The world’s most popular theme parks – but you may be surprised by how few you know
THE most popular theme parks in the world have been revealed – although many of them may come as a surprise to Brits.
Disney and Universal dominated the list, with parks at Disneyland and Disney World featuring 11 times, while Universal featured four times.
According to CNN, the number one theme park in the world was the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, boasting nearly 21 million visitors in 2018.
However, many of the most popular theme parks will not be as well known to Brits.
Som are located in China, Korea and Japan, but others are right here in Europe.
Read on for the most visited theme parks in 2018 that you’ve probably never heard of.
Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin, China – 10.8 million visitors
In tenth place was Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China, with more than 10 million visitors last year.
Having first opened in 2014, it is home to the largest aquarium in the world with nearly 50 million litres of water.
Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea – six million visitors
Also on the list was Lotte World in Seoul, South Korea, having attracted six million guests last year.
As the home of the largest indoor theme park in the world, it also features an artificial island inside a lake, shopping centres, as well as cinemas and a luxury hotel.
Since its opening in 1989, it has stayed open all year round – not even closing for the national holidays.
Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan – 5.9 million visitors
Close behind Lotte World is Nagashima Spa Land in Japan, with nearly six million visitors.
It is home to the longest roller coaster in the world, the Steel Dragon 2000, which measures 1.54 miles (2.47km) long, taking four minutes to ride.
After opening in 2000, it was closed for three years between 2003 and 2006 after two passengers were injured following an incident which saw the train lose a wheel during the ride.
Everland, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea – 5.9 million visitors
Despite being the largest theme park in South Korea, measuring 99 hectares, Everland wasn’t the highest on the list for South Korea.
It still had nearly six million guests last year, though.
Formally known as Farmland, it is operated by the Samsung Group, and oringinallt opened in 1976.
It is also the only place to see pandas in South Korea, being the home of panda couple Ai Bao and Le Bao.
Ocean Park, Hong Kong – 5.8 million visitors
Having opened in 1977, Ocean Park is the second biggest theme park in Hong Kong, behind Disneyland.
With 5.8 million guests last year, the theme park has struggled over the years with the majority of visitors being from China.
The park made global headlines this year after it was praised for its pro-LGBT advert, which featured a young gay couple.
Europa-Park, Rust, Germany – 5.7 million visitors
The largest theme park in Germany, Europa-Park was the most visited theme park in Europe to make the list that wasn’t Disney.
As the second most popular theme park in Europe behind Disneyland Paris, it welcomed 5.7 million visitors in 2018.
It will open a new water park called Rulantica later this year, featuring 25 new water attractions, a surf simulator and a hotel.
Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands – 5.4 million visitors
The largest theme park in the Netherlands, Efteling attracted 5.4 million people last year.
Many of the attractions are based on fairy tales and fables, with the Fairytale Forest featuring Sleeping Beauty and Hansel and Gretel, and there is a new Brothers Grimm-themed castle opening later this year.
It is also one of the oldest theme parks in the world, having originally opened in 1952.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark – 4.9 million visitors
Having been open since 1843, Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest operating amusement park in the world.
With nearly five million visitors last year, the theme park is found in the middle of the city of Copenhagen, measuring just 20 acres.
The oldest ride, the wooden Roller Coaster, is one of the few left in the world that has a person as a brakeman on every train.
Chimelong Paradise, Guangzhou, China – 4.7 million visitors
The largest theme park in China, Chimelong Paradise, just made the top 25 with 4.7 million visitors last year.
Over 60 hectares in size, it is home to the only living giant panda triplets, who turned four last July.
However, the Chimelong Group faced legal action earlier this year after they were accused of charging children based on their height, not their age – leading to taller than average kids being forced to pay for an adult ticket.
World's most visited theme parks in 2018
1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida – 20.9 million visitors
2. Disneyland Park at Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California – 18.7 million visitors
3. Tokyo Disneyland at Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan – 17.9 million visitors
4. Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan – 14.7 million visitors
5. Universal Studios Japan, Osaka – 14.3 million visitors
6. Disney’s Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Florida – 13.8 million visitors
7. Epcot at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida – 12.4 million visitors
8. Shanghai Disneyland, China – 11.8 million visitors
9. Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World, Florida – 11.3 million visitors
10. Chimelong Ocean Kingdom, Hengqin, China – 10.8 million visitors
11. Universal Studios Florida at Universal Orlando Resort – 10.7 million visitors
12. Disney California Adventure at Disneyland, Anaheim, California – 9.9 million visitors
13. Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France – 9.8 million visitors
14. Universal’s Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort, Florida – 9.8 million visitors
15. Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City, California – 9.1 million visitors
16. Hong Kong Disneyland – 6.7 million visitors
17. Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea – 6 million visitors
18. Nagashima Spa Land, Kuwana, Japan – 5.9 million visitors
19. Everland, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea – 5.9 million visitors
20. Ocean Park, Hong Kong – 5.8 million visitors
21. Europa-Park, Rust, Germany – 5.7 million visitors
22. Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands – 5.4 million visitors
23. Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France – 5.3 million visitors
24. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark – 4.9 million visitors
25. Chimelong Paradise, Guangzhou, China – 4.7 million visitors
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