park’s 20th coaster. It is the tallest and longest single-rail coaster on the planet.

Six Flags Magic Mountain will soon house California’s largest solar energy project, as the attraction is installing a new 12.37-megawatt solar carport. The solar facility will produce 20.8 million kilowatt hours of energy annually – equivalent to the electricity consumption of 2,874 homes. The solar power produced will offset 100 percent of the park’s energy usage.

In 2024, Six Flags unveiled some of the new technologies, mostly driven by artificial intelligence (AI), being used to enhance the guest experience.

2022 attendance – 2,993,000

2023 attendance – 3,400,000

Hersheypark in Pennsylvania was originally created by chocolatier Milton S. Hershey as leisure grounds for employees of the chocolate factory. Now, the 121-acre theme park boasts more than 70 rides, from thrilling coasters to classic family rides, as well as a water park and a zoo.

The $150m Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion opened at Hersheypark in 2020. The 23-acre land marked the largest investment in Hershey’s history. It is home to Candymonium, the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster at Hersheypark. Hersheypark’s new Wildcat’s Revenge wood and steel hybrid coaster opened in summer 2023. It offers four inversions and the world’s largest underflip. The original Wildcat was the park’s first coaster.

For summer 2025, Hersheypark is adding the new Twizzlers Twisted Gravity pendulum attraction. It will be the world’s tallest Screamin’ Swing by amusement ride and coaster company S&S Worldwide. Vikki Hultquist, vice president of Hersheypark and entertainment operations, said the park continues to invest in “attraction experiences that leverage unique Hershey brands”.

2022 attendance – 3,223,000

2023 attendance – 3,321,000