The latest 'Global Attractions Attendance Report' is the sixteenth annual collaboration between the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM.
It identifies the most visited theme parks, water parks and museums around the world, including Europe's top theme parks in 2021.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continued to limit operating days and capacities for many, so the attendance figures and rankings are heavily skewed compared to previous years.
Top theme parks in Europe by attendance in 2021:
1) Disneyland Park 3.5 million
The original Disneyland at Disneyland Paris, and usually the most visited theme park in Europe.
Fairytales take flight across 5 incredible lands filled with classic attractions, shows and street parades. Rub shoulders with swashbuckling pirates, zoom through time and space and look on in awe at the unforgettable firework and light displays over Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Themed lands include Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland and Discoveryland.
2) Efteling 3.3 million
Looking for exciting roller coasters, enchanting attractions or spectacular shows? Everyone will find what they are looking for in Efteling. Discover the largest theme park in The Netherlands. A unique park in the middle of nature.
The theme park includes 35 rides and attractions set within the 4 realms of Reizenrijk, Marerijk, Ruigrijk and Anderrijk.
3) Europa-Park 3 million
Europa-Park in south-western Germany is normally Europe's second most visited theme park, attracting over 5.5 million people a year.
There are 18 themed lands at Europa-Park, a sprawling theme park with over 100 rides and attractions, including 13 roller coasters.
4) Tivoli Gardens 2.4 million
Tivoli Gardens is one of the oldest amusement parks in the world, and is still one of the most popular in Europe. It is located in the heart of Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark.
Highlights include wooden coaster Rutschebanen and floorless coaster Dæmonen.
5) PortAventura World 2.4 million
PortAventura is one of the most popular theme park resorts in Europe, located just 1 hour from Barcelona. PortAventura is superb theme park set across 105 hectares divided into six themed areas.
As the park is located by the Mediterranean Sea, visitors are welcomed on the shores of Mediterrània. From this area, you take a journey through the beautiful islands of Polynesia, colourful and lively México, exotic China, and the perilous Far West. There is also a place specially designed for the little ones: SésamoAventura.
There are 41 attractions for all ages and more than 40 daily performances. There are also 47 food and beverage outlets and 51 shops.
6) Gardaland 2.2 million
Gardaland is a theme park resort near Verona in Italy with over 30 rides, attractions and shows plus 2 onsite hotels and a SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Highlights include wing coaster Raptor, dive coaster Oblivion: The Black Hole, dark ride I Corsari, children's area Peppa Pig Land and the new LEGOLAND Water Park.
7) Walt Disney Studios Park 1.9 million
The second theme park at Disneyland Paris, and typically the third most visited theme park in Europe.
Discover the secrets behind the most magical scenes of Disney film and television at Walt Disney Studios Park. From legendary moments in motion at Toon Studio to the mind-boggling effects of the Backlot, 4 production zones bursting with thrills drop you and your little stars smack bang in the limelight.
Park areas include the Front Lot, Production Courtyard, Toon Studio and Backlot.
8) Alton Towers 1.8 million
The UK's biggest theme park with a great variety of rides and attractions, including the roller coasters Nemesis, Oblivion, Thirteen, Rita, The Smiler and Galactica.
There are plenty of thrill rides to satisfy all you adrenaline junkies and many other attractions suitable for all ages. The theme park includes Cbeebies Land, home to the popular characters from Postman Pat, In The Night Garden and the Octonauts.
As well as the theme park, Alton Towers Resort includes the Alton Towers Waterpark, Alton Towers Hotel, Splash Landings Hotel, Cbeebies Land Hotel, Enchanted Village and Extraordinary Golf.
9) Thorpe Park 1.7 million
Thorpe Park is the UK's most thrilling theme park with top attractions including fantastic roller coasters such as 10-looping Colossus, the heart pounding Nemesis Inferno, launched Stealth, horror themed SAW - The Ride and the winged coaster The Swarm.
The theme park is located on an 'island' surrounded by lakes which makes for a great setting and in addition to the great lineup of roller coasters it is packed with thrill rides including Vortex, Samurai, Rush, Zodiac and Quantum.
As well as the theme park, accommodation is available at the Thorpe Shark Cabins.
10) Puy du Fou 1.6 million
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park, where the immersive environments and live shows bring history to life.
The park is located in Les Epesses near Nantes and covers 150 acres. Performances are in French but a translation app is available.
11) LEGOLAND Windsor 1.5 million
LEGOLAND Windsor is the UK's most unique theme park with top rides including The Dragon, Driving School and Vikings' River Splash. The park features over 53 million LEGO bricks, from enthralling Miniland to the splashtastic DUPLO Valley.
As well as the theme park, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort also includes the LEGOLAND Resort Hotel and Castle Hotel.
12) Chessington World of Adventures 1.5 million
Chessington World of Adventures is the UK's ultimate family theme park. A fantastic day out with a great variety of rides including Vampire, Tomb Blaster, Dragon's Fury and Tiger Rock.
Chessington Zoo has lots of animals plus a SEA LIFE centre. There is storybook fun in The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure.
As well as the theme park, Chessington World of Adventures Resort includes the Safari Hotel, Azteca Hotel, Explorer Glamping and Go Ape.
13) Liseberg 1.4 million
Liseberg is a popular theme park in the centre of Gothenburg, Sweden. It has over 40 rides and attractions, as well as games, shows, restaurants and shops.
Highlights include launched coaster Helix, wooden coaster Balder and dive coaster Valkyria.
The new Liseberg Grand Curiosa Hotel will be opening in 2023.
14) Parc Astérix 1.3 million
Located 30 km from Paris, the theme park based on the comic book series Astérix offers many attractions that will entertain your family and friends.
Parc Astérix celebrates many historic cultures including the Gauls, the Romans, the ancient Greeks and the Egyptians.
15) Heide Park 1.3 million
Northern Germany's largest theme park with more than 40 attractions and shows. It is home to dive coaster KRAKE and winged coaster Flug der Dämonen.
There is also an onsite hotel and holiday camp.
16) Parque Warner Madrid 1.3 million
Parque Warner Madrid is one of the most popular theme parks in Europe, with unique rides and attractions themed to blockbuster movies. The theme park is located just outside Madrid in Spain.
The areas of the the theme park include DC Super Heroes World, Movie World Studios, Hollywood Boulevard, Old West Territory and Cartoon Village.
Characters at the park include those from DC Comics, Looney Tunes, Yogi Bear, Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry.
17) Phantasialand 1.2 million
A theme park near to Cologne in Germany that offers fun and adventure for the whole family with its unique attractions and shows.
Highlights include multi-launch roller coaster Taron, inverted roller coaster Black Mamba, flying roller coaster F.L.Y. and log flume Chiapas.
18) Futuroscope 1.1 million
Futuroscope is a different kind of theme park experience for all the family, with an array of technology based attractions including 3D, 4D, 4K and IMAX experiences, motion simulators, projection domes and a flying theatre.
The park is located near Poitiers, set in a futuristic landscape with a variety of rides, attractions, shows, restaurants and shops.
19) LEGOLAND Deutschland 900,000
Located in the Bavarian town of Günzburg, the park features more than 55 attractions and thousands of models assembled from more than 56 million LEGO bricks, offering a unique experience for families with kids aged two to twelve, along with various accommodation options.
20) LEGOLAND Billund 850,000
LEGOLAND Billund is Denmark's best known and most beloved amusement park amongst families. It was the original LEGO theme park.
TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2021
Download the full report here.
