Mums do travel

Travel with and without teens

  • Home
  • Destination
    • UK
      • London
      • Kent
      • Northern Ireland
      • Wales
      • Elsewhere
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Croatia
      • France
      • Gibraltar
      • Greece
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Portugal
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • USA
      • Canada
      • Carribean
      • Costa Rica
    • Africa
      • South Africa
      • Tunisia
    • Asia
      • Thailand
      • Bali
      • Singapore
    • Australia
  • Inspiration
    • Things to do in…
    • Things to do in London…
    • Where to stay
    • Language learning
    • Family travel interviews
    • The journey
    • Recipes
  • Published in
  • About
  • Contact
  • Travel shop
Home / Type of trip / Attractions / Mirabilandia & Mirabilandia Beach

Mirabilandia & Mirabilandia Beach

October 14, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 15 Comments

Big wheel at Mirabilandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Big wheel at Mirabilandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

This summer we went to Emilia-Romagna in the North of Italy for our family holiday. Before we went to the region I hadn’t realised that it’s home to a wide range of family attractions. While we were there we went to three different water parks: Aquafan, Atlantica and Mirabilandia Beach.

Mirabilandia and Mirabilandia Beach

Mirabilandia Beach is at Mirabilandia theme park, the biggest theme park in Italy, near to Ravenna. It took us about 30 minutes to drive to Mirabilandia from our hotel in Cesenatico. Mirabilandia opened at 10am and the Beach opened at 11am. We were there just before 10am and had planned to go on some of the theme park rides and then go to the water park to cool off later. But our day didn’t turn out as planned.

Mirabilandia

Mirabilandia has some world class rides, (Divertical, the highest water coaster in the world, iSpeed, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/hr in 2.2 seconds and many more) and attracts large numbers of visitors. It was a very, very hot day and the queues for the rides were extremely long. So, rather than wait in line for an hour at a time in the heat (although the queuing ares are shaded), we decided to focus on the water park instead and see if the queues for the rides at Mirabilandia were shorter later on.

Mirabilandia Beach

As soon as Mirabilandia Beach opened at 11am we were in there. We walked around the park to find a place in the shade where we could base ourselves for the day. There are sandy areas where you can sit but we found a pleasant, shady spot under a tree in a grassy area and positioned four sun loungers there.

Sitting in the shade at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Sitting in the shade at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Pool

The Beach has two main parts. The first is a large pool with both shallow and deep areas and some mid-level water slides at its centre. As you climb up and queue for these slides you are drenched with a torrent of water which pours down constantly from above.

El Castillo water slides at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

El Castillo water slides at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

We enjoyed this as we needed to cool down but I did see a couple of small girls on there who were crying because of the weight of the water that was pouring down on to them – I think that these slides are a bit tough for some little ones.

Slides

The second main area of the Beach has height restrictions and is a tower which has four different slides coming down from it. The slides deliver you straight into a lazy river.

Lazy river at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Lazy river at Mirabilandia Beach. Copyright Gretta Schifano

It took us about 10-15 minutes to queue each time we went on these slides. You have to sit in either a double or a single inflatable ring to use the slides – and you’re not allowed to go down a double-ring slide on your own. It was great fun going down the slides, although none of us were brave enough to try the really steep one which is shaped like a giant V.

You can’t wear a hat when you go on these slides and the lazy river at the end has no shade. My head felt like it was burning by the time I got out of the river but my husband and kids were fine.

Lunch

We had lunch from the cafe at the Beach and I was surprised by the poor quality of the food which I had. My tuna and egg sandwich was tasteless and the bread was like cardboard. My daughter had a pizza which she said was ‘OK’. If I visited the park again I’d take a picnic.

Queues

Later in the afternoon we went back in to Mirabilandia to see if we could go on some rides but the queues for the most popular rides were still just as long as they had been earlier. We went on a couple of smaller rides where we only had to wait for about 15 minutes, and they were great.

Hot Wheels show

There are various shows at the park and we went to see the Hot Wheels stunt show.

Set for Hot Wheels stunt show, Mirabilandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Set for Hot Wheels stunt show, Mirabilandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

The show was spectacular and and we all enjoyed it. We agreed that it reminded us of the car stunt show that we saw at Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Florida a couple of years ago.

We spotted this water ride as we were leaving the park that evening:

One of the rides at Mirabliandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

One of the rides at Mirabliandia. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cost

Family tickets (two adults & two children under 150 cms tall) for Mirabilandia and Mirabilandia Beach cost from 89 euros if booked online. This includes free entry the day after your visit, as long as you get your ticket validated before you leave the park. Parking is five euros per car. There’s no charge to use the sun loungers and sunshades.

Verdict

My son says:.’I liked the Hot Wheels show best.’

My daughter says: ‘The queues were too long but I liked the lazy river.’

My husband says: ‘The water park was relaxing but I was disappointed that we didn’t manage to do much at the theme park. I’d have liked to have gone on some of the big rides.’

I say: ‘I liked the Beach, especially the big slides. It was disappointing that we didn’t experience many of the rides at Mirabilandia. If we went there again it would have to be outside of peak season or we’d need to buy a Fastpass to avoid the queues.’

Have you ever been to a water park? If so, what did you think? If not, do you think that you’d like to?

Disclosure: The Emilia-Romagna Tourist Board arranged for free entry for us to Mirabilandia and Mirabilandia Beach for the purposes of this review. All options and images are our own.

You can read more about our trip to Emilia-Romagna in these posts:

Great places to stay in Emilia-Romagna

 Aquafan water park,Italy

How to visit Parma

Atlantica water park, Cesenatico

Room report: Hotel Tiffany, Cesenatico

Next trip: Emilia-Romagna, Italy

More posts to follow!

Recommended guide book

The guide book which I used for visiting this area is the Lonely Planet Italy Travel Guide which I bought from Amazon before our trip.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Categories: Attractions, Italy
Tags: Emilia-Romagna, Mirabilandia, Mirabilandia Beach, water park

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

Facebook - Twitter - Google+

Subscribe to posts by email?

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Comments

  1. Lucy Dorrington says

    October 23, 2015 at 7:40 am

    Shame about the queues, as it looks an amazing place. My son would have loved the Hot Wheels best too!
    Lucy Dorrington recently posted…Making Halloween Fun for EveryoneMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Globalmouse says

    October 20, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    We love a good water park but I think my little ones would find the water tipping a bit much….it’s a great way to cool off though isn’t it?! And the Hot Wheels show sounds great.

    Reply
  3. Abi - Angel Eden Blog says

    October 19, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    My kids would love the Hot Wheels show, it all sounds amazing!
    Abi – Angel Eden Blog recently posted…Halloween Ghost Decoration Craft for KidsMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Anne says

    October 16, 2015 at 10:22 pm

    The water park looks great fun, we are not very good with queues though. I do love a lazy river and that water ride looks exciting.
    Anne recently posted…The Three R’s, Reduce, Re-use, RecycleMy Profile

    Reply
  5. Shobha says

    October 15, 2015 at 7:50 pm

    My kids would absolutely love this water park!! Hot Wheels and a ride? Bring it on!

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      October 16, 2015 at 7:59 am

      I know – it’s a fab place!

      Reply
  6. Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) says

    October 15, 2015 at 11:25 am

    I think that queues are getting bigger everywhere. We always try and budget for fast passes, which make the day more expensive, but I take a picnic. We love water parks and I am sure my boys would have had a blast
    Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) recently posted…Firework Art – Cable tie firework sculpturesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      October 16, 2015 at 8:01 am

      I think it depends when and where you go. If the waterpark hadn’t been there we would have gone to get fast passes.

      Reply
  7. Kara says

    October 15, 2015 at 6:16 am

    Those water slides look so much fun and the boys would adore the Hot Wheels show
    Kara recently posted…Doc McStuffins Twitter PartyMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Erica Price says

    October 15, 2015 at 5:35 am

    I love the idea of a water park somewhere warm. This looks amazing!
    Erica Price recently posted…The Canvas PrintsMy Profile

    Reply
  9. JuggleMum, Nadine Hill says

    October 14, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    You certainly know how to holiday Gretta… Can I come with you next year?!! x
    JuggleMum, Nadine Hill recently posted…Career Clinic: A Career in Engineering?My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      October 16, 2015 at 8:09 am

      Sounds like a plan! It feels like ages ago that we were in Italy though!

      Reply
  10. Rachel says

    October 14, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    I wold quite like to be on that lazy river right now x
    Rachel recently posted…Free skincare trial with L’OccitaneMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Liz Burton says

    October 14, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    My daughter absolutely LOVES water parks! I’m keen to explore more of Italy too after our trip to Milan earlier this year.
    Liz Burton recently posted…A Farm Stay in Devon with Holiday CottagesMy Profile

    Reply
  12. angela hamilton says

    October 14, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Looks like a great place to visit for a fun day out or maybe a couple of days out 🙂
    angela hamilton recently posted…Snow Is FallingMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Search site

Follow me!

Email: gretta at mumsdotravel dot com
Follow me on FacebookFollow me on Google+Follow me on TwitterFollow me on InstagramFollow me on YouTubeFollow me on PinterestFollow me on Bloglovin

You'd like posts by email?

Booking.com

Most popular posts:

  • How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
    How to pack for an 8 kg luggage allowance
  • Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
    Where to find Mary Poppins film locations in London
  • Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
    Thailand with teenagers: a two-week summer itinerary
  • 8 great family holidays for football fans
    8 great family holidays for football fans
  • What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
    What to do when your teenager doesn't want to go on your family holiday
  • 17 places to find the world of Harry Potter in London
    17 places to find the world of Harry Potter in London
  • Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
    Itinerary for a three-night Berlin sightseeing trip with a teenager
  • How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
    How to shop in the souks of Tunis medina, Tunisia
  • 60 free things to do in London with a teenager
    60 free things to do in London with a teenager
  • Elephant Hills Thailand adventure review
    Elephant Hills Thailand adventure review

Recent Posts

  • How to apply for Italian citizenship: everything we’ve done so far
  • How to explore London’s top attractions from home
  • Amsterdam virtual museum & gallery tours
  • Introducing Armchair Travels
  • How to explore Florence, Italy, from home

About

  • About
  • Published in
  • Contact

Disclosure

This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

Copyright © Mums do travel 2019
Header by Suzanne Barton
Website by
Callia Web

Sign up for my free newsletter:
Subscribe to the Mums do travel mailing list... it's FREE!
You'll receive family travel news, offers and competitions. Once you sign up you can download my tips for saving money on family travel.
Your information will *never* be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Sign up for my free newsletter: