Wednesday, 03 June 2015 08:45

Theme Park Visitor Growth

Growth in visitor numbers at some of the UK's biggest theme parks during 2014 revealed in figures from TEA/AECOM.

The annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index, the definitive annual attendance study for the themed entertainment and museum industries, has been published.

Theme park numbers for calendar year 2014 show that the industry has continued its post-recession attendance growth at a healthy rate of 4% for the top parks globally. Europe has rebounded with 3% volume growth, the U.S. has remained steady at a little over 2%, and Asia, still the leader but not by as much, increased by about 5%.

TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum IndexIn the UK, all of the Merlin Entertainments theme parks saw their visitor numbers increase last year, with the biggest gain at LEGOLAND Windsor, but Alton Towers remains the UK's most popular theme park:

  • Alton Towers
    2.6 million in 2014, 2.5 million in 2013 (up 3%)
  • LEGOLAND Windsor
    2.2 million in 2014, 2 million in 2013 (up 7.3%)
  • Thorpe Park
    2.1 million in 2014, 2 million in 2013 (up 5%)
  • Chessington World of Adventures
    1.6 million in 2014, 1.5 million in 2013 (up 6.7%)

Last year saw the addition of Cbeebies Land at Alton Towers, Castaway Camp in Pirate Shores at LEGOLAND Windsor, Angry Birds Land at Thorpe Park and the Scorpion Express and AMAZU Treetop Adventure at Chessington World of Adventures.

Merlin Entertainments continued its upward momentum and has kept its position as the world’s second largest theme park group, with a slightly reduced growth of 5% in its overall attendance. The company recorded strong performances in its theme parks - especially the LEGOLAND parks - but it was a mixed picture for their Midway attractions.

View the TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index here.

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