Universal Muscles Out Disney in American Theme Park Rankings

Universal has come out on top in a new ranking list of the best-rated amusement parks in the US, beating rival Disney in the process.

Universal’s Island of Adventures, in Orlando, was ranked best in the study of TripAdvisor reviews, edging out Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom, also in Orlando, into second place.

The list was, understandably, dominated by Universal and Disney; but it also featured Cedar Point in Ohio, Dolly Parton’s Dollywood in Tennessee and Silver Dollar City, near Branson Missouri.

The top 10 best-rated amusement parks in the US are rounded out by Universal Studios Hollywood, ranking in seventh place, followed by California’s Disneyland Park, Dollywood, and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park in eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively.

The Top 10 Best-Rated US Amusement Parks:

1. Universal’s Island of Adventures (Orlando, Florida)
2. Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
3. Disney California Adventure (Anaheim, California)
4. Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio)
5. Silver Dollar City (Stone County, Missouri)
6. Animal Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)
7. Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles, California)
8. Disneyland Park (Anaheim, California)
9. Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)
10. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (Orlando, Florida)

A spokesperson from Westgate Palace Hotel at Universal said: “It comes as no surprise that theme parks operated by Walt Disney and Universal Studios have dominated the list. What may be surprising, however, is that the research crowns Universal as the best-rated theme park, beating all four major Disney parks.” 

“Universal Studios Orlando stands out as the premier theme park destination in America due to its unrivaled customer experience and unwavering commitment to visitor satisfaction. With a recorded 37.9 million tourists in the first three months of 2023 alone, Florida continues to be a major vacation hotspot in the United States.” 

“From the enchanting world of Walt Disney World to the exhilarating experiences at Universal Orlando, Florida’s theme parks add a touch of magic to any vacation. There’s only so much fun you can fit in during a single day in a park, so naturally guests will extend their stay to visit as many of Florida’s major theme parks as possible. Our family-friendly hotel suites are strategically located on I-Drive for easy access to these attractions and offer a welcoming retreat after a day of park exploration.”