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Top 10 amusement parks to visit in the winter

By Staff, AccuWeather

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young couple in park, carousel

Photo by Sept Commercial

sept commercial

Most people love visiting a good amusement park and all of the exciting things they include. Although these are great destinations to visit when you are on vacation in the summer, it is possible to plan these trips for winter. Not all of the existing parks are open during this time of year or have hours of availability. This makes finding those that do so important for families looking for diverse opportunities for their vacations.

Amusement parks that are open in the winter often change their appearance to embrace the season. Many transform into winter wonderlands and offer visitors theme experiences as they enjoy these destinations. Planning winter vacations takes a bit of organization and research, as well. You may be traveling with a large group and family and need to find the right accommodations. 

This planning will also consider activities once you choose your amusement park location. It is possible to select one of these based upon the state that they are in. Some trip planners will want to find family-friendly activities, especially those for children. Fortunately, there are great parks to consider around the country for winter vacations. 

Here are the Top 10 Amusement Parks to Visit in the Winter:

Photo by Kenrick Mills

Photo by Kenrick Mills on Unsplash

1) Walt Disney World 

 Walt Disney World is a popular destination at any time of the year. The mild Florida winters make it even more attractive during the colder months. Along with tasty cuisine and fun rides, this destination is among those that enjoy approximately 236 days of sun each year.

Legoland, attraction park

Photo by Mike Dias

Mike Dias

2) Legoland 

This amusement park provides kids and kids-at-heart with terrific experiences all year long. Located in Carlsbad, California, and Winter Haven, Florida, Legoland parks are resorts in themselves. Since both are in warm settings, families love coming here to play when it is cold at home.

3) Stratosphere Casino Tower 

Winter vacations should be fun for the entire family, which is why this Las Vegas, Nevada park is popular. Adults can enjoy the gaming that this city is known for, while children play at the Stratosphere Casino Tower. There are roller coasters, extreme rides, and bungee-type experiences, and much more. 

4) Knott’s Berry Farm 

Knott’s Berry Farm, located south of Los Angeles, is officially California’s first theme park. This is an excellent option for winter vacationers who are looking for thrills and seasonal fares, such as Christmas Chicago Dogs or Tree-Shaped Cheesecake on a stick. 

5) Dollywood 

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is home to Dollywood, which happens to be one of the world’s most visited theme parks. This park has exciting traditional rides and even shows for each season. Musicals including Twas the Night Before Christmas can be seen by winter visitors. 

Related:

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The Best Christmas Markets to Visit in Europe
Best Winter Cruises You Must Try
6 Ways to Keep Your Home’s Air Clean This Winter
Top Places to See Grizzly Bears in the US

6) Nickelodeon Universe 

This particular amusement park offers the best of both worlds to winter vacationers. It is inside the Mall of America, situated in Bloomington, Minnesota. There are five network-inspired roller coasters, fun rides, and plenty of mall shopping here. 

7) Six Flags Over Texas 

Six Flags Over Texas is a popular amusement park destination in the Midwest. This location in Arlington has 10 roller coasters and other rides. Moderate temperatures make this an excellent choice for winter vacationers. 

8) King’s Dominion 

Located in Doswell, Virginia, this fun winter vacation destination is an exciting amusement park. King’s Dominion is known for its thrilling roller coasters like Berserker and Dominator. This park offers seasonal hours until January 1st. 

9) Carowinds 

Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, is another option for winter trips. Its Carowinds Winterfest event attracts families and vacationers during this season. Musicals and numerous exciting rides are available in the park. 

Universal studios attraction park

Photo by Troy Jarrell

Troy Jarrell

10) Universal Studios 

This particular amusement park is among several others that are found in Orlando, Florida. It is a companion location with Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure. These are popular choices for families vacationing during the winter months. 

One of the reasons that people choose amusement parks for vacation is their overall diversity. They are known for thrilling rides that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Even though these are popular places to visit during the summer, many of these are also open during the winter. This gives you the chance to plan exciting trips during non-peak months and get to spend special time with family and friends.

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