When investors or entrepreneurs consider building an amusement park, the first question is always about cost. The budget depends heavily on the park’s size and type of attractions, so let’s look at some typical ranges:

Amusement Park Business Plans & Prices: From Small Parks to Large-Scale Resorts

  • Small children’s amusement park (2,000–5,000 m²): $100,000 – $200,000 – usually includes 5–10 family rides such as a carousel, mini Ferris wheel, and kiddie roller coaster.

  • Medium family entertainment park (10,000–30,000 m²): $500,000 – $700,000 – with larger attractions like bumper car arenas, a bigger Ferris wheel, and several thrill rides.

  • Large theme park (50,000 m²+): $10 million – $50 million+ – featuring signature roller coasters, water rides, and multiple themed zones.

50,000 ㎡ outdoor kids park
10,000㎡ kids amsuement park
5,0000 ㎡ amusement park

In this article, we’ll break down the main factors that influence cost—from land and infrastructure to rides, staffing, and operations—so you can better estimate the investment for your project. Of course, we also provide detailed pricing information for amusement park projects to investors: amusement park business project ideas and cost guide for investors. 

Key Factors That Affect Amusement Park Costs

  • Land and Infrastructure

    Buying or leasing land is often the largest cost. Additional expenses include power supply, water systems, roads, and parking lots.

  • Rides and Attractions

    This is the heart of your amusement park investment.

    Small rides like kiddie trains, mini roller coasters, carousels, and bumper cars cost between $5,000 – $50,000 each.

    Medium rides such as Ferris wheels, spinning rides, and log flumes range from $50,000 – $300,000.

    Large thrill rides or signature roller coasters can cost $500,000 – $5 million+.

  • Design, Planning, and Licensing

    Hiring professional designers to create master plans, themes, and safety layouts is essential. Don’t forget government licensing, safety inspections, and insurance.

  • Construction and Installation

    Includes foundations, ride installation, landscaping, lighting, and safety systems.

  • Staffing and Operations

    You will need ride operators, maintenance engineers, customer service staff, and security. Training and salaries should be factored into your budget. More professional information, you can directly contact Dinis amusement park ride  manufacturer. 

Example Cost Breakdown (Case Study)

A client in Southeast Asia built a 2-hectare children’s amusement park with an investment of $350,000. The project included:

theme park in South Africa

  • 8 rides (carousel, mini Ferris wheel, kiddie coaster, bumper cars, train ride, etc.)

  • Food & beverage kiosks

  • Simple landscaping and seating areas

  • Result: The park attracted over 100,000 visitors in the first year, and the investment was recovered within 18 months.

 How Much Does It Cost to Build a Medium-Size Amusement Park Near the Beach?

Many investors planning a medium-size amusement park contact us with a similar question: the project is designed for both tourists and local visitors, located on flat land close to the beach, and surrounded by natural vegetation. The land size is about 5000 square meter, the overall cost framework can already be clearly estimated. One of these is a park project led by the Mexican government. We finalized the deal in November 2025. For this type of project, the total investment typically ranges from USD 3 million to USD 5 million, depending on ride selection, layout efficiency, theming level, and local construction requirements.

Amusement Ride Selection for a 5,000 sqm Park

Ride selection plays a decisive role in both budget control and long-term profitability. For coastal parks oriented to mixed audiences, we usually recommend a balanced combination of landmark attractions and family rides.

1 iconic attraction
Such as a Ferris wheel, pirate ship ride, or family roller coaster, serving as the visual centerpiece of the park and a strong photo attraction

3–5 family amusement rides
Including carousel rides, flying chair rides, bumper cars, or mini pendulum rides, suitable for both tourists and local repeat visitors.

Children’s ride zone
Compact rides such as mini trains, kiddie car rides, or small spinning rides, designed to increase dwell time for families.

This configuration ensures:

High visual appeal

Balanced age coverage

Efficient use of limited land area

Estimated investment for ride equipment: USD 1.8 million – 3.5 million

Once the ride list and layout plan are confirmed, the production process follows a standardized schedule:

Engineering drawings and foundation requirements

Ride manufacturing and quality inspectionPre-assembly testing before shipment

For a medium-size park project, the manufacturing period typically ranges from 60 to 90 days, depending on customization and theming requirements.

For international projects such as the Mexican government park, ride transportation is a critical cost and scheduling factor.

All rides are modularized for container loading

Steel structures and FRP components are packed separately to reduce shipping risk

Sea freight is commonly used for coastal destinations

USD 150,000 – 400,000 (depending on distance, port, and container volume)

Clear packing lists, loading diagrams, and documentation are provided to ensure smooth customs clearance.

After equipment arrives at the project site, installation is carried out in phases:

Mechanical assembly of ride structures

Electrical system connection and testing

 

 

Commissioning and safety inspection

 

For this type of project, installation typically takes 30–45 days, depending on the number of rides and site conditions.

We provide:

Installation drawings and manuals

On-site technical guidance or remote support

Assistance with local safety inspection and acceptance

Estimated installation and commissioning cost:
USD 200,000 – 500,000

Why This Cost Model Works for Medium-Size Coastal Parks

For a 5,000 sqm amusement park near the beach, this investment structure offers several advantages:

  • Clear cost control at early planning stage
  • Flexible ride combinations based on budget
  • Strong appeal to both tourists and local families
  • Faster construction and earlier opening timeline

 

amusement park in Brazil

With proper planning, this type of park can achieve stable cash flow and a relatively short payback period compared to large-scale theme parks.

How to Optimize Your Amusement Park Investment?

  • Start Small, Grow Gradually: Begin with kids’ rides or a family entertainment center, then expand as your revenue increases.

  • Choose Durable Equipment: Investing in high-quality rides reduces maintenance costs. For example, quality FRP Ferris wheel, bumper car, train amusement ride, etc.

  • Customize Your Park: Select attractions based on your location’s demographics and expected visitor flow.

roller coasters for amusement park

So, how much does it cost to build an amusement park? It could be as little as $200,000 for a children’s park, or $10 million+ for a large-scale destination. The key is to balance your budget with the right mix of attractions, safety, and visitor experience. Every amusement park project is unique. Contact Dinis today for a custom proposal and factory-direct pricing on amusement rides.

Some FAQs about amusement park plans

Around $200,000 – $500,000, depending on land, equipment, and facilities.

Rides and attractions, especially large roller coasters and water rides.

Yes, you can start a small children’s park or family entertainment center with this budget.