A visit to a theme park is often a thrilling highlight of a child’s early experiences. Stepping into a fantasy world creates a suspension of day-to-day reality—these colorful worlds are all about having fun together as a family, doing something out of the ordinary, bonding, and creating happy memories.
Disney’s theme parks enjoy enduring popularity and nostalgia, making them a must-visit on many families’ wish lists. However, if the idea of Disney leaves you dizzy or you’ve simply had your fill of Mickey and the Magic Kingdom, we’ve got 10 alternative theme parks for you to try instead.
Remember that whether it’s Disney or another park, theme parks can be expensive days out and tend to get very busy. Go early, plan ahead, and use their apps to avoid queues and secure the best deals.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Illuminated with fairy lights at night, stylish Tivoli is a magical place to explore once the sun has gone down (the gardens famously inspired one Mr. Walt Disney). It’s also a fun theme park by day with activities for the whole family. There’s an elegant Ferris wheel, gentle dragon boats, and a traditional carousel for those taking it easy; for the thrill-seekers, there’s the world’s second-oldest wooden roller coaster, along with the chance to experience 2.5 g-force. Check ahead to ensure you don’t miss the fireworks or events at the concert hall.
Efteling, Noord Brabant, Netherlands
Based around storytelling, this charming park is set in a forested landscape and boasts imaginative attractions such as talking trees, fantasy palaces, and water rides through forbidden cities. This magical world is filled with elves, trolls, and unicorns, but you can still raise your heart rate with the famous Baron 1898 dive coaster and De Vliegende Hollander water coaster. When everyone needs to calm down, there are pretty gardens to explore, gentle train rides to enjoy, and boats to relax in.
Knotts Berry Farm, California, USA
Another long-established park, Knotts Berry Farm opened in 1941 when Mr. Knott built an imitation ghost town to entertain diners enjoying his wife’s famous fried chicken. The spooky element remains with shows in ‘Ghost Town’, the wooden GhostRider roller coaster, and the park’s recreation as Knott’s Scary Farm for Halloween. There’s an Old West theme throughout with a blacksmith on Main Street, bandits on the narrow gauge train, and a western stunt show. Adrenaline-junkies will find plenty of rides, as well as Camp Snoopy for younger children and the Knott’s Soak City Water Park.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England
This iconic park is a 16-hectare collection of more than 145 rides and is England’s most popular theme park. You’ll find a mix of classic older rides such as the Grand National, and sleek new thrills like Icon, the UK’s first double launch roller coaster. Smaller children will enjoy Nickelodeon Land, Wallace & Gromit’s Thrill-O-Matic, and the historic Flying Machines. This is a classic theme park: there’s plenty of additional entertainment on offer, but come primarily for the rides. From September to November every year, don’t miss Blackpool’s famous seafront illuminations.
Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia
Covering a relatively small site but with a photogenic location right next to the beach, Luna Park has been entertaining visitors since 1912. It boasts the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world and has a nostalgic old-timey feel. Enter through Mr. Moon’s gaping mouth and start your adventure with a gentle ride on a beautiful hand-painted carousel and a spin around the park on colorful Betty Choo Choo. Then take it up a notch with traditional fairground rides such as the dodgems or a ghost train before leaving your stomach behind on the Coney Drop or Pharaoh’s Curse.
Puy du Fou, South West France
Puy du Fou is the theme park that’s not really a theme park, but rather an incredible historical experience set in rural France. Throughout the park, you will find reconstructions of various historical eras, including ancient Rome, a medieval city, and an 18th-century village. If you wish to step back in time even further, consider staying overnight in one of five themed accommodations.
The highlight is the spectacular shows which run throughout the day and employ a vast number of actors, animals, and award-winning pyrotechnics to bring significant events in France’s history to life. Audio guides are available for translation into English, but the length and complexity of the shows are better suited for children aged eight and older.
LEGOLAND®, Dubai
Aimed at children under 12, this park adheres to the successful formula of LEGOLAND® parks around the world. It is a brightly-colored theme park with 40 rides and attractions across six themed areas. Young explorers will love the DUPLO® Valley, submarine adventure, and the chance to fly their own planes at the City Airport. Older kids will enjoy the driving school, Dragon roller coaster, and Power Tower ‘free-fall’ ride. The famous LEGO® Miniland captivates both kids and adults alike with its miniature LEGO® versions of Dubai’s landmarks and offers the chance to create your own city skyline from bricks. When you need to cool off, there’s a LEGO®-themed water park right next door.
Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast’s theme parks all cater to kids, but if you’re entertaining the under-fives and you’re willing to embrace branded experiences for a day, Dreamworld is a fantastic option. Young visitors can ride the Big Red Car in Wiggles World and meet the iconic Bananas in Pyjamas at ABC Kids World. Older kids will enjoy the DreamWorks Experience with rides and shows based around Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar, and Shrek. The park also features a zoo along with daily wildlife and cultural presentations, and your ticket gives you entrance to the WhiteWater World next door.
Hersheypark, Pennsylvania, USA
Chocolate and roller coasters might not seem like the best combination, but it certainly works for Hersheypark. There are over 70 attractions, including a water park and a zoo (included in the cost of your ticket) along with 14 coasters and 20 rides for smaller kids. But what you really shouldn’t miss is a visit to Hershey’s Chocolate World where you can design your own chocolate bar, taste some chocolate and tour a mock factory. Time your visit for summer 2020 to enjoy the opening of Hershey’s Chocolate Town, touted as ‘where fun meets chocolate.’
Universal Studios, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Although the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is absent compared to its Orlando counterpart, Universal Studios Singapore still packs a punch on the global theme park stage. Everything is packaged around fantasy-world themes and is glossy and high-tech. Young ones can join the cast of Madagascar or experience the Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase; meanwhile, tweens and teens can choose their side on the world’s tallest dueling roller coaster or experience a next-generation 3D thrill on the park’s Transformers – The Ride.
