Top US theme parks and their 2023 admission prices

For most families, around the entire world, 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 all types, ice cream trucks, and of course, family vacations. Though lots of parents choose to venture outside of the Untied States with their kids, there are even more that decide to stay within the country, instead opting to spend a few days of their vacation time enjoying one or more of the nation’s top rated and famous theme parks.

With this said, 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 which offers lots of great choices to select from. Some focus on water fun with water slides, lazy rivers, and more, some focus on animals and wildlife and others on themed adventures. And of course you can’t forget about the famed Disney parks that attract an exceptional amount of visitors throughout the entire year to both 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 April, 2023

Top US theme parks and their admission prices

Below, you’ll find both admission prices for adults and children in US dollars. Infant prices are not included as they are welcomed into all of the parks listed below free of charge. The prices listed do reflect Summer weekend rates so it’s best to keep in mind that prices may vary throughout other parts of the year, either a bit higher or even lower.

Disneyland – Anaheim, California

Adult day pass: US$154.00
Children 3 to 9: US$146.00

Much like Disney World found in Florida, Disneyland in California is geared toward both kids and those that are young at heart. Here you’ll find a wide assorment of rides, dining options, and lots of little shops to choose from for a trinket to take back home. 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 is so much to do and see here, you’ll easily spend the entire 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$154.00
Children 3 to 9: US$146.00

Noted as an experience that you won’t forget anytime in the near future, Disney’s CA Adventure features 7 exciting lands to life 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.

Universal Studios – Universal Orlando, Florida

Adult day pass: US$128.00
Children 3 to 9: US$123.00

At this particular attraction, you’ll be granted with behind the scenes access, fire breathing dragons, and much, much more. This is why Universal Studios thrills with animated worlds that come to life. Because this park is truly great for the entire family, you’ll find lots of different age appropriate attractions and rides throughout the entire park. This is very good as you’ll be sure to find something for everyone, including teenagers. Love Harry Potter? 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$128.00
Children 3 to 9: US$123.00

Housing both land and water based rides and attractions, Islands of Adventure will keep you busy 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, entertainment, and shopping.

Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Adult day pass: US$125.00
Children 3 to 9: US$120.00

The most visited of the parks on this list with over 20 million visitors in 2015 alone, the Magic Kingdom impresses over and over again 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$125.00
Children 3 to 9: US$120.00

If wildlife is on your radar, then this theme park was made for you, and your group or family. 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. Do you like the Avatar movie? Then you’ll fall in love with 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$125.00
Children 3 to 9: US$120.00

As this park is geared toward those who love to let their imagination run wild, Epcot impresses with attractions that take you into outer space, under the sea, and beyond. Here you’ll also find a Frozen attraction, which is sure to please those who love the movies. You’ll also find 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.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Adult day pass: US$125.00
Children 3 to 9: US$120.00

Hollywood Studios brings movies to life right before your eyes by granting you access to 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

Serving as a fantastic theme park for those who love movies and TV shows, Universal Studios offers a whirlwind experience that will leave the entire family wishing for more, and thus, wanting to come back time and time again. Some top attractions 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.

Seaworld FL – Orlando, Florida

All ages day pass: US$105.99

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 United States, year after year. In addition to its daily shows, Seaworld also offers a virtual reality roller coaster, Flamingo paddle boats (which are ideal for smaller 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 see from the information above, though there are literally hundreds of different theme parks and attractions throughout the entire United States, the states of Florida and California dominate with their park choices. This seems to be due to the year round great weather that both states are known for, which helps to create a year round steady flow of visitors. Also, it is very apparent that the Disney franchise is still doing very well and has managed to keep its top ranking status throughout the years, even though day ticket prices have steadily increased.

When purchasing your day tickets, you’ll want to keep in mind that some parks offer local rates, meaning that if you’re visiting the Magic Kingdom and you’re a Florida resident, you qualify for a discounted rate (except on certain dates). In addition, you can sometimes also save money by purchasing an advance ticket online.

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