The best theme parks on earth revealed
FUN and more fun - that's what theme parks are all about, right? Here the top nine theme parks to get completely wired on fun stuff.
HANG with Micky, score an adrenalin rush or bring out your inner child with these nine amazing theme parks.
The travel experts at Adioso believe you haven't lived until you've been to one of these most exciting places on earth ... or a few.
1) Efteling Park in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Fairytales come true at Efteling, one of the world's oldest theme parks. Originally a nature reserve, the pleasant green parks and old design still add charm, but modernity has sunk in with world-class rides and attractions. In the World of Wonders, classic fairytales are brought to life, and the nearby Adventure Realm houses thrilling rides. The Travel Realm lets you meander through the park by train or boat, and brave park goers can stop in the Alternative Realm to explore haunted castles and forbidden cities. The newest attraction, Aquanura, is a nightly fountain and light extravaganza you won't want to miss.
2) Everland Resort in Yongin, South Korea
Only an hour from Seoul by bus, this massive amusement park has four designated areas, each with a different theme. Festival World invokes Disney, with fantasy buildings, thrill rides, restaurants and vast seasonal gardens. Check out the wooden roller-coaster, lending an old school vibe to the otherwise modern park. The water park section is aptly named Caribbean Bay, and the design is so superb (featuring a spa and posh sun lounges and huts), you'll actually feel like you're at the beach. Body surfing, diving, tube rides and a water bobsleigh ride are all there, but the real excitement comes from the mini-tsunami that bursts from the pool every few minutes. Next, channel your inner racer with the Speedway Circuit, or chill at the Hee Won Garden, a beautiful Korean-style garden with Buddhist temples and a peaceful atmosphere. The museum showing off historical artwork is excellent, and something you wouldn't expect from a theme park. Last, but one of the most popular attractions, is the African Safari bus ride, where you'll catch close up views of lions, tigers, giraffes, hyenas, zebras, elephants, bears and lots and lots of monkeys. The line is long, but worth the wait!
3) Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, USA
The largest theme park in the world has something for everyone, whether you're looking to indulge your inner princess or eat and drink your way through Epcot. You could probably spend a week at Disney World and not see everything, so plan your trip wisely. If you're here for Hollywood Studios, determined to try every ride, fantasising about Magic Kingdom, in the mood for a safari, or just trying to get a photo with every Disney character, make sure you have time to fit it all in! Staying at the park will make your life much easier, plus, the resort themes are amazing. Disney's staff, called "cast members" are flawless when it comes to service. Nightly events and high-rated restaurants add an adult element to the fun. Disney World really is the happiest place on earth.
4) Dreamworld on The Gold Coast, Australia
Australia's largest theme park boasts roller coasters, shows, shopping and even a tiger park. Kids will love Wiggles World, Madagascar Madness and Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness, while adults will scream for the Tower of Terror and Pandemonium; two seriously adrenalin-inducing thrill rides. There are water rides and race cars, and the Australian Wildlife Experience, where you can gaze on more than 500 species of animals, including majestic Sumatran tigers. After all that action, relax at the cinema or take a ride on the scenic railway, the park's main form of transportation.
5) Europa Park in Rust, Germany
Though it's based in Germany, Europe's best adventure park represents the entire continent in architecture, food and themes. In "Greece" let the Poseidon water coaster launch you from sea to sky, or visit "Italy" for a taste of Tuscany. Head over to "Russia" for a trip to the stars, one of the most thrilling rides, or "Scandinavia" for some river rafting. The Wild West adventure camp and four-star-themed Mediterranean hotels round out the experience.
6) Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Virginia and Tampa, Florida, USA
Is your inner thrillseeker fighting with your nature loving heart over vacation destinations? Don't panic. Busch Gardens, with two US locations, will appease your dual personality. The parks have enough hair-raising roller coasters to keep you entertained, yet emphasise nature everywhere you look. In the Williamsburg Park, the nature reserve puts you up close and personal with wolves, snakes, parrots and other wild creatures. The rest of the park is filled with swirling, plummeting roller coasters. Don't miss the Apollo's Chariot, with nine drops and 210 foot plunges. For a more exotic nature experience, head to the Tampa park, complete with a mock Serengeti and African safari theme. More than 2,700 roaming rhinos, elephants, zebras and cheetahs make Busch Gardens Tampa the largest zoo in Florida. See the animals by Land Rover at the Rhino Rally, or on the Serengeti Express Railway, and don't miss the rides. The Kumba features one of the world's largest vertical loops, and drops so fast you'll feel momentarily weightless.
7) Ocean Park in Hong Kong
Environmentalists and animal lovers will appreciate Ocean Park, where dizzying rides dance with preservation education. Visit the giant panda habitat and learn about their protection, or stop at the world's largest aquarium dome, home to more than 5,000 fish. The park was the first institution in the world to artificially inseminate bottlenose dolphins, and visitors can hear about the process between roller coaster rides. Don't miss the North Pole bob sleigh ride where you'll learn about walruses and arctic foxes, then make your way to the opposite spectrum for a trip through the rainforest.
8) Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles, California, USA
Diehard roller coaster lovers will go crazy at Six Flags Magic Mountain. The park has more roller coasters than any other theme park in the world. Located in Hollywood, it's only appropriate for the 18 white-knuckle inducing rides to be named after blockbuster superheroes and villains. The Batman, Superman and Green Lantern are just a few of the tallest, record breaking roller coasters on site, but don't worry, there are plenty of family rides as well for an all-round great theme park experience.
9) Wisconsin Dells in Wisconsin, USA
Wisconsin Dells is a waterpark lover's Mecca. The entire city is devoted to indoor and outdoor waterparks, as well as lots of kitschy charm. The main attraction, Noah's Ark, is the largest waterpark in the United States, with 51 slides, a surfing pools and intertwining lazy rivers. The Black Anaconda is America's longest water coaster, spiralling riders through dips at turns at 30 miles per hour. Even adventure seekers will tremble at the Point of No Return, a 10-storey high vertical plunge that terrifies and thrills in one. Wisconsin is chilly from September to May, but that's when indoor waterparks take over. The Kalahari Resort, Atlantis Hotel and Great Wolf Lodge provide plenty of slides, rides and pools to wash away the winter blues.
Want to go now? Check out our wanderlist of theme parks for the best flight deals. Or for more travel inspiration, head to Adioso.com.
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