The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) released its annual attendance report for 2025, showing that the North American theme‑park market changed little last year. While the top 20 parks combined for an estimated 143 million visits – a modest 1.5 percent increase over the prior report – that growth was driven almost entirely by two parks.
Universal Orlando’s Epic Universe Provides the Only Major Upswing
Universal Orlando’s brand‑new Epic Universe opened in late May 2025 and attracted roughly 4 million guests by year‑end, according to TEA estimates. The new park earned a No. 13 ranking among North American attractions and added an estimated 3.5 million turnstile clicks to the Universal Orlando Resort overall.
Despite the boost, the two older Universal Orlando parks – Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure – each saw attendance dip by more than 2 percent, holding steady at No. 6 and No. 7 respectively. TEA notes that the combined attendance of those two parks peaked in 2022 at 21.77 million guests, only about 730,000 fewer than the 2025 total that includes Epic Universe.
Dollywood’s Steady Rise
The second park to post notable growth was Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. After debuting in the TEA Top 20 list in 2024, Dollywood’s attendance rose another 8 percent in 2025, reaching an estimated 3.4 million visitors and securing the No. 16 spot.
Widespread Declines Across the Board
Most other major parks either flat‑lined or fell further behind. Universal Studios Hollywood recorded the steepest drop, losing 8 percent of its guests to end the year with 8 million visitors, down from 9.66 million two years earlier when Super Nintendo World opened.
Six Flags locations also struggled. Knott’s Berry Farm slipped out of the top 10 with a 4.2 percent decline to 4.315 million guests. Cedar Point, Kings Island, and Six Flags Magic Mountain each posted double‑digit percentage drops, falling to 3.497 million, 3.226 million, and 3.184 million visitors respectively. Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois fell out of the top 20 entirely.
Meanwhile, the industry’s flagship destinations – Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Disneyland – retained their No. 1 and No. 2 positions both in North America and worldwide, underscoring the enduring draw of the Disney brand.
What the Numbers Mean for the Industry
TEA’s data suggest that without new, high‑profile attractions, many established parks are struggling to maintain visitor levels. The modest overall increase in attendance reflects the power of a single new park to offset broader market softness.
Industry analysts point to rising operational costs, shifting consumer preferences, and competition from streaming entertainment as contributing factors. The report encourages park operators to invest in fresh experiences and to consider regional demographics when planning expansions.
Full Report Available
Readers can download the complete TEA Global Experience Index report for a detailed breakdown of attendance trends, regional performance, and projections for the coming year.
Original reporting: Orlando Rising — read the source article.
