Theme parks are a mainstay of American family vacations, and even though some may argue that an amusement-park vacation should be the first family budget expense cut in hard times, they remain a popular vacation destination. In 2009, 185.6 million people visited the top 25 amusement parks worldwide while in North America alone, 121.4 million people enjoyed the childhood joys of the top 20 theme parks, according to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).

While the numbers show a slight decrease from 2008, 0.2% worldwide and 1.1% in North America, “since 2005, attendance to the top 20 parks in North America has grown by 2.8 percent,” as reported by TEA.  Catching up to Americanslove of theme parks is Europe, with the highest increased attendance. The 2008 to 2009 year-to-year attendance did not change, but since 2005 the overall attendance in the top 20 European amusement parks increased 7.3% compared to the USA’s 2.8% increase -- Disneyland Park in Paris being the most popular with over 12 million visitors (TEA).

TEA reports, however, that the most visited park in the world is Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, with 17.2 million visitors in 2009. Aggregate numbers aside, according to Theme Park Insider’s members who vote and rate theme parks, the best theme park in 2010 is Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Universal’s Orlando Resort. On the other hand, if you are looking for roller-coaster thrills, Cedar Point in Ohio holds the world’s record of 17 roller coasters in one amusement park. Granted, a couple are for younger kids, but Top Thrill Dragster, Corkscrew, and Wicked Twister are a challenge for the most seasoned roller-coaster connoisseur.

Of the top 25 parks in the world, Efteling in the Netherlands experienced the highest increase in attendance with 4 million total visitors in 2009, up 25% from 2008 (TEA). Maybe this was due to the addition of The Flying Dutchman water coaster in 2007. Back in the States, the Theme Park Insider voted Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey in Universal’s Orlando resort as the best new attraction in 2010. Although the Theme Park Insider rated Islands of Adventure Universal Orlando best amusement park having the best new attraction and TEA ranks it 13 out of the top 25, Islands of Adventure experienced an 11.3% drop in attendance in 2009 to 4.6 million visitors.

In the end, we may just ask who rules the world of theme park entertainment. According to TEA, Walt Disney Attractions owns the lion’s share of the industry at almost 3 times more visitors than its second competitor. Walt Disney had a total of 119.1 million visitors in 2009 compared to runner-up Merlin Entertainments Group’s 38.5 million. Mickey Mouse, “you’re still the man!”

Works Cited

“2009 Theme Index: The Global Attractions Attendance Report.” Theme Entertainment Association (TEA).

“Theme Park Ratings and Reviews.” Theme Park Insider.

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