Everyone knows that there is magic that only happens at a Disney park. Maybe it’s the sight of a parade of your favourite characters rounding the corner, or ‘that’ photo wearing Minnie Mouse ears. But from California to Chiba, it’s not just castles and characters. It’s wildly different worlds, each shaped by its home city.
Some are compact and charming, others grand-scale universes with their own skylines. Whether you’re planning your first visit or your fifth, these parks offer something for every type of traveller: families, couples, culture seekers, thrill fans, and yes - full-blown Disney adults.
Disneyland Resort (Anaheim, California, USA)
Best for: Families, nostalgia seekers, Disney first-timers
The original magic-maker. At Disneyland Resort, you’re stepping into the storybook that started it all. Two parks side by side, just a skip from Los Angeles. Disneyland Park has been charming visitors since 1955, while the 21st-century Disney California Adventure brings Marvel, Pixar and California flair into the mix. There’s something timeless here: castles, churros, rides with history … and enough new hits to keep even the Marvel crowd entertained.
Things to do at Disneyland Resort
Ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway for all ages, no height limit, and pure cartoon chaos that’s good for the whole family.
Take that classic Disneyland pic in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Go classic and spin teacups with the Mad Hatter, board a ship at the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, or brave a ghost or two on Haunted Mansion.
Build your own story in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Yes, you can fly the Millennium Falcon.
Help save the multiverse at Avengers Campus, where live battles and magic portals are part of the job.
Watch Tale of the Lion King come to life on the Fantasyland Theatre stage.
Catch a parade or fireworks show that lights up the whole park.
Where to stay near Disneyland Resort
Walt Disney World Resort (Orlando, Florida, USA)
Best for: Big groups, multigenerational travellers, park hoppers, Disney die-hards
Bigger than some cities, Walt Disney World is less a theme park and more a full-blown Disney universe. Sprawling across central Florida, it’s home to four theme parks, two water parks, four golf courses, and more than 25 themed resorts. You’ll find everything from Cinderella’s Castle to a working African savanna. It’s the kind of place where you can go full immersion, riding Guardians of the Galaxy one day and dining in a French bistro the next.
Things to do Walt Disney World Resort
Explore all four parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Each has its own icons, rides and worlds to discover.
Hop on the new TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom, or test your bravery on Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom.
Pilot the Millennium Falcon or outrun stormtroopers in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios.
Eat and drink around the world at EPCOT’s World Showcase. There are 11 countries and countless cuisines.
Catch fireworks over Cinderella Castle, or head to Animal Kingdom for a nighttime safari.
Cool off at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach.
Book a character dining experience with Mickey.
Where to stay near Walt Disney World Resort
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (Lantau Island, Hong Kong SAR)
Best for: First-timers, young families, short-haul trips from Southeast Asia
Compact, charming, and easy to navigate, Hong Kong Disneyland is a fan favourite for families wanting the magic without the overwhelm. Set on lush Lantau Island, it’s the most accessible park for many in Asia-Pacific. That’s just 15 minutes by taxi from the airport. Despite its size, it punches above its weight with the brand-new World of Frozen, an immersive Arendelle where Elsa’s palace glimmers above a fjord. Add that to the Iron Man Experience, Mystic Manor, and traditional Disney hits, and you’ve got a park that feels both familiar and fresh.
Things to do at Hong Kong Disneyland
Enter Arendelle at World of Frozen, with a boat ride through Elsa and Anna’s story and snow-covered streets that feel straight out of the film.
Ride Mystic Manor, a Hong Kong-exclusive spin on the Haunted Mansion that swaps ghosts for enchanted artefacts and a mischievous monkey.
Take flight on the Iron Man Experience, where Stark tech meets cityscape thrills.
Catch the Momentous nighttime spectacular, with lights, lasers, fireworks and more projected onto the castle.
Stroll through Main Street, U.S.A., snack on Mickey-shaped treats, and take photos with Disney friends in Cantonese and English.
Explore Adventureland by boat, raft or Tarzan’s Treehouse
Head to Tomorrowland for high-speed space missions.
Where to stay near Hong Kong Disneyland
Tokyo Disney Resort (Chiba, Japan)
Best for: Theme park purists, anime lovers, couples, returning Disney fans
This is Disney with Japanese precision and hospitality, where rides are slick, snacks are Instagrammable, and cast members bow as you board. Just outside Tokyo in Chiba, the resort is made up of two stunning parks: Tokyo Disneyland (the classic) and Tokyo DisneySea (one-of-a-kind, water myth and legend-themed and a fan favourite globally). Everything here feels extra polished: the ride tech, theming, even popcorn flavours - hello soy sauce and butter.
Things to do at Tokyo Disney
Dive into Tokyo DisneySea, the only park of its kind in the world. Ride Journey to the Center of the Earth or set sail on Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage.
Explore Fantasy Springs, with lands from Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan.
Experience beloved classics in Tokyo Disneyland, including Pooh’s Hunny Hunt in a trackless, honey-swirling journey unique to Japan.
Catch the Dreaming Up! parade with over-the-top floats and choreography.
Try themed eats: alien mochi, sea salt ice cream, or the famed curry popcorn.
Shop at Bon Voyage or World Bazaar, where even the packaging is next-level cute.
Where to stay near Tokyo Disney
Shanghai Disney Resort (Shanghai, China)
Best for: Next-gen Disney fans, high-tech lovers, short breaks from East and Southeast Asia
Shanghai Disney is the boldest of the bunch: a modern park designed from the ground up for a new generation of Disney-goers. You’ll find fewer replicas here and more innovation: from its lush gardens and wide boulevards to massive, tech-heavy rides. It’s home to the largest Disney castle in the world and super high-octane attractions: the TRON Lightcycle Power Run. Close to Pudong Airport and easily reached by metro, this is Disney, reimagined.
Things to do at Shanghai Disney Resort
Ride the TRON Lightcycle Power Run, where you’ll race through a glowing grid on a motorbike-style coaster.
Cruise through Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, a next-gen dark ride with spinning boats, projections, and a giant Kraken.
Take little ones to Camp Discovery, a rope-bridge trek through waterfalls and caves in Adventure Isle.
Marvel at the Enchanted Storybook Castle. It’s the tallest, largest and most interactive Disney castle, celebrating the princesses.
Watch Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration, Shanghai’s castle projection, laser, and fireworks show, choreographed to music.
Taste local twists on Disney favourites, like Mickey pork buns or matcha gelato.
Where to stay near Shanghai Disney
Shanghai Disneyland Hotel: Upscale and serene, with Art Nouveau design, lakeside views, and a dedicated entrance to the resort.
Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée, France)
Best for: Europe-bound travellers, romantics
With a sprinkle of French flair and a short train ride from central Paris, Disneyland Paris feels like a storybook come to life. There are two parks here - Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park - set among cobbled streets, pastel castles and manicured gardens. It’s compact but packed with European charm: think Ratatouille rides, Mickey croissants and a castle with French châteaux twists. It’s a uniquely European Disney experience.
Things to do at Disneyland Paris
Step into Disneyland Park, where fairy tales reign. Ride Big Thunder Mountain or wander through the Dragon’s lair beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Explore Walt Disney Studios Park, home to Avengers Campus and the Ratatouille 4D ride, where you shrink to rat-size and zip through a Parisian kitchen.
Catch Disney Stars on Parade, a high-energy mix of floats, music and dancing with a European twist.
See Disney Illuminations, a night-time extravaganza with fireworks, castle projections and show-stopping soundtracks.
Nibble through the resort: pain au chocolat, Nutella crêpes and Mickey-shaped waffles await.
Where to stay nearby
Finally know which Disney park you want to visit?
(We know it’s all of them!)