Child or adult, no one can deny the allure of theme parks. Do you want to spin through space? Has your kid been dreaming of meeting their favorite cartoon character? You're one of a few million people craving the same magic. In 2023, these parks topped the charts for drawing the biggest crowds across the globe.
Magic Kingdom – Bay Lake, Florida, USA (17.72 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Magic Kingdom tops the charts thanks to Cinderella Castle and classic attractions like Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean. This is the stuff childhood dreams are made of, and being here feels like a rite of passage.
Disneyland Park – Anaheim, California, USA (17.25 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The original vision of Walt Disney remains an irresistible draw. Sleeping Beauty Castle may be its crown jewel, but Disneyland packs iconic rides like Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Indiana Jones Adventure into a space.
Universal Studios Japan – Osaka, Japan (16.00 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Universal Studios Japan wows thrill-seekers with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and jaw-dropping attractions like the Flying Dinosaur. Its appeal reaches beyond franchises. Seasonal events, immersive street performances, and tech-savvy entertainment make every visit feel like a blockbuster premiere.
Tokyo Disneyland – Tokyo, Japan (15.10 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
At Tokyo Disneyland, classic Disney magic is combined with culture. Fans adore its spotless layout and seamless storytelling by enthusiastic cast members. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt ride uses impressive trackless systems, and crowds flock daily to marvel at parades and merchandise selections that are likely the envy of global Disney fans.
Shanghai Disneyland – Shanghai, China (14.00 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
At Shanghai’s Disneyland, guests are introduced to the largest Disney castle ever built. The park leans into Chinese storytelling while showcasing futuristic attractions. TRON Lightcycle Power Run is one example. Since opening in 2016, it’s become a bucket-list destination for theme park lovers across Asia and beyond.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom – Hengqin, China (12.52 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
In just one year, Chimelong Ocean Kingdom had a remarkable 184.5% increase in visitors. Its marine-themed park allows guests to enjoy a massive oceanarium. Among the best experiences are the Whale Shark Aquarium and the Dolphin Cove.
Tokyo DisneySea – Tokyo, Japan (12.40 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
The oceanic themes at Tokyo DisneySea feel more cinematic than whimsical. It is the only Disney park in the world that is themed entirely around the myths and legends of the sea. Dreamers who love detail would be glad to see gondola rides in Mediterranean Harbor and the immersive 4D submarine voyage of Nemo & Friends SeaRider.
EPCOT – Bay Lake, Florida, USA (11.98 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
EPCOT is a park for foodies and futurists. One of its attractions, World Showcase, invites you to stroll from Morocco to Japan in an afternoon. Another, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, allows you to learn something with a healthy dose of adrenaline.
Disneyland Park (Disneyland Paris) – Marne-la-Vallée, France (10.40 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Just outside Paris, Disneyland Park offers its fairytale magic with a European charm. It has its own version of The Sleeping Beauty Castle and Pirates of the Caribbean. But even more attractive to most visitors is how they feel part of a unique celebration because of seasonal festivals and nighttime spectaculars.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Bay Lake, Florida, USA (10.30 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Hollywood Studios does full-scale recreations of fan favorites like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. The park captures the thrill of the silver screen uniquely. Rise of the Resistance draws crowds, and Tower of Terror keeps them screaming well into the night.
Universal's Islands of Adventure – Orlando, Florida, USA (10.00 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
What do comic book heroes, dinosaurs, and wizards have in common? They all live at Universal's Islands of Adventure. This park favors big thrills and bold theming. Many come here to swing through the city with Spider-Man in 3D or get launched by the Incredible Hulk on a coaster from 0 to 67 mph in a matter of seconds.
Disney California Adventure – Anaheim, California, USA (10.00 million visitors)
Credit: pexels
Even though they’re built next door to Disneyland, California Adventure offers an experience that’s uniquely West Coast. From Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land to the swinging gondolas on Pixar Pal-A-Round, the attractions customize Disney magic with California flair. It’s a golden tribute to the state that started it all.
Universal Studios Florida – Orlando, Florida, USA (9.75 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Whether escaping aliens with the Men in Black or getting soaked by Jaws, guests feel part of the action in Universal Studios, Florida. It’s where you go to bring movies to life, and blockbuster energy fuels the entire park.
Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal City, California, USA (9.66 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Universal Studios Hollywood doubles as a working film studio and a top-tier theme park. The iconic Studio Tour reveals filming secrets and surprise thrills. Gamers love the Super Nintendo World. The hillside layout dares you to postcard-worthy views, but it’s the ability to see both fantasy and reality in one place that draws millions each year.
Universal Studios Beijing – Beijing, China (9.00 million visitors)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Universal Studios Beijing rivals its American counterparts. It made a massive first impression. Transformers Metrobase, Kung Fu Panda Land of Awesomeness, and a cutting-edge Jurassic World area are some of the fan favorites.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Bay Lake, Florida, USA (8.77 million visitors)
Credit: flickr
Live animals, floating mountains, and a bioluminescent rainforest–that's a sensory playground like no other. Animal Kingdom is part nature, part imagination, where safari trucks roll past giraffes and Avatar’s Flight of Passage becomes a spiritual experience. You'd be right to call it a zoo, a thrill park, or an immersive fantasy. Visitors just get the sense that they’ve stepped into a new world.