Hey there, fellow travelers! When traveling with kids, amusement parks are likely going to make an appearance on your family travel itinerary. We have visited amusement parks all over the world, and we have noticed some key differences between amusement parks in USA and those in Europe. There are also some similarities that might surprise you!
Proximity to Major Cities
I’ve noticed that European amusement parks tend to be closer to major cities than those in the United States. For example, Isla Majica in Spain is located right in the city. This makes it easy to include the amusement park in your regular sightseeing of the city. In the US, the amusement parks are more of a destination on their own, where the town has grown up around the park.
In Europe, an amusement park visit can easily be integrated into part of your travels, while in the US, the amusement park is usually the main focus.
Park Size
Given that US parks are often built on the outskirts of cities, they often have a lot more land on which to expand. Theme parks in Europe tend to be located closer to the cities, so they also tend to be on a smaller scale than their American counterparts. So, you can usually cover a whole European park in a day, whereas you might want to purchase a multi-day pass for U.S. amusement parks.
Accommodation Choices
In the U.S. you’ll find more parks that have accommodation options that are right on the property. Disney World is a perfect example, where they have many different resorts that are incorporated into the park, making it easy to travel back and forth to the park. In Europe, you will likely be staying in a city center and then taking a train to get to the amusement park. Along with on-site accommodation, you’ll also have free shuttles to and from the parks in the United States.
Park Themes & Mascots
In Europe, an entire park tends to have a central mascot or theme throughout the property. With American parks being much larger, they tend to have many more sections, each with their own theme.
Technology
In general, American amusement parks tend to have more technology integrated into your experience. Disney is definitely the leader here, with many other parks following suit. You can get a wristband for your visit, which gets you access to lines and you can even charge food and souvenirs to a credit card using a wristband. European parks are starting to catch up, so always check to see if the park you are visiting has an app you can use before and during your visit.
Family-Friendly
It seems like the European amusement parks are more family-friendly for visitors with small children. Of course, American amusement parks are kid-friendly, but they also have a lot of rides and attractions catering to older kids and adults looking for an adrenaline rush. You won’t find as many rider restrictions in Europe, which means fewer unhappy kids who aren’t tall enough for a ride.
Ride Length
At U.S. amusement parks, it can feel like you wait hours for a 30-second ride. In the European parks, it definitely feels like the rides are a bit longer, so you’ve got more active time vs time spent waiting in lines. Unfortunately, long lines are universal, so make sure you have comfortable shoes no matter where you are traveling!
Food Options
Both European and American amusement parks tend to have the same quality food. In general, you’ll have mostly fast-food options with a bit of local fare thrown in. We’ve seen more “local” type food at the parks in Europe, but you’ll have hot dogs, burgers, and fries at pretty much every amusement park in the world.
Amusement Parks Games
One thing all amusement parks have in common? Enticing ways to lose money! You would think that once you’ve paid your entrance fee, you should have plenty of entertainment for the day, but that’s not the case. All parks seem to have that amusement parks games area, where you can spend even more money for a chance to win prizes.
Admission Prices
We have found European amusement parks to be significantly more affordable than those in the United States. Because European parks tend to be smaller and part of a larger family vacation, they don’t have outrageous ticket prices as you would see in the U.S. It makes it easy to enjoy your day without worrying about how much money you are going to spend.
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Fast Passes
Both European and American amusement parks have introduced “fast passes” that allow you to skip the line for some of the most popular rides. Make sure you do your research ahead of time to see how they work and whether you need an app to keep track of them. If you only have a few passes, use them in the afternoon when the lines are longer.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
No matter which continent you are traveling on, a trip to an amusement park will definitely mean fun times for the whole family! In Europe, some of the best amusement parks include Isla Majica in Spain, Prater in Vienna, and Gardaland in Italy. Looking for more family travel tips? Check out some of these blog posts: