When it comes to theme parks, names like Disneyland and SeaWorld immediately come to mind for many people. According to a recent report by Hello Millions, three Californian parks made it into the top ten “must-visit” theme parks in the United States.
This survey analyzed over 500 theme parks across the country using seven different criteria, including ratings from Google, Yelp, and TripAdvisor, as well as social media posts tagged with relevant themes on TikTok. Notably, Disneyland and Universal Studios parks were excluded from the rankings.
The results revealed that California is home to three top-ranking parks: Knott’s Berry Farm ranked fourth, SeaWorld San Diego came in ninth, and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia secured the tenth spot.
Joerg Nottebaum from Hello Millions emphasized that many theme parks and water parks across the U.S. often exist in the shadows of Disney and Universal Studios. He noted that each of the parks listed in the study offers different themes and atmospheres, providing unique experiences compared to the larger franchises.
Leading the pack among non-Disney and non-Universal parks is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Frequently referred to as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” this sprawling 364-acre amusement park is renowned for its high-speed coasters and adjacent water park.
Other notable mentions in the top ten include SeaWorld in Orlando, Florida at second place; Kings Island in Mason, Ohio at third; Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in Florida; Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania; Aquatica San Antonio in Texas; and Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
