Isla Magica

There are activities for different ages, and plenty of places to sit down or grab food and drinks. Some rides have long waits, but screens show how long you'll be in line. It's a good idea to book online so you don't have to queue twice. We found a long line to get in soon after opening, though it was quieter later. We skipped the water park, but saw that its entrance line was long too, even after getting into the main park.

It was disappointing to have this be our one letdown in such a beautiful city. The park was packed, and most deckchairs were already taken, with an extra charge for them. Without VIP parking, you have to leave the car a long way off. Rides meant waits of over 20 minutes in the heat and sun, and the 4D film looked like it had been made on a Pentium 2 PC. Some ride and pool water was dirty. They also wouldn't let me wear sunglasses in the water without straps, even though I'd just had eye surgery. In some children's areas, parents can't stay with their kids until they get used to the activity, which seems unfair to kids who are frightened and need encouragement. Food and drinks were overpriced, and outside food wasn't allowed. We snuck some in, and I'd suggest doing the same if you can.

Don't miss the daily shows. Check the schedule beside the park map, because they were fantastic to watch. I also recommend taking a photo of the map, as I didn't spot many copies around the park. There's plenty for adults as well as kids, and I thought it was worth the money. If long queues bother you, consider a fast track pass. You can bring your own food, or buy food and drinks at the restaurants inside. Outside the summer season, the water park isn't open, but the other part of the park still has lots of water attractions and places where children can play in water.

I hated the wait for tubes more than the slides themselves. There are so few inflatables that you can be stuck in line for half an hour, even for a single tube, let alone a double one, which families always seem to have. They wouldn't let me use a yellow tube on the blue slide because, they said, the colors had to match. But there weren't any of the right color available! Meanwhile, people kept riding the same tube five, seven, even ten times in a row. Zero out of five stars.