SorcererMickey
December 14th, 2004, 08:32
Magazine: Magic Kingdom world's most visited park
By Todd Pack | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 13, 2004, 2:32 PM EST
Disney's Magic Kingdom was host to 15.2 million guests in 2004, once again making it the world's most-visited theme park.
That's according to Amusement Business magazine's annual ranking of the 50 most-visited amusement or theme parks in the world.
Total attendance at the 50 busiest parks rose 2.2 percent to a record 252.4 million this year, according to research conducted by the magazine and Economic Research Associates, a Los Angeles-based entertainment consulting firm.
The original Disneyland was No. 2 on this year's list with 13.4 million visitors, followed by Tokyo Disneyland with 13.2 million.
Locally, every park but Universal Studios saw more visitors, snapping a three-year slump that began in 2001, when a recession and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks combined to keep travelers on the ground and closer to home.
Overall, attendance at Disney's Orlando parks rose 7.4 percent from a year ago.
Epcot's visitor count soared 9 percent the year after it opened Mission: Space, a $100 million rocket ship attraction. Disney-MGM Studios saw a 5 percent increase in attendance, while Animal Kingdom's climbed 7 percent.
According to the magazine's estimates, combined attendance at Universal Orlando's two parks increased just 0.6 percent.
Amusement Business estimated that the number of people visiting Universal Studios fell 2.2 pecent to 6.7 million -- despite the publicity surrounding the opening of Revenge of the Mummy, an indoor roller coaster with elaborate special effects.
Universal Studios' estimated decline was offset by nearly 4 percent growth at Islands of Adventure.
SeaWorld Orlando, which weathered the 2001 downturn with a slight drop in attendance, saw 7.7 percent growth in 2004. The marine park, which offers annual passes to Florida residents for about the price of a regular ticket, added a summertime fireworks and water show and expanded its waterfront shopping and restaurant area.
Orlando parks don't release attendance figures but frequently cite Amusement Business' estimates.
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bk-attendance121304,1,6486028.story?coll=orl-home-promo
By Todd Pack | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted December 13, 2004, 2:32 PM EST
Disney's Magic Kingdom was host to 15.2 million guests in 2004, once again making it the world's most-visited theme park.
That's according to Amusement Business magazine's annual ranking of the 50 most-visited amusement or theme parks in the world.
Total attendance at the 50 busiest parks rose 2.2 percent to a record 252.4 million this year, according to research conducted by the magazine and Economic Research Associates, a Los Angeles-based entertainment consulting firm.
The original Disneyland was No. 2 on this year's list with 13.4 million visitors, followed by Tokyo Disneyland with 13.2 million.
Locally, every park but Universal Studios saw more visitors, snapping a three-year slump that began in 2001, when a recession and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks combined to keep travelers on the ground and closer to home.
Overall, attendance at Disney's Orlando parks rose 7.4 percent from a year ago.
Epcot's visitor count soared 9 percent the year after it opened Mission: Space, a $100 million rocket ship attraction. Disney-MGM Studios saw a 5 percent increase in attendance, while Animal Kingdom's climbed 7 percent.
According to the magazine's estimates, combined attendance at Universal Orlando's two parks increased just 0.6 percent.
Amusement Business estimated that the number of people visiting Universal Studios fell 2.2 pecent to 6.7 million -- despite the publicity surrounding the opening of Revenge of the Mummy, an indoor roller coaster with elaborate special effects.
Universal Studios' estimated decline was offset by nearly 4 percent growth at Islands of Adventure.
SeaWorld Orlando, which weathered the 2001 downturn with a slight drop in attendance, saw 7.7 percent growth in 2004. The marine park, which offers annual passes to Florida residents for about the price of a regular ticket, added a summertime fireworks and water show and expanded its waterfront shopping and restaurant area.
Orlando parks don't release attendance figures but frequently cite Amusement Business' estimates.
Source: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bk-attendance121304,1,6486028.story?coll=orl-home-promo