1. Cedar Point – Florida, United States
Cedar Point is a 364 acre (1.47 km²) amusement park located in Sandusky, Ohio, United States on a narrow peninsula jutting into Lake Erie. Cedar Point is the only amusement park with four roller coasters that are taller than 200 feet (61 m) (Magnum XL 200, Millennium Force, Wicked Twister, Top Thrill Dragster). As of 2010, Cedar Point has more rides (75) than any other amusement park.
It also has a mile-long white sand beach, an outdoor water park (Soak City), an indoor waterpark and hotel (Castaway Bay), two marinas, several hotels, and Challenge Park, which features attractions such as go-karts, miniature golf, Ripcord and Skyscraper. Known as “America’s Roller Coast”, Cedar Point has been deemed “Best Amusement Park in the World” by Amusement Today for the past fourteen years.
2. Islands of Adventure – Florida, United States
Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The park’s overall theme is that of a journey of exploration, where guests depart from a main port to visit six islands, each having its own distinct theme, but all emphasizing adventure. On June 18, 2010, the seventh island, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (themed to the popular Harry Potter franchise) officially opened at the park, its largest investment since opening. In 2010, Islands of Adventure hosted approximately 5.9 million guests, ranking it #7 among United States parks and #12 worldwide.
3. Europa Park – Baden Wuerttemberg, Germany
More than 100 attractions and fantastic shows, ten rollercoasters and 13 European themed areas will exceed your wildest expectations. Enjoy these special moments with family or friends and take time off from the hustle and bustle of daily life.
Europa-Park, which is set in a delightful and culturally rich region near the borders of Germany, France and Switzerland – easily accessible from Basle, Strasbourg and Freiburg – is the largest seasonal theme park in the world. It is a genuine crowd puller attracting over 4 million visitors a year to Rust and its restful and beautiful surroundings.
4. Holiday World – Indiana, United States
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari is a family-owned and -operated theme park and water park combo, located near Interstate 64 and U.S. 231 in Santa Claus, Indiana, USA.
The theme park celebrates Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July with rides, live entertainment, games, and attractions. Holiday World is known for its wooden roller coasters, The Raven, The Legend, and The Voyage. The water park includes the world’s longest water coaster, a number of family raft slides, two wave pools, two lazy rivers, two family “tipping bucket” water-play attractions, various water slides, plus water activities for children. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari offer guests free unlimited soft drinks (since 2000), free parking, free use of inner tubes and life jackets, free sunscreen plus free Wi-Fi hotspots.
5. Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Lancashire, United Kingdom
Pleasure Beach in Blackpool is the UK’s top theme park attracting over 5 million visitors a year.
Entrance to the park is free although in 2009 there will be a charge. Once inside the park you can purchase a wristband for unlimited access to over 125 rides. In 2007 Pleasure Beach was ranked the 14th most popular theme park in the world with its combination of thrill rides, rollercoasters, water rides, amusements and shows. There is something for everyone from the fast thrillers like Pepsi Max Big One and Revolution to the family orientated Alice ride or Lunar carousel.
6. Six Flags Magic Mountain – California, United States
Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park located in Valencia, California north of Los Angeles. It opened on Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 1971 as Magic Mountain, by the Newhall Land and Farming Company. In 1979, Six Flags purchased the park and added the name Six Flags to the park’s title. In 2009, 2.5 million visitors visited the park. On July 1, 2011, Magic Mountain broke the world record for having the most roller coasters (18) in a single park with the debut of Green Lantern: First Flight,[3] surpassing previous record-holder Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
7. Knoebels – Pennsylvania, United States
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a family-owned and -operated amusement park, picnic grove and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, the park has more than 57 rides, free admission, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride that was featured on the Discovery Channel. The park and its rides have won awards from organizations such as Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts and The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.
8. Busch Gardens Williamsburg – Virginia, United States
Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a 383 acre theme park located in James City County, Virginia about 3 miles (5 km) southeast of Williamsburg, originally developed by Anheuser-Busch (A-B) and currently owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, a division of The Blackstone Group. The park opened on May 16, 1975, adjacent to Anheuser-Busch’s brewery and near its other developments including the Kingsmill Resort complex. The park is themed around old-world Europe.
9. Universal Port Aventura – Tarragona, Spain
Universal Studios Port Aventura is located in the heart of Tarragona’s Costa Daurada and is unquestionably one of Europe’s most outstanding theme parks.
As well as spectacular beaches of fine golden sand, the Costa Daurada also offers all the facilities of the Port Aventura adventure park. A fun- and adventure-packed journey featuring different themed areas –México, Far West, Mediterrania, Polynesia, China, and the SésamoAventura area for the whole family– where you’ll find live shows and endless attractions, including the emblematic Dragon-Khan. Port Aventura also offers refreshing fun in the Costa Caribe complex, with a range of water attractions, children’s areas and recreational zones. And when you need to recharge your batteries, the park has numerous restaurants and snack bars, and there are also excellent hotels equipped with all kinds of amenities and services.
10. Alton Towers – Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Alton Towers is one the UK’s biggest tourist attractions in every way attracting millions of visitors every year.
Located in the beautiful grounds of a semi-ruined gothic country house near Stoke-on-Trent in the West Midlands, the theme park provides a wide range of activities and adventures to suit people of all ages.
