These Uncrowded Theme Parks Are Your Memorial Day Destinations

While Memorial Day is a brief holiday, it's one that many families view as an opportunity to visit a theme park. The weather is improving and an extra weekend day means more time to take a vacation. But Disney parks are overcrowded, making it difficult to do everything you want to do in such a brief amount of time.

It’s also getting expensive to visit a theme park. In one decade, Disney World ticket prices have increased by as much as 101%. That increase is even higher at Disneyland, where the increase is over 114%.

Disney isn't the only option for theme park vacations. Try these 10 popular theme parks that are better options. They're chosen and ranked using their annual number of visitors per Statista.

This post was updated May 21, 2025 to reflect additional information.

The popular candy company offers rides, water slides, sweet treats, and seasonal light shows from its Pennsylvania location. Milton S. Hershey established the park as a place of leisure for chocolate factory employees. Today, it's a year-round park with more 121 acres that feature a wildlife park, than a dozen roller coasters, golf courses, a chocolate museum, and gardens.

• Visitors in 2023: 3.32 million
• Address: 100 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania
• On-site Lodging: Hershey Lodge, The Hotel Hershey, or Hersheypark Camping Resort
• Dining Options: The Chocolatier Restaurant, Bar + Patio
• Website: https://www.hersheypark.com/

For over 50 years, King's Island has thrilled visitors of all ages with its roller coasters like the Banshee or Flight of Fear. Camp Snoopy offers Peanuts-themed attractions, and a water park has three dozen water slides, wave pools, and more. In the winter, the skating rink is popular. It's within easy reach of Cincinnati, too.

• Visitors in 2023: 3.4 million
• Address: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Kings Island, Ohio
• On-site Lodging: No on-site hotels but several nearby partners
• Dining Options: 38 options including Auntie Anne's and Panda Express
• Website: www.visitkingsisland.com

Nestled on the shores of Lake Erie, Cedar Point offers 68 rides. Eighteen of those rides are roller coasters like Millenium Force and Steel Vengeance. Fast Lane passes allow you to skip lines and avoid waiting for your turn.

• Visitors in 2023: 3.99 million
• Address: 1 Cedar Point Dr. Sandusky, Ohio
• On-site Lodging: Four hotels and a campground
• Dining Options: Over 50 establishments, including Boardwalk Cotton Candy
• Website: www.cedarpoint.com

Navigating Busch Gardens is a breeze thanks to the comprehensive app. This also allows you to purchase add-ons, such as animal experiences and safaris, while you're there. Ride several roller coasters before you experience whitewater rafting on Congo River Rapids. Don't overlook the All-Day Dine Pass, which allows you to have a meal every 90 minutes.

• Visitors in 2023: 4 million
• Address: 10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa, Florida
• On-site Lodging: No on-site hotel, but partner hotels are close by
• Dining Options: 12 eateries, including Zambia Smokehouse for mouthwatering ribs
• Website: buschgardens.com/tampa

Magic Mountain boasts 19 of the world's best roller coasters. It's also packed with kid-friendly rides like Pepe Le Pew's Tea Party and Looney Tunes Lodge.

• Visitors in 2023: 4.05 million
• Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, California
• On-site Lodging: No on-site lodging, but several hotels are nearby
• Dining Options: 28 establishments, including Funnel Cake Factory
• Website: www.sixflags.com/magicmountain

The Knott family established their berry farm in 1920. Since then, it's developed into a bustling theme park welcoming more than 4 million yearly visitors. In addition to the roller coasters, railroad experiences, and carousels, Knott's Soak City offers water rides and attractions.

• Visitors in 2023: 4.23 million
• Address: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, California
• On-site Lodging: Knott's Hotel
• Dining Options: Over 30 options, including the Knott's Bakery for custom cakes
• Website: www.knotts.com

Holding awards for "Best Theme Park in Florida," "Best Roller Coaster," and "Best Marine Life Park," SeaWorld Orlando is ideal for all ages. It's also home to Sesame Street Land for younger children and animal encounters for everyone.

• Visitors in 2023: 4.34 million
• Address: 7007 Sea World Dr, Orlando, Florida
• On-site Lodging: No on-site hotels but several local partners
• Dining Options: 24 on-site bars, restaurants, food trucks, and ice cream
• Website: seaworld.com/orlando

Many families enjoy playing Mario Kart together. Head to Universal Studios Hollywood and play it in real life. This immersive go-kart ride is one of many key attractions that feature characters from blockbuster movies like Harry Potter and the Minions.

• Visitors in 2023: 9.66 million
• Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California
• On-site Lodging: No on-site hotels but there are nearby partners
• Dining Options: More than 50 on-site restaurants and food stands, including Ben & Jerry's and Starbucks
• Website: www.universalstudioshollywood.com

Universal Orlando has several parks, and Universal Studios draws almost 10 million visitors each year. Transformers: The Ride 3D is one of many reasons people flock to this theme park that houses:

• DreamWorks Land
• Hollywood
• Illumination's Minion Land
• New York
• San Francisco
• Springfield, U.S.A.: Home of The Simpsons
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley
• World Expo

• Visitors in 2023: 9.75 million
• Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, Florida
• On-site Lodging: Close to a dozen hotels and resorts with more opening in 2025
• Dining Options: 33 eateries, including Richter's Burger Co. where truffle parmesan fries are popular
• Website: www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/theme-parks/universal-studios-florida

The most popular choice for theme parks that are better options is Universal Orlando. It has several attractions celebrating noted film series like Harry Potter, Marvel, and Jurassic Park. Islands of Adventure is one park with eight individual lands:

• Jurassic Park
• The Lost Continent
• Marvel Super Hero Island
• Port of Entry
• Seuss Landing
• Skull Island: Reign of Kong
• Toon Lagoon
• The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

• Visitors in 2023: 10 million
• Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, Florida
• On-site Lodging: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel is closest to Islands of Adventure
• Dining Options: Nine restaurants, including Captain America's Diner and Cinnabon
• Website: www.universalorlando.com/web/en/gb/theme-parks/islands-of-adventure