The grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Photo / Supplied
The grand opening of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando. Photo / Supplied
The world's best amusement parks have been named by TripAdvisor in its 2018 Travellers' Choice awards - and it's an attraction in the theme park capital of Florida that takes the top spot.
Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando came out on top of the ranking by the travel reviewsite just ahead of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, also in Florida, which came second, the Daily Mail reports.
The annual rankings see award winners determined by an algorithm that takes into account both the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for amusement parks and water parks worldwide, gathered over a 12-month period.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida came in second on the list of the best amusement parks in the world. Photo / Getty Images
Globally, Universal's Islands of Adventure in Orlando is the favourite among travellers for the fourth year in a row.
Following second place Magic Kingdom is the top-rated European attraction of Le Puy du Fou, a historical theme park in Les Epesses, France.
The top five is rounded off by Universal Studios Hollywood (fourth) and Universal Studios Florida (fifth), with Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando coming in sixth.
The German amusement park of Europa-Park is in seventh, closely followed by Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and then The Island in Pigeon Forge in Tennessee.
Disneyland Park in Paris came tenth, making it the third Disney attraction on the global list.
The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. Photo / Getty Images
In the water parks category, Siam Park continues to thrill visitors to Tenerife, Spain, with its Thai architecture, winding rivers and free-fall slides - it's the world's top water park for the fifth consecutive year.
It beat competition from the Waterbom Bali (second place), the Beach Park (third place) and Thermas dos Laranjais (fourth place), both in Brazil, and Disney' Typhoon Lagoon (fifth place) in Florida.
Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. Photo / Getty Images
Also making the top ten are Aquapark Istralandia, Croatia (sixth), Wild Wadi Waterpark, Dubai (seventh), Makadi Water World, Egypt (eighth), Eco Parque Arraial d'Ajuda, Brazil (ninth) and WetSide Water Park – Hervey Bay, Australia in 10th.
Hayley Coleman, TripAdvisor spokesperson, said: 'These fantastic amusement parks are the ideal fun-filled day out with the kids during the summer holidays.
'It's worth remembering though that the fun takes a whole lot longer to start when you're stuck waiting in queues, particularly during this busy time of year, so be smart, think ahead and make sure you book your passes in advance so you can spend more time playing and less time waiting.'
Siam Park in Tenerife, Spain, was named the best water park in the world. Photo / Getty Images
THE WORLD'S TOP AMUSEMENT PARKS
1. Universal's Islands of Adventure – Orlando, Florida
2. Magic Kingdom – Orlando, Florida
3. Le Puy du Fou – Les Epesses, France
4. Universal Studios Hollywood – Los Angeles, California
