What is the world's best theme park? We surveyed our newsletter subscribers to find the answer this year, and today we are pleased to announce the finalists that will compete for the Best Theme Park honor in our 20th annual Theme Park Insider Awards.
If you've already glanced below, you might notice that we are presenting just three finalists in this category. When determining the cutoff to make the finals, I looked for natural breaks in the vote tallies. And in the best park category, three theme parks stood so far ahead of the rest of the pack that it just made no sense to pad the field with extra contenders.
So, without further delay, here are your three finalists for Best Theme Park:
Disneyland, Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California
Islands of Adventure, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida
Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo, Japan
All three parks are multiple-time past winners of this honor, with IOA being our defending champion. Please make the case for your favorite, in the comments.
A final note: You might have noticed that we did not present a final-round vote in the Best New Attraction category. For that survey, we offered 19 candidates to our newsletter subscribers, and one of those 19 ended up getting a majority of the votes in that first round, eliminating the need for a final-round runoff. (You might say that it was a, uh, "runaway" victory.)
We will announce the winners of the 20th annual Theme Park Insider Awards on January 1, 2021. And as approach the new year, please allow us to make one more pitch for our domestic travel partner, which offers discounted tickets to theme parks around the nation.
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I'm 100% a Universal fanboy but out of those 3 had to vote for Tokyo DisneySea. I've watched many walkthroughs and it just looks amazing. I think once Epic Universe gets built it will definitely be the one to beat but until then Tokyo just wins. I'm interested to see what Universal Beijing will look like because it also looks amazing!
My 2 favorites are on the list; would love to go to Tokyo one day.
Hmmm. This one is tough. All three are great (though I have never been to TDS). I think each has an argument, even though I personally am not as in love with Island's of Adventure as others are. I personally have Magic Kingdom as my all-time favorite, but totally understand those who give the edge to Disneyland. It is the OG after all.
When I went to IOA, I was really impressed and had lots of fun.
But when I went to TDS, I was totally blown away (to borrow Rob's appropriate words). Amazing themed lands, incredible details everywhere, superb CM's and some really fun and unique rides.
One of my all-time favorite theme park memories: Standing in that Italian plaza overlooking the lagoon, the air filled with wonderful aromas of food cooking, the sounds of Italian music playing -- and across the lagoon stood this enormous volcano that was rumbling loudly as boats sailed the waters in front of it. I just stood there in awe.
TDS for the win!
IOA and Disneyland close but had to go DisneySea just off the videos alone of the amazing rides and such there.
I haven't visited Tokyo DisneySea yet, but once I do (tentatively targeting 2022) I'm guessing that will get my vote. Until then, it's probably fairly obvious from my posts in the forum which of the other two parks I consider superior.
I love all three of these parks but my vote goes to DisneySea. I have never had my expectations exceeded as far as I did when I visited. This is especially impressive because I went in having heard so much hype about it for years. I dream of the day I can return.
I love all 3 parks but from a pure park (not the rides) it has to be DisneySea, such a beautiful park with amazing themed lands that bleed one into the next perfectly.
IOA has great rides, is a lot of fun, and has a couple of great truly best in the world rides, but take out Harry Potter and it falls pretty flat in comparison.
I have nothing but respect for those voting Islands of Adventure or Tokyo DisneySea. Both are amazing. But I'm going with the one that (arguably -- Knott's Berry Farm also has a claim) took the "amusement park" to another level. Disneyland for me.
But I will admit that I'm biased as having grown up near Disneyland, visited Disneyland more than any other theme park, and was a Disneyland cast member, and all of that has given me some amazing memories of the park.
If I ever experience Tokyo DisneySea (which would of course include a visit to Tokyo Disneyland), that may change my mind based on videos that I've seen. But watching it on video isn't the same as being there. Disneyland in Anaheim wouldn't even be as special to me if I'd only experienced it on video.
Tokyo DisneySea, no contest.
More than Tokyo DisneySea, I personally think that Tokyo Disneyland was a more impressive and overall better theme park, especially compared to the US Disney parks.
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom is far and away the most successful (and therefore "best") theme park model operating on the planet. Period.
Tokyo DisneySea by far. It is pure, seamless, detailed, mind blowing, eye candy with an excellent ride lineup. Disneyland has the most nostalgic Disney feel, but TDS took their detail to another level. I do love all the parks listed, but this was an easy decision... and I have been to all three.
No vote, this time ... :-)
I’m amazed by Tokyo DisneySea and I’m impressed by parts of IOA, but Disneyland’s always going to be my favorite - and with the year that the Park’s had, it could use a little love.
"Most successful" doesn't always equate to best. McDonald's sells the most hamburgers in the world, and I don't think anyone considers their food the best.
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I'm an AP holder to one of them.
I was on the opening Ride/Show Operations Management team for another of them.
I only visited the third once while jet-lagged and feeling constantly overstimulated and blown away. That's the one I voted for.