Newest theme parks
Forget over-priced, over-crowded and over-hyped theme parks, forget Disney and its never-ending queues. You don't have to follow the crowds. Oh no. Carve your own groove and try out one of the newest theme parks or one of the alternatives to the big name attractions instead.
Siam Park, Costa Adeje, Tenerife
Don't let the slightly out-of-place Thai theme put you off this park in the south of the island, which promises to be fantastic for thrill seekers. Due to open before the school summer holidays, the largest water park in Europe will have a number of white-knuckle rides including the Tower of Power, which boasts a 92ft drop to a pool full of alligators. Yes, alligators. There is also a surf school with the largest man-made waves in the world and a man-made sandy beach.
Tickets cost 24 for adults, 15 for children from siamparktenerife.com
Hard Rock Park, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
The first theme park dedicated to rock 'n' roll is an antidote to the sugar-coated Disney resorts. Among its 50 or so attractions is a Led Zeppelin roller coaster that twists and turns and bangs your head to the sound of Whole Lotta Love, while your kids play in the Magic Mushroom Garden. Admission to live gigs is included in the entry ticket: scheduled to play this summer are The Eagles and The Moody Blues, amongst others. Tickets cost $50 for all ages from hardrockpark.com; under 3s go free.
Park Asterix, Plailly, France
Like Disneyland Paris, Parc Asterix is only a short drive from the French capital but it's bigger, cheaper and a little less crowded. There are more than 30 attractions, including a wooden rollercoaster Tonnerre de Zeus, which travels at 80kph, and the La Trace du Horra bobsleigh that shoots through a metal chute at 54kph.
One-day passes cost from 37 (compared to 49 for Disneyland), 27 for under 12s.
Efteling, Kaatsheuvel, Holland
One of the oldest theme parks in Europe, Efteling was originally the brainchild of two priests who probably woke up one morning and said: Enough of these sack cloths, let's have some fun .
Built in 160 acres, Efteling is a sort of theme park-meets-nature park experience, with lots of greenery and less concrete than most of its rivals. Divided into four themed areas, it has lots of roller coasters, carousels and tamer rides for toddlers, plus a golf course and on-site accommodation.
One-day passes cost from 27 from efteling.com; under 4s go free.
Dubailand, Dubai
Make plans to be one of the first to visit this giant theme park that is rising out of the desert as you read. When completed it will consist of 26 projects including a Universal Studios, Dreamworks, Marvel Super Heroes park and separate areas for Bob the Builder and Thomas the Tank Engine. There will also be Jurassic and Formula 1 theme parks, a wheel bigger than the London Eye and a replica of the Eiffel Tower.
Planned to be bigger than Singapore (I kid you not), it will be twice the size of Disney World Florida, currently the world's largest theme park. The only catch is it won't start opening until the end of 2010.
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