From fun-filled American attractions to a world of entertainment in the Middle East, discover the best water and amusement parks for summer.
With summer fast approaching, fun days out with the family are a must. And what could be more fun than a day at an amusement park? Or more refreshing than hopping in the pool at any number of water parks? Whether you’re looking for ideas for a trip close to home or already planning your holiday abroad, water and amusement parks are always a popular summer option for the whole family.
Read on to discover 10 of the best theme parks in the world that are ideal for summer.
1. PortAventura World, Salou, Spain
Want to add some action to your city trip to Barcelona or your beach holiday on the Costa Dorada? Explore the sensational PortAventura World, just outside Salou and less than a 90-minute drive from Barcelona. This world of adventure consists of three parks and guarantees days of fun. The original PortAventura opened in 1995 and is one of Spain’s most popular amusement parks. There are six themed areas, from the Mediterranean to the Wild West, where you’ll find jaw-dropping rollercoasters such as the Shambala and the Dragon Khan. Angkor and Silver River. With over 40 rides and daily shows, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
And then there’s Ferrari Land, entirely dedicated to the famous car brand. Here you can take a ride on the fastest and highest roller coaster in Europe: the Red Force. It goes 367ft high at a maximum speed of 112mph. For those who love Formula 1, there’s also an F1 simulator where you get to feel like a professional racecar driver! The Italian atmosphere completes the Ferrari experience.
From the end of May to mid-September, the Caribe Aquatic Park is the ideal place to cool off from the hot Spanish sun. This 12-acre Caribbean-themed water park features swimming pools, sandy beaches, green areas, palm trees and, of course, water attractions, such as Barrucadas and King Khajuna; the latter is the highest waterslide in Europe.
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2. Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles, USA
America likes to think big and it’s no different when it comes to amusement parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain, more than half an hour’s drive from Los Angeles, is the amusement park with the most rollercoasters in the world thanks to its 20 rollercoasters. It’s heaven for daredevils. The Full Throttle is a record-breaking example as the tallest and fastest looping rollercoaster in the world. It’ll take you from 0 to 70mph in a heartbeat (no less than three times), zipping along a loop rising 160ft high in the sky.
The recently opened Wonder Woman is the park’s 20th roller coaster and offers visitors a fantastically fast and breathtaking experience. Want to cool off after all this tension? Go to Six Flags Hurricane Harbour, the summer water park where you can enjoy thrilling waterslides, wave pools and mini-pools for the little ones. The water park is open from the end of May to the end of September.
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3. Universal Studios Hollywood, USA
Are you a fan of the silver screen? Well, then Universal Studios Hollywood is an unmissable stop on your trip to Los Angeles. This famous American amusement park is located in Hollywood’s oldest and most important film studio, where memorable scenes from iconic films such as Jaws, Back to the Future and Jurassic Park were shot. Take the train on the famous Studio Tour and go on a one-hour journey through the movies that made Hollywood history.
Another must-see is the area dedicated to the magical world of Harry Potter, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can fly on a Hippogriff and explore Hogwarts on a broomstick. And then there are the spectacular stunt shows, including Water World, packed with action and special effects, which will transport you into a world of water and fire.
Don’t miss the new Land, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, which opened in February this year. Cross the iconic green tube and enter the magical Mushroom Kingdom of Super Mario Bros. A colorful and avant-garde themed area, it has new attractions along with services and restaurants from the world of Mario, Luigi and Peach. Highlights include Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge, a high-tech attraction that mixes augmented reality with a real track.
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4. Walt Disney World Resort®, Orlando, USA
For even more thrills and family fun, head to the US East Coast. Just outside Orlando, Florida sits the magical Walt Disney World Resort® with no fewer than six Disney parks. This is the destination for a complete family holiday with theme parks, golf, water activities, shopping, dining and so much more. The resort’s most iconic theme park is Magic Kingdom, which dates from 1971. See Cinderella’s Castle, meet your favorite Disney characters on Main Street and discover plenty of rides, from thrilling rollercoasters to carousels for the little ones.
Need to cool off from the Florida heat? Then go to one of two water parks –Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Here, you can swim in the world’s largest open-air wave pool and slide down spectacular slides. A day here is a dream come true for many, but for the ultimate experience, we recommend that you make it a multi-day holiday. This will also give you the chance to try out one of the 33 Disney resorts.
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5. Yas Waterworld, Abu Dhabi, UAE
This is one of the parks on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi’s famous entertainment island. Temperatures in the UAE can really go off the charts in the warmer months, so what could be better than cooling off with over 40 water slides and splash-heavy attractions? Yas Waterworld is so big you can go back to it over and over without it getting boring. Best of all, there is something for everyone. From adrenaline-pumping slides to 100% relaxation, from pool surfing experiences to an entire zone just for kids. A must for the adventurous is Dawwama, the largest tornado slide in the world, with a whirling drop from 65ft high. The Liwa Loop, with its free-fall simulation, is another slide not for the faint-hearted, whereas Cinesplash is a 5D-cinema experience the whole family can enjoy.
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6. Land of Legends, Antalya, Turkey
Close to Belek is The Land of Legends, which has been dubbed the ‘Disneyland of Antalya’. This popular amusement park really has it all. The Adventure Land themed area includes more than 20 rides and rollercoasters. The highlight of this is the Hyper Coaster, a wild 71mph ride that reaches up to 203ft in height – that’s more than a 30-storey building. But there are also attractions for the little ones, such as the colorful Flying Carpet or the 5D cinema.
And then there’s the huge water park, with over 50 attractions, making The Land of Legends the ideal destination for refreshing fun on a hot summer day. The Aqua Land area has slides for the whole family, an animal area where you can swim with dolphins, an infinity pool where you can relax in sea water and many other experiences. But if you’re looking for adrenaline, Secret Lagoon is the place for you. With slides designed for the more adventurous, this section of the park won’t disappoint.
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7. Acqua Plus, Crete, Greece
Located 25 minutes’ drive from the center of Heraklion, Acqua Plus is the perfect destination for a day of family fun. Crete’s largest water park is divided into two zones: an area for the more adventurous with many thrilling attractions, and an area entirely dedicated to children and relaxation. As if the fun wasn’t enough, Acqua Plus has a beautiful setting, one on top of a hill from where you can enjoy a beautiful panorama, and the other in a well-tended garden, with plants and flowers typical of the area. Giants of Terror is the ultimate adrenaline-pumping experience as the tallest water slide in the country, with a descent from a height of 75ft and a speed of up to 75mph. In the children’s area, there are also relaxing pools and rides, including the classic Lazy River, hot tub and main pool. Finally, with its themed slides for the little ones and water playground, it’s hard to find a better water park than this.
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8. Xel-Há, Riviera Maya, Mexico
Twenty minutes’ drive from Tulum is the best adventure park on the Riviera Maya, Xel-Há. It’s loved by nature lovers and adventure seekers alive. The park offers a wide range of activities, both in the water and on land, and is fun for all ages. You can snorkel among hundreds of species of colorful fish and discover the underwater world in the caves. To relax, float down the Río Xel-Há in a pool before jumping off the 16ft-high rock Piedra del Valor or taking a zipline across the water. Or enjoy the views of the surroundings from the 98ft-high lighthouse before whooshing down the slide.
Afterwards, you can take walks through the forests and learn about Maya culture. And if you fancy a bite, stop for lunch at one of the restaurants included in the entrance fee. After lunch, simply jump back into the turquoise water.
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9. Acquafan, Riccione, Italy
Italy’s most famous water park is ideal for a day with friends or family. The Aquafan in Riccione has more than 2 miles of slides and attractions for all ages. Extreme River is a slide that’s made history – it was the first in Europe to exploit the force of gravity with a 52ft drop. The StrizzaCool, on the other hand, promises a whirlwind fall with your companions in boats for three and four people. The park’s main pool, the Wave Pool, with its swirling waters, appeals to everyone, while the Elephant Pool guarantees fun and safety for even the smallest. And, being in Riccione, Aquafan naturally has a party atmosphere, too. With its DJ events and concerts, it’s the perfect place for a summer evening.
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10. Splash Jungle Water Park, Phuket, Thailand
During your trip to Phuket, Thailand, a day at the Splash Jungle Water Park should definitely be on your schedule. Whether you come for a day full of watery fun or to relax, it’s all possible here. Slide through the Super Bowl alone or as a couple or experience the thrill of the Boomerango, where you race through a dark tube before being launched from 30ft high. Afterwards, you can recover from all the tension on the Lazy River. Float at your leisure down the 1099ft-long river soaking up the jungle atmosphere around you. There’s also an exciting wave pool – with continuous supervision and life jackets for the little ones. Thanks to the various bars and cafes scattered around the park, you don’t have to worry about food either.
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Thanks a lot for this information. Students really like to visit amusement parks as there is do much to do and have fun.