1. Europa Park
The best of everything. Sheer choice from everything of rides, food and drink through to the entertainment, all done with a humble pinch of modesty. I can go to EP to genuinely unwind and relax, have a booze evening or two, or to hit a series of rides in succession that still continue to hold dear places in my heart. There's a reason why it holds a dear place in many of our hearts.
2. Phantasialand
It may be tiny but I'll always be stunned at the immense and immaculate detail this park manages to cram in. The transitions between areas just happen; no build up or anticipation, it just happens so subtly and intricately. The theming is absolutely world class, particularly with the likes of Talocan.
3. Liseberg
What isn't there to love about Liseberg? It's the industry equivalent being greeted at a fine restaurant, guided to the table and having your chair pulled out for you, taking your coat and umbrella and ensuring they are hung up. It's charming, wonderfully crafted and ran by someone who just gets exactly what a park needs to be. Sure, it may only have one absolute headline ride (sorry Balder, but you're radically overrated to be once considered the best in the world), but beyond that are years of tender care and craftsmanship. Everything is so re-rideable that even though the park can easily be done in a day, it makes you want to come back for more and more.
4. Islands of Adventure
This theme park is arguably the pinnacle of fun, a mixture of some great rides and attractions and easily one of the world's greatest dark rides. It may have been somewhat overshadowed in recent years by the wealth of investment thrown at the Studios, but that doesn't stop IoA from easily holding the crown of Universal's better of the two parks.
5. Animal Kingdom
For me personally this is the greatest form of escapism Disney offer in their four Orlando theme parks. Whilst Epcot may boast the largest variety of cultures, Animal Kingdom just has a deeper and richer feel to it. So much time and research has been clearly invested into accurately conveying the areas of the park, and even though I'm yet to visit Pandora and have absolutely no interest in Avatar whatsoever, that area looks unquestionably picturesque; perhaps an easy contender for one of the most beautiful areas of any theme park in the world. Not to mention the park has the most expensive roller coaster in the world which by its own merit is a bloody brilliant ride.
6. Alton Towers
There's no question I've fallen out of love with Alton Towers over recent years, but that isn't down to the park itself. Look past the rot, the overgrown weeds, the upselling and the fast track. Forget the shoddy build qualities and the blatant lack of care for appearances. Alton Towers has a beautiful and natural history that no other theme park in the world can come close to matching. The Towers themselves for Christ sake are a statement no other park can match, and their need to think outside the box has delivered one of the best roller coasters on the planet almost 25 years ago. Merlin quite simply don't deserve Alton Towers in their portfolio. Stick to the holiday villages and midways, not operating theme parks with hundreds of years of natural beauty and history.
7. Magic Kingdom
I'm not overly passionate about Disney as a concept, but there's no denying what they've achieved with Magic Kingdom is a beautiful thing. It's easily the biggest draw for families to Orlando. Without MK, I'd argue the likes of Sea World and Universal would somewhat struggle to pull as many visitors as they do that currently flock to Orlando. They're for the most part siphoning from Disney's success story. Magic Kingdom is pristine, a park that resets every evening like clock work and looks just as magnificent the next day. For the millions of people that trample through each year, it still maintains a timeless and untouched feel that can't really be replicated anywhere other than its fellow counterparts. So much thought and effort goes in to ensure every single day of operation at the Magic Kingdom is as magical for all guests inside its gates, and I truly doth a hat to them for it.
8. Toverland
It's not the biggest. It's not the best. Its ride line up is hardly something to travel half way across the world for. But who the hell cares? Toverland is a beautiful place with a real heart (ignore the ugly exterior of the shed that occupies 1/4 of the land). Whilst still relatively new compared to other parks on the list, the recent addition of Fenix and Avalon shows that the park has huge potential. It's the underdog that you feel compelled to root for. and perhaps the park on the list that I have the biggest soft spot for. Their recent additions from Magic Valley onwards have been like watching an adorable puppy learn a new trick. I can't wait to get back hopefully next year and for the park to keep growing from strength to strength (and IMAscore soundtrack to IMAscore soundtrack). Maximus Blitzbahn FTFW!
9. Walibi Holland
This is what Thorpe Park should be. A park that does nothing to hide the fact it's a teenager out every night on the booze. It's outrageous fun and it's certainly vocal about conveying that, with its ridiculously bright colours, wacky themes and loopy mascot. The park has taken some fairly bog standard rides that were plonked in by Six Flags and turned them into something each unique and remarkable. Xpress's queue line is a total and delightful surprise, keeping you on edge whilst striking awe at the same time. Speed of Sound is beyond every other Vekoma Boomerang with its surprisingly comfortable ride and its soundtrack. Plus, WH even gives Merlin a run for their money in their shipping container department with Lost Gravity, but done properly of course.
10. Grona Lund
Make no mistake, Grona Lund has nothing to shout from the rooftops about (and considering the amount of tower rides it has, there's no shortage of opportunities to do so). Yet despite its petit footprint, my last visit to Grona Lund surpassed 12 hours without having to take a step outside for a breathe of fresh air. Jetline and Twister are hugely fun and re-rideable, whilst the rest of the park features a plethora of crammed in madness that you'd struggle to not crack a smile at. The vastly entertaining fun house complete with 'on-slide' photo. The boat ride where you can reverse your boat half way back through the ride, then power forwards to catch your group again (and getting two on-ride photos to boot). Even the scare maze was a great surprise. There's no shortage of re-doable fun to fill your time with at Grona Lund. I really didn't think I was going to enjoy this park as much as I would, until I was able to reflect on the day with great food and a beer on the floating BBQ overlooking the magnificent waters of Stockholm.