America’s Theme Park Building Boom Is Crushing Disney World

Everyone knows that if you’re looking for a vacation that involves spending time at a theme park, you can either head to Central Florida or Southern California. Central Florida has staked its claim as the theme park capital of America with the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens Tampa.

Crowds in front of Cinderella Castle — Credit: Inside the Magic

However, attendance at Central Florida theme parks has declined over the past year. While the Walt Disney World Resort remained relatively steady in 2023 compared to 2022, Universal Orlando Resort, Busch Gardens Tampa, and SeaWorld all saw declines in attendance.

If reports are to be believed, Disney World will see a massive decline in attendance this year as guests wait for Universal Studios to open Epic Universe and any new ride or attraction to open at a Disney park.

Despite relatively stagnant attendance figures at the significant parks across North America, there has been a boom in theme park development, leading to more regionalized parks as families struggle to make the trip to Central Florida or Southern California.

A joyful family of four holds hands walking in front of a castle at Disneyland, accompanied by Mickey and Minnie Mouse. The family and characters are smiling, despite recently being denied a Disney Disability Pass. The bright, sunny weather enhances the vibrant colors of the scene as the castle towers in the background. — Credit: Disney

While Universal Studios’ Epic Universe is coming next year, Disney World has announced dozens of new park rides and attractions in the next few years. However, outside of the big two, theme park development has exploded nationwide, leading to more competition that could further damage Disney’s bottom line.

The Competition

Earlier this year, Six Flags and Cedar Point combined to create North America’s largest amusement park company. The combined Six Flags Entertainment now controls 42 parks.

Fans hoped that Cedar Point’s customer service would rub off on Six Flags and Six Flags’ rides and attractions would make their way to Cedar Point. Thus far, the combined group has announced dozens of new thrill rides coming to the parks in 2025 and new restrictions.

Snoopy dancing next to the sign at the entrance of Cedar Point — Credit: Cedar Fair

Six Flags and Cedar Point have instituted a new policy for anyone who wants to write or livestream about the parks, including restrictions on what they can say and where they can film. Six Flags has also instituted a chaperon policy for anyone under 16, which fans believe was much needed for the parks.

It’s hard to say how the new Six Flags Entertainment will impact amusement park attendance, but the group has announced that guests can purchase one season pass for all 42 parks starting next year. This could alter attendance, especially for those guests who don’t mind traveling for free theme park admission.

Busch Gardens and its sister parks, SeaWorld, have not announced any expansion plans; however, they have announced several new thrill rides for their amusement parks. United Parks and Resorts, which runs Busch Gardens and SeaWorld, was one of the few large amusement park companies to see its attendance drop in 2023.

A colorful sign reading "Busch Gardens" in green, with abstract design elements in blue, red, and yellow behind it. The sign is situated on a green structure with a background of trees at the beloved theme park, leaving fans furious as whispers circulate about potential ceases operations. — Credit: Busch Gardens Williamsburg

United Parks and Resorts saw a two percent decline in attendance from 2022 to 2023. While this is not a large decline on the surface, it is a worrying sign when nearly all other theme park companies saw a double-digit increase in attendance.

Coming Soon

Much of the focus has been on the theme parks in Central Florida, with Universal Studios Orlando opening Epic Universe and Walt Disney World adding to its parks. However, in the background, there has been an explosion of theme parks across the country.

Universal has led this new regional theme park boom. Disney’s main rival already has parks under construction in Texas and Las Vegas.

An image showing the location of Universal Horror Unleashed — Credit: Universal

Universal’s park in Texas will be much different than its other parks in Florida and California. The new Texas amusement park will focus exclusively on children and families.

Universal isn’t the only park focusing on the Dallas area. A new Peppa Pig theme park will open just outside Dallas in 2025, further cementing the area as a new theme park destination for families.

Peppa Pig and Universal aren’t the only ones expanding the amusement park map. Mattel is getting into the game.

The toy maker is fresh off the success of Barbie (2023) and looking to capitalize on that momentum. Mattel is working on two new theme parks in areas that have remained virtually untouched by the larger companies.

Ken and Barbie screaming as their convertible spins upside down over a desert road — Credit: Warner Bros.

The first Mattel Adventure Park is set to open in Arizona in late 2025. Yes, that Arizona.

While Central Florida, Southern California, and even Texas can get very hot in the summer, it’s nothing compared to Arizona. But Mattel has a plan for that.

Large portions of the Mattel Adventure Park in Arizona will be indoor/outdoor attractions to ensure it can be used year-round. The park will feature Barbie, He-Man, Hot Wheels, and Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.

Mattel is also developing a second theme park outside of Kansas City. All of these new parks will follow the Disney model and include restaurants, shopping, and a hotel complex.

Mattel Adventure Park Hot Wheels concept art — Credit: Mattel Adventure Park

But with the new boom in construction, does it mean that guests will be coming? Like in Field of Dreams, if you build it, they will come.

Will The Guests Show?

According to the most recent available numbers, 2023 was a lean year for regional theme parks. Most regional parks saw modest increases in attendance, while Cedar Fair and United Parks and Resorts saw modest declines.

However, with more competition opening every year, how will that change the regional theme park game, and what effect will that have on destination parks like Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando?

A vibrant amusement park at sunset, part of the Epic Universe, features a dome-covered carousel with colorful lights. Nearby, a roller coaster with a fiery design spirals around, emitting sparks. People enjoy fountains and lush greenery surrounds the attractions. — Credit: Universal Orlando Resort

While it’s impossible to know precisely how more competition will impact attendance, it is possible to understand how people feel about the economy. According to the Pew Research Center, 76 percent of Americans view the economy as fair or poor.

With numbers like that, people are less likely to spend thousands to enter Walt Disney World or Universal Studios Resort. Both resorts have seen a decline in attendance this year, which will likely continue into 2025.

At least Universal Studios has something new coming in 2025. Disney CEO Bob Iger has said in the past that the opening of Epic Universe will be good for both parks, but without anything new at the Walt Disney World Resort, can they really expect larger crowds?

The image shows the entrance sign for "Tiana's Bayou Adventure" with a water tower in the background that also reads "Tiana's Foods." — Credit: Disney

Disney World had a chance to rectify this situation when it released its 2025 vacation prices. However, instead of lowering the costs for guests, Disney doubled down and raised prices across the board, further putting a Disney vacation out of their reach.

So, with additional competition and a cost-conscious public, Disney World will have to do something to help bring back guests. Right now, a short drive to a regional theme park several times a year seems much more cost-effective than a trip to Central Florida for an expensive Walt Disney World Resort vacation.

Have you had to cut back on vacation or head to a regional theme park rather than pay to go to Central Florida for a Disney or Universal vacation?