AECOM (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management) and TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) have released their 2023 attendance report, the Theme Index, which covers theme parks and attractions globally — including Universal Destinations & Experiences.
AECOM/TEA 2023 Theme Index Attendance Report
This attendance report covers 2023, despite being released in 2024. This year, the Theme Index has returned to its normal ranking process, after freezing the ranking lists from 2019-2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s prolonged effects on the themed entertainment industry.
Top Theme Parks Worldwide
In the report for 2023, Universal holds only one spot in the top 10: Universal Studios Japan at #3. The theme park came in at #5 in the 2022 report.
However, the other four Universal theme parks worldwide still made it into the top 25 worldwide, with Universal Islands of Adventure at #11, Universal Studios Florida at #13, Universal Studios Hollywood at #14, and Universal Studios Beijing at #15.
In 2022, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Islands of Adventure came in at #11 and #12, respectively. Universal Islands of Adventure saw a 9.3% decrease from 2022 to 2023. It still ended the year with an approximate total of 10,000,000 guests. Universal Studios Florida saw the same percentage decrease, with approximately 9,750,000 guests in 2023.
Universal Studios Hollywood jumped up from #15 to #14 in the global rankings, with a 15% increase in attendance in 2023. Universal Studios Beijing didn’t even make the top 25 in 2022 but was able to climb to #15 in 2023 thanks to its 109.3% attendance increase this year.
Top Theme Parks in North America
In 2022, Disney held the top five spots when it came to the most popular theme park in North America. This year, Universal Islands of Adventure moved into the #5 spot, after being the seventh-most popular North American theme park in 2022.
Universal Studios Florida dropped from #6 to #7 in 2023. Universal Studios Hollywood moved up one spot in the rankings, climbing from #9 to #8.
Top Water Parks in North America
Universal Volcano Bay moved up one spot from #3 to #2 in 2023. The water park saw a 2.7% decrease in attendance but still managed an estimated 1,800,000 guests throughout the year.
Top Theme Parks in Asia
Universal Studios Japan takes over the number one spot in Asia, after seeing a 29.6% increase in attendance in 2023. The theme park welcomed an estimated 16,000,000 guests in 2023, compared to 12,350,000 in 2022. In 2022, Universal Studios Japan ranked #3 in Asia.
Part of the reason why Universal Studios Japan may have been able to overtake Tokyo Disney Resort is that Universal Studios Japan has brought back annual passes while Tokyo Disney Resort has not. This has led to Universal Studios Japan being very crowded due to the lack of ticket restrictions.
Universal Studios Beijing comes in at #6 after more than doubling its 2022 attendance numbers.
Top Theme Parks in Europe
There is currently no Universal theme park in Europe. However, local politicians recently expressed support for Universal Studios Great Britain to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in July. Universal Destinations & Experiences acquired land and launched a website for a potential theme park in December of 2023. Parliament has yet to respond to the theme park proposal.
Those interested in learning more about TEA’s methodology for collecting data can view the full 2023 report here. It’s important to remember that all of these attendance numbers are estimates, as the attendance numbers for Universal Destinations & Experiences and Disney Experiences are not public or shared with AECOM/TEA.
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