10 of the world’s best theme parks, and the ride not to miss at each

The best theme parks are worth crossing an ocean for. Here are ten of the world’s best, from Disney classics to European favourites, with the one ride at each you shouldn’t miss.

01 Disneyland Park, Anaheim, California

The park Walt Disney built in 1955 is still the original, and for many people the best. Next door, Disney California Adventure makes it easy to fill two or three days.

02 Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan

Often called the most beautiful theme park in the world, DisneySea is built around ports of call, from a Mediterranean harbour to a volcano. Its newest area, Fantasy Springs, is one of Disney’s most detailed.

03 Universal Epic Universe, Orlando, Florida

Universal’s newest park opened in 2025 with worlds based on Harry Potter, Super Nintendo, How to Train Your Dragon and classic monsters. Combine it with Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure next door.

04 Europa-Park, Rust, Germany

Germany’s largest theme park is split into themed European countries and regularly wins awards as one of the best parks in the world. Its indoor water park, Rulantica, is next door.

05 Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands

One of the oldest theme parks in the world, Efteling began as a fairy-tale forest in the 1950s. It’s charming for families but has serious coasters too.

06 Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark

Opened in 1843 in the middle of Copenhagen, Tivoli mixes gardens, restaurants and concerts with rides. It’s especially magical at night and during its Christmas season.

07 PortAventura World, Salou, Spain

On Spain’s Costa Daurada, PortAventura combines a large theme park with a water park and Ferrari Land, which is home to one of Europe’s tallest coasters.

08 Everland, Yongin, South Korea

South Korea’s biggest theme park sits about an hour from Seoul and combines rides with a safari, seasonal flower festivals and the Caribbean Bay water park.

09 Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio

On a peninsula in Lake Erie, Cedar Point is a bucket-list park for coaster fans, with more big coasters than almost anywhere else. See our Six Flags parks guide for more parks in the same group.

10 Kings Dominion, Doswell, Virginia

Between Richmond and Washington, D.C., Kings Dominion offers dozens of rides plus the Soak City water park, making it a good stop on an East Coast road trip.

Tips for theme-park trips

• Buy tickets online and in advance. It’s usually cheaper, and some parks limit daily visitors.
• Arrive before opening. The first hour has the shortest lines.
• Download the park app. It shows live wait times and lets you plan your route.
• Check height limits before promising kids a ride.
• Avoid school holidays if you can — weekdays in the shoulder season are much quieter.