“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.” — OG Mandino
Fun and thrill mode only. We’re levelling up your theme park and zoo list because it’s 2026, a brand-new year, and we want you to live it with a whole lot of fun.
A note from a mother of a five-year-old: I’ve never been more grateful for age-specific attractions. A Universal theme park made just for kids, finally living my Pokémon dream at PokéPark Kyoto, and revisiting a historic landmark zoo like Khao Din Zoo. Honestly, it feels like a win for both kids and parents. Save this list now and start making those bookings. Time flies by quickly, so don’t miss your chance to grab those promotions while they last.
Theme Parks
VidantaWorld’s BON Luxury Theme Park
Luxury indeed. Go ahead and block your 2026 calendar, because the world’s first luxury theme park is officially a thing. Whimsical, beautifully designed, and paired with a hotel, this place is truly one of a kind. And yes, it’s suitable for all ages, kids, adults, and the inner child who still loves a good roller coaster.
Set on a massive 2,500-acre coastal property between the Sierra Madre Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it comes with luscious beaches, high-end dining, entertainment, five-star resort hospitality, and plenty of thrilling moments in between. Basically, beach holiday meets theme park fantasy.
So, what’s on the agenda? Twenty-three attractions across fully immersive themed lands like BON Plaza, Empire of Light, Land of Legends, and Fantasy Gardens, plus fun roller coasters and more. The all-suite boutique stay, The BON Hotel, makes it even better, with magical views of the park and easy access to dining spots and amenities across the property.
Opening date: 2026
Location: Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico
Website: View here for more information
Universal Kids Resort
Finally, a theme park dedicated to young children. Thank goodness. And yes, it’s officially Universal’s first-ever theme park just for kids. After a visit, this place will leave your heart and that little kid in you feeling more grateful than ever. All the fun themed lands include Isle of Curiosity, Dreamworks’ Shrek’s Swamp, Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom, Illumination’s Minions vs. Minions, Jurassic World Adventure Camp, Dreamworks ’ TrollsFest and Dreamworks’ Puss in Boots Del Mar.
Built especially for families with little ones, think gentler rides, bright colours, familiar characters, and plenty of space to explore. It helps build confidence when kids feel like they’re in a world made just for them. More than just a theme park, it’s a connection between play, creativity, and beloved characters and stories. Bonus points: a 300-room hotel and family-focused amenities designed for young families in a growing Texas city.
Let’s talk themed lands. Shrek, SpongeBob SquarePants’ undersea world, Minions, Jurassic World, Trolls meet-and-greets with fun, groovy vibes, and Puss in Boots. I’m thrilled just talking about it. Not a kid, but every single one of these is my favourite movie. And yes, my daughter’s too. Your little ones will love the interactive play areas, character meet-and-greets, shows, and so much more. If things get overwhelming, there are multiple sensory garden zones where families can decompress and cool off.
Opening date: 2026
Location: Frisco, Texas
Website: View here for more information
PokéPark KANTO
Gotta catch ’em all. Yes, PokéPark KANTO is scheduled to fulfil your wildest Pokémon dreams on February 5, 2026. Located in Tokyo’s verdant Tama Hills within Yomiuriland, this first-ever permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction includes Pika Pika Paradise, Vee Vee Voyage, Pokémon Forest, Sedge Town, Trainers’ Market, Battle Court, and more.
Want to be among the first to explore when it opens its doors? Tickets include the Trainer’s Pass and Ace Trainer’s Pass, both with admission to Yomiuriland. Expect plenty of rides, activities, and meet-and-greets with your favourite Pokémon characters. It truly feels like the perfect way to embrace the new year, with more adventures and new friends, even if they’re fictional and happen to be your favourite cartoon characters of all time.
The Pokémon Company has officially announced the grand opening date of PokéPark KANTO for Thursday, February 5, 2026. Stretching across 26,000 square metres, this outdoor attraction is designed to immerse fans in the Pokémon universe. Tickets go on sale starting November 21, 2025, at 1:00 a.m. PST, with more details available on the official website.
Opening date: February 2026
Location: Tama Hills, Japan
Website: View here for more information
Disney Adventure World
Step into the heart of Arendelle as the gates open to the world of Frozen. This newly reimagined second park at Disneyland Paris brings Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Frozen to life. The stunning architecture features the towering North Mountain crowned by Queen Elsa’s Ice Palace, alongside a vibrant village inspired by Nordic design.
Frozen fans, rejoice. This milestone opening in March also introduces Tangled, 15 new dining locations, and an immense lake with a brand-new nighttime spectacular. Families can enjoy the Frozen Ever After boat ride, royal encounters with Elsa and Anna, Olaf’s special appearance at Arendelle Bay, and a daytime show, A Celebration in Arendelle, staged on Viking longships. Dining and shopping at Nordic Crown Tavern, meeting Rúnq the baby troll, and soaking in the atmosphere make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Opening date: 29 March 2026
Location: Paris, France
Website: View here for more information
Upin & Ipin Theme Park
What better way to experience Malaysia’s beloved tales than seeing them come alive? Malaysia’s favourite animated twins are heading to Genting Highlands in conjunction with Les’ Copaque Production’s 20th anniversary.
Located within King’s Park Genting Highlands, the development includes residences, hotels, halal dining streets, shopping boulevards, and more. This Muslim-friendly park focuses on Upin & Ipin’s portrayal of Malay-Muslim family life, Ramadan traditions, village food, and values rooted in faith, kindness, and community.
Opening date: 2026
Location: Genting Highlands, Malaysia
Zoos
Dusit Zoo
What started as King Chulalongkorn’s private garden in 1893 later became one of Thailand’s most beloved zoos. After closing in 2018, Khao Din Zoo is returning with a world-class redesign, offering larger natural habitats, a wildlife learning centre, and distinct themed zones. Even with a phased opening, visitors can expect an immersive wildlife experience.
Following Thailand’s transition to a constitutional monarchy in 1932, animals from royal gardens were relocated here, including deer, crocodiles, monkeys, and royal elephants. The new Khao Din honours this history while embracing modern conservation standards.
Opening date: 2026
Location: Pathum Thani, Thailand
Giza Zoo
Cairo’s historic Giza Zoo is undergoing a major redevelopment, aiming for a full relaunch by the end of 2026 as a modern eco-tourism destination. Situated near the west bank of the Nile in Giza, breathtakingly overlooks the main buildings of Cairo University. Highlights include new habitats, a tunnel connecting to Orman Garden, restored landmarks such as the Eiffel Bridge and Japanese Hall, and improved animal welfare. And the park includes five pavilions, including Tea Island, The Hanging Bridge, The Candlestick, The Castle and the largest rock garden, Al-Qala’a.
Expect African and Asian-themed zones, underwater hippo viewing, meerkat domes, safari areas, beautiful dining experiences, and even a safari glamping hotel. Nighttime visual shows are also in the works. Yes, it really does keep getting better.
Opening date: End of 2026
Location: Giza, Egypt
Website: View here for more information
Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo is expanding into a larger space with new Asian and African habitats featuring tigers, Komodo dragons, red pandas, and more. If you’re lucky, you might even experience pygmy hippo underwater viewing.
Opening date: 2026
Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States
San Diego Safari Park
Open year-round, but something big is coming. The highlight is Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, an immersive new elephant experience paired with dining at Mkutano House, an African-themed restaurant serving traditional Kenyan cuisine with views of the elephant habitat.
Your kids might forget iPads ever existed, at least for a while. I’m honestly getting excited just writing this.
Opening date: March 2026
Location: San Pasqual Valley, near San Diego, United States
The Fun Ending We All Deserve
If 2026 has taught us anything already, it’s this: childhood memories don’t wait. Whether it’s chasing Pokémon, meeting Frozen royalty, or watching elephants roam freely, these places remind us that fun is timeless, joy is contagious, and being a “great parent” sometimes just means saying yes to adventure. So go ahead, bookmark this list, start planning, and let 2026 be the year your family laughs louder, explores further, and makes memories that last a lifetime.
Discover more adventure at theme parks and zoos in Asia:
