New parks, new coasters, new shows– 2008 is shaping up to be quite a season at theme parks and amusement parks. No matter where you may live throughout North America or where your vacation travels may be taking you this year, there’s bound to be some new excitement awaiting you.
Theme Parks will offer great relaxation for everyone from small children to old people. Those who want to take a world trip can get great fun and enjoyment by visiting the popular theme parks around the world.
Here are some of the most popular theme parks around the world.
Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World:
The Magic Kingdom is the heart of Walt Disney World, where costumed Disney characters roam the streets and Space Mountain rules the rides. Cinderella’s Castle, based on the turreted German castle Neuschwanstein, is a guaranteed favorite with little ones [Disney vacation].
You will find wonder, fantasy and pixie dust everywhere around the magic kingdom park. The seven enchanted lands lead the young and young hearts on a journey of fun, excitement and fantasy. Despite of whatever park you visit, the Magic Kingdom Park is the spot where the storybook dreams become a reality.
Magical adventures and Enchanting tales await your whole family at magic kingdom park.
Islands of Adventure – Florida, US:
Islands of Adventure consists of five “islands” plus the Port of Entry, arranged around a “lagoon.” The islands are presented in clockwise order, starting at the park entrance.
This island is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is roughly divided into three smaller sections. The first section is designed to resemble medieval Europe. The second section is ancient Arabia. Last is mythological Greece. It contains several live-action shows.
This land is also home to Mythos, winner of best theme park restaurant several times by Theme Park Insider, and one of two full-service restaurants in the park.
Cedar Point – Ohio, US:
Cedar Point, the second oldest amusement park in the United States, sits at the end of a slender strip of land, at the edge of Lake Erie.
Cedar Point today is a fun place to visit for the entire family. It has beautifully landscaped gardens, lake views, a museum, an ice-skating show, plenty of shops and food outlets as well as water rides, four children’s areas, a classic merry-go-round, and, of course, the roller coasters.
Epcot – Orlando, US:
Epcot is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort. The park is dedicated to international culture and technological innovation. In 2007 Epcot hosted approximately 10.93 million guests, ranking it the third-most visited amusement park in the United States, and sixth-most visited in the world.
Future World focuses on emerging technologies while World Showcase features pavilions devoted to a rainbow of nations. From the start, the Disney theme parks have married technology and storytelling to whisk guests away to fantastic places. Mission: SPACE, the new, groundbreaking, awe-inspiring attraction at Epcot delivers sensations unlike any of you have ever felt (unless you’re an astronaut) and replicates space travel with an astonishing degree of reality.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach – Lancashire, UK:
The park has a mixture of traditional wooden rides, modern steel roller-coasters, small family rides, highly-advanced thrill rides and generations-old rides still in original working order.
The park is currently re-branding with new rides and shows, and a casino. Other major attractions include the many shows the park has on offer, including Forbidden at the Globe and Hot Ice at the Arena.
Pleasure Beach attracts about 6 million visitors a year. In 2007, Pleasure Beach was ranked as 14th most popular theme park in the world with 5.5 million visitors. It was the only UK amusement park to make it onto the ‘Top 25 Parks in the World’ list.
Port Aventura – Spain:
Port Aventura and Caribe Aquatic Park are part of a big resort complex on Costa Dorado in Spain. The resort has a wide array of roller coasters, from the Drago Khan, an intense eight-loop roller coaster, to the Stampida, two tracks wide and made of wood.
The resort itself is made up of distinct regions, or “countries”; themed shows like “Can Can in the Saloon” are popular.
Europa Park – Germany:
Europa-Park is the second-most-popular theme park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris. It is split into fourteen different areas, typically named after European countries or regions.Along with the park and rides, there are countless shows on offer every day.
Europa-Park is often criticized for its lack of thrill attractions. Indeed, unlike most major theme parks, there are currently no inversions (upside down spins) on any of the parks rides.
Tivoli Gardens – Denmark:
Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park is best known for its wooden roller coaster, as it is one of world’s oldest wooden roller coasters that is still operating today.
Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens are a delightful anomaly: a park where you can enjoy carnival thrills, eat polser sausages under the trees, swill ol in a beer garden, dine in an elegant restaurant, attend a symphony concert, enjoy free pantomime theatre, or sniff the 115,000 flowers that bloom during the park’s season.
Tokyo Disneyland:
Tokyo Disneyland is part of a massive Disney complex that also includes Tokyo DisneySea and a number of branded hotels.. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States
There are seven themed areas, each complementing each other yet unique in their style. Made up of the World Bazaar, the four classic Disney lands: Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and two mini lands, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown. Rides include Big Thunder Mountain in Westernland, a four-minute train ride through a “haunted” mine.
Tokyo Disneyland will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of its grand opening in 2008.
Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park – China:
This theme park is located in the Shijingshan district of Beijing in China. In this park, a modern temple fair is held at stated times. When you first enter into the park gate, you will see the jet tower and big dipper, first and unique in Beijing.
It has unique landscape and elegant scenery. Among the verdant pines, green grass and cypresses, the Arabic restaurant, the Russian entrance hall, the Gothic Cinderella Castle and the European blue bridge are full of exotic atmosphere.
Ocean Park – Hong Kong:
The marine-themed amusement park covers the area of Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan, and is located in Hong Kong. The different parts of the park are connected by a gondola lift system (or cable car system), as well as the world’s second longest outdoor escalator.
The theme park currently has over 14 rides and other attractions such as aquariums. Besides housing two roller coasters, Ocean Park also features a Giant panda exhibit, a jelly fish and shark aquarium, as well as a four-story aquarium displaying more than 2000 fish.
Suoi Tien Cultural Amusement Park – Vietnam:
This theme park is located in Ho Chi Minh City. This beautiful park consists of everything like rides, water parks, parades and go-carts.This park has all the amusement things that traditional amusement parks have including wild roller coaster water slides, rides, race cars, and other fun activities.
The park also features unicorn palace, sea palace, phoenix palace, mountain palace and heavenly palace which includes the animal kingdom.
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