Theme Park Attendance Stagnates in 2025 Report
Global attendance at the top 25 theme parks reached 245.4 million visits, reflecting a 0.2% decline from 2024 levels.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Theme Parks
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The Themed Entertainment Association released its 2025 Global Experience Index on October 27, 2026, showing that top theme park attendance dipped slightly to 245.4 million total visits. While performance varied by location, regional parks faced attendance headwinds throughout the year.
Why it matters
The report highlights shifting consumer traffic patterns across the global attractions industry, where weather disruptions impacted regional park attendance. Despite the broader decline, some individual properties saw significant growth through operational adjustments and the normalization of seasonal schedules.
The top 25 global theme parks recorded 245.4 million visits, while the top 20 museums saw 161.4 million visits with a 5.4% growth rate. Every Six Flags-operated park on the North American top 20 list experienced an attendance decline during this period.
The players
Themed Entertainment Association
This international non-profit organization represents creators, developers, and designers working within the themed entertainment industry.
Walt Disney World
This Florida-based entertainment complex operates four major theme parks that recorded 49,003,000 combined visits in 2025.
Dollywood
Located in Tennessee, this theme park reported a growth of 8.1% with 3.4 million total visits.
Six Flags
This operator manages numerous amusement parks across North America that collectively recorded attendance declines in the 2025 report.
The details
Attendance figures were calculated using operator statistics, financial reports, tourism data, and mobile analytics. Disney's Blizzard Beach saw a notable 50.5% growth, attributed primarily to the return of both Disney water parks to regular, full-year seasonal operations.
Timeline
2024 served as the baseline year for attendance comparisons.
2025 was the primary period covered by the attendance index report.
October 27, 2026, marked the official publication date of the index.
Travel Outlook
This data mirrors the seasonal fluctuations and external pressures that define global tourism cycles in the themed attraction sector. By comparing 2025 results to the precedent set by the Themed Entertainment Association's 2024 Global Experience Index, the report updates figures previously established for the industry.
Travelers looking to visit popular attractions should expect variable crowd sizes as parks adjust schedules based on seasonal weather patterns. Planning trips around water park reopening dates or shoulder seasons may help visitors avoid the peak attendance numbers seen at major destinations.
The takeaway
The 2025 data suggests that while top-tier theme parks maintain steady attendance, regional attractions remain sensitive to external operational and weather factors. Visitors should check individual park operating calendars, as seasonal changes can lead to significant shifts in availability and crowd density.
Further reading
For more on industry performance metrics, explore our Theme Parks section.
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