Knotts Berry Farm - U.S. First Theme Park

Despite the economy, Amusement Today magazine reports surprisingly - or perhaps not - there was an overall increase in attendance at amusement parks this summer. Chances are many people who had planned to travel decided it was more affordable, and perhaps as much fun to keep things local.

"It was always like that, even in difficult times, people will always spend money out of the house," says Tracy Sarris, president of the International Association for Leisure and entertainment industry. "The theme parks offer this escape, at a price that many people can justify."

If the promise of good times, the less the burden of steps ahead is a perpetual draw, new attractions have a major role in bringing people back, too.

"When is constantly evolving and improving park experiences marked by new and innovative attractions, entertaining shows and new services, such as the VIP program, which allows customers to take the bus to go forward, it has a number of reasons guests to visit again and again, "says Sarah Gmyr, a spokesman for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

While traveling to Florida was down overall, attendance at Universal Studios in Orlando has increased, while Disney Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks were flat. This may be due to Universal Studios''08 openings of The Simpsons Ride, an adventure that takes place in Krustyland and a psychotic Sideshow Bob on the run, and disaster! A Major Motion Ride image using HD video projection to create 3-D images of the participants with movie trailers.

The economic downturn does not seem to have affected the Asian parks, nearly all reported slight increase in attendance. Even the relatively new Hong Kong Disneyland, which was far behind the much older Ocean Park in 2007, saw an increase of more than a quarter million visitors, nearly 10 percent a year earlier. Except in this case is the recognition of the brand, says the pioneer of the modern amusement park, Disney, leading the pack in North America, Japan and Europe. Indeed obtained a number to Disneyland Paris by 688,000, bringing the total to nearly 9 million visitors more than the next biggest attraction European, Europa-Park.

A huge difference between the presence of Disneyland Paris and other European parks may be due to its location in Marne-La-Vallee in the metropolitan area of ​​Paris. Comparison between the position of Germany Europa Park in Rust seems remote with Freiburg and Strasbourg, as the nearest urban centers. Euro area other amusement parks, like the venerable Tivoli Gardens, is the charm and extravagance influenced many theme parks early, but the latest bells and whistles of Disneyland Paris.

Today there is more diversity among amusement parks than you might think. You can always count on Disney - Orlando in Tokyo - but the parks in different countries may be a type of cultural tourism in itself.

"No two parks in the world are the same," says Gymr. "Everyone is created to appeal to its core market, which is based on their physical location. Parks offer a different mix of attractions and rides that may at first appear to be similar, in fact, modified to meet custom and local culture. "

Select parks vote count for the list, water parks, aquariums and parks, such as SeaWorld and Japan, a huge Hakkeijim Sea Paradise in Yokohama was left to focus exclusively on amusement parks, such devices are a great attraction. While Disney World and Disneyland parks are different, we used the most popular section of each - for example, Magic Kingdom - such as the presence of the watermark rate, because most of the visitors to buy tickets, allowing multiple visits throughout the park the length of their stay.