Disney wins again
Disney leads the 2024 theme park industry attendance report. Plus, we go inside the gates of Disney's new California desert community.
It’s time again to check the theme park scoreboard. The TEA last week released its annual attendance report, now renamed the TEA Global Experience Index. There’s a new research partner, too - Entertainment + Culture Advisors.
Disney continues to lead attendance in 2024, as Universal slips: Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom led the list of the world’s most visited theme parks in 2024, followed by the original Disneyland in California. But Universal’s theme parks in the U.S. struggled in 2024, as fans awaited new experiences coming this year and next. Read more.
Here is why Walt Disney World isn’t building a fifth theme park: Some fans might want an all-new theme park at Walt Disney World, but a fifth gate does not fit Disney’s current strategy for building attendance at the resort. Let’s look to the latest industry attendance report for one of the reasons why.
Discussion: TEA/AECOM 2024 Index - Taking a second look at the numbers
Which other US theme parks deserve to be included at the top?
Also last week, Disney invited me and a few other reporters to check out its new project in the California desert.
First look inside Disney’s new Cotino community: Disney invited reporters to experience Cotino – the first Storyliving by Disney Community, now under construction in Rancho Mirage. Located not far from Walt’s old vacation home in the Coachella Valley, Cotino is Disney’s third real estate development and first on the west coast. We toured the homes as well as the residents’ Artisan Club, including Disney’s first Pixar-themed “castle” - a real-life Incredibles mansion.
More news
Dollywood plans new after-hours Halloween party: Unlike most other theme parks that offer hard-ticket Halloween parties, Dollywood will not offer a haunt-based event. Like Disney, Dollywood is looking to appeal to families with an all-ages event called Harvey’s Boo Bash.
Kentucky Kingdom plans new family coaster for 2026: Flying Fox will be a Suspended Family Coaster from Vekoma, similar to sister park Dollywood’s Dragonflier. Flying Fox will run 1,380 feet, with a maximum height of 65 feet and top speed of 37 mph.
Disney to offer weddings in its Haunted Mansion bar: Disney announced that it will make the Haunted Mansion Parlor on its new Disney Destiny cruise ship available as a wedding venue. Should grooms-to-be be scared? After all, their track record with Haunted Mansion brides is... not good.
And finally…
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Best wishes, and thank you for reading,
Robert Niles