Theme Parks in the United States
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for United States.
The United States is home to more theme parks and Family Entertainment Centers (FEC) than any other country in the world. From large corporate parks, like those in the Disney and Six Flags families, to small family-owned and operated parks, the nation's landscape is dotted with acres of thrilling rides and a wide variety of attractions.
When Disneyland first opened in 1955, many people were skeptical that an amusement park without any of the traditional attractions such as ferris wheels and boxed roller coasters would succeed. But Disneyland proved to the world that it was different. Instead of a traditional midway, Disneyland offered five distinct themed areas, providing visitors with the fantasy of traveling to different lands and times. Disneyland was an immediate success and, as a result, the theme park era was born. Today, the amusement park remains an international favorite attraction and with the advancement of technology, continues to reach heights and speeds that thrill seekers only dreamed about not too long ago.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Offering four uniquely themed parks and two invigorating water parks, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular amusement parks in the world. Relive childhood memories at the Magic Kingdom Park where Disney storybook characters come alive through rides, games and live entertainment. Tour Cinderella and her Prince Charming's Castle, ride Aladdin's magic carpet, or sail away abroad a flying galleon and follow Peter Pan on a whimsical journey to experience Disney's land of adventure. Raft down the splashing waters of the Chakranadi River through the Asian rainforest or join an open-air safari to explore the majesty of nature and fascinating animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Broadway-style productions are a favorite at Disney World, where visitors have the opportunity to sing, dance and play along with Playhouse Disney pals Bear, Tutter and Pooh at Disney-MGM Studios.
Numerous educational attractions and interactive experiences are also available at this enchanting park. Mission: SPACE at Disney's Epcot provides an integration of thrilling rides with a first-hand experience of being part of an astronaut team. Through the numerous rides, live shows, interactive games and parades, Disney World and its four themed parks make it possible for visitors to explore the world in a day.
DISNEYLAND
An exciting, year-round visitor destination is Anaheim, California, where the famous Disneyland offers four separate park areas—Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland and Adventureland. Among meeting Mickey, Goofy and the rest of the Disney characters, rides, mascots, restaurants, shows and games comprise the favorite attractions at Disneyland.
Experiencing the thrills of theme parks just wouldn't be complete without staying overnight at a theme hotel. Numerous Disneyland packages, including airfare, accommodations and park passes, are available to help make a stay in Anaheim convenient and enjoyable. The Disneyland Resort offers numerous lodging options with special deals at hotels such as Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, both of which have spectacular views of the park.
SIX FLAGS
For more than 40 years, Six Flags has given children and adults the freedom to discover captivating settings and thrilling adventures. Its legacy began with Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and grew to transform the way families vacation. Six Flags is the world's largest regional theme park company, delivering fun-filled experiences to visitors at over 30 parks in America.
Six Flags Over Texas attracts thousands of visitors every year with its thrilling rides, great food, entertaining marquee shows, underwater adventures and more than 10 showcase hotels, offering an exciting, action-packed vacation for all ages. Visitors to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California are in for a scenic adventure while enjoying 16 world-class roller coasters and over 100 different rides and challenging games. An abundance of hotels are situated near the park.
Six Flags has also established over 20 water parks across the United States with two in the Texas area. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington and Six Flags SplashTown in Spring make the summer heat more bearable with water slides and raft rides. The fun doesn't end there. Vallejo, California offers Six Flags Marine World and Jackson, New Jersey features bison, elephants, rhinos, camels and more at Six Flags Great Adventure. Visit any of America's Six Flags to find out how this theme park earned the reputation as one of the most entertaining and interactive parks in the country.
CEDAR FAIR
Cedar Fair has established numerous theme parks from California to North Carolina to Ohio. Kids love Carowinds in Charlotte, where the 12-acre Planet Snoopy kids' area is filled with fun rides, games, live shows and tasty treats. Northern California also knows how to have fun, with Great America solidly established in the Bay Area of Santa Clara. Earning the reputation as one of Northern California's favorite places for family fun and thrills, this theme park offers an exciting Australian-themed water park at which to take a break from the heat of the Californian sun.
For those who crave extreme roller-coaster thrills, visit Kings Island in Mason, Ohio for the world's tallest, longest and fastest looping wooden roller coaster. Plunge 26-storys at a speed of over 61mph (98 kph) on the tallest Gyro Drop in the world or ride The Beast through dark tunnels to explore the gripping terror that Kings Island has to offer. Kings Island is located near the city of Cincinnati, where Coney Island Amusement Park is a major attraction.
Particularly known for its roller coaster lineup (it has more coasters than any other theme park in North America), Cedar Point at Sandusky, Ohio holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coasters in the world. Also located at Cedar Point are several mini-parks including Soak City, a Caribbean-themed indoor water park, and Challenge Park, where interactive activities like the X-Treme Trampoline, towering RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks and two 18-hole miniature golf courses entertain and challenge visitors. With resort accommodations set right on the peninsula, Cedar Point is an ideal location for a mini-vacation or weekend getaway.
The parks mentioned here are a mere few of the many different theme parks available across the nation. Visitors to the United States have the option of choosing between traditional outdoor theme parks, water parks and indoor theme parks. Indoor water parks—a relatively new concept—such as Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie, Pennsylvania also attract thousands of visitors each year. Theme parks have been part of the American tradition for decades now and continue to immerse visitors in a world of pure fun.
When Disneyland first opened in 1955, many people were skeptical that an amusement park without any of the traditional attractions such as ferris wheels and boxed roller coasters would succeed. But Disneyland proved to the world that it was different. Instead of a traditional midway, Disneyland offered five distinct themed areas, providing visitors with the fantasy of traveling to different lands and times. Disneyland was an immediate success and, as a result, the theme park era was born. Today, the amusement park remains an international favorite attraction and with the advancement of technology, continues to reach heights and speeds that thrill seekers only dreamed about not too long ago.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Offering four uniquely themed parks and two invigorating water parks, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular amusement parks in the world. Relive childhood memories at the Magic Kingdom Park where Disney storybook characters come alive through rides, games and live entertainment. Tour Cinderella and her Prince Charming's Castle, ride Aladdin's magic carpet, or sail away abroad a flying galleon and follow Peter Pan on a whimsical journey to experience Disney's land of adventure. Raft down the splashing waters of the Chakranadi River through the Asian rainforest or join an open-air safari to explore the majesty of nature and fascinating animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom. Broadway-style productions are a favorite at Disney World, where visitors have the opportunity to sing, dance and play along with Playhouse Disney pals Bear, Tutter and Pooh at Disney-MGM Studios.
Numerous educational attractions and interactive experiences are also available at this enchanting park. Mission: SPACE at Disney's Epcot provides an integration of thrilling rides with a first-hand experience of being part of an astronaut team. Through the numerous rides, live shows, interactive games and parades, Disney World and its four themed parks make it possible for visitors to explore the world in a day.
DISNEYLAND
An exciting, year-round visitor destination is Anaheim, California, where the famous Disneyland offers four separate park areas—Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland and Adventureland. Among meeting Mickey, Goofy and the rest of the Disney characters, rides, mascots, restaurants, shows and games comprise the favorite attractions at Disneyland.
Experiencing the thrills of theme parks just wouldn't be complete without staying overnight at a theme hotel. Numerous Disneyland packages, including airfare, accommodations and park passes, are available to help make a stay in Anaheim convenient and enjoyable. The Disneyland Resort offers numerous lodging options with special deals at hotels such as Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, both of which have spectacular views of the park.
SIX FLAGS
For more than 40 years, Six Flags has given children and adults the freedom to discover captivating settings and thrilling adventures. Its legacy began with Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and grew to transform the way families vacation. Six Flags is the world's largest regional theme park company, delivering fun-filled experiences to visitors at over 30 parks in America.
Six Flags Over Texas attracts thousands of visitors every year with its thrilling rides, great food, entertaining marquee shows, underwater adventures and more than 10 showcase hotels, offering an exciting, action-packed vacation for all ages. Visitors to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California are in for a scenic adventure while enjoying 16 world-class roller coasters and over 100 different rides and challenging games. An abundance of hotels are situated near the park.
Six Flags has also established over 20 water parks across the United States with two in the Texas area. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington and Six Flags SplashTown in Spring make the summer heat more bearable with water slides and raft rides. The fun doesn't end there. Vallejo, California offers Six Flags Marine World and Jackson, New Jersey features bison, elephants, rhinos, camels and more at Six Flags Great Adventure. Visit any of America's Six Flags to find out how this theme park earned the reputation as one of the most entertaining and interactive parks in the country.
CEDAR FAIR
Cedar Fair has established numerous theme parks from California to North Carolina to Ohio. Kids love Carowinds in Charlotte, where the 12-acre Planet Snoopy kids' area is filled with fun rides, games, live shows and tasty treats. Northern California also knows how to have fun, with Great America solidly established in the Bay Area of Santa Clara. Earning the reputation as one of Northern California's favorite places for family fun and thrills, this theme park offers an exciting Australian-themed water park at which to take a break from the heat of the Californian sun.
For those who crave extreme roller-coaster thrills, visit Kings Island in Mason, Ohio for the world's tallest, longest and fastest looping wooden roller coaster. Plunge 26-storys at a speed of over 61mph (98 kph) on the tallest Gyro Drop in the world or ride The Beast through dark tunnels to explore the gripping terror that Kings Island has to offer. Kings Island is located near the city of Cincinnati, where Coney Island Amusement Park is a major attraction.
Particularly known for its roller coaster lineup (it has more coasters than any other theme park in North America), Cedar Point at Sandusky, Ohio holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coasters in the world. Also located at Cedar Point are several mini-parks including Soak City, a Caribbean-themed indoor water park, and Challenge Park, where interactive activities like the X-Treme Trampoline, towering RipCord Skycoaster, two high-speed go-kart tracks and two 18-hole miniature golf courses entertain and challenge visitors. With resort accommodations set right on the peninsula, Cedar Point is an ideal location for a mini-vacation or weekend getaway.
The parks mentioned here are a mere few of the many different theme parks available across the nation. Visitors to the United States have the option of choosing between traditional outdoor theme parks, water parks and indoor theme parks. Indoor water parks—a relatively new concept—such as Splash Lagoon Indoor Water Park Resort in Erie, Pennsylvania also attract thousands of visitors each year. Theme parks have been part of the American tradition for decades now and continue to immerse visitors in a world of pure fun.
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