Floating plastic geometric shapes falling down in motion. ()
As a child there were few things I looked forward to more than summer vacation, long, warm lazy days where anything was possible. A favorite pastime was hitting up the local amusement park. The thought of getting up early, hitting the turnstiles with giddy anticipation as the park opened, hearing shrieks of sheer delight (or maybe terror) of riders swooping upside down on a roller coaster and smelling deep-fried goodness wafting through the air still makes me smile. As a parent, my kids have also discovered the love of amusement parks in the summer. In Germany, theme parks are dotted across the country. Two favorites, especially for the younger crowd, are the Playmobil FunPark and the LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort.
Playmobil FunPark
Located in Zindorf, approximately 30 minutes west of Nuremberg, the Playmobil FunPark is adjacent to the Playmobil headquarters. The park opened in 2000 and has become a favorite for younger children. It can be easy to bypass with no roller coasters or real adrenaline-pumping rides. However, this expansive park is filled with interactive playgrounds, magical fantasylands, swashbuckling pirate ships, mermaids and the famed castle. Children can do what they do best—climb everything and let their imaginations run wild!
Playgrounds are filled with slides, a giant bouncing pillow, adventure tree houses and life-size Playmobil figures. See who will win at Putt-Putt on the mini-golf course or chase and zoom past each other in go-carts. On hot summer days, little ones can splash their flippers with mermaids in Mermaid Kingdom, make their way across the lake in brightly colored paddleboats or stand beneath the cascades of water in the various splash pads.
Know Before You Go: Playmobil FunPark is open daily through November from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets will need to be purchased online (www.playmobil-funpark.de/en). There are reasonably priced food options within the park; however, visitors are allowed to leave and come back in with a valid ticket. Parking is 5 euros per day.
LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort
LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort is nestled right along the border of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, approximately halfway between Stuttgart and Augsburg. The massive park opened in May 2002 and is perfect for children of all ages, even those of us who are big kids at heart. More than 55 million LEGO bricks were used to create ten fantastical lands throughout the area. There are a variety of rides, attractions and exhibits to discover for all thrill levels.
For those looking for a little heart-pumping action, hop on the Fire Dragon coaster or soar through the air on the Spinning NINJAGO. Be at the mercy of an industrial robot on the Power Builder or experience the twists and turns on The Great LEGO Race. Little ones still building up their bravery for the bigger rides can master Lloyd’s Spinjitzu Spinner or go through the world of ninjas on LEGO NINJAGO: The Ride—an interactive 4D adventure. If it’s a little toasty out, splash down the hill on Jungle X-pedition or have an epic water fight at Captain Nick’s Splash Battle.
Know Before You Go: LEGOLAND Deutschland Resort is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online (www.legoland.de/en), as they will not be sold on-site. Parking is 6 euros per day, and you can also download their app for tickets and attraction wait times.
