Parks Of Glory And Gloom
Amusement parks promise joy and unforgettable memories—but the truth is more complicated. Some parks enchant with thrilling rides and breathtaking design. Others, however, leave visitors disappointed or even unsettled by poor upkeep and fading charm. This contrast between magic and mediocrity reveals how different amusement parks can produce completely divergent experiences. Let’s start with those that give amusement parks a bad name.
1. Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park, Beijing, China
International criticism followed when this park copied Disney characters without permission. Visitors once saw a castle nearly identical to Sleeping Beauty’s, and staff have dressed as knock-off Mickeys. Many rides lack modern safety standards, yet families still come because it’s cheap.
2. Six Flags America, Maryland, USA
Just outside Washington D.C., this park is notorious for frequent ride breakdowns and poor maintenance, and it frustrates guests with surprisingly high food prices. Locals still come, some joking that the most thrilling part is surviving the parking lot.
3. Wonderland Park, Texas, USA
Wonderland opened in 1951 with only three kiddie rides. Today, it is criticized for having outdated attractions. Safety inspections reveal ride malfunctions, and water ride reviews remain poor, but locals return simply because it is the only amusement park nearby.
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4. Gulliver’s World, Warrington, United Kingdom
While queue times here are moderate, some guests feel the ride quality doesn’t justify the wait. Plus, facilities are dated, and many rides are considered too small for adults. Parents complain about expensive entry fees despite the lack of modern attractions.
5. Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania, USA
This amusement park is known for being one of the few major ones in America with free admission. Yet affordability cannot hide aging rides and an outdated appearance. Guests often praise the food stands more than the rides.
6. Dreamworld, Queensland, Australia
Dreamworld has struggled since a tragic 2016 ride accident that ended with fatalities. Visitor numbers dropped sharply despite new investments. Competing directly with Warner Bros. Movie World, it is seen as inferior, and attempts to attract crowds with tiger shows brought criticism.
7. Santa’s Village, New Hampshire, USA
Opening in 1953 with just a few Christmas-themed cottages, Santa’s Village has become more nostalgic than modern. Many attractions are outdated, and older kids often find too few rides. Families return for its holiday charm, even with its shortcomings.
8. Adventureland, Iowa, USA
Safety concerns define Adventureland, where multiple fatal accidents have scarred its reputation. Inconsistent ride operations and poor maintenance further dragged it down. Yet, since 1974, it has been in operation, and its “Dragon” coaster once stood out with two consecutive loops.
9. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, United Kingdom
Founded in 1896, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is among the world’s oldest amusement parks. The park’s reputation suffers from rough, uncomfortable wooden coasters and maintenance and modernization that lag behind other European parks. British pop culture often references the park.
10. Happy Valley, Beijing, China
Crowds pack Happy Valley, while critics accuse it of copying Disney and Universal attractions. Its Atlantis-themed area lifts from Universal Studios’ water attractions. Part of a nationwide chain, the park nonetheless appeals to families who see it as a cheaper alternative to Shanghai Disneyland.
With the worst out of the way, let’s now take a trip to the best around the world.
1. Disneyland, California, USA
Opening in 1955, Disneyland became the very first Disney park and transformed the amusement industry forever. Consistently one of the world’s most visited parks, it features the Matterhorn Bobsleds and countless “Hidden Mickeys” to discover.
2. Europa-Park, Rust, Germany
Europe’s largest non-Disney amusement park is Europa-Park, flaunting over 100 attractions and welcoming more than five million visitors annually. Each section is themed after a European country, complete with authentic food and design. It has on-site hotels styled like castles and medieval villages.
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3. Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands
Efteling, one of the world’s oldest theme parks, opened in 1952. Inspired by European fairy tales and folklore, it is culturally unique. Here, you get Anton Pieck’s “Fairytale Forest,” the mysterious “Baron 1898,” and an atmosphere often compared to a darker Disneyland.
4. Lotte World, Seoul, South Korea
The world’s largest indoor amusement park, Lotte World, draws more than seven million visitors every year. A giant ice-skating rink rests here, surrounded by rides, and guests can also explore a folk museum. The park’s mascot appears in parades and merchandise.
5. Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Ferrari World delivers speed with Formula Rossa, Earth’s fastest roller coaster. Covered by a vast red roof featuring the largest Ferrari logo anywhere, it is the first Ferrari-branded theme park. Inside, visitors can test race simulators.
6. Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark
Founded in 1843, Tivoli Gardens is among the oldest amusement parks. Its mix of rides, gardens, and live entertainment draws millions annually. Hans Christian Andersen once strolled its grounds, and Walt Disney took inspiration from here.
7. PortAventura, Salou, Spain
Millions visit PortAventura each year, a park famous for its extreme coasters, including Dragon Khan, which thrills riders with eight inversions. Younger children enjoy the Sesame Street area, while vacationers love its Mediterranean setting. Plus, Ferrari Land is nearby.
8. Cedar Point, Ohio, USA
Generations of thrill-seekers have flocked to Cedar Point since it opened in 1870. Called the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” the park features more than 15 coasters. Its Millennium Force became the first to break the 300-foot barrier.
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9. Gardaland, Castelnuovo Del Garda, Italy
Gardaland is Italy’s most popular amusement park, attracting nearly three million visitors each year. Ranked high among Europe’s parks, it benefits from its location near Lake Garda. The park has an aquarium and a themed hotel themed around fantasy stories.
10. Alton Towers, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Set around a historic Gothic-style estate, Alton Towers is one of the UK’s largest theme parks with more than 40 rides and attractions. It is known for world-first roller coasters, including Oblivion, the first vertical drop coaster.
