Saturday, September 8, 2012

World’s Strangest Theme Parks

Whatever your interest or taste for fun, chances are there’s a theme park created with you in mind. And Holy Land aside, many of the odder options are located overseas. From re-created 19th-century Dickensian towns to an imagination of Buddhist heaven, offbeat theme parks offer insights into culture rarely found from hobnobbing with life-size characters or riding a run-of-the-mill Ferris wheel. “Even if you’re seeking out the strange and delicious, theme parks always hold the potential for unique and memorable experiences,” says Gene Jeffers, the executive director of Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), an international organization that represents park creators.

Ferrari World, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Suoi Tien Park, Vietnam

BonBon-Land, Denmark

Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Australia

Dickens World, England

Dubailand, Dubai, UAE

Dwarf Empire, Kunming, China

Grutas Park, Lithuania

Harmony Land, Japan

Holy Land Experience, Orlando, FL

Love Land, Cheju Island, South Korea

Shijingshan Amusement Park, Beijing

World Water Park, Alberta, Canada

Diggerland, England