Knott’s Berry Farm Leads Theme Park Attendance in 2024

Southern California’s theme parks experienced a mix of attendance trends in 2024, with Knott’s Berry Farm emerging as the standout performer. According to the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), the park saw a remarkable attendance increase of 6.5%, making it the largest gainer among the top twenty North American parks. The annual Global Experience Index, released on October 23, 2024, revealed that while Knott’s thrived, Universal Studios Hollywood faced significant challenges, reporting a sharp attendance decline of 9.9%.

Disneyland and its adjacent park, Disney California Adventure, recorded a modest attendance increase of 0.5%, indicating stable visitor interest in these iconic destinations. In contrast, Six Flags Magic Mountain and SeaWorld San Diego both experienced slight gains, with attendance up 0.5% and 0.8%, respectively.

Global Rankings and Attendance Figures

The TEA’s report confirmed that globally, Disney’s Magic Kingdom retained its position as the most visited theme park, attracting 17.8 million guests, a slight increase of 0.7%. Following closely, Disneyland drew 17.3 million visitors, reflecting its 0.5% rise. Other parks in the rankings included Epcot with 12.1 million visitors and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 10.3 million.

On the contrary, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure experienced notable declines, with attendance dropping by 2.6% and 5.5%, respectively. These shifts illustrate the competitive nature of the theme park industry, where visitor preferences are constantly evolving.

The attendance figures for the top twenty North American theme parks in 2024 are as follows:

– Magic Kingdom — 17.8 million (+0.7%)
– Disneyland — 17.3 million (+0.5%)
– Epcot — 12.1 million (+1.3%)
– Disney’s Hollywood Studios — 10.3 million (+0.3%)
– Disney California Adventure — 10.1 million (+0.5%)
– Universal Studios Florida — 9.5 million (-2.6%)
– Universal’s Islands of Adventure — 9.5 million (-5.5%)
– Disney’s Animal Kingdom — 8.8 million (+0.3%)
– Universal Studios Hollywood — 8.7 million (-9.9%)
– Knott’s Berry Farm — 4.5 million (+6.5%)

This year’s attendance dynamics demonstrate the shifting landscape of theme parks, showcasing how fluctuations in guest experiences can dramatically affect visitation numbers.

Industry Trends and Company Performance

The merger of Six Flags and Cedar Fair has resulted in the formation of a substantial new entity in the amusement park sector. The combined company, now ranked fifth globally with 50.3 million visitors, has shifted the competitive landscape, placing it just behind Universal with 59 million attendees.

At the top of the global rankings, Disney maintains a commanding lead with 145.2 million visitors, followed by China’s Fantawild at 87.2 million and Legoland parent Merlin with 62.8 million.

As the theme park industry continues to evolve, the insights from the Themed Entertainment Association provide valuable data for operators and visitors alike. The trends noted in the 2024 Global Experience Index highlight the importance of innovation and guest experience in maintaining attendance and competitiveness among these popular attractions.