And a leaf through literature with the Dickens of theme parks on book day and other novel attractions.
We have fond memories of Dickens World in Kent on England’s south coast.
Being a Dickens fan from early days it was, of course, a thrill to sit in Dotheboys Schoolhouse from Nicholas Nickelby.
And the upturned Peggotty’s Boathouse from David Copperfield.
But most spectacularly take the midnight boat ride along the Thames that Magwitch would have done in Great Expectations.
Alas Dickens World has closed its doors these past seven years but on the upside we got to enjoy the Dickens of theme parks.
Dickens, the theme park, not the author, of course, was the brains behind the project.
As Gerry O’Sullivan-Beare had been for Andersen World.
Potter universe
And it all comes full circle with Hans Christian Andersen having been influenced by the Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen and Walt Disney too.
Theme park designing, of course, is a specialist subject.
And the architect for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter was under special instructions to recreate JK Rowling’s invention to the letter.
Which meant bringing the exact brick through US Customs from Diagon Alley for the universe that is Universal Orlando.
And we imagine he would have had to conjure up some magic excuse for the guards there.
Our favourite reads have, of course, been natural stories for our favourite rides.
And water splashes so naturally when you’ve got the most famous river trip story whaddya gonna do?
The Huck stops here
Mark Twain’s iconic rascals Tom Sawyer and Huck Finnmake a splash at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri.
Riverblast has 80 along the 567ft river channel, making it ‘America’s Biggest Water Battle.’
Child’s play
Of course not everything has to be a thrill ride and here in the UK its child’s play for adults when they pack their kids off to the Thomas the Tank Engine and Peppa Pig parks.
Tam being a carriage is, of course, a touring attraction giving us all a chance to see him and his friends.
While Peppa is the pick of PMs with Boris Johnson waxing lyrical about her adventures back in the south of England in Romsey, Hampshire.
So while we look back nostalgically on the Magwitch, Peggotty and Pickwick recreations you’ll find the Dickens of theme parks on this literary red letter day.
Just bring your imaginations.