The Amusement Parks industry has experienced strong growth over the five years to 2018.

Amusement
and theme park companies operate mechanical rides, water rides, games, shows, themed exhibits,
refreshment stands and other attractions for consumer entertainment. As overall levels of consumer
confidence and per capita disposable income have improved amid strengthening economic conditions,
everyday consumers have increased spending on leisure activities and other nonessential purchases,
such as trips to amusement and water parks. Furthermore, attendance at major industry amusement
parks has greatly increased over the five years to 2018 as both US residents and international tourists
have taken far more vacations within the United States. Overall, industry revenue is expected to increase
at an annualized rate of 4.8% to $18.5 billion over the five years to 2018, including an increase of 2.5% in
2018.

Attendance returns

As the US economy has continued to strengthen over the five years to 2018, consumers have become
more confident in their spending on nonessential goods and recreational activities. Over the five years to
2018, consumer spending is estimated to increase at an annualized rate of 2.9%, with an increase of
2.6% in 2018 alone. As an industry that generates most of its revenue from nonessential vacations and
entertainment purchases made by everyday consumers, the Amusement Parks industry has benefited
substantially from rising consumer spending, with many parks experiencing increased attendance
volumes and ticket sales during the five-year period. According to the Themed Entertainment Association
(TEA), which tracks trends in theme park attendance, total attendance for the top 20 theme parks in North
America increased 5.9% between 2014 and 2015 (latest data available), including attendance growth of
6.0% at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, 16.0% at Universal Orlando and 8.0% at Cedar Point in
Sandusky, OH.

Domestic travel rates and international arrivals into the United States have both increased over the five
years to 2018, rising at respective annualized rates of 3.5% and 1.3%. Travel activity, both domestically
and from international visitors, has increased as a result of improvements to safety through technological
advances and relatively less-expensive travel compared with the prior period. Increased travel activity has
fueled industry growth in recent years, as many amusement park operators rely heavily on demand from
domestic and international tourists. Visitors from emerging economies have led inbound travel, although
looming recessionary fears across China may hinder one of the industry’s most promising sources of new
revenue.

Revenue Growth
Year Revenue $ million Growth %
2003 11,884.4 0.0
2004 12,612.7 6.1
2005 13,184.0 4.5
2006 13,191.0 0.1
2007 14,128.3 7.1
2008 13,518.5 -4.3
2009 11,832.2 -12.5
2010 11,658.7 -1.5
2011 13,878.4 19.0
2012 13,844.3 -0.3
2013 14,626.7 5.7
2014 15,614.6 6.8
2015 17,081.8 9.4
2016 17,792.9 4.2
2017 18,052.7 1.5
2018 18,510.4 2.5