Which Amusement and Theme Parks in Mumbai Are Good for One Day Picnic?

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In Mumbai, your life mostly revolves around the kind of money you make. I am not criticizing the kind of life that Mumbaikars live but the kind of life they are forced to live. I mean if you pick any random Mumbaikar and scan through his or her daily routine you will find endless hours of hard work, train commute and job frustration and insecurity. I was once a part of this lifestyle and believe me or not this kind of lifestyle actually sucks you out of everything including your precious time that you might want to spend with your loved ones. To me Mumbai city is nothing less than a whirlpool, when you see it from outside it looks stunningly beautiful and it possesses a magnetic power to draw you towards it and when you are sucked into it you hardly get control over your life unless you know how to manage things in a better way. Well, I guess every city has its own lifestyle and Mumbai has its own so I cannot blame it completely after all there are many ways to get a break and chill out with your loved ones. In the last few weeks, I feel the temperature has been soaring high and the humidity factor is just sucking out all the blood and life out of us. Since Diwali festival is just around the corner I believe many people would be looking out for one day picnic destinations and places where they can have a blast with their family and friends.

Essel World

I guess every Mumbaikar has been to this place and must have some special memories somewhere in the corner of the mind about how he or she spent some great moments that they still cherish. Right from the early days in 1986 when Essel World advertisements used to telecast on Zee TV with a popular tag line – Essel World mein rahunga main, ghar nahi nahi nahi jaaunga main. It was an instant hit with kids and adults and it still attracts lot of people not only from Mumbai, but also people from all over India and probably across the globe too.

Located in Gorai on the outskirts of the city, Essel World is the only amusement theme park that qualifies as per international standards and has attracts more than 1.8 million visitors per year. While Essel World is a great destination for those who love some adventurous rides and rollercoasters, it is also popular with kids and families that can spend some time together and enjoy their one day picnic.

The park also provides you with lots of food options like Dominos Pizza, Chinese and Indian cuisine restaurants that can allow you to settle down with your family and enjoy some great food when you want to take a break so no need to carry any meals. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and till 8 p.m. on weekends and bank holidays. It will cost you around Rs. 690/- for adults and Rs. 490/- while it only cost Rs. 290/- for senior citizens who will have to carry valid age proof photo ID card to avail the benefit.

Water Kingdom

With so much of humidity in the city, I would certainly recommend my readers to visit Water Kingdom at this of the year. Connected to Essel World Water Kingdom is Asia’s Largest Theme Water Park so in case you are not too keen on riding roller coasters and rides probably you want to splash yourself in the water and beat the heat in a grand way.

I have always seen lot of families coming down here to have a great one day picnic experience where they can splash around in all the water slides with the music playing in the background. Although, it does not have enough water rides as compared to international water parks, but still it manages to offer the experience that you are looking out for. I would always recommend to be here bit early because you will end up getting long queues for the entry ticket. Since this is the only water park in the city that offer international standards experience expect some crowd around you.

If you hate being in the crowded place, I would recommend that you pick your day carefully. You can pick a weekday when most people are busy working. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and till 8 p.m. on weekends and bank holidays. It will cost you around Rs. 690/- for adults and Rs. 490/- while it only cost Rs. 290/- for senior citizens with valid age proof card.

Tikuji Ni Wadi

Time is of essence and if you don’t want to waste your time traveling long distances you can head to Tikuji ni Wadi that is located in the valleys of Manpada, Chitalsar Village, just few minutes drive from the city. It is an amusement park, water theme park and also kids land so there is something for everyone here. The park offers 21 rides to the visitors and 12 exciting slides that can allow you drench yourself in fun and madness. Tikuji ni Wadi is an ideal place for all those who want to get into the action from early morning rather than wasting time heading to hill stations that can suck out all the energy and money.

Tikuji ni Wadi is highly popular for the kind of water park it offers. Although, it has the same kind of water slides as Water Kingdom does but the experience is different for sure. The park offers something that Essel World misses out and that is that Tikuji ni Wadi also offers cottages for those who want to stay longer and restaurants that can allow you make the most of your time. The park is open from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m. while water park opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but you can come early as the resorts are available from 9 a.m. in the morning to 7 p.m.

Adlabs Imagica

Recently, Adlabs Entertainment decided to come up with their flagship venture better known as Adlabs Imagica which is now being promoted as the first theme park destination in the country. The park is divided into six different sectors like Viva Europa, Arabia, Asiana, Americana, India and Jambo Africa so you get to see something from every part of the continent.

Located in Sangewadi, Pali near Khopoli Road the park is off Mumbai Pune Expressway so probably people from Mumbai will have to make sure that they leave their homes early in order to reach here on time. There are around 22 attractions and rides here that offer complete fun experience for those who want to have one day picnic experience with their friends and family.

Some of the rides here are so new that you have to experience it to believe it. I liked the way Adlabs have come up with new rides and attractions that are unlike what you find at Essel World or Tikuji ni Wadi which also offers some variety to the visitors. However, all this comes at a high price so if you are ready to spend Rs. 1900 for adults and Rs. 1600 for kids you have Adlabs Imagica where you can have a blast this Diwali vacation.

Great Escape Water Park and Yazoo Park

Sometimes for me the biggest issue is the budget. I believe everybody goes through such phase when they want to spend money on festivals and some occasions but even after making an effort we don’t accumulate the budget that we desire. I would recommend Great Escape Water Park and Yazoo Park that both are located in Virar. I would have written about each one individually but these parks do not offer tons of entertainment singularly so I would recommend visitors to make a combo trip for both.

Great Escape Water Park is located off Vajreshwari Road so it would be great if you have your vehicle with you. The water park offers the right kind of slides and activities that can allow you to do more. Since Great Escape Water Park charges you less when you buy entry ticket in the morning I would recommend that you start off your day with Great Escape Water Park and the ticket rates at 10 a.m. will be Rs. 550 for kids and senior citizens and Rs. 650 for adults which includes food fee. However, if you enter after 3 p.m. you pay Rs. 300 for kids and senior citizens and Rs. 350 for adults. The park closes at 6:30 in the evening so basically you end up paying more for short period of time.

Visitors that club Great Escape Water Park and Yazoo Park one day picnic together can leave Great Escape Water Park by 5:30 p.m. and in half an hour they can be at Yazoo Park which is located in Virar West. Entry fees for Yazoo Park is Rs. 25/- per person. Since I have visited Yazoo Park several times, I will share some information that can make your experience even better.

I guess a budget of Rs. 1000 is more than enough for the family here. The park has this smart card option so I would recommend that you find a recharge counter (there are many recharge counters across the park) you can recharge the highest amount that you want to spend. It basically works like a pre-paid card so you keep using it on all ride counters since you have to pay for individual rides and even at the food court.

Yazoo Park does not offer any water rides, but it is cleaner and very less crowded compared to other amusement parks. You can enjoy some great rides here like Ferris Wheel, Bumping Car and Free Fall and the rest of the rides are aimed for kids.

The park has a food court where visitors can find a huge variety of food items, but personally I believe you better save that money and arrange your dinner somewhere else as the food quality is not really up to the standard. The park stays open till 10 at night. When you walk out please make sure that you return the smart card that you have and in exchange get all the extra money that you have saved.

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