Looking for last-minute family travel ideas? Ann Tatko, travel editor for the Merc and Times, has put together a top 10 list of astonishing theme parks for those getaways when mere roller coasters and wave pools aren’t enough to thrill. Here’s just a taste… wait’ll you get to the crocs…

1. Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico: An underground river, dolphin swims, pools galore, Mayan architecture and even the re-creation of a 3,500-year-old ball game – you know the one, where losing is a real, real, real bummer – woo families to this all-inclusive resort and theme park.

2. Legoland, Carlsbad: Build a Lego raft, float down a lazy river or brave the thrills of the water slides at Legoland’s new five-acre water park.

3. Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park, Queensbury, New York: This 38,000 sq. ft. indoor water park includes the Avalanche family raft ride, multiple water slides and the multi-level, interactive Tall Timbers Treehouse – a very wet ride indeed.

4. Futuroscope, Loire Valley, France: This sci-fi themed park includes virtual reality safaris, and a 4D roller coaster ride.

5. Crocosaurus Cove, Darwin, Australia: Where you can swim with crocodiles in the glass-enclosed Cage of Death (pictured). Um, fun?