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Amusement Parks in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Michal Dalal Michal Dalal New York, United States Last Updated: November 2024 NAICS 71311

Revenue

$29.9bn

2024

$29.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

182k

Businesses

670

Wages

$X.Xbn

Amusement Parks in the US industry analysis

Amusement parks have experienced notable fluctuations in recent years, greatly influenced by external factors like the spike in tourism that followed the pandemic. As travel restrictions lifted, amusement parks saw a surge in visitor numbers from both domestic and international tourists. By 2024, although revenue growth had slowed year-to-year, the industry benefitted from the sustained tourism boom. Despite the surge in attendance, profit has yet to fully recover. Amusement parks saw revenue expand at a CAGR of 4.4% over the years to 2024, including a swell of 5.4% that year.

Trends and Insights

  • Amusement parks invest in new attractions to revitalize attendance but must carefully balance costs to ensure long-term success. New worlds and rides can attract visitors but may also create financial risks if not managed effectively.
  • Amusement parks mainly attract US residents aged 25-54, notably parents planning family trips. International travelers prefer to visit world-renowned parks like Disneyworld, boosting attendance at the largest venues.
  • Amusement parks are concentrated in regions with warm weather where they can operate year-round. California and Florida are ideal locations for amusement parks thanks to their climate, which helps attract international visitors.
  • The top five amusement parks, led by Walt Disney, generate the majority of revenue in the US because of their popularity and high traffic. Since they control an enormous market share, it’s challenging for new or smaller parks to compete.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $29.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Hurricane Milton hits the biggest amusement parks hard

  • When Hurricane Milton hit the Southeast of the United States in October 2024, there were significant disruptions across Florida’s amusement parks, including closures and damage assessments. Tourism in Orlando hit a significant road bump, as major theme parks were forced to halt operations while the storm hit.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Amusement Parks in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Newly built attractions sustain attendance over the next few years

  • In the next few years, amusement parks will reap the benefits of newly opened attractions like Super Mario World at Universal Studios. Anticipation and buzz surrounding upcoming attractions and grand openings will drive pre-sale ticket volumes, guaranteeing a steady flow of visitors.

Biggest companies in the Amusement Parks in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Walt Disney Co
8,113.9
312.5
3.9
Nbcuniversal Media, Llc
7,395.1
1,095.5
14.8
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
3,399.9
417.8
12.3

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Amusement Parks in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Admissions, rides and games, Food and beverages and Merchandise. Admissions, rides and games is the largest segment of the Amusement Parks in the US.

Trends and Insights

Admissions, rides and games account for the vast majority of revenue

  • Amusement parks derive most revenue from entrance ticket sales. These can include single-day, multi-day or annual park tickets.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Amuesement parks operate mechanical rides, water rides, games, shows, themed exhibits, refreshment stands and other attractions. Amusement park owners may also lease space on a contract basis for private events and performances.

What's included in this industry?

Admissions, rides and gamesFood and beverage salesMerchandise sales

Companies

Walt Disney CoNbcuniversal Media, LlcSix Flags Entertainment Corporation

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

IN-PARK SPENDINGSEASON PASSDESTINATION PARKCOMBINATION PARK

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 71311 - Amusement Parks in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Amusement parks invest in new attractions to revitalize attendance but must carefully balance costs to ensure long-term success. New worlds and rides can attract visitors but...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Amusement parks mainly attract US residents aged 25-54, notably parents planning family trips. International travelers prefer to visit world-renowned parks like Disneyworld, ...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Amusement parks are concentrated in regions with warm weather where they can operate year-round. California and Florida are ideal locations for amusement parks thanks to thei...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The top five amusement parks, led by Walt Disney, generate the majority of revenue in the US because of their popularity and high traffic. Since they control an enormous mark...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Six Flags and Cedar Fair have merged, combining their assets under the more prominent Six Flags brand. Cedar Fair shareholders hold a slight majority in the new company.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Walt Disney Co's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Nbcuniversal Media, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Walt Disney Co, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Nbcuniversal Media, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Regulation among amusement parks is mainly related to public safety, including regular maintenance and inspection of rides. The CPSC regulates amusement parks in the US, enfo...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Depreciation costs are climbing for amusement parks. With rides needing frequent updates, parks face significant annual expenses that influence their purchasing choices and a...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States is $29.9bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Amusement Parks in the US industry in 2024?

There are 670 businesses in the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 8.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 4.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Amusement Parks in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Amusement Parks market in United States are Walt Disney Co, Nbcuniversal Media, Llc and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

What does the Amusement Parks in the US in United States include?

Admissions, rides and games and Food and beverage sales are part of the Amusement Parks in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Amusement Parks in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Walt Disney Co.

How competitive is the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Amusement Parks in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Arcade, Food & Entertainment Complexes in the US
  • Non-Hotel Casinos in the US
  • Lotteries & Native American Casinos in the US
  • Golf Driving Ranges & Family Fun Centers in the US

Complementors

  • Concert & Event Promotion in the US
  • Coffee & Snack Shops in the US

International industries

  • Amusement Parks & Arcades in Canada
  • Amusement Parks and Centres Operation in Australia
  • Amusement Parks and Centres Operation in New Zealand
  • Amusement Parks in China

View all industries in United States

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Key data sources in the US include: 

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  • Industry federations or regulators
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