News Summary
Themed Entertainment Association’s latest report shows Walt Disney World experiencing a rise in attendance with approximately 49.1 million guests, while Universal Orlando faced declines at its parks. Magic Kingdom remains the top visited park globally. The report indicates a 2.4% increase in attendance among major theme parks worldwide, driven by recovery from post-pandemic travel patterns, though Universal’s recent drop could be tied to upcoming attractions like Epic Universe.
Orlando, Florida
Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) has unveiled its 2024 Global Attractions Attendance Report, revealing a slight uptick in attendance at Walt Disney World while Universal Orlando experienced notable declines. In 2024, Walt Disney World parks attracted approximately 49.1 million guests, an improvement compared to previous years, despite ongoing market challenges.
In 2024, Magic Kingdom upheld its status as the most visited theme park globally, drawing 17.836 million visitors, marking a rise from 17.72 million in 2023. Following closely, Disneyland Park in California secured the second position with over 17.3 million visitors. Notably, EPCOT experienced modest growth, now standing as the second-highest attended park within the Walt Disney World resort.
In contrast, Universal Orlando faced challenges with its attendance figures. Both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure encountered minor decreases in visitor numbers, ranking 12th and 13th globally, respectively. Over the past two years, Universal’s parks have seen attendance drop by around 1 million visitors each.
Trends and Market Position
The TEA report highlights a broader trend, indicating a 2.4% increase in total attendance among the top 25 amusement/theme parks worldwide for 2024, reaching 245.97 million visitors. This increase is attributed to the stabilization of travel patterns as they recover from the pandemic. However, Universal Orlando’s recent downturn is possibly linked to guests delaying visits until the anticipated opening of its new Epic Universe theme park in summer 2025.
Despite the recent challenges, long-term trends demonstrate that Disney continues to hold a robust market position overall. In 2024, Disney commanded 67.82% of total Orlando-area theme park attendance, while Universal Orlando accounted for 26.17%. Universal’s attendance has been impacted by a lack of significant new attractions in recent years, suggesting a potential stagnation in growth if this trend continues.
Water Park Attendance
The report also offered insights into the performance of global water parks, which saw less than a 1% increase in overall attendance. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon ranked fifth with 1.817 million visitors, while Universal’s Volcano Bay came in seventh, attracting 1.65 million guests.
Implications for the Future
As the theme park industry continues to navigate post-pandemic challenges, the TEA’s attendance report serves as a critical benchmark for analyzing overall trends. The reputable organization compiles data through a blend of operator statistics, tourism indicators, and financial disclosures, establishing a reliable portrayal of attendance in the global theme park landscape.
The contrasting attendance figures of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando highlight the ongoing competition in the Florida theme park market. With guests gearing up for the future, the developments surrounding Epic Universe will be closely watched as Universal seeks to rebound and reinvigorate its standing in the industry.
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Additional Resources
- Disney Tourist Blog
- USA Today
- Mouse Planet
- Wikipedia: Theme Park
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theme Park
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
