10 alternative theme parks for families: move aside Mickey
Jun 8, 2019 • 6 min read

A visit to a theme park is often a thrilling highlight of a child鈥檚 early experiences. Stepping into a fantasy world, the suspension of day-to-day reality 鈥� these colourful worlds are all about having fun together as a family, doing something out of the ordinary, bonding and creating happy memories.
Disney's theme parks enduring popularity and nostalgia make them a must-visit on many families鈥� wishlists. However, if the idea of Disney leaves you dizzy or you鈥檝e simply had your fill of Mickey and the Magic Kingdom, we鈥檝e got 10 alternative theme parks for you to try instead.
Remember that whether it鈥檚 Disney or another park, theme parks are expensive days out and get very busy. Go early, book ahead and use their apps to avoid queues and get the best deals.

Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Illuminated with fairy-lights at night, stylish Tivoli is a magical place to explore once the sun has gone down (the gardens famously inspired one Mr Walt Disney). It鈥檚 also a fun theme park by day with activities for all the (multi-generational) family. There鈥檚 an elegant Ferris wheel, gentle dragon boats and a traditional carousel for those taking it easy; for those looking to get their blood pumping, there's the world鈥檚 second-oldest wooden roller coaster, and the chance to be propelled to 2.5 g-force. Check ahead to make sure you don鈥檛 miss the fireworks or events at the concert hall.

Efteling, Noord Brabant, Netherlands
Based around storytelling, this charming park is set in a forested landscape and boasts imaginative attractions such as talking trees, fantasy palaces and water rides through forbidden cities. This is a world of elves, trolls and unicorns, but you can still raise your heart rate with the famous dive coaster and water coaster. When everyone needs to calm down, there are pretty gardens to be explored, gentle train rides to be taken and boats to laze around in.

Knotts Berry Farm, California, USA
Another long-established park, Knott's Berry Farm opened in 1941 when Mr Knott built an imitation ghost town to keep the diners who were enjoying his wife鈥檚 fried chicken entertained. The spooky element remains with shows in 鈥楪host Town鈥�, the wooden and the park鈥檚 recreation as Knott's Scary Farm for Halloween. There鈥檚 an Old West theme throughout with a blacksmith on Main Street, bandits on the narrow gauge train and a western stunt show. There are also plenty of rides for adrenaline-junkies, Camp Snoopy for younger children and the .

Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England
This iconic park is a 16-hectare collection of more than 145 rides and is England鈥檚 most popular theme park. You鈥檒l find a mix of classic older rides such as the Grand National, and sleek new thrills like Icon, the UK鈥檚 first double launch roller coaster. Smaller children will enjoy , Wallace & Gromit鈥檚 Thrill-O-Matic and the historic Flying Machines. This is a classic theme park: there鈥檚 plenty of additional entertainment on offer but, really, come for the rides. And from September to November each year, stay for Blackpool鈥檚 famous seafront illuminations.

Luna Park, Melbourne, Australia
Covering a relatively small site but with a photogenic location right next to the beach, Luna Park has been keeping folks entertained since 1912. It boasts the oldest wooden roller coaster in the world and has a nostalgic old-timey feel. Enter through Mr Moon鈥檚 gaping mouth and start gently with a ride on a beautiful hand-painted carousel and a spin round the park on colourful . Then take it up a notch with some traditional fairground rides such as the dodgems or a ghost train before leaving your stomach behind on the or .

Puy du Fou, South West France
is the theme park that鈥檚 not actually a theme park, but rather an incredible historical experience set in rural France. Around the park you will find reconstructions of different historical eras, including ancient Rome, a medieval city and 18th-century village. And if you really want to step back in time you can stay overnight in one of five latter-day locales.
The highlight, is the spectacular shows which run throughout the day and use a huge number of actors, animals and award-winning pyrotechnics to bring significant events in France鈥檚 history to life. Audio guides translate into English, but the length and complexity of the shows means they are more suitable for children aged eight and over.

LEGOLAND庐, Dubai
Aimed at children under 12, this park stays true to the successful formula of LEGOLANDS庐 across the world. It is a brightly-coloured theme park with 40 rides and attractions across six themed areas. Very little explorers will love the DUPLO庐 Valley, submarine adventure and the chance to fly their own planes at the City Airport. Older kids will love the driving school, Dragon roller coaster and Power Tower 鈥榝ree-fall鈥� ride. The famous fascinates kids and adults alike with miniature LEGO庐 versions of Dubai鈥檚 landmarks and the chance to create your own city skyline from bricks. When you need to cool off there鈥檚 a separate next door.

Dreamworld, Gold Coast, Australia
The Gold Coast's theme parks all cater for kids, but if you鈥檙e entertaining the under-fives and you鈥檙e happy to embrace the world of branding for a day, Dreamworld is a good option. Littlies can ride the Big Red Car in and meet the iconic Bananas in Pyjamas at Older kids will dig the with rides and shows based around Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar and Shrek. There鈥檚 also a zoo within the park plus daily wildlife and cultural presentations and your ticket gives you entrance to the WhiteWater World next door.

Hersheypark, Pennsylvania, USA
Chocolate and roller coasters might not seem like the best combination, but it certainly works for Hersheypark. There are over 70 attractions, including a water park and a zoo (included in the cost of your ticket) and 14 coasters and 20 rides for smaller kids. But what you really need to do, obviously, is visit where you can design your own chocolate bar, taste some chocolate (of course!) and tour a mock factory. Time your visit for summer 2020 and the sugar rush will be complete with the opening of , billed as 鈥榳here fun meets chocolate鈥�.

Universal Studios, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Although missing the Wizarding World of Harry Potter of its Orlando counterpart, this Universal Studios still packs a punch on the global theme park stage. Everything is packaged around fantasy-world themes and is as glossy and high-tech as they come. Young ones can take a ride with the cast of Madagascar or join the ; while tweens and teens can choose their side, , on the world鈥檚 tallest duelling roller coaster or experience a next-generation 3D thrill on the park's .
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