Disneyland and Disney World were never cheap. But today, it seems like they’re even less affordable for the average family.
Videos by TravelAwaits
Along with Universal Studios, Disney theme park prices have skyrocketed.
On average, two adults will spend around $3,000 on a short trip, including lodging, tickets, meals, and all other expenses. But a family of four might pay upwards of $6,000 for a similar experience.
These climbing prices might not come as a shock considering inflation rates in 2024.
But these prices are a problem when you take a closer look at the overall experience. While Disney and Universal ticket prices have steadily risen, the quality of the visit has plummeted.
Hardcore and long-time fans have started to ask questions about these theme parks—largely focused on what sorts of families could possibly afford them.
I’ll let you decide whether Disneyland, Disney World, and Universal theme parks are worth your time, energy, and hard-earned dollars. After all, despite the rough feedback from visitors over the last few years, these are institutions that still have plenty of dedicated fans.
But just in case you’re on the fence about finalizing that trip to Orlando or Los Angeles, I’ve got a few other suggestions for you. Though these theme parks offer very different experiences, there’s something for everyone.
And as a former Six Flags Season Pass holder, I can tell you that the size of the theme park and its brand reach doesn’t matter when you’re soaring through the sky on a rollercoaster.
Here are my top selections.
Six Flags: For fans of fast rides
There are fifteen locations owned by Six Flags across North America, along with a slew of Six Flags water parks. (Where’s my Hurricane Harbor crowd at?!)
These parks are ideal for those who want to focus on roller coasters and similar high-octane adventures. Six Flags is home to state-of-the-art roller coasters that deliver speed, height, twists, turns, and flips.
In fact, the fastest roller coaster in the US is the Kinda Ka, located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. It’s also the tallest roller coaster in the US.
Explore Six Flags experiences (make sure to navigate to the correct location at the top of the page)
Busch Gardens: For fans of zoos
Busch Gardens has two locations, one in Tampa Bay and another in Williamsburg, Virginia. Unlike other theme parks on this list, Busch Gardens offers two distinct experiences.
Busch Gardens in Williamsburg includes cultural ‘hamlets’ that showcase different European cities and regions, from France to Bavaria. Though it includes a zoo, the focus is on more human themes like culture, food, and language.
The Tampa Bay location, on the other hand, has a much vaster animal attraction section with over 12,000 creatures, from tigers to sloths to flamingos. I’d recommend heading to Florida versus Virginia.
Dollywood: For fans of country music
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is known for a few reasons, one of which is being the hometown of superstar and country music sweetheart, Dolly Parton.
Visitors are treated to more casual rollercoasters at this theme park, along with a small water park, and historical reenactments. Obviously, there’s also a large emphasis placed on country music and Dolly herself.
Though you might be surprised to hear, Dollywood has won international awards for its varied offers, including its Christmas show. In fact, it’s a huge attraction for international tourists.
To be frank, this theme park has never been on my bucket list—but that quickly changed as I researched this article. See you in Dollywood!
Hersheypark: For those visiting Pennsylvania
Yes—this park takes its name from the famous brand of American chocolate. If you’re anything like me, this park has probably flown right under the radar.
Unlike others on this list, Hersheypark isn’t a chain. Like Dollywood, it’s a one-stop shop. You’ll find a series of rollercoasters, chocolate-centric attractions, a small (and rather sad) zoo, and a water park.
I haven’t been overly taken with the offers from Hersheypark, but I’d definitely consider stopping by if I was passing through Pennsylvania with a car full of children.
Explore what Hersheypark has to offer
Legoland: For younger families
(*Legoland is stylized as LEGOLAND, but I’m using under case to avoid screaming at my readers.)
Legoland theme parks dot the globe. At the moment, Americans can enjoy Legoland parks in California, Florida, and New York. If you’re traveling, keep a lookout for new locations opening up in Beijing, Shanghai, and Dubai.
Most reviews of Legoland focus on its appeal to younger visitors, especially those from 5-10 years old. Now, on to the pressing question—do you need to like Legos to enjoy this theme park?
Unsurprisingly, the park is overwhelmingly geared toward Lego fans and Lego experiences, so being a fan would help. However, the overall experience was created for children between 2-12. So long as that age range fits, their relationship to Legos won’t matter too much.
