DAccording to the 2023 Theme Index Report released Thursday by the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM Economics & Advisory, isney expanded its global dominance in the theme park industry as the operator of eight of the world’s ten most visited theme parks in 2023.

The world’s 25 largest theme parks attracted a total of 244.6 million visitors last year, up 23% from 2022 but down from the 253.86 million visitors in 2019 before the pandemic.

Disney theme parks worldwide welcomed a total of 142 million visitors last year, surpassing China’s Fantawild Group, which came in second with over 85 million visitors, and Merlin Entertainments, which came in third with 62 million visitors. Universal came in a close fourth with nearly 62 million visitors.

In 2023, Disney’s Parks and Experiences division was the company’s top-grossing segment, generating $32.6 billion in revenue. That represented 36% of the company’s total revenue but 70% of its operating profit. By comparison, Disney’s Entertainment division, which includes the film and streaming business, accounted for 45% of revenue but only 11% of operating profit.

Two Chinese companies – Chimelong and Happy Valley Group China – ranked 5th and 6th worldwide. Their theme parks each attracted around 36 million visitors last year.

Six Flags and Cedar Fair completed their $8 billion merger just last month. In 2023, the two companies’ 42 amusement and water parks in 17 states attracted a combined 49 million visitors, enough to put the now-merged company in fifth place worldwide.

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando continues to be the world’s most visited theme park, attracting 17.7 million visitors in 2023. Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, followed behind with less than half a million visitors. Universal Studios Japan in Osaka ranked third with 16 million visitors last year, while Tokyo Disneyland ranked fourth worldwide with 15 million visitors.

Attendance at North American theme parks increased by about 3% compared to 2022. The numbers show how a new top attraction can boost attendance. Boosted by the first full year of operation of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Walt Disney World’s EPCOT saw the biggest increase in attendance in 2023, up 19.8% to 11.98 million visitors. Meanwhile, both of Universal Orlando’s theme parks – Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida – saw attendance decline 9% after a big year in 2022 fueled by the Jurassic World VelociCoaster, which debuted the previous year.

The 20 most popular theme parks in North America in 2023 by visitor numbers

1. Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: 17.72 million, up 3.4%
2. Disneyland: 17.25 million, an increase of 2.2%
3. EPCOT: 11.98 million, an increase of 19.8%
4. Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 10.3 million, a decrease of 5.5%
5. Universal’s Islands of Adventure: 10 million, down 9.3%
6. Disney California Adventure: 10 million, an increase of 11.1%
7. Universal Studios Florida: 9.75 million, down 9.3%
8. Universal Studios Hollywood: 9.66 million, up 15%
9. Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 8.77 million, down 2.8%
10. SeaWorld Orlando: 4.34 million, a decrease of 2.5%
11. Knott’s Berry Farm: 4.23 million, up 8.4%
12. Cedar Point: 4.05 million, an increase of 17.8%
13. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: 4 million, down 1.3%
14. SeaWorld San Diego: 3.99 million, an increase of 13.8%
15. Kings Island: 3.49 million, up 4.4%
16. Six Flags Magic Mountain: 3.4 million, up 13.6%
17. Hersheypark: 3.32 million, up 3%
18. Canada’s Wonderland: 3.23 million, down 14.2%
19. Six Flags Great America: 3 million, up 18.3%
20. Six Flags Great Adventure: 2.5 million, up 16.1%