Busch Gardens Williamsburg is 18th on a list of the top 20 theme parks in North America for 2012, and Water Country USA is sixth out of the top 20 water parks in North America after strong attendance showings in 2012.
The Themed Entertainment Association and the Economics practice at AECOM, a global technical and management support services provider, compile reports of annual global theme park attendance and rank the parks on attendance by location.
According to the newest report, Busch Gardens, which opened new roller coaster Verbolten last year, had more than 2.85 million visitors in 2012 — up 4 percent from 2011’s attendance of more than 2.74 million. Water Country USA had 748,000 visitors in 2012, up 3.5 percent from 2011’s attendance of 723,000.
“It is our view that, given the economic conditions, theme parks have done a good job this year in maintaining single-digit growth in major markets,” said John Robinett, AECOM senior vice president of economics, in the report.
In 2010, Busch Gardens was ranked 18th out of 20 North American theme parks with an attendance of 2.8 million. In 2007, Busch Gardens’ attendance was more than 3.15 million, putting it at No. 15 on a list of the top 20 North American theme parks.
“Strong season for both theme park and waterpark. A new roller coaster, the Griffon, created major new draw and marketing vehicle in addition to revival of [an] oldies concert series, sustained growth of Howl-O-Scream and excellent weather,” the 2007 report reads.
In 2010, Water Country USA was sixth out of the top 20 U.S. water parks with attendance of 784,000. In 2007, Water Country USA ranked fifth on the list of top 15 water parks in the U.S. with 773,000 visitors.
Busch Gardens and Water Country USA Park President Carl Lum was unable to comment on attendance due to a quiet period — when no questions about earnings and attendance can be answered — surrounding parent company SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.’s initial public offering. He did say he was happy to hear attendance was up.
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