Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications incl...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
26 comments
MD Jatak
July 16, 2018
Awesome travel experience, Thanks for sharing it…
Alex Haberman
April 20, 2019
Good list, but I’ll say is that there is a big difference between an amusement park and a theme park. Disney parks are all mostly theme parks, and don’t provide the thrills amusement parks do, like Cedar Point or Six Flags Magic Mountain. I’m not saying they’re better, as it just depends whether you tend to enjoy theme parks or amusement parks more. However, if you were strictly ranking based off of the title, Disney parks would, for most, not rank that high. Same goes for Universal parks, but they would probably rank higher than Disney parks, as they are pretty much hybrids between amusement and theme parks, creating a great balance. I may seem like I’m just heavily driving a point that is a nit-pick, but ask most other amusement/theme park enthusiasts, and they’ll agree.
Lital Gottlieb
May 06, 2019
I tend to agree with Alex here..some of the best and my ultimate favorite amusement parks are the one’s who have the best rides, best roller-coasters and Disney/Universal offer a different experience. It’s more for kids and or adults who are kids (guilty as charged), and offer a fuller experience that usually has nothing to do with the rides. yes the rides are much more complex and cool but the sheer amount of thrilling Adrenalin filled rides are a lot smaller..
Plus, if you have been to one six flags you have been to all, no?
Amar Hussain
May 14, 2019
Hi Lital,
Thank you for your comment. While I agree hardcore amusement park fans may make the distinction between an amusement park and a theme park, by definition, it is not wrong to say a theme park is a type of amusement park and therefore the title of this list, and its contents, still make sense.
“Theme Park – an amusement park with a unifying setting or idea.”
As for whether some of these parks would or should have made the list, the rankings were based on visitation numbers rather than ride types, themes, or thrill levels.
Thanks, Amar
Bob
March 12, 2020
Should have called it top parks – by attendance then….because it’s weak.
SJ
May 25, 2020
I agree with Bob. Such a disappointing ranking list.
Damian Cabanas
July 26, 2021
Completely agree.
Dewey
June 21, 2019
The images for Disneyland and California adventure are transposed.
Erin Miller
June 22, 2019
Hi Dewey, we’ll take a look – thanks for chiming in! 🙂
Joe
December 31, 2019
On a similar note, the photo for “8. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida” is a ride that no longer exists. The ride was Dueling Dragons (later changed to Dragon Challenge). The ride was demolished about 10 years ago. There is now a coaster ride called Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.”
SweetyBird
August 15, 2019
While Canada’s Wonderland is bigger and more exciting, it isn’t Canada’s first amusement park. Playland in BC opened in 1910. Even if you take into account the fact that it moved, it opened at its current location in 1958.
Jarrod West
August 19, 2019
Hi SweetyBird,
Thanks for letting up know! I’ve updated the post to correct that information.
Thanks for reading!
Karl
December 29, 2019
How are you going to put Disney in all of the top spots? Sponsored? No they don’t need your money. I’m not even from that state but Cedar point is the clear winner.
Jarrod West
December 30, 2019
Hi Karl,
I can assure you that the post was not sponsored by Disney. The top 20 is ranked by 2017 visitor numbers.
Thanks for reading!
Joe
December 31, 2019
The beginning of the article says “We’ve ranked the top 20 by 2017 visitor numbers, which is the latest available data.” Its not a list of “best” amusement parks. Its a list of the top (i.e. most popular) ones.
Bob
March 12, 2020
Wish you put that in the title, that it’s ranked by visitor numbers, so I could have skipped it.
David Hinkle
May 25, 2020
Michigans Adventure in Muskegon, MI should have been on this list. It has an amusement park and a water park plus on the shores of the largest lake in the USA.
Jim Wilkins
May 25, 2020
Cedar Point 14th lol.
It’s clearly top 3. Have you been there?
You can’t go by attendance because it’s only open 5 1/2 months a year.
Jarrod West
May 26, 2020
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your feedback but keep in mind that this article is not an opinion piece. The parks are ranked based on their 2017 visitor numbers.
Corey S Tatun
May 31, 2020
Also wrong about Disney World being open ‘over 50 years’ as this article was written in 2017. Disney World will not be open 50 years until October 1, 2021.
Jarrod West
June 01, 2020
Hi Corey,
Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve just updated the post. Thanks for reading!
Jayden
June 06, 2020
I think you should’ve included Busch Gardens Williamsburg VA, it is a park worthy of attention. It has won most beautiful theme park in the world for 28 consecutive years and counting.
Ryan
June 12, 2020
I came here to say the same thing!!! I went there a few years ago and it was amazing. I do have to tip my hat to the author though, for mentioning Canada’s Wonderland. I’m considering a road trip with a few friends centered around an amusement park destination, and it’s kinda annoying how these lists always end up being packed with Disney parks. I feel like everyone knows they exist, and in my opinion, if you’re looking for rides and value, Disney parks are overrated. It’s almost like making a list of the ten best restaurants and including McDonald’s because they have the most customers.
Denzel Chew
August 14, 2020
Amazing, this is so informative. After this pandemic, I will go to SeaWorld to see my favorite animals. Thanks for this article and for giving such specific information. The Shamu Rocks show is amazing and it’s not hard to find a place to stay there.
Drew
April 11, 2022
I appreciate the inclusion of public transit directions! However, #15 Six Flags Magic Mountain (California) is not really transit accessible. The Metro Red Line stops at North Hollywood (very far away); the Metrolink (commuter rail) *does* go to Santa Clarita, but you’d have to catch an Uber/Lyft from there. This area is very suburban and car-dependent, local bus service limited, etc. (and Magic Mountain is on the outskirts of it). Just don’t want an unsuspecting foreign traveler to spend half the day trying to get there.
Hotel Ranbirs
June 30, 2023
Got very informative and creative content. Thanks for sharing.
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