August 29, 2011, 12:05 PM ET On my day off from work, I make a run to the park to play. My favorite place to play is a very popular amusement park, theme parks are also very popular in other countries too. The problem with most of them is that it can be expensive and crowded. The other problem they have is they are taxpayer funded! So if you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, then don’t go! But for those who do have money… well this is your lucky day. Here are 5 of my top favorite theme parks where you can go and have fun for free.
Universal Studios Hollywood
This is one of my all-time favorite parks. Just sit back, relax, and watch the world go by. The name itself can almost be described as an ad for the park and its Magic Kingdom counterparts. If you have ever wanted to visit this place, you will be happy to hear that Universal still owns the land and can still run the facilities, but it has been taken over by Disney. If you are a Harry Potter fan, this is the place to go! If you are a Disney fan, this is the place to go! You can still take your kids and grandkids here as there are no adult areas or exhibits. It is also home to Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Harry Potter and the Nordiques, Harry Potter and the Hogsmeade and much much more.
## Disney’s Animal Kingdom
This is the Disney World version of Jurassic Park! Based on the novel of the same name by Sam Riesel, this park is full of all sorts of animals from the inside out. If you are a Disney fan, this place is for you, but if you are not, you will still have a lot to discover about the animals and their habitats. The one thing that sets Disney’s Animal Kingdom apart from other Disney World parks is the fact that there are no rides included in the price of admission. Disney gives their guests the option to purchase an animal breakfast for their first day at the park and it costs $50 per person. If you are a family of four or more, this is a steal! You will not be sorry.
## Disneyland Park
My second favorite is Disneyland Park. The park is massive, with tracks, slides, and water slides. It is family friendly, with rides likeAlice in Wonderland, Adventure, and Cinderella, as well as a few others that are not associated with Disney. You can still take your kids and grandkids, but it is nice to provide some adult supervision since they are quite old enough to drive. If you are a Disney fan, this place is family-friendly, but not child-friendly. You will not be sorry if you go.
## Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is one of the Disney World Parks with the most character, overall, and the most Disneyland Park rides. But the two parks are not just tied, they are one and the same. The park is packed with character, has tons of rides, and is very kid-friendly. Some of the kid-friendly rides areEpic Mickey, Good Luck sleeping Genies, Kinko’s, Mickey and the Magical Creatures, Side Effects of Sleep, and Toy Story 3. If you are a Disney fan, there is a Disney World version of Magic Kingdom, but it is located in Disney’s Americana Resort. If you are looking for a place to stay, Disney’s Americana is a great option.
## theme parks of all types
Animal Kingdom
If you like to stay in the night and watch the world go by, Animal Kingdom is for you. It is not only one of the most popular children’s parks in the world, but also one of the most expensive. If you want to go to Animal Kingdom, but don’t want to go to the theme park, there are a few things you can do. You can rent a Zoom Zoom airplane and take off and land at the Animal Kingdom airport, which is approximately half the size of San Francisco. You can also walk around the place and take some photos, which is also another option.
## Disneyland Park
For a night out on the town, Disneyland Park is hands down the best option in the world. The park is so big and has such a great atmosphere that you will not want to be anywhere else. If you are looking for a place to enjoy a night out, you should definitely go to Disneyland. But you should also go when you are in the mood for a really expensive night out. There are so many options for nightlife and food in Disneyland Park that it is almost worth it. There are three main areas you can go to, Magic Kingdom, California Adventure, and Disney Springs.
## Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom is definitely one of the all-time favorite Disney Parks, but it is also very expensive. The opening weekend in 2006 brought in $100 million and it went up an incredible $100 million because of the World Cup and the U.S. national day of action. These things make the park incredibly expensive and it is definitely not something you want to do at any other time of the year. So if you are looking for a cheap night out, but still want to have fun with friends, Magic Kingdom is the place to go.
## zootopia
Another Disney World Park, Disney’s zootopia (formerly food and beverage paradise) is very similar to Animal Kingdom, but much friendlier towards children. Most of the rides are the same, but there is one new addition, How Can You Help Your Neighbors, a place where you can give back to the community by bringing food and drink to the hungry and less fortunate. The park also has a zoo, where if you are a zoo owner, you can take your animals and stow them in your vehicle and take them anywhere you want. If you are looking for a family-friendly place, but also want to be outside and experience some kid-friendly fun, zootopia is for you.
## The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
This is the most extravagant fantasy land in all of Disney World, but it is also very family-friendly. Hogwarts, the magical school where Harry, Ron, and Hermione teach, is featured in one of the most popular Harry Potter stories, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you should definitely go to this place, but if you are not, you can always take your kids and grandkids and have a sleepover at the hotel. There are so many activities and attractions at the hotel, it is practically an extension of the park. If you are looking for a place to stay, it is located in a section of Disney World that is almost guaranteed to be packed with kids.
## What the Disney Blogger did
The What the Disney Blogger did is a really popular blog in its day, but it isn’t as popular as it was back in 2006. It started as a blog for Diversey.com, but it has continued to receive tons of hits, likes, and comments because it offers such a mix of facts, entertainment, and interesting insights. If you are looking for a place to relax and unwind before heading to Disney World, this is your place.
## kids, families, and fun
