It’s the ultimate tourist trap.
Trying to avoid crowds this Christmas? You might want to steer clear of Universal Studios, which is reportedly the most overcrowded tourist attraction on Earth come wintertime, according to a study by student travel company Rustic Pathways.
“Some attractions remain overcrowded in winter, as everyone has the same idea of seeking out seasonal fun,” declared Shayne Fitz-Coy, CEO of the platform.
To deduce the globe’s most congested Yuletide travel hubs, the Rustic Pathways crew analyzed Tripadvisor reviews complaining of overcrowding and long waits at over 900 winter-specific destinations around the world.
They searched for key terms including “crowded,” “overcrowded,” “long wait,” “full of people,” and “chaotic.”
The number of negative reviews was compared to the total number of reviews to give a per 1,000 review complaint rate, which they then converted into a percentage.
Universal Studios
The findings revealed that Universal Studios in Hollywood, California was the most mobbed winter travel locale. Nearly 40% of reviews mentioned “crowding” or “long waits,” truly putting the “tinsel” in “Tinseltown.”
One December review griped that the theme park was “grossly overcrowded,” while in January another reviewer said, “[kids] would have lost their minds in lines that long.”
Rockefeller Center
Want to 30 Rock around the Christmas tree? Fir-gettaboutit. The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree unsurprisingly ranked the second most overcrowded Yuletide travel destination with over one-third (34.9%) of Tripadvisor reviews bellyaching about the throngs of visitors who pine for it every December.
Many dubbed the crowds “seriously dangerous” while another stated there was “0 crowd control.”
But there’s a lot of work that goes into this sappy attraction, which has been a Big Apple tradition for 93 years. This year’s tree — a 74-foot-tall Norway spruce from Massachusetts — was chosen out of 100 hopefuls scouted by Long Island-based conifer-sieurr Erik Pauze, who was been selecting the Rockefeller Center-piece for four decades.
In fact, Rockefeller Center in general is a zoo during December. Coming in 8th place with a 27.2% complaint ratio was Top Of The Rock, an ascending circular platform on the Center’s 70th floor that propels up to 13 riders 900 feet in the air.
Silverwood Theme Park
Idaho’s Silverwood Theme Park clocked in third with 31.29% of reviews hailing it a holiday tourist trap in terms of crowds. Complaints mainly concerned the mile-long lines.
Busch Gardens
By a similar token, 31.20% of visitor reviews complained of foot traffic at fourth-place hub, Busch Gardens. The Tampa, Florida-based amusement park, which sees around 4 million visitors per year, was ripped for its long lines and congestion. Rustic Pathways attributed the clamor to Busch Gardens’ status as a refuge for snowbirds seeking festive fun in the sun.
Coincidentally, reusable storage container firm Stasher named it the fourth worst tourist site on Earth in 2023 due to its second-rate accommodations.
Nuremberg Christmas Market
The first non-American tourist hub on the list, the Nuremberg Christmas Market ranked fifth with a whopping 29.8% of Tripadvisor reviews complaining of overcrowding.
One review claimed that the attraction was “packed shoulder to shoulder” while another labeled it “so busy you can barely walk through it.”
Perhaps these reviews are unsurprising given that Nuremberg is widely regarded as one of the world’s best Christmas bazaars.
Highlights include the handmade Christmas decorations, gingerbread and almond cookies and the hanging bratwurst, making it like something out of some Yuletide fairy tale.
We’ve listed the top ten most overcrowded holiday attractions below:
1. Universal Studios Hollywood in Universal City, California (38.99%)
2. Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City, NY (34.85%)
3. Silverwood Theme Park in Athol, Idaho (31.29%)
4. Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida (31.20%)
5. Nuremberg Christmas Market in Nuremberg, Germany (29.78%)
6. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson Township, New Jersey (28.16%)
7. Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, Utah (27.22%)
8. Top of the Rock in New York City, NY (27.2%)
9. Christmas Market on Rathausplatz in Vienna, Austria (27.18%)
10. Snowshoe Mountain Resort in Snowshoe, West Virginia (27.08%)
Fitz-Coy attributed the rampant overcrowding in part to the surge in online recs.
“Social media has also fueled overcrowding as people post their tourist pics online, inspiring more visitors than ever to flock to the same spots,” the travel boss posited. “If you’re planning to visit busy spots, try going on weekdays or during non-peak hours to avoid crowds.”
He added, “Always be mindful of personal space, especially in high-traffic areas, overcrowding can detract from the experience and even pose safety concerns.”
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