Theme park spending down 5% during ‘lackluster’ summer, report says
Visitor spending at U.S. theme parks was down during a “lackluster” summer and things would have been a lot worse if not for the debut of the new Epic Universe in Florida and free-spending rich travelers at Disney and Universal parks, according to a new report.
Overall spending this summer was down 5% at U.S. theme parks compared to the same period last year driven by weaker spending by lower- and middle-income parkgoers, according to a report by Forbes.
Sign up for our Park Life newsletter and find out what’s new and interesting every week at Southern California’s theme parks. Subscribe here.
A premium fault line appeared at U.S. theme parks this summer with affluent Americans spending more at pricier Disney and Universal parks while lower- and middle-income visitors spent less at more affordable regional theme parks, according to Forbes.
Visitor spending this summer was up 8% at Disney parks and up 22% at Universal parks in the U.S., according to Bloomberg Second Measure data gathered for Forbes.
Guests ride Stardust Racers, a new dueling roller coaster ride in Celestial Park during a preview day for Universal Epic Universe on April 5, 2025. Orlando’s first new theme park in a generation is set to open to the public on May 22. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
Theme Park Insider’s Robert Niles told Forbes the new $7 billion Universal Epic Universe that opened this summer in Orlando “is saving the industry in the United States.”
Spending was down 4% at SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks and down 8% at Six Flags parks this summer in the U.S., according to Bloomberg Second Measure data gathered for Forbes.
The queue for Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry features Delores Umbridge, whose trial is the focal point of the ride, during a preview day for Universal Epic Universe on April 5, 2025. Orlando’s first new theme park in a generation is set to open to the public on May 22. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“It’s been a flat-to-down, lackluster year so far for the industry as a whole,” International Theme Park Services CEO Dennis Speigel told Forbes. “You’ve got uncertainty, confusion and everyday people holding back on their spending.”
Americans are feeling worse about the economy with University of Michigan’s consumer confidence index down 21% compared to a year ago, according to Forbes.
U.S. tariffs have forced American budget travelers to pull back on vacation spending, according to Bloomberg Second Measure data gathered for Forbes.
“More and more people are dropping out of the discretionary entertainment economy,” Niles told Forbes. “Even Disney and Universal are fighting for people on the edge who can’t really afford it, who have got to make decisions.”
Related Posts:
Theme park spending down 5% during ‘lackluster’ summer, report says Uncategorized Visitor spending at U.S. theme parks was down during a “lackluster” summer and things would have been a lot worse if not for the debut of the new Epic Universe in Florida and free-spending rich travelers at Disney and Universal parks, according to a new report. Overall spending this summer…
LA teacher and ghostwriter Veronica Bane shares secrets of her theme-park novel News Working at an amusement park isn’t all fun and games. In author Veronica Bane’s debut YA novel, “Difficult Girls,” Greta Riley Green finds out there’s something sinister going on at her seemingly innocent summer gig at Hyper Kid Magic Land. Bane, who hails from San Diego and now lives in…
Niles: There’s no escaping the squeeze at some theme parks News Raising ticket prices is not the only way that theme parks can make visiting more expensive. From the parking lot to restaurants and shops, parks have multiple ways to squeeze more money from their visitors. Fans have gotten used to it. Parks might offer a refuge from everyday life, but…
Plenty of events in Los Gatos as summer winds down News Another a successful musical summer is wrapping up in Los Gatos with Jazz on the Plazz, Music in the Park and the Sounds of Summer. Ginger McDonald says it was an honor for Los Gatos Morning Rotary to create Sounds of Summer, an event that focused on youth with mental…
‘Weapons’ regains the top spot as the summer box office winds down News By ITZEL LUNA LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Weapons” found its way back on top during the Labor Day weekend, culminating a summer box office that’s likely to fall right below meeting last year’s earnings. Zach Cregger’s horror proved its staying power as a late-summer viral success and regained the top…
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
