Disney Parks around the world

Are you a fan of Disney magic and dreaming of discovering all the Disney parks around the world? Do you wonder where they are located, what their history is, and what makes them unique? Or maybe you are trying to decide which one will be your next Disney trip? You are in the right place!

In this article, I take you on a journey around the world to discover the different Disney resorts. You will find a complete presentation of the parks they include, their history, the iconic lands that make them unique, as well as some must-know anecdotes and historical facts. Whether you are a Disney enthusiast or planning your next trip, this article will give you an overview of Disney parks around the world.

Table of Contents

1. Key figures of Disney parks around the world
2. Understanding Disney vocabulary and Disney Experiences
3. Disney resorts around the world
4. Disney parks around the world
   1. Disneyland Resort parks – California
   2. Walt Disney World parks – Florida
   3. Tokyo Disney Resort parks – Japan
   4. Disneyland Paris parks – France
   5. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort parks – China
   6. Shanghai Disney Resort parks – China
   7. Future Disney resort parks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
5. Which Disney park to choose around the world?
6. How to prepare for a visit to a Disney park worldwide?
7. FAQ about Disney parks around the world
8. Other Disney experiences around the world

Understanding Disney vocabulary and the Disney Experiences division

When booking a Disney trip, it can sometimes be tricky to understand all the terms used. Between resort, park, land, and other specific expressions, it is important to know their meaning to better plan your stay. Don’t worry, here is a clear and simple summary to help you understand quickly.

• Disney Resort: A Disney Resort refers to a complex that includes one or more Disney parks, hotels, restaurants, and sometimes other services such as shopping centers or water parks.
  Example: Disneyland Paris is a resort made up of Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, several Disney hotels, and Disney Village.
• Disney Park: A Disney Park is a themed space with attractions, shows, restaurants, and character meet and greets. Each park has its own identity.
  Example: Magic Kingdom in Florida is a Disney park famous for Cinderella Castle and iconic rides like Space Mountain.
• Land: A land is a themed area located inside a Disney park. Each land offers scenery, attractions, shops, and restaurants linked to a specific theme.
  Example: Adventureland at Disneyland Park in Paris immerses visitors in an exotic adventure world with attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Disney Cruise Line: Disney Cruise Line is Disney’s cruise company, offering voyages at sea with Disney shows, character meet and greets, and stops in magical destinations.
  Example: A Caribbean cruise aboard the Disney Wish, where guests enjoy Disney activities while discovering paradise islands.
• Disney Experiences: Disney Experiences (formerly Disney Parks, Experiences and Products) is the division of The Walt Disney Company that manages Disney theme parks, cruises, hotels, and immersive Disney experiences worldwide.
  Example: Disney Experiences oversees the opening of new attractions such as Avengers Campus in several Disney resorts.
  

Disney resorts around the world

When we start talking about Disney parks around the world and planning a trip, it is essential first to look at the Disney resorts. As mentioned earlier, Disney parks are not standalone entities but part of large complexes called resorts. Worldwide, there are 6 Disney resorts (+ 1 resort under construction in Abu Dhabi), each including one or more theme parks, as well as hotels, restaurants, and various immersive experiences.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Country: Japan
Region: Chiba
Number of parks: 2
Opening year: 1983

Shanghai Disney Resort

Country: China
Region: Shanghai
Number of parks: 1
Opening year: 2016

In addition, there is a unique resort in Hawaii, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, which stands out from the others as it is entirely dedicated to a hotel complex without a theme park, as well as a future resort in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Understanding this organization is the first step in properly planning your next Disney trip, by choosing the resort that best matches your wishes and expectations.

Disney parks around the world

Disneyland Resort parks

Disneyland Park

Park history: Disneyland Park in California, inaugurated on July 17, 1955 in Anaheim, is the first Disney theme park designed and opened under the supervision of Walt Disney himself. It was born from Walt’s wish to create a place where parents and children could have fun together.

It is one of the smallest Disney parks in terms of size, mainly due to budget and land constraints during its design. In the 1950s, Walt Disney had to finance the project with limited resources, notably through a partnership with the ABC television network, which helped fund the park in exchange for a dedicated show: “The Disneyland TV Show”.

Walt chose this site in Anaheim because it was one of the few affordable and accessible locations near Los Angeles. However, he underestimated the park’s potential success and did not acquire enough surrounding land. Soon after its opening, Disneyland became a huge success, but the neighboring land was bought by other businesses, preventing Disney from expanding the park as he had wished.

The lands in the park: Disneyland Park in California is made up of the following lands: Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Critter Country, and Mickey’s Toontown.

Number of attractions: 52 attractions

Area: 34 hectares

Disney California Adventure Park

Les lands dans le parc : Le Disney California Adventure Park est composé des lands suivants : Buena Vista Street, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens Park, Pacific Wharf, Grizzly Peak, Hollywood Land, Avengers Campus et Cars Land.

Number of attractions: 34 attractions

Area: 29 hectares

The parks of Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

The lands in the park: Magic Kingdom is made up of the following lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, and Liberty Square.

Number of attractions: 48 attractions

Area: 43 hectares

Epcot

History of the park: EPCOT, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, opened on October 1, 1982. Originally imagined by Walt Disney as a futuristic experimental city (Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow), the project was rethought after his death to become a theme park celebrating technological innovation, world culture, and the exploration of the future.

The park is divided into four main areas: World Celebration (creativity and community), World Discovery (science and technology), World Nature (environment and nature), and World Showcase (world cultures and traditions). EPCOT continues to evolve to reflect Walt Disney’s spirit of progress and global unity.

Number of attractions: 11 attractions

Number of attractions: 11 attractions

Disney Hollywood Studio

History of the park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, opened on May 1, 1989.

Originally designed to celebrate the film, television, music, and theater industries, the park allowed visitors to discover the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood through attractions, shows, and sets inspired by major productions.

Over the years, the park has evolved to include popular immersive worlds such as Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, which transports visitors into the Star Wars universe, and Toy Story Land, where guests are immersed in the colorful world of the Toy Story films.

With its iconic attractions, such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a unique experience combining cinema, epic adventures, and legendary Disney stories.

Number of attractions: 18 attractions

Area: 55 hectares

Animal Kingdom

History of the park: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, opened on April 22, 1998, a date chosen to coincide with Earth Day.

This unique park combines a traditional theme park with a zoo, highlighting nature, wildlife, and conservation. Designed to celebrate the animal world, whether real, imaginary, or extinct, Animal Kingdom offers immersive attractions, safaris, and themed areas inspired by continents such as Africa and Asia.

The park also features Pandora – The World of Avatar, a spectacular area inspired by James Cameron’s film Avatar, where visitors can explore the planet Pandora with its floating mountains, bioluminescent flora, and major attractions such as Avatar Flight of Passage, a fully immersive 3D experience.

The park’s emblem, the Tree of Life, stands at its center, symbolizing the connection between all living beings.

Number of attractions: 20 attractions

Area: 235 hectares

The parks of Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disneyland

History of the park: Tokyo Disneyland, located at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, opened on April 15, 1983.

It was the first Disney park built outside the United States, created in partnership with the Japanese company The Oriental Land Company, which manages it. Inspired by the Magic Kingdom parks in California and Florida, Tokyo Disneyland offers a Disney experience combining classic attractions, shows, and character encounters, all with a unique Japanese touch.

The park is known for its warm hospitality, spectacular parades, and attention to detail, making it one of the most popular Disney parks in the world.

Number of attractions: 29 attractions

Area: 47 hectares

Tokyo Disney Sea

History of the park: Tokyo DisneySea, located at Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan, opened on September 4, 2001.

This one-of-a-kind park is inspired by myths, legends, and maritime explorations, offering an immersive experience focused on adventure and discovery. The concept of Tokyo DisneySea came from an original project called Disney’s Sea, planned for California but never built.

The park is made up of several themed ports, each dedicated to a region of the world or a specific maritime universe, with detailed scenery and spectacular attractions.

Designed for a slightly more adult audience, Tokyo DisneySea is known for its elegant atmosphere, impressive shows, and attention to detail, making it one of the most appreciated and acclaimed Disney parks worldwide.

Number of attractions: 35 attractions

Area: 61 hectares

The parks of Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Park

History of the park: Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, formerly called Euro Disneyland, opened on April 12, 1992. This park was inspired by Magic Kingdom. It was designed with strong ambitions: to offer an immersive Disney experience in Europe while respecting European culture and tastes.

The Imagineers carefully worked on every detail, from attractions to scenery, to create a rich and coherent environment.

The park stands out with its European touch, featuring architecture inspired by European castles and a careful integration into the French landscape.

This unique mix of Disney magic and European elegance makes Disneyland Park one of the most appreciated parks by Imagineers.

Number of attractions: 40 attractions

Area: 52 hectares

Walt Disney Studios Park

History of the park: Walt Disney Studios Park, located at Disneyland Paris, opened on March 16, 2002.

Designed to immerse visitors behind the scenes of cinema, television, and animation, this park highlights the world of audiovisual production. Over the years, it has evolved to include immersive areas inspired by famous Disney franchises such as Toy Story, Marvel, and Frozen.

In 2026, as part of a major expansion program, a land dedicated to Frozen will open, also marking the renaming of the park to Disney Adventure World.

Later, an exclusive land inspired by The Lion King will further enrich the experience, making the park a must-visit destination combining adventure, cinema, and iconic Disney stories.

Number of attractions: 12 attractions

Area: 27 hectares

The parks of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

Honk Kong Disneyland

History of the park: Hong Kong Disneyland, located on Lantau Island in Hong Kong, opened on September 12, 2005.

Built on an island, the park has a relatively smaller area compared to other Disney parks, making it the smallest Disney park in the world. However, it benefits from a prime location near the sea, giving it a unique natural and peaceful setting.

Designed to reflect local aesthetics and traditions, the park offers an immersive experience with classic attractions, shows, and themed areas adapted to the Asian audience.

In 2023, the park expanded with the opening of World of Frozen, a land dedicated to the Frozen universe, further increasing its appeal to visitors from around the world.

Number of attractions: 35 attractions

Area: 26 hectares

The parks of Shanghai Disney Resort

Shanghai Disneyland

History of the park: Shanghai Disneyland, located at Shanghai Disney Resort in China, opened on June 16, 2016.

It is the first Disney park in mainland China and was designed to combine the magic of Disney with Chinese culture and traditions. Larger than Hong Kong Disneyland, it offers a wide variety of attractions, shows, and themed lands, some of which are exclusive to Shanghai.

The park is known for its Enchanted Storybook Castle, the largest Disney castle ever built, which serves as the park’s centerpiece and symbol. Shanghai Disneyland continues to expand, offering new immersive experiences for visitors from around the world.

Number of attractions: 35 attractions

Area: 91 hectares

The future Disney Resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

On May 7, 2025, The Walt Disney Company announced the creation of a new Disney resort in the world. This new complex, which will include a Disney theme park, will be built in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It will open on Yas Island, an island already known for hosting other parks such as Warner Bros. World and Ferrari World. The resort will be developed and co-managed in partnership with the company Miral, already present on the island, and will be a fully indoor park.

Which Disney park to choose in the world?

Choosing which Disney park to visit in the world depends on several factors, including your location, your personal preferences, and the time of year you want to travel. Each Disney park has its own features and offers a different magical experience, so there is no single answer.

If it’s your first time visiting a Disney park, I recommend choosing the one closest to you. If you are reading the French version of my blog, chances are it will be Disneyland Paris. With its two parks, its iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle, and especially its reputation for high-quality shows, Disneyland Paris will allow you to fully enjoy the Disney experience without leaving France.

If you have already visited Disneyland Paris and want to explore another Disney park in the world, several questions can guide your choice:

Do you want to discover an iconic park such as Magic Kingdom in Florida, which represents the park Walt Disney dreamed of building if he had the means from the beginning? Or would you prefer Disneyland Park in California, the very first Disney park, designed by Walt Disney himself and the only one he saw in his lifetime?

If you are looking for a unique and immersive experience, Tokyo DisneySea at Tokyo Disney Resort is considered by many as the most beautiful Disney park in the world. This park stands out for its sophisticated lands, a more adult atmosphere, and impressive architectural details. For those who want to experience a modern park with exclusive attractions, Shanghai Disneyland is an excellent choice, with experiences such as TRON Lightcycle Power Run and the brand-new Zootopia land.

Hong Kong Disneyland, though smaller, benefits from a prime location on an island near the sea, giving it a natural and peaceful setting. It recently expanded with World of Frozen, perfect for Frozen fans.

For a complete experience, however, I still recommend the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. It remains a must-visit destination with its four theme parks and all the associated services such as hotels, restaurants, and shops.

The time of your visit is also an important factor. Some Disney parks, especially those in Asia and Florida, can be affected by tropical storms or hurricanes. I even wrote a dedicated article on the weather and climate in the different Disney parks around the world, which will help you choose the best time to go.

Finally, your choice may also depend on a specific land you want to visit. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Avengers Campus, Pandora – The World of Avatar, or the brand-new Zootopia land are all opportunities to live unique experiences.

Depending on your wishes, the time you choose, and your budget, each Disney park in the world offers something unique.

How to prepare for a visit to a Disney park?

The answer to all your questions about Disney parks around the world

Other Disney experiences around the world

Disney also offers other experiences around the world, such as the Disney Cruise Line. These are cruises aboard Disney ships that provide a wide range of activities and entertainment for the whole family.

1. Disney Magic: the first ship in the fleet, launched in 1998, offering various itineraries, including Europe and the Caribbean.
   
2. Disney Wonder: launched in 1999, sailing to destinations such as Alaska, the Pacific Coast, and the Caribbean.
   
3. Disney Dream: entered service in 2011, offering cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
4. Disney Fantasy: entered service in 2012, with itineraries in the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
   
5. Disney Wish: launched in 2022, offering cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
   
6. Disney Treasure: the newest ship, entered service in December 2024, offering cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

Although these cruises are highly appreciated for their immersive and unique experiences, and I personally dream of taking one, I encourage everyone to keep in mind the environmental impact they can represent, especially if you are considering taking several throughout your life.