The best European theme parks for wheelchair users

If your kids have reduced mobility, love roller coasters and could happily live off candy floss and toffee apples, then these are the best, most accessible theme parks to take them to.

Paultons Park in Romsey, UK

On the fringes of the New Forest in Hampshire, Paultons Park is a fully accessible family theme park, entry to which is free for wheelchair users. Of the 70-plus rides and attractions available, younger visitors will love the Peppa Pig World, while older children will likely be enthralled by the park’s roller coasters, including the Jurassic-themed Lost Kingdom’s Flight of the Pterosaur. Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy a tour around the park’s lake via the Rio Grande Train, which – just like Paulton’s opulent Victorian Carousel – has carriages for wheelchair users. The historic Bell Inn Hotel has rooms specifically adapted for wheelchair users and is a great base for exploring the New Forest.

Tusenfryd in Oslo, Norway

The rides at Oslo theme park, Tusenfryd, are all rated soft, moderate or intense to help make visitors’ decisions easy. They range from the enchanting vintage car ride, Bestefars Bil (Grandpa’s Car), to the tooth-rattling looping roller coaster, SpeedMonster. Visitors with reduced mobility can apply for a pass that will enable them to skip the queues for the park’s 32 attractions, including the world’s most impressive wooden roller coaster, ThunderCoaster. Tusenfryd is easy to navigate in both manual and electronic wheelchairs, and the fully accessible Sørmarka Konferanse Hotel is only a 15-minute drive away.

Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gardens blends being a modern funfair with a generous dose of nostalgia and will appeal to every generation. The vintage design and colour scheme of the rides recall the gardens’ beginnings in the mid-19th century but their speed and safety features will rival any newer European theme park. The beautifully tended gardens offer a break from the wild rides, while visitors using electric wheelchairs will find recharging points dotted around the site. Once everyone has screamed themselves hoarse or dreamt the afternoon away in the gardens, head back to the wheelchair-friendly Scandic Palace Hotel.

PortAventura in Salou, Spain

PortAventura is the most-visited theme park in Spain and promises a fun day out for all, including those with impaired mobility. All of the rides have been specially adapted for wheelchair users and there are also wheelchairs available to rent at each of the park’s six themed areas. The rides on offer vary from a horizontal catapult to a gentle steam engine ride through the Wild West. As PortAventura is based on the coast, many visitors choose to stay a short walk from the beach. Many hotels (like Estival Centurión Playa) provide a shuttle bus to the park.

Disneyland Paris in Paris, France

One of Disney’s most established and beloved theme parks, Disneyland Paris is fully accessible for children with mobility issues. All the park’s restaurants, toilets and shops are wheelchair-friendly, and most of the rides have been adapted for visitors with impaired mobility. In order to minimize travel stress, a minibus to and from the park is available upon request and guests who call ahead can rent a wheelchair. There are also accessibility maps to help you get the most out of your visit. Situated on the outskirts of Paris, The Eden Lodge has facilities for visitors with mobility issues, including roll-in showers.