10 Great American Amusement Parks

A Brief history

On July 17, 1955, Anaheim, California watched as Walt Disney dedicated and opened Disneyland, at the time, the premier amusement park in the world. The US has a long history of fine amusement parks, certainly making the US the amusement park capital of the world. Here we list 10 great parks, not necessarily the biggest, but 10 that draw the most people each year, and that we think you would especially enjoy visiting.

Digging Deeper

10. Six Flags Magic Mountain, California (Valencia).

With 19 roller coasters, more than any other park in the world, this place gives Cedar Point a run for most thrilling park. Only open since 1971 (as Magic Mountain, before Six Flags bought it), this park is a bit younger than most of the big ones. Cracked fact: It is the Walley World of the 1983 classic film, National Lampoon’s Vacation.

9. Hershey Park, Pennsylvania (Hershey).

With 70 rides and 12 roller coasters and 3.1 million visitors a year, this is hardly the park Milton Hershey built for the leisure of his employees. It is still owned by the chocolate giant, and features a water park and zoo. Of course, it is next to Hershey’s Chocolate World which has restaurants and a ride that takes you through a virtual chocolate factory. Several other great amusement parks are fairly close, including our sentimental favorite, Knoebels Amusement Resort.

8. Kings Island, Ohio (Mason).

Scoring just behind its sister park to the north, Kings Island gets only about 100,000 fewer visitors than Cedar Point, with similar emphasis on thrill rides and mega-coasters, and of course, a water park. With 46 rides and 14 roller coasters (80 rides and attractions total) this is a major league park.

7. Cedar Point, Ohio (Sandusky).

The most visited amusement park in the US outside of California or Florida, this place has the beach, water park, marina, shows, and rides galore. Plus, it ranks at #1 (or close) in food quality every year. With a league leading 74 rides, 17 of them roller coasters, this is the king of the thrill rides parks. It is the only park in the world with roller coasters in all 4 height classes, including 4 over 200 feet tall.

6. Knott’s Berry Farm, California.

Established by Walter Knott, famous berry grower (first cultivator of boysenberries, a cross of raspberry, blackberry, dewberry and loganberry invented by a guy named Boysen), the berry part of the business is now owned by Smuckers of Orville, Ohio and the amusement park is owned by Cedar Fair of Sandusky, Ohio, the company that owns Cedar Point and Kings Island, giving the Farm more of a thrill ride emphasis. Cracked fact: Knott’s decided not to sell out to Disney for fear Disney would obliterate traces of the original Knott’s character. The park has 5 theme sections and a water park. Knott’s is now owned by Cedar Fair.

5. Universal Studios, Florida and Hollywood.

Movies are big business and almost everybody likes at least some movies. The Universal Studios parks (including Islands of Adventure in Orlando) are the premier place to celebrate the world of movies for the entire family. Close to 15 million people per year attend these 2 parks (combined) and 20 million when you include the Islands of Adventure park.

4. Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay.

The only park on the list out of sequence by visitor count, we put Busch Gardens ahead of Universal because of the more eclectic appeal of the park. (Nostalgia for the days of free samples of Anheuser-Busch products, that is.) Thrill rides and shows in an African setting, the park features animal exhibits and an associated water park, Adventure Island.

3. Sea World, Orlando.

Any Sea World is a wonderful place to see Killer Whales (Orcas), dolphins and seals performing spectacular displays, with a variety of top notch water oriented shows. Some may criticize the use of sea mammals in the shows, but that aside, the shows are fantastic. See the aquariums and other sea life displays or watch pearl divers at work. Millions do every year.

2. Disneyland/Disney’s California Adventure, Anaheim.

To many people, the original is still the best. The second most visited set of amusement complexes in the US, millions in the West save the long trip to Florida and go to the fantabulous parks in their own neck of the woods. (Snow White’s Castle ought to be on the California state flag.) The Disney parks have a spectacular array of rides, shows, and attractions, making them all around entertainment centers.

1. Disney World/Epcot, Orlando.

Including White Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this is the most extensive amusement/theme park complex in the world. Obviously, anything this fantastic comes at a price, and the price is expense and crowds. Still, this most visited of all park complexes has so much to see and do you have to read about them individually. The ultimate fantasy vacation for kids (and grown up kids).

Question for students (and subscribers): Tell us which parks are your favorites in the comments section below this article.

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