Amusement park dates? Take a Ferris wheel ride for the sweetest experience

During the summer vacation as people seek fun and relief from the heat, amusement parks across Taiwan are in fierce competition. But which park is the public’s favorite? Domestic travel agencies conducted the “2013 Taiwan Theme Park Grand Survey” in the first half of this year, carrying out online polls based on three travel purposes: family outings, summer water activities, and couple dates. The results showed that the top three parks most suitable for family outings are Leofoo Village Theme Park, Ocean Park Taipei, and Miniature Land Theme Park; the top three for summer water fun are Lihpao Land, Leofoo Resort, and Ocean Park Taipei. Meanwhile, E-DA Theme Park, Ocean Park Taipei, and Janfusun Fancyworld all feature iconic, romantic Ferris wheels, making them the top three favorite parks for couples.

In this online survey, the “Best Family Theme Park” chosen by netizens was Leofoo Village Theme Park, which received 773 votes (13%). Currently, Leofoo Village features four major themed areas: the wild and rugged “Wild West,” the passionate and romantic “South Pacific,” the Middle Eastern dream city “Arabian Palace,” and the wildlife kingdom “African Safari” with ecological educational significance. This summer, the park has added new hardware and software features such as nighttime LED float parades, stage effects, dazzling lasers, and fireworks to create a brand-new evening grand show.

 

Ocean Park Taipei, which came in just slightly behind with 725 votes (12%), not only offers a variety of thrilling rides but also features the highly popular dolphin shows loved by children. The third place went to Miniature Land Theme Park, famous for its OPEN Magic Land and miniature architectural models. The survey results show that family-friendly theme parks prioritize multifunctional cultural parks that offer both educational and recreational value. Whether it's a wildlife kingdom, dolphin shows, or miniature world landmarks, they are perfect for families to enjoy quality time together.

As summer arrives, it’s the peak season for water parks across Taiwan to compete for visitors, often launching new facilities and ticket promotions to attract guests. In this survey, the top-ranked summer water park according to netizens was Lihpao Land, which covers nine hectares and received 1,226 votes (21%). Lihpao Land is not only currently the largest water park in Southeast Asia but also the one with the most facilities and water slides in Taiwan. It boasts a collection of the most thrilling slides, such as the UFO Ride — the most popular and Asia’s longest large water slide — and the Sky Lake Adventure, touted as the longest slide in Southeast Asia, taking up to fifteen minutes to complete, during which riders can gaze at Guanyin Mountain and the Taiwan Strait. Additionally, Lihpao Land has specially planned promotional events this year, including the “Bikini Slide Competition,” “Lihpao Water Rock Festival,” “Lihpao Water Boys Selection,” and “Children’s Summer Camp,” allowing visitors to fully enjoy the summer.

 

Ranked second and third in the summer water category were Lihpao Land and Ocean Park Taipei. Originally known as “Yuehmei Amusement World,” Lihpao Land is a famous large-scale amusement park in Houli District, Taichung City. The park combines land and water recreational facilities and is divided into two major themed parks: “Mara Bay” and “Discovery Land.” Its attractions include the “Big Tsunami” with man-made waves reaching up to 3 meters high, the “Aqua Bay” where a large amount of cold spring water cascades down from above, the exciting “Lazy River” with water sprays along the way, and the “Speedy Brave” where you can dive into the water from a height. The wide variety of water play facilities help everyone beat the heat.

Couples who prefer to avoid crowded city areas or typical tourist spots often choose amusement parks for their dates. According to the poll results, the best couples’ amusement park is E-DA Theme Park, which received 1,110 votes (19%). E-DA Theme Park is not only the only theme park in Taiwan operating year-round at night, but also the only one with a Greek-themed setting. The park is divided into three zones: “City of David,” “Santorini Mountain Town,” and “Troy City.” It also features the tallest Ferris wheel in Taiwan, paired with a spectacular nighttime light show of 128 dazzling light displays at an altitude of 230 meters, offering a panoramic view of the southern Taiwan landscape. Moreover, E-DA Theme Park has specially designed a dreamy and romantic Greek wedding photography package for couples planning to get married, helping them capture the most beautiful moments of their love vows.

 

Coincidentally, the second and third-place winners, Ocean Park Taipei and Janfusun Fancyworld, also have Ferris wheel attractions. Among them, the 88-meter-tall Ferris wheel at Janfusun Fancyworld offers a breathtaking view of the entire park and the Chianan Plain when reaching the highest point. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or New Year’s Eve fireworks, the Ferris wheel often becomes the top choice for couples’ dates. This shows that for couples, the Ferris wheel not only fulfills fantasies of romance but also symbolizes a love story like a ring. Whether you’re in a passionate relationship or in the early stages of getting to know someone, if you want to strengthen your bond, don’t forget to visit a theme park with a Ferris wheel.