Pay homage to an American classic by visiting the original Disneyland (Anaheim) or Disney World's Magic Kingdom (Orlando). These Disney theme parks each feature eight themed "lands," including Fantasyland. Though Fantasyland features rides that illustrate Disney films, many of these films are based on fairy tales and classic children's literature.
Incorporate classic Americana into a road trip by visiting small fairy tale theme parks. While most of the fairy tale theme parks offer few major rides and don't appeal to older children, the youngest of children still find them enchanting. And if you're interested in Americana, roadside architecture or just plain quirkiness, you'll find them just as enchanting. Though these parks are fading from the American landscape, you can find a list of parks still in operation at Roadside Architecture's Fairy Tale Park webpage.
Travel to Germany, the home of the Grimms Brothers' fairy tales, and visit one of the country's many fairy tale theme parks, such as Phantasialand in Bruehl, near Cologne, or the Ruhpolding Amusement Park in the town of Ruhpolding. Both of these parks have attractions suitable for all ages.
Add some historical magic to a trip to Germany by driving the 372-mile Fairy Tale Road between the towns of Hanau and Bremen. Though not a park in the traditional sense of the word, this road can feel like one as it traverses the locations of the fairy tales that the Brothers Grimm collected, and features over 60 stopping points, such as the town of Hamelin, from "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" and the tower from which Rapunzel was asked to let down her hair.
Spend some time at the Efteling Theme Park in Tilburg-Noord, Holland. A modern theme park with classic fairy tale roots, this park features four "realms:" Adventure Realm, Alternative Realm, Travel Realm and Fairy Realm. Fairy Realm is the oldest area of the park and still contains many of the original attractions, including the Fairy Tale Forest, the largest attraction. Here's you'll find animatronics illustrating beloved fairy tales.
