If there’s one thing that really makes a day at a theme park for me, it’s getting to meet a mascot. I know it’s a bit silly, but I find these brief encounters embody everything that, for me, visiting a theme park is about. Suspending disbelief and enjoying the pure escapism. For a moment, let’s pretend that this 6-foot anthropomorphic mouse is real, and he’s actually happy to see me! That sounds fun to me! Mascots are a great way to make a park stand out and also to bring some seasonal joy throughout the year. In fact, I love them so much that I decided to sit down and think about what I love – and what I don’t rate so much – about all the mascots in the parks I’ve been to! And what better way to convey this information than with everyone’s favourite: a ranking!
In order to rank the mascots of these parks, I’ve considered whether they have a significant presence in the park, whether there’s a good merchandise range, do they have a designated meet and greet location, do they have an attraction and more! In order to decide who makes the cut, I’ve only included mascots that I’ve actually seen in person and who I consider to be the key representative of the park (otherwise, this entire list would just be Clarabelle Cow!)
So, without further ado: my ranking of the theme park mascots!
22. Bradley Beaver
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Starting at the very bottom of my list with Bradley Beaver. A crime, you may say, but where is he? Bradley Beaver never shows up for work. I don’t even have a photo of this guy! Sure, he’s got a garden named after him, but let’s be honest, he’s pushing his luck there, isn’t he?
He’s made the list here as I have seen him in person once, during the opening ceremony of the 2023 season. That’s it.
21. This Green Dude idk
Babylon Park
Only slightly ahead of Bradley Beaver in that I’ve actually had a meet and greet with the guy is the unnamed (as far as I know) alien from Babylon Park in Camden. I don’t really have a whole lot else to say about him!
20. Pierrot
Bakken
Without wanting to cause a cultural incident, Pierrot is creepy. As a stock pantomime character originating in France, Bakken wasn’t even the only place I saw Pierrot on this trip, with the character also making an appearance at Tivoli Gardens. The difference is that Pierrot is heavily used in the marketing of Bakken and even has his own house and show at the park.
We walked past pretty quick.
19. Walibi
Walibi
Walibi is the mascot for all of the Walibi theme parks and is, as the name suggests, a kangaroo. (Yup.) As kangaroos go, he’s a pretty Cool Dude and has been through multiple looks throughout his history, thankfully landing on a current look that’s both cute and fun! The mascot is well used throughout the park’s branding, and he’s always at the entrance to meet guests every day! Sadly, I haven’t actually met him myself as we were on a rope drop mission!
18. Alton Bear
Alton Towers
As of this year, Alton Towers have really made a push to improve their character offering. Each area of the park now seems to have its own roaming entertainment team, and at the core of this offering is Alton Bear. Standing front and centre as the unique character always on hands to greet guests, Alton Bear has certainly had an upgrade as of this year. An inoffensive, cute little guy, I’ll always make an effort to say hi if we’re passing. Is it an absolute travesty that this rather generic bear character has replaced the absolute icon that is Darwin? Well, yes.
Bring back the dodo! Or maybe even the Hound!
17. Depressed Lion
Energylandia
Energylandia has a lot of mascots. I couldn’t name any of them honestly, but for me, when I think Energylandia, I think of this lion. Not because he’s a good mascot by any means. He doesn’t have a show, a ride, or any merchandise – at least back when I visited in 2021 – but what he has in buckets is character. This mascot might just be the most depressed character I’ve ever seen in a park! Of course, this is all down to the… friends… of the lion, but each and every time I saw him in the park, he was the most lifeless, soulless guy, surrounded by high-energy friends. I love him.
16. Bumba
Plopsaland De Panne
Oh Bumba. Bumba gets points in so many categories. Bumba has a ride, Bumba has a welcome show, Bumba has a goodbye show, and as well of this, he has plenty of merch! He just falls down on one, oh so crucial, aspect. He’s absolutely bloody terrifying. I can not stand this wretched clown baby. Get him away from me!
15. Pilou
Parc Saint Paul
The mascots of Parc Saint Paul are out here doing the Lord’s work. They have a designated meet and greet area, fantastic seasonal costumes, and are visible all over the park! As characters, they’re pretty cute too, and they even have their own CURRENCY?
14. The Dragons
Phantasialand
When I planned this ranking, I tried to stick to one mascot per park, but it’s impossible to pick just one of the dragons at Phantasialand. Like Alton Towers, Phantasialand is a park that’s seeing a resurgence in its use of roaming characters. Whilst, when I first visited the park in 2021, I didn’t meet a single character. Last December, I found myself frantically asking my Twitter followers to help identify the many, many faces I found on my travels. It has been a joy to see the dragons return to the park, particularly as the park doesn’t really offer any merchandise that isn’t based around the dragons. After seeing these fantastical creatures in illustrated form, it’s really been a journey to see them all around the park in person and what incredible costumes they all have!
As soon as Schneck confirms his long-awaited return, I’ll be booking a flight!
13. Ed Euromaus
Europa Park
Ed Euromaus is entirely lacking in charisma. There, I said it. I do not rate this mouse whatsoever. Mickey Mouse’s Waluigi does get points for having a ubiquitous presence across the resort, popping up in parades, in shows, on construction signs, and on merchandise. Despite all this, I never actually got the chance to meet him, instead meeting multiple of his mates.
Ed ranks this high based on scoring highly across all criteria for a successful park mascot. That doesn’t mean I like him!
12. Lion King
Bellewaerde
When it comes to a regional park mascot, Lion King has (almost) got it all. Fantastic outfits, a welcoming presence, multiple appearances around the park. What doesn’t he have? Well, a good name. Lion King? Really? Surely we can do better than that!
He also gets points for being one of the few to have actually been on Amazonia.
11. Cursed Candy
Hersheypark
If there’s one thing potentially better than a lovable, ubiquitous park mascot, it’s one that’s completely unhinged. Enter Hersheypark. Like Phantasialand, I simply could not pick an individual mascot here as they are all so wild!
Look at them, just look at them: https://www.hersheypark.com/explore-the-park/things-to-do/characters/
On my visit I was absolutely over the moon to meet the Twizzler! Sure, it’s the worst character design I’ve ever seen, but that’s what makes it special!
10. Freddo
Cadbury World
Pushing the definition of theme park a lot here, but Freddo is an icon, and personally, I think he’s holding Cadbury World together during a bumpy transitional period. With his own show, 4D movie, and now interactive dark ride, Freddo is without a doubt the star of Cadbury World and often appears for meets at the attraction. It’s unsurprising when the frog is perhaps the last remaining Cadbury character to hold any cultural significance. Still, what a guy.
9. Woody Woodpecker
PortAventura
PortAventura seem to have a strange relationship with Woody Woodpecker. This dated character’s face is slapped everywhere. On statues, in the hotels, on merchandise, in fountains… everywhere except in the park itself. There’s no Woody Woodpecker land, no attraction, not even a show. This woodpecker does not have a presence except at unannounced character meets.
I believe that since my visit in April, this has changed, with a variety of Woody meets being scheduled throughout the park, with the bird wearing a different outfit depending on the area he is meeting in. This is, of course, the sort of thing I love, and I sincerely hope this is the start of a brighter future for the park’s leading man. Whilst Woody no longer holds any relevance to the wider culture, this gives PortAventura a unique opportunity to make him their guy, particularly following the re-theme of the former coaster at Universal Studios Orlando.
He’s still a bit weird though, isn’t he?
8. Holidog
Holiday World
HOLIDOG! This pudgy little pup has a hold over Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, as is his right. A fully original character, Holidog regularly meets guests at the park, features as the train for one of the worst roller coasters I’ve ever ridden, and even has an enormous status within the park. Not to mention, you too can dress as this dapper gentleman with the incredible Holidog hat! (Cape also available!)
7. Peppa Pig
Paultons Park
Is Peppa Pig the Paultons Park mascot? Well, I think she might be. Sure, they had Percy the Owl, who even made a reappearance for the park’s recent anniversary celebrations, but Percy hasn’t had a constant presence within the park for many a year now. Instead, Peppa has been front and centre, and well, if you consider her a mascot, she’s up there with the best. An attraction? She’s got a whole darn land, and you best believe she’s out there meeting every day, pulling the largest line in the park as she does!
She’s debatable, but boy does she have power.
And those seasonal costumes? Oh my god.
6. Pardoes
Efteling
Pardoes is a strange one. Another mascot to really pull their weight in the park, appearing in animatronic form within Symbolica, and even having a restaurant – Polles Keuken – within the extended ‘World of Pardoes’. Pardoes, of course, has an excellent merchandise line and lovely seasonal outfits, but, for me, something just doesn’t quite land. Perhaps it’s the face sculpt, but in full-size ‘living’ form, I just don’t vibe with Pardoes as much as do during his appearances in Symbolica. He’s very unique, though, and I can’t help but smile each morning as he greets guests from atop the park entrance!
5. Bugs Bunny
Parque Warner
Another potentially debatable mascot, Bugs Bunny is in my eyes the chief mascot of Parque Warner. With the entire host of Looney Tunes and DC characters, there are a lot of characters to choose from at this park, but with Bugs having his own designated house for meets within Cartoon Village, as well as being out in the park, present in the park’s parade and, of course, available across all sorts of merchandise, the legendary rabbit just about wins this one for me.
4. Rory
Drayton Manor
My guy, Rory the Lion. Rory is, in my opinion, the hardest working of any mascot at a regional park. The guy is always throwing shapes on the park’s main stage. If you’re visiting during a seasonal event, you’ll most likely find him up to mischief in some sort of stage show too, or perhaps just wandering around the park in a seasonal outfit – his wardrobe is vast. Rory has his own collection of themed songs. He has plush, he has t-shirts, he has a gift shop named after him. Rory is a massive presence at Drayon Manor. It’s nearly impossible to spend a day there without crossing paths with him.
I adore this guy. There’s just one problem. I’m still getting used to his recent revamp. Whilst old Rory gave annoying but adorable little brother vibes, new Rory feels distinctly like the sort of guy who used to shove me into walls at school. I’m hoping I’ll get used to it in time, but we’re definitely still in a transitional period!
3. Liseberg Rabbit
Liseberg
Liseberg know how to do mascots. In fact, they know how to do just about everything. But their mascots? Sublime. A whole area of the park is dedicated to the green and pink rabbits, including the miraculous Underlandet, one of the best dark rides in Europe. The rabbits also benefit from one of the best merchandise lines I’ve seen outside of a Disney park, with fantastic fluffy ears and accessories all available at very reasonable prices. The mascots themselves are just so fun too! Look at that outfit! These are characters that exude joy, and that’s exactly what I felt every time I was in their land!
2. Snoopy
Knott’s Berry Farm (and all other former Cedar Fair parks)
Look, you don’t need me to tell you why Snoopy is good. I don’t know how anyone could hate that little guy. Snoopy is an icon, and Knott’s Berry Farm have done him proud. Snoopy, of course, has a presence across all of the former Cedar Fair parks, but I found him most perfectly represented in Knott’s. Camp Snoopy is a gorgeous kids area, with multiple great attractions aimed at younger guests. The bakery outside the park entrance had a whole array of themed snacks during my visit including a cute Snoopy cupcake for just $2!
But best of all? Whilst I was at the park, Snoopy was hosting a daytime silent disco dressed as a cowboy! Now this is what I live for!!!!!
What a king.
1. Mickey Mouse
Disney Parks, but specifically Disneyland Park
This was a foregone conclusion wasn’t it?
For all the incredible park mascots out there, no one holds a candle to Mickey Mouse. Culturally, Mickey is a juggernaught. Everyone knows that face, or more specifically, that silhouette. Three circles is all it takes for people to think of Disney’s most valuable character, and for many, of their fond memories spending time with the man himself. For all the hundreds of characters meetable across the Disney parks, meeting Mickey will always be special, and always a must-do at least once per year for me. He’s fun, he’s warm and he’s iconic. There’s simply no better theme park mascot, and I’m not sure there ever will be.
Long live the mouse!
Speak again soon,
Claire
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coasterclaire.co.uk 