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The US amusement and theme park market size is forecast to increase by USD 4.02 billion at a CAGR of 3.88% between 2023 and 2028. The accelerated growth of the market is driven by several key factors. Firstly, rising investments in high-thrill roller coasters attract thrill-seekers and enhance visitor experiences, boosting amusement park revenues. Secondly, the increasing number of baby-boomer visitors contributes to higher attendance rates and spending in the leisure and entertainment and amusement sectors. Additionally, the adoption of blockchain technology and virtual assistants helps mitigate labor shortages by optimizing operational efficiencies and enhancing guest services. These factors collectively fuel the market expansion, catering to diverse demographic preferences and technological advancements in the leisure industry. As amusement parks adapt to evolving visitor expectations and operational challenges, their investment in innovative attractions and guest experience enhancements plays a pivotal role in sustaining growth and competitiveness in the global theme park market.
The theme park market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Billion " for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018 - 2022 for the following segments. The US theme park is thriving, driven by a rise in international tourism and domestic tourists. Family entertainment centers and traditional amusement parks remain popular, offering adrenaline-pumping experiences, amusement arcades , classic rides, and high-tech rides. Footfall is boosted by group outings and family vacations, as well as aggressive marketing campaigns and targeted promotions. Theme Entertainment and immersive experiences are in demand, while IoT technology, eco-conscious construction, and energy-efficient operations shape the future. Hotels or resorts, themed resorts, golf courses, and entertainment venues enhance global tourism infrastructure. Indoor attractions ensure visitor interest, even amid extreme weather events, as the industry focuses on planet protection and environmental management systems. Social media engagements and experiential entertainment further drive growth
The mechanical rides segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The mechanical ride segment of the market includes a wide range of attractions that use mechanical systems to provide thrilling experiences for visitors. To generate excitement, these rides frequently use moving parts, sophisticated engineering, and cutting-edge technology. Examples include roller coasters, water rides, dark rides, and simulators. The success of theme parks is frequently dependent on the quality and uniqueness of their mechanical ride offerings, as these attractions are major draws for visitors.
The mechanical rides segment was the largest and was valued at USD 10.42 billion in 2018. Mechanical rides are popular among visitors of all ages, ranging from gentle rides for small children to extreme thrill rides for adrenaline junkies. Roller coasters, water rides, Ferris wheels, carousels, bumper cars, and drop towers are some most popular mechanical rides at amusement parks. Each of these rides provides a unique experience for visitors, attracting a diverse range of customers to the park. The mechanical rides segment is extremely competitive, with amusement parks constantly striving to provide new and exciting rides to keep visitors returning. Many parks make significant investments in research and development to create new rides that offer guests an unforgettable experience. The mechanical rides segment is an important part of the amusement park market, contributing significantly to its growth and profitability. The above-mentioned factors are expected to drive mechanical segment growth in the theme park market during the forecast period.
The market continues to thrive with a diverse array of attractions and amenities. Catering to both domestic and international tourism, these parks offer a variety of entertainment options, from amusement arcades games to indoor entertainment centers, complemented by themed experiences featuring fictional characters. Visitors enjoy convenient access through IoT technology-enhanced wristbands, facilitating seamless ticketing and access to food, beverages, and retail outlets. Park owners capitalize on urban leisure trends and accommodate seasonal variability and weather conditions to ensure year-round appeal. Accommodation facilities and restaurants within or adjacent to parks enhance visitor experiences, contributing to the overall travel ecosystem. As adults and families seek recreational places with immersive themes and interactive experiences, the amusement and theme park market in the US remains a cornerstone of leisure and entertainment, continually evolving to meet diverse consumer preferences and technological advancements. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.
Rising investments in high-thrill roller coasters are notably driving market growth. Conventional roller coasters were historically constructed from wood, limiting design possibilities to simple hills and turns without loops or corkscrews. However, advancements in technology have revolutionized roller coaster engineering, shifting to steel construction that allows for thrilling features like loops, corkscrews, and steep drops. The market now sees a variety of roller coasters catering to different preferences and budgets. Supersized coasters, requiring substantial capital investments, offer extreme heights and speeds, exemplified by Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster.
Conversely, smaller, innovative coasters like Twisted Colossus blend steel tracks with wooden structures, incorporating inversions and duelling trains for added excitement. These innovations attract adventure enthusiasts and diverse visitors to amusement parks, driving growth in the amusement park market across the US. As investments in high-thrill roller coasters continue, the market anticipates further expansion with new and exciting attractions. Such factors are expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.
Growing innovation and creativity in amusement parks is an emerging trend shaping market growth. Extensive R&D efforts in the tourism industry have led to the integration of modern amenities like pneumatic tower rides, interactive dark and 4D experiences, hydraulic launch coasters, and giant rides, alongside specialized personal assistant devices utilizing fingerprint recognition and biometric for queue management, food ordering, ticketing, and locker bookings.
Moreover, Walt Disney continuous innovation, showcased during Disney Innovation Day, includes augmented reality gaming, robotic pixel displays, and immersive 3D show experiences like Mickeys PhilharMagic and Shrek 4-D. Dynamic Attractions further enhances theme park experiences with cutting-edge dark ride technologies, blending advanced vehicles, special effects, and storytelling for immersive attractions. These innovations are poised to drive growth in the US amusement park market, offering visitors innovative and unforgettable entertainment experiences. Such factors are expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period.
Risks associated with amusement parks is a significant challenge hindering market growth. Amusement and theme parks in the US face a slew of challenges that can jeopardize their overall operations and financial stability. Safety concerns are paramount, as there is a risk of accidents, injuries, or fatalities on rides caused by mechanical failures, operator errors, or guest behavior. Another challenge is regulatory compliance, which requires parks to follow strict federal, state, and local regulations governing ride safety, accessibility, and health standards. Public relations issues, such as negative publicity from incidents or controversies, can harm the reputation of a park and affect visitor trust. Pandemics and health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have created new challenges, such as temporary closures, decreased attendance, and increased health and safety precautions.
For example, on March 24, 2022, a 14-year-old died after falling from his seat on the Orlando FreeFall at ICON Park in Orlando, Florida, due to a locking malfunction. Another terrifying incident occurred in August 2023 when a six-year-old child was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries after falling off a rollercoaster at an amusement park. Rescue crews rushed to the Fun Spot America - Kissimmee amusement park (Experience Kissimmee) in Florida after receiving reports that a child had fallen from a roller coaster called The Galaxy Spin. Amusement Park ride safety is a major concern of the operators. Therefore, the risks associated with these rides and other technical glitches will impede the growth of the market during the forecast period.
The market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator stage to the laggards stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.
Customer Landscape
Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.
American Dream - The company offers amusement and theme park such as Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, DreamWorks Water Park and Nickelodeon Universe.
The market research and growth report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.
The amusement and theme park is a vibrant sector offering a wide range of attractions and experiences for all demographics. From thrilling rides and themed areas to immersive VR experiences and high-tech attractions, these parks cater to diverse interests and preferences. Emphasizing eco-friendly practices such as energy-efficient operations, waste reduction, and recycling systems, parks are committed to environmental sustainability and climate protection. With themed environments inspired by Marvel movies and other cultural icons, parks create memorable experiences for domestic and international tourists alike. Advanced technologies like IoT enhance visitor engagement through seamless ticketing and personalized experiences, while dining facilities, souvenir stores, and recreational activities complement the entertainment offerings. Through aggressive marketing, loyalty programs, and community engagement, parks continually enhance their appeal as premier entertainment destinations, welcoming families, groups, and young adults seeking leisure, nostalgia, and tradition in a dynamic and evolving landscape.
Market Scope |
|
Report Coverage |
Details |
Page number |
139 |
Base year |
2023 |
Historic period |
2018 - 2022 |
Forecast period |
2024-2028 |
Growth momentum & CAGR |
Accelerate at a CAGR of 3.88% |
Market Growth 2024-2028 |
USD 4.02 billion |
Market structure |
Fragmented |
YoY growth 2023-2024(%) |
3.26 |
Competitive landscape |
Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks |
Key companies profiled |
American Dream, AMUSEMENTS OF AMERICA, Atlantic Beach Park, Belmont Park, CEDAR FAIR LP, Comcast Corp., Diggerland USA, Dollywood, Experience Kissimmee, Fun Plex Waterpark and Rides, Funland, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Co., ICON PARK, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Motion JVco Ltd., PARQUES REUNIDOS SERVICIOS CENTRALES SA, SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment Inc., Six Flags Entertainment Corp., and The Walt Disney Co. |
Market dynamics |
Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID-19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for the market forecast period |
Customization purview |
If our market report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized. |
1 Executive Summary
2 Market Landscape
3 Market Sizing
4 Historic Market Size
5 Five Forces Analysis
6 Market Segmentation by Type
7 Market Segmentation by Revenue
8 Market Segmentation by Gender
9 Customer Landscape
10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends
11 Vendor Landscape
12 Vendor Analysis
13 Appendix
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