Top 5 Amusement Parks in Europe

While many people think that California has a lock on great theme parks, there are plenty of amazing family amusement parks in all corners of Europe too. Whether you're looking for thrilling rides, childhood nostalgia, or famous cartoon characters, these parks have it all. Here's our top 5 amusement parks in Europe:

Disneyland Paris (France) - The mother of all European theme parks, Disneyland Paris has all the magic and your favourite characters from the American parks, within easy distance of Paris. Comprising two amusement parks and seven resort hotels, the park is a perfect reward for kids who've been dragged to every museum in Paris.

Legoland (Denmark) - Most of us have a set of Legos at home (and have stepped on them at some point), but few could dream of the sorts of creations you'll find at this theme park nearCopenhagen. There are replicas of the city, pirate ships and waterfalls, and even a medieval kingdom to explore.

Siam Park (Spain) - This Thailand-themed waterpark opened in 2008 with more than ten water rides, an amphitheatre and sea lion pool. Located on Tenerife, the lush grounds hold several records, including the largest statue of a dragon and the largest man-made wave in the world. It's also the world's first 'green' waterpark.

Parc Asterix (France) - Forget Mickey Mouse, many children in Europe grew up reading books about the irrepressible Gaul Asterix and his massive friend Obelix. This amusement park, just outside of Paris, brings that world to life with a number of rollercoasters, water rides and other attractions.

Europa Park (Germany) - Located in the southwestern city of Rust, Europa Park is a huge amusement park with 13 different sections themed to different European countries, including Greece, Italy, Spain and Russia. With more than 50 rides, the park is a fun tour of Europe for any family on holiday in Germany.

Abandoned Six Flags Theme Park

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, and now six years later there is still evidence of some of that destruction. One of the casualties was the New Orleans Six Flags theme park, which has since been abandoned by Six Flags and has since seen interest by various developers wax and wane.

The abandoned amusement park has taken on a thoroughly creepy vibe with graffiti artists and rust taking over most of the park. LoveThesePics has put together a gallery of photos of Six Flags New Orleans, which presents a fascinating look at the process of decay.

Image by Christopher Dame.

Word Travels Forum Round-Up #21

Happy May Day! As spring makes its way through the northern hemisphere, here are the travel topics people are discussing on our forum this week:

A week in Norway

Theme parks in California

Best time to travel to Thailand

Religious brainwashing on Intercape buses

If these aren't the answers you need, search our travel forum for posts related to your next destination!

Top 5 Theme Parks in California

If there's one thing that Southern California has in abundance, it's theme parks. Taking advantage of year-round sunshine, the top-notch parks are playgrounds for both young and old, catering to every taste. Here's our list of the top 5 theme parks in California, to add to your to-do list:

Universal Studios Hollywood - If you love movies, this is a great place to spend a day. Rides and attractions dedicated to blockbusters like Terminator, Indiana Jones and Shrek are a lot of fun, and you can't miss the famous ride that takes you through King Kong and Jaws! When you're done, stroll through Universal CityWalk for dinner and (of course!) a movie.

SeaWorld - One of the most famous waterparks in the world, SeaWorld has waterslides but is better known for its fantastic animal shows. Home to veteran performer Shamu, the park is dedicated to marine conservation and has great walk-through marine environments. Go on a hot day, because you're bound to get wet!

Six Flags Magic Mountain - This park has arguably the greatest collection of rollercoasters in the world. They have 18 rollercoasters in all with varied levels of thrill and g-force. The park is themed to Looney Tunes and DC superheroes, so where else can you meet both Bugs Bunny and Batman?

Disneyland - The mother ship. No one goes to Southern California and skips Disneyland. The 'Happiest Place on Earth' has all the famous rides and attractions you've heard of, from Pirates of the Caribbean to the Spinning Teacups to Space Mountain. Attached is California Adventure, a park with fewer cartoons and a pleasant lakeside midway.

Knott's Berry Farm - While it doesn't have the supercoasters of Magic Mountain or the beloved cartoon characters of Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm is the best place in Southern California to be for one month of the year. Each October the park gets a total makeover to become the Halloween-themed Knott's Scary Farm. Open late each night, it's a great place to get spooked!