10 Types of Amusement Parks You Should Know

1. Theme Parks

Building a theme park around cultural stories or animated IP often grabs a lot of public attention — and more importantly, gets people through the gates. Think about walking into a place where the rides, live shows, architecture, and even the food all reflect the same story. For investors and operators, that kind of full immersion can turn into impressive returns.

Most of these parks pop up in major tourist hubs or resort areas, pulling in families, travelers, and die-hard theme park lovers from every corner of the globe. These are among the most popular theme park types and amusement park types.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★★☆
• Main Challenges: Big budgets, getting the green light from copyright holders to use their animated or cultural IP, and coordinating several contractors at once. On top of that, safety rules are tight and heavily enforced.

2. Water Parks

Water parks are built for pure aquatic fun — think wave pools, lazy rivers, and adrenaline-pumping slides. They tend to shine in warmer climates or as seasonal attractions in coastal and resort towns. Families with kids come to splash around, while young adults show up for a quick cool-down and some excitement.

This is one of the different types of amusement park rides that appeals to both locals and tourists.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
• Key Challenges: You’ll need top-grade water filtration and cleaning systems, plus in many areas, the park can only operate during certain months. And with water attractions, safety isn’t a one-time job — it’s something you have to stay on top of every single day.

3. Adventure Parks

Adventure parks are all about pushing limits in the great outdoors — zip lines that fly over treetops, climbing walls that test your grip, rope courses swaying in the wind, and even bungee jumps for the truly fearless.

As a type of park, they’re usually found in mountain regions or scenic natural spots. They pull in thrill-seekers, school trips looking for something different, and companies planning team-building adventures.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
• Key Challenges: With high-risk activities, safety is non-negotiable. Insurance premiums can be steep, and the uneven terrain in natural areas often adds extra headaches during construction.

4. Indoor Amusement Parks

Indoor amusement parks offer year-round entertainment in a climate-controlled space, featuring roller coasters, kiddie rides, arcade games, and VR experiences.

These are among the different theme parks that work well in city centers, tourist complexes, or large malls, catering to families and visitors seeking all-weather fun.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
• Key Challenges: Space is limited, so the design must be efficient. Indoor safety standards are strict, and electricity bills can be very high.

5. Carnival-Style Amusement Parks

Seasonal or traveling parks bring back that old-school fairground charm — Ferris wheels turning slowly against the skyline, swing rides spinning under strings of lights, game booths calling for challengers, and snack stalls filling the air with the smell of popcorn.

They are a kind of park that shows up at fairgrounds, city celebrations, and festivals, drawing in families, couples, and local communities.

Example: Coney Island’s Luna Park, New York — a historic fairground packed with classic rides and carnival games.
• Construction Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
• Key Challenges: Everything has to be quick to set up and just as quick to pack away. The rides need to stay safe despite being moved often, and the constant travel puts more strain on equipment than a fixed-location park.

6. Shopping Mall Entertainment Parks

Tucked inside sprawling shopping malls, these compact amusement zones include kiddie rides, VR attractions, and small coasters. They’re a popular choice in different amusement park lists because they attract shoppers with children and provide a fun break from shopping in busy urban centers.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
• Key Challenges: Space is small, noise can disturb other mall stores, and designs must fit with the mall’s existing layout.

7. Wildlife or Safari Parks

Wildlife parks give visitors a close-up experience with animals through safari tours, live shows, and educational exhibits.

They are a type of park often located in suburban or rural areas with large land reserves, attracting nature lovers, families, and school groups.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★★☆
• Key Challenges: Must care for animals year-round, create safe and natural living spaces, and hire expert staff.

8. Municipal Parks

Municipal parks are public spaces run by local governments, sometimes featuring seasonal rides or amusement zones.

They’re one of the different types of parks found in city centers and residential areas, popular with local families, joggers, and community groups.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆
• Key Challenges: Must pass strict public safety checks, get community approval, and work within a government budget.

9. IP-Branded Parks

These parks revolve around popular intellectual properties such as movies, cartoons, or games, with branded rides, themed environments, and character interactions.

They are among the most iconic theme park types, usually built in major tourist destinations, attracting devoted fans and families.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★★★
• Key Challenges: Buying the rights to use a famous brand is expensive, and everything must follow the brand’s style rules exactly.

10. Resort-Based Amusement Parks

Resort-based amusement parks combine hotels, dining, leisure facilities, and rides into a single destination.

These amusement park types are often found in world-class resorts or island getaways, catering to vacationers, conference guests, and families seeking a complete holiday experience.

• Construction Difficulty: ★★★★★
• Key Challenges: Needs a huge piece of land, has to combine rides with hotels and restaurants, and running everything together is complex.

Amusement Park Types: Difficulty and Challenges

See how different types of amusement parks compare in building difficulty and main challenges.

SUNHONG One-Stop Service

Building an amusement park is never a one-size-fits-all project — each park type comes with its own attractions, location needs, target visitors, and construction challenges. From small indoor parks to large IP-branded resorts, the right concept depends on your vision, budget, and market.

At SUNHONG, we turn these ideas into reality. Our one-stop amusement park solutions cover planning, custom ride design, manufacturing, free installation, and operation guidance. With over 25 years of experience and successful projects in more than 50 countries, we know how to overcome every challenge — from water systems in a coastal park to brand compliance in an IP-themed destination.

Larva Theme Park – Stadium Area Project

Full park design, 3D planning, installation, staff training, and operation guidance. Featuring Larva-themed rides including Swing, Carousel, Track Train, and more.

Commercial Center Amusement Park Project

Amusement park built within a commercial center, featuring complete design and 3D planning, attraction manufacturing, free installation, staff training, and operational guidance. The project includes a Carousel, Time Jump, Air Bus, and Mini Roller Coaster — creating an engaging family entertainment zone that enhances the shopping experience and attracts consistent visitor traffic.

See how we’ve done it. Explore our project portfolio or contact our team today to start building your own world-class amusement park.