THE CLASSIC AMUSEMENT PARK
EUROPA-PARK
Rust, Germany
Europa-park in south-west Germany is one of the world’s leading theme parks, boasting countless rides and attractions for visitors of all ages. Dino Merry-go-round is a spinning ride for kids aged four and up. The Euro-Mir roller coaster takes kids aged eight and older right down to the ground in spinning gondolas, at up to 80kmh. Eurosat is an indoor roller coaster that zips through “outer space”. And the Children’s Lighthouse lets kids and adults pull themselves up to the top of the 9m structure.
Very young children will enjoy the Puppet Boat Ride, where gondolas glide slowly through the world of fairies and fairy tales, and the Silverstone Race Track, which takes kids around a course at full-throttle speed.
Some rides are closed in winter, so check the website (www.europapark.de) to see which are open.
WHERE FAIRY TALES COME TO LIFE
EFTELING
Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands
Kids of all ages will love the fairy tale- and fantasy-themed rides at Efteling, which opened in 1952 and now includes a hotel, theatre, golf course and holiday village.
Through Fairy Tale Forest attractions like Cinderella, The Little Match Girl, Hansel and Gretel and The Emperor’s New Clothes, your little ones can meet their favourite characters and experience the stories for themselves. Younger children will also enjoy the carousels and steam-train ride. Tweens can check out the indoor and outdoor roller coasters, the massive maze, or the adventure-packed Pirana water ride.
The Aquanura show is perfect for the whole family. It’s a musical extravaganza that uses water, light and fire to depict the park’s various attractions, and is a tribute to The Frog Prince, one of the original 10 attractions of the Fairy Tale Forest.
You will need more than a day to fully enjoy Efteling, and may have to queue for up to 40 minutes for each attraction during busy periods.
FOR A SPLASHING GOOD TIME
DISNEY’S BLIZZARD BEACH WATER PARK
Orlando, Florida, US
This water park offers an array of fun rides for kids, from preschoolers to teens. For the younger ones, there’s Melt-away Bay, a huge wave pool, and Tike’s Peak, a polar-themed playland with slides and water activities.
Older kids can try Toboggan Racers, a water slide on which they’ll “race” other “contestants” down a hilly slalom course; Runoff Rapids, an inner-tube high-speed water slide; Chairlift, which gives passengers a slow-moving scenic ride up to the summit of the park’s Mount Gushmore; Ski Patrol Training Camp, an activity-driven play area with tricky obstacles and intermediate slides; and Teamboat Springs, one of the world’s longest group whitewater raft rides, with each raft taking up to six people – hold on tight through 360m of twists and turns on this fantastically long, wide water slide.
NATURAL THRILLS
OCEAN PARK
Hong Kong
On top of the animal shows and displays at Hong Kong’s premier theme park, visitors can check out rides like the Ferris Wheel, Flying Swing, The Dragon roller coaster, Mine Train, water rides like Raging River and The Rapids, the Bungee Trampoline, and the Bumper Blaster with its classic bumper cars. Kids can also interact with the pandas as well as meet arctic foxes in their dens, and those who are at least 10 years old can even go snorkelling in the park’s massive aquarium.
EVERY ATTRACTION UNDER THE SUN
BETO CARRERO WORLD
Santa Catarina, Brazil
Located on the coast north of Santa Catarina, Beto Carrero World features seven themed areas. Animal World, for example, is a zoo that lets you see the animals at close range, and it includes an alligator-inspired roller coaster and a caged walkway. German Village has classic amusement-park rides, such as bumper cars, rotating teacups, a ball pool and a tube maze. Pirate’s Island has carnival mirrors and a pirate ship, while Radical Adventure, more suited to older children, offers thrilling roller coasters, a maze and a kart track. Old West is like a frontier town, with saloons, horses and themed attractions.
A number of shows are also meant for the whole family, like Dreamworks’ Madagascar Circus Show, a performance by characters from the movie, and Blum, which features acrobatic performances.
THE ULTIMATE HOLLYWOOD EXPERIENCE
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Hollywood, California, US
In addition to the thrilling theme-park rides and shows, your kids will get to check out a real working movie studio and enjoy action-packed entertainment.
Among the main attractions: Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, a heart-warming and hilarious 3-D ride that starts in Gru’s home, and takes you through “Minion training” and a trip through Gru’s super-villain laboratory. After the ride, you can participate in an interactive, Minion-inspired dance party, as well as visit a recreation of the first film’s seaside carnival, Super Silly Fun Land, an outdoor family play zone.
Don’t miss the Studio Tour – Hollywood’s most famous backlot, home to sets from well-known TV shows as well as the award-winning King Kong 360 3-D attraction by director Peter Jackson.
This article was originally published in Simply Her December 2014.