Ditching Disney: Ten Theme Park Alternatives

It now costs a family of five a whopping three-hundred bucks just to get in to a park to catch a glimpse of Mickey Mouse doing his jig between teacup rides. If you add in airfares, hotel rates, food, character pictures and events, and park paraphernalia, the average American family is not exactly feeling the magic of the wonderful world of Disney. Sure, you can contribute to the upkeep of Mickey’s empire—the kids will love you for it—or you and your kids can wander off Main Street USA and visit some cool alternates to Disney.

Aquatica
Orlando, Florida

Just in time for the Spring Break masses, Sea World takes the water park concept and allows visitors to interact with their sea-loving friends while they whip down a waterslide. And unlike Disney, Aquatica’s mammals don’t wear furry suits. Kids can “fly underwater through a habitat of black and white dolphins” (with a protective plastic barrier, of course) and take in two wave pools in between Shamu shows. At half the cost of riding Space Mountain, with water splashing to fend off the Florida heat, Aquatica is one water park I may have to visit if my retired Floridian parents will let me.

Six Flags
Nationwide, including Mexico and Canada

Skateboarder Tony Hawk has a new coaster flying at Six Flags over Texas and the Six Flags north of Chicago boasts a “Dark Knight” coaster with six 180-degree hairpin tunnels that plunge you into pitch darkness and hallucinatory images. For the munchkins who don’t quite make the height restriction, Six Flags offers kiddie roller coasters and helicopter rides, water parks and entertainment, and classic scramblers and flying swings for tweens. Rides are ranked mild, moderate, or thrill and online tickets cost half as much as they do at the gate.

Legoland
Carlsbad, California, Denmark, United Kingdom, and two sites in Germany

I was happy to learn that Legoland actually included Lego building into their innovative park. With the Model Mom Club, parents can come early on a Thursday morning for LEGO playgroups or fitness walks, while the rest of the family can sort their ride experiences using Legoland’s height restrictions as their guide. Though similar in cost to Disney, membership passes are the deal if you plan to build Lego dreams more than once in a year.