Top Family-Friendly Theme Parks In Asia

Where to take the kids to “amuse” them

From the thrill of zooming down a roller coaster, to getting to eat all the glorious candy and snacks, to being suckered into buying the cute, yet overpriced souvenirs, there’s nothing quite like the experience one will have at a theme park (even the lining up for centuries to get on a ride!). Whether you’re 5 or 50, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself when everyone else has a smile on their face. We’ve put together a list of the top theme parks in Asia that will not disappoint and are definitely worth a family trip!

Read more: Hong Kong Disneyland Guide: Everything You Need To Know

It’s safe to say that (almost) everyone has at least one favourite Disney character or movie from their childhood and all of them can all be found at this magical park. As the newest addition to the Disney parks family, Shanghai Disneyland has an incredible lineup of attractions and entertainment, including the largest castle out of all the Disney parks. In addition to some very familiar faces such as Peter Pan’s Flight and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. there are also new and exciting attractions such as the highly anticipated Tron Lightcycle Power Run and a completely reimagined Pirates of the Caribbean. Need to sit down for a minute? Check out Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular. The show is in Mandarin, but it’s a wildly entertaining stunt extravaganza which you can still enjoy despite the language barrier. If that’s not enough, stick around for “Ignite The Dream”, a 20-minute not-to-be-missed projection show beamed onto the iconic castle, combined with a dazzling firework show.

If you stay at one of its two resort hotels, the classic Disneyland Hotel or the fun-for-all-ages Toy Story Hotel, you will get priority access to the park 30 minutes before the park opens. With the brand new Toy Story Land opening at the end of April 2018, this park makes for a great trip for the whole family!

Sassy Mama Tip: If you want the really good seats right in the front, you need to claim your spots at least an hour before the show.

Located on the resort paradise of Sentosa Island, Universal Studios in Singapore takes all your favourite movies and creates a magical world for you to step into. Go beyond the screen and experience the technologically-riveting Transformers ride, bump and splash along on the Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure and zoom around on the tallest duelling roller coaster in the world, the Battlestar Galactica. Get ready for an action-packed day (or two) full of happy screams and laughter. There are seven zones to cover, so make sure you book a room at one of the eight hotels on the island. This will allow you to split up the attractions into two days or at least give you a convenient place to collapse from theme park exhaustion.

Right in our backyard, we host one of the best and most raved-about theme parks in Asia. It’s hard not to brag, but we’ve got rides that will get your heart beating out of your chest: check out the Hair Raiser, The Flash and The Abyss. On top of that, Ocean Park is also home to giant pandas; An An, Ying Ying and Le Le, glowing jelly fish, sharks, dolphins, sea lions, and countless other creatures from the deep. You and your children are given the opportunity to interact with many of these sea creatures and learn about our ecosystem and ways to help preserve what’s left. Many who visit Ocean Park say their highlight is the scenic cable car ride which takes visitors from one side of the park to the other. This park is definitely a hit for parents and kids alike and an icon of Hong Kong.

This is the second Disney park on our list, but we think it’s a must to include because because of Tokyo DisneySea is truly one of a kind. DisneySea is a separate park attached to the classic Disneyland and is made up of seven harbour themed areas. Originally designed as a park for adults, DisneySea has something for everyone. The magical Mermaid Lagoon zone has play areas and attractions geared towards younger children, but if you’re with a more adventurous crowd, we recommend the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride in Mysterious Island, or the classic Tower of Terror in American Waterfront. And be sure to pick up a themed bucket of popcorn from vendors dotted around both parks to try all the infamous flavours, such as curry and honey! Ticket packages are available which allow access to both parks and if you visit before 25 March 2019 you can join in on Tokyo Disney’s 35^th Anniversary “Happiest Celebration”, which includes a special daytime parade and a new nighttime spectacular with fireworks and projection show.

It is hard to ask for anything more after a visit to South Korea’s largest theme park, Everland. This park is home to a zoo, waterpark, art museum, gardens, roller coasters, and a racing track… got your tickets yet? Only an hour or so drive away from Seoul, you can get there easily by subway, shuttle bus, public bus or car. If you’re looking for a trip that will cater to everyone in the family, Everland should be on the top of your list because it’s worth the trip to South Korea alone. We don’t need to say much else, get crackin’ on booking those flights to Seoul!

Who loves LEGO? We do! The talent and dedication it takes to create 10-foot-tall LEGO sculptures deserves a standing ovation from anyone, and Sassy Mamas will happily get up in a heartbeat. There are eight areas of the park and a waterpark for you to discover, so plan your journey well, there’s a lot of ground to cover! At LEGOLAND, you have the chance to build your own car and race it, admire famous Asian landmarks made with LEGOs, go on high-speed rides, including the world’s first LEGO VR roller coaster. LEGOLAND will also be introducing an aquarium to its resort with SEA LIFE at the end of 2018. Come here and build many wonderful memories your family will never be able to LEGO of. (Like what we did there?)

Thanks to Megan Weill for her help with this article!