Last week, I listed details of seven theme parks with a difference around the world that you might be interested in checking out because of their novelty value. In this weeks’ follow-on blog, I conclude with a few more that may capture your imagination even further. People assume that theme parks are all about roller-coaster rides but of course they can adopt any theme that they like, particularly if the founders think that there is a big enough audience to serve. Take Bordeaux for example:
France
La Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
If the French city of Bordeaux wasn’t already associated with wine, it has a theme park to prove it now. Meaning “The City of Wine,” the Bordeaux museum/theme park hybrid celebrates wine culture and offers attractions such as interactive boat rides and, of course, wine tastings. Novelty value: 7/10 http://www.laciteduvin.com/en
Romania
Salina Turda, Romania
This is a traditional ride-based theme park but in a rather unique setting — a vast salt mine located 400 feet underground. Opened in 1992, it has already been visited by more than two million people from Romania and around the world. Business Insider website listed it at the top of their 10 coolest underground places in the world. Novelty value: 8/10 http://salinaturda.eu/home/?lang=en
Mexico
Parque EcoAlberto, Ixmiquilpan
The building of a wall along the US/Mexican border was a stated campaign promise of President Trump and so Parque EcoAlberto is a theme park that offers a unique experience — you’ll find out what it’s like to illegally cross the Mexican-American border. That means four nights of hiking out in the open and hiding from authorities in a simulated crossing. It’s all run by Native Americans to create new jobs for locals and to deter others from trying to head to America as so many communities are being damaged by men abandoning Mexico for the States. Novelty value: 9/10 http://ecoalberto.com.mx/
Zero Gravity Dallas, Texas
If you like bungee jumping or are an adrenaline junkie then you need to head to Dallas in the Lone Star state. For just a little over 30 dollars visitors to this park can experience one of most insane rides in the world. In fact, it has even been used by scientists to simulate a near death experience. Novelty value: 6/10 http://www.gojump.com/
Canada
Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario
This traditional theme park — Canad’s largest — is located just outside Toronto. The park has over 200 rides and attractions, a water park, as well as tons of restaurants and shops. This is a great place to go if you want to experience a full-on, large-scale amusement park with all the features and has some truly excellent roller-coasters, like its main attractions, the Leviathan and Behemoth. Novelty value: 6/10 https://www.canadaswonderland.com/
USA
Knott’s Berry Farm, Los Angeles, California
When Walt Disney’s original theme park in Anaheim opened in 1955 (Admission: $1), Knott’s Berry Farm had already been going strong for 35 years. Based around a Wild West theme, the park was the 12th most visited theme park in North America in 2015. Novelty value: 5/10. https://www.knotts.com/
Six Flags, 20 locations throughout North America, Canada and Mexico
If you’ve never been to the States then you may never have heard of Six Flags so believe me when I say that Six Flags is huge! Between them, the various Six Flags theme parks, thrill parks, water parks, and family entertainment centres welcome around 30 million visitors per annum. Novelty value: 5/10 https://www.sixflags.com/
Colombia
Hacienda Napoles, Puerto Triunfo, Antioquia
If you know anything about the history of the most infamous cartel boss of them all — Pablo Escobar, then you’ll recognize this name as it was originally the luxurious estate built by him during the height of his power and influence in the 80’s.This family friendly theme park in Colombia gives visitors a chance to hang out with exotic animals and visit its museum. In order to get there though you have to pass under the original portal gate that has a small plane anchored on top —the same plane Pablo Escobar used to bring his first load of cocaine to the United States. Novelty value: 10/10 http://www.haciendanapoles.com/
