A tour of the world’s best amusement parks

May 23, 2011 5:57:38 AM

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When we found out that Lonely Planet reader Lisa Scheinin had visited more than 500 amusement parks (and ridden more than 1300 roller coasters in 36 countries on six continents), we had to ask: which ones are her favourites? Here are just a few:

Amusement parks may be the most overlooked of all travel destinations. Most people are familiar with the Disney parks, but there are plenty of lesser-known, safe, clean and surprisingly entertaining parks in every corner of the world that are worth a visit. And they’re not just for kids.

Today’s amusement parks have moved way beyond the uninspired collections of carnival rides, greasy food and dubious games of chance of sixty years ago. Are you looking for great rides, beautifully themed areas, old-time atmosphere or something utterly unique? Here are a few parks from around the world that can stand up to any cathedral, palace or museum.

If you’re looking for fun (lots of rides, great theming, or both):

Europa Park, Rust, Germany: You’ll feel like you’ve visited thirteen European countries. The theming is elaborate and the food and rides are top notch.
Everland, Suwon, South Korea: Korea’s largest park has tons of rides (including Korea’s only wooden coaster) and an entertaining drive-through animal park.
Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida, Japan: One of Japan’s most avant-garde parks. There are coasters of every conceivable type, an appropriately scary walk-through haunted house, and a magnificent view of Mt Fuji.
Happy Valley parks, China: Find them in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Shenzhen (more are planned), each with elaborate theming and gleaming new rides. The Beijing branch is perhaps the most striking.
Holiday World, Santa Claus, Indiana, USA: This holiday-themed park has not one but three Top Ten-ranked wooden coasters, and has been ranked #1 for cleanliness and friendliness in enthusiast surveys. Santa is in residence year-round.
Knoebel’s Amusement Resort, Elysburg, Pennsylvania, USA: This rural park is like a blast from the past. Excellent coasters, one of the world’s best dark rides, and one of the few carousels where you can still grab for the brass ring.
Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden: The out-of-you-seats wooden coaster Balder is a favourite of coaster fans worldwide. The walk-through Hotel Gasten (Ghost Hotel) yields some genuine scares.
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England: This old-time, non-themed amusement park has an endearing jumble of rides, including four wooden coasters and one of the world’s few Derby Racers (an intense carousel-like ride).
Tivoli, Copenhagen, Denmark: Rides, fine dining and a magical atmosphere converge in this park in the heart of Copenhagen. Don’t miss the old-time funhouse and the brakeman-driven scenic railway.
Tripsdrill, Cleebronn, Germany: Clever theming, fun rides and little surprises are the rule here, from the Bathtub Flume to the Vinarium (wine museum).
Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan: There’s no formulaic castle or Main Street at this unique, water-oriented Disney park. The elaborate theming is absolutely stunning.
Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida: Another park with just the right blend of great rides and fabulous theming- especially the unique Dr Seuss and Harry Potter areas (drink a butterbeer!).

If you’re looking for something truly unique:

Bonbon-Land, Holme-Olstrup, Denmark: This park continues the body-function humour that its candy company founder began. The results are occasionally hilarious—like the Hundeprutte Rutschebanen (Dog Fart Coaster). You can buy Hundeprutte candy- a salty, sour liquorice – too.
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Formula One fans will love the racing theme, and everyone can get blown away on Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest coaster (in 2011).
Kansai Cycle Sports Center, Kawachi-Nagano, Japan: Everything in this rural park south of Osaka hinges on cycling. You even have to pedal the coaster and the carousel.
Prater, Vienna, Austria: An eclectic mix of modern and classic rides from the horse-powered carousel to the Riesenrad – an immense Ferris Wheel built in 1897.
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas, USA: This immense, extraordinary water park makes superb use of the Comal River flowing through it.
Suoi Tien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Rides take a back seat to relaxation here. The grounds are dotted with real temples, contemplative grottoes and interesting statuary. And you can feed the crocodiles.
Tibidabo, Barcelona, Spain: High on a hill, this park mixes magnificent views with an eclectic collection of rides, some of which exist nowhere else in the world.
Xetulul, Retalhuleu, Guatemala: This surprisingly elaborate gem in the jungle is deservedly Guatemala’s biggest tourist attraction. There’s an adjacent water park and erupting volcano.

Further reading: You can get information about these and hundreds of other parks at the Roller Coaster Database. US travel editor Robert Reid has also written about his favourite theme parks in North America.

Lisa Scheinin MD lives near Los Angeles, California and supports her travel and park habit by working as a forensic pathologist.

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Comments

26 May 2011 8:26PM bzookaj Report this comment
Any list that does not include Cedar Point is not worth reading.
31 May 2011 8:59PM hijackt Report this comment
If Cedar Point isn't in there then you don't know what you're talking about.
1 June 2011 1:27AM ams3651 Report this comment
You forgot to mention Knoebels has won Golden Ticket awards the last several years for their excellent food. Everything from the traditional to Buffalo steaks. They also have a great large pool and campgrounds.
1 June 2011 3:33AM mister_d Report this comment
If the websites are any indication of the merit of these selections then this list is very flawed. The top three look fairly lame. I stopped checking after that.
1 June 2011 6:56AM webofficer Report this comment
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, is among the best thrill rides in the world, is a must go!
1 June 2011 2:09PM phoenix85 Report this comment
bzookaj & hijackt - While Cedar Point is a fine park, there is good chance there are 10 or more parks across the entire planet that might be better. Do not get me wrong, I love going to Cedar Point, but I have found 9 parks in the U.S. I like better. Some of these parks were complete surprises to me. Considering there are so many historic, thrill, and new parks across Europe and Asia I would not be surprised if I ended up liking at least one or two better than the great Cedar Point.
1 June 2011 2:25PM phoenix85 Report this comment
mister_d - A lame website is an indication of a bad web design, or maybe a design that a design that appeals to a local target audience but not necessarily everyone. While that may not help attract some people to come to the park, a web design has no true connection to how an amusement park is designed, how the rides & attractions are operated, or how park staff treats their guests.
One thing to remember that many of these parks are on different continents and different cultures are involved. I am sure all of these sites are designed to appeal to their local area and culture. That does not mean the park is not a first class operation, but it may mean the park simply knows how to market itself to its target audience.
1 June 2011 3:30PM bluestreak Report this comment
Cedar Point has long lines, expensive food and too much concrete - all negatives. And without the big coasters, it is simply an average park in a wonderful location. Besides that park, it would be necessary to mention Six Flags Magic Mountain, although the author avoided both. The author has more world park experience than anyone reading this. Of the American parks, she also missed Kennywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, Hersheypark, Morey’s, the historically important Rye Playland and Denver’s Lakeside, as well as Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and both Busch Parks, among others. How they rank internationally is something only a few can discuss. Obviously these lists are not easy to put together, but anyone who believes that Cedar Point is the center of the universe should travel more. Having been to well over 250 parks, I can say in all honesty, it isn't.
3 June 2011 11:13PM kunmingirl Report this comment
Variety is very nice, and of course one must have a wide and deep world view internationally, but ... I really love Disneyland. The first, the real one, in Anaheim, California. The rides, the themes, the thoroughness of fantasy, the costumes, the way everything conspires to make me believe that Disneyland is really the happiest place of earth! It's true the food is expensive and bad, but since becoming a vegetarian 39 years ago I take my own sandwiches anyway....What can I say? Even after some 30+ (I'm 56) visits, I still just love it!
6 June 2011 3:36PM karlita Report this comment
If a person were concerned about the variety & number of quality thrill rides alone, Cedar Point in Ohio should absolutely be included!
7 June 2011 6:11AM lsmd Report this comment
When LP asked me to write this, I was given a very strict word limit. To stick to it, I originally didn't include any American parks--my intention was to call attention to more international destinations. They then asked me to pick TWO American parks and upped the word limit a bit. Now, how can you just pick TWO of all the excellent parks out there? Impossible! Luckily they allowed me to add four, but in any case I knew that people would be screaming about the ones I DIDN'T pick. While Cedar Point, Magic Mountain, Kings Island, etc., are all very worthy parks, I opted for those that had a unique, ultra-friendly, homey or old-time aura. The quality of a park is not determined solely but the number of rides it has.
7 June 2011 6:18AM lsmd Report this comment
Oh, BTW, mister_d, these lists are in alphabetical order. They are not Top Ten lists.