How Disney World compares to 14 popular theme parks across the US
- I'm a theme-park journalist who's been visiting parks all over the world for over three decades.
- Disney World was my first love, but I enjoy exploring other places, like Dollywood and Hersheypark.
I've been exploring theme parks across the country (and the world) for over three decades, and there are so many options beyond Disney and Universal.
To help with future trip planning, I've broken down the cost, size, and highlights of some of my favorite US parks.
Editor's note: Ticket prices are based on 2023 data and are subject to change.
Disney World
Location: Orlando, Florida
Starting price for entry: $110
Number of attractions: 150+
Size: 25,000 acres
Since opening in 1971, Disney World has grown to encompass four theme parks, two water parks, a dining and entertainment district, and dozens of on-site resorts.
The parks are filled with beloved attractions and hundreds of dining options that range from quick-service spots to upscale table-service restaurants.
I keep coming back for the boundary-pushing attractions, like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. I'm also particularly drawn to the cuisine offerings, including the award-winning Epcot food festivals and restaurants like Topolino's Terrace and Wine Bar George.
Disneyland
Location: Anaheim, California
Starting price for entry: $104
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 500 acres
Disneyland was the park that started it all for the Walt Disney Company. It opened in 1955, and since then, Disneyland Park has been joined by Disney California Adventure theme park, Downtown Disney, and three on-site resorts.
It pairs nostalgic Disney attractions, like It's a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean, with immersive lands like Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge and Marvel Avengers Campus — both home to cutting-edge attractions and incredible dining.
I love visiting during the holidays, especially for the seasonal snacks and attraction overlays, like the "Nightmare Before Christmas"-themed Haunted Mansion.
Disneyland's on-site resorts even expand the magic outside of the parks, with immersive experiences like Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.
Universal Orlando
Location: Orlando, Florida
Starting price for entry: $110
Number of attractions: ~50
Size: 840 acres
Universal Orlando Resort has two theme parks, a water park, and eight themed resorts. Its core mission of embracing movie magic remains with classic attractions like E.T. Adventure, but the park continues to push the limits with daring coasters and immersive experiences like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Universal is home to one of my favorite coasters in the country, the Jurassic World Velocicoaster. Its on-site water park, Volcano Bay, is also easily the best I've ever been to.
My favorite times of year to visit are during seasonal events, like Halloween Horror Nights and Holidays at Universal.
The resort is also currently building a third theme park, Epic Universe, which will house rides and attractions based on DreamWorks Animation, Illumination, and Nintendo.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Location: Los Angeles, California
Starting price for entry: $110
Number of attractions: >25
Size: 400 acres
Universal Studios Hollywood dates back to 1964, with its very first attraction, the World-Famous Studio Tour.
The park is home to a West Coast version of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But it also has unique attractions like The Secret Life of Pets Off the Leash and Jurassic World – The Ride.
Dining here is highly themed, including British delicacies inspired by the fantastical world of "Harry Potter" and the adorable Minion Cafe.
I love the park's manageable size and standout entertainment, like a stunt show based on the cult favorite film "Waterworld." It also attracts fans from all over with its new themed land, Super Nintendo World.
Dollywood
Location: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Starting price for entry: $90
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 160 acres
With country-music icon Dolly Parton as its Dreamer-In-Chief, Dollywood pairs Southern hospitality with thrilling attractions. Lightning Rod is one of my favorite roller coasters in the country and Blazing Fury is a classic dark roller coaster.
Entertainment is a cornerstone of the park. On any given day, guests can attend a number of concerts from local and national performing artists, including members of Parton's family.
The park's attention to culinary excellence is one of my favorite reasons to visit, including the famous pull-apart cinnamon bread. I also love visiting when Parton is around as she's known to participate in a parade around the park.
Knott's Berry Farm
Location: Buena Park, California
Starting price for entry: $60
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 160 acres
Knott's Berry Farm is full of history as one of the oldest theme parks in the country. The park started as a literal berry stand in the 1920s, and it honors its roots by implementing boysenberries across its menus, from soft serve to corn dogs.
In the 1930s, Knott's Berry Farm opened the beloved Mrs. Knott's Chicken Dinner Restaurant, which is still in operation today.
The theme park has since added cutting-edge roller coasters, but I love the charm of the original Ghost Town, which opened in the 1940s. Its annual Halloween event, Knott's Scary Farm, started almost 50 years ago, and it remains my favorite in the country.
Hersheypark
Location: Hershey, Pennsylvania
Starting price for entry: $65
Number of attractions: 70+
Size: 121 acres
Hersheypark is a historical theme park set in the gorgeous hills of Pennsylvania. The family-friendly destination is complete with 15 roller coasters, a water park, and several on-site resorts.
The Hershey brand is woven throughout from characters dressed as your favorite candy bar to themed attractions like the interactive Reese's Cupfusion.
I've been visiting regularly for over three decades and am excited about all the recent updates, like the new Chocolatetown land, Dark Nights Halloween event, and wood-and-steel hybrid roller coaster Wildcat's Revenge.
SeaWorld Orlando
Location: Orlando, Florida
Starting price for entry: $100
Number of attractions: >50
Size: 200 acres
SeaWorld Orlando has placed an emphasis on top-notch thrill attractions, including the upcoming addition of the standing ride Pipeline: The Surf Coaster. Plus, the entire family can enjoy Sesame Street Land complete with fun meet and greets and attractions for smaller guests.
The park's animal experiences are still present, but they're more centered on education than entertainment. I particularly love the bottlenose-dolphin encounter.
The park's annual craft-beer festival has also quickly become a favorite theme-park event, bringing in over 100 unique beers, wines, cocktails, and specialty foods.
Silver Dollar City
Location: Branson, Missouri
Starting price for entry: $90
Number of attractions: >50
Size: 61 acres
Silver Dollar City is a hidden gem located amid the stunning Ozark Mountains in Missouri. The 1880s-themed park houses immersive experiences and showcases everything from mountain craftsmanship and pottery making to homemade candy and baked goods.
The old seamlessly meets the new as the park is also home to thrilling roller coasters, like Time Traveler, one of the tallest and fastest spinning coasters in the world.
The park shines — literally — with its award-winning seasonal events. Its Old Time Christmas brings over 6.5 million twinkling lights to the park. During the festival, there's also a special holiday buffet that's easily the best theme-park buffet I've ever had.
Holiday World
Location: Santa Claus, Indiana
Starting price for entry: $40
Number of attractions: >50
Size: 120+ acres
Holiday World is an award-winning theme park in the Midwest town of Santa Claus, Indiana. Themed after Christmas and other holidays, including the 4th of July, the park oozes charm in each of its distinctly themed lands.
The family-owned park is one of the most affordable in the country, but it delivers with impressive wooden roller coasters like The Voyage. It also offers unlimited complimentary soft drinks and sunscreen to all guests.
The food at Holiday World continues to impress me, including the signature blue ice cream and a delicious traditional turkey dinner in the Thanksgiving-themed land.
It's also really fun to be able to meet Santa Claus all year long.
Legoland Florida
Location: Winter Haven, Florida
Starting price for entry: $75
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 150 acres
Legoland Florida is the largest of three US parks themed after the beloved block toy.
The park is home to a number of roller coasters that are perfect for younger visitors. Also on-site, there's Peppa Pig Theme Park, a water park, and themed hotels.
Exploring Miniland USA is an absolute must when visiting. It houses Lego designs of iconic locations, including New York City and the Las Vegas Strip. The park's signature apple fries — slices of green apples coated, deep-fried, and topped with cinnamon — are also a must-try.
Legoland was built on the site of the historic Cypress Garden theme park, which closed in 2009. I love how the park honors its predecessor by preserving the botanical garden.
Carowinds
Location: Charlotte, North Carolina
Starting price for entry: $40
Number of attractions: 60+
Size: 400+ acres
Carowinds is a Cedar Fair-run theme park located in the Carolinas — it actually sits half in North Carolina and half in South Carolina, with unique photo opportunities for guests to have one foot in each. The affordable park is home to family-friendly attractions and roller coasters, including one of the tallest in the world, Fury 325.
Its Camp Snoopy, a Peanuts-themed land, is home to kid-friendly attractions. The inverted steel coaster Kiddy Hawk was also designed for first-time riders. Other attractions for all ages include the interactive dark ride Boo Blasters.
The regional park impresses with seasonal events like SCarowinds around Halloween and WinterFest around the holidays. Both bring limited-time decorations, entertainment, and dining to Carowinds.
California's Great America
Location: Santa Clara, California
Starting price for entry: $40
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 112 acres
Located south of San Francisco, California's Great America is a beautiful theme park in Silicon Valley. It houses a mix of family-friendly and thrill-ride attractions, but the park's coasters are the main draw, including the wooden Gold Striker and the single-rail Railblazer.
The park features a popular on-site water park, South Bay Shores, that's complete with a wave pool, a family-friendly heated lagoon, and a number of thrilling drop slides.
I love Great America's approach to Halloween. Tricks and Treats takes a family-friendly approach, replacing the standard haunted houses with activities, entertainment, and experiences suitable for all ages.
Cedar Point
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Starting price for entry: $50
Number of attractions: 70+
Size: 364 acres
Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point is well-known for its 18 roller coasters, many of which are award-winning and record-breaking.
Millennium Force is a steel roller coaster, and when it opened in 2000, it was the tallest and fastest in the world, breaking several world records.
The park's roots go back to 1870, and it has since expanded to include family attractions and water rides in addition to high-speed coasters.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Location: Tampa, Florida
Starting Price for Entry: $95
Number of attractions: 50+
Size: 300+ acres
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an animal theme park home to the tallest and fastest inverted roller coaster in the world, Montu.
The park also houses Tampa's largest zoo, with over 200 species of animals including exotic birds, hippos, and zebras. Guests are offered unique vantage points to observe animals, including walk-through attractions and even a giraffe-themed bar overlooking a sanctuary.
Busch Gardens has become a favorite for food lovers thanks to its seasonal festivals, like the annual Food & Wine event.
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