Amusement parks have long been a part of the leisure activities of residents of different countries and continue to develop. According to a study by The Business Research, the global amusement park market was estimated at $95.54 billion in 2024. It is projected to reach $99.34 billion in 2025 and $114.77 billion in 2029. On average, this market will grow by 3.7% per year.
Previously, large amusement parks from Hollywood film studios were located only in the United States and European countries, but recently they have begun to expand to other regions. So, recently it became known that the Disney company will open its first theme park in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It may take several years to build it.
Finam tells about six famous amusement parks operating in different countries in 2025.
Disneyland, Anaheim
This year, the first Disneyland theme park, opened by Disney in 1955 in Anaheim, California, USA, celebrates its seventieth anniversary. The park, built on 160 acres of former orange groves, is divided into many zones called "lands" and filled with a variety of attractions. Main Street, USA is similar to the town where the founder of the Walt Disney Company grew up. In the "Fantasy Land" there is an ancient carousel from 1875 and the famous Disney symbol - Sleeping Beauty Castle.
"Jungle Country" offers tourists a boat ride along the river in the jungles of Africa and Asia, and "Mickey's Cartoon City" presents themed entertainment based on the motif of "Mickey Mouse" and other iconic Disney cartoon characters.
In 2025, Disneyland in Anheim costs $17 million, and it receives approximately 18 million visitors per year, who spend $3 billion.
Europa Park, Rust
Europe Park, Germany's largest amusement park, is located in the small town of Rust and consists of 18 themed areas, each dedicated to one of the European countries. Visitors to Europa Park can travel around Europe without leaving its borders, as the owners of the park are distinguished by their attention to architecture, culture, food and attractions of the countries represented. It features Venetian canals, Swiss chalets, and Greek temples, as well as Halloween, Christmas, and other seasonal celebrations. There are over a hundred attractions in Europa Park. It is one of the most important cultural sites in Germany.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi
In 2010, the world's first theme park dedicated to the premium car brand Ferrari opened in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The Ferrari fleet is mostly indoor, with an area of 86,000 square meters.
The park has over 40 attractions, including Formula Rossa, recognized as the fastest roller coaster in the world. Formula Rossa accelerates to 240 km/h in less than five seconds, which attracts fans of speed and thrill from all over the world.
Another highlight of Ferrari World is the "Flying Asses", an attraction with a world-record loop and interactive driving that allows visitors to discover the racer in themselves.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia
Six Flags Magic Mountain is called the "world capital of thrills". The park was opened in 1971 in the California town of Valencia, USA. First of all, it is known for the record number of roller coasters. There are as many as 20 of them in Six Flags, there are no more in any amusement park in the world. The most notable ones are "Wonder Woman Flight of Courage", the tallest and fastest single-rail roller coaster in the world, as well as "Twisted Colossus", a hybrid roller coaster with dizzying descents. In addition to roller coasters, the park has family-friendly areas and seasonal events such as the "Fright Festl", which immerses visitors in an atmosphere of eerie fun.
Universal Studios Hollywood, Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is both a theme park and an operating film studio. It was opened in 1964 in Universal City, California. At first, the park provided visitors with an opportunity to look behind the scenes of the film studio, but over time, attractions appeared in it, turning Universal Studios into a full-fledged amusement park.
The opportunity to walk around the famous movie locations is still the highlight of the park. It has separate zones dedicated to popular franchises. For example, you can look at dinosaurs in Jurassic World, and The Magical World of Harry Potter will allow fans of the famous boy wizard to visit themed attractions. Fans of cinema and the Hollywood atmosphere from all over the world are eager to get into Universal Studios.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
Tivoli Gardens is one of the world's first amusement parks, which has been operating since 1843. It is located in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark. The park is distinguished by beautiful gardens, traditional wooden roller coasters, restaurants and modern attractions, for example, the steel slides "Demon" with many turns are popular with fans of extreme recreation.
The Tivoli Gardens were often visited by the Danish storyteller Hans Christian Andersen, as well as the American animator Walt Disney, whom they inspired to create Disneyland. In 2024, the Tivoli Gardens were visited by 4.25 million people.
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