The Award for the BEST Theme Park in the U.S. Goes to… (Spoiler: It's NOT Disney)

Many people choose to head to Disney World, Disneyland, or Universal Orlando for their family vacations. Whether it’s due to nostalgia, the magic of Disney, or the thrills of Universal, these are the most popular theme parks in the country.

Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

USA Today annually ranks the 10 best theme parks in America with the help of editors and readers, and they famously snubbed every Disney and Universal park last year. They just released the best theme parks for 2026, so let’s see what won!

According to USA Today, the 10th best theme park is Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The amusement park of every chocolate lover’s dreams features 121 acres with more than 70 rides, a water park, and an 11-acre zoo — all accessible via a single admission. But Hersheypark isn’t just family-friendly – they have many thrill rides, including 15 coasters.

©Hersheypark

In 9th place is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. Cedar Point is “the roller coaster capital of the world,” with 18 thrilling coasters covering more than 10 miles of track. The park features a generously sized midway and one of the only operating D.C. Muller carousels in the world.

©Cedar Point

8th place goes to Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana. Holiday World features thrill rides, shows, and more for the whole family to enjoy. Every land is holiday-themed, and there are rides with names like the Scarecrow Scrambler and Good Gravy, games like the Headless Horseman, plus corn mazes, hayrides, and holiday drone shows.

©Holiday World

Number 7 went to Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia. This European-themed Busch Gardens gate transports visitors to England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy circa the 17th century with more than 50 rides and attractions.

©Busch Gardens

Kings Island in Mason, Ohio, was awarded 6th place. Kings Island offers plenty of family-friendly options across its rides, shows, and attractions. For thrill rides, Kings Island features the world’s longest wooden roller coaster, The Beast, as well as Diamondback, a thrilling steel coaster. Park admission also includes a trip to the Soak City Water Park.

©Kings Island

Fifth place finally features an Orlando spot with SeaWorld Orlando. Most famous as a marine zoological park, SeaWorld Orlando offers high-octane thrill rides as well, thanks to Manta — one of the only coasters of its kind in the world — and Mako, a hyper coaster with deep dives, high speeds, and thrills aplenty.

Mako at SeaWorld Orlando

Number 4 was Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. At Kennywood, ride everything from wooden roller coasters like the side-by-side Racer, the intense Thunderbolt, and the circa-1920 Jack Rabbit to dark rides like the Old Mill and the last-of-its-kind Noah’s Ark, as well as modern thrill rides like the Steel Curtain coaster.

©Kennywood

Bronze was awarded to Lost Island Theme Park in Waterloo, Iowa. The theme park features five distinct island realms (Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Spirit) packed with coasters, family rides, and tiki vibes. Beyond the adrenaline rushes, including the park’s signature Matugani launch coaster, you’ll find live entertainment, affordable dining spots, and attractions scaled for everyone from toddlers to thrill-seekers.

©Lost Island Theme Park

In 2nd place was Knoebels in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. This park is free to enter, and rides require old-school tickets. Knoebels is home to Phoenix, one of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the United States, plus classic rides like Whipper, Flying Turns, and the Haunted Mansion dark ride.

©Knoebels

But who won gold? That would be Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. It has an 1880s mining-town theme with live entertainment, festivals, 100 resident craftsmen, and more than 40 rides and attractions. The park is also home to Time Traveler, the world’s fastest, steepest, and tallest spinning coaster.

That’s USA Today’s ranking of the 10 best theme parks in America. Stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for more theme park news!

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