Disney Parks Around the World
You’ve probably heard about Disneyland Paris, but did you know there are half a dozen Disney parks around the world? If you and your crew are looking to see the world without sacrificing a bit of whimsy, read on to find a dose of Disney magic wherever you are!
Shanghai Disney Resort (Shanghai Disneyland)
Located in Chuansha New Town, Pudong, Shanghai, China, Shanghai Disneyland opened on June 16, 2016, and it’s home to seven themed areas: Mickey Avenue, Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land.
According to the International Business Times (IBT), the equivalent of park ticket pricing will cost about US$75 for adults and US$60 for children on holidays and weekends, and around US$60 for adults and US$45 for children on weekdays, making Disneyland Shanghai a great deal for U.S. Disney-goers used to Disneyland U.S.’s $100+ price tag.
Mickey Avenue, the entrance of the park, is the park’s equivalent of Main Street, U.S.A., but that isn’t where the similarities end. Treasure Cove is a spirited ode to Pirates of the Caribbean, while Adventure Isle’s rich story and “Roaring Rapids” ride make it perfect for aspiring explorers. If you’re looking to slow down, the Gardens of Imagination features Chinese gardens full of breathtaking cherry blossom trees, and each of the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac are represented by Disney characters! Tomorrowland is the park’s future-themed area, with a Tron-themed indoor rollercoaster, Star Wars Launch Bay, and a Buzz Lightyear ride. And Toy Story Land is…well, pretty self-explanatory!
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (Hong Kong Disneyland)
Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005 and is located on reclaimed land in Penny’s Bay, Lantau Island. It’s the largest theme park in Hong Kong, and prices range from US$99 for adults and US$77 for children and seniors, although tickets can be slightly pricier (up to US$136) for higher tiers.
Although it only has a capacity of 34,000 visitors (the lowest of all Disneyland parks), the park is still home to seven themed areas that put a unique spin on Disneyland classics like Main Street, U.S.A., Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land. Hong Kong-exclusive attractions like the Mystic Manor of Mystic Point, home to an eccentric explorer (and his monkey!), or the Frontierland-inspired Grizzly Gulch are a treat for globetrotting Disney enthusiasts, and a Frozen-themed area and a Marvel-themed area are currently in the works.
Disneyland Paris (Disneyland Paris, Walt Disney Studios Park)
Disneyland Paris in Chessy, France (east of Paris) opened in 1992, followed shortly by the opening of a second park, Walt Disney Studios Park, in 2002. After the success of Disney Tokyo Resort, Disney decided to expand to Europe. Although they considered either Spain or France, France won out. And it’s a good thing it did! Disneyland Paris is the only international Disney Park that is completely owned by Disney, and it’s also the most-visited theme park in all of Europe!
Ticket prices are similar to Disney World, ranging from roughly US$85 to over US$130, and the park features five themed areas: Discoveryland (a steampunk-style version of Tomorrowland), Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A. Don’t be fooled by these areas’ names, though—Disneyland Paris’ imagineers have truly outdone themselves. They’ve improved already-beloved rides and infused every inch of the park with Disney magic, creating a truly immersive experience you won’t find anywhere else.
The park also features several unique attractions, with a Rataoullie adventure, an immersive walk-through of the Dragon’s Lair beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Crush’s Coaster, a thrilling spin through the world of Finding Nemo. Don’t skip the “duplicate” rides, either—most “duplicate” rides offer fresh takes on beloved attractions that are often even more fun than their Floridian counterparts!
And my favorite part? Disneyland Paris offers Disney Premier Access—it’s like a Fastpass, but better! Rather than having to choose between qualifying rides, Premier Access gives guests unlimited, all-inclusive access that lets you breeze through lines at any attraction.
Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea)
Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, near Tokyo. Although it was the first Disney Resort to be built abroad, surprisingly, it’s only international Disney Park not operated by The Walt Disney Company! With tickets ranging from roughly US$33 for children and US$55-68 for adults, the park is notably cheaper than its other counterparts and consists of Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Ikspiari, their equivalent to Disney Springs. A fourth part of the park is also in the works: Fantasy Springs, set to open in 2023, which features rides and attractions themed after family favorites like Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan.
Disneyland Resort (California) (Disneyland, California Adventure)
The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California opened in 1955, and was built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. Disney originally planned to build Disneyland—the first of its kind—in Burbank, California, but the city rejected his proposal, citing fears of a “carny atmosphere.” The spot wasn’t entirely unused, though—Burbank is now home to Disney’s Walt Disney Animation Studios and ABC Studios sites. Disney ultimately decided on a larger plot of land in Anaheim, California, and the park opened with Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland, and has since added New Orleans Square in 1966, Bear Country (now known as Critter Country) in 1972, Mickey’s Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. Ticket prices are in line with Disney World (typically around $100 per person), but they offer several seasonal deals, so be sure to keep an eye on the website!
Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom)
The Walt Disney World Resort, also known as Disney World, is located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near Orlando, and opened in 1971. After the success of Disney Land, Walt Disney began designing “The Florida Project” in the 1960s. Intended to present a distinct vision with its own set of attractions, Walt Disney’s original plans included the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow”. What we now know as EPCOT was planned to serve as a community meant to test new city-living innovations. Walt Disney died in 1966, during the initial planning of EPCOT, but Walt’s older brother, Roy O. Disney came out of retirement to make sure that Walt’s biggest dream transpired.
The Magic Kingdom was the first theme park to open in the complex in 1971, followed by Epcot (1982), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (1989), and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (1998). In 2018, Walt Disney World was the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an average annual attendance of more than 58 million. Tickets range from around US$100 to US$200, but annual passes and a bit of smart budgeting can cut down that cost quite a bit.
Whether you’re looking to visit an old classic or get a taste of Disney in a new destination, I’d love to chat—I can offer exclusive vacation discounts, perfectly-tailored travel planning, and insider insights so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy your days at the happiest place on earth!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
