5. Disney's Hollywood Studios

2012 attendance: 9.91 million
2013 attendance: 10.11 million (up 2.0%)

When rival Universal Studios announced plans for a new theme park in Florida, Disney quickly put into place plans for its own movie-themed park. Expanding upon designs originally produced for Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios eventually opened over a year ahead of Universal Studios Florida in 1989. Originally, the park incorporated a working movie studio and guests were able to view filming and animation in action during the Studio Tour. However, these facilities have since been shut down and the buildings converted into rides and shows. Disney dropped its association with MGM and renamed the park in 2007.

While it's somewhat smaller in scale than Walt Disney World's other theme parks, Disney's Hollywood Studios is home to some of the resort's best attractions. This includes the thrilling Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, the addictive Toy Story Midway Mania and the revamped Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.

Don't miss: The original Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which is vastly superior to the clones at other Disney parks. This is due to the presence of a section in which the elevator explores one of the Hollywood Tower Hotel's floors, which was removed from the clones to increase capacity and reduce downtime.

4. Disney's Animal Kingdom

2012 attendance: 10.0 million
2013 attendance: 10.2 million (up 2.0%)

Opened in 1998, Walt Disney World's fourth theme park is unique in that it incoporates live animal exhibits alongside the chain's usual rides and shows. It boasts 7 themed lands, organised in a "hub-and-spoke" layout. After entering the park through the Oasis, guests hit Discovery Island. From there, they can reach Africa, Asia, DinoLand U.S.A, Rafiki's Planet Watch and Camp Minnie-Mickey.

Like Disney California Adventure, Disney's Animal Kingom was panned for its lack of major attractions when it first debuted (as well as facing criticizm from animal rights groups concerned about Disney exploiting its inhabitants). Since then, though, it has added the heavily-themed Expedition Everest coaster, with plans for a new land based on Avatar also in the works.

Don't miss: Kilimanjaro Safaris, which takes guests on an off-roading adventure past real animals that takes place on a "savannah" that is the same size as the entire Magic Kingdom theme park.

3. Epcot

2012 attendance: 11.06 million
2013 attendance: 11.23 million (up 1.5%)

Walt Disney originally envisioned Epcot as the centrepiece of his Florida resort. Rather than being a theme park, it was to be a utopian city in which people lived and worked developing the technologies of the future. The park's name derives from Walt's original title - the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow (EPCOT). Though the concept was scaled back after Walt's death, the park still embraces his aims of celebrating international culture and showcasing cutting-edge technology.

The park can be compared to a permanent "World's Fair", and is divided into 2 main sections. Future World is dedicated to technological innovation, and features high-tech attractions and exhibits sponsored by major corporations. World Showcase, situated around the park's lagoon, is made up of 11 pavilions depicting different countries around the world.

Don't miss: Touring World Showcase in the evening. Grab a bite in one of its many world-class restaurants, and then take a leisurely stroll around the lagoon.

2. Disneyland

2012 attendance: 15.96 million
2013 attendance: 16.20 million (up 1.5 percent)

Disneyland holds the distinction of being the only Disney theme park to have been constructed under the full supervision of Walt Disney himself. Disney claimed to have conceived the idea for the park after visiting Griffith Park in Los Angeles with his children. Frustrated by the lack of attractions that could be enjoyed by adults and children alike, he designed Disneyland to fulfill that need. The park took exactly one year to construct, and opened on July 17, 1955.

The park in Anaheim, California still retains the core of its original design and layout, which has become the template for Disney's other parks around the world. After entering the park on Main Street, U.S.A. guests can head to any of 7 themed lands. These are Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey's Toontown and Tomorrowland.

Don't miss: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, which remains one of the best dark rides in the world despite having opened back in 1995.

1. Disney's Magic Kingdom

2012 attendance: 17.54 million
2013 attendance: 18.59 million (up 6.0%)

Walt Disney World's clone of Disneyland retains the original's hub and spoke layout, boasts many of the same attractions, but covers a large footprint. Disappointingly, its versions of some of Disneyland's most popular rides, particularly Pirates of the Caribbean, are inferior.

Still, the Magic Kingdom is the world's most popular theme park for a reason. It packs in an incredible number of family-friendly rides, particularly in the sprawling, recently-expanded New Fantasyland. It also boasts two popular roller coasters, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, and recently opened a third, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Don't miss: One of the best-themed water rides in the world, Splash Mountain. Aboard hollowed-out logs, riders pass animatronic scenes depicting the Walt Disney film Song of the South, traveling along with Brer Rabbit as he outwits Brer Fox and Brer Bear.

Which park is your favorite?

The Magic Kingdom is the most popular theme park in the USA, but is really the best? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.