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Florida’s Top Theme Parks By Attendance In 2021

The numbers are in. Which of Florida’s theme parks have continued to fill up with tourists and locals?

Mickey Power Pole I-4
Andrew M./BBGI

The numbers are in. Which of Florida's theme parks have continued to fill up with tourists and locals?

In the latest Global Attractions Attendance Report, the top attractions might not be a big surprise. After reopening following the pandemic, there's been steady growth in attendance. However, the 2021 numbers in many cases still haven't reached the 2019 totals. In almost all situations, 2021's attendance is still far below those from two years before.

The top theme park in Florida should be no surprise. In 2021, however, the two Universal Parks had higher attendance numbers than three of the Walt Disney World parks. Is this a sign of prices being too high or is it just a product of Walt Disney World using a 'reservation' system?

#8 SeaWorld Orlando

With a total of 3,051,000, SeaWorld Orlando fell back one spot against its Florida counterparts. It was passed by a park operated by the same owners. In 2019, SeaWorld saw 4,640,000 visitors.

#7 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

With 3,210,000 visitors in 2021, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is also still catching up to its 2019 total of 4,180,000.

Iron Gwazi Busch Gardens Night Photo

#6 Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

The largest of the four Walt Disney World theme parks, Animal Kingdom had the lowest total of them at 7,194,000. In 2019, the animal-themed park brought in 13,888,000 guests.

Animal Kingdom

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#5 Epcot, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

In 2021, Epcot welcomed 7,752,000 guests. In 2019, they hosted 12,444,000.

Epcot - Spaceship EarthAndrew M./BBGI

#4 Disney's Hollywood Studios, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

The 8,589,000 guests that visited Disney's Hollywood Studios made it one of the fastest growing theme parks. In 2019, it reached an attendance total of 11,483,000.

Rise of the Resistance - Disney Hollywood StudiosAndrew M./BBGI

#3 Universal Studios Florida, Orlando

Universal Studios Florida had 8,987,000 visitors in 2021. In 2019, it saw 10,922,000 come through its gates.

Universal Globe at NightAndrew M./BBGI

#2 Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando

Proving that the Universal parks in Florida are the only real competition in the state against Walt Disney World, Islands of Adventure attracted 9,077,000 to the park in 2021. In 2019, 10,375,000 visited.

#1 Magic Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Still undisputed king of theme parks in Florida, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom welcomed 12,691,000 guests in 2021. In 2019, however, it was the only theme park in North America to eclipse 20 million guests, at 20,963,000.

Magic Kingdom Walt Disney World

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Roxanne is a co-host on the MJ Morning Show and host of Middays on Q105 in Tampa Bay. She also hosts segments on The Current, which features local feel-good stories and health and wellness segments, and airs on five of the six Tampa-based Beasley Media Group stations. Roxanne has conducted hundreds of interviews, from athletes to Oscar winners, including Matt Damon, Christian Bale, and Chadwick Boseman. She also specializes in media training, having worked with clients in the NFL, NBA and WWE for television, in print, and online. Roxanne is a published author and will be releasing a thriller novel in 2024. Her favorite thing in the world is being with her two daughters and husband. As a content creator for Q105, Roxanne writes about family activities in the Tampa Bay area, as well as reviews for local restaurants and travel.