Trade disputes between global powers, notably the US and China, are creating unforeseen challenges for regional amusement parks, even as these venues continue to attract strong crowds this summer. Families seeking budget-friendly, convenient alternatives to major destinations like Disney World often favor local parks for their summer outings. However, rising costs linked to tariffs on imported materials and prizes, combined with broader economic uncertainty, threaten to disrupt this trend.
Tariffs on imported steel, crucial for constructing and maintaining rides, have increased operational expenses for park owners. Additionally, many of the prizes and toys awarded at game booths—often manufactured in China—are subject to these levies, further squeezing profit margins. Despite these pressures, regional parks have reported steady attendance this year.
Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland’s Castaway Cove in Ocean City, New Jersey, highlighted that visitor numbers remain robust. “We’ve had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,” Hartley said, noting the park’s diverse attractions including 30 rides, miniature golf, and go-karts. For visitors like Chris Del Borrello and his family, Castaway Cove remains a cherished summer tradition. “We come here every year because it’s so fun, and we build memories every single summer,” Del Borrello shared.
The looming tariffs coincide with an expected rebound in leisure travel, as the US Travel Association projects Americans will take nearly two billion trips this year—a 2% increase over 2024—with travel spending similarly rising.
The unpredictable nature of tariff enforcement, fluctuating from 10% to as high as 145% on Chinese imports before settling around 55%, complicated inventory planning for many operators. Hartley explained that Playland preemptively stocked up on game prizes during tariff pauses, allowing the park to avoid immediate price hikes. “We loaded up, we’re tripping over stuff at this point,” he said, underscoring how advance purchasing buffered the impact.
Conversely, some parks were less fortunate. Adventureland in Farmingdale, New York, faced increased costs for the steel structure of a new ride, Wave Twister, and game prizes arriving after tariffs were implemented. Manager Jeanine Gentile noted, “We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.” The park absorbed these costs this season to keep ticket prices steady but acknowledged that future increases remain possible.
Beyond tariffs, economic uncertainty poses a significant hurdle for the amusement park industry. At Dollywood in Tennessee, concerns over the economy prompted a delayed opening this spring, though attendance is currently up 4% from last year. Park officials observe that visitors are increasingly value-conscious, taking advantage of discounts and often purchasing tickets closer to their visit dates.
Similar patterns are evident at Silver Dollar City in Missouri, where President Brad Thomas described visitors as budget-minded and deliberate with their spending. “They have carved the money that they’ll spend in their day with us,” Thomas explained, reflecting a cautious but committed customer base.
Despite positive attendance figures, Hartley at Castaway Cove expressed apprehension about the summer’s remainder. Persistent economic uncertainty may cause potential visitors to reconsider or shorten their trips. “People that really haven’t already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?” he said. “I think people don’t know what the future is going to hold.”
As the summer season unfolds, regional amusement parks navigate a delicate balance of rising costs and cautious consumer spending—highlighting the broader ripple effects of global trade disputes and economic volatility on local economies and leisure industries.
