America - Theme Park Heaven
Theme Park Heaven
by Larry Spring
by Larry Spring
Mickey Mouse is, without a doubt, the undisputed king of American theme parks. This famous rodent has had the proverbial finger (or claw) on the pulse of American kids for decades and his rule doesn’t seem to be diminishing. Mickey can definitely afford to buy the world's most expensive cheese as Disney holds the top five spots in American amusement parks.
The top park in America is the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, followed by Disneyland in Los Angeles, Epcot at Walt Disney World, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Even though Mickey’s enchanted land was indeed revolutionary, the birth of American amusement parks dates further back than the genius of Walt Disney.
The origin can be traced back to the European traditions of medieval fairs and carnivals. These spectacles showcased a variety of …lets say…unusual sights like the “Bearded Lady”, the “Elephant Man” and the “Siamese Twins”. These fun and strangely interesting fairs and carnivals brought Americans out in droves.
Coney Island, New York eventually took the idea of the old carnival and transformed it into a concept of a permanent park complete with the usual ‘freak shows’ but also added a few mechanical rides and dancing shows. This new concept quickly swept the country and soon most American cities boasted a traditional amusement park.
Walt Disney also designed his parks to be both permanent, and open year-round, making sunny California and Florida the perfect locations. Here visitors do not need a passport or a large budget to visit strange lands and they can return home within a day or two. How else can you visit exotic China, float on a gondola in Venice, tour Mickey’s Castle and hang out on Main Street, USA all in the same day? Besides being great fun, these synthetic surroundings help to create a larger world view for Americans that have not had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States.
Walt Disney World is the yardstick by which other parks are judged. Disney has cleverly designed his wonderland to create a sense of nostalgia and wonderment with familiar and beloved storybook characters. Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park in Florida is home to Cinderella's Castle, the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain. One of the top Disney attractions is the Pirates of the Caribbean. Here you can witness some amazing special effects and see Captain Jack Sparrow battle his nemesis Captain Barossa.
As it is impossible to see every attraction in one day, Disney offers a pass that you can use for 2 or more days. They have also tapped into the hotel market and offer luxurious and fun accommodations including the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa and Disney Paradise Pier Hotel.
Universal Studios also selected Florida as the site for their movie and TV based theme park. Universal Studios complex is in fact two theme parks: the Studio and Universal’s Island of Adventure. Universal Studios is actually a genuine film and television studio that allows visitors to go behind the scenes of their favourite movies and get right in the middle of the action. The Island of Adventure has amazing rides and attractions including “The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman” and the “Jurassic Park River Adventure”.
Universal Studios is not just for children - the Universal CityWalk is one of Orlando’s trendiest spots for dining and entertainment. Here you can enjoy Latin-inspired music at one of the hot clubs, or you can sip martinis at the ultra sexy Red Coconut Club. Or you can stop by the Bonkerz Comedy Club for a laugh.
On the east coast, the Great Adventure theme park in New Jersey is the largest Six Flags complex in the country. Complete with a drive-through Wild Safari Park, where you can motor through the 350 acres of wildlife preserve that is home to over 1,200 animals. Great Adventure is a seasonal theme park and doesn’t open until May and closes at the end of October or early November depending on the fall weather.
You can also visit Hurricane Harbor Water Park. This park is a manmade beach with wonderful water rides and slides. The feature attraction is the million-gallon, lagoon-styled pool, with its colossal ocean waves. The relaxing beach area is a perfect respite away from the energy of the amusement park.
A favourite theme park in the mid-west is Great America in Chicago. Great America has a slew of attractions for the whole family. Here the children will be enchanted by the Bugs Bunny Starlight Spectacular where they can watch all of their favourite Looney Tunes friends come to life in song, dance and magic. Great America also hosts amazing concerts with some of the brightest musical stars in the country playing on their stage.
One of the season highlights is the Halloween Frightfest. Scary creatures, haunted houses, eerie rides and spooky musical concerts will delight and terrify the entire family. For the thrill seekers, the Raging Bull is the tallest, fastest and the longest roller coaster in the United States and is also the world’s first hyper-twister coaster. This gripping ride takes you on a death-defying, 20-storey lift only to drop you into an underground abyss at 70 miles per hour!
Directly outside the Great America complex you can take in some of the cultural sites that are uniquely Chicago. Enjoy the music at one of the numerous blues and jazz clubs, eat a Chicago-style polish sausage or some authentic Spanish delights. There is also a plethora of hotels on offer.
Just about every major city in the United States is home to at least one of these great parks. In Tennessee, Dollywood (created by country singer Dolly Parton) is one of the biggest attractions around. In St. Louis, children anxiously await the opening of Six Flags each year and turn out in droves to ride on the oldest wooden rollercoaster in the world, the Screaming Eagle. The brave at heart may even work up enough courage to attempt a ride on the Batman.
Amusement parks have definitely grown to be an important part of American culture, almost a rite-of-passage. For children, there is absolutely nothing better in the world than to spend the day on white-knuckle rides and stomach-churning, gravity-defying roller coasters. For parents, what can be better than to spend the day watching your kids laugh, play and have a great time?
See our list below of hotels located near amusement parks:
Walt Disney World Florida:
Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney Old Key West Resort
Disney Pop Century Resort
Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Disney Old Key West Resort
Disney Pop Century Resort
Disneyland California:
Disneyland Hotel
Disney Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Disney Paradise Pier Hotel
Disneyland Hotel
Disney Grand Californian Hotel and Spa
Disney Paradise Pier Hotel
Universal Studios Florida:
Westin Grand Bohemian Orlando Hotel
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Orlando Universal Studios
Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
Westin Grand Bohemian Orlando Hotel
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Orlando Universal Studios
Doubletree Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando
To read more travel articles about the US, please visit our archive.
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Florida, United States
If you're heading to Florida for its fabulous theme parks, the Crowne Plaza Orlando Resort is perfectly located. Comfortable guest rooms include complimentary high speed Internet and you can relax at the resort's two swimming pools, enjoy the jacuzzi or play tennis. Dine at the Pineapple Grille Restaurant and the Reef Bar and Grille, then let the hotel shuttle bus transport you to the shopping malls.
Rooms from only US$82 per night
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