The World’s 15 Coolest Theme Parks (That Aren’t Disney-Related)

For kids, there’s probably no destination more awe-inspiring than the theme park–simultaneously fun, incredibly exciting, and of course fear-inducing. As we grow up, however, most of us begin to lose this fascination–these feelings of wonder are replaced with memories of long lines, hot sun, and overpriced food and souvenirs.

That said, maybe it’s time we give theme parks another chance? If you’re thinking “no way,” just give us a few minutes of your time. Take a look at our list of the fifteen coolest non-Disney theme parks, and maybe you’ll decide to check out a theme park once again during your travels:

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Efteling, Netherlands

A relatively old theme park comparatively speaking, the Netherlands’ Efteling predates the original California Disneyland by some three years. The park has a fantasy theme, focused primarily on ancient Dutch legends and fairy tales. Just because the park is old, however, doesn’t mean that it can’t keep up with the times–it is consistently being updated, and even its older attractions were built to such high standards that they still compete with the attractions of modern parks. A whopping 94% of the Dutch population has visited Efteling at one point, and if that doesn’t speak to the place’s draws we don’t know what will.

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Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey

This massive theme park is the most renowned in the New York-New Jersey-Philadelphia region, and for good reason–it’s home to the world’s tallest roller coaster, Kingda Ka. Clocking in at a whopping 456 feet (139 meters), the coaster is also currently the world’s second fastest, reaching a top speed of 128 miles per hour (206 kilometers per hour). If height and speed aren’t the name of your game, don’t fret–the park is home to a wide variety of attractions including a children’s section and is also neighbored by a fantastic water park for the summer months. You’re sure to find something that you like here!

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Europa-Park, Germany

Europe’s second most popular theme park (after a certain Disney-affiliated park that will remain unnamed), Europa-Park is anything but typical. The park’s many sections are mostly themed after different European countries and regions, ranging from Greece to Russia to England to Scandinavia. Also, if you’re tired of overpriced hamburgers and funnel cake, Europa-Park might be of interest to you. The park’s Ammolite restaurant counts among its many honors and awards a coveted Michelin star–something that certainly can’t be said for the vast majority of theme park dining establishments.

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Nagashima Spa Land, Japan

This classic Japanese amusement park opened in 1966 and has remained a fixture on the world theme park scene since then. Its Steel Dragon 2000 roller coaster was once the world’s tallest complete-circuit coaster, and today it still remains the longest roller coaster in the world. In addition, Nagashima Spa Land is home to the Aurora Wheel, a Ferris wheel which at nearly 300 feet (95 meters) clocks in as one of the world’s largest. Nearly a half-century after opening, Nagashima Spa Land remains one of the world’s 20 most visited theme parks–a true testament to its continued quality.

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Everland, South Korea

Sticking for the time being in East Asia, Everland is South Korea’s largest theme park and the thirteenth most popular theme park in the world measured by attendance. Originally known as “Farmland,” this park is unique because of the major role that animals play–in fact, one of the park’s five major sections is known as Zoo-Topia. Western readers might be particularly intrigued by the fact that two of the park’s major zones include European Adventure and American Adventure, both of which feature architecture and recreated landmarks representing the two regions. You can check out part of European Adventure in the image above.

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Lotte World, South Korea

After visiting Everland, you won’t have to leave South Korea to visit the world’s largest indoor theme park! Located in the heart of the capital city of Seoul, Lotte World became the world’s largest indoor theme park upon its completion in 1989 and has defended the title continuously since then. Because it’s indoors, the park is able to remain open year-round. Besides the indoor park, there is also an outdoor section reachable via monorail. The park contains plenty of rides but also shopping malls, a hotel, movie theaters, and a Korean folk museum, meaning that Lotte World truly has something for everybody.

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Ocean Park, Hong Kong

Opened in 1980 and given a full refurbishment in 2005, Ocean Park is one of Hong Kong’s two major theme parks. Behind Disneyland Hong Kong, this is the second most visited theme park in all of Asia. Besides traditional theme park elements like roller coasters and other rides, Ocean Park has a strong focus on animal life–the park counts among its many attractions a panda bear habitat and the world’s largest aquarium dome, displaying thousands of fish. The park is also unique because it is separated by a mountain into two distinct areas–guests can venture between the two using a nearly mile-long cable car system.

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Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise, Japan

First of all, please don’t expect us to spell out this Japanese park’s name again. Located in the Kanazawa-ku ward of the coastal city of Yokohama (that was just as hard!), this park combines the attractions typical of a theme park with a world-class aquarium for a truly unique guest experience. It’s also unique in that it’s a pay-as-you-go park–there’s no gates to walk through, and you simply pay for each attraction that you decide to enter. If you only plan on spending a bit of time here, this can be a money-saver–but if you do plan to spend a full day at the park, a day pass is probably a good idea.

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Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

If you thought a park like Efteling in the Netherlands was old, try Tivoli Gardens–the second oldest still-operating theme park in the world, Tivoli Gardens was opened all the way back in 1843. Funnily enough, just like many Asian theme parks are designed to depict images of the Western world, Tivoli Gardens was originally conceived as an interpretation of Eastern Asia–you might be able to tell from the photo above. Walt Disney himself often cited Tivoli Gardens as his inspiration for the Disney parks, particularly admiring its ability to remain with the times without ever losing its original charm.

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Cedar Point, Ohio

On a small Ohioan peninsula jutting out into Lake Erie sits Cedar Point, the self-proclaimed “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” Opened all the way back in 1870, Cedar Point has changed significantly since then–it’s the world’s only theme park with four coasters taller than 200 feet (61 meters), the only theme park with a coaster in every official height classification, and the most visited theme park found anywhere in the United States. The park is also unique for the fact that it contains a beach within its grounds, as well as two marinas where visitors are able to dock their boats.

www.amusementtoday.com

Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania

Perhaps not as grandiose as most other parks on our list, what Knoebels lacks in big-budget features it more than makes up for in charm as well as savings. This smaller, family-owned theme park in central Pennsylvania offers free admission, free parking, and a variety of free entertainment options to visitors, who are then able to pay for access to most rides and attractions. The park’s wooden roller coasters are a throwback to another era, but nevertheless are considered quite fondly by those in the know. The park also has fantastic dining options, regularly winning national awards for amusement park food.

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Schlitterbahn Water Park, Texas

Though the family-owned Schlitterbahn company now owns a number of parks across Texas, the original Schlitterbahn still comes most highly regarded. Regularly named the best water park in the United States, Schlitterbahn counts among its many attractions what is probably the world’s only uphill water coaster ride–we don’t quite understand the physics either, but that might only make it cooler. If you’re looking for a way to cool down during the hot Texas summer, this is it–Schlitterbahn is the only full-blown water park we’ve included on our list.

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Beto Carrero World, Brazil

The largest and most highly-regarded theme park in Latin America, Brazil’s Beto Carrero World is named after the park’s founder, Beto Carrero (can you say megalomaniac?). Regardless, the park is impressive for its size and scope–it’s home to roller coasters, water rides, a zoo, and much more. Also, due to its fantastic location, Beto Carrero World is one of the few theme parks on our list that is able to remain fully open all year round. If you find yourself yearning for some theme park fun during a cold winter back home, Beto Carrero World might be the option for you!

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PortAventura, Spain

Both the largest theme park in Spain as well as in Southern Europe as a whole, PortAventura is the sixth most visited park in Europe. PortAventura is divided into six themed areas. Out of these, five are based on cultural and geographical areas–Mexico and China, for example–and one, the most recently constructed, is based on the children’s television series Sesame Street. In addition to more standard theme park attractions, PortAventura also contains an aquatic park and four hotels–making this a true vacation destination rather than just a simple amusement park.

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Discovery Cove, Florida

This aquatic theme park located in Orlando, Florida is unique due to its exclusivity–a maximum of 1,200 guests may be inside the park at any given time, making Discovery Cove a break from the stereotypical overcrowded theme park experience. Inside the park, visitors are given the opportunity to swim with bottlenose dolphins, snorkel a coral reef, enter a free-flight aviary filled with over 250 tropical birds, and more. In addition, the park is also all-inclusive. This means that, although admission is quite expensive, it already includes the cost of food, drink, equipment rental, and an additional visit to another SeaWorld park in Florida.

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