Last Updated on June 22, 2020 by Iris Sinilong
Planning the next family vacation, but tired of the same old theme parks, with the same old rides? Yeah, I hear ya. Well — here are seven of the craziest theme parks I could dig up. These are sure to give you an experience well beyond your wildest expectations! Check ’em out:
#7 Ocean Dome
Once the world’s largest indoor water park, Ocean Dome (which closed October 1, 2007) was part of the Sheraton Seagaia Resort in Miyazaki, Japan. The artificial beach measured 300 x 100 metres and was listed on the Guinness World Records. The Ocean Dome featured a fake flame-spitting volcano, fake sand and the world’s largest, permanently blue skied roof, which was retractable in four sections. Best of all, it was always a balmy 30 degrees Celsius.
#6 Jeju Loveland (aka Love Land)
This outdoor sculpture park opened in 2004 on Jeju Island in South Korea. Obviously this isn’t your everyday, run of the mill theme park! Taking a slightly different approach to amusement, this park focused on sex – in all its glory. It would run sex education films and featured 140 sculptures representing people in various positions. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that this is an adults only park, but if you do have the kiddies with you, no problem! You can drop them off at the designated play area and be on your way to exploring the self-proclaimed “place where love-oriented art and eroticism meet.”
#5 Digger Land
Ever dreamed of driving your own backhoe? What about a dump truck? Well your kids may have! Diggerland is the UK’s most unique theme park attraction, featuring rides that let kids (and grown-ups) drive real full-size construction machinery – under the supervision of “trained staff” of course. Now in its 12th year of operation, Diggerland rides include the Sky Shuttle, Spin Dizzy and a 6-ton digger. I wonder if you have to sign a waiver.
#4 Popeye Village Fun Park
Located on the film set of the 1980 musical production of “Popeye,” this little park is a world of fun for kids of all ages. It has become a major tourist attraction that’s fun for the whole family. It features boat rides, water trampolines, sun decks, food and even wine tasting for the grown-ups. Popeye village is a hotspot for kids’ parties and group BBQs.
#3 Dicken’s World
Go back in time to visit famed writer Charles Dickens at his own personal indoor theme park. At Dickens World, visitors can experience the charm of London – back during the Industrial Revolution – as seen through Charles Dickens’ works of fiction. Located in Chatham, this unusual theme park is designed with cobblestone streets and Victorian architecture. It even has a debtor’s prison. But the best of all would have to be Ebenezer Scrooge’s haunted house!
#2 BonBon-Land, Holme Olstrup, Denmark
Boys will be boys, and even grown-ups have an inner child they like to surrender to every now and again. That’s what makes BonBon-Land the perfect place — for toilet talk. Take a ride on The Farting Dog and the Skid Mark Roller-coaster, and enjoy the statues of animals answering nature’s call, if you will. This Danish theme park is sure to leave your inner child sufficiently sophonsified.
#1 Crocosaurus Cove
If swimming with the dolphins doesn’t get your motor running, try swimming with the crocs at Crocosaurus Cove. Located in Darwin City, Australia, Croc’s Cove allows you to get up close and personal with these prehistoric creatures. This out-of-the-ordinary theme park features a 200,000-litre freshwater aquarium, a turtle sanctuary and you can even have your picture taken holding a baby croc. But none of that compares to the ultimate highlight – the Cage of Death. This is the only cage in the world that puts you face to face with some of the largest saltwater crocodiles in captivity. I guess when it comes to amusement parks, there really is something for everyone!
Now tell us which ones we’ve missed. Have you seen a crazy amusement park in your travels that would fall into our category of “completely bass-ackwards theme parks”? Share ’em below!