The most expensive theme parks in America

Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., made news this week then the resort raised its ticket price for the Magic Kingdom theme park, which is now $99 for a one-day adult pass, securing its status as the most expensive theme park in America. In fact, Disney has a stranglehold when it comes to visitors opening their wallets the deepest, with five of the top six most expensive theme parks in the country. Here is where else you can expect to shell out big bucks for a day at the park.

In comparison to the Magic Kingdom, it’s a relative bargain to visit the other three theme parks on Disney World’s Florida property. Epcot Center (pictured), Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios all run $94 for a one-day ticket.

Just down the road, Universal Studios Orlando isn’t much cheaper. The resort – which boasts both the original Universal Studios theme park in addition to Islands of Adventure – charges $92 for a day ticket to either park.

FHead west to Disneyland, in Anaheim, Calif., and you’ll find steep prices for the company’s other American theme parks as well. Both the original Disneyland, which opened in 1955, and the more modern California Adventure (pictured) run $86 for a one-day ticket.

The success of “The Lego Movie’’ probably won’t deter children from wanting to visit Legoland theme parks, located in both Carlsbad, Calif. and Winter Haven, Fla., where a one-day admission costs $84. It’s one dollar cheaper at the California location.

Shamu doesn’t come cheap. The San Diego Sea World park comes with a price tag of $84, while it’s $82 at the Orlando location.

Busch Gardens, a theme park property of Sea World, boasts an $82 one-day ticket price for its location in Tampa, Fla., but only $72 in Williamsburg, Va.