Whether you’re looking for thrill-a-minute rollercoasters or toddler-friendly fairground rides, there’s a theme park out there that will tick your boxes. For adrenaline junkies, the US has traditionally been the place to go for those record-breaking rides, but theme parks in the Middle East have been catching up fast (no pun intended). Meanwhile, those in Europe and Asia offer a happy balance between the hair-raisers and more gentle options that younger children will love. Want to know where to head off to next? Here are some of the best theme parks in the world.
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1. Efteling, the Netherlands
With more than 70 years under its belt, Efteling is one of the oldest theme parks around, and it’s still a hit with younger children. It’s located in Kaatsheuvel, a town close to the border with Belgium. Often compared with Disney’s parks, the entire 180-acre attraction is themed around fairytales and folklore, with wholesome rides such as carousels, gondolas and pedal trains. There are some rollercoasters too, but even they’re relatively gentle. The most thrilling of the lot is perhaps Baron 1898, a dive coaster that drops you 123ft at 56mph. Elsewhere you can meet characters such as Pardoes the Magician, and enjoy shows such as the nightly fountain display, Aquanura.
2. Parc Astérix, France
Based on the much-loved Astérix comic books by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny, Parc Astérix is one of the most popular theme parks in France. It’s around 22 miles north of Paris, making it relatively easy to get to from the French capital. There are 50 family-friendly rides and shows split across themed areas inspired by a moment in history, such as the Roman empire and Ancient Greece. For adrenaline junkies, there are a few different rollercoasters to try out, although they’re considered pretty tame in thrill-ride terms. Pégase Express is the biggest, with over 3,000ft of tracks on which you can reach speeds of up to 32mph. What it does particularly well is the live shows, which range from swashbuckling pirates to night-time parades.
3. Alton Towers, UK
Alton Towers in Staffordshire deserves its place on the “best theme parks in the world” list for its sheer commitment to introducing new, world-class rides that set the standard for other amusement parks in the UK. It’s many Brits’ first experience of a big resort and is likely to spark a lifelong affair for looping, corkscrewing rollercoasters and other high-adrenaline thrill rides. There are attractions aimed at younger children too, like the one based around David Walliams’ popular character Gangsta Granny. Also demanding your time here are a waterpark and the Alton Towers Dungeon, based on the London original — it’s a good job there are multi-day passes and hotel rooms available that allow you to plot a long stay.
4. Universal Islands of Adventure, US
Part of the massive Universal Orlando complex in Florida, Islands of Adventure is an entire world in itself. The park has created fully immersive rides themed around some of the world’s most popular movies, including Jurassic Park, King Kong and Spider-Man. Many visitors come just for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a magical kingdom complete with a fully operational Hogwarts Express and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure rollercoaster. The park has several multi-day and overnight packages that are well worth investigating if you’re likely to spend more than a couple of days on site.
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5. Magic Kingdom, US
For a sight of the enchanting Cinderella Castle, you’ll want to head to the Magic Kingdom, part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Some of North America’s most famous rides are found here, including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Space Mountain, a rollercoaster that swoops through the dark. Wannabe Jack Sparrows will want to climb aboard the barges of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and take a boat ride through tunnels populated by animatronic pirates. Be sure to stay in the Disney theme park after dark — there’s nightly entertainment incorporating Disney tunes, fireworks and a light show.
6. Disney’s Hollywood Studios, US
There are many reasons to visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, but since 2019, many people have needed just one — the chance to enter the universe of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is a highly imaginative and realistic recreation of the sets, stories and characters of the movie franchise, with the option to fly the Millennium Falcon on an interactive adventure, or come face to face with full-size AT-AT walkers as you join the resistance in the battle against the Dark Side. Note that there’s also an area devoted to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Disneyland Resort in California.
7. Busch Gardens Williamsburg, US
Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia is themed around different European countries, with areas devoted to Italy, Germany, Ireland, Scotland, England and France, connected by a cute steam train. There are rollercoasters aplenty, including the Griffon — which, with a 205ft drop, is one of the tallest diving coasters in the world. Launched (quite literally) in 2022 is Pantheon, its record-breaking multi-launch coaster featuring a 95-degree drop. All the family favourites are here, too, including carousels, swing rides and flumes, and you can catch your breath on the scenic Rhine River Cruise.
8. Universal Studios, Singapore
Opening to great fanfare in 2011, Universal Studios Singapore is the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and is part of the vast playground island of Sentosa, easily accessed from the city centre (for panoramic views, take the cable car). To visit is to enter the worlds of some of the studio’s most popular movies — from Transformers to Battlestar Galactica. Fans of dark rides will want to hop straight on to the immersive Revenge of the Mummy rollercoaster, which takes place entirely indoors. There are some spectacular shows here, too, including one hosted by Steven Spielberg in which a hurricane hits New York, and a stunt-filled recreation of Waterworld.
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9. IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai
Here’s something a little different for theme-park regulars — an amusement park set entirely indoors. This Dubai attraction is none the less epic for being under cover, though, with “adventure zones” dedicated to the Marvel universe, series from the Cartoon Network and a dinosaur-themed Lost Valley, among others. There are plenty of opportunities to plunge, loop, spin and generally be chucked about, with the sharp, vertical fall in the Predator rollercoaster likely to be the highlight for adrenaline-seekers. The Haunted Hotel is considered scary enough that you have to be over 15 years old to enter. Elsewhere, there are regular shows, immersive experiences and lots of attractions and play areas for younger children.
10. Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi
Ferrari World sits like a colossal UFO on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, close to the Formula One track at Yas Marina. To escape the Middle Eastern heat, the park is largely under cover and has zones specifically dedicated to the sport and to families, with most of the thrill rides in the adventure and Italian zones. Turbo Track is one of the highlights — shooting riders vertically up through a hole in the roof, before plunging them down again backwards. You’ll also want to take a seat on the Formula Rossa (if you can — at the time of writing it was closed until further notice), currently the fastest rollercoaster in the world, and Flying Aces, which has one of the world’s highest loops. If you’d like to experience the latter in an entirely novel way, you can take a zip-line ride through that very loop.
11. Six Flags Magic Mountain, US
Battling against Cedar Point in Ohio for the attention of rollercoaster fans is Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, close to Los Angeles. There are a whopping 20 here. These include the beast that is Full Throttle, one of the tallest and fastest looping coasters in the world. Smaller visitors and seekers of lesser thrills aren’t forgotten, though — the park’s 260 acres has more than 100 rides, water slides, live shows and zones dedicated to the DC Universe and Bugs Bunny World among others. Six Flags Magic Mountain goes to town on its holiday events, with annual spectaculars at Halloween and Christmas.
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12. Disneyland Resort, US
Officially opened by one Walt Disney in 1955, the Disneyland Resort in California has come a long way since then but retains something of the magic of the original. It now comprises two parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, and it’s easy to explore both with multi-day passes and three hotels on site. There are multiple themed lands to explore, with something to appeal to all age groups, from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. Entering Disneyland via Main Street USA and coming face to face with their favourite Disney characters is something your little ones will likely remember for years to come.
• Best things to do in California
13. PortAventura Park, Spain
PortAventura Park in Salou is one of the most popular theme parks in Europe and, together with Ferrari Land and Caribe Aquatic Park, is part of the enormous 294-acre PortAventura World. There are six themed areas to explore. Adrenaline junkies should head straight to Mediterrania, where Furius Baco is located — it’ll take you from zero to 84mph in an impressive three seconds. Or there’s Hurakan Condor in Mexico world, where free-falling 328ft is guaranteed to get your blood pumping. Several hotels in the area are affiliated with the park, with free entry included as part of your stay, so it’s well worth investigating if you want to go on every single ride.
14. Cedar Point, US
How many rollercoasters can you handle in a single day? If the answer is 18, Cedar Point in Ohio is going to be your kind of theme park. Many of the coasters set records for the fastest, longest and highest in the world when they opened (the behemoth that is Steel Vengeance broke ten records when it was unveiled in 2018), and they still pack a punch. There are plenty of other attractions on the 364-acre site, including a waterpark and more low-octane rides for smaller kids and those of a nervous disposition.
cedarpoint.com
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