Here's My Thoughts about Best Theme Park.
Theme parks are among the most visited attractions in North America serving millions of guests each year. However, when it comes to atmosphere, cleanliness, rides, entertainment, food, and other important factors, some parks are clearly better than the rest. We’ve selected the best of the best theme parks in North America, all of which are sure to provide guests with many days of leisure and excitement.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Walt Disney World Resort
Winner of: Best Theme Park
Why it's best: Walt Disney World is the largest and most visited resort in the world; not surprisingly, it is also has the biggest and best collection of theme parks. The resort boasts four complete parks including the Magic Kingdom (the most visited theme park in the world), Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each park contains numerous attractions including thrill rides, family rides, parades, and shows. Walt Disney World has countless famous rides with everything from classics such as The Haunted Mansion and “It’s a Small World” to new thrillers such as Expedition: Everest and Soarin’. Aside from the rides, entertainment options include high-quality nighttime shows such as Fantasmic! and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, as well as daytime shows such as Finding Nemo - The Musical.
For a complete experience, it is best to stay at one of the twenty-two Disney-owned hotels on property, which provide daily transit to each theme park, the top-rated water parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and the shopping and nighttime entertainment areas of Downtown Disney and Disney’s BoardWalk.
There is no shortage of recreation at Walt Disney World with everything from golf to camping. Though a trip to Walt Disney World can get very pricey, many ticket options are available for any length of trip, including some in conjunction with the Disney Cruise Line. It’s ideal to plan for at least a week long trip to experience all this magnificent resort has to offer.
Manufacturer Description:
Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks; two water parks; twenty-three themed hotels; and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment of The Walt Disney Company, it is located southwest of Orlando, Florida. The property is often abbreviated Walt Disney World, Disney World or WDW. It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).
Why it's best: Walt Disney World is the largest and most visited resort in the world; not surprisingly, it is also has the biggest and best collection of theme parks. The resort boasts four complete parks including the Magic Kingdom (the most visited theme park in the world), Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each park contains numerous attractions including thrill rides, family rides, parades, and shows. Walt Disney World has countless famous rides with everything from classics such as The Haunted Mansion and “It’s a Small World” to new thrillers such as Expedition: Everest and Soarin’. Aside from the rides, entertainment options include high-quality nighttime shows such as Fantasmic! and IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, as well as daytime shows such as Finding Nemo - The Musical.
For a complete experience, it is best to stay at one of the twenty-two Disney-owned hotels on property, which provide daily transit to each theme park, the top-rated water parks Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, and the shopping and nighttime entertainment areas of Downtown Disney and Disney’s BoardWalk.
There is no shortage of recreation at Walt Disney World with everything from golf to camping. Though a trip to Walt Disney World can get very pricey, many ticket options are available for any length of trip, including some in conjunction with the Disney Cruise Line. It’s ideal to plan for at least a week long trip to experience all this magnificent resort has to offer.
Manufacturer Description:
Walt Disney World Resort is the most visited and largest recreational resort in the world, containing four theme parks; two water parks; twenty-three themed hotels; and numerous shopping, dining, entertainment and recreation venues. Owned and operated by the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts segment of The Walt Disney Company, it is located southwest of Orlando, Florida. The property is often abbreviated Walt Disney World, Disney World or WDW. It opened on October 1, 1971, with the Magic Kingdom theme park, and has since added Epcot (on October 1, 1982), Disney's Hollywood Studios (on May 1, 1989), and Disney's Animal Kingdom (on April 22, 1998).
Universal Orlando Resort
Winner of: Second Best Theme Park
Why it's a best pick: The Orlando Resort sits just fifteen minutes away from our Walt Disney World Resort -- our best pick -- and right next to another highly enjoyable theme park, SeaWorld Orlando. The Universal Orlando Resort includes the two theme parks Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as well as the shopping and nighttime entertainment area Universal CityWalk and three quality hotels. Universal Orlando is not as large as Walt Disney World, making it is easier to enjoy everything in a shorter period of time.
Universal Studios is famous for its attractions that themed to movies, such as those based on Shrek, Men in Black, The Mummy, Terminator 2, E.T., Jaws, and others. The interactive roller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, set to open in spring of this year, will add another thrilling attraction to the park.
Islands of Adventure, located right next door, is an award-winning park that includes many exciting attractions and thrill rides including the Incredible Hulk coaster, the Dueling Dragons roller coasters (simply amazing), and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, which is consistently voted the best ride in the world. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new land with attractions based on the popular series, is set to open in 2010.
Factor in other thrilling experiences and great dining and entertainment options and you have one of the best destinations in the world, especially for adults and teens. However, if you are visiting as a family with children and can only tackle one of the top two theme park resorts, Walt Disney World has far more attractions for children.
Manufacturer Description:
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is a joint partnership between NBC Universal, Inc. and the Blackstone Group. The resort consists of two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure), Universal CityWalk (a night-time entertainment destination), and three Loews Hotels. It is the largest property owned by Universal Studios Theme Parks, and is also the second largest resort in Orlando after the Walt Disney World Resort.
Why it's a best pick: The Orlando Resort sits just fifteen minutes away from our Walt Disney World Resort -- our best pick -- and right next to another highly enjoyable theme park, SeaWorld Orlando. The Universal Orlando Resort includes the two theme parks Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure as well as the shopping and nighttime entertainment area Universal CityWalk and three quality hotels. Universal Orlando is not as large as Walt Disney World, making it is easier to enjoy everything in a shorter period of time.
Universal Studios is famous for its attractions that themed to movies, such as those based on Shrek, Men in Black, The Mummy, Terminator 2, E.T., Jaws, and others. The interactive roller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, set to open in spring of this year, will add another thrilling attraction to the park.
Islands of Adventure, located right next door, is an award-winning park that includes many exciting attractions and thrill rides including the Incredible Hulk coaster, the Dueling Dragons roller coasters (simply amazing), and The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, which is consistently voted the best ride in the world. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new land with attractions based on the popular series, is set to open in 2010.
Factor in other thrilling experiences and great dining and entertainment options and you have one of the best destinations in the world, especially for adults and teens. However, if you are visiting as a family with children and can only tackle one of the top two theme park resorts, Walt Disney World has far more attractions for children.
Manufacturer Description:
Universal Orlando Resort is a theme park resort in Orlando, Florida. It is a joint partnership between NBC Universal, Inc. and the Blackstone Group. The resort consists of two theme parks (Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure), Universal CityWalk (a night-time entertainment destination), and three Loews Hotels. It is the largest property owned by Universal Studios Theme Parks, and is also the second largest resort in Orlando after the Walt Disney World Resort.
Disneyland Resort
Winner of: Third Best Theme Park
Why it's a best pick: The Disneyland Resort may not be as large as its Florida counterpart, but it has no shortage of fun and quality entertainment. It’s also much easier to visit in a few days while still providing guests with an incredibly entertaining and unique experience. The Disneyland Resort includes the two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, the shopping and nighttime entertainment area Downtown Disney, and three Disney hotels.
Disney’s California Adventure has many fun attractions including California Screamin’, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!, and the newest attraction, Toy Story Mania! The park’s expansion plan will bring new highly-anticipated attractions to the park from 2010-2012.
But the real charm of this resort is Disneyland, the original Disney theme park. Created by Walt Disney himself, Disneyland may very well bethe most influential theme park in history. Today, Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world. Disneyland combines classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Matterhorn Bobsleds with great new experiences such as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and the recently updated Space Mountain. Like all Disney parks, Disneyland offers excellent fireworks, parades, friendly characters, and polite employees. The overall experience and atmosphere make this remarkable destination tough to beat.
Manufacturer Description:
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort complex in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining and entertainment area. Known simply as Disneyland at the time it opened in 1955, the property originally consisted of the theme park built by Walt Disney, its 100-acre (0.40 km2) parking lot, as well as a hotel owned and operated by Disney's business partner Jack Wrather. Amid a drastic expansion project in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the name Disneyland Resort was coined to refer to the entire Disney complex, while Disneyland Park was coined to refer to the original theme park.
Why it's a best pick: The Disneyland Resort may not be as large as its Florida counterpart, but it has no shortage of fun and quality entertainment. It’s also much easier to visit in a few days while still providing guests with an incredibly entertaining and unique experience. The Disneyland Resort includes the two theme parks, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, the shopping and nighttime entertainment area Downtown Disney, and three Disney hotels.
Disney’s California Adventure has many fun attractions including California Screamin’, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!, and the newest attraction, Toy Story Mania! The park’s expansion plan will bring new highly-anticipated attractions to the park from 2010-2012.
But the real charm of this resort is Disneyland, the original Disney theme park. Created by Walt Disney himself, Disneyland may very well bethe most influential theme park in history. Today, Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world. Disneyland combines classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Matterhorn Bobsleds with great new experiences such as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and the recently updated Space Mountain. Like all Disney parks, Disneyland offers excellent fireworks, parades, friendly characters, and polite employees. The overall experience and atmosphere make this remarkable destination tough to beat.
Manufacturer Description:
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort complex in Anaheim, California. The resort is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks and Resorts division and is home to two theme parks, three hotels and a shopping, dining and entertainment area. Known simply as Disneyland at the time it opened in 1955, the property originally consisted of the theme park built by Walt Disney, its 100-acre (0.40 km2) parking lot, as well as a hotel owned and operated by Disney's business partner Jack Wrather. Amid a drastic expansion project in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the name Disneyland Resort was coined to refer to the entire Disney complex, while Disneyland Park was coined to refer to the original theme park.
Busch Gardens Europe
Winner of: Fourth Best Theme Park
Why it's a best pick: Busch Gardens Europe, though not as well-known as the other parks on this list, is without doubt a gem. Located in the historical Williamsburg area of Virginia, Busch Gardens Europe is pristinely landscaped and has been voted the “most beautiful park” by industry experts for eighteen straight years. The park has received numerous other industry awards including best theme park, cleanest theme park, best landscaping, and others for various accomplishments.
Busch Gardens Europe has a perfect mix of attractions for all visitors. It has themed water rides, children’s rides, thrill rides, animal shows, and the interactive ride, Curse of DarKastle. The park has five highly regarded roller coasters including the classic Loch Ness Monster, the unique Big Bad Wolf, the thrilling Alpengeist, the stunning Apollo’s Chariot, and Griffon, a new roller coaster that sends riders diving 205-feet at a 90-degree angle, reaching 70mph.
The entire park is themed to European countries and each area has excellent food – far better than you’d expect from your average amusement park. On a hot day, their nearby water park, Water Country, provides guests with a chance to cool off. Busch Gardens Europe should not be missed if you’re visiting Williamsburg. But the park delivers such a quality and entertaining experience that it’s worth visiting Williamsburg to go to Busch Gardens Europe.
Manufacturer Description:
Busch Gardens is an action-packed European-themed adventure park with 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology, boasting more than 100 acres of fun-filled world exploration.
- Home to top-rated roller coasters including Griffon, the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coaster
- More than 50 rides and attractions
- Voted the world’s “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 18 consecutive years
- Nine main stage shows
- Wide variety of culinary experiences and world-class shops
- A magical children’s area
Why it's a best pick: Busch Gardens Europe, though not as well-known as the other parks on this list, is without doubt a gem. Located in the historical Williamsburg area of Virginia, Busch Gardens Europe is pristinely landscaped and has been voted the “most beautiful park” by industry experts for eighteen straight years. The park has received numerous other industry awards including best theme park, cleanest theme park, best landscaping, and others for various accomplishments.
Busch Gardens Europe has a perfect mix of attractions for all visitors. It has themed water rides, children’s rides, thrill rides, animal shows, and the interactive ride, Curse of DarKastle. The park has five highly regarded roller coasters including the classic Loch Ness Monster, the unique Big Bad Wolf, the thrilling Alpengeist, the stunning Apollo’s Chariot, and Griffon, a new roller coaster that sends riders diving 205-feet at a 90-degree angle, reaching 70mph.
The entire park is themed to European countries and each area has excellent food – far better than you’d expect from your average amusement park. On a hot day, their nearby water park, Water Country, provides guests with a chance to cool off. Busch Gardens Europe should not be missed if you’re visiting Williamsburg. But the park delivers such a quality and entertaining experience that it’s worth visiting Williamsburg to go to Busch Gardens Europe.
Manufacturer Description:
Busch Gardens is an action-packed European-themed adventure park with 17th-century charm and 21st-century technology, boasting more than 100 acres of fun-filled world exploration.
- Home to top-rated roller coasters including Griffon, the world’s tallest and first floorless dive coaster
- More than 50 rides and attractions
- Voted the world’s “Most Beautiful Theme Park” for 18 consecutive years
- Nine main stage shows
- Wide variety of culinary experiences and world-class shops
- A magical children’s area
Cedar Point
Winner of: Fifth Best Theme Park
Why it's a best pick: Cedar Point is widely acclaimed for its sheer amount of thrill rides. The park boasts a record seventeen roller coasters, including Millennium Force, which is one of the most highly-rated roller coasters (and included on our Best Steel Roller Coaster list) and still remains one of the longest, tallest, and fastest coasters in the world. Other roller coaster highlights include Top Thrill Dragster, which launches riders from 0 – 120 mph in 4 seconds, Raptor, one of the world’s best inverted coasters, and Magnum XL-200, the world’s first Hyper Coaster(complete circuit coaster over 200-feet). Because of the park’s fantastic thrill rides and overall atmosphere, Cedar Point has been voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for over a decade.
Cedar Point, which opened in 1870, is a classic seaside amusement park with a lot of history. It has long been a Midwest vacation destination and continues to offer plenty of leisure areas including on-site hotels, marinas, go-karts, miniature golf, and water parks. The park, situated on a peninsula in Lake Erie, has lake views from nearly every ride; the chilly air and seagulls contribute to the park’s memorable experience.
Though Cedar Point is best known for their coasters, there are also many children’s areas and traditional amusement park ride that will please all members of the family. Their newest addition, Planet Snoopy, nearly doubles the size of their already popular Camp Snoopy kid’s area. Cedar Point has a winning combination of classic amusement park feel, modern thrill rides, great food, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Manufacturer Description:
Cedar Point is a 364-acre (1.5 km) amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. It currently holds the world record for most roller coasters (17), one of which, Top Thrill Dragster, is the world's second tallest and third fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h) and a height of 420 feet (130 m). Cedar Point is also the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than 200 feet (61 m). As of 2008, Cedar Point has more rides (75) than any other amusement park. The park opened in 1870, and is the second oldest amusement park in North America after Lake Compounce. Cedar Point is the flagship park for Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (which is headquartered at the park) and, along with Valleyfair, was one of the original parks owned and operated by the company.
Why it's a best pick: Cedar Point is widely acclaimed for its sheer amount of thrill rides. The park boasts a record seventeen roller coasters, including Millennium Force, which is one of the most highly-rated roller coasters (and included on our Best Steel Roller Coaster list) and still remains one of the longest, tallest, and fastest coasters in the world. Other roller coaster highlights include Top Thrill Dragster, which launches riders from 0 – 120 mph in 4 seconds, Raptor, one of the world’s best inverted coasters, and Magnum XL-200, the world’s first Hyper Coaster(complete circuit coaster over 200-feet). Because of the park’s fantastic thrill rides and overall atmosphere, Cedar Point has been voted “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for over a decade.
Cedar Point, which opened in 1870, is a classic seaside amusement park with a lot of history. It has long been a Midwest vacation destination and continues to offer plenty of leisure areas including on-site hotels, marinas, go-karts, miniature golf, and water parks. The park, situated on a peninsula in Lake Erie, has lake views from nearly every ride; the chilly air and seagulls contribute to the park’s memorable experience.
Though Cedar Point is best known for their coasters, there are also many children’s areas and traditional amusement park ride that will please all members of the family. Their newest addition, Planet Snoopy, nearly doubles the size of their already popular Camp Snoopy kid’s area. Cedar Point has a winning combination of classic amusement park feel, modern thrill rides, great food, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
Manufacturer Description:
Cedar Point is a 364-acre (1.5 km) amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. It currently holds the world record for most roller coasters (17), one of which, Top Thrill Dragster, is the world's second tallest and third fastest roller coaster, reaching speeds of 120 mph (190 km/h) and a height of 420 feet (130 m). Cedar Point is also the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than 200 feet (61 m). As of 2008, Cedar Point has more rides (75) than any other amusement park. The park opened in 1870, and is the second oldest amusement park in North America after Lake Compounce. Cedar Point is the flagship park for Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (which is headquartered at the park) and, along with Valleyfair, was one of the original parks owned and operated by the company.
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