Most theme parks are outdoors and are only open during the warmer months. A few indoor theme parks, however, offer roller coasters, carousels, dark rides, and other amusement park fun year-round in a weatherproof, enclosed environment. A number of facilities may describe themselves as indoor theme parks, but the modest Chuck E. Cheese's-style attractions often have a handful of small rides, arcade games, and other features that would be better characterized as family entertainment centers. What follows is a list of the major indoor theme parks.
Ferrari World Indoor Theme Park
Ferrari World, 2009. Used with permission.
There aren't a heck of a lot of indoor theme parks, but Ferrari World, at a whopping 925,000 sq. ft. (over 20 acres), is the world's largest. A hybrid Epcot-type pavilion/Six Flags-type amusement park/corporate hospitality center, Ferrari World showcases the legendary automaker through sophisticated dark rides and other cutting-edge theme park technology. It also reinforces Ferrari's racing legacy with coasters and other thrill rides, including the world's fastest roller coaster, Formula Rossa.
More Ferrari World info:
The Adventuredome Indoor Theme Park at Circus Circus
© Jeremy Levine, 2004. Licensed to About.com.
Location: At the Circus Circus Hotel Casino on the Strip in Las Vegas, Nevada
The Adventuredome packs a fair amount of attractions into its 5-acre footprint. The highlight is the Canyon Blaster steel coaster. Other attractions include Lazer Tag, the Rim Runner splashdown ride, a 4-D theater, the Sling Shot freefall tower, bumper cars, and kiddie rides. The Adventuredome is not a full-day experience, but it can be a fun diversion from the casino action.
More The Adventuredome info:
Nickelodeon Universe Indoor Theme Park
©Arthur Levine, 2007. Licensed to About.com
Nickelodeon Universe is a full-fledged amusement park with three coasters, a giant Ferris wheel, and a slew of other thrill and kiddie rides. Granted, the coasters don't come close to breaking any records, and the rides are mostly off-the-shelf models (although there is a nifty log flume ride and a fun shoot-em-up dark ride). But the rides offer plenty of fun. And I don't know about you, but I'll take a spin on a Ferris wheel over a spree in Macy's any day.
More Nickelodeon Universe info:
- Nickelodeon Universe Photo Gallery
- Water Park of America- Although not directly affiliated with the Mall of America, the indoor water park is around the corner.
Galaxyland Indoor Theme Park
West Edmonton Mall
Hey, it's cold in Canada! That's why this park is tucked inside the climate-controlled West Edmonton Mall (one of the world's largest, by the way). Among its highlights is the Mindbender, billed as the world's largest indoor triple-loop roller-coaster (as if there are many--or any other?--indoor triple-loop roller-coasters). The park offers 28 other rides.
More Galaxyland info:
- World Waterpark at the West Edmonton Mall- Another attraction at the mall is this massive indoor water park.
- Find More Parks in Canada
Parthenon Indoor Theme Park at Mt. Olympus
Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park
The Parthenon indoor theme park is relatively small, but it does offer year-round amusement rides, including a mini coaster, go-karts, and bumper cars, regardless of the weather. Mt. Olympus is also home to Medusa's, a 55,000 square-foot indoor water park, Neptune's outdoor water park, and Zeus' outdoor theme park, which offers a great collection of wooden coasters and go-kart tracks. The Mt. Olympus resort also includes two themed, on-property hotels: Hotel Rome and Mykonos Village.
More Mt. Olympus info:
- Medusa's Indoor Water Park Photo Gallery
- Find Wisconsin Water Parks- There are a ton of water parks in Wisconsin Dells (also known as the water park capital of the world) and throughout the state.
Lotte World Indoor Theme Park
Lotte World
A massive indoor theme park, Lotte World features Pharaoh's Fury, a sophisticated dark ride, Atlantic Adventure, a themed coaster/flume hybrid ride, and Gyro Drop, a freefall tower ride. Each day, the park presents World Carnival Parade, a 30-minute show with music and dancing from around the world.
Indoor Water Parks
©Arthur Levine, 2009. Licensed to About.com.
Indoor water parks info:
