Worldwide the gates of theme parks worldwide are fit to burst with customers eager for an adrenaline rush, some candy floss and that rare sensation of throwing the basketball through the narrow hoop.

1. Top 10 theme parks
Top lists

2. What’s this all about?
Worldwide the gates of theme parks are fit to burst with
customers eager for an adrenaline rush, some candy floss
and that rare sensation of throwing the basketball through
the narrow hoop.
Whilst theme parks each have their unique features,
attractions and rides, we’ve taken a look at 10 of the best
theme parks in the whole world and why a visit to either will
provide a memorable stay.

3. 10. Alton Towers - England
Whether it’s the experience of flying on Air, or the stomach-
lurching drop of Oblivion, Alton Towers has kept us on the
edge of our seats for years.
Alton Towers located in the heart of the Staffordshire
County, introduced the Corkscrew roller coaster to European
theme parks. Since then, it has seen the rise of Rita, the Dark
racetrack, the hypnotic Smiler, which holds the record for
the most inversions on a roller coaster, and of course the
infamous Nemesis.

4. 9. Beto Carrero World - Brazil
Amongst the largest theme parks in South America, Beto
Carrero World, was founded in 2008 and its yearly annual
attendance has risen every year since its inception.
Covering a vast landscape of 14 square kilometres, the Fire
Whip, Big Tower and Star Mountain are the main roller
coaster features, but the feature that makes Beto Carrerro
so singular is that it also has a moto cross track and
international karting track.

5. 8. Ocean Park - China
Ocean Park provides a compelling contrast in dizzying roller
coasters with preservation education. Opened in 1977, it was
the first theme park to artificially inseminate bottlenose
dolphins, a unique moment in the history of theme parks
which can be heard about on the rides.
For those looking for reprieve from the need-for-speed, the
North Pole bob sleigh ride offers information on walruses
and arctic foxes before you are swallowed by the world’s
largest aquarium dome. More than 5,000 fish!

6. 7. Efteling Park - Netherlands
Since opening in 1952 Efteling remains the largest theme
park in the Netherlands. It is one of the busiest theme
parks in Europe and one of the oldest theme parks in the
world.
Originally a nature preserve, modernity has since seen
roller coasters introduced at the theme park such as Bird
Rok, where you are plunged into darkness and hunted by
the Vogel, and new this year, the Baron 1898, a freefall into
a mineshaft.

7. 6. PortAventura Park - Spain
PortAventura Park is Spain’s premier theme park and one of
the most visited theme parks in Europe, with roughly four
million visitors per year.
A roller coaster feast, this is one of the theme parks
adrenaline junkies must experience. A huge amount of rides
may take more than just one trip to complete, with Shambala
and Furious Baco the fastest of the bunch at a spine-tingling
83 miles per hour.

8. 5. Magic Kingdom, Orlando - USA
The first of two theme parks from Orlando, Florida, to
feature in the top five theme parks is Magic Kingdom.
Unique and enchanting, this was the first of four Walt
Disney World Resort theme parks built in Florida,
originating in 1971.
A truly magical place, with memorable rides such as Big
Thunder Mountain and the Haunted Mansion, the Magic
Kingdom is the place where theme park dreams come
true.

9. 4. Discovery Cove - USA
Discovery Cove may not fall in line with traditional theme
parks, with nothing in the way of rides, but what it does
offer is a consistently sensational experience to
differentiate itself from other theme parks.
Swimming with dolphins, snorkelling with tropical fish, an
underwater walk on the sea floor and interacting with
animals are only some of the breath-taking highlights of
this theme park.

10. 3. Cedar Point - USA
The 15th largest of the theme parks in North America,
Ohio’s Cedar Point is naturally intriguing given its slogan of
‘Roller Coaster Capital of the World’.
Roller coaster fans will be glassy eyed as they enter Cedar
Point, arguably the best in this theme parks list for thrills,
with Mangum XL-200, Mantis and Millennium Force barely
covering the rides beginning with ‘M’ on the list.

11. 2. Europa Park - Germany
Germany’s undisputed king of theme parks, Europa Park has
clearly captured people’s imagination, with attendance rising
yearly over the last five years.
Reviews are endlessly positive for Europa Park, which hosts
12 roller coasters. Whilst Discovery Cove limits visitors to
accommodate the atmosphere, Europa Park differs from
some theme parks by featuring very high capacity
rollercoasters.

12. 1. Disneyland Park - USA
A top theme park list without Disneyland would be
borderline sacrilegious and Disneyland Park, originally
Disneyland, is the pride of Anaheim, California.
Disneyland is one of the theme parks that pack an
emotional punch as soon as you walk in, the first highlight
inevitably the escapism element of revisiting your
favourite childhood Disney characters.

13. What now?
Want to read the full travel guide?
For access to all the top destinations, all you have to do is
visit our website or hit the link below!
Top 10 theme parks