When you visit a theme park that is bigger than some towns or cities, you know that a day of incredible adventure is on the cards. From Florida to the Costa Dorada, this post will take you on a whistlestop tour around five of the world’s largest amusement parks and explain what lies in store for visitors. Buckle up!
Five of the world’s biggest theme parks
Walt Disney World (USA): the undisputed champion
Walt Disney World spans a total surface area of nearly 12,000 hectares—roughly the size of San Francisco! This famous ‘world’ is split into four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), two water parks and the Disney Springs shopping centre. From iconic rides like Space Mountain to immersive worlds such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, it’s impossible to experience everything that Walt Disney World has to offer in a single visit!
Universal Studios Orlando (USA): movies, action and adrenaline galore
Spanning a little more than 278 hectares, Universal Studios Orlando comprises four different parks: Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and—a new arrival in 2025—Epic Universe. When planning your itinerary, set aside some time to check out The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the VelociCoaster and the stunning nighttime projections on Universal Studios Orlando’s main lagoon.
Chimelong Paradise (China): the Asian giant
Part of the Chimelong Tourist Resort in Guangzhou, Chimelong Paradise spans approximately 60 hectares. It boasts more than 70 amazing rides and attractions, including the 65-metre vertical-drop Dive Coaster and the Chimelong International Circus, which hosts shows almost every night of the year for up to 8,000 spectators.
Beto Carrero World (Brazil): the largest in Latin America
Spread across 1,400 hectares, Beto Carrero World consists of a theme park, zoo and various performance areas. In collaboration with DreamWorks, it has various themed worlds inspired by animated productions such as Madagascar, Shrek, Hot Wheels and Kung Fu Panda.
PortAventura World (Spain): the jewel in the Mediterranean crown
PortAventura World is the largest theme park in southern Europe, covering a total surface area of 105 hectares. It has more than 40 rides and attractions across its 6 themed worlds, including the hypercoaster Shambhala, the vertical accelerator Red Force in Ferrari Land and the waterslide King Khajuna in Caribe Aquatic Park. Just a short drive from Salou, PortAventura’s strategic location allows you to incorporate a world-class theme park into your next beach holiday on this slice of the Spanish coastline.
PortAventura World: Southern Europe and Spain’s largest theme park
PortAventura World is divided into three different parks:
- Ferrari Land : Inspired by Ferrari and Formula 1, Ferrari Land’s main attractions (such as the aforementioned Red Force) are renowned for their incredible acceleration.
- Caribe Aquatic Park : This water park near Barcelona spans more than 50,000 m². Its main attractions include the 31-metre King Khajuna waterslide, the Río Loco lazy river and the Sésamo Beach kids’ splash park.
- PortAventura Park: Mediterrània, Polynesia, China, México, Far West and SésamoAventura are the six themed worlds of PortAventura World. Three of the park’s main attractions include the aforementioned Shambhala, which is one of the tallest in Europe; Dragon Khan, which has 8 incredible inversions; and Furius Baco, which accelerates from 0 to 135 km/h in the blink of an eye.
Tips for visiting the world’s largest theme parks
When is the best time of year to go?
We recommend checking low season calendars and using real-time crowd flux and line monitoring tools, which are often available on the park’s official app. For more information, you could also take a look at our article on the best time to visit a theme park to avoid crowds and lines .
How can I avoid crowds and lines?
Some of our top tips include arriving before the park opens, purchasing the Express Pass to bring down waiting times and booking a table at the on-site restaurant of your choosing to avoid any unwanted surprises. For more inspiration, you could also read our article on top tips for visiting PortAventura World.
How much will the visit cost, and what are the best money-saving tips?
We at PortAventura World offer ticket-plus-accommodation packages which include early access to the park. It’s always cheaper to do it this way than to pay for them separately. So, by purchasing the package in advance, you’ll be able to keep the costs down and maximise your time in the park!
What should I bring in my rucksack?
The essentials are sun cream, light clothing and comfortable footwear. For more details, take a look at our comprehensive guide on what to take to a theme park.
Exploring the world’s largest theme parks is embarking on a journey through universes of fantasy, speed and spectacle. All you need to do is pick your favourite, plan your trip and get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime.