World's 10 Best Theme Parks and Amusement Parks
The best theme parks in the world won’t disappoint. And if you’re having trouble deciding between visiting outer space or boarding a train to the Old West for your next vacation, they might just be the right place for you. Packed with fun for the entire family, from thrilling rides to international cuisine and even wildlife, today’s top amusement parks are self-contained universes unto themselves offering an experience unlike anywhere else on earth. Here are ten of the best theme parks in the world that you won’t want to miss.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida – Whether you want to sail with pirates or scale the Matterhorn, Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida earns its name as the happiest place on earth. Divided into seven “Lands,” including Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Frontierland, it’s the quintessential theme park with some of the most iconic attractions on earth. Peter Pan’s Flight, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean weave your childhood memories into truly immersive experiences. Don’t forget to snap a photo with Mickey Mouse!
Le Puy du Fou, Les Epesses, France – France’s second most popular theme park (behind Disneyland Paris), Le Puy du Fou is a trip back to France’s antiquity. Built around a Medieval castle, the park’s main attraction isn’t rides but its dozens of intricate, amazing live shows. From the dazzling swordfights of Richelieu’s Musketeers to the magical falconry of The Phantom Birds Dance, each show tells a different story from France’s florid history. And don’t worry if you’re not fluent: the spectacle is universal, and electronic translators are available so you won’t miss a detail.
Alton Towers Resort, UK – Alton Towers has it all. A theme park featuring ten rollercoasters (don’t miss Wicker Man, a flaming wooden coaster), a water park, mini golf, an enormous spa, and a variety of hotels including the Caribbean-themed Spash Landings. If you need a break from all the high-adrenaline screaming, take a quiet stroll through the grounds’ immaculate English gardens.
Europa Park, Rust, Germany – Located in Rust, Germany, there’s nothing rusty about Europa Park. The park boasts a dozen rollercoasters from kid-friendly to extreme, the continent’s largest flight-simulation theater, and seventeen different park areas each themed after a different European country, so you can tour the whole continent without having to deal with Customs.
Hershey Park, Hershey, PA – Satisfy your sweet tooth along with your sense of adventure at Hershey Park, where you can make your own chocolate bars at the Chocolate Factory. Don’t fill up on sweets before you hit the rides, though: coasters like the Sidewinder and Storm Runner will be throwing you and your friends for loops.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL – At Universal you can escape into the movies at a park that isn’t restricted by a single theme. Board the Hogwarts Express to the world of Harry Potter (seriously, don’t skip the train), satisfy your inner paleontologist (and thrillseeker) on the Jurassic Park River Adventure, and pay your respects to the king of the apes in the temple on Skull Island: Reign of Kong.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA – Magic Mountain is the perfect park for adrenaline junkies, with more roller coasters than any theme park in the world. Just outside of LA, here you can climb aboard a coaster and fly along with your favorite DC Universe characters, from Batman and the Riddler to Superman and Wonder Woman.
PortAventura World, Spain – All the great civilizations of the ancient world come together at PortAventura (plus Sesame Street, which is a pretty great civilization too). Engage your frenemies in an epic water battle in the ruins of Angkor Wat, make your heart race in Ancient China aboard Dragon Khan, one of the world’s most popular roller coasters, or head to the water park and steel your nerves for King Khajuna, Europe’s tallest free-fall slide.
Wonderla, Bangalore, India – If visiting India wasn’t exciting enough, Wonderla in Bangalore will add some techy wonder to your visit. In addition to the park’s dozens of rides, you can enjoy solar-heated pools all year long, plus musical fountains and a high-tech dance floor where you can work up a sweat and cool down with electronic rain showers.
Legoland, Denmark – It’s hard to say who enjoys this park more, kids or adults. It’s a one-of-a-kind park themed after everyone’s favorite tiny plastic bricks, scaled up to be human-sized. Experience your childhood creations come to life in this interactive park where you can live the life of a Lego pirate, knight, fireman, explorer, and more. You can even drive (and crash) a LEGO car at one of the world’s best theme parks.