Get ready for some unforgettable thrill rides at the world’s best theme parks.
Things are heating up and that means summer travel season is upon us. And what better way to celebrate than to plan an adventure to a new theme park with some of your favourite people? To help you with your travel planning, here’s a list of 11 of the best theme parks in the world in 2024, from some amusement parks closer to home to bucket list theme parks on the other side of the world. Trust us, they will be worth the trip!
1) Dollywood
Tennessee
Affordable theme park getaway for the whole family to enjoy
Set in Pigeon Forge right by the Great Smoky Mountains, which is close to where Dolly Parton herself grew up, Dollywood is a beloved U.S. theme park that’s been blowing adventure seekers and fans away since the park opened back in 1986.
Dolly’s theme park has 9 original and thrilling roller coasters, from the Tennessee Tornado, the Wild Eagle, Dragonflier, Thunder Head, and Big Bear Mountain – which just won ‘Top New Attraction’ from the National Amusement Park Historical Association’s yearly survey. In the survey, which came out earlier this June, Dollywood was also named the best theme park in the U.S., with Disney World and Disneyland coming in 2nd and 3rd.
On top of roller coasters, there’s rides for your pre-K kiddos to enjoy. Pair your visit with Dollywood’s Splash Country Water Park, complete with 16 slides and attractions that will keep the entire family entertained for a weekend of fun. Hungry? Dolly makes us proud with a spread of Smoky Mountain flavours at the park, some must-trys include Aunt Granny’s Restaurant at Rivertown Junction and Sweet Shoppe Candy Kitchen.
Another great thing about Dollywood is that it’s one of the most affordable theme parks for visitors in 2024, at $92 USD for a single-day adult ticket.
2) Universal Studios Hollywood
Los Angeles
The movie and culture buffs bucket list theme park
Welcome to Hollywood! Check this item off of your travel bucket list and live your film-loving dreams with a trip to L.A to visit Universal Studios Hollywood. A theme park that’s also a film studio is undoubtedly one of the best theme parks in California, where visitors can enjoy thrilling rides, attractions, unique food, special events, and more that any avid movie-goer will love.
Make the most of your Day Pass (or splurge on a couple of days) and escape the Indominus Rex on Jurassic World – The Ride, experience Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on the one-of-a-kind Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and battle Bowser with your favourite Super Mario characters at the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, a 3D & 4D ride like no other.
Planning to book a trip to Universal Studios Hollywood this summer? Now is the perfect time, as the Studio Tour is back until August 11th. Celebrating its 60th anniversary, visitors are welcome to explore the studio backlot where they can visit a famous film set and enjoy immersive activities with new themed food, merch, and more fun stuff.
3) Disneyland Park
Anaheim
Experience the original Disney theme park
Head about an hour south of L.A. to one of the best theme parks in California and in the world, Disneyland. Located in the city of Anaheim, Disneyland is the only Disney theme park that was actually brought to life under the supervision of Walt Disney himself. Opened back in 1955, Disneyland California is arguably one of the most historic and significant for all diehard Disney enthusiasts.
Get nostalgic at the classic attractions like “It’s a Small World”, the Alice in Wonderland ride (a family favourite!) and the Mad Tea Party, which is one of the original rides from the 1955 opening. A few other OG attractions are the Main Street Cinema, the Mark Twain Riverboat ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight.
The dining experiences at Disneyland California can’t be beat, with dozens of themed options in the park and hotel areas. Treat the kids to a once in a lifetime Character Dining experience, where you can join a Disney Princess Breakfast, eat at Goofy’s Kitchen, and even take a pic with Minnie at Minnie’s Breakfast at Plaza Inn!
4) Magic Kingdom
Orlando
Feel the Disney magic at one of the best theme parks in the world
If you have to choose just one of the Disney theme parks in Orlando, go with the Magic Kingdom. When it opened to the public back in 1971, it raised the bar and made Orlando the go-to destination in Florida and pretty much all of the U.S., and it’s routinely named one of the best theme parks in the world.
The Magic Kingdom is where every grown up can unleash their inner child and where kids can have their dreams come true, as they get to meet many of their beloved Disney characters, new and old.
The park is open from 9 am to 11 pm every day, so come well rested (and with a change of clothes in case you go on a splash ride) and make the most of your time at Magic Kingdom. Be spooked at the Haunted Mansion, ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, indulge your sweet tooth at the Main Street Confectionary, wind down with a Merry Unbirthday Cupcake and a cup of tea at the Cheshire Cafe, just to name a few adventures to be had at Magic Kingdom! And whatever you choose to do, make sure you end your day watching the Happily Ever After fireworks and lights show along Main Street.
5) Universal Studios Florida
Orlando
A living movie set filled with fandom
Another unmissable theme park to visit in Florida is Universal Studios on the Universal Orlando Resort. From fun and thrilling seasonal events to up-close-and-personal character encounters to one-of-a-kind rides for kids of all ages, Universal Studios in Orlando has it all.
It will be hard not to have an unforgettable time here while riding the Hogwarts Express or jumping on board to join the E.T. Adventure or taking the kids on the Trolls Trollercoaster. There’s even a new ride where you can race through NYC and learn about the history of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon! Universal Studios mixes new and old favourites in movies and culture with interactive experiences that are fun and accessible for the whole family.
6) LEGOLAND Billund
Denmark
Pay a visit to the OG LEGOLAND
Wondering where the original LEGOLAND is located? It’s in the town of Billund in central Denmark. There are now 10 LEGOLAND theme parks in the world, but do yourself a favour and book a flight to Copenhagen, take a train or bus to Billund and experience the LEGOLAND theme park where it all began.
Start with a visit to Miniland (yes, it’s what it sounds like), ride The Dragon roller coaster before checking out The LEGO NINJAGO World, complete with a Cole’s Rock Climb and Lloyd’s Laser Maze.
The kids will love the new adventures that have arrived in 2024 at the park, including the Arctic Basecamp and the LEGO DUPLO PEPPA PIG Playground, where you can meet Peppa Pig and George!
7) DisneySea
Tokyo
Japan’s top-rated theme park
Located on the Tokyo Disney Resort, DisneySea is everyone’s favourite theme park near Tokyo. And it’s no surprise why, as the main draw here is the park’s incredibly curated “themed lands”, which take visitors on a one-of-a-kind whirlwind tour of their favourite worlds of Disney.
The 8 themed lands in question are each based on a singular or a few different Disney productions. The latest Fantasy Springs land, which just opened on June 6, 2024, is based on Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled.
Tokyo’s DisneySea was ranked the 8th most-visited theme park in the world in 2022. So if you’re starting to plan a dream trip to some of the world’s best theme parks, definitely add DisneySea to your list!
Pro tip: Tickets must be bought in advance for the park. In case your credit card isn’t going through on the official website, many international visitors typically buy their passes on official third-party websites.
8) Canada’s Wonderland
Toronto
Canada’s top theme and amusement park
Thought we would forget to add a theme park more close to home? Not a chance. We’re bringing in some Canadian love to this list of the top theme parks in the world with Canada’s Wonderland, our nation’s beloved theme park just north of downtown Toronto.
With 18 unique and some Canadian-themed roller coasters, child-friendly rides, not to mention the Splash Works water park with 17 different water slides, families near and far should come to experience Canada’s Wonderland. To help you plan your trip, their website ranks the ‘Thrill level’ of each ride including the minimum height requirement.
Summer is here, Canada! Season passes are available for purchase now if you want to get in a bunch of visits with your friends and family for a summertime to remember.
9) IMG Worlds of Adventure
Dubai
Prepare to be impressed
Planning a trip to the Middle East? Adventure seekers should check out one of the best theme parks in the world right now, the IMG World of Adventure in the urban oasis of Dubai.
For starters, at over 140 thousand square metres, it opened to the public by breaking the record for being the world’s largest indoor theme park. The park is made up of six “epic zones”, each dedicated to a different animated production franchise or theme: Marvel, Cartoon Network, Lost Valley, IMG Boulevard, the Haunted Hotel, and the IMG Kids Zone. And there’s thrilling rides and attractions, food, and shopping curated to each zone.
The park is also home to the Velociraptor, which is Dubai’s fastest rollercoaster. Find it in the Lost Valley and prepare yourself for one epic ride that the whole family will be talking about for months!
10) Universal Studios Japan
Osaka
Unleash all that 90s nostalgia at the Super Nintendo World
The first Universal Studios theme park to open outside of the U.S. is this one in Osaka, Japan. A 6-hour train ride from Tokyo and you’ll find yourself in Osaka, one of the largest cities in Japan with lots to offer travellers, from historic sights and temples to one of the world’s top theme parks.
This theme park’s popularity grew after the opening of Super Nintendo World in March of 2021. There’s already a Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood and one planned to open at Universal Studios Orlando in 2025, but, where better to experience these characters than in the country where they were invented?
From Bowser’s Castle, Koopa’s (Bowser’s) Challenge, Yoshi’s Adventure Ride, and Kinopio’s Cafe, you can spend most of your day at this part of the park and it will be a day well spent.
11) Europa-Park
Germany
A top theme park in Europe with a little something for everyone
Closing out our list of the best theme parks in the world is Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park as well as the second most-visited theme park in Europe. The park is located on the grounds of the Europa Park Resort and it welcomes over 5 million visitors every year.
This expansive park is worth the trip, with a variety of shows made to impress, over 100 attractions, as well as themed international restaurants from the Three Piglets English-style pub, the Waffle Bakery, and the Bavarian & Badish Beer Garden. Day-pass holders can also enjoy exclusive access to the park’s events throughout the season. Expect plenty of fairy tale rides and attractions for the kids and 15 thrill rides for adventure-seeking adults.
Skyscanner can help you find the best flights, hotels and car hire deals for your next trip.
