Amusement parks are magical places where dreams come true, adrenaline rushes through the veins, and memories are created that last a lifetime. The criteria for choosing the best amusement parks in the world can vary from person to person. From the endless thrill of roller coasters to the magic of theme parks, zoos, and the most exciting VR rides, these parks around the world offer something special for every visitor. In this extensive guide, we explore the world’s top amusement parks, sharing their unique attractions, exciting experiences, and why they are a must-visit destination for thrill seekers.
Disneyland | California, United States of America
Location: Anaheim, California, USA
Area: Approximately 510 hectares
Disneyland California attractions: Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park
Disneyland in California, United States, is one of the most iconic and popular theme park destinations in the world. Here is an overview of what you can expect at Disneyland Resort:
Disneyland Park
The original Disneyland theme park, opened in 1955 by Walt Disney himself, is divided into several themed lands, such as Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and New Orleans Square. Each land offers its own attractions, entertainment, dining, and shopping experiences.
Disney California Adventure Park
Adjacent to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure offers a more modern Disney experience with lands like Buena Vista Avenue, Hollywood Land, Pixar Pier, Grizzly Peak, and Cars Land. Highlights include thrilling rides like Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout and the Incredicoaster, as well as rides based on Disney and Pixar films.
Downtown Disney area
This vibrant outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment district connects Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park. It features a variety of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues, making it a popular place for visitors to relax and enjoy themselves before or after their theme park adventures.
Disneyland Resort Hotels
There are three official Disneyland Resort hotels: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Staying at these hotels provides convenient access to the parks and exclusive benefits like extra magic hours for early entry to select attractions.
Seasonal events and celebrations
Throughout the year, Disneyland Resort hosts a variety of seasonal events and celebrations, such as Halloween, Holidays at Disneyland Resort, Lunar New Year, and the Food and Wine Festival at Disney California Adventure Park. These events feature special entertainment, themed decorations, and unique culinary experiences.
Disneyland Resort Development
In recent years, the Disneyland Resort has undergone expansions and updates, including the addition of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, an immersive land set in the Star Wars universe with attractions such as Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance .
Overall, Disneyland Resort continues to captivate guests of all ages with its enchanting storytelling, beloved characters, thrilling attractions and magical experiences, making it a must-visit destination for Disney fans and families from around the world.
Walt Disney | Florida, United States of America
Address: Orlando, Florida, United States of America
Area: More than 25,000 hectares
Attractions: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, USA, is one of the largest and most visited vacation destinations in the world. Here is an overview of what you can experience at Walt Disney World Resort:
Magic Kingdom Park
Modeled after Disneyland in California, the Magic Kingdom is the core of Disneyland, featuring iconic lands such as Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. It is home to classic attractions such as Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion.
EPCOT
Originally conceived as a future demonstration community, EPCOT is divided into two main sections: Future World and World Showcase. Future World explores technological innovations and features attractions such as Test Track and Soarin’, while World Showcase showcases cultures from around the world through pavilions featuring dining, shopping, and entertainment.
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The park shares the magic of film, television and entertainment. Featured attractions include Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (with Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Escape and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance), Toy Story Land (with Slinky Dog Dash and Toy Story Mania), and the thrilling Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
A unique blend of traditional theme park attractions and wildlife preserves, Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers experiences such as Kilimanjaro Safari (an African safari ride), Expedition Everest (a high-speed roller coaster), and Pandora – The World of Avatar (including Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey).
Disney Resort Hotels
Walt Disney World Resort offers a wide range of accommodations from value-for-money resorts to luxury resorts, each with its own theme and amenities. Staying at a Disney resort comes with perks like transportation to the parks, extra magic hours, and an all-inclusive theme.
Special events and festivals
Throughout the year, Walt Disney World Resort hosts seasonal events and festivals such as the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and the Very Pretty Mickey’s Christmas Party.
Walt Disney World Florida offers a diverse range of experiences for guests of all ages and interests, from thrilling attractions and beautifully immersive lands to world-class dining and entertainment. Walt Disney World Florida is a destination that captivates millions of visitors each year with its magic and creativity.
Tokyo Disney | Tokyo Japan
Location: Urayasu, Chiba, Japan
Area: Approximately 494 hectares
Things to see: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo Disney Resort is a popular amusement park located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, just outside Tokyo. It consists of two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as well as hotels and shopping/dining complexes.
Tokyo Disneyland: This park is similar to Disneyland parks in other parts of the world, featuring classic Disney attractions, parades, and themed lands such as Adventureland, Fantasyland, Futureland, and Creature Land.
Tokyo DisneySea: Known for its unique marine and adventure attractions including Journey to the Center of the Earth and Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull, Tokyo DisneySea offers a more mature and immersive experience compared to Tokyo Disneyland. It features seven themed ports including Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, and Arabian Shore.
Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels: Tokyo Disney Resort has several themed hotels that cater to different budgets and preferences and offer convenient access to the theme parks and resorts.
Ikspiari: This is a shopping, dining, and entertainment complex located adjacent to the parks, providing more options for visitors.
Events and Seasons: Tokyo DisneySea Tokyo hosts seasonal events throughout the year, such as Halloween and Christmas celebrations, as well as special parades and fireworks displays.
Visitors can easily access Tokyo Disney Resort via public transportation from central Tokyo, making it a popular destination for locals and international tourists seeking a magical Disney experience in Japan.
Universal Studios Orlando | Florida, United States of America
Location: Orlando, Florida, United States of America
Area: Approximately 541 hectares
Things to see: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure
Universal Studios Orlando is a famous amusement park located in Orlando, Florida, United States. This large American amusement park includes numerous attractions, theme parks, hotels, and entertainment venues. Here are some of the key elements of Universal Studios Orlando:
Attractions at Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida: This theme park features rides and attractions based on popular movies and TV shows. Highlights include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Transformers: The Ride 3D, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and Revenge of the Mummy.
Universal’s Islands of Adventure: Known for its thrilling rides and themed lands based on mythology, cartoons, and superheroes. Key areas include: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, Marvel’s Island of Super Heroes, Jurassic Park, and Seuss Landing.
Universal’s Volcano Bay: A tropical-themed water park with thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and a towering artificial volcano called Krakatoa. It offers a variety of attractions suitable for all ages.
Hotels: Universal Studios Orlando is home to a wide range of hotels that cater to visitors of all budgets and preferences, such as the Universal Cabanas Beach Resort, the Loews Royal Pacific Resort, and the Hard Rock Hotel Orlando. Stays at these hotels often include perks like early park admission and free transportation to the parks.
Universal CityWalk Orlando: This bustling dining, shopping, and entertainment complex serves as a gateway between the parking garages and theme parks. It features numerous restaurants, nightclubs, shops, and a 20-screen movie theater.
Special Events and Seasons: Universal Studios Orlando hosts a variety of seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Mardi Gras celebrations, and holiday-themed events that offer unique entertainment experiences.
Universal Studios Orlando is a popular destination for families, thrill seekers and pop culture fans, offering a mix of immersive experiences, thrilling rides and diverse entertainment options for visitors of all ages.
Universal Studios Japan | Osaka, Japan
Location: Osaka, Japan
Area: Approximately 108 hectares
Attractions: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is a large theme park in Osaka, Japan. Universal Studios Japan is another of the largest theme parks in the world and offers a variety of attractions, entertainment, and themed experiences. Here is an overview of what you can expect at Universal Studios Japan:
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter: A major attraction at USJ with Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts Castle. Visitors can experience rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and explore shops like Ollivanders Wand Shop and Honeydukes.
Universal Wonderland: This area caters primarily to younger visitors, featuring attractions based on popular characters such as Hello Kitty, Sesame Street, and Snoopy.
Hollywood: Reflecting the glamour of Hollywood, this section features attractions inspired by movies and entertainment, including the Hollywood Dream – Ride and Terminator 2, which is shown in 3D.
Jurassic Park: Based on the iconic film series, the area features attractions such as Jurassic Park – The Ride, where visitors encounter dinosaurs and thrilling water-based adventures.
Minion Park: Dedicated to the lovable Minions from the Despicable Me films, it offers Minion-themed attractions, shops and eateries.
USJ has a wide range of attractions, from thrill rides to shows and immersive experiences based on popular movies and characters. Some notable rides include: Flying Dinosaur (a flying roller coaster), Space Fantasy – The Ride (a space-themed roller coaster) and JAWS (based on the classic film).
Similar to other Universal Studios parks, USJ hosts seasonal events such as Halloween Horror Nights, Christmas celebrations, and character-themed events throughout the year. These events often include special shows, parades, and themed and annual decorations.
Shopping and Dining: The park offers a variety of dining options, from themed restaurants to quick-service eateries and snack stands. Visitors can also purchase souvenirs, merchandise and unique items related to their favorite Universal Studios Japan attractions.
Accommodation: While there are no hotels at Universal Studios Japan itself, there are several hotels in the vicinity of the park, providing convenient access for visitors looking to extend their stay.
Universal Studios Japan is a popular destination for both locals and international tourists looking for a combination of thrilling rides, immersive themed experiences, and entertainment based on popular films and characters from Universal Studios’ extensive collection.
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is known as one of the largest theme parks in Asia, covering an area of approximately 108 hectares. Known for its rich attractions and feel-good events, the theme park attracts millions of visitors annually.
Everland Resort | South Korea
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Area: Approximately 1580 hectares
Highlights: T-Express, Lost Valley, Caribbean Bay
Orland Resort is South Korea’s largest amusement park, offering a combination of thrilling rides, family-friendly attractions, and a water park.
Overland Theme Park: Famous for the T-Express (one of the steepest wooden roller coasters), Lost Valley Safari, and the Four Seasons Garden.
Caribbean Bay: Features water slides, wave pools, and relaxation areas for visitors to experience the ultimate thrill of cool water fun.
