Amusement parks are an American institution, with some dating back as far as the 19th century. Of course they have changed dramatically since then. Themes have expanded to include entertainment franchises, rides have gotten longer and faster, and tickets have gotten more expensive. Way more expensive. (Prices aside, amusement parks figure regularly among the most popular U.S. attractions on instagram.)
To identify the American amusement parks with the biggest price increases over the past five years, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on price inflation at major U.S. attractions provided by coupon distribution platform and website DealA. The site compared the current price of a single adult general admission ticket as of December 23, 2021 with the equivalent ticket price in 2017, derived from each museum’s 2017 web pages accessed via the Wayback Machine. If online and in-person ticket prices differed, online prices were used. Automatically applied promotional prices were not considered. When ticket prices differed by day, the starting price of a general admission ticket was used.
Some of the price increases have clearly outstripped the rate of inflation. The No. 1 spot is claimed by Funland in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, where ticket prices have gone from $15 to $30 – an increase of 100%, although admittedly starting from a low base.
Click here to see the amusement parks with the biggest price increases since 2017
The No. 2 spot is claimed by Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire, where prices have risen by 50%, from $32 to $48. Visitors who expect Santa to give rather than to take will be in for a disappointment. The No. 3 spot goes to Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, Florida, which has seen an increase of more than 34%, from $40.95 to $54.95. That doesn’t sound like a whole lot of fun. (See where Florida falls in our list of the most and least fun states in America.)
There’s good news for Ohioans, however. Prices haven’t risen at all at Cedar Point in Sandusky or at Kings Island in Mason.
20. Cedar Point
> Location: Sandusky, OH
> Percent increase since 2017: None (tie)
> Current ticket price: $45
> 2017 ticket price: $45
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19. Kings Island
> Location: Mason, OH
> Percent increase since 2017: None (tie)
> Current ticket price: $45
> 2017 ticket price: $44.99
18. SeaWorld San Diego
> Location: San Diego, CA
> Percent increase since 2017: 1.1%
> Current ticket price: $95.99
> 2017 ticket price: $94.99
17. Universal Studios FL
> Location: Orlando, FL
> Percent increase since 2017: 3.8% (tie)
> Current ticket price: $109
> 2017 ticket price: $105
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16. Universal Studios Hollywood
> Location: Universal City, CA
> Percent increase since 2017: 3.8% (tie)
> Current ticket price: $109
> 2017 ticket price: $105
15. Universal’s Islands of Adventure
> Location: Orlando, FL
> Percent increase since 2017: 3.8% (tie)
> Current ticket price: $109
> 2017 ticket price: $105
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14. Hersheypark
> Location: Hershey, PA
> Percent increase since 2017: 11.9%
> Current ticket price: $74.95
> 2017 ticket price: $66.95
13. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
> Location: Tampa Bay, FL
> Percent increase since 2017: 12.4%
> Current ticket price: $117.99
> 2017 ticket price: $104.99
12. SeaWorld Orlando
> Location: Orlando, FL
> Percent increase since 2017: 18%
> Current ticket price: $117.99
> 2017 ticket price: $99.99
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11. Dutch Wonderland
> Location: Lancaster, PA
> Percent increase since 2017: 19.1%
> Current ticket price: $49.99
> 2017 ticket price: $41.99
10. Silver Dollar City
> Location: Branson, MO
> Percent increase since 2017: 19.4%
> Current ticket price: $74
> 2017 ticket price: $62
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9. Canobie Lake Park
> Location: Salem, NH
> Percent increase since 2017: 20.7%
> Current ticket price: $35
> 2017 ticket price: $29
24/7 Wall St.
8. Dollywood
> Location: Pigeon Forge, TN
> Percent increase since 2017: 21.7%
> Current ticket price: $84
> 2017 ticket price: $69
7. Nickelodeon Universe
> Location: Bloomington, MN
> Percent increase since 2017: 25%
> Current ticket price: $44.99
> 2017 ticket price: $35.99
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6. Silverwood Theme Park
> Location: Athol, ID
> Percent increase since 2017: 28.2%
> Current ticket price: $50
> 2017 ticket price: $39
5. Sesame Place
> Location: Langhorn, PA
> Percent increase since 2017: 28.6%
> Current ticket price: $89.99
> 2017 ticket price: $70
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4. Children’s Fairyland
> Location: Oakland, CA
> Percent increase since 2017: 30%
> Current ticket price: $13
> 2017 ticket price: $10
3. Fun Spot America
> Location: Kissimmee, FL
> Percent increase since 2017: 34.2%
> Current ticket price: $54.95
> 2017 ticket price: $40.95
2. Santa’s Village
> Location: Jefferson, NH
> Percent increase since 2017: 50%
> Current ticket price: $48
> 2017 ticket price: $32
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1. Funland
> Location: Rehoboth Beach, DL
> Percent increase since 2017: 100%
> Current ticket price: $30
> 2017 ticket price: $15
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