Nemesis Scores Again

Nemesis at Alton Towers Tops UK Poll of Global Attractions

In a resounding win for British theme park enthusiasts, the iconic Nemesis rollercoaster at Alton Towers has been crowned the greatest global attraction of all time in a new survey conducted by Ocean Florida and OnePoll. The poll, which gathered insights from 2,000 British theme park fans, highlights Nemesis as the leading favorite, securing its spot as a world-class ride that rivals the best international attractions.

Nemesis, located in Staffordshire’s Alton Towers, clinched the top position with 12% of respondents naming it their ultimate favorite. Known for its breathtaking inversions and immersive alien-themed design, Nemesis has been a staple of UK thrill-seekers’ adventures since its debut in 1994.

The USA dominates the rest of the top ten, with iconic attractions from Florida and California solidifying the country’s reputation as the global leader in theme park entertainment. Highlights include:

Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Florida, claiming second place (9%).
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, in third (9%).
Nostalgic favorites like Jaws and Pirates of the Caribbean, proving their timeless appeal despite decades since their debut.

Notably, the UK made a strong showing, with Vampire at Chessington World of Adventures and The Swarm at Thorpe Park also placing in the top 20.

Top 20 Global Theme Park Attractions

Nemesis – Alton Towers, UK (12%)
Space Mountain – Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA (9%)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA (9%)
Jurassic World: The Ride – Universal Studios Hollywood, California, USA (8%)
Pirates of the Caribbean – Disneyland Park, California, USA (8%)
Jaws (no longer operational) – Universal Studios Florida, USA (8%)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Disneyland California & Disneyland Paris (8%)
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA (7%)
Splash Mountain (soon Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) – Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA (6%)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA (6%)

(For the full list, see below.)

Insights from the Survey

The survey also uncovered generational preferences:

Younger respondents (18–24) gravitated towards high-adrenaline experiences like Jurassic World: The Ride.
Story-driven attractions such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey were most popular among those aged 25–34.
Nostalgic classics, including Pirates of the Caribbean and E.T. Adventure, resonated most with older audiences (55+).

While Nemesis secures the top spot for now, the evolving landscape of theme parks promises even greater experiences ahead. From technological advancements in immersive storytelling to adrenaline-packed thrills, the industry continues to captivate audiences of all ages, keeping the magic of theme parks alive and thriving.

Full Top 20 Global Attractions List

Nemesis – Alton Towers, UK (12%)
Space Mountain – Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA (9%)
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA (9%)
Jurassic World: The Ride – Universal Studios Hollywood, California, USA (8%)
Pirates of the Caribbean – Disneyland Park, California, USA (8%)
Jaws (no longer operational) – Universal Studios Florida, USA (8%)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Disneyland California & Disneyland Paris (8%)
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA (7%)
Splash Mountain – Magic Kingdom, Florida, USA (6%)
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA (6%)
The Swarm – Thorpe Park, UK (5%)
Vampire – Chessington World of Adventures, UK (5%)
It’s a Small World – Disneyland Park, California, USA (5%)
E.T. Adventure – Universal Studios Florida, USA (5%)
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA (5%)
Avatar Flight of Passage – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA (4%)
Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA (4%)
Runaway Railway – Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Florida, USA (4%)
The Incredible Hulk Coaster – Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Florida, USA (4%)
Expedition Everest – Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Florida, USA (4%).