Step aside, Mickey Mouse.
A recent study uncovered America’s most beloved amusement parks, and surprisingly, Disney parks did not claim the top spot.
A study conducted by Nieuwe Casinos analyzed Google and TripAdvisor reviews from amusement park visitors to identify those that consistently earned five-star ratings.
In Florida, visitors still experience the highest excitement levels — with Discovery Cove earning a flawless 5-star rating from more than 85% of its patrons.
Situated in Orlando, Discovery Cove is a comprehensive retreat featuring multiple marine exhibits. This venue is also affiliated with SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando as part of their family of parks.
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Following closely among beloved amusement parks is Knoebels Amusement Resort located in Pennsylvania. It boasts nearly identical high praise, earning an impressive 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google and a slightly lower rating of 4.5 out of 5 on TripAdvisor.
Heading towards the southern part of the country — Tennessee's Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster is drawing thousands of enthusiastic visitors, placing it at the third spot. This attraction boasts the second longest downhill course in the U.S., with each ride lasting approximately 7-8 minutes.
If the parks mentioned so far were not familiar to you, then you will probably know the park ranked fourth: Universal Islands of Adventure in Florida.
Universal Islands of Adventure is known for its movie-themed attractions, such as Jurassic Park and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Rounding out the top five on this list is Disney California Adventure — not to be confused with Disneyland.
The difference between the two — while they’re located in the same state — is that California Adventure has more attractions geared towards adults versus Disneyland, which people go to for classic Disney fun.
Although it failed to break into the top 10 most favored parks, New Jersey was mentioned multiple times due to attractions like Six Flags Great Adventure, Jenskinson’s Boardwalk, Morey’s Piers, and Nickelodeon Universe.
The leading 10 theme parks with the highest ratings in America are:1. Discovery Cove, Florida
2. Knoebels Amusement Resort, located in Pennsylvania
3. The Smoky Mountain Alpine Coaster in Tennessee
4. Universal's Islands of Adventure, located in Florida
5. Disney California Adventure, located in California
6. Magic Kingdom, Florida
7. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located in Florida,
8. Disney’s Animal Kingdom, located in Florida
9. Universal Studios Florida, located in Florida
10. Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, located in Indiana
Disney may not have secured the top position since many Americans believe it’s turn into a location too expensive for visitors .
According to the Wall Street Journal A two-day excursion for a family of four amounts to nearly $3,000. This exorbitant cost does not cover airfare or accommodation.