For decades, Disney and Universal have battled for the title of America’s favorite theme park. But this year, they’ve both been toppled — by none other than Dolly Parton.
According to Tripadvisor’s newly released Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Things to Do, Dollywood — the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee park co-owned by the country music legend — is now the No. 1 theme park in the U.S. [1].
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Disney’s Magic Kingdom came in second, followed by Knoebels Amusement Park in Pennsylvania, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Florida.
The ranking — which is based on traveler reviews, ratings and popularity over the past 12 months — reflects more than just how visitors feel about roller coasters and dazzling shows. It also hints at a shift in what Americans want from a vacation: more value, and less sticker shock.
The price gap
A single-day Dollywood ticket currently starts at $92 for adults and $82 for kids, with discounts available for seniors and multi-day passes [2]. Parking is $25 for standard vehicles. That’s not pocket change, but it’s still far cheaper than the big Florida and California giants.
A Disney World Magic Kingdom one-day ticket ranges from $144 to $199 per adult, depending on the date, and that’s before adding Genie+ line-skipping privileges, which start at $15 per person per day but can surge much higher on busy days [3]. Disneyland in California runs in a similar price range.
Universal Orlando’s single-day admission starts at $119 for one park, but if you want to hop between Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure — home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — the price jumps to $174 and up [4].
For a family of four, these costs can add up to hundreds of dollars spent before you even buy a single churro.
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The cost of a vacation, and why it’s climbing
Theme park tickets are only part of the bill. A 2025 analysis from Pacaso found the average vacation for one person costs about $1,986 — or nearly $8,000 for a family of four. That includes transportation, lodging, food and activities, and the figure is up significantly from pre-pandemic levels [5].
The reason? High inflation has driven up prices across the board, from hotel rooms and airfare to burgers and bottled water. Theme parks, in particular, have been called out for aggressive price hikes [6].
Disney has faced some of the loudest criticism, with many longtime fans arguing that the “Happiest Place on Earth” has become unaffordable for middle-class families. In recent years, Disney has increased ticket prices multiple times, raised parking and food costs and introduced add-on fees for formerly free perks like FastPass.
By contrast, Dollywood has leaned into its reputation for friendliness, Southern hospitality and relative affordability — even if it can’t match Disney’s sprawling empire of attractions. For travelers squeezed by rising costs, that value proposition seems to be resonating.
How to budget for a trip without breaking the bank
If rising prices have you rethinking your vacation plans, you’re not alone. Here are some strategies for keeping costs under control:
Set a total trip budget, then work backward
Figure out the maximum you’re willing to spend on your vacation (say, $3,000 for a family trip). Allocate chunks for travel, lodging, tickets, food and extras. This helps you see where you might need to cut back.
Compare destinations realistically
If you’ve dreamed of Disney but the numbers just don’t work, look at alternatives like Dollywood, Silver Dollar City in Missouri or Busch Gardens. These parks may not have Cinderella’s Castle, but they can still deliver memorable experiences for hundreds less.
Avoid peak travel times
Theme park tickets, hotel rates and even airfare can drop significantly during the school year and non-holiday weeks. If your schedule is flexible, aim for those dates.
Look for package deals and memberships
Multi-day passes, annual memberships or hotel-ticket bundles can bring down the per-day cost, especially if you plan to stay more than a day or two.
When to hold off on a vacation
Sometimes the smartest move is to skip the trip, at least for now. If you’re carrying high-interest credit card debt, struggling to keep up with bills or have no emergency savings, a costly vacation could put your finances under serious strain.
Instead, consider saving in a separate travel fund, even if it means delaying your theme park getaway by a year or two. That way, you can enjoy the trip without guilt or lingering debt.
Whether you choose a small regional park or a world-renowned resort, the key is to plan ahead, know your limits and avoid getting swept up in the “it’s only money” mindset once you’re through the gates. Because not even a magical vacation should come with a financial hangover that lasts longer than the souvenir T-shirt.
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[1]. Tripadvisor. “Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Things to Do”
[2]. Dollywood website. “Dollywood Prices: 2025 Ticket Information + Dollywood Packages”
[3]. WDW Magazine. “Walt Disney World Ticket Prices 2025: A Complete Guide”
[4]. Universal Orlando. “Tickets”
[5]. Pacaso. “2025 average vacation cost: How much you need to budget”
[6]. Finance Buzz. “Theme Park Inflation: How Ticket and Parking Prices Have Changed at America’s Favorite Theme Parks [Data Study]”
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