Overview
- Nationwide attendance fell about 1.8% in the first half of 2025, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
- Disney reported record park revenue alongside a 1% dip in domestic attendance, while TEA/AECOM data show Universal Studios Florida down 2.6% and Islands of Adventure down 5.5%.
- Bloomberg-reported declines were steeper at some chains, with Six Flags off roughly 17% and United Parks & Resorts down about 9.6% early in the summer season.
- Operators are leaning into recognizable IP and family-focused draws, including Nintendo at Universal’s Epic Universe and Minecraft at Merlin parks, plus new projects like Legoland’s $90 million Galacticoaster and Dollywood’s NightFlight Expedition debuting in 2026.
- Parks are favoring targeted incentives over across-the-board price cuts, exemplified by Disney’s free dining offers, hotel deals, and resident discounts, as vendors warn some regional parks may delay new investments.