It is that time again, time to point out just how badly Disney owns the theme park industry in the United States and pretty much around the world. TEA does its yearly (awesome) report on the most-visited theme parks in the world as well as the most-visited water parks and museums. The report is free to download for the world to see and enjoy. But now it is time to analyze, observe, and then guess and predict.
Let’s start with the big shocker in the water park industry: Disney is no longer #1, having to instead settle for the #2 and the #3 slot. It might be because Downtown Disney’s hot traffic woes prevent people from even entering the territory, but Typhoon Lagoon’s reign at #1 has come to an end as a water park from China exploded in popularity in 2013 and overtook the throne. Chimelong Waterpark increased by a whopping 34% while the Orlando water parks increased only 1-2%. That being said, I am sure Orlando isn’t too upset as they own 4 of among the top 15 water parks in the world. Not bad.
If Disney was smart, they would find a way to connect Typhoon and the New Downtown Disney so that its easier access between the two. A few actual new attractions within the two parks wouldn’t hurt either, as we haven’t seen anything come out of Blizzard Beach since….well, its original opening date. Typhoon Lagoon has the water roller coaster, but nothing truly expansive. Lastly there’s the Brazilian water park Thermas coming out of nowhere to enter the Top 5.
Moving on to the United States, Disney owns the 6 most visited parks in the United States, and the competition isn’t even close. After a couple years of Islands of Adventure threatening to catch up to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, it has instead watched the Disney parks continue to grow despite Harry Potter, Transformers, Simpsons, and Despicable Me alter the landscape of the Universal parks. Universal Studios has seen the crazy growth its sister park received after Harry Potter—and is now looking like a true second-day alternative as opposed to an afterthought amongst tourists in Orlando. Now, both Universal parks are getting attention.
Rounding out in the #10 spot is Sea World, which has been through some nasty waters with a change in ownership and the Blackfish documentary slumming up the reputation. But it is all about Disney Dominance, again, as Magic Kingdom continues to baffle the competition and inch towards 20 million visitors a year. What is definitely odd however is that while the increase in Magic Kingdom is at 6%, we aren’t seeing that major growth from the other parks. As a matter of fact, Universal Studios had a bigger increase than Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios combined.
Epcot is the park that should probably need a boost, because even with the new Test Track its increase has been minimal and now Animal Kingdom is getting closer, and still has Festival of the Lion King II and Avatar within the radar. As for Epcot it has…well….um…a new Soarin’? I am not even going to dwell on this subject, as I have discussed Epcot’s surefire need of a change many times over. Hollywood Studios continues being the least-visited of the Disney parks, and is the one most at risk of slipping as Universal is becoming a third/fourth/fifth park option for guests.
It all sounds like bad news but as long as Disney continues seeing the increase in visitors amongst all the parks why even consider change? Why don’t we go to the world rankings and truly marvel at Disney’s prominent dominance of the planet. Disney owns the Top 8 slots! And then for good measure it nabs the #10 and #13 spot. Disneyland Paris drops 6% but still tops the second most-popular European park by over 6 million visitors. Universal Studios can fight all they want, but it’s going to take a massive overhaul of success to even attempt to challenge the Beatles equivalent of theme parks in Orlando (Hollywood Studios is Ringo Starr, and Downtown Disney might be Yoko if they continue the traffic nightmare).
Magic Kingdom is #1 in the world, and it’s not even close. A simple expansion, a simple marketing campaign, and the continuing good reviews give it an amazing 18 million visitors. By comparison take the 20 most popular NBA teams and combine their attendance in 2013--------still won’t hit the 18 million Magic Kingdom got by itself. And only God knows what will happen if Magic Kingdom gets a Frozen ride….
We have a new #2 though, with the Japanese counterpart seeing a drastic increase (much like most of the Far East parks) and knocking down Disneyland to #3. And in spite of Epcot’s smallest growth amongst the Fab 4, it made it to the Top 5 of the World. The shuffle doesn’t affect the competition much because it’s all under the same umbrella of the Mouse. All in all, it’s good to be Disney.
Very good to be Disney.
Here is the 2012 Edition
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