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Disney World Misses Top Spot on U.S.'s Most Loved Theme Parks List — Discover the Hidden Champion!

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

Disney World Misses Top Spot on U.S.'s Most Loved Theme Parks List — Discover the Hidden Champion!

Step aside, Mickey Mouse. A recent study uncovered America’s most beloved amusement parks, and surprisingly, Disney parks did not claim...

I've Planned Luxury Walt Disney World Vacations for Hundreds of Clients — Here are 3 Ways to Elevate Your Trip

Whether you’re a Disney enthusiast or not, these tips will be sure to make your next family trip to the parks a breeze.

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 In all of my years as a travel agent, I’ve dealt with a wide range of enthusiasm when it comes to trips to Walt Disney World — from “we’ve been waiting for this moment since our baby was born” to “I’m dreading this trip and only booking it out of parental obligation.” Even as a Disney enthusiast, the latter is perhaps my favorite type of client because there's nothing better than a positive review from a parent who was sure they would be miserable when visiting Walt Disney World.


 Here are three ways to elevate a Walt Disney World vacation, no matter the occasion.

<h2>
 Travel during off-peak times.
</h2>

 Let’s be honest, there's no longer a slow season at Walt Disney World, but there are times when the parks are less crowded than others. To avoid the throngs, I recommend avoiding the park over Christmas break or other federal holidays because, chances are, if your child has a school holiday, so does most of America — and every parent is trying to capitalize on the extra day off. I would also recommend checking the
 runDisney
 calendar of events, as races in the parks tend to amass large crowds.


 If you don’t have a problem with heat, consider traveling during the summer. In July and August, you’ll see some of the lowest wait times of the year. Disney also tends to offer resort discounts when occupancy is at its lowest, so traveling during off-peak times will be better for your wallet, too.


 Related:
 The Best Times to Visit Disney World for Fewer Crowds and Good Weather

<h2>
 Prioritize convenience.
</h2>

 As a mom of two, I value convenience above most other things. There's nothing worse than spending hours walking with no clear destination or waiting in a long line with cranky kids. Thankfully, Disney offers a wide range of “pay to play” conveniences that might actually make or break your trip. At varying price points, it’s up to you to decide which of them is worth it, but here are a few I've found helpful over the years.

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<h3>
 Staying in a Walt Disney World Property
</h3>

 This is a no-brainer for my family and most of my clients. I would even encourage you to take it a step further and narrow down your options to the resorts that offer
 alternatives to bus transportation
 . For example, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort offer monorail transportation to Epcot and Magic Kingdom, minimizing the number of times you'll have to wait for a bus. In addition, Disney offers perks like early park entry to guests at their resorts, and extended evening hours for Deluxe Resort guests.


 Related:
 18 Best Disney World Hotels for an Extra-magical Vacation

<h3>
 Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass
</h3>

 Similar to what you may remember as the old FastPass+ system,
 Disney’s Lightning Lane
 is the company’s current solution to the waiting in line problem. Seven days prior to check-in (three days for off-property guests), Walt Disney World Resort guests can choose to purchase the Lighting Lane Multi Pass and/or Lightning Lane Single Pass for shorter lines on your
 favorite rides
 . My family never travels without it.

<h3>
 Walt Disney World VIP Tour Services
</h3>

 Coming in at the most expensive of all Walt Disney World conveniences, private VIP tours range from $450 to $900 per hour depending on the season, with a seven-hour minimum. While pricey, if you’re willing to pay for it, you’ll experience the highest level of service the theme parks offer (think conveniences like private vehicle rides, back entrances to the park, reserved parade viewing, and a dedicated guide utilizing unlimited Lightning Lane entry and often, alternate ride entrances to bypass lines entirely).

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<h2>
 Add downtime to your schedule.
</h2>

 One habit I see time after time is stressed-out clients who have not booked enough time for a Disney trip. With four theme parks and two
 water parks
 , Walt Disney World’s property is about the size of San Francisco, and there are few things more stressful than feeling like you're trying to cram everything into a few days. It’s no secret the parks are overstimulating for parents and children alike, so resist the urge to do too much.


 Add resort breaks or even full pool or rest days into your schedule. If you're traveling with children, follow their lead; if they're shutting down, take a break. Missing a ride or Lightning Lane won’t be the end of the world, but a toddler hitting the wall might be.


 With infinite options to elevate your Walt Disney World vacation, a great way to determine what additions or upgrades might be worth it for your family is consulting with a travel agent. An experienced agent will be able to walk you through the various options so you can make an informed decision. Because with proper planning, there's no reason your theme park experience can’t be just as magical as your kids’ experience.


 
 Mary Helen Law
 is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in Disney trips. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Law by contacting her at
 maryhelen@mousecounselors.com
 .

I've Planned Luxury Walt Disney World Vacations for Hundreds of Clients — Here are 3 Ways to Elevate Your Trip

Whether you’re a Disney enthusiast or not, these tips will be sure to make your next family trip to the parks a breeze. In all of my y...