One of the highlights of our stay at Lake Garda was a visit to Gardaland – the biggest theme park in Italy. Located just a short drive from our Bella Italia campsite in Peschiera del Garda, the park was a perfect choice for a full day of family fun.
A Full Day of Fun
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Gardaland has something for everyone – gentle rides and carousels for the little ones, water attractions for those who like a splash, and roller coasters for the brave. We spent the entire day going from one ride to the next. The kids were in their element – it was nearly impossible to pull them away.
One thing you should know about Gardaland – water catches you off guard at every turn. Many rides end with a good splash, and some will soak you from head to toe even when there is not a cloud in the sky. Every few minutes, someone from our group came back from a ride dripping wet but laughing.
In May, the park was not as crowded as it would be in peak summer, so the queues were much shorter. Another benefit of visiting in May – more time for fun, less time waiting in line.
The Storm
The day at Gardaland was perfect – until the sky suddenly went dark. Towards the end of the day, a massive storm rolled in. The rain was so heavy that within minutes we were completely soaked. Riding the attractions in the downpour turned out to be an extreme experience – some of us still tried to squeeze in a few last rides, but in the end we had to give up. You can see what it looked like in our video.
We drove back to the campsite drenched from head to toe. Luckily, our mobile home had dry towels and a warm shower waiting for us – in a tent, this would have been a far less pleasant experience.
Summary
Gardaland is a must-visit for anyone coming to Lake Garda with kids. The park has rides for all age groups, and in May you get the bonus of shorter queues. Our visit ended with a dash through the storm, but to be honest, we were already wet long before the rain started – that is just how Gardaland works.