By camper to Gardaland.!
Adventure for the whole family -
we visited as many as 5 parks in one great camper adventure:
Gard Gardaland
MOV Movieland
Can Caneva Aquapark
SAF Safari park
Nat Parco Natura Viva
It's the end of the school year, books are closing, and both children and US parents feel that familiar fatigue from everyday tasks, tasks and schedules. Behind us are months of study, school projects, parent meetings and quick morning routines. It's time for us all to reward ourselves – and what better reward than adventure?
They have earned it – our little (or big) schoolchildren gave their best, showed effort, will and perseverance. And we are here to thank them for that and together with them create memories that will be remembered longer than any school grade.
A trip to Gardaland is the perfect way to mark the end of another school year – exciting, relaxing and full of laughs, and a trip to Gardaland by camper – an even bigger adventure that nothing can surpass.
We have prepared ourselves in detail for a 7-day adventure, but when life gives you a schoolboy with a fever before departure, you wait patiently for the condition to improve and go on the road! Follow our detailed travelogue with useful tips, route and recommendations for an unforgettable family trip!
FIRST DAY
The journey called "camper in Gardaland" was long on our wish list , and the excitement when we announced the departure date was at its peak!
Although the plan was to leave on Tuesday, the temperature of the schoolgirl (which came due to all the excitement) distracted us so we left on Wednesday morning. Tuesday we used to put everything in the camper, all the clothes, food, medicine and other necessities in peace. The children woke up on Wednesday with no temperature so we slowly headed towards the camp.
Since we started getting ready for this trip quite late (because we never know so much in advance whether we will have a free camper and whether we will be able to put together so many days in one piece), we only booked the camp on Monday. Needless to say, we didn't really have too much choice because almost all the camps were already full. We found happiness in Camping Belvedere (https://www.campingbelvedere.com/en) which is in a very strategic place for us, and later you will also understand why.
As for the camp itself, it is located on Lake Garda, a very decent and neat camp, large, enough sanitary blocks that are very clean and maintained. The campsite also has its own swimming pools with slides, which was a big plus for this time of year! Since we could not choose too much, we settled for a standard Place (which turned out great – a lot of natural shade and more spacious than other places). The standard location includes a power connection of only 6A, which we were actually afraid of because it potentially meant that our air conditioner in the camper would not work since it was too little power. But even though the fuses on the pole were declared at 6A, our air conditioner worked normally, probably because all our new air conditioners in our campers have an inverter in them. We need not even mention how happy we were with the fact that we did not have to cook in the camper (it was really very hot, during the day temperatures went up to 33 degrees), but we cooled nicely before bed.
The price of the camp for five nights, two adults and two children was 350 euros.
So, the first day was spent getting to know the camp, setting up the outside part of the camper (awnings, bases under the awning, tables, chairs), grilling walnuts on our grill, swimming in the pools, enjoying a delicious dinner (children say that pizzas in the camp are excellent – that's how they looked) Sve all in all, a great start to everything that awaits us.
DAY TWO
The second day waking up at 7 a.m. and – GARDALAND!!!
Tickets for Gardaland we planned to buy online and for that day were 45 EUR per person, but our camp had cheaper tickets if we bought through them – 41 EUR per person, so we made it. Since we had already settled in the campsite on the first day and set up the entire outer part, we decided to go to Gardaland by public transport – bus, which proved to be a hit! From the campsite to the main street there is a 10-minute easy walk and on the main street there is also a bus station through which buses that drive to Gardaland often pass (do not follow the timetable that is online because no buses stick to it, but buses often run so it is not a problem). Since we have not found the exact designation for the bus station anywhere and that none of the people who work there know where the station is, we put the exact location for the bus station so that you do not search: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WK1Gx32YAso4aNqm8
We had only two stations to Gardaland (Gardaland is already the second station), so we arrived very quickly. We have to praise Italian public buses-despite the high temperatures outside (over 30 degrees), the bus was very comfortable because all their buses are full air-conditioned!
It's 9:15 and we're coming to preeed GARDALAND!! Excitement at the peak-both children and US adults! Since we arrived early, we managed to relax in peace, take a little walk.a few minutes before 10 o'clock the opening spectacle – Gardaland Opening Show – music, dance and light effects in front of the entrance to the park. On the scene arrived Prezzemolo and his merry band: Aurora, Pagui, Bambù, Ti-Gey and Mously. With a cheerful atmosphere and imaginative costumes, we immediately felt that a day full of magic and fun awaits us!
Since we chose a working day of the week (not a weekend) to visit Gardaland, it was not too crowded, but an extra tip – when everyone immediately at the beginning of the rush to the initial attractions, skip them and go to those that are a little further away, there will be no crowds at all! Be sure to install Gardaland's app on your mobile phone, as you will see the entire park plan and how long it takes to see each attraction.
Do we have to write specifically about attractions in Gardaland? This is an experience that every child should experience (not just a child). Gardaland is full of attractions-for older and younger, for adventurers and for those who are not so brave…
What attractions would we like to share?
A wish (40 years).): "Although every time I wonder what I needed while I was sitting in the seat, and the belts and suspenders tighten and are the only ones that keep me alive, after every adrenaline attraction the feeling is fantastic and I want to do it again, so I would put it first Raptoron the other hand, the famous Blue Tornado, then Oblivion well Shaman. Among the other attractions, I would like to Fuga da Atlantis this new attraction. Animal Treasure Island - because of the beautiful space underground that abounds in detail and imagination of the entire space.”
John (54).): "I can't single out any attractions specifically because they are and Blue Tornado i Raptor i Oblivion they are similar, but different, and each one was brilliant. What I could advise parents with children who can go to these attractions, and do not know if the children will endure it, is to go to a great attraction first Shaman - a green train that's slightly softer than e.g. Blue Tornado, it lasts shorter, there are no crowds, and yet it is sufficiently adrenaline-driven so if the children “survive” it, they can also dare to these more serious attractions that I mentioned at the beginning.”
Lara (11 years old).): "My best was Jumanji-The Adventure, then Raptor, 4D cinema, Blue Tornado, Animal Treasure Island. My advice is not to go free fall, especially if your mom scares you first!”
Emma (6.5 god."My favorite attraction was Fuga da Atlantis although on the first descent of the ship I cried (because that was the first we went on, so I was not “warm” yet), but after that I was encouraged and the second descent was great for me. The second best attraction was my cups – Rocket Factory.”
On Thursdays Gardaland works from 10 to 6 pm and we have to say that we did not get to see everything (we did not go to Pepa Pig Land and that part for the youngest), we took over 21000 steps and were dead tired. We took the bus back to the camp and immediately fell asleep.
Gardaland has completely conquered us-a blend of adrenaline, fairy tale and perfect organization. From the first moment, with the opening show and the appearance of favorite mascots, until the last ride, everything was carefully designed to delight both children and adults. The queues were tolerable, nowhere did we wait longer than 15 minutes, and often it was either immediately or 5-10 minutes, the staff courteous, and the attractions varied – from dizzying rollercoasters to a magical fantasy kingdom. The day has passed, but the memories remain for a long time.
Advice for those who are just planning: if you can, choose any day to visit Gardaland, as long as it is not a weekend, because on weekends the crowds are unbearable (many of our clients went on weekends and all were of the same opinion). Our plan was to combine two days of Gardaland + Legoland Water Park and Sea Life Aquarium, which would be ideal: from 10 to e.g. 14 hours Gardaland then go bathe in Legoland and return around 4 pm to Gardaland. On the second day of the same, only at 4pm to go to Sea life, but since we had to shorten the plan by one day, we skipped Legoland and Sea life.
Parking in Gardaland: If you do not want to go by public transport, Gardaland has a large parking area just outside the entrance, where there is also space for campers. The price of parking for a camper is about €25 per day, which is significantly higher than for a personal car (€10). It is recommended to buy a parking ticket online in advance (via the Gardaland website) to secure a spot and save time at the checkout. It is important to note that it is not allowed to stay overnight in the Gardaland car park – the car park closes after park hours (no later than an hour after the attractions close). So, after the end of the day, you will have to return with the camper to the campsite or to another official parking lot. The Parking is spacious and guarded, and there is about 5 minutes on foot from the parking lot to the entrance.
Another option is Camp stop just before Gardaland: https://park4night.com/en/place/167390 It's a slightly cheaper option.
We definitely recommend public transport if you have a campsite in the area through which buses run.
THIRD DAY
The third day (Friday) started with a forced awakening at 8 o'clock even though we were all tired from the previous day. This day was reserved for swimming. – CANEVA AQUAPARK! This huge aquapark is located right next to our campsite so we walked slowly to the entrance. In the camp we bought tickets again, two-day tickets for Caneva and Movieland (one day Caneva, the other day Movieland) which were 46 euros per person.
What to say about Caneva? Caneva conquered us as soon as we entered – we felt like we were on a Caribbean island. Countless colors, water, sand under your feet and laughter created a day to remember – the perfect combination of adrenaline and relaxation!
There are numerous water attractions: Kamika, Twin Peaks, Black Hole 2, Crazy River, Super Splash, Typhoon, Pirates Lagoon as well as multitasking like Frozen Bob - over 13 slides for all age groups.
For relaxation, enjoy Lazy River, pool with waves Shark Bay and colorful Coral Bay with sandy beaches and sun loungers. And the youngest ones have the whole zone to themselves – mini slides, fountains and safe pools.
The Park operates from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and on weekends until 7 p.m. Come to Canevo as soon as possible to take a good base – free sun loungers and parasols are available (but a limited number).
Although this day was conceived as a holiday after Gardaland, we still took over 15,000 steps and were well tired of numerous slides and adrenaline.
Camper parking: If you are not at a nearby campsite or are not taking public transport, Canevaworld has a large parking lot just outside the entrance, shared for Aquapark and Movieland (which is next door). The price of parking for campers is affordable – only €7 for the whole day, and you can park from 9:00 to 24:00 h. After midnight it is not allowed to stay overnight in that parking lot. So, you can worry about leaving the camper all day and even go to dinner or a show as part of Canevaworld, but to sleep, go back to the camp. The Caneva parking lot is open and not covered, but there is plenty of space and it is adapted to larger vehicles (the entrance is high enough, without ramps).
DAY FOUR
The fourth day (Saturday) was reserved for MOVIELAND!! Still tired from the previous two days, this morning we slept a little longer, and after breakfast we headed on foot to Movieland (right next to Caneva and our camp). Honestly, we didn't expect anything special because we were full of impressions from the previous two days, but the entrance to Movieland itself was spectacular!
Movieland completely delighted us-already at the entrance to the park we entered the world of film. We were greeted by famous characters, mostly from horror films, which caused an equal dose of laughter and anger (among the youngest). Each zone of the park had its own theme, and the rides were incredibly authentic-from adrenaline attractions like Magma rides through an erupting volcano, to Diabolik Invertigo rollercoaster who left us breathless.
Literally every ride/attraction was different and special. Right at the beginning we went to the end (tactics from Gardaland) and came to the perfect attraction that you must not miss: Kitt SuperJet - speedboat ride on the lake with incredible maneuvers and water explosions. The drivers are real stunts, and the ride is so fast and abrupt that your smile remains glued to your face despite the spray. We need not even mention that this attraction was the longest line after us, so we were lucky and came right at the beginning.
For water lovers, there is U-571 Submarine Simulator, one of the park's most special attractions – a ride in a submarine simulation where visitors act as crew and participate in a mission. In a dark and claustrophobic atmosphere with the sounds of sirens, explosions and water penetration, the experience is incredibly realistic and unrepeatable.
One of the most interesting attractions to our children in Movieland was Antares-Interstellar Space Lines. The entrance to the attraction is reminiscent of boarding a spaceship – visitors are placed in a “shuttle capsule” that simulates flight through space. But instead of classic driving, you have a surprising experience that brings together simulation of flight, rotation, vibration and even teleportation.
The spaceship "moves “towards Mars, and inside everything shakes, the lights pulsate, the screen shows the journey through galaxies!until the capsule” lands" on another planet – and we exit into a completely different space than the one we entered! That moment of teleportation was really well executed and the children were completely confused and delighted at the same time.
Antares it's not an adrenaline attraction in the classic sense, but it's technologically impressive and a lot of fun – especially for fans of space and science fiction. For us, it was a perfect break from fast driving, but with the same sense of Wonder and “film” experience.
Since the temperature was 33 degrees outside that day and that Movieland works from 10 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, around 4 p.m. We took a break and went back to camp for a swim in the pool, which proved to be a great move! We rested, recharged our batteries,and returned to Movieland at about 8 p.m. We continued with the attractions we had not yet visited in the first part.
One of our best attractions was Magma 2.1 - an adrenaline ride in a military truck through the scenery of an active volcano. It Trembled, splashed, smoked and thundered - all as in a real action movie! It felt like we were in the middle of a movie chase, and the kids were screaming in excitement.
Magma 2.1 it's not just an attraction – it's a movie action scene in which you are the main hero! As soon as you board a military truck, it is clear that this will not be an ordinary ride. We drive through an industrial zone at the foot of an active volcano, and each bend brings a new shock: explosions, fire, water jets, earthquakes and smoke that vaporizes the air. The driver is dressed as a soldier, serious and completely "in character", which further reinforces the impression that we are in the middle of an evacuation.
The day in Movieland ended in the most impressive way possible – U.S. Army Stunt Show it was real sugar at the end. The huge set is reminiscent of a war zone from an American blockbuster, and what follows is the real movie scene – live, right before your eyes.
Explosions, gunshots, rooftops, hit planes crashing into the water right in front of you, vehicles rushing through the dust, soldiers fighting and the main characters performing incredible stunts. It's all accompanied by music, effects and exciting narration – as if you were literally in an action movie. The crowd is on their feet, everyone is cheering, and the atmosphere is charged with adrenaline.
It wasn't just a show – it was a real Hollywood spectacle in the Italian way, performed live and flawlessly. It perfectly rounds up a day filled with fun, adrenaline attractions and cinematic magic.
Movieland accompanied us with an explosion of emotion – literally and conveyed! The children enjoyed every moment, and we adults perhaps even more-Movieland was a real surprise and one of the most special experiences on the journey.
Since we counted over 20,000 steps here and returned to the camper around midnight, the alarm for the next morning did not go off because we needed a lot of sleep and rest after these few days in a row full of adrenaline.…
DAY FIVE
The fifth day (Sunday) started with a slow, longer sleep, breakfast, recounting the experience from Movieland, summing up the best rides…
For this day, we planned something completely different. – Parco Natura Viva, a zoo and safari Park in one, located about 20 km east of the southern part of the lake (in the locality of Bussolengo, between Lakes Garda and Verona). After a few days of amusement parks, this was an opportunity for children to see animals and enjoy nature.
At the entrance, buy a combined ticket that includes both parts (children up to 5 years free, 6-12 years ~€19, adults ~€27). The Safari park is best visited first thing in the morning when it's not too hot and the animals are more active.
This time we went by camper because the Safari park is visited by its own vehicle among the animals of Africa, so we drove by camper through a safari Route ~5 km long that winds through fenced spacious terrains where zebras, giraffes, antelopes, ostriches, wildebeest, rhinos and even lions and Cheetahs walk freely.
Download the mobile app where you will have a map and instructions: keep your windows closed in the predator area and adhere to the speed limit (very slow, ~10 km/h). Photography is allowed (through the window).
After the safari we parked the camper in the parking lot and continued on foot to the Fauna (Zoo) park. The parking lot is spacious, with a separate part for campers; the price of parking is €5 for a camper for the whole day.
The Walking part of the park is very diverse: it is divided by continents where you will see over 200 species of animals – if you are lucky so animals do not sleep, we were not so lucky!
There are several places in the park with playgrounds and benches, so take a break when needed.
For lunch there are restaurants within the park, but you can also bring sandwiches and make a picnic – the park has a picnic area in the shade. Don't forget the hats and the water because it's part of the trails in the sun.
Honestly, after the zoo in Vienna, this Zoo did not really delight us + it was unbearably hot so we wanted to finish the tour as soon as possible, which we did and returned to the camp for refreshment in the pool!
DAY SIX
The sixth day (Monday) was intended to leave home.we prepared everything, had breakfast and headed home. Needless to say, we went all the way through the footage from Gardaland, Movieland, Caneva.and told The Impressions.
We ended our journey by “camping in Gardaland” with the question: When are we going again?!?
Our camping trip to Gardaland and the surrounding attractions was a true family adventure filled with unforgettable moments, laughter and new experiences. Although we faced small challenges like illness before departure, every day was filled with joy and discovery – from adrenaline rides in Gardaland and Movieland, to refreshing moments in Caneva Aquapark to encounters with exotic animals in Parco Natura Viva.
This combination of fun, relaxation and closeness in nature has proven to us that it is the moments together that create the most valuable memories. Traveling by camper gave us freedom and flexibility, and the warmth of shared experiences remains in our hearts.
We can't wait for another opportunity for a similar adventure because, as we concluded ourselves – the right path is not only the goal, but every minute spent together on the road.
OUR TIPS FOR ALL THOSE PLANNING A TRIP BY CAMPER TO GARDALAND:
- Try to set aside more days for this trip (minimum 5, ideally 7 days) because it is a pity to go only to Gardaland, and not to visit Movieland and Caneva. Trust us, you won't regret it!
- Make sure to plan Gardaland on weekdays, not on weekends because on weekends the crowds are unbearable.
- If it is impossible for you to plan Gardaland on a working day, in these summer days combine it with Legoland Water Park and try to connect it in two days – when the heat is highest, go refresh yourself in Legoland and then return to Gardaland.
- If you're planning Gardaland, Caneva and Movieland, try booking a campsite that is either right next to Gardaland or right next to Caneva/Movieland so you can walk to your destination for at least one or two days. Our camp was right next to Caneva / Movieland, so we could walk for two days, which proved to be strategically well planned.
- When you go to Gardaland / Movieland, try to get right to the start (they open at 10 o'clock) and do not rush the first attractions, go a little further as this way you will avoid waiting lines.
- If you are going to Caneva, also come first thing in the morning at 10 o'clock so that you can choose a good place with sun loungers in the shade – you will need it sometimes for a break.
- If you have younger children who are allowed to go to the adrenaline attractions in Gardaland with their height (Blue Tornado, Raptorniste), and you're not sure if they're ready for it, take them to the green train first Shaman it's not as bad as Blue Tornado, but still has a heavy dose of adrenaline driving. If they survive without problems, they are ready for these more serious things 😉
- As for food, there are a bunch of junk food restaurants in all parks, so everything smells like pizza, hamburgers, etc. but if you get ready early, you'll also find healthy food restaurants. Each park also has lockers that you can rent and put your food inside (put in a small portable refrigerator – the one for the beaches). We did this in Movieland because we wanted our children to eat something normal 😀
- Every park has its own mascot, the plush, to have its own souvenir shops where you will spend more money!
- Prepare yourself to walk a lot, to laugh a lot, to scream (bring some septolets), to become a child again for a moment and to spend unforgettable moments with your children that will be remembered forever…
Bon voyage!
If you need to rent a camper, you know where to find us!
