Top Ten Amusement Parks in North America



Magic Kingdom

Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 20,492,000

Slogan: The Most Magical Place on Earth

Magic Kingdom, one of the most visited theme park of the world, opened in October 1971. It is the first theme park to be built in the Walt Disney World Resort complex. The central Cinderella Castle that represents the theme park is also part of the park’s logo. Classic attractions of the park include musicals and parades of Disney characters and grand fireworks displays atop the castle. It is a great favorite with children and young adults alike.

Disneyland (Disneyland Park)

Location: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, USA

Visitors in 2015: 18,278,000

Slogan: Where Dreams Come True

The first theme park to be built in the Anaheim Disneyland Resort, the Disneyland Park was inaugurated in 1955. The design and construction of this dream park was supervised by Walt Disney himself. This Californian park brings us 8 different lands of adventure and fun. This is the right place to meet Disney princesses, pirates, and go on themed adventure rides such as Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and the Path of the Jedi.

Epcot

Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 11,798,000

Theme: Technology and international culture

In a grand celebration of the cultural and technological advances made by mankind, the Epcot theme park was inaugurated in October 1982 at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It is the third most visited in the continent and sixth most visited in the world. The central building that represents this park is a spherical structure referred to as Spaceship Earth. The cultural displays of 11 different countries, Future World (technology based adventure center), theme parades, music shows, and grand fireworks display are the main attractions of this park.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 10,922,000

Theme: Natural environment and Animal conservation

Dedicated to preserving and nurturing the national environment and to conserving animal life, Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened up in the Walt Disney World Resort in 1998. A giant artificial tree (about 145 foot tall) represents this park. Disney’s Animal kingdom is the perfect place to take an African safari, to walk into the wild world of dinosaurs and T-Rex and enjoy The Jungle Book nightly show, when the jungle and its inmates come alive.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 10,828,000

Theme: Movies, Thrill

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is where the magic of movies comes together with thrilling rides and complete entertainment. The theme park was inaugurated in May 1989 and since then it has seen a number of mascots. The original Earffel Tower gave way to the Sorcerer’s Hat and now the Twilight Zone of Terror and Great Movie Ride serve as icons representing the park. Of the six zones, the park is divided into, Pixar Place, and Animation COurtyard are favorites.

Universal Studios Florida

Location: Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 9,585,000

Slogan: Vacation Like You Mean It

Based on some of the best-loved movies, this fun and adventure theme park by Universal Studios opened up to public in June 1990. The greatest attraction of this park is ‘The Wizarding World of Harry Potter’ – a complete recreation of the magical world of wizards and witches. Complete with the goblin bank, Gringotts, the wand shop, Ollivanders, the joke and trick items shop, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes, and the irresistible Diagon Alley, this area is a favorite with both kids and adults. Annual bashes and Hollywood theme rides complete the charm of Universal Studios Florida.

Disney California Adventure Park

Location: Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, USA

Visitors in 2015: 9,383,000

Slogan: The Little Theme Park that’s BIG on Family Fun

Built specially to showcase Disney and Pixar characters and the culture of California, the Disney California Adventure is a favorite with children. The park was opened to public in 2001. While there are 7 areas of entertainment, Bug’s Land, Car Land, and Paradise Pier are among the favorites here. Do not miss out on the live music jigs organized from time to time and the nightly show World of Color.

Islands of Adventure

Location: Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 8,792,000

Slogan: Vacation Like You Mean It

Located in the same resort as Universal Studios (Florida), the Islands of Adventure opened up in May 1999. This theme park is divided into seven different themes based on cartoon characters, children’s literature, and myths and legends. Marvel Super Hero Island, Hogsmeade (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter), Jurassic Park, and Seuss Landing are among the most popular islands of the park. Apart from the thrilling rides, the restaurants here are also themed on myths and legends.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Location: Universal City, California, USA

Visitors in 2015: 7,097,000

Slogan: The Entertainment Capital of LA

Universal Studios Hollywood opened in April 1912 and is one of the oldest and best-known Hollywood film studios in the world. By July, 1964, the studio graduated from giving tours to becoming a full-fledged theme park. Apart from a behind-the-scenes action tour, this is the right place to meet movie characters such as Shrek, Harry Potter, King Kong, and Universal’s animal characters.

SeaWorld Orlando

Location: Orlando, Florida, USA

Visitors in 2015: 4,777,000

Slogan: The Voyage Begins…

One of the three SeaWorld parks in the resort, SeaWorld Orlando was set up in December 1973. Apart from being the 10th most visited amusement park in North America, it is the 22nd most visited park in the world. Focussing exclusively on marine life and the seas and oceans of the world, the theme park features seven fascinating zones or “seas”. From exploring Antarctica to the Mediterranean marine life and from underwater exploration to dancing with dolphins, SeaWorld has it all.

*Visitors data from 2015 TEA/AECOM Theme Index