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"Disney World is one of the most popular theme parks destinations for people looking for breathtaking rides and attractions. Visiting Mickey Mouse at Cinderella's Palace might be appealing, but the incredible costs and long wait times for rides can make for a less than magical experience for most park guests. \nLuckily there are dozens of incredible amusement parks all over the world for thrillseekers on a budget \u2014 or those who are just looking for something different from Disney. \nSee also: The 10 Wildest Roller Coasters in the World\nWherever you are, you're just a hop, skip and a jump away from wild rides and fun activities for the whole family.\n\n\n12 Amusement Park Alternatives to Disney World\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio\nCedar Point is considered the roller coaster capital of the world. Nestled right next to Lake Erie, this park is the second oldest in North America and a destination for thrillseekers all over.\n\nImage: @pedro_vitr on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2, Hersheypark, Hershey, Penn.\nHersheypark promises exciting roller coasters and a water park. With plenty of Hershey-themed activities and paraphernalia, it's also a chocolate lover's paradise.\n\nImage: @coasterkyle on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park, Calif.\nKnott's Berry Farm blends nostalgia with all the bells and whistles of a modern theme park. This once family-owned park is not only affordable, but also has rides for every member of the family.\n\nImage: @ohiostate588 on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. Legoland, Various Locations\nWith more than 30 million Lego bricks decorating the park, it's a wonderland for the entire family. Although the park mostly caters to children under 12, adults can also enjoy a few thrilling rides and the impressive Lego sculptures throughout the park.\n\nImage: @jamiehill922014 on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. King's Island, Mason, Ohio\nKing's Island is one of the most-visited parks in the U.S. Known for its thrilling roller coasters, like the Banshee, this park also has amazing rides for children -- including an entire themed area dedicated to Snoopy.\n\nImage: @lospauljoseph on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels, Texas\nSpending the day at a water park isn't a bad way to beat the summer heat. Schlitterbahn also has locations across Texas and Kansas, all of which contain some of the biggest water slides in the U.S.\n\nImage: @schlitterbahnwaterparks on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. Universal Studios, Orlando, Fla.\nThe Universal Studios amusement park is home to many popular themed areas -- including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Why go to Cinderella's Palace when you could go to Hogwarts instead?\n\nImage: @tycoull on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. Knoebels, Elysburg, Penn.\nNostalgia lovers will certainly love a trip to Knoebels. With no parking or admission fee, each ride costs as low as $0.75. Walking around the park is like being transported to another time -- with plenty of thrill rides and fun activities. \n\nImage: @sunbern3d on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Va.\nBeyond having plenty of thrilling rides for everyone in the family, Busch Gardens also boasts wild animal safaris at all it's locations. In Williamsburg, park attendees can see wolves and colorful birds, among other species. Plus, the park is owned by Anheuser-Busch, which is great for beer lovers.\n\nImage: @mfheadliner on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. Ocean Park, Hong Kong\nOcean Park is not just an amusement park -- it's also a marine mammal park and features many rides. Guests can get their thrill on roller coasters while also visiting with many sea creatures including dolphins, jellyfish and sea lions.\n\nImage: @wzncu on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n11. Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada\nCanada's most popular theme park boasts the longest wooden roller coaster in Canada. The park is a must-go destination for roller coaster lovers -- boasting 68 thrill rides and the widest variety of roller coasters in North America.\n\nImage: @best__rides__ever on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n12. Europa Park, Rust, Germany\nEuropa Park is the second-largest park in Europe, and is divided into 12 mini-parks that are themed for different countries -- some fantasy lands, too. It even has its own golf-ball-shaped building, similar to Disney's Epcot.\n\nImage: @passi_raut on Instagram\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBONUS: 10 People to Avoid at Amusement Parks \n\n\n10 People to Avoid at Amusement Parks\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n1. The mischievous child with a Big Squirt watergun.\n\n\nVideo: YouTube, HearthSongToys\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n2. The PDA couple unable to peel themselves off of each other.\n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, daretobescared\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n3. The impatient line cutter. \n\n\nVideo: YouTube, Kendall Martin\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n4. The power-hungry ride operator who barks commands at guests.\n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, loves-you-juzzy\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n5. The argumentative guest that challenges the the employee who is trying to enforce safety regulations\n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, prideinmymostvulnerablestate\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n6. The risk-taking fool who will eventually get hurt. \n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, 4gifs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n7. The guest who complains about everything, from long lines to churro prices.\n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, collection-of-gifs\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n8. The person who pushes their way to the front of a crowd waiting for the parade to start. \n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, elizabethgillies\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n9. The creepy guest who hits on every moving creature. \n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, otakus-n-things\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n10. The rollercoaster rider who looks like they're about to yak. \n\n\nImage:  Tumblr, gemini-dragon-gifs\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/04/24/alternative-amusement-parks-disney-world/>