It’s Saturday morning and I’m still tucked up in bed, giddy with excitement as cartoon hero SpongeBob SquarePants and his Bikini Bottom friends light up the TV.
Anyone would think I was an eight-year-old, eyes glued to the screen with a bowl of Coco Pops in my lap as I glug Sunny D straight from the bottle (don’t tell Mum).
Only it’s more than two decades on. I’m a 31-year-old woman, fuelled by a second coffee, but somehow holed up in a SpongeBob-themed suite inside a Nickelodeon hotel.
Somebody pinch me, because this reality is putting my childhood dreams to shame.
I’m in Antalya, the Mediterranean resort city famed for its white-sand beaches, historic old towns and luxury hotels along Turkey’s Riviera.
The country’s Turquoise Coast is now attracting a different kind of visitor thanks to Land Of Legends, Turkey’s biggest theme park and water park.
This sprawling 639,000-acre site boasts more than 75 attractions, 55 water slides, a huge open-air shopping avenue, the Kingdom Hotel and the newer Nickelodeon Hotel.
Daily Mail Travel writer Jowena Riley at the Land Of Legends resort in Antalya, Turkey
The Land Of Legends is a 639,000-acre resort that boasts more than 75 attractions, 55 water slides, a huge open-air shopping avenue, the Kingdom Hotel and the newer Nickelodeon Hotel
It’s comparable to Disneyland in many ways, featuring waterparks, theme parks, character meet-and-greets, parades, and even its own centrepiece castle
Since opening in 2016, the park, just 35 minutes from Antalya International Airport, has welcomed millions of visitors, smashing a record 64 million guests in 2025.
It first caught my eye on social media, where influencers drifted along glowing canals on parade boats beneath a glittering castle.
But it was the captions that really sold it: ‘Turkey’s Disneyland’, ‘Turkey’s Magic Kingdom’ and ‘Did you know Turkey has its own version of Disneyland?’
Accompanied by my 11-year-old nephew and sister-in-law, I’m here to find out whether the comparisons really stack up.
Growing up in the 90s, you were either a Disney kid or a Nickelodeon kid – with Cartoon Network acting as a neutral buffer.
People argued endlessly over which network was best. Older kids debated Lizzie McGuire and Even Stevens against Drake & Josh and Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide, while younger viewers chose between Kim Possible and Phineas and Ferb or SpongeBob SquarePants and The Fairly OddParents.
Safe to say, I was – and still am – Team Nick.
The Disney comparisons are obvious – both resorts offer themed hotels, rides, water parks, character meet-and-greets, merchandise and fairytale castles.
After four days’ exploring the Turkish resort – and wishing we’d had longer – I realised it doesn’t just compare, it excels in several areas.
While a day ticket to Disney World Orlando costs around $150 (£110) for adults and $109 (£80) for children, Land Of Legends charges between £42 and £70 depending on the season.
Better still, guests staying at the 401-room Kingdom Hotel or 238-room Nickelodeon Hotel receive unlimited entry to both the theme park and water park.
The themed SpongeBob suite is a dream; featuring yellow sponge-shaped sofas, coral-covered walls, bamboo-style frames of characters and furniture inspired by the cartoon
Even the bathroom continues the theme!
There’s lots to keep kids entertained, including Club Nick, a late-night cinema (pictured), and a huge arcade packed with racing games, PlayStations and rides
As for food, Le Spatula serves as the main eatery; a sprawling buffet that serves Turkish and European dishes three times a day
There are over 170 shops on-site, with a beautiful canal coursing through the middle
On select nights, visitors are treated to Boat Parades featuring Nickelodeon characters
I’m in awe as we pull up outside our home for the next four days. Giant Nickelodeon and SpongeBob signs sit in front of a towering white château. It feels like stepping into another world.
The treats begin the moment we enter the lobby: free sweet and milkshake stations that are topped up daily, golden SpongeBob statues, colourful décor and views across the Shopping Avenue before we’ve even checked in.
Alongside SpongeBob, rooms are themed around PAW Patrol, Masha And The Bear and Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles.
The attention to detail is remarkable. Every lift button features a different character, Nickelodeon’s famous orange splat decor appears throughout the hotel, and even staff-only doors read: ‘Only Team Nick Allowed.’
One thing that immediately stands out is the cleanliness. From the lobby to the lifts, hallways and outdoor spaces, staff are constantly polishing and tidying.
As we enter our SpongeBob family suite, I genuinely feel as though I’ve stepped into Bikini Bottom, the fictional land – inspired by the real-life Bikini Atoll in the Pacific Ocean – where creator Stephen Hillenberg set the popular cartoon.
Yellow sponge-shaped sofas, coral-covered walls, bamboo-style frames featuring Patrick and Squidward, furniture inspired by the cartoon and bright yellow bedside tables create an incredibly immersive space.
Even the bathroom, rug and ceiling continue the underwater Hawaiian floral theme.
The highlight? A life-sized pineapple houses the minibar and snack drawer.
Better yet, the drinks and snacks are completely free, with Coke, juice, water, crisps and biscuits replenished daily.
Travelling with my nephew, who is autistic and has Type 1 diabetes, it was important the resort catered for his needs. Thankfully, it exceeded expectations.
Children are spoilt for choice with Club Nick, a late-night cinema, and a huge arcade packed with racing games, PlayStations and rides.
Food is equally impressive. Le Spatula serves generous buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners, with everything from Turkish lamb and spiced rice (my favourite!) to pizza, pasta, lentil soups, desserts, and fresh omelettes served at breakfast.
For an extra treat, we booked the character breakfast at All Star Café (£51 for adults, £34 for children over two), where families dine alongside Dora, Patrick Star and the Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles before dancing to classics like Follow the Leader.
My nephew was initially nervous, but staff quickly helped him feel included – particularly Tilly Stewart, who went above and beyond to make his stay special.
Pictured: Jowena’s 11-year-old nephew with his favourite characters at the All Star Café breakfast
Pictured: Jowena and her nephew at their favourite theme park area, Bikini Bottom
Pictured: The hair-raising 62-metre Hyper Coaster
Pictured: Aqua Land and Tropic lagoon, offering thrilling water slides, a wave pool and a lazy river!
Before visiting the park, we explore the Shopping Avenue, home to more than 170 shops, cafés and brands including Levi’s and Guess, alongside McDonald’s, Subway and Popeyes.
At its heart stands the glittering Château, surrounded by turquoise waterways where illuminated boats drift past each evening beneath sparkling bridges, with regular parade shows reminiscent of Disney.
The hotel connects directly to the park, divided into Adventure Land, Masha And The Bear Land of Laughter, Nickelodeon Land, Tropic Lagoon and Aqua Land.
We spend our first day tackling rollercoasters, pendulum rides and family attractions.
As an adrenaline junkie, the 62-metre Hyper Coaster and Typhoon Coaster are standouts, while my nephew loves the Family Coaster, which introduces him for the first time to a mid-range thrill.
Our favourite area, however, is, you guessed it, Bikini Bottom, complete with SpongeBob’s Pineapple House, character meet-and-greets – including Squidward – and family rides such as Sandy’s Rocket Ride and SpongeBob’s Crazy Carnival Ride.
The following day belongs to the water parks, where 30-degree temperatures make us appreciate even more the wave pools, the Wild River and huge slides including Turbolance, Starship and the 457-metre Turtle Coaster.
We also watch the twice-daily dolphin show, featuring four dolphins performing alongside their trainers in a huge stadium – all included in the ticket price.
On our final full day, we catch the complimentary shuttle to sister resort Rixos Belek, where hotel guests enjoy three hours of access to the private beach, swimming pools, unlimited drinks, lunch and even free Starbucks.
As I sip a Long Island iced tea cocktail while watching the waves roll onto the sand and my nephew and his mother splash happily in the sea, I can’t help but smile.
It may not officially be the Happiest Place on Earth, but for many families visiting Land Of Legends, it just might be.
And for adults craving a little childhood nostalgia, this magical resort offers the chance to relive those long-forgotten Saturday mornings all over again.
TRAVEL FACTS
Jowena was hosted by The Land Of Legends resort and Nickelodeon Hotel, located in Antalya.
Day entry to the Land of Legends theme park and waterpark currently cost €42.50 (£36.42) for adults and €34 (£29.14) for children aged 4-11. To book, visit: www.thelandoflegends.com
A four-night minimum stay in a Themed Deluxe Room at the Nickelodeon Hotel starts at €863.89 (£740.39). To book, visit: reservations.thelandoflegends.com
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