For most families in the United States, summertime is thought of as the best time of the year. This is because summer allows for fun filled sunny and warm days that are made even better with trips to the beach, summer camps of varying kinds, ice cream trucks, and of course, the famed yearly summer family vacation. Though lots of parents choose to venture outside of the Untied States with their kids so that they can further explore cultures different from their own, there are even more that decide to stay within the country, instead opting to spend a few days of their allotted vacation time enjoying one or more of the nation’s top rated and famous theme parks.
You’ll want to note that there are well over 400 amusement and theme parks within the US alone, with each of them differing from the next. This is great because you’ll have lots of options to select from. Some of these options focus on water fun with water slides, lazy rivers, and more, while others focus on animals, wildlife, and others on themed adventures. Of course you can’t forget about the famed Disney theme parks that attract an exceptionally large amount of visitors throughout the year to both states of Florida and California.
But because you’ll never have enough time to visit each and every park that’s scattered around the US, and the fact that there are a lot of parks that just aren’t really worth a visit, we’ve gone ahead and complied a list of the top US theme parks and their admission prices below. This list has been created by using past attendance rates. Some of the names are very familiar, while others might be new to you and your family.
This article was last updated in August, 2024.
Top US theme parks and their admission prices
As you read the information detailed just below, you’ll find both admission prices for both adults and children in US dollars. You’ll want to note that infant prices are not included in the single park day rates as babies are welcomed into all of the parks listed below free of charge. The prices listed do reflect late Summer week rates so it’s best to keep in mind that prices may vary throughout other parts of the year, with weekends tending to be a bit more expensive.
Disneyland – Anaheim, California
Adult day pass: US$104.00
Children 3 to 9: US$98.00
Much like the Disney World found that’s famed in Florida, Disneyland in California is geared toward both kids and adults that are still young at heart. At this theme park, you’ll find a wide assortment of rides, dining options, and lots of cute little shops that offer a trinket to take back home with you. Some of the more notable attractions within this park include Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Because there really is so much to do and see here, you’ll easily spend the day running from attraction to attraction, which is always a great way to spend a park visit.
Disney’s CA Adventure – Anaheim, California
Adult day pass: US$104.00
Children 3 to 9: US$98.00
Noted as an experience that you won’t soon forget, Disney’s CA Adventure features 7 very exciting lands for you and your family to enjoy. These lands include Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, Paradise Pier, and Cars Land. You’ll also find that there are plenty of entertainment options as well, with the World of Color being a must see. In addition, you’ll find several dining options.
Universal Studios – Universal Orlando, Florida
Adult day pass: US$119.00
Children 3 to 9: US$114.00
At this particular theme park, you’ll be granted with behind the scenes access to several attractions, fire breathing dragons, and much more. Universal Studios is known to thrill visitors of all ages with animated worlds that come to life. Because this park is great for the entire family, you’ll find lots of different age appropriate attractions and rides throughout the entire park, which will help to create a great experience for even teenagers. Did you love the Harry Potter books or movies? Then you won’t want to miss the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts attraction.
Islands of Adventure – Universal Orlando, Florida
Adult day pass: US$119.00
Children 3 to 9: US$114.00
Home to both land and water rides and attractions, Islands of Adventure will keep you busy throughout the entire day. Some top attractions include the Jurassic Park River Adventure, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Doctor Doom’s Freefall. You’ll also find lots of dining options as well as entertainment venues and shopping.
Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Adult day pass: US$169.00
Children 3 to 9: US$164.00
One of the most visited of the parks on this particular list with over 20 million visitors in 2015 alone, the Magic Kingdom always impresses with top rated attractions and rides, along with various characters that offer meet and greets throughout the park as you explore, themed restaurants, and parades. Some classic rides include “it’s a small world”, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Jungle Cruise. Because of everything that is offered, it’s easy to see why this park is constantly referred to as ‘The most magical place on earth’.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Adult day pass: US$149.00
Children 3 to 9: US$144.00
If wildlife is something you’d love to see and visit, then this theme park was made for you. Here you’ll find a guided tour of an African savanna, a raft ride through jungle landscapes and a venture back into time to the land of dinosaurs. Did you enjoy the Avatar movie? Then you’ll love Animal Kingdom’s attraction, The World of Avatar. This attraction impresses with wild animals, Pandora, and jungle trails.
Epcot – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Adult day pass: US$164.00
Children 3 to 9: US$159.00
Because this park is geared toward those who love to let their imagination run wild, Epcot impresses with attractions that take you all over the place, including into outer space and under the sea. Here you’ll also find a Frozen attraction, which is sure to please anyone who loved the movies. You’ll also find some great dining options that bring major events straight to your table. One example is the Biergarten Restaurant which celebrates Oktoberfest all year round with great German cuisine and, of course, lots of music and beer.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida
Adult day pass: US$169.00
Children 3 to 9: US$164.00
Hollywood Studios is a theme park that prides itself on bringing movies to life right before your eyes by granting you access to various thrilling and colorful shows. Some of the these shows include Beauty and the Beast, Disney Juniors and Indiana Jones. You’ll also find lots of rides, including the famed Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Universal Studios Hollywood – Universal City, California
Adult day pass: US$119.00
Children 3 to 9: US$113.00
Acting as a fantastic theme park for those who love both movies and TV shows, Universal Studios offers a whirlwind experience that will leave the entire family wishing for more. Some top attractions that you’ll find here include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Fast & Furious – Supercharged, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. You’ll also find a great selection of dining options and gift shops that are spread throughout the entire park, so you’ll also have something to eat and buy to take back home with you.
Seaworld FL – Orlando, Florida
All ages day pass: US$99.99
Even with all the recent controversy surrounding the use of captive marine mammals for show, Seaworld has still managed to attract millions of visitors, making it one of the most visited theme parks in the entire United States, and doing so year after year. In addition to its daily marine mammal shows, Seaworld offers a virtual reality roller coaster, Flamingo paddle boats (which are a great choice for families traveling with younger kids), and the iconic Sky Tower. As you can see above, there is only one entrance price for both adults and children. Toddlers and babies that are 2 and under get in free.
The Bottom Line
As you can read from the information listed just above, eventhough there are literally hundreds of different theme parks and attractions throughout the entire United States, the states of Florida and California dominate with their large amount of park choices. This is because of the year round great weather that both states pride themselves on, which helps create a very steady flow of visitors throughout the entire year. Also, it is very apparent that the Disney franchise is still going strong and has managed to keep a top ranking status throughout the last few years.
When you go to purchase your single day tickets, you’ll want to keep in mind that some parks offer local rates. For example, if you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom and you’re a Florida resident, you’ll qualify for a discounted rate (except on a few certain dates throughout the year). With this said, sometimes you can also save a bit of money by purchasing an advance ticket online.