Best Alternatives to Disney: 10 Theme Parks to Discover Around the World

Disney and Universal Studios remain a dream destination for families and thrill-seekers, but there are plenty of other parks to enjoy!

Here are 10 different theme parks from around the world that are well worth a visit for their unique experiences and affordable prices.

Plus, avoid the 2.5% foreign currency conversion fees during your trips abroad by buying your park tickets with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card.

Located just near the border with France, Europa-Park features more than 100 rides and shows, and a water park. Imagine travelling across Europe in a single day: you can have fun exploring 20 different zones representing various European countries, from Iceland to Russia.

You can stay there thanks to the themed hotels or campgrounds around the park, offering options for all styles and budgets.

The best rides you’ll definetly want to check out are Blue Fire and Silver Star, nestled in a truly unique architectural setting.

Dreamworld is the largest theme park in Australia, located on the beautiful Gold Coast, where more than 40 spectacular attractions await you. The WhiteWater World water park is right next door.

It’s the perfect combination of extreme thrills and family attractions.

The Steel Taipan ride is different from the others, with its Tailwhip. These are two completely independent seats located at the back of the train that rotate 360 degrees on turns, while the other seats remain fixed.

Discover Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park.

Everland is located in Yongin, near Seoul, and offers a magical experience blending fantasy, vibrant colours, and animals. Each themed zone tells a story: explore American Adventure with its American-style attractions, stroll through European Adventure with its flower gardens, visit the Zootopia zoo, and discover the enchanting Magic Land area.

Its most popular ride is the T-Express, a wooden roller coaster that closely resembles the Le Monstre ride at La Ronde.

Step into living history at Tivoli Park, the third oldest amusement park in the world still in operation since 1843, in the heart of Copenhagen. According to legend, Walt Disney was inspired by this park when creating Disneyland.

Tivoli combines tradition and modernity with its 30 gentle or thrilling attractions, ballet performances, concerts, and more than 30 restaurants.

The Dæmonen (or The Demon) ride promises to shake you up with its short but adrenalin-filled course.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is dedicated to the Ferrari brand. It may not be the biggest, the most colourful or the most magical, but it is home to the fastest roller coaster on the planet.

Plus, most of it is located indoors.

Try the Formula Rossa ride, capable of propelling you from 0 to 240 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. Hold on to your phone or glasses!

Here you can experience the thrill of Formula 1 racing in ultra-realistic simulators, admire Ferrari car exhibits and enjoy rides for all ages.

PortAventura Park is Spain’s most visited theme park, with 3.5 million visitors a year, and is located between Barcelona and Valencia.

It takes you on a journey through six eclectic themed worlds: from the Mediterranean to Polynesia, via China, Mexico, the Far West and SésamoAventura.

Combined, its roller coaster tracks form an impressive network more than 5 kilometers long. It also includes a complex of five-hotels, a water park and Ferrari Land. Its most popular rides are the Dragon Khan and Shambhala.

Much more than just an amusement park, Parc Asterix offers total immersion into Gaulish culture. Veni, vidi, vici!

Located 35 kilometers north of Paris, it is part of a complex comprising 3 themed hotels: Les Quais de Lutèce, La Cité Suspendue and Les Trois Hiboux.

Face off against the Romans, enjoy authentic Gaulish specialties, and discover humorous musical shows. The park is divided into three sections: Thrill Rides, Family Attractions, and Petits Gaulois.

Prepare to scream with fear aboard Toutatis, France’s fastest roller coaster at 110 km/h.

Efteling is a fantasy theme park located in Kaatsheuvel in the Netherlands. Since 1952, it has transported young and old alike into a fairytale world inspired by ancient European myths, legends, fairy tales and folklore.

Divided into several themed areas with a medieval theme, featuring a water kingdom and a fairy-tale world, Efteling Park promises an immersion into a land of enchanted dreams.

Through it all lies the Baron 1898, the Efteling’s most popular ride, a roller coaster that takes you into the depths of a haunted 19th-century gold mine.

For a day where English tradition meets modern thrills, there is Alton Towers! It offers an eclectic immersion through Victorian Gothic ruins, magnificent gardens, a water park, and a post-apocalyptic atmosphere.

The Nemesis Reborn ride is the most popular. Feet dangling in the air, seat suspended from above, you will hear an eerie soundtrack as you soar at speeds of up to 81 km/h.

In addition to saving you money on foreign currency conversion fees, the Scotiabank Visa Infinite Passport Card offers a number of travel benefits, plus Scene+ points which you can then redeem for a statement credit on your expenses.

These 10 alternatives prove that fun can rhyme with originality.

Whether you are looking for the French humour of Parc Astérix or the pure adrenaline of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, these destinations offer memorable experiences at an affordable price.

Photo credits: official park websites or Wikipedia