There’s nothing quite like the thrill of being strapped into a roller coaster for an exhilarating ride. If you’re an amusem*nt park fan, you’re familiar with the fun and magic theme parks can provide for the whole family. As park enthusiasts ourselves, we’ve put together this list of the world’s best amusem*nt parks so you can discover your next bucket-list theme park. From record-breaking roller coasters and dynamite shows to magical themes and unique locations, below you’ll find the best theme parks in the world!
Six Flags Magic Mountain, California, USA
Located in Valencia, just outside of Los Angeles, this exhilarating amusem*nt park has undoubtedly earned its nickname as the “Thrill Capital of the World.” Six Flags Magic Mountain holds the record for the most roller coasters in the world, boasting 20 adrenaline-pumping coasters for visitors. Its newest coaster, Wonder Woman Flight of Courage, is the longest and fastest single-rail coaster in the world and takes riders up 13 stories before flying them through the sky at speeds of up to 58 miles per hour (93 kilometers per hour).
Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE
If you want to fly fast like Charles LeClerc, you don’t need to be in a Ferrari—just visit Ferrari World! Ferrari World is a Ferrari-themed amusem*nt park featuring the world’s fastest roller coaster, the Formula Rossa, which holds the Guinness World Record for going from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in two seconds and reaching speeds of 240 km/h (149.1 mph) in under five seconds. Visitors will find over 40 thrilling rides throughout the park, as well as restaurants, shops, and shows sure to entertain the whole family.
Buy tickets to Ferrari World here
Alton Towers, UK
Alton Towers, located north of Birmingham, has been serving up family fun and thrills since the 1980s and is the UK’s biggest theme park. The park boasts over 40 awesome rides for all ages, including several record-breaking coasters such as the Smiler, the world’s first 14-loop roller coaster that’s sure to leave you spinning afterward. Alton Towers also boasts a waterpark and the Alton Towers Dungeon, a fear-filled and comical 45-minute boat ride where riders will experience five different shows as they float down the Black River.
Buy tickets to Alton Towers here
PortAventura Park, Spain
As Spain’s largest and first theme park, PortAventura is well worth the visit for those heading to Barcelona. The park boasts some seriously awesome rides with over five kilometers of roller coaster tracks and six themed areas with a focus on global lands, such as China, Mexico, Polynesia, the Mediterranean, the Far West, and Sesame Street. This fantastic seaside park and resort offers over 50 rides for the family to enjoy, as well as a variety of restaurants and new shows every season. They also host special themed events around Christmas, Easter, Carnival, Halloween, and summer.
Buy ticket to PortAventura Park here
Xcaret Park, Mexico
One of the most unique theme parks in the world is Xcaret Park in Mexico. As a waterfront eco-archaeological park, Xcaret offers a range of outdoor fun all set in the jungle, caves, and rivers located south of Cancun. This outdoor paradise offers plenty to see and do for visitors, including a coral reef aquarium, a butterfly aquarium, an aviary, Children’s World, Jaguar Island, swimming in underground rivers, hiking paths, natural ocean pools, and raft boat rides. Several additional experiences can be added onto a day pass, such as parasailing, stingray encounters, swimming with dolphins, shaman ceremonies, and snorkeling tours.
Buy ticket to Xcaret Park here
Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, USA
Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is where childhood dreams come to life. Disney World is known for its character-themed rides and entertainment, providing family fun for the young and young at heart. There are several themed areas throughout the park, including Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which boasts rides like the Moana-themed Journey of Water experience, the Star Wars-themed Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride, and Space Mountain. In true Disney form, visitors will also get the chance to meet characters from their favorite TV shows and movies through parades and character meet-and-greets!
Efteling, Netherlands
Efteling is a fairy-tale-themed amusem*nt park located an hour’s drive from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. As one of Europe’s biggest theme parks, Efteling saw over five million tourists in 2022. Visitors can explore ornate gardens, hop on over 30 rides, or discover themed areas like Fairytale Forest, a 15-acre forest area with paths to hunt down a dozen fairy-tale characters and scenes. While there are plenty of rides for little ones, more mature riders can get a fun-tastic thrill on the Baron 1898, a dive coaster that will have you plummeting into a mineshaft at 90 kilometers per hour (56 miles per hour)!
Universal Studios Japan, Japan
This is an outstanding theme park for fans of American movies and TV, as the park is owned by Universal Studios and features themed areas like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minions, and most recently, the addition of Super Nintendo World. Visitors can take a spin on several heart-pumping themed rides like the Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge; sign up for extra experiences, such as a Hippogriff Magic Lesson; and meet their favorite characters from Sesame Street, Minions, and more. Universal Studios Japan has over 60 rides and 10 themed areas in the Osaka-based park, making it a fun-filled day for the whole family.
Buy ticket to Universal Studios Japan here
Europa-Park, Germany
Europa-Park is Germany’s largest amusem*nt park, boasting over 100 rides spread across 20 themed areas representing various countries and regions across Europe. With several thrill rides like the Wodan Timbur Coaster and Voltron Nevera, plus a water park with over 20 waterslides for all ages, you and your group are sure to have a blast and may even want to stay a few days. If the rides aren’t enough to entice you, Europa-Park is also home to fantastic fine dining, several entertaining shows, and themed events.
Buy ticket to Europa-Park here
Universal Beijing Resort, China
Part of Universal Studios theme parks, Universal Beijing Resort took 20 years of planning and construction, but it finally opened in 2021 with Universal’s first Kung Fu Panda land. While the movie-themed park boasts excellent rides like the Decepticon Driller, one of the highlights is the Universal CityWalk Beijing, a large ticket-free entertainment area with several shops, entertainment, and restaurants. Visitors can explore well-loved themed areas, such as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Hollywood, Minion Land, Jurassic World Isla Nublar, and Transformers Metrobase, and hop on over 15 movie-themed rides.
IMG Worlds of Adventure, Dubai, UAE
If you’re a fan of Marvel or the Cartoon Network, chances are you’ll have a blast at IMG Worlds of Adventure in Dubai. Owned by IMG Group, this massive amusem*nt park is Dubai’s largest indoor theme park, boasting over 20 themed rides like the Avengers Battle of Ultron, Spider-Man Doc Ock’s Revenge, and The Powerpuff Girls Mojo Robot Rampage. Visitors can also enjoy several dining options, shopping, and character meet-and-greets with familiar faces like Thor, Spider-Man, Black Widow, Ben 10, and the Powerpuff Girls.
Buy ticket to IMG Worlds of Adventure here
Gröna Lund, Sweden
If you’re exploring Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, make sure to add Gröna Lund to your itinerary! Located in the heart of the city along the shores of Djurgården Island, this theme park offers a chance to catch a live concert, indulge your taste buds, compete in mini-games, or hop on one of 30 rides. Plenty of classic attractions can be found here, such as spinning tea cups, bumper cars, and kiddie coasters. The park also boasts some seriously thrilling rides for older visitors, such as Icarus, the Monster coaster, and the Insane roller coaster, where the seats spin freely on their axles as you twist and drop on the tracks!
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida, USA
Universal Studios owns five Universal theme parks, and while Universal Orlando Resort isn’t the first, it’s definitely one of the best. Not only is it home to more rides than any other Universal park (34 rides spread across two parks), but it also hosts several unique rides like Men in Black Alien Attack, Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, and Fast & Furious – Supercharged. Movie fans will find incredible themed areas throughout the park, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Seuss Landing, Illumination’s Minion Land, Hollywood, and Marvel Super Hero Island.
Buy ticket to Universal Orlando Resort here
Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan
Tokyo Disney Resort is a great amusem*nt park for Disney fans to visit, as the park boasts some of the best rides from Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, along with its own list of unique rides to discover. Spread across two parks, Tokyo Disney boasts around 30 rides, which puts it in second place behind Disneyland for the most rides at a Disney resort. Visitors will find familiar rides such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Splash Mountain, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and can explore unique Tokyo attractions like Goofy’s Paint ‘n’ Play House and Journey to the Center of the Earth.
Buy ticket to Tokyo Disney Resort here
Beto Carrero World, Brazil
There aren’t many theme parks where you can see a cabaret show, tour a zoo, experience horseback riding, and jump on over 100 rides and attractions, but at Beto Carrero World you can! Located in the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil, this is Latin America’s largest amusem*nt park. Visitors can explore nine themed sections of the amusem*nt park, including Beto Carrero World’s newest area, Nerf Mania. Some highlight rides include the FireWhip inverted roller coaster and Star Mountain, one of Latin America’s largest roller coasters.
Disneyland, California, USA
Disneyland Park in California is the original Disneyland, so you can bet it’s worth a visit. With more rides than any other Disney resort in the world (around 49 rides), Disneyland offers a range of classic rides that are sure to bring back nostalgic memories and entertain the kids. Visitors can hop on iconic Disney rides spread across two parks, such as Space Mountain, the Haunted Mansion, and It’s a Small World, or explore the park’s newer rides like the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Canada’s Wonderland, Canada
Canada’s Wonderland might be a surprising pick, but with over 200 rides and 17 roller coasters, we know firsthand you’ll have a blast at this theme park. Located in Vaughan, just north of Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland has some heart-pumping thrill rides for adrenaline junkies, including the Behemoth, Leviathan, and Yukon Striker—the world’s tallest, fastest, and steepest dive coaster. The park also boasts a water park, a small children’s area (Planet Snoopy), and live entertainment, such as the Victoria Falls dive show from Wonder Mountain.
Tivoli Gardens, Denmark
As one of the world’s longest-operating amusem*nt parks, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen has provided fun memories for generations of visitors. Built in 1843, the park has grown to over 30 rides set between historic buildings and vibrant gardens. One of the more unique rides is the Roller Coaster, one of the world’s oldest operating wooden coasters constructed in 1914. Tivoli Gardens is great for all ages, as there is a balance of thrill rides like The Golden Tower, along with gentler rides for little ones, such as the Music Carousel and the Galley Ships.
Buy ticket to Tivoli Gardens here
Gardaland Resort, Italy
Gardaland Resort sees over three million tourists every year, and for good reason. Visitors will find over 40 rides and shows throughout the park, including roller coasters, dark rides, and water rides spread across 64 acres. In 2022, Gardaland installed the world’s first Jumanji-themed ride, which has become a hit with visitors. Other top rides include Jungle Rapids, Kung Fu Panda Master, and the exhilarating vertical drop coaster, Oblivion. Visitors will need more than a day to explore all of Gardaland, as it is also home to LEGOLAND Water Park and Gardaland SEA LIFE Aquarium.
Buy ticket to Gardaland Resort here
Motiongate Dubai, Dubai, UAE
Motiongate Dubai is easily one of the best amusem*nt parks in the world for movie fanatics, as it’s the Middle East’s largest Hollywood-inspired park. Motiongate is home to over 25 rides and attractions that are divided into five zones: Smurfs Village, DreamWorks, Lionsgate, Studio Central, and Columbia Pictures. Visitors will find plenty of movie-themed thrill rides like the John Wick Open Contract coaster, Zombieland drop tower, and Now You See Me Highroller coaster, along with unique 4D rides like The Hunger Games-themed Panem Aerial Tour and Kung Fu Panda Unstoppable Awesomeness.
Buy ticket to Motiongate Dubai here
Now that you have the world’s best theme parks in your pocket, what are you waiting for? Grab your bag, strap in the family, and head to one of these parks for a day of unforgettable fun!
