24 of the World’s Most Popular Theme Parks

You’ve done the walking tours, the beaches, the museums and other scenic spots. Now what? Take a thrilling journey to theme parks! As a new type of entertainment attraction, a true theme park is made up of different themed lands or regions combining with a collection of rides and other attractions. With great efforts to create the illusion of another world, these parks are sure to delight and excite both children and adults.

Well, what is a good option for theme parks? You may get a bit dizzy, as our world is blessed with so many options. No need to worry – we round up our top picks of the 24 popular theme parks in the world, combining with beautiful photos. With this list, your choice of theme parks could be an easy and fun click.

1. Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Orlando

Credits: andy castro, SpreadTheMagic, Caza_No_7, B. Koprowski

As the first park built at the Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom boasts at least 46 attractions in 6 themed areas. At the park, you can see costumed Disney characters strolling along the streets. In 2010, the park hosted around 17 million guests, making it the most visited theme park in the world.

2. Cedar Point Amusement Park, Ohio

Credits: Andrew 94, Double B Photography, Intamin10

The roller coaster capital of the world, Cedar Point is the second oldest amusement park. As of 2010, the park has more rides (75) than any other amusement park. It also boasts beautifully landscaped gardens, a mile-long white sand beach, a museum, an ice-skating show, an outdoor water park, a variety of shops and much more.

3. Tokyo Disneyland

Credits: thestevelau, jark, pictureTYO, Dennis Wong, cafetricot, Beaster725

Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States. It has 7 themed areas in the park, including the World Bazaar, four classic Disney lands and two mini lands. In 2010, the park received about 14.4 million guests, again ranking it as the third most visited theme park in the world.

4. Islands of Adventure, Florida

Credits: Wikpedia, Rob J Brooks, Hoshichan, butler.corey, coconut wireless, mattwitmer

The park’s overall theme is that of a journey of exploration, where the world’s most cutting edge rides, shows and interactive attractions bring your favorite stories, ancient myths and legends. In 2010, the park hosted about 5.9 million visitors, ranking it #12 worldwide.

5. Six Flags Magic Mountain

Credits: respres, SpokkerJones, coconut wireless, PunkJr, Christian Haugen, DTrigger05

If thrilling rides are your thing, then head to Six Flags Magic Mountain. It is home to one of the world’s largest collections of extreme rides.

6. Disneyland Paris

Credits: Wikpedia, lone snapper, bio84, Poepoei, veneman, mabufeu, Axel Buhrmann

Just 35 minutes from Paris, the theme park is the most visited attraction of its kind in Europe. With no fewer than 52 attractions, the park is a beautiful entertainment behemoth highlighted by its attention to detail and magical atmosphere.

7. Europa Park – Germany

Credits: Wikpedia, wrayckage, david roessli, Patrizio Boschi, occhietto, IBWK

This is the second most popular theme park in Europe, after Disneyland Paris. The park is divided into 15 distinctive areas, mostly named after European counties or regions. With high-capacity rollercoasters and attractions, it can accommodate up to about 50,000 visitors per day.

8. Everland, Suwon, South Korea

Credits: LH_Wong, dentarg, milst1

Everland is the largest theme park in South Korea. It is ranked 4th in the world for amusement park by offering 5 main festivals and exciting entertainment throughout the year. In addition to its main attractions, the park also has a zoo and a water park known as Caribbean Bay.

9. Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England

Credits: johnthurm, KateMonkey, johnthescone, Mark Lincoln

Formerly Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the park is the most visited amusement park in the United Kingdom. It has an exceptional collection of thrilling rides, including traditional wooden rides, modern steel roller-coasters, small family rides, highly advanced thrill rides and generations-old rides.

10. Tivoli Gardens, Denmark

Credits: Wikpedia, AtilaTheHun, Stig Nygaard

With more than 4.5 million annual guests, Tivoli is the most popular seasonal theme park and also the second oldest amusement park in the world. The park is not only known for beautiful gardens, but also for the diversity of rides for children of all ages.

11. PortAventura Park, Spain

Credits: Joao Maximo, thecrypt, Carlos Lorenzo

PortAventura is a theme park and a resort, about an hour drive south of Barcelona. It attracts about 3 million visitors per year, making it the 6th visited theme park in Europe. At this biggest resort of south Europe, you can enjoy the beach, roller coasters, a water park and golf for all.

12. Canada’s Wonderland

Credits: Wikpedia, WomEOS, ihrivera, S^S

Set on 330 acres of landscaped park, the Wonderland includes more than 200 attractions in 8 uniquely themed areas. In the 2000s, it has been the most attended seasonal theme park in North America.

13. Ocean Park Hong Kong

Credits: Wikpedia, dawvon, Michael Yat Kit Chung, carles_tomas

Ocean Park Hong Kong, commonly called Ocean Park, is actually a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park. The park is split into two areas by a large mountain: the Summit and the Waterfront. It has been ranked the world’s seventh most popular amusement park and 33rd most visited tourist attractions by Forbes.

14. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari – Indiana, United States

Credits: Inferno Insane

As a theme park and water park combo, Holiday World celebrates Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July with rides, live entertainment, games and attractions. In its water park, there is the world’s longest water coaster.

15. Wild Wadi Water Park, Dubai

Credits: Sarah_Ackerman, robertpaulyoung, olekvi

Wild Wadi, situated in Jumeirah, an area of Dubai, is the only themed amusement park in the UAE. Featuring 30 rides and attractions for all family, the park is themed around the tale of Juha.

16. Knoebels Amusement Resort, Pennsylvania

Credits: zizzybaloobah, milst1, withvengeance86

Strap in and get ready for some of the most thrilling rides in Knoebels. This family-owned and -operated amusement park serves as home to more than 57 rides, two wooden roller coasters, a 1913 carousel and a haunted house dark ride.

17. Universal Studios Japan

Credits: Wikpedia, Mulberry24, HAMACHI!, mrevanader

Situated in Osaka, Universal Studios Japan is the first Universal Studios outside the US. The park is comprised of 9 areas, featuring rides, shows, theater-style attractions and more. Overall, you will enjoy endless fun, delicious food and shopping all in one place.

18. Universal Studios Florida

Credits: Photography MC, Richard Cawood, littlemaiba, Spiffy0777

With numerous attractions and live shows, Florida version is also a universal studios theme park. Its theme is the entertainment industry, in particular movies and television. The park received about 5.9 million visitors in 2010, making it the 8th most visited theme park in the United States.

19. Suoi Tien Cultural Amusement Park, Vietnam

Credits: Don Fulano, izahorsky

Suro Tien Cultural Amusement Park is Vietnamese theme park, located in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This beautiful park boasts all the amusement things for everyone, like rides, roller coasters, water parks, race cars and other fun activities. All things in the park illustrate the history and legends of Vietnam.

20. Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park, China

Credits: nortron, Baidu

One of the most popular parks, Beijing Shijingshan Amusement Park is located in the Shijingshan District of Beijing. As you step into the park gate, the unique jet tower and big dipper will appear in your line of sight. The scenery in the park is also unique and elegant.

21. Hopi Hari, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Credits: Flavia Mariani, Naira Dias, visual media

As a Brazilian theme park, Hopi Hari is thought to be the second largest amusement park in Brazil. Covering an area of 29,000 square meters of land, the park is divided into five themed areas.

22. Alton Towers – Staffordshire, England

Credits: Acarneiro, rogerbarker2, mattbuck4950, niquimerret, gnislew

Alton Towers, a theme park and resort, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK attracting millions of visitors each year. Located in the beautiful grounds of a semi-ruined gothic revival, the park offers a wide array of attractions and adventures for people of all ages.

23. Liseberg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Credits: gibilee, gnislew, vargklo, 917press, Pak-e Aufa

Attracting approximately 3 million visitors per year, the Liseberg is the largest and one of the most visited amusement parks in Scandinavia. Noteworthy attractions include Balder, Flumeride and Lisebergbanan.

24. Legoland

Credits: elfidomx, Dave Catchpole, James F Clay, r3v || cls

With no limits on adventure and excitement, Legoland offers fun for everyone in the family. There are more than 50 thrilling rides, attractions and shows to choose from. As a chain of Lego-themed theme parks, it can be found in Denmark, UK, USA and Germany.