Theme Parks are these magical places on the earth where dreams come true – Little girls can be a princess for a day. Boys can live a pirate’s life. A muggle can transform into a wizard – It can all come true at a Theme park. It can straightaway transport you into your childhood fairytales.
While there are a number of popular theme parks around the world, there is one place where most of them converge – Florida (or Greater Orlando Area). Orlando is often dubbed as the capital of theme parks. It is home to many of the top theme parks in the world so much so that you can’t do all the theme parks in one visit. Having said that, we will pick only the top two from Orlando and rather make way for some diversity in the list – by focusing on top-ranked theme parks from other parts of the world.
Universal Studios, Singapore
If there is a wonderland on the earth, it is called Universal Studios Singapore. Located in the majestic entertainment area of Sentosa, it has as many as seven themed zones: Hollywood, New York City, Sci-Fi City, Ancient Egypt, The Lost World, Far Far Away, and Madagascar. While in Singapore, you must squeeze in a visit to Universal Studios Singapore, Southeast Asia’s first ever theme park of its kind! There’s something in it for everyone in the family, from energetic kids and tech-savvy teens to sophisticated adults! Meet your favorite Hollywood stars here and even dine with them, watch jaw-dropping stunts and sci-fi shows, or chase the dinosaurs from the Jurassic Park. There is so much you can enjoy at a one-of-its-kind theme park.
Top Attractions: Transformers; Battlestar Galactica; Revenge of the Mummy; Waterworld Stunt Show; Street Parade; and Lights, Camera, Action! With Steven Spielberg
Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Orlando, US
Drawing inspiration from the 1930s and 40’s Hollywood, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of the best amusement parks in the world that is themed on all classic films. The six theme areas of Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Streets of America, Animation courtyard, Toy Storyland, and Pixar Place offer spectacular experiences. Each zone features thrilling rides, attractions, entertaining shows, shops, and restaurants. Rides like Tower of Terror and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Coaster provide some more heartbeat raising excitement alongside live action rides and immersive simulators.
Top Attractions: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror; MuppetVision 3D; Slinky Dog Dash; Rock ‘n’ Roll Coaster; Fantasmic; and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Universal Studios – Orlando, US
Universal Orlando has three exceptional theme parks – Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Volcano Bay. Opened in 2017, Volcano Bay is Universal’s water theme park. Universal has masterfully created immersive thrill experiences tied to some of the world’s most beloved entertainment franchises, from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to The Simpsons, from Harry Potter to Fast & Furious. This is a perfect place to immerse yourself where cutting-edge rides, shows, and attractions bring your favorite movies, television and more to life.
Top Attractions: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey; The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man; Men in Black Alien Attack; Ko’okiri Body Plunge; and Skull Island: Reign of Kong
Disneyland – Paris, France
One of the big perks of going to Paris for younger travelers is to be able to visit another bucket list item, Disneyland Paris, which is actually made up of two parks – Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park dons five incredible themes – Adventureland, Frontierland, Discoveryland, Fantasyland and Main Street USA. Big Thunder Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean are just a few of the surprises you will relish at this most sought after theme park in Europe. Walt Disney Studios Park also has many rides but has a focus on how films are made – there are many sessions and studio tours to illustrate this.
Top Attractions: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril; Big Thunder Mountain; Pirates of the Caribbean; Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain; and Phantom Manor
Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
Tokyo Disneyland, Japan’s most popular theme park and the third most attended park in the world after the Magic Kingdom in Orlando and Disneyland California. Tokyo Disneyland (which also includes Tokyo DisneySea) is themed entirely on water destinations and notions. It contains rides like Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Other truly unique attractions at the park are predominantly the shows that include a Latin-infused “Minnie Oh! Minnie” and a dinner theater production called “Mickey & Company”.
Top Attractions: Space Mountain; Haunted Mansion; Splash Mountain; Big Thunder Mountain; Pooh’s Hunny Hunt; and Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Tivoli Gardens, Denmark
Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest theme park in the world that has welcomed thrill seekers since 1843. It boasts beautiful gardens, exhilarating rides, and phenomenal entertainment venues which served as Walt Disney’s inspiration for Disneyland after his visit to Tivoli Gardens in 1951. The park’s original coaster, Rutschebanen still remains the best coaster in the park with a track that weaves in and around the magical mountainside. Other attractions include exotic buildings of imaginary orient, a fairylit jumble of pagodas, village-style lanes and Arabian palaces.
Top Attractions: Vertigo; Aquila; The Star Flyer; The Demon; and The Golden Tower
Gardaland, Italy
Just like Australia’s Gold Coast, the Lake Garda region in north Italy is home to a lot of theme parks. Arguably the best in the region – Gardaland – was also once ranked fifth in the world’s top ten amusement parks with the best turnover by Forbes magazine. It has a total of 32 rides, including seven roller coasters and three water rides. The rides are divided into three main groups: Fantasy (for children), Adventure (for all ages) and Adrenaline (well, we could say the title is pretty obvious).
Top Attractions: Blue Tornado; Magic Mountain; Sequoia Adventure; Mammut; Raptor; Shaman; Griffon; and Oblivion: The Black Hole
We all crave for amusement on a vacation. Probably this is why a theme park is always on every holiday itinerary. While these were the 7 best theme parks for kids and families around the globe, here are a few more globally renowned theme parks that offer experiences worth treasuring forever:
- Magic Kingdom – Florida, US
- Disneyland – California, US
- Fuji – Q Highland, Japan
- Disneyland, Hong Kong
- Beto Carrero World, Brazil
Bonus Tip: The last one, Beto Carrero World, in Brazil, is the largest theme park in Latin America, which offers its guests free entry on their birthdays. So, you know when to plan a visit to this one!