Islands of Adventure (USA)

Universal's Islands of Adventure is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened May 28, 1999 as part of an expansion that, along with CityWalk Entertainment District, the Portofino Bay Hotel, and Hard Rock hotel, converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The park's overall theme is that of a journey of exploration, where guests depart from a main port to visit six islands, each having its own distinct theme, but all emphasizing adventure.

Like Universal Studios Florida next door, Islands of Adventure has not limited itself to Universal's own library. In fact, with the exception of The Lost Continent and Jurassic Park, the remaining park areas are based on characters licensed from rival studios, many of whom did not own theme parks of their own. Some of these include Seuss Landing (Dr. Seuss Enterprises), The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Warner Bros.), Toon Lagoon (Jay Ward Productions and Paramount Pictures) and Marvel Super Hero Island (Marvel Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company).

Islands of Adventure consist of seven themed "islands," only one of which utilizes movie tie-ins with Universal Pictures. They are, in clockwise order from entry, Port of Entry, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing.

Port of Entry is the park's main entrance and is home to many shops and services, including Guest Relations. The park's iconic centerpiece, Pharos Lighthouse, is also located within Port of Entry. Each night, this real, functioning lighthouse sends out a bright beam to lead visitors to and from the park's gates. Its main features are the Confisco Grille restaurant and the Islands of Adventure Trading Company, the park's primary gift shop. An attraction information board is located near the shore of the lagoon.

Marvel Super Hero Island has rides inspired by Marvel comic books, and focuses primarily on thrilling rides. The island features such Marvel characters as Wolverine, Captain America, Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, and some villains such as Doctor Doom, M.O.D.O.K., Hobgoblin, and Kingpin.

Toon Lagoon is geared toward both kids and adults, and is based on the characters of King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward. The area focuses on water-based rides and features 3 counter-service restaurants: Comic Strip Cafe, Blondies, and Wimpy's & All On Mulberry Street. The Island is rigged with dozens of water props that squirt at visitors and can be interacted with if so desired. In addition, visitors have the option of further soaking those who are riding on board water rides by squirting them with water guns, activating water cannons, and more.

Set just after the time of the Jurassic Park movie. The area has some thrilling rides and has discovery-based exhibits. The characters of John Hammond and Ian Malcolm even put in an appearance from time to time. The Island takes place under the guise of the "real" Jurassic Park: a theme park / zoological park focused on dinosaurs. As such, the area is filled with the attractions and exhibits one would find in the "real" Jurassic Park.

The Lost Continent is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is divided into two smaller sections. The first section is ancient Arabian marketplace called "Sinbad's Bazzaar", while the second is mythological Grecian-Atlantis-style "Lost City". Today the area contains two live-action shows.

Seuss Landing is specially geared towards small children and is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. It has several Seuss-themed attractions. There is also a Green Eggs and Ham Cafe and Circus McGurkus restaurant. One of the unique characteristics of this area is, like in the books, there is not a single straight line anywhere. Palm trees, curved by the winds of Hurricane Andrew, were even installed in the area to continue this teeming.

Officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010.  The 20-acre island features attractions, shops and restaurants set inside such locations as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village and the iconic Hogwarts castle. The official website for Islands of Adventure is http://www.universalorlando.com

Tivoli Gardens (Denmark)

Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park opened on August 15, 1843 and is the second oldest amusement park in the world, after Dyrehavsbakken in nearby Klampenborg. The amusement park was first called "Tivoli & Vauxhall":"Tivoli" alluding to the Jardin de Tivoli in Paris, and "Vauxhall" alluding to the Vauxhall Gardens in London.

Tivoli included a variety of attractions: buildings in the exotic style of an imaginary Orient: a theatre, band stands, restaurants and cafés, flower gardens, and mechanical amusement rides such as a merry-go-round and a primitive scenic railway. After dark, coloured lamps illuminated the gardens. On certain evenings, specially designed fireworks could be seen reflected in Tivoli's lake.

The park is best known for its wooden roller coaster, Rutschebanen, or as some people call it, Bjergbanen (the Mountain Coaster), built in 1914 in Malmö, Sweden and moved to Tivoli Gardens in 1915. It is one of world's oldest wooden roller coasters that are still operating today. An operator controls the ride by braking down the hills so it won't gain too much speed. It is an ACE Coaster Classic. Another roller coaster, Dæmonen (The Demon), features an Immelmann loop, a loop, and a Zero-G roll all during the ride time of just one minute and forty six seconds. Dæmonen is situated next to the concert hall.

The world's tallest carousel, The Star Flyer, opened in Tivoli in 2006. Eighty meters high and built by the Austrian company Funtime, it offers panoramic views of the city. On 1 May 2009 Tivoli opened the new cool ride Vertigo, a looping plane ride where the rider pilots the ride, able to control the plane.

Tivoli Concert Hall is a classical concert hall featuring concerts with some of the largest names in international classical music. It was built in 1956 by Hans Hansen and sits 1660 people. In 2005 the concert hall saw a major renovation and extension by 3XN where the classical 50's style of the main auditorium—including a characteristic colour scheme of red, blue, yellow and green colours—was restored, while visitor facilities were upgraded and expanded. These include a new gardenside foyer with a two-story bar and lounge and Europe's longest saltwater aquarium in the basement. The Eurovision Song Contest 1964 was broadcast from the auditorium.

The pantomime theatre is an open-air theatre designed by Vilhelm Dahlerup, also known for the design of the Royal Danish Theatre. It is a toy-like historicist built in Chinese style and noted for its mechanical front curtain that takes five men to operate and unfolds like a peacock's tail. As indicated by the name, it is primarily a scene for pantomime theatre in the classical Italian commedia dell'arte tradition, which is performed daily with a live pit orchestra. Besides this original function, the theatre leads a second life as a venue for ballet and modern dance, performing works by choreographers such as August Bournonville, Dinna Bjørn, Louise Midjord and Paul James Rooney.

The Tivoli Boys Guard is a music ensemble of boys aged 8–16 dressed in uniforms reminiscent of those of the Royal Danish Guard complete with bearskins. It was founded in 1844 and gives concerts, makes parades, stands guard at the garden's buildings and monuments at special occasions and represents the gardens at various events.

During the warmer summer months, Tivoli also features a live music series dubbed Fredagsrock (Friday Rock), which in the past has featured Roxette, the Smashing Pumpkins, Sting, the Beach Boys, Pet Shop Boys, Kanye West and popular Danish groups such as TV-2, Nephew, Hanne Boel, Raveonettes and Thomas Helmig.

During Copenhagen Jazz Festival Tivoli Gardens is one of the many Copenhagen localities that serve as a venue for concerts.The official website is http://www.tivoli.dk

Europa Park (Germany)

Europa-Park is the largest theme park in Germany and a third most popular theme park resort in Europe. Europa-Park is located in Rust, in the south-west of Germany between Freiburg and Strasbourg, France. It is usually open from just before Easter until the beginning of November and from the end of November to the second week in January. The park is split into fifteen different areas, mostly named after European countries or regions. The park mascot is a grey mouse named "Euromaus" although there are over a dozen other characters that "live" at the park.

Europa-Park is run by the Mack family which have produced vehicles since 1780, circus wagons since 1880 and rollercoasters since 1921. The park was opened in 1975 to act as a showcase for many of their different ride models. The amusement ride company is now called MACK Rides. The park is home to eleven roller coasters, the oldest being the Alpenexpress Mine Train, where a powered coaster speeds through a diamond mine, - and the newest coaster being WODAN Timbur Coaster. Europa-Park has very high capacity rollercoasters and attractions and the park can accommodate up to approx. 50,000 guests per day.

Along with the park and rides, Europa-Park is also a major resort. It boasts four hotels, a guest house, Tipi Village and campsite. The largest hotel is called Colosseo which includes a re-creation of a Roman coliseum.

Across the park, there are many shows performed on a daily basis, such as an Ice Show in Greece, a Gladiator Arena Show in Spain, an Acrobatics Show in an Italian Theatre and a fully re-created Globe Theatre, based on that of William Shakespeare. In addition, there are several smaller theatres and outdoor stages, street artists and a daily parade. The Magic 4D Cinema also opens during the evening and shows current blockbusters.

Europa-Park host dozens of events throughout the season. The biggest of these include the Midsummer Party at the end of July/start of August, when the theme park hosts a fireworks display and is open until midnight. Horror Nights - Starring Marc Terenzi, takes place through October evenings and features a range of halloween horror mazes, rides and shows. The official website is www.europapark.de

Ocean Park (Hong Kong)

Ocean Park Hong Kong , commonly known as Ocean Park, is a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park, situated in Wong Chuk Hang and Nam Long Shan in the Southern District of Hong Kong. Opened in 1977, Ocean Park Hong Kong is a world class marine life theme park featuring animal exhibits, thrill rides and shows that offer guests an experience that blends entertainment with education and conservation. It is located on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, covering more than 870,000 square metres. The Waterfront and The Summit area are connected by cable car and Ocean Express train.

The theme park currently has 19 rides, including two rollercoasters, but also houses 11 animal exhibits, such as a giant panda habitat, a jelly fish and Chinese sturgeon aquarium, as well as a four-story aquarium displaying more than 2,000 fish. Besides being an amusement park, Ocean Park Hong Kong also operates observatories, well developed laboratories, an education department and a Whales and Dolphins Fund.

Thrill Mountain, guests can dangle off a cliff on the floorless roller coaster, Hair Raiser, or hang upside down while swinging on The Flash. Soar with The Aviator to feel the sensation of flight, before knocking around on bumper cars. Don’t leave without a ride on Rev Rooster, a high speed and energetic classic.

Hop aboard a raft and become immersed in the exotic sounds of a tropical rainforest. On this journey, you’ll encounter some of the most fascinating animals in the world! Catch the antics of the world’s smallest monkey, the Pygmy Marmoset; or see weirdly wonderful critters, including the Capybara, the world’s largest rodent, and Kinkajou; as well as the Green Aracari, the world’s smallest toucan.

Aqua City is a world-class marine themed area that will redefine your underwater experience. Here you can watch Symbio, , a multi-sensory show featuring the world’s first 360-degree water screen. You can also embark on a journey of exploration into the Grand Aquarium featuring 5000 fish from over 400 species and other aquatic wonders. View them from the world’s largest aquarium dome, which has a diameter of 5.5 metres, or through an 8x13 metres giant viewing panel. Make sure you drop by Neptune’s Restaurant for Hong Kong’s first aquarium dining experience!

At the Amazing Asian Animals exhibit you can visit some of Asia's rarest animals. Take an interactive journey of discovery at the Giant Panda Adventure where you’ll get to know some of Asia's most precious native animals, including giant pandas, red pandas, Chinese giant salamanders and Chinese alligators. Admire the spectacular display of goldfish at the Goldfish Treasures exhibit, or visit the colourful birds and playful Asian small-clawed otters at Panda Village.

Other popular attractions include Sky Star, a huge helium-filled balloon which soars more than 100 metres into the sky. Sea Jelly Spectacular, The Abyss turbo drop, Mine Train roller coaster and the show at Ocean Theatre are also not to be missed. During festive seasons, Ocean Park Hong Kong will organize special events, such as Halloween Bash, Asia’s biggest Halloween party, and Summer Splash water play activities.
            Ocean Park Hong Kong is committed to promoting and supporting animal conservation in Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Part of the proceeds from admission tickets and some retail items will go to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation, Hong Kong, to support wildlife conservation projects. Their official website is http://www.oceanpark.com.hk/html/en/park-experience/attraction-show/

Tokyo Disneyland (Japan)

Tokyo Disneyland is a 115-acre (46.5 ha) theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort located in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, near Tokyo. Its main gate is directly adjacent to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station. It was the first Disney park to be built outside of the United States and opened on April 15, 1983. The park was constructed by Walt Disney Imagineering in the same style as Disneyland in California and Magic Kingdom in Florida. It is owned by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses the theme from The Walt Disney Company. Tokyo Disneyland and its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea, are the only Disney parks not owned by The Walt Disney Company.

There are seven themed areas in the park: World Bazaar is the main entry corridor and primary shopping area of Tokyo Disneyland. Despite the use of the word "World" in its name, the general look and theme of World Bazaar is that of early 20th-century America, matching the "Main Street, U.S.A." areas of other Magic Kingdom-style parks. World Bazaar consists of two "streets": Main Street and Center Street, which forms a perpendicular line with Main Street and leads to Adventureland in one direction and Tomorrowland in the other. A unique feature of World Bazaar is a permanent canopy covering the Main Street and Center Street areas, designed to protect guests from the elements. Adventureland consists of two distinct yet complimentary areas: A New Orleans-themed area, and a "jungle"-themed area. Major attractions include Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, and The Enchanted Tiki Room.  Westernland is an "old west" themed area, the counterpart of Frontierland in other Magic Kingdom-style parks. Like its counterparts, the landscape of Westernland is dominated by the Rivers of America, a man-made waterway that is home to the Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, and numerous live and Audio-Animatronic animals. Major attractions also include Big Thunder Mountain and the Country Bear Theater.

Critter Country is a small area of the park and is dominated by a single major attraction, Splash Mountain. The landscape and theming of the area, including its shops and restaurants, are a direct extension of that attraction. Lacking any "thrill rides," Fantasyland's attractions are generally dark rides that take visitors through scenes from classic Disney movies such as Snow White, Peter Pan, and Pinocchio. Fantasyland is also home to two iconic Disney theme park attractions, The Haunted Mansion and It's a Small World. Another major attraction of significant note is Pooh's Hunny Hunt; presented in a "trackless" format unique to Tokyo Disneyland, Pooh's Hunny Hunt is one of the park's most popular attractions. Like its counterparts in other Disney theme parks, Toontown is heavily inspired by the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Appropriately, the major attraction here is Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. There are several smaller attractions, including the immensely popular Mickey's House and Meet Mickey, which often boasts some of the longest wait times in the park. Tomorrowland takes up a more urban look and appears more like a community than a showcase of future technology. Rides include Space Mountain and eventually Star Tours: The Adventures Continue. The entrance part of Tomorrowland resembles the one originally designed for Walt Disney World in every way except the lack of the PeopleMover track, before its remodeling in the early nineties. The area around Space Mountain more resembles Disneyland's Tomorrowland.

The park is noted for its extensive open spaces, to accommodate the large crowds that visit the park. In 2009, Tokyo Disneyland hosted approximately 13.65 million guests, ranking it as the third-most visited theme park in the world, behind its American sister parks, Magic Kingdom in Orlando and Disneyland Park in Anaheim. In 2010, the park hosted 14.4 million visitors, again ranking it as the world's third most visited theme park. The official website for Tokyo Disneyland is http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/index.html

Blackpool Pleasure Beach (UK)

Pleasure Beach Blackpool is a family owned amusement park and resort situated along the Fylde coast in Blackpool, England.The park is owned by the Thompson family.Pleasure Beach is situated along the South Shore area of Blackpool along the Fylde coast, adjacent to the promenade, opposite South along Ocean Boulevard and directly above Watson road. The main entrance is to the front of the initial park and approximately 38 metres from the Pleasure Beach Casino. The ticket sales is opposite the entrance (below the Noah's Ark attraction) and is adjacent to the Globe Theatre. The main car park is to the left side of the White Tower restaurant, behind Valhalla and to the right of the Grand National station. The additional coach park is to the back of the park adjacent to the trim brake section of the Pepsi Max Big One and in front of Nickelodeon Streak. Some catering and retail kiosks are situated near to the entrance of the park. The entrance plaza is directly behind the Casino building and is themed to correspond with the Noah's Ark ride which site on top of the structure. The park is lined with tall metal gates that connect to the entrance building and the main gift shop, underneath the Noah's Ark ride. The staff entrance is towards the back of the park, behind the Grand National. Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station is nearby.

The park is currently home to nearly 40 rides and attractions, including twelve roller coasters, of which five are wooden - the Grand National, Big Dipper, Nickelodeon Streak, Wild Mouse and Blue Flyer. The newest roller coaster, 'Infusion' opened in 2007. When it opened in 1994, Pepsi Max Big One was the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coaster of any park in the world. It was also substantially one of the longest, measuring 5,497 feet long. Currently, the ride holds the crown as the tallest in the UK, measuring 213 ft, (235 ft above sea level.) and features a drop of 205 ft. The Pleasure Beach is one of the few parks left in the world to operate a traditional wooden Wild Mouse coaster. The ride was built entirely in house, post-World War II and is still in complete working order. It was also the first park in Europe to introduce a full inverting steel coaster (Irn-Bru Revolution) and the first to install a Space Shot ride which was manufactured by S&S Sports Of Utah. The park went on to launch Valhalla, which was designed by Sarner, a UK based theme park design company. Valhalla is sponsored by the Daily Star and remains prominently the 'biggest and most spectacular dark ride in the world.' At a cost of £15 million it is also the most expensive in-house attraction in the world. Later, the Pleasure Beach opened Bling, a Zierer Star Shape spin ride of which only two are operated in the world. The latest record is taken by Infusion which is the world's first suspended looping coaster entirely over water. The park has a wide variety of modern and classic-age rides and operates a separate family-themed section called Nickelodeon Land, towards the back of the park. This section of the park includes numerous small attractions suitably aimed at younger children and tweens, including a Log Flume-type attraction,two 1,099 feet long junior wooden coasters and various small carousel-type attractions. The park also has its own costumed mascots which follows on from Disney's theory of character costuming regarding entertainment for younger guests.

The park has numerous food stalls, restaurants and cafés including the 'Italian Job' Italian themed restaurant, and the UK's largest Burger King chain restaurant, with two levels. It also owns the 'White Tower Restaurant' a tall white building near the front of the park, which became private at the end of 2008. Pleasure Beach also owns and operates The Grill, a Brasserie style restaurant in the Casino building. The official website: http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/

Dreamworld (Australia)

Australia's most popular theme parks, Dreamworld & Whitewater World, are located in South East Queensland at the northern end of the Gold Coast, on the Pacific Hwy (M1) at Coomera, 17kms (20mins) north of Surfers Paradise and 48kms (40mins) south of Brisbane. . It is currently Australia's largest theme park with over 27 rides including 4 roller coasters. In December 2006, Dreamworld expanded its offerings by opening WhiteWater World next door.

The park is made up of several themed lands: Ocean Parade, DreamWorks Experience, Wiggles World, Gold Rush Country, Rocky Hollow, Tiger Island and the Australian Wildlife Experience. These lands feature a collection of rides, animal exhibits, shows, food outlets and merchandise shops.

Main Street serves as the entrance and midway for the park. It features the central station for the Dreamworld Railway as well as the Dreamworld Cinema. The area is mainly made up of food, beverage and retail outlets.

Town of Gold Rush is located to the left of Main Street. It opened on 11 December 1986 with the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride and the Thunder River Rapids Ride. In 2006, the Eureka Mountain Mine Ride was decommissioned due to safety concerns yet it remains standing to this day. The area remains to be the home of the Thunder River Rapids Ride along with more recent additions including a Shooting Gallery, Old Time Photos and BuzzSaw.

Rocky Hollow opened with Dreamworld in 1981 featuring the Rocky Hollow Log Ride. In 1998, the world's tallest free fall ride, opened in the area. Standing at 119 metres , The Giant Drop accelerates riders at speeds of up to 135 kilometres per hour in a matter of seconds.

Australian Wildlife Experience is a collection of wildlife attractions divided into several subsections which allow guests to view the animals in their natural habitats. It is a registered zoo with 800 native and barnyard animals located within the Dreamworld grounds. The area is also home to a set of Ford Model T vintage cars which can be driven around a small circuit.

Wiggles World is based upon the popular Australian children entertainers, The Wiggles. It is aimed at toddlers and young children and features gentle rides and attractions including the Big Red Car Ride and Dorothy's Rosy Tea Cup Ride. It was the first of many Wiggles Worlds to be installed at various theme parks around the world.

Rivertown was another themed area that opened with the park in 1981. The area originally was home to the Vintage Cars which have since been relocated to the Australian Wildlife Experience. The area currently features two of the Big 7 Thrill Rides: the Tower of Terror II and Mick Doohan's Motocoaster.

Tiger Island opened in 1995 as one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. The exhibit featured various locations for the tigers to live, swim and play. In 2010, the exhibit is home to 6 Bengal tigers, 6 Sumatran tigers and 2 cougars.

DreamWorks Experience is a section of the park designed specifically for children and tweens. All of the attractions in DreamWorks Experience have been refurbished from their operation as rides in Kid's World and Nickelodeon Central. When it opens in April 2012, the area will be split up into two areas (Madagascar Madness and Faire Faire Away) with a third area themed to Kung Fu Panda due to open later in the year. The area's flagship attraction is the Escape from Madagascar suspended family roller coaster.

Ocean Parade is the largest themed area at Dreamworld in terms of attractions. It features 3 of the Big 7 Thrill Rides - The Claw, Wipeout and Cyclone are within close proximity of each other. Ocean Parade has an Australian beach culture theme with some beach-themed rides scattered around the area including the Reef Diver and Stingray. It also features an internal, park-hop entrance to WhiteWater World.

There are many transport options to Dreamworld, including bus, coach, rail and car. The official website of Dreamworld: http://www.dreamworld.com.au