Earlier this month, Themed Entertainment Association and AECOM Economics & Advisory released their annual Theme Index Report, showcasing global attractions’ estimated attendance for 2023. Industry insiders rely on this report to assess how theme parks across the United States and worldwide perform in a given year.
The report uses actual and estimated figures; not all theme parks release attendance numbers. Not a huge surprise, the Walt Disney Company’s theme parks attract more visitors than their competitors. Disney saw gains in several parks. EPCOT saw an increase in attendance of nearly 20%. Disney California Adventure also performed well above average, with attendance figures up 11%.
However, the report shows “somewhat stagnant” attendance for North American theme parks overall in 2023, with a region-wide average of 3% growth from 2022.
In numerous instances, the theme parks that opened new rides and attractions in 2023 saw a boost in attendance. Others with rides and parks …