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If you have kids and travel, a family visit to a theme park on at least one of your holidays is inevitable. But which of these worlds of speeding and spinning roller coasters, oversized stuffed prizes and sticky sugary treats should you choose?
We’ve selected six of the best in Australia and around the world to satisfy both you and your kids’ wildest theme park dreams. Vanessa Zhang reports.
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The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Orlando Resort), USA
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Visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort and explore the fictitious Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry from J.K. Rowling’s hugely successful Harry Potter series of books. Wander through the themed Hogsmeade Village and the towering Hogwarts Castle to explore the familiar passageways, classrooms and corridors of the Wizarding School. Visit the shops of Hogsmeade and sample food and drinks from the books in themed restaurants including the Three Broomsticks and the Hog’s Head where you can try Butterbeer and pumpkin juice. Pick up Harry Potter souvenirs including Hogwarts school uniforms, replica wands, Quidditch gear, wizarding books, chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans. There are also rides for all ages including the Dragon Challenge roller coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey which takes you through famous locations such as Dumbledore’s Office and brings you up close to magical creatures using advanced technology.
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Celebration Package
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Starting at US$369 (about A$344) per adult, tax inclusive. Includes: 4-night Hotel accommodation at a Universal Partner Hotel, 3-day Park-to-Park Ticket to Universal Orlando’s Theme Parks, Early Park Admission into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Reservation to One In-Park Cast Member Q&A Session – one per person, Blu-Ray Set of Harry Potter Films – one per package, CityWalk Party Pass.
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Where to stay
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The four-star Hard Rock Hotel is on the Universal Studios site and offers Garden view rooms.
RATES: from US$1,910 (about A$1,782) for four nights for two adults and two children.
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Getting there
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United Airlines flies from Sydney to Orlando (via Chicago on the way to Orlando and via Los Angeles on return to Sydney). Economy return is from US$2,673 (about A$2,492) per adult and US$2,146 (about A$2,001) per child. Business return is from US$10,543 (about A$9,824) per adult or child.
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Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong
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Visit the newest Disneyland on Lantau Island. The park is divided into “lands” (themed areas) with concealed areas where you can be completely immersed in a themed environment without hearing or seeing the other realms. The park currently consists of four lands, with another three scheduled for opening in 2014. Walk down Main Street USA, designed to resemble an early 20th-Century Midwest town, or visit Adventureland that features jungle-themed adventures including Tarzan’s Treehouse encircled by the Jungle Cruise. Fantasyland brings characters from Disney movies to life with costumed characters and the Sleeping Beauty Castle. Tomorrowland shows visions of the future, with the Space Mountain roller coaster and UFO Zone. There are daily events and shows including the Broadway-styled The Golden Mickeys and the Disney in the Stars Fireworks show every night.
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Supreme tour package
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HK$3,200 (about A$383) for three consecutive hours. Inclusions: direct entrance to all attractions, reserved seating for theatre shows, exclusive viewing area for Flight of Fantasy Parade, park tour with customised itinerary, concierge services to pre-arrange priority parking, dining reservations and park tickets.
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Where to stay
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The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is within the Disneyland Resort and offers Kingdom Club Rooms with a personal butler.
RATES: from HK$14,000 (about A$1,677) for four nights for two adults and two children.
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Getting there
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Cathay Pacific flies daily from Sydney to Hong Kong from A$1,179 per adult and from A$916 per child return economy and from A$7,548 per adult and from A$5,693 per child for return business class.
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Ocean Park Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Ocean Park Hong Kong is an all-in-one marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme park and amusement park with over 35 attractions of which 19 are rides including Hong Kong’s largest roller coaster, The Dragon, and the Raging River water ride that passes through topical waterfalls and narrow ravines. Daily shows include an educational bird show, Emperors of the Sky, and Whisker’s Theatre featuring the Park’s sea lions and mascots. There are also animal exhibits such as the Giant Panda habitat and a four-storey aquarium displaying over 2,000 fish. The Sea Jelly Spectacular showcases over 1,000 sea jellies with lighting, music and multimedia special effects for the attraction. Ocean Park is recognised for its conservation programs and environmental policies with staff who are experts and advocates of environmental sustainability.
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Honorary Panda Keeper Programme
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HK$1,230 (about A$147) per adult plus Ocean Park admission ticket. HK$1,105 (about A$132) per child plus admission ticket.
Inclusions: view the pandas from inside the Keeper’s facilities. Learn to prepare the pandas’ meals. Discover the threats to wild pandas and their natural environment and how to conserve their habitat with a Panda Keeper. Note that visitors will not have any physical interaction with the pandas.
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Where to stay
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The Peninsula Hotel has Superior Harbour View Suites.
RATES: from HK$10,880 (about A$1,303) per night per room for two adults and two children.
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Getting there
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Cathay Pacific flies daily from Sydney to Hong Kong from A$1,179 per adult and from A$916 per child return economy and from A$7,548 per adult and from A$5,693 per child for return business class.
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Sea World, Australia
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Sea World on the Gold Coast is a mammal park, oceanarium and theme park featuring rides, animal exhibits and attractions. It also promotes conservation of animals through education and the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured or orphaned wildlife. There is a Seabird Rehabilitation Avery and a Dolphin Nursery Pool as part of the successful dolphin-breeding program at Sea World. Other marine attractions include Shark Bay, the world’s largest man-made lagoon system for sharks that provides viewing areas for both above-water and underwater. The Ray Reef invites people to feed, touch and observe Rays during an interactive and educational exhibit. Sea World is also home to Australia’s only Polar Bear exhibit with three bears in a created tundra environment. There are also rides and daily shows including the new Jet Stunt Extreme show and the ‘Imagine’ Dolphin show. Castaway Bay and Sesame Street Beach are suited for children, with live shows, themed rides and interactive water fights on offer.
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Trainer for a Day
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Available to guests 14 years of age and over at A$499 per person. Inclusions: A tour of Dolphin Bay with a Marine Mammal trainer, who will introduce you to some of the animals you will be working with that day. An educational lesson where you will learn about the park's role in rescuing and caring for stranded marine mammals. A tutorial on how to train animals, in particular dolphins. A behind-the-scenes tour of Polar Bear Shores. An in-water encounter at Dolphin Bay. A souvenir photo. A souvenir DVD. This package is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only.
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Where to stay
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Sea World Resort is located in Surfers Paradise and links to Sea World Theme Park via a monorail service. Stay two nights at Sea World Resort and receive a VIP Pass to receive unlimited theme park entry until 30 June 2012 to Warner Bros. Movie World, Wet’n’Wild Waterworld and Sea World.
RATES: From A$139 per person per night twin share. Kids are A$100 each per stay.
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Getting there
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Jetstar flies from Sydney to the Gold Coast daily from A$138 return per adult or child, return economy.
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Dreamworld, Australia
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Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park, situated on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The park is made up of several themed lands, each with their own collection of rides, shows, attractions and shops. Visit Tiger Island and Australian Wildlife Experience to see different animal exhibits in a registered zoo. Over 800 native and barnyard animals are located within the Dreamworld grounds, and you can see many of these animals in their natural habitats. Tiger Island is one of only two interactive tiger exhibits in the world. The exhibit features various locations for the 14 tigers and cougars to live, swim and play and visitors can watch live tiger presentation shows daily. There are also over 27 rides on offer, including The Claw, Wipeout and The Giant Drop. Dreamworld expanded its park in 2010 to offer WhiteWater World next door, a water park with a large wave pool, water slides and splash pools for children.
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Tiger Walks
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Total cost of $695, up to four people included.
A$100 extra for a fifth person. Inclusions: walk and interact with one of Tiger Island's fully-grown tigers. Pat the tigers and learn more about the cats with several stops for photo opportunities. 40-60 minute walk with tiger, handler and photographer. Up to 36, 6" x 4" colour prints. Two timber framed 8”x10” colour prints. Two additional 8”x10” colour prints. One Tiger Island Souvenir Book. One plush Tiger Toy.
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Where to stay
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Hilton Surfers Paradise offers a two bedroom Deluxe Ocean View Residence.
RATES: from A$409 per night for two adults and two children.
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Getting there
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Jetstar flies from Sydney to the Gold Coast daily from A$138 return per adult or child, return economy.
Dreamworld is 20 minutes drive from Surfers Paradise. Surfside Buslines has four theme park services all stopping at Dreamworld daily – routes TX1, TX2, TX5 & 725.
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Ferrari World Dubai, UAE
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Ferrari World on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is the world’s largest indoor amusement park that is based and themed all around the Italian sports car manufacturer. It is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster and pays homage to Italy, the history of Ferrari, automobile design and everything racing. The Factory Tour takes you on a historical tour of the Ferrari factory as you follow the entire process from the early design stages to the painting and first test drive. Another attraction is The Paddock, where you go behind the scenes of the Grand Prix, listen and see how the race is managed and see real Formula One cars. Children will enjoy the Junior Pilota’s Racing School, where they’ll receive instructions from trained experts before getting behind the wheel of a scaled-down Ferrari F1 racer. For thrill riders, strap yourself into the fastest roller coaster in the world - the Formula Rossa, as it accelerates up to 240km/h and feel the 4.8G-force.
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VIP Experience
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A Premium Admission ticket, AED495 (about A$126), provides unlimited access to all rides and attractions of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi through the Fast Track lane, in addition to access to the exclusive VIP Lounge. The ticket is valid for guests 1.5m and over for one entry to the Park within six months from the date of purchase.
A Premium Admission Junior ticket, AED390 (about A$99), provides unlimited access to all rides and attractions of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi through the Fast Track lane, in addition to access to the exclusive VIP Lounge. The ticket is valid for guests under 1.5m for one entry to the Park within six months from the date of purchase.
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Where to stay
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The five-star Yas Hotel offers a Marina Executive Suite including breakfast.
RATES: from AED2,700 (about A$685) per night for two adults and two children.
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Getting there
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Emirates flies return economy to Abu Dhabi from Sydney from A$1,890 per adult and from A$1,418 per child and return business from A$7,790 per adult and A$5,843 per child.
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