1. Nicco Park, Kolkata
The dry and wet rides in this amusement park situated on the eastern fringe of Kolkata may be a tad staid compared to those available in Mumbai or Bengaluru but are very popular with local visitors. The park remains open from 10.30am-7.30pm. The adjoining Super Bowl has four bowling lanes and pool tables. The alley is open 2-10pm, Mon-Fri and 12-10pm on Sat, Sun and holidays. For more details, see www.niccoparks.com
2. Maniar Wonderland, Ahmedabad
The only place in Gujarat with a snow park, a family waterpark and a variety of joy rides. The park is open 10am-8.30pm. Try the desert bike at the special race track (currently there is a special offer of two rides at Rs 150). For more details and advance booking, see www.maniarwonderland.com
3. Wonderla Park, Bengaluru and Kochi
The Bengaluru park, with its attached resort, serves wonderfully well for a family weekend getaway, especially if you have promised the kids a fun-filled holiday. Both parks are open 11am-6pm, Mon-Fri and for an hour more on Sat, Sun and holidays. There are General Tickets and Fast Track Tickets. All tickets cost more during the peak season (May). At both the parks, students who have just given their 10th Standard and PUC board examinations for academic year 2014-15 can avail 35% discount on entry tickets on production of their original hall tickets (offer open till May 31). If you travel to Wonderla Bengaluru in BMTC’s air-conditioned Volvo bus, you can avail 15% discount on park tickets on production of bus tickets (but not bus passes). For more details and online booking, see www.wonderla.com
4. EsselWorld and Water Kingdom, Mumbai
The journey to this amusement park begins with a ferry ride from Mumbai’s Gorai Creek or Marve Beach. You can buy separate as well as combined tickets for the two amusement parks, which remain open from 10am-7pm on regular days and an hour extra during peak season (April 19-15 June, etc). Until April 30, SSC and HSC students from the current year can show their hall tickets (original + one photocopy) and photo id and get 50% discount on single adult entry ticket. For more details and online booking, see http://www.esselworld.in/.
5. Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad
This iconic film studio is a great option if you are looking for an all-inclusive holiday. Besides a well-spread out film city, it also has theme parks, hotels, restaurants and shops. An open-air red vintage tour bus takes visitors around on a studio tour. The park is open from 10am-9.30pm. For more details and online booking, see www.ramojifilmcity.com
6. Kingdom of Dreams, Gurgaon
At the Kingdom, you will find India’s art, culture, heritage, craft, cuisine and performing art presented in a carnival spirit aided by technological wizardry. Visit the Nautanki Mahal for cinematic and theatrical musicals, the boulevard called Culture Gully for arts, crafts and food, the Showshaa Theatre for colourful drama based on Indian mythology, a mock wedding show and the great Indian talent circus. The iifa Buzz is a Bollywood themed cafe. The park is open from 1pm-1am, Tue-Sun. For more details and online booking, see www.kingdomofdreams.in
7. Adlabs Imagica and Aquamagica, Mumbai/Pune
This international standard park, located off the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway, is offering special discounts on regular tickets all through April as part of its birthday celebrations. Under the Bye Bye Exams scheme, until April 30, students can buy entry tickets for Rs 1,000 per head on production of valid hall ticket and school/college ID. The park has styled itself on the Universal Studios and has 25 themed rides and 7 themed restaurants. Every evening, the park holds a Grand Imagica Parade. The regular park timings are 11am-8pm, Mon-Fri and 11am-9pm on Sat and Sun. For more details and online booking, see http://www.adlabsimagica.com/.