Everybody loves the fun, excitement, thrills and spills of a good theme park and America’s theme parks are bigger, better, more exhilarating and more plentiful than anywhere else on the planet. Whether you’re a fan of water parks, movie studios or old fashioned fairground thrills, America’s greatest theme parks cater for all tastes, ages and appetites for adventure. With more than five hundred theme parks scattered throughout the United States you’re never far from a theme park, but if you’re seeking the ultimate theme park thrills here’s our guide to 6 of America’s greatest theme parks.
1. Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Florida
Winner of themeparkinsider.com’s ‘Best Theme Park’ award in 2010 and 2011, Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure theme park is home to one of the most popular attractions in theme park history: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Here you can walk through a life sized recreation of Hogwarts Castle, be scared witless on the Duelling Dragons twin roller coaster or have a marginally less intense thrill on the Flight of the Hippogriff family coaster. Harry Potter takes up just a fraction of this giant Orlando theme park – there are also areas dedicated to Jurassic Park, Marvel Superheroes, Doctor Seuss and various popular cartoon characters. One of two Universal Studios theme parks in Orlando, Islands of Adventure provides first-class family entertainment for movie-loving thrill seekers everywhere.
2. Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida
Open every day of the year, Busch Gardens began life in 1959 as a zoological garden, and since then has gradually evolved into one of America’s best-loved theme parks. Divided into nine separate areas Busch Gardens has remained true to its zoological beginnings and offers a wealth of animal attractions such as an open-top truck ‘safari’ through a recreated African plain. This theme is echoed in Busch Garden’s extensive range of thrill rides, such as the Congo River Rapids white-water ride (no hope of staying dry on this one!), the gigantic and traditional Gwazi roller coaster and the latest ride: SheiKra. Climbing two hundred feet before suspending riders over a ninety-degree plummet toward the ground, SheiKra is not for the faint hearted, but white-knuckle aficionados will be in their element. With attractions and rides suitable for all ages little kids, big kids and adult kids-at-heart will love Busch Gardens.
3. The Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Can there be any theme park more famous than the legendary Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Orlando? With more than 17 million visitors each year, the popularity of Walt Disney’s visionary theme park has remained unchallenged since its opening in 1971. With the iconic Cinderella’s Castle at its heart, the Magic Kingdom is divided into five distinct themed areas linked by a network of tunnels. Classic thrill rides and roller coasters such as Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean continue to enchant visitors of all ages. With forty years of family entertainment under its belt, the Magic Kingdom shows no signs of slowing down. An ambitious project to expand one of the five themed areas –Fantasyland- is already underway and will be opened in phases with completion due in 2013. An unbeatable mix of thrill- and family rides, recogniseable and friendly Disney characters, spectacular shows, parades and firework displays and a wholehearted emphasis on entertainment ensures that The Magic Kingdom, Orlando remains the brightest star in America’s theme park firmament.
4. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio
For the thirteenth consecutive year, Cedar Point has been voted the ‘Best Amusement Park in the World’ in the annual poll conducted by industry magazine Amusement Today. What makes Cedar Point so great? Well, having just celebrated its 141st birthday, Cedar Point is the second oldest theme park in the USA. Don’t be fooled by its age though. Among its seventy-five rides and seventeen roller coasters (Cedar Point has more rides than any other theme park in the world) are some truly cutting-edge thrill rides such as the 310-foot-high Millennium Force roller coaster, and its staggering new Windseeker swing ride which gives adventurous riders magnificent vies over nearby Lake Erie. Great food, plentiful accommodation, a spectacular location and the inclusion of a dedicated water park, a Snoopy-themed children’s park and two crazy golf courses ensure that Cedar Point, Ohio can more than stand its ground against the better-known movie studio theme parks.
5. Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey
Owned by the might Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey is the largest of the group’s thirteen theme parks. In continuous operation since 1974, Great Adventure includes a safari park and a water park as well as eleven separately-themed areas of rides and rollercoasters, four of which are specifically aimed at kids. The rides at Six Flags Great Adventure cover the entire spectrum from mild and entertaining children’s fare to all-out scary and exhilarating experiences such as Nitro – an award-winning steel rollercoaster with 200-foot drops and speeds of up to 80mph. SFGA’s latest thrill ride – Green Lantern – is one of the tallest and fastest of its kind in the world, and the park has yet more thrills in store with their new Skyscreamer attraction opening in 2012. With a host of shows and entertainments including Dolphin Encounters and Safari Discoveries, there’s truly something to suit everybody at Six Flags Great Adventure.
6. SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida
Orlando is blessed with a wealth of incredible theme parks, and the globally famous SeaWorld is no exception. The theme, of course, is marine life and there is no better theme park in which to swim with dolphins, stroke a stingray or get up close and personal with an array of sharks and venomous fish in the safety of an underwater tunnel. Enchanting animal attractions aside, SeaWorld is not short on thrill rides such as the unique Manta in which you “spin, glide, swoop and fly from sky to sea like a giant manta ray”. Scarier still is Mantis – Orlando’s only floorless roller coaster which spins and dangles you 140 feet above the earth and reaches speeds of up to 70mph. Those who enjoy cooling off by getting drenched will find the Journey to Atlantis ride unmissable; it has the steepest and fastest water drops of any water ride. Smaller children will love Shamu’s Happy Harbour; an exciting play area with masses of things to see and do. Add in the chance to swim with Beluga whales and some extraordinary dining experiences and its easy to see why SeaWorld, Orlando is on practically everyone’s list of the greatest theme parks in America.
This was a guest post by John for Alamo car hire USA – a great choice for cheap car hire in Orlando to get you around all the best theme parks. 
