This portion of our directory focuses on amusement parks, or theme parks, a type of amusement park.
A theme park is an amusement park designed around a central theme, often consisting of various sections, each with its distinct theme. For example, Disneyland has eight themes: Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Nearby, Knott's Berry Farm has four themed areas: Camp Snoopy, Old West Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, and The Boardwalk. On the other hand, Sesame Place, in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, is devoted entirely to the preschool television staple, Sesame Street.
Bakken, located in Klampenborg, Denmark, is the world's oldest continuously operating amusement park, having begun its operations in 1583. Although Bakken has only had rides for the past three hundred years, that still qualifies it as the oldest. ("The Amusement Park," by Stephen M. Silverman, 2019)
The roots of amusement parks can be traced back to the fairs and pleasure gardens that were popular in medieval Europe. These early parks, with their simple attractions like live entertainment, games, and food vendors, laid the foundation for the modern amusement park we know today.
The Industrial Revolution of the 19th century led to the development of more sophisticated amusement parks. New York's Coney Island opened in the late 1800s and is often credited with setting the standard for future parks.
Steeplechase Park (1897-1964), Luna Park (1903-1944), and Dreamland (1904-1911), were located in Coney Island. Other early amusement parks included Vauxhall Gardens (1661-1859), Saltair (1893-present), Tivoli Gardens (1843-present), and Tivoli Gardens (1843-present).
Amusement parks encompass a variety of types, each with its unique features and attractions. Theme parks, designed around a central theme or multiple themes, offer immersive experiences. Water parks, focused on water-based attractions like slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, provide a refreshing escape. Adventure parks, offering outdoor activities like zip-lining, rock climbing, and obstacle courses, cater to thrill-seekers. Educational parks combine entertainment with education, making learning fun. Regional parks, smaller in scale, serve local communities, often featuring a mix of rides and attractions.
Great amusement parks generally feature a variety of rides and attractions catering to different age groups and interests. Roller coasters, offering thrilling experiences with high speeds and dramatic drops, are the backbone of any amusement park. Ferris wheels provide panoramic views of the park and often the surrounding area. They are a staple attraction. Dark rides are indoor rides that take guests through themed environments, usually telling a story. Disney's Haunted Mansion is an example. Water rides provide different levels of thrill and enjoyment, many of which will get you wet. Disney's Splash Mountain is an example. Amusement parks often include live shows, music, stage shows, street performances, animal shows, parades, and fireworks.
Amusement parks have universal appeal, and some of the most popular ones today (as of 2024) are located in different parts of the world. From Magic Kingdom in Florida to Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland in Japan, Universal Studios in Japan, Epcot in Florida, Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland in France, Universal Studios in California, Shanghai Disneyland in China, and Everland in South Korea, these parks attract visitors from all over the world.
Smaller but iconic amusement parks include Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania; Storybook Land in Hershey, Pennsylvania; Santa's Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire; Wonder Mountain Fun Park in Wells, Maine; and Story Land in Glen, New Hampshire.
Amusement parks' revenue comes mainly from admission fees paid by guests. However, they also generate income from other sources. Parking fees, food and beverage sales, and souvenirs contribute significantly to their earnings. Additionally, some parks offer premium experiences, such as fast passes or VIP tours, for an extra fee, further boosting their revenue.
Most amusement parks operate either on the pay-as-you-go or pay-one-price admission schemes. When visiting a park using the pay-as-you-go scheme, you would be admitted into the park at little or no charge, but you would have to purchase rides individually, either at the entrance or by buying ride tickets or tokens. An amusement park using the pay-one-price scheme will charge a single admission fee, which entitles the guest to use most of the attractions in the park as often as they wish during their visit. These may be in the form of daily admission tickets or season tickets.
This part of our web guide focuses on topics relating to amusement parks.
Recommended Resources
Officially named Dyrehavsbakken (Deer Park Hill) and commonly referred to as Bakken, the Danish amusement park is situated in the southern part of Dyrehaven. Opened in 1583, it is the world's oldest continuously operating amusement park. Admission is free, and it uses a pay-as-you-go scheme. The park offers children's activities, restaurants, pubs, entertainment, live music, thrill rides, such as a wooden roller coaster and four others, along with dozens of other rides and amusements.
https://www.bakken.dk/english/
Powered by XenForo, the online discussion board is focused on discussions about all things Disney. It includes categories for Disney Trip Planning, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Disney Vacation Club, Disney Parks in other countries, Royal Caribbean, Universal Studios/Sea World, and a section for other Disney topics that don't fit into the established categories. Anyone may read the forum content, but participation requires a (free) membership and a login.
https://www.disboards.com/
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Known for its unique holiday-themed areas, including Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July, the family-friendly amusement park is in Santa Claus, Indiana. The park features a variety of rides, including the Good Gravy! Family Coaster and the Voyage, one of the longest wooden roller coasters in the world. The park hosts special events like Halloween in the Sky, where 500 drones create a unique display. Also included are water rides and other water park features.
http://www.holidayworld.com/
Situated in Mason, Ohio, about 24 miles northeast of Cincinnati, Kings Island opened in 1972 and is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Spanning 364 acres, the amusement park offers various attractions, including roller coasters, family-friendly rides, and seasonal events. Themed areas include Planet Snoopy, a dedicated area for younger visitors featuring over 20 Snoopy-themed attractions. Ticket information and an overview of its rides and attractions are provided.
https://www.visitkingsisland.com/
The 57-acre amusement park is located in Buena Park, California, and is owned and operated by Six Flags. It began as a roadside berry stand run by Walter Knott along State Route 39 in 1920. A restaurant, several shops, and other attractions, including a replica ghost town, were built on the property to entertain visitors. In 1968, admission charges were added, and the park transformed into a modern amusement park. The park profile features its rides and experiences, and ticket information.
https://www.knotts.com/
The official website for Legoland parks and resorts worldwide provides information about the various locations, including theme parks, water parks, and discovery centers. It also includes details about park attractions, events, vacation packages, and other information. Each Legoland features interactive family rides, live shows, building workshops, and popular attractions, including "Miniland" areas that reflect iconic buildings constructed from LEGO bricks.
https://www.legoland.com/
Legoland Windsor Resort is a theme park in Windsor, Berkshire, England. With an overall theme of LEGOs, the park includes sub-themed areas, such as LEGO City, LEGO Kingdoms, LEGO Pirates, and LEGO Friends. Its rides and attractions include the LEGO Ninjago World, The Dragon, the LEGO Movie, and The Haunted House. Legoland Resort Hotel, a themed hotel with family rooms, is also on the grounds, and the park hosts various events throughout the year. Ticket information is included.
https://www.legoland.co.uk/
Mousetrips is a travel agency specializing in Disney vacations. It helps plan trips to various Disney destinations, offering personalized service designed to make the vacation planning process as easy and magical as possible. The agency handles all Disney destinations, including Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland, Adventures by Disney, and Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Free quotes, client reviews, employment opportunities, and contacts are available.
https://www.mouseketrips.com/
Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Resort
Schlitterbahn is an American brand of water parks currently owned by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. However, it was previously a family-owned and operated company based in New Braunfels, Texas. Schlitterbahn has parks in New Braunfels and Galveston, Texas. Previously, the company had a park in South Padre Island, but when the Henry Family sold the company, they retained ownership of the park and rebranded it. Information on either of its parks can be found on the site.
https://www.schlitterbahn.com/
Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, SeaWorld operates marine mammal parks, oceanariums, animal theme parks, and rehabilitation centers. Its parks also feature thrill rides, including roller coasters. It has operations in Orlando, Florida; San Diego, California; San Antonio, Texas; and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A mission statement, a library of educational materials related to various animals, and a trip planning guide to each of its locations are included.
https://seaworld.com/
Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts
The family entertainment destination is located in Branson, Missouri, known for its thrilling rides, live entertainment, and Ozark heritage themes. Its rides include roller coasters like Outlaw Run and Time Traveler, family-friendly attractions, and a crafts colony showcasing over a hundred artisans. There is also a 13-acre water park with water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and an 1890s-style paddle-wheeler offering dinner cruises and scenic views. Tickets may be purchased online.
https://www.silverdollarcity.com/
Silverwood Theme Park Boulder Beach
The Athol, Idaho, amusement park features a variety of rides, live entertainment, and a natural setting. Boulder Beach is the park's water park, offering a range of water attractions. Its key features include two massive wave pools, a lazy river, a kids' area with hoses, pools, slides, and geysers, a family raft slide that cascades down a 40-foot mountain, high-speed water slides, and a new immersive kiddie area inspired by Idaho lakes. Schedules and contests are also featured.
https://www.silverwoodthemepark.com/
Six Flags Entertainment Company is a US-based amusement park corporation headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was formed in 2024 following a merger between Cedar Fair and the former Six Flags company, which began with Six Flags Over Texas in 1961. After acquiring Valley Fair, Cedar Fair was formed in Sandusky, Ohio, in 1983. Six Flags operates more than fifty properties in North America, including amusement parks, water parks, and resorts. Its properties are featured on the site.
https://www.sixflags.com/
Story Land, opened in 1954, is a theme park in Glen, New Hampshire. It is intended to appeal to children up to the preteen age range and has multiple themed soundtracks that play in specific areas of the grounds and are exclusive to the park. The site features the park's attractions, shows, experiences, events, and highlights, along with a visit-planning guide that includes promotional offers, discounts, a calendar, and hours. Employment opportunities are included on the website.
https://www.storylandnh.com/
Tivoli Gardens is an amusement park in Copenhagen, Denmark. Opened in 1843, it is the most visited amusement park in Scandinavia. Best known for its wooden roller coaster, built in 1914, the park includes a second roller coaster, a swing ride, a looping plane ride, and several others, some designed for children and others for older people. Its attractions, food and drink venues, event schedules, opening hours, and information on obtaining tickets or a pass. A gift shop is also available.
https://www.tivoli.dk/en/
The entertainment complex in Orlando, Florida, includes Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, and Universal Volcano Bay. Epic Universe is slated to open in 2025. The site highlights the four theme parks and on-site hotels, including Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Cabana Bay Beach Resort. It also features tickets, passes, an exploration of the parks, and a trip planning guide, including park hours, locations, and an online shopping page.
http://www.universalorlando.com/
The Walt Disney World Resort, also known as Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment complex about twenty miles southwest of Orlando, Florida. Opened in 1971, it is operated by Disney Experiences, a division of The Walt Disney Company. The nearly 25,000-acre property includes four theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses, a competitive sports complex, conference centers, entertainment spaces, and shopping and dining facilities. Tickets are available online.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
