Explore the best amusement parks for families with thrilling rides, fantastic entertainment, diverse lodging, and group deals
Amusement parks have been sought after for hundreds of years. First, starting out as fairs and pleasure gardens during the 1800s, the modern-day park we’ve known and loved has been featured in the media for decades. Generations have celebrated theme parks, from the thrill of a roller coaster to the nostalgic food scene and classic carnival games, making amusement park vacations the perfect way to celebrate and connect with loved ones. Consider these top parks the focal point of your next reunion or vacation.
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Universal Terra Luna Resort at Universal Orlando Resort. Photo credit: Universal Orlando Resort Facebook
Why Amusement Park Vacations are Ideal for Family Reunions
How can multiple generations with various needs and interests enjoy an amusement park vacation? In today’s world, it’s more than just possible—it’s simply ingenious.
For older generations, theme parks are a reminder of past trips that hold nostalgic memories. First dates, an end-of-year class trip, or fun with friends. At the same time, it’s a chance for little ones to experience joy in its purest form, whether meeting a favorite movie or TV show character or going on their first ride. A multigenerational theme park trip allows novelty and nostalgia to be wrapped up in one unforgettable experience for everyone.
One of the highlights of amusement park vacations is that many provide accommodations and amenities for those with special needs, including benches and on-site wheelchairs. Some parks go a step further and offer personal attendants for family members who need hands-on attention. These attendants provide a fun and safe experience by applying their park knowledge while accommodating the person’s needs. Many family-friendly theme and amusement parks also offer packages that include food for reunions and vacations, ensuring a smooth, fun-focused day for everyone (even the group planner).
Walt Disney World Monorail takes visitors throughout the park. Photo credit: Walt Disney World Facebook
Criteria for Choosing the Right, Family-Friendly Theme Park
There are many details to think about when planning an amusement park vacation or reunion, even more so when gathering with multiple age groups. Consider the following when planning a trip to an all-ages park destination:
- Proximity and accessibility – Consider the theme park’s transportation and location, available parking and public transportation to the park and your accommodations.
- Range of attractions – You want to ensure that every age group is represented. Look for thrill rides, kids’ areas, live or interactive shows, various food options, and rest areas.
- Lodging options – On-site theme park lodging is convenient but may cost more. If it’s not in your budget, seek nearby family-friendly places with transportation options to and from the park. Destination Reunions Booking Site can help you secure the perfect reunion rental if a large property is more your style.
- Special needs of the group – Do you need special accessibility options? Is anyone in the group gluten-free or vegan? It’s wise to take a consensus of your group’s preferences, dietary needs and other factors for individual concerns.
Group travel to theme parks requires advanced planning and research, so begin sooner to ensure everyone participating will have an unforgettable experience.
Check out our FREE GUIDE for in-depth tips for budgeting for a family reunion.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is a perfect way for the whole family to cool off on hot days during amusement park vacations and reunions. Photo credit: Walt Disney World Facebook
Best Amusement Parks for Families
While many parks exist in the United States and abroad, here are some top choices for a family-friendly amusement park vacation or reunion.
Disney Theme Parks for Families
In the United States, there are two Disney parks to choose from: Walt Disney World, located in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland, in Anaheim, California. Disney has been a part of families’ living rooms for 100 years. If you want to capitalize on nostalgia and novelty, these parks are for you. There are many ways to do Disney, from budget-friendly resorts to all-inclusive plans and experiences. Disney offers affordable amusement park packages, making it an excellent choice for a multigenerational theme park trip.
Walt Disney World features four parks: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom. Within the four parks, you’ll find a range of activities suitable for all ages and interests. Young visitors can meet their favorite characters in Hollywood Studios and the Magic Kingdom. Adults can sample drinks from around the world at Epcot and everyone in between can enjoy animal viewing at Animal Kingdom. Cool off at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, perfect for kids and adults.
Disneyland has two parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Race around Radiator Springs or try your drawing talents at the Animation Studio. Star Wars fans will love Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride, a multi-ride system unlike anything offered at Disneyland.
There are many plans to choose from when staying here, so you can create a customized trip. Busy with life? Don’t worry. Disney offers specialized travel agents to help with every step of planning.
Amusement Park Vacations at Universal Orlando Resort
Most famous for its Harry Potter World, which now spans three parks, Universal Orlando Resort is another great family-friendly theme park option. Also in Orlando, Florida, this park could easily be tacked onto a vacation to Disney World, but even on its own, there is plenty to do for the whole family.
The Resort has five parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Universal CityWalk, Epic Universe, and Volcano Bay (waterpark). With each hosting multiple worlds, imagining your entire family enjoying everything the park provides is easy. Universal Studios offers eight different worlds to visit. Diagon Alley is found here, or you can visit Minion World with the younger kids while other adults can be immersed in Springfield, U.S.A., home of the beloved Simpsons.
Epic Universe, the newest addition to the Universal Park family, offers a perfect mix of age-appropriate activities. Featuring a new part of Harry Potter World, Potterheads will enjoy seeing the inner workings of the Ministry of Magic while children (and adults!) fly with dragons alongside Vikings. Groups can even compete against one another in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD by purchasing Power-Up bands and completing tasks.
If you are in California, visit Universal Studios Hollywood as an extension of a family vacation to Disneyland.
Six Flags Great Adventure Safari Park in a unique family-friendly experience not to be missed. Photo credit: Six Flags Great Adventure Facebook
Regional and International Parks for Family Vacations
Depending on your budget, consider a regional or international destination for your group’s amusement park vacation.
US Amusement Parks
Regional amusement park vacations offer a more affordable route for a reunion. There are many to choose from across the country. Six Flags has multiple locations in all regions of the US, and you can often find their sister water park, Hurricane Harbor, nearby. They offer group tickets and catering.
Another option is Cedar Point. Found along the coast of Lake Erie in Ohio, Cedar Point is one of the more affordable and family-friendly amusement park destinations. Home to the tallest roller coaster in the world, thrill seekers will undoubtedly enjoy the park’s offerings. Other amenities such as a beach, boardwalk, golf club, and live shows ensure every family member, no matter their age and interest, will find something to enjoy.
International Amusement Parks
If the sky is the limit for your group’s trip, investigate amusement and theme parks abroad. Both Universal and Disney have international locations. You can find Universal in Asia, including parks in Singapore, Beijing and Japan. Other Disney resorts are in Tokyo and Paris. Consider visiting one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen. You’ll find rides, restaurants and theaters spread across beautiful gardens, making it a fantastic cultural, family-friendly theme park destination.
Hotel Breakers at Cedar Point Amusement Park provides spacious family accommodation options. Photo credit: Cedar Point Facebook
Planning and Budgeting Strategies for Amusement Park Vacations
Details and money add up fast when planning your trip, especially a large group trip. To avoid stress, here are some of our best strategies:
- Visit during the off-season — Amusement parks’ shoulder and off-season months see fewer visitors (major bonus!) and have cheaper pricing. Months like April or October can offer the best of both worlds, boosting the chance of nicer weather while still being more affordable than typical busy season months.
- Look into group rates, reunion packages or seasonal/holiday discounts — Many parks will offer cheaper group tickets, dining perks or special experiences for groups. Consider staying someplace longer than a few days. For example, Disney tickets get more affordable the more days you add to your trip. Check out multiple websites that offer discounted tickets.
- Bundle and save — Pair up whatever aspects of the planning process you can. The most common bundle is accommodation and theme park tickets. You can also bundle food with accommodation.
- Use travel points or rewards — One of the best strategies is to get a travel credit card. The Sapphire Chase Reserve is a great starter card with a low annual fee. You can convert the points you earn from everyday purchases into flights, hotel stays and more.
- Use a travel agent — The industry’s best-kept secret. Travel agents specialize in different areas and have access to discounts and years of experience to make your dream amusement park vacation a reality.
If your group needs equipment while traveling, read our in-depth article about Top Travel Services to Simplify Your Next Family Reunion or Group Vacation.
Why Amusement Park Vacations Are a Great Choice
An amusement park vacation for your next family reunion is a spectacular choice. Theme parks offer a range of activities, including rides, immersive experiences, shows, and more, providing ample entertainment for every generation. Many parks offer affordable packages, making the group travel to theme parks accessible for various budgets. Explore and rediscover the magic of some of the top amusement parks in the country and around the globe through innocent and seasoned eyes alike by planning your next reunion at the best amusement parks for families.
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By Erin Karasewski, Contributing Writer
