Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom continued its reign as the world's most visited theme park in 2024, with Disneyland in California securing the second spot. This strong performance for Disney comes as Universal's U.S. parks experienced a drop in visitor numbers, anticipating new attractions set to open this year and next.
Key Takeaways
- Magic Kingdom and Disneyland remain the top two most visited theme parks globally.
- Overall global theme park attendance increased by 2.4% in 2024.
- Disney led all companies with 145 million visitors, an increase of 1.2%.
- Universal was the only major company to see a decline, dropping 0.7% in overall visitors.
- Dollywood entered the North American top 20 for the first time.
Global Theme Park Industry Sees Growth
The latest TEA Global Experience Index, an annual attendance report, reveals a positive trend for the global theme park industry. Combined attendance for the top 25 theme parks worldwide reached nearly 246 million visitors in 2024, marking a 2.4% increase from the previous year. This report, now compiled with research partners Entertainment + Culture Advisors (ECA) and The Park Database (TPDB), provides a comprehensive look at the industry's performance.
Melissa Oviedo, CEO of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), highlighted the report's expanded scope.
"The 2024 TEA Global Experience Index marks a new chapter in the long history of this attendance report. We can now easily grow the report to match the expanding role of themed entertainment in markets around the world. TEA is honored to have distinguished partners like ECA, TPDB, Storyland Studios, and InPark Magazine collaborating on this valuable resource."
This expansion allows for a more detailed analysis of market trends across different regions.
Attendance Snapshot
- Top 25 Global Parks: Nearly 246 million visitors (up 2.4%)
- Disney Parks Worldwide: 145 million visitors (up 1.2%)
- Universal Parks Worldwide: Nearly 59 million visitors (down 0.7%)
Disney Maintains Dominant Position
Disney continues to be the leading force in the theme park sector. The company attracted approximately 145 million visitors across all its parks globally in 2024. This represents a 1.2% increase compared to the previous year, solidifying its position as the world's most popular theme park operator.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida led the charge, securing the number one spot for individual park attendance. It was closely followed by the original Disneyland in California, which also drew significant crowds. Disney's consistent performance underscores its strong brand appeal and ongoing investment in guest experiences.
Top Global Theme Park Companies by Attendance (2024)
- Disney: 145 million visitors
- Fantawild (China): 87.2 million visitors
- Merlin Entertainments: 62.8 million visitors
- Universal: Nearly 59 million visitors
- Six Flags Entertainment Corporation: 50.3 million visitors
Universal Parks Experience Decline Amidst Anticipation
In contrast to Disney's growth, Universal was the only major theme park company to report a decline in visitor numbers in 2024. The company saw a 0.7% drop in overall attendance from 2023, with nearly 59 million visitors globally. This dip is largely attributed to anticipation for new attractions, particularly the upcoming Epic Universe theme park at Universal Orlando, which officially opened in May of this year.
Specific Universal parks in the U.S. felt the impact most acutely. Attendance at Islands of Adventure fell by 5.5%, reaching 9.45 million visitors and causing it to drop three spots to number 14 worldwide. Universal Studios Florida also saw a 2.6% decrease, with 9.5 million visitors. Universal Studios Hollywood experienced an even sharper decline of 9.9%, bringing its attendance to 8.8 million and placing it ninth in North America.
Epic Universe's Future Impact
The official opening of Universal Orlando's Epic Universe in May 2025 is expected to significantly alter Universal's attendance figures in future reports. Industry observers are keen to see if the new park will draw visitors from Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure, or if it will create an overall attendance boost for the resort.
Regional Highlights and Newcomers
Beyond the major players, the report also highlighted notable performances in various regions. In North America, Dollywood, a Herschend theme park, made its debut in the top 20 for the first time, welcoming over 3.1 million visitors in 2024. Knott's Berry Farm also saw a significant surge, with a 6.5% increase in attendance, allowing it to displace SeaWorld Orlando for the tenth spot in the national rankings.
Internationally, Universal Studios Beijing demonstrated strong growth, with attendance surging by 8.6% to 9.775 million visitors. Universal Studios Japan maintained its position as the top theme park in Asia and third worldwide, with unchanged attendance of 16 million visitors. In the Middle East, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi debuted on the list for Europe and the Middle East, attracting 1.75 million visitors in its first full year of operation. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi also saw a healthy 12.5% increase in visitors.
These regional successes indicate a diverse and evolving landscape within the global theme park industry, with new parks and established favorites continuing to draw large crowds.
