It’s a shame there have never been any specifically LGBTQ+ theme parks in the world… well, unless you count the ill-fated “Gay World” of Singapore back in 1937—but I don’t think that’s what they meant by “gay” at the time. However, most theme parks boldly claim to be welcoming to all, irrespective of sexuality or gender identity, with some going that extra step when it comes to being inclusive and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.

‘Gay Days,’ Pride marches, and inclusive policies push some of these theme parks ahead of the pack. So, fasten those bars—you knew that metaphor was coming—as we visit the most LGBTQ-friendly theme parks in the world.

Disneyland Paris and Disney World

Any list of theme parks in any context would be remiss not to mention Disney—and let’s be real, the gays love Disney. The rides are, of course, iconic, such as the indoor roller coaster Space Mountain, the Pirates of the Caribbean boat ride, and attractions connected to any Disney film or character you can name, from Mickey Mouse to Frozen.

Disney has faced controversy in recent years regarding how much they actually support the LGBTQ+ community. News that Disney has donated to legislators backing anti-gay bills and cut queer content from movies has somewhat tainted their reputation. On the flip side, gay characters are slowly beginning to appear in their films, with characters like LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, Artie in Cruella, and The Valkyrie in Marvel.

The question is: where do their amusement parks stand in all this? Thankfully, they are known for promoting inclusiveness and diversity, though some parks are more outspoken in their support than others. The most supportive is Disneyland Paris. Almost all Disney parks host ‘Gay Days’—a week in early June when Disney-loving LGBTQ+ visitors flock to the parks, heartwarmingly reclaiming a childhood lost to homophobia. However, these events are organized externally and are not an official part of the parks. Disneyland Paris goes further than its international counterparts by hosting its own Pride celebration, ‘Magical Pride,’ which includes a parade, live concert, and attractions open until 2 a.m. They have also been the most outspoken in openly supporting the LGBTQ+ community.

Disney World in Orlando has been slightly quieter about their events, despite being the origin of Gay Days and consistently displaying Pride merchandise during Pride month. Pink Mickey Mouse ears aside, they've also made it clear that they stand with the LGBTQ+ community in Florida by getting involved in a public feud with the state over the “Don't Say Gay” bill. Finally, although not officially affiliated with Disney, ‘One Magical Weekend' coincides with Disney World's Gay Days—a circuit party where gay men from around the world visit Orlando for a weekend of partying, including a Friday night event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.

PortAventura World (Spain)

Spain is one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, and PortAventura is located in the Catalonian region—home to the undeniably gay holiday hotspots of Barcelona and Sitges. Across the board, the Spanish theme park has received positive feedback for being inclusive and diverse, both in its hiring practices and events. PortAventura hosts its own Pride Night once a year from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.—a unique event where the best rides stay open late, and there are themed shows, gay-focused entertainment (like drag shows), and a DJ.

At PortAventura, you get access to three parks: PortAventura Park, Caribe Aquatic Park, and Ferrari Land—yes, a theme park about Ferraris. Furthermore, it boasts some of the most memorable rides in the world, including the legendary Dragon Khan roller coaster, which passes through a staggering eight loops in—appropriately enough—69 seconds.

Tivoli Gardens (Denmark)

Tivoli in Copenhagen is the progressive grandad of theme parks, being the second oldest in the world—after Bakken (also in Denmark). The old-school amusement park has managed to maintain its classic charm while incorporating modern elements to keep its visitors entertained. It also features some thrilling rides, ranging from classical carousels and a wooden roller coaster to the 63-meter-high freefalling Golden Tower. Legend has it the park inspired Walt Disney himself to create Disneyland.

Don’t let the traditional setting fool you; Denmark is known for its LGBTQ+ friendly policies, and Tivoli Gardens is no exception. It’s not an uncommon date spot for gay couples, and the park has held gay-themed days. Fairytale-like gay weddings have even been hosted along its adjacent lake.

Efteling (The Netherlands)

Let’s face it, fairytales are a little bit camp by nature, and Efteling Park in the Netherlands takes the theme and runs with it. The fantasy-themed amusement park is twice the size of the original Disneyland but has a darker style, drawing inspiration from ancient myths and legends, as well as traditional fairytales and somewhat sinister folklore. The park’s highlights include The Flying Dutchman—a combination indoor roller coaster and water coaster—and the Steampunk roller coaster, which plunges 123 feet into a mineshaft. Efteling has also received praise for its inclusive policies and support for LGBTQ+ events, with dress-in-red Gay Days receiving full support from the park and even featuring attractions related to it—like dancing red slippers.

Europa Park (Germany)

The third most visited amusement park in Europe, Europa Park in Rust, Germany, has a European theme. The park is divided into areas designed to represent countries of the continent, featuring replicas of 18 European monuments. Europa Park is especially well-known for its roller coasters, which include Silver Star—a “hypercoaster” with a drop of 67 meters—and Euro-Mir, a roller coaster with rotating gondolas. Additionally, it has an adjacent water park, Rulantica, offering a variety of water attractions, slides, and themed experiences.

Like much of Western Europe, the park is extremely gay-friendly. Europa Park has an unofficial GayRedDay once a year, inspired by the Gay Days of Orlando's Disney World. However, it is worth noting that the event isn’t officially recognized by the park… yet.

Universal Studios (Hollywood)

Looping the loop back to the U.S., Universal Studios Hollywood is a world-renowned film studio and theme park located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California. It is one of the oldest and most famous Hollywood film studios and has been a popular tourist destination since it opened to the public in 1964. All their rides are based on popular movies and TV shows, with notable attractions including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic World – The Ride, Transformers: The Ride 3D, and The Simpsons Ride. You can also take a tram ride through the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at various film and television production sets, with encounters featuring special effects, animatronics, and iconic film locations.

Universal Studios is extremely inclusive and welcoming. They have participated in LGBTQ+ events and often feature diverse LGBTQ+ characters and themes in their attractions. Like Disneyland Paris, it hosts an official themed Pride night—unlike anywhere else in the States—during which Universal Studios Hollywood works with LA Pride for ‘Pride is Universal'—a night of late-night attractions, vibrant drag shows featuring local talent, meet and greets with queer characters, DJs, and plenty of drinking. The iconic entrance arch even lights up with a rainbow at night!

Theme parks bring out the inner child in all of us, and if anyone deserves a little childlike fun, it’s the LGBTQ+ community. So, push those bars down and get riding!