The votes are in, and the National Amusement Park Historical Association has named America’s Favorite Theme Park for 2025. See what bested Disney this year!
America’s Favorite Theme Park
For years, the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA) has awarded the title of America’s Favorite Theme Park to a deserving theme park. The organization also provides awards for traditional amusement parks, wood coasters, steel coasters, and new attractions annually.
Who votes exactly? According to the NAPHA, members are theme park enthusiasts, and the average member has been to more than 130 different amusement parks and ridden hundreds of coasters.
This year, the number one spot went to a non-Disney theme park for the third year in a row. Here are how the results shook out.
Disney Comes in Second
A Disney park was a close second for America’s Favorite theme park in 2025. Disney has 6 theme parks across the United States, with four in Orlando, Florida, and two in Anaheim, California.
This year, Disneyland in California took second place as America’s Favorite Theme Park. We have to agree it is a delightful park. But what beat it?
You might suspect that perhaps Universal’s brand-new Epic Universe edged out Disneyland for the number 1 spot, since it is surrounded by so much hype. However, Epic Universe was not officially opened when the award was decided upon. We will see if it takes the prize in 2026.
Dollywood Wins America’s Favorite Theme Park
The 2025 title for America’s Favorite Theme Park goes to none other than Dollywood! It has taken the title for the third year in a row!
Dollywood is America’s Favorite Theme Park for 2025.
This theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and it offers an amazing combination of thrills, family fun, entertainment, and great food options. Perhaps it is a winner because it is such a well-rounded park with 10 coasters that are a mixture of high-speed thrills, family coasters, and even a junior coaster. It also has other rides that offer high thrills and water rides, as well as plenty of rides that appeal to little kids and audiences of all ages.
Plus, the atmosphere is downright joyful. Dolly Parton herself said, “In the current world, I want Dollywood to be a place where the light shines every day.”
In fact, some of my (Kate’s) fellow KTP writers and I have enjoyed family vacations there and will continue to do so. It is such an easy place to love. You can read more about it right HERE.
Do you agree that Dollywood deserves this title, or should it have gone to a different theme park? Let us know. And share the news with your family and friends.
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RandyC
Thursday 12th of June 2025
Dollywood fully deserves this recognition again this year. I first went to this park as a little boy, before Dollywood, before Silver Dollar City, back when it was the Rebel Railroad. It was a blast. Dollywood is great fun, clean and wholesome. Its perfect for families with children of all ages and parents and grandparents don't need to worry about social political statements in Dollywood, unlike Disney. No indoctrination here. Part of Dollywood's charm is its setting. It is 15 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and you see mountains all around. Our Heavenly Father created this setting. Even King Solomon in all his splendor could not match the beauty of a valley of wild flowers. Disney can't compete with Dollywood.
KatieP
Sunday 15th of June 2025
WOW! Thank you for sharing your experiences, Randy. How awesome is it that you got to visit Rebel Railroad! That is a cool experience. I agree with you about Dollywood being very family friendly. My family loved it and will return.