ABSTRACT
The most widely known and still most lucrative theme parks are the Disney theme parks. Since the mid-twentieth century, the genre of theme parks has spread widely from their origins in the United States across the world. In 2018, the top ten theme park groups worldwide drew an astounding number of over 500 million visitors, among which Disney parks lead by a share of more than 30%. Religious theme parks share several key characteristics with theme parks in general—they are also enclaves set apart from everyday life that include various attractions, rides, shows, and amenities, and are also unified by a particular theme. Religious theme parks also share a similar history and rationale with their non-religious counterparts, albeit with important thematic differences. Religious theme parks have also been developed to cater to the needs of a burgeoning middle class. The spectrum between religious theme parks and similar attractions with religious elements is fluid.
