Kid's Travel - The World's Best Amusement Parks

You might be surprised to learn that the oldest operating amusement park in the world is not American but Danish: Bakken, in Klampenborg, Denmark, opened in 1583. The oldest in the U.S. is Lake Compounce in Bristol, Conn., which opened in 1846. Some of the greatest family memories come from theme park visits, and the world has plenty to offer. From big park giants such as Legoland and Disney (both have 5 parks across the globe), to traditional parks like Hershey and Cedar Pointe, there is something for every family. (Romania even has plans to create a Dracula theme park.) We take a look at 5 of the best parks in the world.

Busch Gardens

With locations in Williamsburg, Va., and Tampa, Fla., Busch Gardens is ideal for people who prefer real animals to people dressed up as them. Both parks have plenty of rides and attractions for white-knuckle thrill seekers, but with an emphasis on nature.

Busch Gardens in Tampa has an Africa theme with its Serengeti Plain wildlife area, where elephants, rhinos, zebras and antelope roam over 29 acres. Visitors can zoom around the Serengeti on the Serengeti Express Railway or head to Rhino Rally, where you can go off-roading in an open-air Land Rover. 

The Williamsburg park is known for its nausea-inducing roller coasters. The park is divided into nine European “hamlets” that celebrate English, Scottish, German and Italian culture. Since Virginia is too cold for zebras and elephants, Busch Gardens Williamsburg has Jack Hann’s Wild Reserve, where guests can spot wolves and lorikeets. 

Disney

There’s a reason why when most people think of “theme park” they think of Disney. Nobody does it better. All five locations (Anaheim, CA, Orlando, FL, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris) are staggeringly huge and have everything from rides, games, restaurants, animals and water parks to learning centers and spas, all with the backdrop of the familiar mouse.

Walt Disney World in Orlando consists of four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios. Disneyland in Anaheim added California Adventure Park that taps into the Golden State’s obsession with outdoor thrills. Despite a bumpy beginning, Euro Disney eventually became a beloved attraction, it is now renamed Disneyland Paris. Disney is even bigger in Japan. Today Tokyo Disneyland is the most visited amusement park in the world. 

Everland

South Korea’s first theme park opened in 1976 as Yongin Farmland. It was bought by a division of Samsung and transformed into the Everland theme park. It is now the fifth most popular theme park in the world, beating out Epcot, Disney MGM and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Everland sprawls across 3,700 acres and consists of three theme parks: Festival World, Caribbean Bay and the Speedway. Festival World has 40 theme attractions as well as a zoo, plus seasonal festivals. Caribbean Bay has both indoor and outdoor water facilities, and Speedway offers racing courses. 

Parc Asterix

Francophiles, fans of the popular French cartoon character Asterix or families seeking a theme park experience without mouse ears should head to Parc Asterix, just north of Paris. The park features all the characters from the comic books and their playful twist on Gallic history and mythology. Rides are named Flight of Icarus, Caesar’s Spies, and Descent Along the Styx. 

Ratanga Junction
Ratanga Junction, just outside of Cape Town, is Africa’s first large-scale theme park. Ratanga is basically a park with a lot of rides, and with the falling rand it’s also one of the best bargains around. The park has over 26 rides, from nausea-inducing sheer drops to mellow rides for children and the faint of heart (or those who just had lunch).

The park has a white-water-rapids ride and several roller coasters, including the Tarantula and the Bar One Bushwacker. The Hippo Hollow area is especially for younger children and has a Ferris wheel and crocodile boats. Ratanga also has its own cast of characters, with British names like Archibald Bird and Lady Cynthia Bird. Another added bonus is that Ratanga Junction is located next to Canal Walk, the largest regional shopping center in Africa. 

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