When you’re a child, there’s nothing quite as exciting as a trip to a theme park. Whether you’re experiencing the rush of adrenaline on a giant roller coaster, cruising along in a wave pool, or filling up on tasty treats, visiting amusement parks leaves you filled with joy. There’s a reason Disneyland is called the happiest place in the world! However, the charm of theme parks lies in the fact that no matter how old you are, visiting a theme park helps you revisit the innocent pleasures of childhood. You are taken invariably back in time and have a chance to become a kid all over again, albeit only for a few hours.
From amusement parks with plenty of rides, to water parks with pools and games, to uniquely curated experiences at adventure parks and science museums, India is host to a variety of theme parks across the country. Here are a few of the best:
Wonderla Bengaluru - While Wonderla is now one of India’s largest amusement park chains, their theme park situated along the Bengaluru-Mysore Highway is the highlight of their repertoire. With over 50 rides, Wonderla Bengaluru caters to all audiences. They have 12 water based rides, 13 rides specifically for very small children, as well as 10 rides for high energy thrill seekers. Over the years, the park has been expanded to include a resort where guests can stay overnight and enjoy an extended experience. The Wonderla chain has amusement parks in Kochi and Hyderabad as well, that have their share of wild roller coasters, a simulated space experience and a 3D movie theatre!
Kingdom of Dreams - While Kingdom of Dreams can’t be categorized as a traditional theme park with games and rides, it has an allure and uniqueness that is completely its own. It is built on the concept of showcasing the vast and varied culture of India through live entertainment and culinary arts, among many other attractions. Visitors get the full experience of Indian culture through theatre, Bollywood musicals, street performances and a variety of cuisines. Located in Sector 29, Gurgaon, Kingdom of Dreams is a bustling tourist destination and has a wonderful combination of old world charm and modern technology that provides a dazzling experience for visitors across age groups.
Imagica Adlabs - Inspired by Universal Studios, this amusement park is hailed as one of the finest in India. Situated near Lonavala, halfway between Mumbai and Pune, this theme park boasts of over 30 rides, 4D experiences and India’s biggest roller coaster. Over the years, Imagica Adlabs has only grown, adding a water park, a snow park and 8 themed restaurants to its list. It is really a place where visitors can do it all, from live shows and entertainment, to games, water slides and great food. Spread over 130 acres of land, Imagica Adlabs can host up to 15,000 guests at a time for a truly larger than life experience.
Ramoji Film City - Situated close to Hyderabad, Ramoji Film City is the perfect place to visit to satisfy your love for all things cinema. While mainly a gigantic film complex, (rated the world’s largest by the Guinness Book of World Records), where many movies are shot and produced every year (including both Bahubali films) , it also features a bird park, a butterfly park and a theme park with various rides and entertainment options. Ramoji Film City is also known for its unique decor, as it has many large statues and replicas of world famous monuments scattered around the property, perfect for a photo op! Ramoji Film City sees over 1.5 million footfalls each year!
Essel World - Constructed in 1989, Essel World was India’s first full-scale amusement park. Located in the heart of Mumbai, it has over 70 rides, a Water Kingdom water park and added attractions like an ice skating rink, bowling alley and special events during the festival of Holi. While Essel World is more old school than many of the new age theme parks, it’s still a highly popular summer destination and is inundated with students during the summer vacations.
Della Adventure Park - Like Imagica Adlabs, Della Adventure park is also situated in Lonavala, but unlike most theme parks, this one focuses on bringing out your daredevil and adventurous side. It features strenuous and exciting activities such as paintball, ATV rides, shooting, archery, dirt bike rides and rock climbing that are sure to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping. It is conveniently located and also has resort accommodations for visitors who seek an extended trip.
Science City – Located in Kolkata, Science City is a one of a kind Science Museum and Theme Park all rolled into one. A perfect mix of education and fun, Science City is always packed with students and science lovers thirsty to learn and absorb the wonders of science. It’s main attractions are the outdoor science park, live butterfly enclave and aquarium. However, it also caters to all spheres of scientific knowledge through interactive rides and experiences. It has an Earth exploration hall, a space odyssey room with a 3D vision theatre, and a space travel simulator that makes you feel like you’re travelling through time. Visitors can learn about anything and everything, from marine biology to evolution, all at Science City.
While the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected footfalls at amusement parks all over the country, they are slowly opening up with Covid restrictions in place. Let’s hope they do manage to revive business and bring back a sense of normalcy and fun to a post pandemic world!
