Forget Disney and Dollywood: the top-ranked amusement park in the United States, according to Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards, is Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The family-owned park, which is celebrating its 100th year in operation, beat out heavyweights like Magic Kingdom, Universal Islands of Adventure, and two-time winner Dollywood.
Tripadvisor praised Knoebels for offering “it all” — from roller coasters and bumper cars to a haunted mansion, swimming, camping, a mining museum, and an 18-hole championship golf course. But what truly sets Knoebels apart is its business model: it is the largest free-admission amusement park in the country. Guests pay only for individual rides or purchase unlimited-ride passes, rather than shelling out for entry fees.
The Pennsylvania park also earned recognition from USA Today this week, which named Phoenix — Knoebels' signature wooden roller coaster — the best roller coaster in America. Park officials expressed gratitude in an Instagram post, noting the honors come as they mark a century of operation in 2026.
Tripadvisor’s rankings are based on the quality and volume of user reviews submitted between February 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026. The company also applies an “additional editorial process” that screens for accidents, controversies, or practices that could endanger people or animals. Violations of content policies, including fraudulent reviews or intimidation, are also factored in.
The top five list includes Dollywood at No. 2, followed by Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Universal Islands of Adventure. Notably, Disneyland Park in Anaheim ranked ninth, while Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, rounded out the top ten.
Knoebels’ rise to the top comes amid broader political scrutiny of major entertainment conglomerates. The Federal Communications Commission has accelerated its review of Disney-owned ABC affiliate licenses, a process that FCC Chair Brendan Carr has insisted is not influenced by White House pressure. Meanwhile, Disneyland has rolled out facial recognition technology at entrances, offering an opt-out option for visitors.
For travelers planning visits, the TSA will offer discounted PreCheck enrollment for those under 30 starting May 1, a move that could ease access to parks like Knoebels for younger thrill-seekers.
Here are the top 10 U.S. amusement parks according to Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards:
- Knoebels Amusement Resort (Elysburg, Pa.)
- Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tenn.)
- Magic Kingdom Park (Bay Lake, Fla.)
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Bay Lake, Fla.)
- Universal Islands of Adventure (Orlando, Fla.)
- Epcot (Bay Lake, Fla.)
- Legoland California (Carlsbad, Calif.)
- Universal Studios Florida (Orlando, Fla.)
- Disneyland Park (Anaheim, Calif.)
- Silver Dollar City (Branson, Mo.)
Knoebels’ victory underscores a shift in traveler preferences toward affordable, nostalgia-driven experiences over the corporate theme park giants. As the park enters its second century, it remains a testament to the appeal of pay-per-ride simplicity in an era of rising ticket prices and political tensions surrounding big entertainment brands.
