Fast roller coasters with loops and plunges tens of meters long, state-of-the-art digital effects, or beloved characters from popular animated movies—amusement parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, or Six Flags promise endless fun concentrated in one location. It’s nearly impossible to experience all the attractions in just one day. In this article, you’ll find tips on the best amusement parks across the USA.
Table of Contents
- Tips for Visiting Amusement Parks in the USA
- The Best Amusement Parks in the USA
- Busch Gardens: Tampa Bay (Florida)
- Cedar Point (Ohio)
- Kings Island (Ohio)
- Disney World: Magic Kingdom (Florida)
- SeaWorld San Diego (California)
- Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey)
- Six Flags Magic Mountain (California)
- Universal Studios Hollywood (California)
- Fun Facts About American Amusement Parks
Tips for Visiting Amusement Parks in the USA
🎟️ Purchase Your Tickets in Advance
Ticket prices often vary depending on the day of the week and the season. When demand is high, ticket prices increase. The cheapest tickets are typically available for less busy days, usually midweek. It’s advisable to purchase them well in advance.
Keep an eye on the park’s social media pages and mobile apps, as they occasionally feature discount codes for tickets.
⚡ Skip the Lines for an Extra Fee
Every amusement park offers the option to skip the line or join a virtual queue for an additional cost. By paying $60 to $120, you can purchase a pass, such as an Express Plus Pass, Flash Pass, or Quick Queue.
While the cost may seem high, it saves you hours of waiting in line, giving you more time to enjoy the park.
Some parks, like Universal Studios Hollywood, have separate shorter lines for visitors willing to ride alone. These single-rider lines fill in the last available seats and can save you significant waiting time, though you’ll often still sit near your friends or family.
📅 The Best Days to Visit an Amusement Park
Parks are typically busiest on weekends and, surprisingly, on Mondays. During the summer season, school holidays, and national holidays, they are always crowded.
The best days to visit amusement parks are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Google Maps can provide a great overview of crowd levels at various times and days. Simply search for the park and check the “Overview” section for insights.
⌚ Stay From Open to Close
Most amusement parks operate on a one-time entry system, allowing you to enjoy attractions repeatedly without additional charges. However, it’s usually impossible to experience everything in a single day.
Arrive at the park early in the morning and leave late in the evening. Visit the most popular attractions first, as lines for these tend to get longer as the day progresses.
🍔 Save Money on Food and Drinks
Food and beverages inside amusement parks are often expensive, and long lines at restaurants can waste valuable time. A general rule is never to buy what you can bring from outside.
If the park allows outside food (check their website), pack a few snacks and a bottle of water in your bag. You’ll save both money and time.
🌧️ Check the Weather Forecast
If you’re planning a last-minute visit to an amusement park, always check the weather forecast beforehand. Rides like roller coasters and other adrenaline-filled attractions are often closed during rain, strong winds, thunderstorms, or even invisible lightning. Visiting on such a day could leave you disappointed, as parks usually do not offer replacement tickets.
🎒 Lockers Are Available for Backpacks
All parks provide secure lockers for storing backpacks, typically for a small fee or a refundable deposit. These lockers are entirely safe to use—sometimes almost too secure.
In one California park, I couldn’t access my locker after securing it with a fingerprint. I had to get help from security after verifying my identity, describing the locker’s contents in detail, and signing a declaration.
Don’t forget to pack warm clothes in your backpack in case of cooler weather or rain. On sunny days, bring sunscreen and apply it regularly.
💡 A Few Final Tips
Take a zip-lock plastic bag with you to protect your documents and phone from water rides. If you’re driving to the park, take a photo of your parking spot to find it easily in massive parking lots.
If you’re visiting in a group, agree on an easily accessible meeting point in case anyone gets lost. For children, write your phone number on their hand for added safety.
The Best Amusement Parks in the USA
There are dozens of amusement parks across the United States, each offering unique attractions. A classic amusement park, often referred to as an “amusement park,” features a wide variety of rides ranging from traditional carousels to log flume rides and adrenaline-pumping roller coasters.
In a theme park, attractions are typically designed around a specific concept or style, such as animated Disney tales or medieval castles. Another category includes water parks, featuring slides, splash zones, and wave pools.
For inspiration, here is a list of several amusement parks, sorted alphabetically, that consistently rank among the best:
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Busch Gardens: Tampa Bay (Florida)
There are two Busch Gardens parks in the USA—one in Virginia and the other in Tampa, Florida.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay may have fewer attractions, but they are incredibly entertaining. Highlights include the 335 ft-meter-high drop tower Falcon’s Fury, where the seats tilt 90° before the drop, leaving visitors free-falling face-down at speeds of up to 60 mph.
The park is African-themed and features a safari experience accessible by car.
🎢 Attractions
The park features 10 roller coasters, ranging from family-friendly rides to intense thrills. Popular water rides include Log Flume (a wooden log ride through water channels) and Congo Rapids (a rafting adventure on wild rapids). The park also includes classic attractions like carousels and train rides for younger children.
Check out the full list of rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
📍 Location
Busch Gardens is located in Tampa Bay, Florida, north of the city center. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices for Busch Gardens vary depending on demand. To save money, consider visiting during weekdays when crowds are smaller. For an additional fee, you can purchase a ticket that includes unlimited food, with access every 90 minutes.
You can also save by purchasing tickets as part of the Tampa Bay CityPASS, which grants access to other nearby attractions without additional fees.
💡 Helpful Tips
If you’re visiting with kids, bring swimsuits and towels so they can enjoy the water attractions. Before your visit, download the park’s mobile app to check average wait times for rides.
Busch Gardens does not allow flavored sodas, but you can bring a bottle of plain water. Some visitors may be disappointed to find that the SkyRide cable car is not included in the park admission.
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Cedar Point (Ohio)
Known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” Cedar Point in Ohio lives up to its reputation. With 18 roller coasters, this park is a haven for thrill-seekers. Several coasters reach heights exceeding 200 ft, making it a must-visit for adrenaline enthusiasts. Top rides include Magnum XL-200, Millennium Force, and Valravn.
🎢 Attractions
As the second-oldest amusement park in the USA, Cedar Point holds the world record for the most attractions—71 in total. Beyond roller coasters, the park offers waterslides, massive swings, space launch rides, and traditional carousels. For younger kids, there are smaller rides, trains, and pony rides.
Explore the full list of attractions at Cedar Point.
📍 Location
Cedar Point is situated on a peninsula in Sandusky, Ohio. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Tickets to Cedar Point are sold for specific dates and are generally more affordable compared to other amusement parks. You can save money by purchasing tickets online in advance. Prices also vary depending on the day of the week.
For an additional fee, you can purchase tickets that include free meals every 90 minutes or unlimited drink refills every 15 minutes at designated drink stations.
💡 Helpful Tips
Download the Cedar Point mobile app before your visit to monitor live wait times for attractions. You can store backpacks and personal items in lockers available for a fee, or leave them with a friend who can hold your belongings while you enjoy the rides.
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Kings Island (Ohio)
Located in Ohio, Kings Island is one of the most-visited parks in the USA, offering attractions for the entire family. Operated by the same company as Cedar Point, this park is famous for its wide variety of rides.
🎢 Attractions
Kings Island features 14 roller coasters, including record-breaking attractions like Banshee, the world’s longest inverted roller coaster at 4,124 ft, and The Beast, the longest wooden coaster in the world at 7,361 ft, with a ride time of over four minutes.
High-altitude thrill-seekers will enjoy rides like the towering WindSeeker swing or the extreme Xtreme Skyflyer, where you’ll swing from a height of 153 ft at speeds of up to 60 mi.
For younger children, there are train rides, small carousels, and bouncy planes. Check out all the attractions at Kings Island.
📍 Location
Kings Island is located in Mason, Ohio, and is easily accessible by car from nearby Cincinnati. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices for Kings Island vary significantly, so it’s best to purchase them online in advance to save up to dozens of dollars compared to gate prices. Like other parks, weekday tickets are generally cheaper.
For an extra fee, you can purchase a Fast Lane pass to skip the lines at selected attractions, or tickets with unlimited meal options for the entire day.
💡 Helpful Tips
The most exciting ride in the park is Banshee. Wait times for the most popular attractions on weekdays typically range from 20 to 30 minutes. You can reduce this wait time by purchasing a Fast Lane pass.
Note that backpacks and handbags are not allowed on roller coasters to prevent items from falling. Use a locker or ask a friend to hold your belongings while you ride.
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Disney World: Magic Kingdom (Florida)
Located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Magic Kingdom is styled after Walt Disney’s fairytale creations. While the park does feature roller coasters, it is most enjoyable for families with young children. Magic Kingdom is instantly recognizable by its iconic entrance building, a fairytale castle.
🎢 Attractions
Disney World is a sprawling resort composed of multiple amusement parks, with Magic Kingdom being one of them. It is primarily family-oriented, offering attractions designed around Disney’s fairytales. Unlike other parks, it does not have many roller coasters but instead offers carousels and various Disney-themed shows.
Nearby parks include EPCOT (focused on global culture), Disney’s Animal Kingdom (a large zoo), and Hollywood Studios. Check out all attractions in Disney World: Magic Kingdom.
📍 Location
Magic Kingdom is located in Lake Buena Vista near Orlando, Florida. It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown via the I-4 highway. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Disney World tickets can be confusing to navigate due to the various packages that include access to other parks within the network. Compared to other parks, Magic Kingdom tickets are relatively expensive. The park uses a dynamic pricing model similar to airlines, where ticket prices vary based on demand for a specific date.
💡 Helpful Tips
Disney World is one of the most-visited amusement parks, especially during June, July, and August. For shorter wait times, plan your visit for September or October.
Arrive at the park 20–30 minutes before it opens and start with the most popular attractions to avoid long queues later in the day. Most visitors begin in Tomorrowland and proceed counterclockwise through the park.
Find more tips and advice in the dedicated article Walt Disney World Orlando – Tickets, Map & Attractions.
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SeaWorld San Diego (California)
SeaWorld San Diego offers a mix of rides, including roller coasters and water rapids, but its main attractions are the animal shows featuring orcas, sea lions, and dolphins.
The park also boasts two massive saltwater aquariums filled with sea turtles and countless fish. Interestingly, SeaWorld began as a restaurant specializing in seafood before evolving into the attraction it is today.
🎢 Attractions
SeaWorld San Diego has five roller coasters, including the 2,800 ft-foot-long Arctic Rescue, which simulates a snowmobile ride. While the ride doesn’t feature dramatic loops, it reaches a top speed of 40 mi.
The real highlight of SeaWorld is its animal shows. The most popular events include performances with trained dolphins and orcas, where you’re likely to get soaked. Other shows feature sea lions and otters, while exhibits house penguins, flamingos, beluga whales, turtles, and walruses.
Explore all attractions at SeaWorld San Diego.
📍 Location
SeaWorld is located in a suburb of San Diego, near the Mexican border. It’s only a few minutes’ drive from San Diego via the I-5 highway, and public buses also provide access. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices for SeaWorld San Diego vary throughout the week, with the lowest prices typically available from Monday to Wednesday. Weekend tickets tend to be the most expensive. You can save by purchasing tickets in advance.
As with other parks, unlimited food passes are available for an additional fee. You can also visit SeaWorld as part of the GoCity San Diego Pass.
💡 Helpful Tips
Arrive early in the morning, ideally before the park opens, to avoid long lines at popular attractions. Food inside the park is relatively expensive, but you can save money by bringing your own snacks, as SeaWorld allows outside food.
Consider packing a rain poncho or a change of clothes, especially if you’re attending the orca shows—you’ll get as wet as stepping out of a shower. Download the SeaWorld mobile app to access maps and show schedules.
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Six Flags Great Adventure (New Jersey)
Six Flags Great Adventure is the quintessential American amusement park, featuring long roller coasters alongside various adrenaline-pumping and family-friendly attractions. Located in New Jersey, the park is easily accessible by bus from Manhattan, making it a great option for visitors to New York City who want a thrilling roller coaster experience.
🎢 Attractions
A highlight for adrenaline junkies is Kingda Ka, the second-tallest roller coaster in the world at 456 ft and the third-fastest, reaching speeds of 80 mph. In November 2024, it was surpassed in both height and speed by Falcon’s Flight in Saudi Arabia’s Six Flags Qiddiya.
The park offers a total of 14 roller coasters, including the deceptively simple yet wildly fun wooden coaster El Toro, which was named the most exciting coaster in the USA in 2022. The Green Lantern coaster impresses with its rapid loops and speeds of up to 64 mph, while Nitro reaches even higher speeds of 80 mph.
For those who enjoy water attractions, Six Flags Great Adventure also features thrilling log flume and white-water rafting rides. Explore the full list of attractions at Six Flags Great Adventure.
📍 Location
The park is located in Jackson, New Jersey (view on map), about a 1.5-hour drive from Manhattan. During peak season, regular buses operate from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City.
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices vary throughout the year based on demand. The cheapest tickets are typically available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, while weekend prices are higher.
For an additional cost, you can purchase The Flash Pass, available in several options, allowing you to join virtual queues or skip lines entirely.
💡 Helpful Tips
A visit to Six Flags Great Adventure is an all-day experience. Arriving before the park opens and staying until closing is recommended, but even then, it may not be possible to experience every attraction. If you’re looking to maximize your time and are willing to spend extra, consider purchasing The Flash Pass.
For quick transportation within the park, use the cable car. Always check the weather forecast before your visit, as rides like Kingda Ka and others may close during rain or storms.
Find additional tips and detailed advice in a separate article Six Flags Great Adventure – Best Tips, Attractions and Tickets.
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Six Flags Magic Mountain (California)
Six Flags Magic Mountain competes with Cedar Point for the title of the amusement park with the most roller coasters. One of the coasters even appeared in the opening sequence of the 1990s sitcom Step by Step.
🎢 Attractions
The park features 20 roller coasters, including the standout Full Throttle, where the ride stops multiple times before launching again at speeds of up to 70 mi.
Another must-try is Superman: Escape from Krypton, which propels riders backward at 100 mph into the air to a height of 415 ft. For pure adrenaline, try Goliath, which features a 255 ft drop at speeds of up to 85 mph.
The park also offers attractions for younger children. Discover all attractions at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
📍 Location
Six Flags Magic Mountain is located in Valencia, California, about a 40-minute drive from Los Angeles via the I-5 freeway. View on map
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week and demand, with the cheapest tickets available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Tickets grant unlimited access to more than 100 attractions for the day.
💡 Helpful Tips
Prepare for long lines, especially during summer vacations or holidays, where wait times for roller coasters can exceed an hour. A Flash Pass can significantly reduce wait times, although some lines may still take up to 20 minutes.
Opened on May 29, 1971, some attractions at Magic Mountain show signs of age and may be out of service during your visit. Be prepared for possible closures.
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Universal Studios Hollywood (California)
Located in Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood is unique in that it doubles as an amusement park and a working film studio. Visitors can tour real film sets where popular TV shows and movies are filmed, including cars from the Fast & Furious franchise and props from Back to the Future.
🎢 Attractions
The park’s attractions rely heavily on virtual effects, but they do not disappoint. The most notable experience is the studio tour aboard a tram, where you’ll see sets from Desperate Housewives and CSI: Las Vegas. The tour ends with an exciting chase scene featuring characters from Fast & Furious.
Other rides and attractions draw inspiration from movies and shows, such as the virtual rides Transformers, The Simpsons, and Jurassic Park, as well as the thrilling Revenge of the Mummy, which features impressive special effects.
Check out the full list of rides and attractions at Universal Studios Hollywood.
📍 Location
Universal Studios Hollywood is located in Hollywood (view on map), near the Universal/Studio City Station on the Metro Red Line. From the station, you can walk to the park in about 15 minutes or take the shuttle tram.
🎟️ Tickets
Ticket prices for Universal Studios Hollywood fluctuate similarly to airfare prices. Generally, buying tickets well in advance saves money.
Besides standard tickets, Universal Express passes are available, which allow you to skip lines for most attractions (excluding Mario Kart). Purchasing a single-day ticket through specific links also includes an option for free admission the next day if purchased from outside the USA or Canada. Tickets can also be canceled up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund.
💡 Helpful Tips
From experience, the best day to visit Universal Studios Hollywood is Tuesday, as crowds are generally smaller. Even during peak seasons, Tuesday has fewer visitors compared to weekends.
Maximize your time by arriving before the park opens and starting with the most popular attractions. Use the “Single Rider” line if you don’t mind riding without your companion—this can save significant wait time as you’ll fill in any empty seats on rides.
Food inside the park is expensive and not very high-quality. Fortunately, unlike some parks, Universal Studios allows visitors to bring snacks. For a budget-friendly and satisfying experience, pack your own food.
Additional tips and insights about Universal Studios Hollywood can be found in the dedicated article Universal Studios Hollywood – Tickets (1 Day Free) + Best Tips.
Fun Facts About American Amusement Parks
1️⃣ Amusement Parks as Employee Entertainment
Hersheypark in Pennsylvania was originally opened in 1907 as a recreational area for employees of the Hershey chocolate factory. Its unexpected popularity led to its public opening, with additional attractions such as roller coasters and swimming pools added to the original carousel, bowling alley, and baseball field.
One thing hasn’t changed over the years—the park’s theme is still centered around chocolate.
2️⃣ What It Takes to Operate an Amusement Park
Working in amusement parks is a popular summer job for young Americans (and international workers). Cedar Point alone hires 5,000 employees every summer. Maintaining the park also requires a significant amount of resources—for example, Cedar Point uses 6,800 liters of paint annually in 872 different colors.
3️⃣ Massive Park Sizes
Large-scale amusement parks are characterized by their immense size. For instance, Walt Disney World Resort in Florida covers an area of 42 mi², which is slightly larger than the city of San Francisco. The park employs an astounding 77,000 people, making it the largest single-site employer in the USA.
4️⃣ The Cost of Building a Roller Coaster
Constructing a new roller coaster is an expensive endeavor, with costs averaging around $8,000,000. High-profile coasters designed to become a park’s main attraction can cost upwards of $25,000,000.
The record-holder for the most expensive roller coaster is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, Florida. Opened in 2022 after four years of construction, the ride cost an estimated $500,000,000. While its speed and height are average, its reverse ride design and innovative features make it unique.
💬 Which amusement park did you enjoy the most? Do you have any valuable tips for fellow visitors? Share your experiences in the comments to help other readers!
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