12 Most Popular Theme Parks to Visit in Holidays

Family gatherings usually end up with the elders reminiscing “those good old days”. Children often wonder what the “oldies” did for entertainment in the absence of television, cell phones and the internet. They are stumped by how excited their grandparents get while recalling their town fairs and the rides and shows they enjoyed during such fairs. On the other hand, the older generation cannot even fathom the slew of options that have replaced these fairs and travelling shows in the form of amusement and theme parks, which seem to be like carnival grounds that never stop their shows. 

Parents today have it tough because the present generation has shorter attention spans¸ limited attraction captivity, fast shifting loyalties and a society that does not frown upon indulgence and extravagance.  Things become challenging when the holidays arrive, and parents are forced to find some outing that not only entertains the kids but gives some happy and stress-free moments to parents too. Theme parks are just what the Holiday Doctor ordered for the well-being of the whole family! Toddlers, teens, tweens and their parents and grandparents... there is something for everyone.

Disneyland, the original theme park, has had more than 600 million guests since it opened in 1955 and continues to attract about 45000 visitors daily! But not everyone can go to Disneyland, so the nearest theme park is where the families head when it's the holiday season.  Where else can one find Food, Fun and Freedom, all attractively packaged and cutting across age and gender barriers to give families that perfect holiday?

Theme parks are a great way to have shared experiences and create memories of quality family time. Long after the holidays, the family still recollects how scared Granny felt in the Horror Cave Ride and how piercing was the war-cry of little bro on his first roller coaster ride. Cutthroat competition from other holiday attractions forces theme parks to constantly innovate in terms of rides, themes, trends and experiences, thus giving us something new to look forward to even during repeat visits. Kids are happy to run around freely and explore on their own, and parents are happy to let them do so as theme parks give a lot of priority to safety, not just on the rides but everywhere in the park. Young adults see theme parks as opportunities for spamming their social media platforms with the numerous photo ops available there. Fitness freaks enjoy all the walking around one has to do there as theme parks are spread over large areas.  Some theme parks have museums or pop up exhibitions related to their theme, and a lot of learning happens outside of books and classrooms, without kids even realising that they were being educated!

Once the rides and other demanding activities are done, the Food Courts beckon with sumptuous offerings to tickle all types of palate. With stuffed tummies and happy smiles, it is time to slow down and what better way to do so than to explore the various shops and stalls and find some gifts and souvenirs for the unfortunate ones who could not be there. Time and strength permitting, one can catch Light and Sound shows there too.

With so much to offer and so much that one always leaves behind for later, no wonder theme parks are the hottest holiday destinations on most wish lists. A visit to the theme park may tire you out, but you can definitely not tire of it. 

Five Must-Visit Theme Park Holidays:

1. Universal Studios, Japan 

Famous as the home of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and giving Potterheads a chance to experience the virtual world of Witchcrafts and magic, Universal Studios pays homage to American Classics through the themes of Spider-Man, Back to the future as well as Japanese TV and cinema through Hello kitty, Nintendo, and Terminator. One amongst the four Universal Studios theme parks owned and operated by NBC Universal. Universal Studios, Osaka has continued to be named among the most successful theme parks in history, with around 8 million visitors every year. Great experience for children.

2. Dream World, Thailand

Kid’s vacations are in scorching summers, and an escapade planned out must ensure that you negate it with a refreshing experience at one of Asia’s most popular water parks.  Dream World, Thailand is a great summer getaway for the whole family. The major conquests the children can indulge in is the famous Wipeout Ride, where visitors to the park spend 20 minutes getting tossed, turned and flipped in the air.

Next on the menu would be a cool down at Snow Town, an indoor winter wonderland where you can go sledging and skiing. All in all, a great thrill as you chill.

3. Resorts World, Singapore

Singapore is a hub for modern things, technology and wholesome entertainment for everyone. The popular ones are Universal Studios, the Adventure Cove Waterparks, SEA Aquarium, and the Trick Eye Museum. A completely family-friendly assortment of rides, character appearances, shows, and restaurants divided into seven themed zones surrounding a lagoon. That’s Universal Studios for you. For the starry-eyed kids, you have themes including Hollywood, Sci-fi City, New York, Far Far Away (Shrek and company), Ancient Egypt, Lost World, and Madagascar. 

The S.E.A. Aquarium is a sprawling showcase of over 100,000 marine animals and 49 habitats, including – gulp – hammerhead sharks and Asian marine habitats such as the Red Sea, the Andaman, and the Straits of Karimata. More of that fun can continue in the Adventure Cove Waterpark and at the Trick Eye Museum. Resorts World, Singapore is a destination that entices you to come re-visiting and living childhood all over again.

4. Ocean Park, Hong Kong

Many marine themes overwhelm you at this spectacular Ocean Park at Hong Kong: Marine park, Amusement park, and Oceanarium. The first Asian theme park to win the prestigious Applause Award- the highest recognition the amusement park industry has to offer. It is a major destination for top drawer entertainment as well. Ocean Park’s unique blend of conservation, education, and good old-fashioned amusement park thrills and spills is a superb combination, and you can rest easy knowing part of ticket revenue at the park goes to wildlife conservation efforts. The park’s Marine Rescue Team initiative will impress you with their efforts in rescuing injured animals from Hong Kong’s sea waters collaboration with the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

5. Vinpearl Amusement Park, Vietnam

Vietnam, off late, has become a popular destination to travel to. One of the most exciting must-visit places whilst there is Vinpearl Amusement Park.

Located on an island across the bay from Nha Trang Beach, it is an extensive theme park featuring water slides and games, a large aquarium, a wave pool, and various rides. The Park is accessible by cable car that connects Nha Trang City to this island resort. The 3,320-metre long ride offers stunning views of the bay, a promise of the fun-filled day that is to follow.

Revellers will get blown by names like - ‘Space hole,’ ‘Tsunami,’ ‘Blackhole,’ and ‘Kamikaze’. The 900-metre long ‘lazy river’ features gentle floating along while wearing a swimming ring, and the ‘wave pool’ emulates different sea conditions, from choppy to very stormy. The very young have their own kids’ pool with chairs and umbrellas for supervising parents. An enormous aquarium, or ‘Underwater World’, has a tunnel with a motorised walkway through which visitors can admire no less than 300 species of colourful fish. This modern and beautifully kept aquarium is certainly the biggest of its kind in Vietnam.

6. Legoland, Malaysia

Legoland Malaysia is every child’s Utopia. The park's main entrance area displays the traditional colourful entrance to LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort. This is where the fun begins. As expected of any park, there is a Legoland shop selling Lego products, toys, sets, DVDs, books and Legoland merchandise and other paraphernalia. 

The left side of the Beginning is Imagination with Interactive Lego games and Lego building. This includes the build and test section - an interactive activity where visitors engage in building houses, cars, skyscrapers, etc. Done with building your favourite creation? Now, test them out. Lego Mindstorms is for the Brainiac, a centre with Albert Einstein face on it is dedicated to Lego computer games and robotics attraction where kids learn about programming. 

LEGO Technic is screaming fun, action-packed with twists and turns and exciting rides, yet due consideration is given to children by maintaining a speed that doesn’t overwhelm.

Project X is particularly for the adrenaline junkie, and kids under 120cm should be accompanied by an adult. LEGO studios feature various 4D LEGO films every day where your seat is your ride. LEGO Kingdoms is the best for a first-hand introduction to castles, swords, knights and dragons. A fantastic way to time travel to the Medieval ages. The Forestmen’s Hideout, The Dragon, Dragon’s Apprentice, Royal Joust and Merlin’s Challenge are some of the rides here. Land of Adventure, LEGO City, Miniland are some of the interesting areas of the park.

7. Sunway, Malaysia

Sunway is a Multi-entertainment theme Park and one of the most popular destinations for people travelling to Malaysia!

Sunway Lagoon provides the ultimate theme park experience in 6 adventure zones — Water Park, Amusement Park, Wildlife Park, Extreme Park, Scream Park & Nickelodeon Lost Lagoon – Asia’s 1st Nickelodeon Themed Land. With over 90 attractions spread across 88 acres, it’s a must-visit destination where children and adults all are sure to end up spellbound.

8. Disneyland, Hong Kong

Disneyland, Hong Kong is a theme park located in Penny's Bay, Lantau Island and is the largest theme park in Hong Kong. Nestled inside the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and it is owned and managed by Hong Kong International Theme Parks.

The park is divided into themed "lands" and well-concealed backstage areas. On entering a land, a guest is completely immersed in a themed environment and is cut off from any other realm, ensuring total engagement in each zone. The park consists of seven themed areas: Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, and Toy Story Land.

Whilst in Disneyland, Hong Kong revel in the Flights of Fantasy Parade or Disney Paint the Night. The "We Love Mickey" Projection Show will leave you enthralled and in glee.

9. Legoland, California 

Legoland, California, built in 1999, is one of the best amusement parks where childhood comes alive. A theme park, miniature park, and aquarium based on the Lego toy brand, the place creates magic. The spectacular displays created using the iconic building toy make everyone, including the Lego toy architects, stand with amazement and wonder. From the Las Vegas strip to the New York’s skyscrapers, from the mini-cars at the Volvo junior driving school to rollercoaster for more adventurous kiddies, everything constructed from Lego bricks makes it amazement worth indulging.

10. The Prater, Vienna, Austria 

A historical park housing a planetarium and a museum along with an unusual spherical micronation called Republik Kugelmugel, The Prater’s avenue is filled with horse chestnut trees and is home to sports enthusiasts from the annual Vienna marathon.

Packed with turbulent roller coasters, scary Alt Wiener Ghost Train, go-karts, merry-go-round and attractions of all sorts, The Prater is a large public amusement park in Vienna, Austria. Terrific mechanical rides, including Bumper cars, Wild mouse and Turbo boost challenge the senses in an intoxicating way. Wiener Riesenrad, the oldest Farris wheel, offers the best views of Vienna from all sides.

11. Europa Park, Germany

This is the largest park in Germany, showcasing 15 different countries spread across 200- acre grounds and authentically imitating everything from art, culture, lifestyle and architecture. A simulator of adventurous wonders, the park offers roller coaster rides through haunted houses and fairyland, off adventuring among gnomes, pirates, and cannibals, the wild water rides, animal shows, puppet shows, musical laser shows, parades and circuses. 

A wide array of cafes and shops selling food and drinks make it a place of virtual bliss. Cited by the British “Sunday Times Travel Magazine” as the best amusement park for kids and families in Europe, Europa Park is a castle of fairy tales, taking you on a virtual journey of the universe and everything that is enclosed between.

12. Disneyland China 

An exceptionally large theme park with amazing shopping, dining and entertainment experiences, Disneyland, Shanghai is the first Disney park resort in mainland China. The enchanted storybook castle, the largest of all the Disney castles in the world, the thrill rides, water rides and light shows make the park resort an unforgettable experience. 

Some notable adventure delights in the main theme areas are: Gardens of imagination highlight the 12 Chinese zodiac animals and meet-and-greet pavilion presenting Marvel characters. Mickey avenue has Mickey and his friends ready to meet the visitors. The avenue has ample food choices spread across, enjoy tasty snacks while wandering around. Adventure Isle features the lost world and most popular Tarzan: Call of the Jungle. Tomorrowland, the park's futuristic theme, offers the cult famous attractions of Tron, Stitch encounter, Star Wars & Buzz Lightyear. Treasure Cove rides are based on the Pirates of the Caribbean series, along with regular stunt shows inspired by the films. Fantasyland – the largest park in the Shanghai Disney Resort features fairy-tale rides and dreamy castles, and memorable scenes & characters from films including Tangled, Aladdin, Mulan, Fantasia, The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast.

If you are travelling with children, especially toddlers, you need to plan out a lot of things that need to be carried.

The challenge, however, is to ensure that you don’t have to lug around a lot of gear, but make sure you have the essentials:

• Sunscreen (even if it’s cloudy), hats, sunglasses
• Nappies and diapers, supplementary fresh change clothes
• Snacks and refillable water bottles (no sense in spending lots of cash on unhealthy foods that your tot may not even eat)
• Swimsuit, towel, and water shoes if the theme park has water rides
• Camera and batteries
• Cell phones for all the big people in your group (including teenage siblings)
• A pram, depending on your comfort level and the park’s policies. It’s nice to have a pram that reclines, with a sunshade, if you’ll be at the park during nap time.

Wear comfy clothing

You should have comfort in mind and safety too when you’re dressing your child for a theme park visit. Make sure your child is wearing sneakers, not slip-on clogs or flip-flops that aren’t as sturdy and dress them in bright, solid-coloured clothing so you can spot them easily in a crowd. Write your name and cell phone number on a piece of paper and tape it inside their pocket just in case you become separated from each other.