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Attendance numbers mixed for area theme parks

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Attendance numbers for Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure Park increased slightly in 2009, while crowd numbers dropped for the other Southern California theme parks, according to a study released Monday. The latest assessment of the theme park industry came from the Global Attraction Attendance Report, an annual estimate of theme park crowds by AECOM, the Los Angeles-based management support firm.

The report, published by the Burbank-based Themed Entertainment Assn., shows that overall theme park attendance in North America dropped about 1.3%, a reflection of the ongoing economic crisis.

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‘Under the circumstances, in 2009, the major parks did remarkably well,’ said Steve Thorburn, president of the nonprofit association.

A representative for Disneyland could not be reached for comment.

The report estimated that attendance increased at Disneyland by 8% to 15.9 million in 2009, from 14.7 million in 2008. Disney’s California Adventure saw an increase of 9.5% to 6 million in 2009, from 5.6 million in 2008, according to the report.

Meanwhile, attendance at Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City dropped 6% to 4.3 million in 2009, from 4.6 million in 2008, the report said. Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park also lost ground, with attendance declining 6.5% to 3.3 million in 2009, from 3.6 million in 2008.

A Knott’s Berry Farm representative declined to comment on the numbers.

Attendance numbers dropped 2.5% at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia to about 2.5 in million in 2009, from 2.6 million in 2008.

At Raging Waters in San Dimas, attendance dropped about 3% to 466,000 visitors in 2009, according to the report.

AECOM estimates attendance numbers by analyzing financial reports, historical data and tourism groups, among other sources.

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hugo.martin@latimes.com


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