The Anatomy of a Theme Park
GO takes you on a wild ride though the nation's best theme parks
SEVEN PARKS FOR THE PERFECT SEVEN WEEKS OF SUMMER
Summer vacation lasts only so long. Maximize the amusement at these thrilling theme parks recommended by Robert Niles, founder of themeparkinsider.com.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA AND UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE
Orlando, Florida
Price: $85 per day per park for adults, $79 for kids 3-9
# rides: 50+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): Close to 20
# roller coasters: 6
Animal attractions: No
Waterslides: Yes (separate admission)
Gardens: No
Hotel on premises: 3 "Universal Parks are known for blending video with live scenery," says Niles. It's also the only place where visitors can relive all things Harry Potter. "Even the food and drinks are from the book," says Niles, who highly recommends their butter beer — "a creamy non-alcoholic root beer-like beverage that inspires people to wait in lines longer than they do to get on coasters."
DISNEYLAND PARK AND DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PARK
Anaheim, California
Price: $105 for adults, $99 for kids 3-9
# rides: 60+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): Over 30 # roller coasters: 6
Animal attractions: Big Thunder Ranch features barnyard animals
Waterslides: No
Gardens: No
Hotel on premises: 3 "California Adventures tops the list since it has just finished up a five year, billion-dollar rebuilding of the park," says Niles. On June 15, Cars Land opens along with a newly designed entrance featuring Buena Vista Street, immersing people in 1920s LA.
DOLLYWOOD
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Price: $60 for adults, $47 for kids 4-11
# rides: 40+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): 16
# roller coasters: 6
Animal attractions: The largest aviary dedicated to eagles in the world.
Waterslides: Yes (separate admission)
Gardens: No
Hotel on premises: None "Dollywood is known for musicals," says Niles, and was voted the number one entertainment park 2008-2011. In addition to a zip line, it also features the first winged coaster in the US.
SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN
Valencia, California
Price: $62 for adults, $37 for kids under two
# rides and attractions: 100+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): 10
# roller coasters: 17
Animal attractions: No
Waterslides: Yes (separate admission to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor)
Gardens: No
Hotel on premises: No Adrenaline junkies should head here to ride 17 rollercoasters — the most of any theme park except for Cedar Point, which has 18. "This park has the widest variety of thrills in the country," says Niles. The latest ride is the Lex Luther Drop of Doom.
BUSCH GARDENS
Williamsburg, Virginia
Price: $67 for adults, $57 for kids 3-9
# rides and attractions: 50+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): 24
# roller coasters: 6
Animal attractions: Wolves, eagles, alligators, Clydesdales, and more in a total of six animal exhibits
Waterslides: No
Gardens: Yes
Hotel on premises: No "This park is gorgeous," says Niles — voted the "most beautiful" park for 21 consecutive years by the National Amusement Park Historical Association. In addition to its National Wildlife Federation-certified "habitat garden" and other florid attractions, thrill-seekers can get their rush on the Verbolten.
WALT DISNEY WORLD
Buena Vista, Florida
Price: $85 per day per park for people 10 and up, $79 for kids 3-9
# rides and attractions: 100+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): 100+
# roller coasters: 6
Animal attractions: More than 1,700 animals on 500 acres, making it the largest animal theme park in the world.
Waterslides: Yes
Gardens: Yes
Hotel on premises: 34 The most visited park in the US with Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom all in one. Magic Kingdom will double the size of Fantasyland and add a princess area.
HERSHEY PARK
Hershey, Pennsylvania Price: $57 for adults, $37 for kids 3-8
# rides and attractions: 60+
# kid-friendly rides (without height restrictions): 24
# roller coasters: 12
Animal attractions: More than 200 North American animals, including mountain lions, black bears and bats.
Waterslides: Yes
Gardens: Yes
Hotel on premises: Yes "The chocolate factory makes this unique," says Niles. "It's also well known for its roller coasters," both wooden and steel. Their newest coaster, Skyrush, is 200 feet tall and reaches speeds of 75 mph.
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