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Top Ten Parks

1) Europa Park - Last visit 2010

The theme park Mecca. The holy place of European theme parks. Want decently themed rides, a fantastic launch coaster, amazing shows, heaps of dark rides and rollercoasters and experiences around every corner? This is the place to go. Amazing.

2. Miribilandia - Last visit 2011

An odd one but it has incredible merit thanks to Katun and iSpeed, two of the best rollercoasters in Europe. A really nice park to visit as well with a good range of attractions. Theming isn't oustanding but thats okay. A feel good park.

3. Animal Kingdom (Walt Disney World)- Last Visit 2011

Oddly my favourite Disney park because I think its the nicest and most pleasent to be in. It also contains Everest, my favourite rollercoaster and Dinosaur my favourite dark ride.

4. Alton Towers - Last visit 2012

Sam made a good point about the Towers. Uk Enthusiasts can get very jaded about what the park has become but there is no doubt that it has the hardware and the atmosphere that very few parks can compete with. And Nemesis..

5. Phantasialand - Last visit 2006

I admit its been a while. However this is such a well thought out, loved park by its owners that it leaves an impression that lasts, no matter how long its been since you went.

6. Parc Asterix - Last Visit 2012

I really like Asterix because everything about it is completely tounge in cheek. Even the scary rides are firmly placed in the fun department making everything a pleasure to do. And it has Oz'Iris.

7. Chessington - Last Visit 2012

A fanboy vote to be honest. I've loved Chessington ever since I was younger and whenever I visit I just feel so relaxed and chilled. No other park has that effect on me.

8. Parque Warner Madrid - Last Visit 2007

An odd park because no one ever goes there but I really liked the park. Variety of rides and shows and parades and something to do for everyone.

9. Sea World Orlando - Last Visit 2011

I do have a strange love for parks that feature animals quite heavily. Theres something about natural creatures and the un-natural element of rides and steel that appeals to me. I especially loved the Manitees and Manta.

10. WDW Magic Kingdom - Last Visit 2011

The place where dreams come true? I think so. So good at making you enjoy yourself that you end up spending more money then you dreamed possible. Unforgettable park and experiences.
 
Sam said:
Interesting to see so many people rating the Busch parks so highly, with three #1 spots. I knew people like them, but I didn't realise they were that popular!

Mitch, if you went to Europa Park, I'd be interested to see if your updated list reflected Rob's and still ranked BGW higher than EP. :)

Picking between BGW and EP is a very hard thing to do. They are very similar parks mainly down to the European theming but they do offer different experiences. BGW obviously has more thrill rides yet it still has a nice family atmosphere on park. And in my opinion DarKastle wipes the floor clean with all of EP's dark rides combined into one! Then with EP you've got better, more extensive and detailed theming, a greater selection of rides and a park that does have a bigger wow factor. They are both top class parks and although I think EP is a better park on the whole, I prefer BGW mainly down to the rides it does have. The fact I had such an amazing and VIP like experience at BGW does probably also play a role in my decision.

:)
 
Seems a well reasoned point! BGW does look amazing. Though I think it's clear to anyone that Europa has a faster rate of improvement and investment than any other park in the world. It's getting better quicker than anywhere else. For example, although BGW added Verbolten, Europa added Wodan and Bell Rock.

Rob, do you expect Europa to overtake BGW for you at some point in the next few years, and if so, when? What would it take to nudge it ahead out of interest, a big thrill coaster I am guessing? :)
 
Sam said:
Rob, do you expect Europa to overtake BGW for you at some point in the next few years, and if so, when? What would it take to nudge it ahead out of interest, a big thrill coaster I am guessing? :)

Hmm, depending on the investment at both parks it could well do. I think BGW are planning on adding a hotel in the coming years so it will be very interesting to see how that turns out, I can't see it being to the standards of Europa's unfortunately. However I reckon if Europa got another world class thrill coaster and a world class dark ride it could just about push above BGW for me. I think regardless of what happens though they are going to be two parks that I love and enjoy almost equally with it being very hard to separate them.

:)
 
Sam said:
Interesting to see so many people rating the Busch parks so highly, with three #1 spots. I knew people like them, but I didn't realise they were that popular!

Mitch, if you went to Europa Park, I'd be interested to see if your updated list reflected Rob's and still ranked BGW higher than EP. :)
Funnily enough I have been to Europa before when I lived in Switzerland but that was when I was far too young to remember! ;)

No doubt it'll probably be a difficult decision between it and BGW when I do go, although I find yours and Rob's conversation between the two parks interesting because (even though I haven't been to Europa yet) if you take away the overall theme and quality of theming I'd say it's a difficult comparison to make.

Europa is a well-established, massive resort whereas Busch is far smaller and probably has a much lower international impact and general throughput. I've heard Busch as being described as Europa but with bigger thrill machines, but I'd disagree, I'd compare it to a national park with thrill rides. Likewise, from what I've seen of it, I'd say Europa is more reminiscent of a Disney park with thrill machines. It's definitely more of an experience-based park focused on immersion than BGW although the latter does appear to be branching in that direction with Verbolten and DarKastle.

This next paragraph is going to sound a bit pre-judgemental but hear me out. I could see myself preferring BGW after visiting Europa but not because of the quality of the park but just my personal preference. I like my thrill machines (I am particularly fond of Alpengeist :p) and Busch delivers better in that aspect, whilst trying to avoid the quantity vs. quality argument, I think Busch has the more solid line-up of attractions. (But hey, I'm open to surprises and Europa could provide me with one of those. :) )

Another factor and this is pretty big, but when I planned a trip last year to Europa I was told a few times I needed at least three days on the park. Europa is so damn big that but feel I'll have this psychological urge to get everything done and I'll probably end up missing out on some of it as a result. Busch is easily a one-day park, and you can experience it in a day comfortably, and it certainly was a very relaxing and easy-going day regardless of queues (they were all about the 1/2 hour range) so having two days there was just bliss. Of course I could stay at Europa longer, but does it come to a point in a theme park where it's just so big that the desire to do everything supersedes the wonderful atmosphere within and in a way negates the whole experience?

I'm not trying to put down the park at all, I'm just speculating from past experience which brings me on to this point...

Also, why do you combine California DL and WDW Magic Kingdom? They're two very very different parks (California has Indiana Jones dark ride and the Matterhorn!) and I rank them very far apart from each other!
I think I expressed my views badly in my original post, I don't wish to combine the two parks but I can't decide which of them I prefer. Whilst California's DL is much bigger and has better iterations of the attractions, I think Florida's is more easy going do-able and less hectic. Admittedly I only had two days to do both parks at California which in hindsight was not nearly enough time to spend there, I just thought the overall atmosphere and magic in Orlando was more apparent.

I know it's strictly outside the park, but I've never had a grander introduction to a park, than sailing across that lagoon to MK's gates or soaring along the monorail watching Space Mountain peak out from the trees. I just think it builds the experience up so much better than California's multi-storey car-park. :p

Oh and I got spited by Indy. Boo... </3

Yeah, of course Orlando is far fresher in my memory than California (2006 felt like an eternity!) so that may have played a small part too.
 
Europa feels like a 'destination', in the way a Disney resort does. Spending three days there feels appropriate rather than too much and it also allows you to spread your shows viewing over the days.

:)

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk
 
Yes. A really great resort theme park, a 'destination' park, should attract you to stay multiple days even if the surrounding area offers nothing of interest whatsoever. As nice as Rust is, it's a pretty boring town in quite a nondescript and flat part of Germany. Yet somehow it feels like a mecca, an end point, purely because of what Europa Park have themselves built, rather than relying on any surrounding sites of interest to support it (like say, Liseberg or Coney Island).

Thus, a destination theme park is one that makes you want to spend multiple holiday days at a place that is otherwise completely unnoticeable! Disneyland in Anaheim and the Orlando parks also fit into this definition.
 
I find it quite difficult to rate these parks in order, but I guess this will be the top ten.

1. Islands of Adventure
Excellent area theming, amazing rides. Nice setting around the lake and easy to find your way around.

2. Busch Gardens Africa
I probably rate it so highly due the amazing coasters, but this is a lovely park with an excellent combination of rides / animals combined in all the areas. Works really well.

3. Europa Park
I don't really need to give an explanation of why I rate this park.

4. Six Flags Magic Mountain
Yes, it get's criticised for being a bit ghetto but tbh in all my 3 visits I have always found it a really nice park. Amazing rides. The mess of coloured steel on the horizon as you approach on the I5 is amazing.

5. Cedar Point
Once again I will rate this for the rides, resort wise it is average, theme park wise it is mostly an amusement park. Some areas are pretty, but it's all about the coasters.

6. PortAventura
I love PortAventura, it's a perfect park for me. I like the 'Universal-ness' of it. The area theming is outstanding. It's a true theme park.

7. Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is beautiful. I could wander around for days. The attention to detail is absolutely stunning. My favourite Disney park.

8. Disney's Hollywood Studios
My 2nd favourite Disney park. I loved the rides and shows here, and also the retro art deco Hollywood theming.

9. Parque Warner Madrid
As much as all the bright paint colours have faded into pastel shades around this park, I thought it was lovely. Helps that there's rarely any guests so no large queues. Superman is a superb coaster and the Gotham theming on the buildings is amazing.

10. Six Flags Great Adventure
Six Flags GAdv needs to be on the list due to being home to best coaster on earth (El Toro). I have to admit though, the park itself leaves a lot to be desired. If you want ghetto, go here rather than Magic Mountain.
 
Adding a little detil to all my rankings...

1. Europa-Park
I have been visiting this outstanding theme park for 7 years now, and it just keeps on getting better and better. It's family owned and run, which gives it a charm that most major parks simply cannot match. With investment levels, and the frequency of installations, beyond pretty much any other park in Europe, Europa-Park is constantly setting its bar higher and higher - whether it's theming, shows or food and beverage. 56 rides and attractions, up to 20 different shows every day, a parade, stacks of great places to eat, 5 hotels, a guest house, camp site and Tipi village - this is the best park I have ever been to. You won't find throughputs and operations like it, anywhere else.

2. Busch Gardens Africa
Simply for Montu and Kumba. Those two coasters are both in my top 5 and I really enjoyed the park. That said, it does lack in terms of dark rides - but with landscaping and coasters this good... who's moaning?

3. Alton Towers
It may be a little tired in places, but my love for Alton Towers still burns strong. Home to a range of top coasters and beautiful landscaping, and one of the best halloween events in Europe. Cracking!

4. Islands of Adventure
For immersion, few parks are better. It isn't higher simply because there isn't actually THAT much there. But what there is, is pure gold. Harry Potter and Spiderman are works of genuis - and the coasters aren't bad either.

5. Phantasialand
Stunning theming in places, with Black Mamba in particular one of the best themed coasters in the world. With unique and crazy rides, including RiverQuest, Mystery Castle and Winjas - Phantasialand is a very special place!

6. Animal Kingdom
Landscaping beyond any other park. A massively underrated place in Florida, which is home to four of its best attractions. Expedition Everest, Dinosaur!, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids are some of the best examples of their respective ride type. I love the atmosphere, here.

7. Disneyland Park (Paris)
Beautiful! With Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain looking THIS good, what's not to like? It has a fantastic atmosphere, and with Dreams for 2012 - things are getting even better.

8. Efteling
Just a lovely, lovely theme park. Although it lacks in hardware - it makes up for it as one of the most charming parks in the world. Some of the theming, especially on Die Vliegende Hollander, is stunning - and their dark rides are remarkable, too.

9. Magic Kingdom
A great park. Not up their with Paris, because I find a few key rides less visually attractive, but with Splash Mountain, my love of MK is assured. One of the mecca's of the theme park world.

10. PortAventura
A very well themed park, with some of Europe's best shows. Shambhala is really helping this place go places, too. Dragon Khan is a cracking coaster, too. Perhaps Baco and Stampida could do with smoothing out a little, but PortAventura is a good theme park for sure!

:)
 
Having visited quite a lot of Spanish and Italian parks for the first time in the past few weeks, here is my updated Top 10 parks! This list doesn't mean that my top coasters are in these parks, it's all about the overall offering a park has!

1. Europa-Park
I have been visiting this outstanding theme park for 7 years now, and it just keeps on getting better and better. It's family owned and run, which gives it a charm that most major parks simply cannot match. With investment levels, and the frequency of installations, beyond pretty much any other park in Europe, Europa-Park is constantly setting its bar higher and higher - whether it's theming, shows or food and beverage. 56 rides and attractions, up to 20 different shows every day, a parade, stacks of great places to eat, 5 hotels, a guest house, camp site and Tipi village - this is the best park I have ever been to. You won't find throughputs and operations like it, anywhere else.

2. Busch Gardens Africa
Simply for Montu and Kumba. Those two coasters are both in my top 5 and I really enjoyed the park. That said, it does lack in terms of dark rides - but with landscaping and coasters this good... who's moaning?

3. Islands of Adventure
For immersion, few parks are better. It isn't higher simply because there isn't actually THAT much there. But what there is, is pure gold. Harry Potter and Spiderman are works of genuis - and the coasters aren't bad either.

4. Alton Towers
It may be a little tired in places, but my love for Alton Towers still burns strong. Home to a range of top coasters and beautiful landscaping, and one of the best halloween events in Europe. Cracking!

5. Parque Warner
Although the park now lacks investment, following its sale from Warner, it still has the remains of a truly amazing entertainment park. With great shows, stunning coasters and brilliant water rides - with theming to match many, it's a massively under visited and underrated park to the south of Madrid. The best park in Spain.

6. Phantasialand
Stunning theming in places, with Black Mamba in particular one of the best themed coasters in the world. With unique and crazy rides, including RiverQuest, Mystery Castle and Winjas - Phantasialand is a very special place!

7. Animal Kingdom
Landscaping beyond any other park. A massively underrated place in Florida, which is home to four of its best attractions. Expedition Everest, Dinosaur!, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids are some of the best examples of their respective ride type. I love the atmosphere, here.

8. Gardaland
This park suprised me. It's in fantastic shape and, even with Merlin fastrack and upselling, the flowers everywhere, shows and good theming ensure it has a place in my top 10 parks.

9. Disneyland Park (Paris)
Beautiful! With Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain looking THIS good, what's not to like? It has a fantastic atmosphere, and with Dreams for 2012 - things are getting even better.

10. Efteling
Just a lovely, lovely theme park. Although it lacks in hardware - it makes up for it as one of the most charming parks in the world. Some of the theming, especially on Die Vliegende Hollander, is stunning - and their dark rides are remarkable, too.

Magic Kingdom and PortAventura have dropped out of my Top 10.
 
Quite surprised you rank Gardaland over Mirabilandia in all honesty Dan, apart from Raptor and a few other things I thought the place was pretty average, plus you've got the upselling and fastracking you mentioned in your TR that lowered my rating of the park.

Not to say I didn't enjoy my visit, but I wouldn't say it was even close to being as good as Mirabilandia, or Port Aventura for that matter...
 
Adz95 said:
Quite surprised you rank Gardaland over Mirabilandia in all honesty Dan, apart from Raptor and a few other things I thought the place was pretty average, plus you've got the upselling and fastracking you mentioned in your TR that lowered my rating of the park.

Not to say I didn't enjoy my visit, but I wouldn't say it was even close to being as good as Mirabilandia, or Port Aventura for that matter...

Mirabilandia just lacked in a resort feeling for me, and if I removed either of the two big coasters from Miri, I wouldn't have rated it whatsoever.

Gardaland on the other hand, as much as it had the upselling/fastrack, was a beautiful theme park - and had some great dark rides and just had far more of a line up that gave a lovely ambience. I think partly it could be to do with the fact that I was wary of Merlin with Gardaland, but actually it felt like a lovely, well rounded theme park. I Corsari and Mammut were both excellent examples of their ride type.

PortAventura I need to get back to, as with Shambhala I think it could creep up a bit. The problem I had with PA was that I did not rate Baco, El Diablo or Stampida... it basically left the area theming, shows and Khan to prop it up which as much as that was great, wasn't enough.
 
I'm trying to think if I've even visited 10 parks at the moment... :p

1: Phantasialand - Lovely theming, lovely rides, lovely entertainment, and some truely world class rides, Phantasialand steals the show for me. Even with the whole centre of the park torn out it posses a magical spark that no other park I have visited gives me. It has the perfect mix of attractions, and even the more minor additions are all great. The theming used around the park is a work of art. Never have I seen such attention to detail as I have here, right down to the tiniest detail. I just love the place through and through.

2: THORPE PARK - Yes, you read that right, Thorpe is my second favourite park. Why? Sure, it's not great operationally, and the clientele are far from desirable, but it has the big thing I go to any park for; the rides. While Alton should beat it hands down simply for theming and setting it can't for me. Thorpe houses two of my favourite coasters, amongst various other brilliant rides and attractions. It pains me to put it over Alton, but with the park rotting away at the moment Thorpe just takes the edge. SW7 will hopefully place Alton back at number 2...

3: Alton Towers Resort - Need I say more? :p The reason it's third and not second is simply due to the state of the park at present. It's upsetting to see the park going the way it is, and I find that really draws a lot of the magic out of the place. Alton needs work. It's about time management took a step back and reevaluated their stance on existing attractions. At TT@10 Mark Kerrigan more or less said that it's not something they've looked into in detail, and there's no real plan in place. Madness in my opinion. The state that two of the park's headline coasters are in is an absolute disgrace, and those responsible for letting it get this way should be ashamed of themselves. Couple that with the increasing corporate feel of the park and it really can't be second on my list, no matter how hard I try. The park no longer feels like a magical place of escapism. It feels like a park ran by a company in distress who are desperate to milk it for all it's worth, cutting costs and making more money off guests at every opportunity. Over the past 2-3 years I am actually starting to question how much I like the place at all really. Action needs to be taken. If it wasn't for the amazing rides and the dear memories of the place it'd probably be lower still ???

4: Parc Asterix - It's cute! Oz'Iris has been a huge leap forward for the park, and has really helped to up their game. The theming is stunning, and it has the rides to match. The park felt clean and fresh, and is in a lovely setting. That lake is beautiful! If they can maintain the standards Oz'Iris has opened with, and keep investing in the rest of the park to the same level I will be very pleased :D

5: Parc Disneyland - As much as I don't care for Disney I have to admit I rather like Parc Disneyland. For the rides and the setting if nothing else. They have some awesome attractions like Phantom Manor, and Space Mountain, both of which I love. It's a nice park :)

6: Drayton Manor Park - I've been visiting Drayton for as long as I can remember. Every year it was a treat for my sister's birthday, and was the big day out we had each year. I've seen the place go up and down, but now since Thomas Land I think it's fair to say the park is on the right track once again. Ben 10 and the hotel have been brilliant investments, both executed very well. On top of that the continuing effort to touch up the older rides and freshen up the park as a whole are pleasant and long overdue. I really hope Drayton can pull something out of the bag in the next year or two, in the form of a solid thrill coaster. As far as flats go I'd say they've always had the upper hand. They just need the coasters to go with them (MACK Mega Coaster pl0x!). After they install a top notch thrill coaster they can go back and sort their dark rides out. After that I think they've got it made. I'd love to see a woodie at some point in the future too. Something to complete their lineup which under Merlin rule will probably never come to Alton.

7: Pleasure Beach Blackpool - Admitedly I've only been twice. Once while Valhala was being built, and again just a few weeks ago :p I liked the park. I would certainly say that. They have a very interesting collection of rides, but a collection I enjoyed non the less. My only niggle (Aside from the staff. Really really poor attitude and motivation, except the one lady telling us Valhalla was having issues in the morning. She was so bubbly and happy she made Merlin staff look depressed! <3 ) was the appearance and brand. See I love what they're doing to the park with the sculpture garden for example. But then I also like the classic 30s deco style present throughout the park. The only issue seems to be how to marry the two together. One makes the other look out of place and spoils the effect in my opinion, which is a real shame. I think they need to clearly define a look and work it throughout. Failing that have the South area looking more modern and contemporary, and then work on North, renovating and cleaning up all the more historic side. Have the two defined as individuals, rather than a miss mash of new and old. When combined with the image the park is trying to give itself too it doesn't really help. They really try to push new and contemporary it seems. But that image will never truely work when there's some old style, whitewashed, curvey deco structure next to your new polished chrome and glass buildings. Contrast can be good. But not here. If they could sort this out then I'd be really pleased, and the park would go up in my rankings no doubt.

8: American Adventure Theme Park (Defunct) - Yes, it no longer exists I know, but I still have a love for the place. It truely was a park left to rot in its last 10 years or so. In its hayday though it was an incredible place to be. The setting was beautiful, and they had some awesome attractions and theming (Nightmare Niagra and Runaway Train to name a few). But most of all? Rocky Mountain Rapids!!! They were without a doubt the best conventional rapids (I wouldn't put River Quest in this group :p ) I have ridden to date. From start to finish it just kept throwing more action at you. It was relentless! It really was The Ultimate in rapids form if you ask me (Both were by BCM too ironically :p ). Thinking about it actually 99% of the headline attractions were the Ultimate in one form or another... Runaway Train, Rocky Mountain Rapids, Nightmare Niagra, Missile (And BCM were involved in three or those four!). The whole thrill of the park was the constant apparent risk of being decapitated by a low hanging girder, or derailing at any moment :p Shame it was before Morwenna's time, else it really would have been The Ultimate theme park :p

9: Chessington World of Adventures - I really wish I could place this park higher! But I can't. I don't know what it was, I just didn't like the place :( After a couple of rides of Vampire, Dragon Falls, Tomb Blaster, and Bubbleworks I'd had enough. The cramped nature of some areas of the park didn't help either given it was a busy day, but all in all Chesington didn't cut it for me sadly :(

10: LegoLand Windsor - I didn't like it. In three hours we did Laser Raiders and nothing else. What did we do? Left and went to Thorpe for the rest of the day instead :p
 
If you're putting things you dislike in a top 10 list then calling it a top 10 sounds a bit odd ;)

Since I posted my list I've been to Italy for the first time and back to France and as a result there are a few changes:

1. Europa
2. Towers
3. BPB
4. Heide Park
5. Thorpe
6. Mirabilandia
7. Phantasialand
8. Gardaland
9. Asterix
10. Efteling

Asterix and Efteling are up (relatively) on the previous list, DLP and Hansa drop out of my top 10.
 
My Top Ten Parks has changed somewhat considerably during 2013, as a result of visiting many new parks in the USA during the summer. It now stands as follows:

1. Europa-Park
I have been visiting this outstanding theme park for 9 years now, and it just keeps on getting better and better. It's family owned and run, which gives it a charm that most major parks simply cannot match. With investment levels, and the frequency of installations, beyond pretty much any other park in Europe, Europa-Park is constantly setting its bar higher and higher - whether it's theming, shows or food and beverage. 56 rides and attractions, up to 20 different shows every day, a parade, stacks of great places to eat, 5 hotels, a guest house, camp site and Tipi village - this is the best park I have ever been to. You won't find throughputs and operations like it, anywhere else.

2. Busch Gardens Williamsburg
This park is beautiful, in every way. The theme areas and landscaping around European countries thrown in with some great rides makes a brilliant mix. The food is good, the drinks are great and there's an array of live shows too. Genuinely, the best park in the USA that I have yet been to.

3. Cedar Point
I enjoyed the 'Point far more than I ever imagined. Take Blackpool Pleasure Beach, add more rides, bigger rides, more modern rides and bang - you've got Cedar Point. Maverick, Top Thrill Dragster and Raptor are all awe-inspiring coasters, and the rest aren't half bad either. Not to be missed!

4. Islands of Adventure
For immersion, few parks are better. It isn't higher simply because there isn't actually THAT much there. But what there is, is pure gold. Harry Potter and Spiderman are works of genuis - and the coasters aren't bad either.

5. Six Flags Great Adventure
El Toro. Bizarro. Green Lantern. Batman. Nitro. The list goes on. This park is not the most beautiful. Nor is it the best operated, far from it - but the coasters here are amongst the best in the world. A titan of theme parks for the rollercoaster goodies on show!

6. Busch Gardens Africa
Simply for Montu and Kumba. Those two coasters are both in my top 10 and I really enjoyed the park. That said, it does lack in terms of dark rides, and it's not as good as Williamsburg - but with coasters this good... who's moaning?

7. Alton Towers
It may be a little tired in places, and it often does things that irritate the heck out of me, such as closing too early, a lack of entertainment and lack of special events, but my love for Alton Towers is rooted in my life. Home to a range of top coasters and beautiful landscaping, and one of the best halloween events in Europe.

8. Parque Warner
Although the park now lacks investment, following its sale from Warner, it still has the remains of a truly amazing entertainment park. With great shows, stunning coasters and brilliant water rides - with theming to match many, it's a massively under visited and underrated park to the south of Madrid. The best park in Spain.

9. Phantasialand
Stunning theming in places, with Black Mamba in particular one of the best themed coasters in the world. With unique and crazy rides, including RiverQuest, Mystery Castle and Winjas - Phantasialand is a very special place!

10. Animal Kingdom
Landscaping beyond any other park. A massively underrated place in Florida, which is home to four of its best attractions. Expedition Everest, Dinosaur!, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Kali River Rapids are some of the best examples of their respective ride type. I love the atmosphere, here.

Dropping out of my top 10 parks are Gardaland, Disneyland Park in Paris and Efteling.
 
1) Cedar Point
2) Parc Disneyland
3) Europa Park
4) Six Flags Great Adventure
5) EPCOT
6) Efteling
7) Magic Kingdom
8) Busch Gardens Williamsburg
9) Alton Towers
10) Blackpool Pleasure Beach

I was surprised how much I enjoyed Cedar Point and with the hardware (a few of my top 10 rides), atmosphere and quaint lakeside surrounds made for a lovely park, especially at night where it was beautifully lit. Consistent good weather also goes a long way!

I've grown up with DLP, it's hard to reverse engineer 20 years of memories.
 
1 Europa Park
2 Alton Towers
3 Parc Astérix
4 Phantasialand
5 Efteling
6 Disneyland Paris
7 Blackpool Pleasure Beach
8 Thorpe Park
9 Holiday Park
10 Movie Park Germany
 
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