Disney and Universal had attendance increase in 2015

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld all saw a 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.