Top 8 Theme and Amusement Parks in India

There are dozens of theme and amusement parks in India. However, only a few of them are outstanding. The ones listed in this article have the best rides and are worth your money. You'll be able to enjoy everything from wet 'n' wild rides to filmmaking. If you can, it's advisable to arrive early, as well as avoid the weekend and holiday crowds.

01 of 08

Adlabs Imagica

India's big-budget, hi-tech Adlabs Imagicaa opened in 2013. Modeled on Universal Studios, it has more than 30 themed rides (including the country's largest roller coaster and 4D stimulation rides) and eight themed restaurants. The idea behind it is to enable escapism through fantasy and the bringing alive of stories. As part of the second and third phases of development, Aqua Magica Water Park opened in September 2014, followed by the opening of the five-star Novotel Imagica Khopoli hotel in September 2015. A Snow Park was launched in April 2016. This makes it a very attractive vacation option for families.

Location: Khopoli, halfway Between Mumbai and Pune, just off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
Ticket Price: Tickets for the Theme Park start at 999 rupees. Discounts are available for senior citizens and college students. Express Tickets are also available at an extra cost. Tickets for the Water Park cost 599 rupees and there are multi-park combo packages available for purchase. Packages are offered, including transport in Volvo buses from Mumbai.
Open: Daily, 10 a.m. until 7 p.m for rides. The park opens at 9.30 a.m. for breakfast.

02 of 08

Kingdom of Dreamsa

Kingdom of Dreams, opened in 2010, is a huge live entertainment and leisure destination that brings together the carnival that is India. It encompasses both Indian culture and performing arts. The highlight is Culture Gully, an elaborate arts, crafts, and culinary boulevard—complete with street performers. It's like an air-conditioned version of Dilli Haat. Other features include a state-of-the-art auditorium (Nautanki Mahal) for live productions, and a multi-faceted theater space (Showshaa). Don't miss seeing a live Bollywood musical!

Location: Near IFFCO Chowk Metro Station, Sector 29, Gurugram, Haryana 122001, India.
Ticket Price: Entry to Culture Gully is 600 rupees. The full amount is redeemable on food. Tickets for shows range in price from 1,099 rupees to 3,999 rupees, depending on the day and seat location. Packages, including accommodations, are available.
Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 12:30 p.m. until 12:00 a.m.

03 of 08

Wonderla Bangalore

Wonderla is a world-class amusement park chain that's expanding across India. The park in Bangalore is the best and has over 50 rides. 12 rides are water-based, 13 are especially for small children, and 10 are high-thrill. If you love getting wet, don't miss the Rain Disco—an indoor dance floor with psychedelic laser lights and a rain system that provides showers of warm water, choreographed to the music. There's also a resort on the premises, so you can stay there.

Location: Near Bangalore, on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway (28th Km, Mysore Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562109, India).
Ticket Price: Adults 923 rupees weekdays, and 1,182 rupees on weekends and public holidays. Children 740 rupees weekdays, 945 rupees on weekends and public holidays. Fast Track tickets are available. All ticket prices exclude tax.
Open: Monday to Friday 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (water rides: 12:30 to 5:00 p.m.). Saturday, Sunday, holiday and festival seasons 10:30 a.m. until 7 p.m.

04 of 08

Wonderla Kochi (formerly VeegaLand)

Lush and tropical Wonderla Kochi is set into the side of a hill, and is popular with families. It has around 40 rides and attractions, classified into four types: Family, Water, Kiddies, and Hair Raising. Wonder Splash, a boat journey into a cave filled with mystery followed by a splash down into a crystal clear pool, is popular. There's a 3D movie theater as well.

Location: In Pallikkara, near Kochi in Kerala.
Ticket Price: Adults 808 rupees weekdays, and 1039 rupees on weekends and public holidays. Children 645 rupees weekdays, and 830 rupees on weekends and public holidays. Fast Track tickets are also available. All prices exclude taxes.
Open: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, holiday and festival seasons 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Continue to 5 of 8 below.

05 of 08

Wonderla Hyderabad

The third and newest Wonderla opened in Hyderabad in April 2016 with 43 rides, including 18 that are water-based and six that are high-thrill. The park also has India’s first reverse-looping roller coaster, and first space flying experience (Mission Interstellar)!

Location: Near Hyderabad airport, on Outer Ring Road Exit 13.
Ticket Price: Adults 845 rupees weekdays, and 1,060 rupees on weekends. Children 675 rupees weekdays, 850 rupees on weekends. Fast Track tickets are available. Tickets exclude tax.
Open: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, holiday and festival seasons 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

06 of 08

Ramoji Film City

Also near Hyderabad, Ramoji Film City is a huge film studio complex where thousands of Indian movies are filmed every year. If you've ever wanted to see how movie sets come to life, this is the place. It also has live shows, an eco zone (including a bonsai park and butterfly park), bird park, theme park with rides, adventure park, and entertainment park for the kids. Activities include All Terrain Vehicles, bungee jumping, zorbing, and paintball. Special celebrations are held during Dussehra and Diwali.

Location: Hyderabad, in Telangana.
Ticket Price: Starts from 1,150 rupees for adults and 950 rupees for children, for a tour of Film City. Special deals are available on hotels.
Open: Daily, 9 a.m. until 5.30 p.m.

07 of 08

EsselWorld and Water Kingdom

Essel World, Mumbai. — Dinodia Photo/Getty Images

EsselWorld, established in 1989, was one of the first and largest amusement parks in India. Although it's a bit dated these days, it is still one of the largest in the country and has managed to remain a favorite. There are more than 70 rides, a Water Kingdom water park, bowling alley, ice skating rink, and Aquadrome dance floor. The highlight is the frightening new Monsters in the Mist dark ride, which is apparently the first of its kind in India. Special celebrations are held during Holi.

Location: Gorai, in the outer northwest suburbs of Mumbai. It'xs about 1.5 hours from the city center. Take a ferry from Marve Beach or Gorai Creek.
Ticket Price: Basic Packages for EsselWorld start from 290 rupees. If you want unlimited rides, the cost is 885 for adults and 530 rupees for children. For a combo day at both parks, adult tickets are 1405 rupees and children tickets are 945 rupees.
Open: Weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

08 of 08

Della Adventure Park

If you're into adventure more than amusement, you'll be able to enjoy an outstanding range of activities at Della Adventure Park. There are more than 50 to choose from including paintball, ATV rides, dirt bikes, buggy rides, flying fox, shooting, archery, rock climbing, zorbing, horse riding, and even cow milking. Resort accommodations are available for those who want to stay there.

Location: Lonavala, between Mumbai and Pune, in Maharashtra. It's just off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. It's not far from Adlabs Imagicaa.
Ticket Price: Day passes cost 2,000 rupees for adults, and 1,500 rupees for children and seniors. Jumbo passes, for unlimited access to all activities, cost 5,500 rupees per person.
Open: Daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.