(CNN) — As these of us within the Northern Hemisphere take pleasure in these final days of summer time, many households are flocking to theme parks each within the US and overseas to squeeze in just a few extra moments of enjoyable.
That features a collection of recent parks which have opened around the globe within the final two years, conserving issues recent with surprisingly understated pure environment or simply the alternative – jaw-dropping, hair-raising, all-consuming points of interest.
From the tremendous delicate and surreal, like Ghibli Park in Japan, to a tidal wave of enjoyable at Columbia Footage Aquaverse in Thailand, right here’s a take a look at just a few of essentially the most noteworthy new theme parks for these unforgettable household reminiscences.
Katmandu Park, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Opened in March 2023 on the east coast of the Dominican Republic, the park is stuffed with thriller and lore.
In keeping with legend, explorer Kilgore Goode was on an journey via Nepal when he stumbled upon the “Desirata” jewel, protected by a ferocious yeti. However the discovery turned all the things the other way up.
Immersing visitors on this magical world, Katmandu Punta Cana skips extra basic boomerang and tornado coasters, as a substitute specializing in tech-savvy, interactive indoor rides.
For example, the 4D darkish journey, “Legend of the Desirata,” chronicles the model’s origin story – all dropped at life by sensory, lighting and projection results.
One other key attraction is EtherQuest, an interactive walk-through expertise the place visitors use blasters and props to defeat a military of evil mages within the “upside-down home” amid immersive projection know-how.
To not be outdone is the “Problem of the Mad Mage,” which allows each visitor to partake in a blaster duel throughout a surreal chess match whereas wind, vibration and mist sensations improve the expertise.
Other than immersive rides, visitors may try the Himalaya-inspired mini golf course, a sky-high ropes course, climbing partitions and a whimsical carousel for youthful adventurers.
Katmandu Park, Punta Cana. Av. Alemania, Punta Cana 23000, Dominican Republic. Tickets from $120 for adults; $85 for youngsters for a one-use go.
Tremendous Nintendo World, California
Oh yeah! Mario time! Simply over a 12 months after opening at Common Studios Japan in 2021, Tremendous Nintendo World touched down at Common Studios Hollywood in February 2023.
Company enter the Mushroom Kingdom through the sport’s iconic inexperienced pipe. As soon as inside, guests will uncover a world of enjoyable experiences, from assembly their favourite characters to eating on “Piranha Plant” caprese, Chef Toad’s quick rib particular and “? Block” tiramisu at Toadstool Cafe.
Followers of the sport will recognize the spectacular grounds, that includes recreations of acquainted recreation scenes like Princess Peach’s Fortress, Bowser’s Fortress and Mount Beanpole, designed to appear like the sport’s 16-bit graphics.
However the marquee attraction is “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Problem.”
A cross between a online game and a curler coaster, the tech-savvy journey takes passengers via a multi-sensory world the place they’ll use augmented actuality (AR) to navigate totally different race programs and attempt to defeat Group Bowser.
Company who buy a Energy-Up Band (an add-on wristband that syncs with the park’s app) may use AR to play mini-games and “Key Challenges” all through the park to unlock a closing boss battle with Bowser Jr.
Tremendous Nintendo World. Common Studios Hollywood, 100 Common Metropolis Plaza, Common Metropolis, CA, US, 91608. Tickets from $109.
Ghibli Park, Japan
Should you love Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli animated movies, just like the Academy Award-winning “Spirited Away” or “My Neighbor Totoro,” this new park is for you.
Positioned exterior of Nagoya, Japan, Ghibli Park opened in late 2022. Throughout the 17.5 forested floor of the Expo 2005, visitors will discover 5 areas that recreate a number of animated well-known scenes with all of the whimsy, artistry and a spotlight to element the studio is thought for
There aren’t any hair-raising rides, however you may depend on charming interactive exhibitions.
Company can try a recreation of the Catbus featured in “Totoro,” discover the vintage store featured in “Whisper of the Coronary heart,” or head as much as the highest of the “Fortress within the Sky” tower for scenic views.
There’s additionally a cinema screening quick movies, a few cafes, and several other family-friendly actions, like a Totoro-themed playground and a monorail.
Two extra areas, Mononoke Village and the Valley of Witches, are anticipated to open later in 2023.
Ghibli Park, Expo 2005 Aichi Commemorative Park, 1533-1 Ibaragabasama, Nagakute, Aichi. Tickets from $15 for adults; $7.50 for youngsters.
Legoland Korea Resort, South Korea
On the heels of LEGOLAND New York Resort’s debut in 2021, LEGOLAND Korea Resort opened in Could 2022.
Like its sister parks, this playful wonderland in Chuncheon, about 1.5 hours east of Seoul, is dedicated to all issues LEGO, with greater than 40 rides and points of interest throughout seven thematic zones.
Within the aptly named Bricktopia space, visitors can hop on family-friendly rides, go to LEGOLAND Lookout for excellent park views, and get hands-on with inventive workshops and a built-and-test car-racing zone.
The park is designed for 2- to 12-year-olds, so there aren’t too many high-octane rides, however the Dragon coaster within the LEGO Fortress zone ought to take a look at your mettle.
In the meantime, younger youngsters will love the wave racers, LEGO planes, spinners, mountain climbing and pirate experiences.
For the final word expertise, keep in a single day in a LEGO-themed resort room the place you’ll be immersed in fortress, pirate or ninja decor. Resort visitors additionally take pleasure in unique play areas and fast-track park entry.
LEGOLAND Korea Resort, 128 Hajungdo-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24240, Korea. Tickets from $38 for adults; $30 for youngsters.
Columbia Footage Aquaverse, Thailand
In Asia, one of the thrilling openings of 2022 was Thailand’s Columbia Footage Aquaverse.
Positioned alongside the coast close to Pattaya, about two hours south of Bangkok by automotive, the movie-themed water park revolves round rides and experiences impressed by standard movies, corresponding to “Jumanji,” “Ghostbusters” and “Zombieland.”
As its identify suggests, Aquaverse focuses on water-based enjoyable – splashing, soaking, slipping, sliding, you identify it.
You possibly can anticipate all the things from rainbow-hued slides to the world’s first water dome journey, browsing machines, and the “Resort Transylvania” space, with 9 slides and over 100 splash-tastic options for youths.
For landlubbers, there’s additionally go-karting, “The Emoji Film” mini golf course and several other themed cafes.
Along with rides and video games, the park hosts performances at its Mega Wave Pool, the place visitors can hand around in the pool whereas having fun with film screenings, DJ units and concert events.
Columbia Footage Aquaverse, 888 Sukhumvit Highway, Tambon Na Chom Thian, Amphoe Sattahip, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20250, Thailand. Tickets from $41.
Lotte World Journey Busan, South Korea
About three many years after opening its flagship park in Seoul, Lotte World expanded in March 2022 with a second location, Lotte World Journey Busan, on the nation’s southeastern coast.
Embodying a colourful fairytale ambiance, the park showcases tasteful European-inspired gardens, wide-open plazas and good-looking fountains, and an array of thrilling rides, video games and points of interest peppered throughout six themed zones.
In “River Village of Tinker Falls”, very like a central plaza, guests could make a splash on the Orge’s Flume journey or meet the park’s many characters, together with a large speaking tree and lovely woodland creatures.
From there, they will discover the Lorry Fortress in “Queen Lorry’s Royal Backyard” or get their adrenaline pumping on the Big Swing (which soars practically 150 ft excessive) and the Big Digger (which reaches speeds of as much as 65 mph) in “Underland”.
The park can be residence to low-key youngsters’s rides in “Little Farm Land” and Korea’s first “curler coaster” restaurant. Dubbed the Meals Drop, the restaurant serves steak, burgers and pasta through a twisting-turning rail system overhead.
Come night, the park illuminates its numerous points of interest and fountains, then places on a blinding mild, music and dance present.
Peppa Pig Theme Park, Florida
The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park opened final 12 months in Winter Haven, Florida, and has been delighting youngsters with healthful enjoyable ever since.
Devoted to the basic British animated TV present, the place little Peppa has on a regular basis adventures together with her family and friends, the 4.5-acre park welcomes pint-sized visitors with well-designed, multi-sensory actions throughout six playscapes.
Youngsters will love “Peppa’s Pedal Bike Tour” round a camping-inspired path, the action-packed Muddy Puddles Splash Pad and interactive reveals at Mr. Potato’s Showtime Area.
For these prepared for his or her first curler coaster, the Daddy Pig journey takes households on a windy highway within the present’s pink automotive.
They will additionally sail on Grandad Canine’s pirate boat, take pleasure in a dinosaur journey, see what Grandpa Pig is rising within the greenhouse or play video games on the Enjoyable Honest fairground.
And because the park is situated subsequent door to LEGOLAND Florida Theme Park and LEGOLAND Water Park, visitors can simply mix visits to all three for a fun-filled household getaway.
Look out for an additional Peppa Pig Theme Park, opening in Dallas, Texas, subsequent 12 months.
Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park, Malaysia
Positioned inside Resorts World Genting, about an hour’s drive from Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur, Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park opened in February 2022.
Throughout the 26-acre park, which value $800 million and took practically 10 years to create, guests will discover 26 points of interest throughout 9 areas impressed by motion pictures and explorations, from Rio and Central Park to Andromeda Base and Robots Rivet City, amongst others.
The journey begins at Studio Plaza, an artwork deco-styled constructing channeling old-world Hollywood, which ushers visitors into the park.
There are various points of interest for thrill-seekers together with a coaster bike journey via the twisting, turning peaks of Eagle Mountain, a 3D “Invasion of the Planet of the Apes” journey in Liberty Lane, and the space-themed “Independence Day: Defiance” journey in Central Park.
For youthful visitors, “Ice Age: Expedition Skinny Ice” provides a leisurely journey via frozen caverns and “Bigweld’s Zeppelins” invitations households to soar in sluggish movement.
A devoted app allows visitors to examine journey wait occasions, reserve journey time slots and entry customized solutions for issues to do.
Along with the out of doors park, an indoor space referred to as Skytropolis is residence to a cinema, bowling, digital actuality experiences, an arcade, and 7 resorts inside the built-in resort.
Genting SkyWorlds. Genting Highlands, 69000 Genting Highlands, Pahang, Malaysia. Tickets from $34 for adults; $29 for youngsters.
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