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Top 10 Most Visited Theme Parks Worldwide

Written by Arash F, Junior Journalist at Brand Vision Insights.

Entertainment

5 min read

uPDATED ON

Apr 22, 2025

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The global theme park industry continues to rebound, with post‑pandemic theme park recovery trends pushing major parks back toward record levels. According to recent TEA / AECOM Theme Index estimates, the world’s busiest theme parks 2024 collectively surpassed 260 million visits—a rise from 244.6 million in 2023. While Walt Disney Parks & Resorts still dominate (close to 150 million total visitors in 2024), operators in China and Japan are gaining ground. Below, we count down #10 to #1 the top theme parks by attendance for 2024–2025, along with five honorable mentions that also drew massive crowds worldwide.

10. Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), USA

Yearly Visitors (2024): 10.8 million

Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World retains its position in the top ten, welcoming around 10.8 million guests in 2024—up from 10.3 million in 2023. Once a working film and TV studio, the park has transformed into a hub of fully immersive lands like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (home to Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance) and Toy Story Land. The synergy of classic rides (Tower of Terror, Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster) with new hits (Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway) continues driving growth. Rumors persist of expansions themed to Indiana Jones or more Pixar IP, ensuring Hollywood Studios remains entrenched in the global theme park attendance ranking for the foreseeable future.

9. Disneyland Park (Paris) – Marne-la-Vallée, France

Yearly Visitors (2024): 10.9 million

Disneyland Park in Paris (formerly Euro Disney) remains Europe’s undisputed attendance leader, at 10.9 million guests this year—a modest jump from 10.4 million in 2023. First opened in 1992, it now benefits from expansions at the adjacent Walt Disney Studios Park (including Avengers Campus and a forthcoming Frozen land). Signature rides like Space Mountain: Hyperspace Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain (on its own island) keep drawing families, while the fairytale Sleeping Beauty Castle plus seasonal parades uphold the classic Disney magic. Under the new DisneylandForward project for Europe, Disneyland Paris is exploring potential expansions that might include Pixar or Star Wars elements. These investments signal that Disneyland Paris will remain among the top theme parks by attendance into 2025.

8. EPCOT – Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), USA

Yearly Visitors (2024): 12.3 million

EPCOT at Walt Disney World has topped 12.3 million visits, building on last year’s big additions. Spaceship Earth and World Showcase remain centerpieces, but new rides like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure are propelling the park to new heights—especially among annual theme park visitor statistics. EPCOT’s multi-year transformation is ongoing: the park now divides Future World into World Celebration, World Discovery, and World Nature, each brimming with fresh landscaping, interactive elements, and a Moana-themed Journey of Water walkthrough. With strong festival attendance (Food & Wine, Flower & Garden) and rumored expansions on the horizon, EPCOT’s place in the most visited theme parks in the world is all but guaranteed through 2025.

EPCOT – Lake Buena Vista — Image Credits: Disney

7. Tokyo DisneySea – Urayasu (Tokyo), Japan

Yearly Visitors (2024): 13.0 million

Tokyo DisneySea remains a fan-favorite for immersive theming and top-notch hospitality, registering about 13.0 million visitors in 2024—a notable climb from 12.4 million the year prior. Since its 2001 opening, DisneySea’s “ports of call,” from Mediterranean Harbor to Arabian Coast, have drawn raves for detail and storytelling. Highlights include the volcanic Journey to the Center of the Earth ride, the aquatic Mermaid Lagoon, and the mesmerizing nighttime shows on the central lagoon. The park is prepping for a massive Fantasy Springs addition set to open in 2024, featuring new Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan mini-lands. With each expansion, DisneySea cements itself among the most visited theme parks 2024, renowned for unique design and upmarket Disney theming.

6. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom – Hengqin (Zhuhai), China

Yearly Visitors (2024): 13.1 million

Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in southern China surges ahead with 13.1 million attendees in 2024, retaining its spot as the highest-ranked non-Disney or Universal single park. Located on Hengqin Island near Macau, this marine-themed park presents massive aquariums (with whale sharks, dolphins, and belugas) alongside thrill rides like Dolphin Coaster. Ocean Kingdom also launched new marine shows and exhibits in 2024, plus an expanded nighttime lagoon spectacular. As part of the larger Chimelong International Ocean Resort, it benefits from integrated hotels, a water park, and the Chimelong Spaceship indoor park next door. Given its double-digit attendance growth each year, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom highlights Asia’s appetite for large-scale themed entertainment beyond the classic U.S. operators.

5. Shanghai Disneyland – Shanghai, China

Yearly Visitors (2024): 14.8 million

Shanghai Disneyland soared to approximately 14.8 million visitors in 2024, buoyed by China’s broader travel recovery and the new Zootopia land (opened late 2023). The park’s signature attractions—Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, TRON Lightcycle Power Run, and the largest Disney castle (Enchanted Storybook Castle)—deliver a modern, tech-forward Disney experience. Zootopia: Hot Pursuit! (a trackless dark ride) is Shanghai Disneyland’s latest major offering, fueling strong attendance gains. Designed with Chinese influences like the Garden of the Twelve Friends, this resort merges local culture with Disney’s global IP, securing Shanghai Disneyland’s place in the most visited theme parks in the world for 2024–2025.

4. Tokyo Disneyland – Urayasu (Tokyo), Japan

Yearly Visitors (2024): 15.6 million

Tokyo Disneyland posted roughly 15.6 million guests in 2024, continuing its rebound. Modeled after the original Disneyland in California, this park enthralls visitors with classics such as Space Mountain, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek. A major 2020 expansion introduced a Beauty and the Beast mini-land, while future enhancements include a $400 million plan to remake Space Mountain by 2027. Tokyo Disneyland’s synergy with sibling park DisneySea (located next door) boosts overall resort draws. Known for impeccable service and seasonal events, Tokyo Disneyland stands as Asia’s second most visited park behind USJ—yet typically outranks it in some years—and a staple in global theme park attendance ranking battles.

3. Universal Studios Japan – Osaka, Japan

Yearly Visitors (2024): 16.5 million

Universal Studios Japan extended its lead as the top non-Disney park worldwide, surpassing 16.5 million guests in 2024. Building off the explosive popularity of Super Nintendo World (with Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge and interactive “Power-Up Bands”), the park is now expanding that area to include a Donkey Kong section slated for late 2025. USJ also features The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Minion Park, all of which continue to draw local and international tourists. By regularly unveiling new rides based on hot IP, USJ cements its position among the top theme parks by attendance. With Osaka’s tourism booming and potential future expansions rumored (Pokémon?), USJ’s star should only rise further.

2. Disneyland Park – Anaheim (California), USA

Yearly Visitors (2024): 17.6 million

Disneyland in California still stands as the most visited single-gate park outside Florida, hosting 17.6 million guests in 2024. Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom, opened in 1955, effortlessly blends classic rides—Pirates of the Caribbean, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Haunted Mansion—with new hits. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge remains a major draw, while Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which opened in 2023, adds new family fun in Toontown. With a $1.9 billion DisneylandForward plan rumored to bring IP expansions from Frozen, Tangled, Zootopia, Tron, or Marvel, Disneyland shows no signs of losing momentum. As a global icon for theme park nostalgia and innovation, it claims a perennial top spot in annual theme park visitor statistics.

1. Magic Kingdom – Lake Buena Vista (Orlando), USA

Yearly Visitors (2024): 18.2 million

The undisputed champion of most visited theme parks in the world, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World drew 18.2 million guests in 2024—up from 17.7 million in 2023. With six themed lands built around Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom merges nostalgic classics (Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean) and new draws like the TRON Lightcycle / Run coaster. Rumors of a “villains land” expansion swirl, reinforcing the park’s commitment to fresh experiences. Given Florida’s robust tourism, synergy with three other Disney World parks, and near-constant updates, Magic Kingdom continues dominating global attendance charts, showcasing how Disney’s brand power endures across generations.

Honorable Mentions

Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal City (California), USA

Yearly Visitors (2024): ~9.9 million

This park sits just outside the global top 10, with about 9.9 million visits. Universal Studios Hollywood is famed for its Studio Tour and real working backlot, plus signature rides like Jurassic World and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Super Nintendo World, which opened in early 2023, boosted attendance significantly. Though smaller than its Orlando or Osaka counterparts, its unique Hollywood flair and hillside vistas maintain strong appeal.

Universal Studios Beijing – Beijing, China

Yearly Visitors (2024): ~9.3 million

Universal’s newest park, opened in September 2021, has rapidly climbed attendance charts in China, hitting roughly 9.3 million in 2024. Featuring Transformers, Minion Land, a dedicated Kung Fu Panda area, and more, it’s already challenging older parks with modern, immersive lands. As international travel resumes fully, Universal Beijing may soon crack the top ten in annual theme park visitor statistics.

Everland – Yongin (Gyeonggi), South Korea

Yearly Visitors (2024): ~6.2 million

Everland is South Korea’s top theme park, often called the “Disneyland of Korea.” Established in 1976 and operated by Samsung C&T, it features major coasters like T‑Express, plus a sprawling zoo and frequent seasonal festivals. While not top 10 globally, it remains hugely popular for domestic families and is an East Asian staple for holiday getaways.

Europa-Park – Rust, Germany

Yearly Visitors (2024): ~6.2 million

Europa-Park is the largest park in Germany and second in Europe behind Disneyland Paris. Owned by the Mack family (coaster manufacturers), it offers an array of themed “countries,” 13 major roller coasters, and multiple on-site resort hotels. Recent expansions include Rulantica, an indoor water park, and a new “Voltron Nevera” coaster under construction. Its consistent Golden Ticket Award wins for best amusement park highlight Europa-Park’s strong mix of thrills and theming.

Fantawild Group – Multiple Locations, China

Yearly Visitors (2024): 90.1 million (chain-wide)

While no single Fantawild park cracks the top 10, collectively the chain’s dozens of parks across China drew an estimated 90.1 million attendees in 2024—second only to Disney in total. With brands like Fantawild Adventure and Oriental Heritage, these parks weave Chinese folklore, advanced dark rides, and stunt shows. Fantawild’s continued expansion underscores China’s surging domestic theme-park market, fueling this operator’s dramatic climb in post‑pandemic theme park recovery trends.

Conclusion

From Magic Kingdom’s enduring reign as the most visited theme park in the world to the swift rise of Chinese operators like Fantawild and Chimelong, 2024–2025 signals a new era of global competition in themed entertainment. Disney parks remain top draws—Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park, and Tokyo’s duo—but Universal’s expansions (especially Super Nintendo World) and China’s in-country boom are reshaping the global theme park attendance ranking. As expansions like Tokyo DisneySea’s Fantasy Springs, EPCOT’s ongoing transformation, and Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe roll out, we can expect record-breaking crowds and fresh experiences. For theme-park enthusiasts and industry watchers alike, the next few years promise bigger numbers, bolder attractions, and an ever-evolving “race to the top” in annual theme park visitor statistics worldwide.

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Disclosure: This list is intended as an informational resource and is based on independent research and publicly available information. It does not imply that these businesses are the absolute best in their category. Learn more here.

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