While geographers admire North America’s vast, diverse landscapes and historians strive to explore its eventful past, thrill seekers appreciate its virtually endless array of theme parks, each promising a unique blend of excitement, entertainment, and even a little bit of magic.
But with so many choices, it can be hard to figure out which ones are actually worth the hype.
The average entry fee to most of the coveted theme parks that dot the country hovers around the 3-figure mark – and that’s not accounting for all the extra expenses that pile up throughout the day, so doing your due diligence and budgeting accordingly is a must when it comes to getting you money’s worth.
To make your decision-making process a bit easier, Westgate Palace Hotel recently conducted a study in search of the best theme parks in the United States.
The analysis was based on three criteria – monthly Google search volume, Instagram hashtags, and the percentage of “excellent” reviews featured on TripAdvisor – and the findings were then translated into point evaluations.
Below, you’ll find the 10 theme parks that scored the highest – but spoiler alert, the no. 1 spot is probably not the one you think it is.
Rounding Up The Top 10
These were the theme parks that occupied the no. 6-10 spots on Westgate’s ranking:
10. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, Orlando, Florida
9. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
8. Disneyland Park, Anaheim California
7. Universal Studios Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
6. Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida
While these attractions scored a bit lower than the ones we’re about to dive into in a second, they’re still some of North America’s most exciting hotspots, so if your schedule ever allows for it, I’d highly recommend giving them a try.
With that said, let’s break into the top 5:
5. Silver Dollar City, Stone County, Missouri
Nestled in the scenic Ozark Mountains, Silver Dollar City is one of the country’s most unique theme parks that not only transports visitors back in time to the 19th century but also shows an unparalleled commitment to celebrating craftsmanship and live entertainment.
With a charming 1880s frontier town setting and one of North America’s most iconic (Outlaw Run) rides, Silver Dollar City promises an exhilarating experience that combines the thrills of modern technology with the nostalgic charm of traditional wooden coasters.
@goosie_g Here’s all the rides we rode at @Silver Dollar City. Yeehaw🤠🎢 #silverdollarcity #rollercoasters #amusementpark #silverdollarcitytiktok #bransonmissouri #bransonlanding
4. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
Featuring a remarkable collection of towering roller coasters, Cedar Point has rightfully earned its title as the “Roller Coaster Capital Of The World”.
Between the park’s historic allure, cutting-edge rides, and idyllic views of Lake Eire, visitors will feel like there’s not enough time in the day to take in all of what Cedar Point has to offer.
Millennium Force, a towering giga coaster that held the title of the world’s tallest and fastest coaster upon its debut, remains a fan favorite, while the Top Thrill Dragster, with its exhilarating 120-mph launch, adds to the park’s roster of record-breaking rides.
@themeparktherapy Cedar Point has the best coasters! #cedarpoint #rollercoasters #millenniumforce #thrillrides #themeparks #amusementparks
3. Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, California
Adjacent to Disneyland Resort, Disney California Adventure offers visitors a uniquely Californian twist on the classic Disney magic.
While the park is divided into many themed areas, each paying homage to the diverse landscapes and cultures of the Golden State, its two standout attractions are undoubtedly Radiator Springs Racers and Mission: Breakout!, both of which combine state-of-the-art technology with beloved storylines.
No wonder 67% of Tripadvisor’s (almost 16,000) reviews received the “Excellent” label!
@meganmoves Are you going to Disneyland this summer? Here are 5 things you must do when visiting California Adventure! 🤩🎢👏 #disneyland #disneylandcalifornia #disneylandresort #californiaadventure #californiaadventurepark #californiaadventurefood #disneylandmustdo #disneylandmustdo #disneylandmustdos #californiaadventuremustdo #disneylandvacation #disneylandsummer
2. Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida
The heart of Walt Disney World Resort remains a symbol of classic Disney enchantment – though this time, it narrowly missed the no. 1 ranking.
Stepping through the gates of the park is like entering a fairy tale, with Cinderella’s Castle towering over Main Street and signature attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean continuing to captivate visitors of all ages.
The park’s commitment to storytelling, attention to detail, and the magic of character meet-and-greets all contribute to its ever-lasting popularity.
@d3r3kmatt My MUST RIDE attractions at #MagicKingdom or else my trip feels incomplete! #disneyworld #disneytiktok #distok #magickingdom #disneytips #disneytipsandtricks #disneyadult #peoplemover #disneyparks @Disney Parks
1. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida
Westgate’s list was topped by none other than Universal’s Islands of Adventure, a park that has managed to set itself apart from the competition through its seamless blend of thrills and entertainment, best experienced in the likes of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, the Jurassic Park River Adventure, and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
The incredible overall score of 91.1 out of 100 was propelled by the fact that close to 39,000 TripAdvisor reviewers labeled their experience here as “Excellent”.
@mawatzi Top 6 Attractioms at Universal’s Islands of Adventure! #fyp #foryou #universal #islandsofadventure #disney #entertainment #top5 #top6
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