Five European theme parks that are alternatives to Disneyland – with affordable tickets and record-breaking rides
DISNEYLAND Paris is one of the most famous theme parks in the world.
However, it’s popularity can also mean it’s much busier.
Thankfully, there are some other amazing theme parks across Europe is you fancy an alternative, with a number of record-breaking rides.
Here are some of the top ones to add to your list this summer.
Europa-Park, Germany
Europa-Park is the biggest theme park in Germany and attracts more than six million visitors annually – making it the third most popular park in Europe after Disney.
Inside are more than 100 attractions, with 13 rollercoasters including it’s newest Volton Nevera, which opened in the Croatian-themed land back in April.
It first opened in 1975, and added it’s massive water park Rulantica in 2019.
The size of five football pitches, inside 14 themed lands, with 50 slides and 32C temperatures all year around, as well as DJ sets and a huge 1,700 sunloungers.
Want to stay? There are six themed hotels to choose from, as well as campsites with caravan parks., teepees and log cabins.
Basic day tickets to Europa Park start from €61.50 (£52) for adults, with Rulantica starting from €35.50 (£30) Combined tickets start from €76 (£64).
Flights from the UK to Strasbourg take just 1hr30, with the theme park less than an hour by car or around 1h30 by train.
Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen
Copenhagen’s tiny theme park Tivoli Gardens is said to have inspired the Disney theme parks.
Found in the centre of the capital, it opened in 1843 making it one of the oldest in the world.
Inside are 30 rides, with the main attraction being it’s huge Ferris Wheel and Roller Coaster, one of the oldest running wooden rollercoasters.
While there are no on-site hotels, it is in the middle of Copenhagen so there are lots of nearby ones to choose from such as the Tivoli Hotel.
Tickets start from DKK160 (£18) for anyone aged eight and over, although to use the rides you need to pay an extra DKK299 (£34).
Flights to Copenhagen from the UK and take just under two hours, with the theme park in the city.
Efteling, The Netherlands
Efteling, which first opened in 1952, is a fairytale theme park in the Netherlands.
The biggest rides include Baron 1898, which has a 120ft free-fall drop into a mineshaft that travels at 55mph, and Python, which has a double loop and corkscrew.
Double-track rollercoaster Joris en de Draak lets passengers speed past a 39ft fire-breathing dragon while the theme park is also home to the world’s largest swinging ship.
New additions include the new fairytale suite which opened at the theme park’s hotel earlier this year, as well as a new royal gazebo attraction, set to open next year.
Day tickets for Efteling for anyone over the age of four range from €38 (£32) to €51 (£43) depending on the day of visit.
Brits can hop on the Eurostar at London St Pancras, and then drive an hour from Amsterdam.
Brits can get the Eurostar from the UK to Amsterdam, taking around four hours, then drive an hour, or fly to Eindhoven (taking just over an hour) then travel 30 minutes by car.
Gardaland, Italy
Gardaland, which opened in 1975, is also home to the Legoland Waterpark in Italy.
With around three million annual visitors, there are seven rollercoasters, as well as the new Wolf Legend ride which opened this month.
There are three themed hotels onsite too, each one four stars, as well as an aquarium and a Peppa Pig Land.
One day tickets start from €39 online, although this doesn’t include the waterpark where tickets start €49.
Flights to Verona from the UK take just around two hours, with the park a 30 minute drive from there.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
PortAventura World, Spain
Spain‘s PortAventura World is the biggest theme park in the country, with 40 attractions across six worlds.
Along with an on-site water park, it is also home to Ferrari Land, which has Europe’s fastest and tallest ride.
Red Force opened in 2017, which is 112 metres tall and has top speeds of 180km/h.
You can choose from six themed hotels, including Caribbean, Mexican, Mediterranean and Western.
Flights to Reus from the UK take around two hours, with the theme park a 15 minute drive from there.