At almost any time of year, family planners can count on a theme park to shift the annual vacation into high gear. Whether you’re planning a long vacation or just a day trip, a themepark is the perfect destination for family bonding no matter the age of your children.
In “America’s Most Popular Family Vacations,” the FamilyTravelForum.com community offers its top 10 picks for the best themeparks in destinations with so much to do that you can plan a whole vacation around them. This list is not in any particular order, and there are many other great amusement parks in North America, so you can tell the kids — no matter where you’re going — there’s fun ahead!
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee is known for its wholesome population of good ol’ country-music-loving residents who put on a warm welcome. One of the region’s most well-known locals, of course, is Dolly Parton. In 1986, the spirited country singer opened Dollywood and it is now one of Tennessee’s most visited man-made attractions, receiving more than two-million visitors annually. The ever-expanding park has rides and amusements for every age, from toddler to adult, and was spared by the November 2016 wildfires that engulfed the region and many homes.
Set in the beautiful Pennsylvania region of Hershey, this chocolate-themed amusement park has everything from rides to games to food. The park is open year-round and offers seasonal adventures for the whole family. As the weather starts to get warmer, nothing is more exciting than a trip down “Tidal Force,” one of the world’s tallest waterslides. And when the family is done trying all the rides, make sure to see some live entertainment or take a chocolate factory tour.
3. Lake Compounce, Connecticut
A family-friendly amusement park in the heart of small-town Connecticut, historic Lake Compounce attracts visitors from all over with its roller coasters, water rides and wave pool. Lake Compounce is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country and boasts the #1 wooden roller coaster in the world. There are rides and waterplay for all ages during its May to October season.
If you love roller coasters then check out Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. This 364-acre peninsula on Lake Eerie is known as the “Roller Coaster Capital of the World.” With more than 70 rides, nearly a quarter of them world-class coasters, this park has fun for the entire family. Even if you’re not a coaster fan, Cedar Point has waterparks, shows and mini-rides for your tiny travelers. On-site accommodations offer special incentives for staying and playing.
5. Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia is a great family destination for living history, and it fits perfectly with the 21st Century escape available at nearby Busch Gardens. Featuring Europe-themed rides, attractions, shows, food and shopping, Busch Gardens is the right kind of distraction for the entire family. The little ones will surely love running into the cast of “Sesame Street,” while older kids can have their share of thrills on a host of rides. Everyone in the family will appreciate this park’s beautiful landscaping.
Targeted to the younger crowd, families with kids ages 2 through 12 will find Legoland a different kind of adventure. Featuring over 30 million Lego pieces assembled into the décor, Legoland offers a variety of activities from mild coasters to an “Imagination Zone” where kids can build their own Lego creations. Their waterpark is built of Legos, too! This park is very kid-friendly, providing water fountains, cafeteria counters and restrooms for the younger bunch. Health-conscious parents will also appreciate the food variety; the park offers gourmet-style restaurants and you are more likely to see fruit stands than candy or ice cream shops. If you are a real fan, you’ll want to stay at the on-site hotel and visit the Legoland Florida park too.
7. Universal Studios Hollywood, California
Always wanted to feel like a movie star? At Universal Studios, the whole family can experience the sights, sounds and glamour of Hollywood. Take the refreshed, thrilling backlot tour showcasing scenes and sets from popular TV shows and movies, ride TV- and movie-themed rides and meet with some of the most beloved characters, such as Shrek, SpongeBob, and Curious George. The whole family will enjoy the star-studded treatment and selfie spots at this glittering themepark.
When Disney says “come and experience the magic,” it’s no lie. Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is truly a magical destination. With four distinct theme parks, two water parks, over 25 hotels and more restaurants, shops and entertainment than you can count, there is truly something for everyone. The vast number of rides, attractions and shows caters to every age from toddler to adult and the new Pandora: World of Avatar is creating a lot of buzz. Disney also has many options for families traveling with small children including babysitting services, stroller rentals and changing areas.
9. Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Texas
Take Schlitterbahn, the original German-themed waterpark in New Braunfels, Texas and multiply it by four (sister waterparks exist in South Padre Island and Galveston, Texas; Kansas City, Kansas; and Corpus Christi, Texas) and families can fashion a whole road trip around visiting these palaces of aquatic fun. This Hill Country amusement park that’s been voted No. 1 Waterpark in America for as long as we can remember, and its location between San Antonio and Austin make it a fun base for a true Texan vacation.
10. Universal Orlando, Florida
Although there are several themeparks to see in the Orlando area, no visit would be complete without a few day’s stop at Universal Studios. The movie-themed rides and attractions range from Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem for the little ones to Revenge of the Mummy for the more daring older set. Adjacent to Universal is the Islands of Adventure where the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is housed among other impressively entertaining attractions. While there are plenty of rides to choose from, families can also enjoy restaurants, shows, movies and shopping nightly at the fun CityWalk.
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I poured my heart and soul into this!!! Hope you people enjoy! =)
Wow, this is wonderful! You are so lucky to have gotten this opportunity. You looked absolutely gorgeous at the show and the red carpet. Thanks for sharing this, it really made me smile. I used to have the biggest crush on Joe Jonas.. hahah!
Amazing trip!
I hope that my story will inspire and enrich your lives; even if it doesn’t touch you as much as it has touched me. I hope that this will be passed on and that people will take a few minutes just to read what I had to say and try to be in the mind of these children. Try to change your day and see your house, your possessions, your income, and those many great things that you possess and find a way to share them with others. We all need a wakeup call sometimes, a message to straighten us out and look at the life we were given. I hope to go back next year to repeat the experience all over again and try to change myself even more, I love those children and I love their compassion and selflessness. Words can’t fully express what I felt or what I witnessed but my words are clear, these people see the world much differently than us, they treat possessions differently and they know how to work as a community.
This is about when my family and I took a trip down to Central Florida for our Family Vacation.
Hope you enjoy!
This was a vacation that taught me a lot about how my religion is organzied and gave me more appreciation for it.
I will never forget the time I spent in Germany.
I hope you guys enjoyed my story!
Best luck.
South Africa is this amazing country that not only is beautiful for its animals and scenery but for its people and for its ability to overcome the greatest oppression: apartheid, the discrimination of the majority. I am so glad I was given the gift of traveling to South Africa. It is an experience I will never forget!
It was a great trip!
I hope everyone who takes the time to read The Awakening enjoys learning about my bus ride to reality.
My typed essay about my vacation in Vietnam. It seem poorly written or should I say typed :\
Bryan Gray Europe Tour.
My vacation to Panama became suprisingly meaningful, contrary to what I had initially expected.
Thank you
This was a fun and yet difficult project i truely have enjoyed sharing my vaction with you.
Mahalo,
Have you ever been to Maine? What did you like best?
This is such an amazing story and essay!!
Their were many more memories from this trip that impacted me as much as the ones that were included, but I just didnt have enough room. So, I shortened it and tried to write the best description of the trip without exceeding the word limit. But the trip was, indeed, as remarkable as I said it was.
Washington is a really nice place. It has many museums and historical places. it also has very delicious foods. Chinatown was my favorite place to eat.
Thank you for this scholarship opportunity!
IB York was a great experience, and a great opportunity to explore new ideas and innovations
So now I head to college without my classmates but i will always have this wonderful experience.
🙂
This is one of my many travel adventure stories from my trip to Europe in the beginning of the summer. Besides Prague, I traveled to Berlin, Munuch, and Nuremberg in Germany, Innsbruck in Austria, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and France. My favorite place was Switzerland, but my favorite story was the one I shared. I hope you enoy reading it as much as i enjoyed experiencing it!
I want everyone to be able to expericence something like I did.:) Everyone desevers happines!
I hope you enjoyed my travel blog and I hope you plan to take your mom to the Peaks of Otter Lodge for the best brunch you will ever eat. For more information click on this link:
http://www.peaksofotter.com/
Finished product. I love PERU!
This eye-opening opportunity has shaped my conviction toward making change and developing the community. It is a great pleasure to meet all those Leadership Award Honorees and other49 ANNpower fellows from 24 states in the U.S. I will continue to make change and build a dynamic community, excursively to ethnic, social, political gender aspects of advantage, as my milestone to become a great leader!
This eye-opening opportunity marks the culmination of my junior year. I am so glad to meet all those wonderful women leaders from all around the world and 49 other ANNpower fellows from other 24 states. I will continue to explore the world and make change with eagerness and confident, and overcoming disadvantage exclusively toward the milestone of a great leader!
I hope everyone enjoys my trip to Catalina and Ensenada!
This trip was the best trip regarding family time. It is unforgettable.
To see more photography from the trip, check out my photojournal: http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-Photojournal-of-My-Grecian-Travels/213497035367351.
What a testimony!! Thanks for posting. You don't know how impactful this is. Let Jesus keep using you for His glory. 😉
I was saved in August of 2009. I was in my parents's room and we all prayed for m, becuase I was tired of not having a desire for God. There I gave my life to Him and let Him be my Lord. I already excepted Him as Savior, but though it was a license to sin. Thatt day, though I wanted to repent of my sin and let God lead me. Lord and Savior go hand-in-hand. My life is changed. Now I have convictions and am learning so much about seeking God, because He is seeking me. It's awesome to live in the security and hope of knowing I will see Him one day in heaven. I am so glad He lives in me, because my goodness outside of Him is nothing. I don't know what I would do without Him.
Jesus used that park to bring you and your dad back together. How beautiful 🙂
Each place I go, I leave a peice of myself. And everyplace I go leaves a peice of itself in me. The people I have met along the way have changed me in the deepest way. Their lives have touched mine and I can never return to life as was usual. Likewise, my life has touched many along the way. It is my hope that nobody I meet along the way may return to life as was their usual. This is how each thead pulls coth and fabric together as we the people of the world cover it like a quilt. We must double stitch each peice so not to fall apart or leave holes. We need one another.
To whoever reading this, I am the person wearing blue shirt and white shorts, sligtly leaning on the panda bear statue.
My essay that talks about my experience traveling to Lima, Peru aims toward encouraging others who are not too familiar with it to visit and appreciate the fun life changing experience they're gauranteed to get.
What a great contest! Hope to see lots of terrific teen travel stories here!
It was difficult for me to type a 600 word blog about an amazing experience I had in the month of July. It was also difficult for me to choose certain pictures from the ones that I have chosen, so I uploaded the pictures of my time at NeiHu elementary school. I really wished that I could have used more sightseeing photos, but unfortunately, those were too big to upload.
This trip was amazing and it also tested who I am becoming as a person. Seeing the woman in Central Park living out her dream, to the woman selling fruit throughout the day; New York is made of dreamers and hardworking people. I loved it. Hope I get the chance to go back.
This was an amazing experience! I am so grateful for everything it taught me!!
From research, I believe the ice cream shop was called Eisdiele Eddy. More information about the exchange program can be found at http://www.aatg.org/study-trip-faq as well as at the bottom of the page at http://www.aatg.org/NGE-awards.
These Picutures are both of my own creation (one being an acrylic painting). When I took this picture at the western wall in Israel, the man in the photo was crying his heart out wearing a tattered down bath robe, I thought it would make for an intersting picture. So it did, it also inspired to me to create a painting in which I showed the world what I believe he really is. A man who is down on his luck but seems to still find peace in his life.
My sophomore year of high school I went to Donner Pass in California with a group called The Woods Project (www.thewoodsproject.org) . I had to apply to go , I was really anxious and scared that I wasn’t going to get. When I got my acceptance letter I was excited. I was also nervous because I had never been away from home for more than a week and The Woods project was going to last for two weeks. I had chosen to go to Donner Pass because I wanted to experience something new. I was going to go backpacking for one week and hiking the other. I had never gone backpacking before. When I told my friends that I was going backpacking they started to laugh because I am the smallest girl in my whole school and they didn’t think I was going to make it. Getting that response from my friends made me super scared of going to the trip. I thought I was going to die while backpacking!
My dad went to go drop me off at the airport and then he left. I was already scared and freaking out at the fact that he had just left me there and I did not know anybody! . I got in the plane to California and I was already regretting going on the trip. I was going to be with complete strangers for two weeks! When we got to California we all got split .There were three groups going to different places, one to Yosemite, another to Marine Headlines and then mine, to Donner Pass. I got in a van and that’s where I met the people who I was going to spend two weeks with. We were in that van for hours! When we finally got to our cabin we had to go up a hill to get to the door.
The first cabin we stayed in was named Clair Tappan Lodge. It was really nice . It was made out of wood, had a pool table, personal chef, jacuzzi and hot water in the showers. I loved it there! Too bad it only lasted for two days then it was time to go backpacking. They gave us our backpacking materials. I tried on the backpack and almost fell over. My backpacking week had started. We went up and down mountains, through rivers and lakes, and I thought we were never going to set up our tents. When it started to get dark we finally started cooking. The food we had was not good at all. We couldn’t bring a lot of food because of the bears and other animals. My second day of backpacking went better than the first. Everybody in my group started to know each other better and soon we became really close. We would sing while backpacking to make time pass faster and at night we didn’t want to sleep because we would play games. While backpacking I got to experience many things I hadn’t before. Even though I was the smallest girl going backpacking I was always the leader of the line because of my stamina.
When our backpacking week ended it was time to hike. I had gotten the hardest part of the trip over with so I knew hiking was going to be a piece of cake. We would hike in the morning and hanged out at night. It was the best experience I had ever had! When it was time to go back home I didn’t want to because I knew I would miss my friends.
To watch my video go to : http://youtu.be/FLd7W71EnyU
My experience as a first time camper.
i hope i win