Alton Towers (UK)
Alton Towers is one of the most popular theme parks in the United Kingdom. There is a reason Alton Towers is so popular – it has some of the most exhilarating and scary rides in the UK. Unlike other theme parks such as Thorpe Park, Drayton Manner and Chessington World of Adventures, Alton Towers has rides that can only be found there. Air is one of the easiest ways to experience flying like Superman. Or, experience going backwards on Thi3teen. Sharkbait in the Sea Life section recently opened, featuring over 300 different species of sea life, in over one million litres of water. The Alton Towers Garden is a great place to have a picnic, or a great place to relax while the children queue up for the rides
Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure (USA)
Universal Studios has to be one of the best-known theme parks in the world. Islands of Adventures has everything for a fun, exciting and thrilling day out. Rides, shows, restaurants and even concerts. The main reason kids will want to go to this magnificent theme park is for the excellent rides. From Spiderman in 3D, you move through the world of Spiderman as he battles famous villains, experience Shrek in 4D(!) and come face to face with Jaws as you move through water filled with props from the famous movie, so prepare yourself for quite a shock. If sharks are a bit too scary why not take a flying bike ride with E.T. or visit Twister and experience a real tornado tearing through a city, blast aliens in Men in Black, take a ride with The Simpsons or visit the world of the world’s most popular wizard, Harry Potter. If you can’t manage to drag the children away you can always book a few nights in one of the hotels.
PortAventura (Spain)
One of Spain’s most popular theme parks, this park is filled with rides, restaurants, shows, an aquatic park and the Wild West. The aquatic park is filled with plenty of water slides, so you will get wet, as well as a nice pool area for a relaxing swim and a few drinks. When booking a night or two in the hotel, ticket prices are also included. Unlike most theme parks PortAventura is based more around shows and sampling different foods and drinks, so this park is aimed at children who enjoy experiencing how other cultures live. But there are still plenty of rides for both adults and children to enjoy, one of the most popular rides Stampedia also has a version called Tomahawk for children to ride.
Cedar Point (USA)
Cedar Point happens to be one of the biggest theme parks in the world, packed with incredible roller coasters, rides that will spin you round while swinging you from side to side, family rides and many more. Of course like every theme park there are places to eat and stay, but who wants to stay in a hotel or eat? The rides are all kids will want to do and in Soak City they can get drenched and spend the rest of the day drying off while wandering around the shops and shows. Most of the rides and roller coasters have been running for 30 years – this just proves how popular they really are and why roller coaster enthusiasts will travel hundreds of miles to experience the thrills Cedar Point has to offer. Cedar Point also has HalloWeekends, where you can eat with the dead.
Six Flags Magic Mountain (USA)
This park is a great way for children to experience live shows and even have a go a karaoke or try and win the Dance Dance Revolution challenge, so get your dance moves ready and hit the dance pad. Will you stand up to The Riddler Challenge? And by stand, I mean you really do stand – no sitting on this extremely fast roller coaster. Try Batman the ride and experience a movie as you move through it. Déjà vu will havey you thrust forward then yanked back. But don’t worry, not all the rides are designed for thrill seekers – there are plenty of rides the whole family to enjoy. With parades and shows throughout the day, you won’t have to worry about filling an entire day with rides and food. With the parades being filled with famous faces, children will surely enjoy themselves. You can even join Bugs Bunny and his friends on the beach for a party.
