Lake Garda (studio)
18 August 2026 (released)
18 h
What started in the 1980s as a modest lakeside bathing spot on the eastern shore of Lake Garda has quietly evolved into one of Italy's most absurdly ambitious independent theme park resorts. Rather than letting a global media conglomerate call the shots, the owners of CanevaWorld Resort simply decided to build their own sprawling dual-park empire, splitting the domain into Caneva Aquapark and Movieland Studios.
Navigating the resort in August requires a tactical eye on the weather app. On a blisteringly clear Italian day, the queue lines can test the patience of even the most saintly parent. Yet, a slightly ominous weather forecast—the kind that threatens rain that never actually materialises—acts like a magical crowd-dispersal tool. On our second day, the park was practically deserted, allowing us to stride onto rides that had previously demanded a lengthy wait.
At Caneva Aquapark, my six-year-old completely lost his heart to the Kamika Volcano and the Scorpion slides, tackling them with the fearless enthusiasm only a young child can muster. For the adults, the real surprise was the food pricing. Preparing oneself for the usual highway-robbery theme park prices proved unnecessary; pizza, drinks, and snacks were priced reasonably enough to avoid a minor heart attack at the register.
Crossing over to Movieland Studios, the visual flair of the place immediately registers. It punches well above its weight, channelling a kinetic, live-action energy that could easily give Universal Studios Florida a run for its money. Instead of relying heavily on CGI screens, the park leans into glorious physical effects, high-octane stunt shows, and genuinely terrifying speedboats.
The sheer breath of rides on offer—from intense free-fall towers to full-throttle explosive action shows—keeps energy levels sky-high. It turns out a couple of days spent dodging pyrotechnics and conquering water slides in Lazise is precisely the kind of chaos every child dreams of.
CanevaWorld Resort Official
Website.
