Report: Orlando Theme Parks Enjoy Big Attendance Increase In 2015

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ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld all saw a sizeable jump in attendance in 2015 over the previous year, according to a report released Wednesday.

Disney World's Magic Kingdom continues to be the top draw in the world with 20.5 million visitors in 2015, representing a 6 percent increase, according to a report from Themed Entertainment Association and economics practice AECOM.

Epcot was sixth in the world in attendance with 11.8 million, a 5 percent increase from 2014. Disney's Animal Kingdom drew 10.8 million, also a 5 percent increase, and Universal Orlando saw the biggest increase, with a 16 percent jump to 9.9 million visitors.

"Last year we said everything was looking good in the Americas and poised for moderate growth — but 2015 blew the roof off moderate," Brian Sands, vice president of economics with AECOM, said in a released statement. "In theme parks, not only did the two top operators, Disney and Universal, both excel, the North American market as a whole did well, too."

Disney Hollywood Studios attendance increased to 10.8 million, which was a 5 percent jump, Island of Adventure at Universal had 8.8 visitors, which was an 8 percent improvement and SeaWorld had a 2 percent improvement at nearly 4.8 million visitors in 2015.

Orlando had seven parks make the Top 25 in attendance worldwide, according to the report.

Amusement parks do not release exact attendance figures. AECOM uses a formula to come up with an estimate.

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