5 Disabled Friendly Amusement Parks

We all need a holiday. But we know it can be frustrating – finding out if a resort has proper access for those with limited mobility; wondering whether an attraction will be receptive to guests with special needs.

Here’s our run-down of theme parks, all picked by our teams as being well-suited for all children, regardless of age and mobility and with an appropriately welcoming attitude to kids with disabilities and their families.

* Dyreparken Kristiansand, Norway

Dyreparken in Kristiansand welcomes everybody to some wonderful days at the Zoo, the Water park and Abra Harbour with the Pirates. Here you can rent el. or manual wheelchairs and carriages. Most activities are accessible for people with disabilities with own wheelchair entrances. Both restaurants, toilets, wardrobes and accommodations have been adapted to facilitate wheelchair users.

* Disneyland Paris, France

Disneyland Paris was the second Disneyland theme park to open outside the US and was launched in 1992. With all the Disney-themed rides and attractions it’s a must for fans of the films, and it offers several services so as to help guests with disabilities or special needs enjoy every magical Disney moment. All toilets, restaurants, and shops are wheelchair accessible. It’s possible to rent wheelchairs and request a minibus.

* Europa-Park, Rust, Germany

The biggest theme park in Germany, Europa-Park is in the southwest of the country, and as befits the market leader, it has made as many attractions and shows as possible available to visitors with disabilities.

* PortAventura, Salou, Spain

This resort is on the Costa Daurada in Spain, near Tarragona, and is the most visited theme park in Spain and the sixth most visited theme park in Europe. It gets the thumbs up from many families, and here you’ll find rides suitable for everyone in the family and all abilities. At PortAventura you can rent wheelchairs and the park’s six theme areas have been adapted over the years so that guests with disabilities can enjoy themselves as much as everyone else.

* Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, Denmark

This classic old faire started in the mid-19th century, and some of that nostalgic magic remains. But of course, the Tivoli has also been modernized and caters well for kids with different needs. You can try the many rides, have lunch or dinner – and if you’re not in the mood for adrenalin, the gardens are beautifully tended. All entrances to Tivoli are open to wheelchair users and guests with limited mobility, and those who use electric wheelchairs can recharge the batteries on-site