A lot has changed since the world’s oldest amusement park opened its gates in 1583. In Denmark, sideshows and circus revues started a craze for entertainment, leading to the many types of theme parks we have today: fairy tale, cartoon and movie-themed spin-offs. All-ages toy playgrounds. High-octane assaults with rollercoaster brag and bluster. Full-spectrum kingdoms that present epic battles from history.
There’s still one theme park to rule them all, of course, and there’s no stopping Disneyland Paris – it’s Europe’s most heavily-trafficked theme park. Last year, more than 16 million visitors holidayed at the House of Mouse in Marne-la-Vallée. But the flip side is that there are many quieter, more affordable and — some would say — more memorable realms of storybook characters and fantasy lands to get your theme park thrills, minus the self-conscious pomp of Mickey Mouse. Here are our favourites.
