- Disney resorts and theme parks can be found all around the world.
- In the United States, travelers can experience movie-themed rides and character parades at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and Disneyland in Anaheim, California.
- Fans can also experience the company’s magic at three parks in Asia, including Tokyo Disney, Hong Kong Disneyland, and Shanghai Disney.
- Europe is home to its own Disney theme park, called Disneyland Paris.
Whether you’re in Europe, Asia, or North America, there are Disney destinations to experience all across the globe.
Of course, each location is full of Disney magic, but no two parks are exactly the same. Cinderella’s castle in Walt Disney World, for example, is only open to special guests and breakfast diners. But in Disneyland Paris, any park visitor can walk through the whimsical building.
From Walt Disney’s first-ever theme park in Anaheim, California, to the nautical-themed attractions in Tokyo, here’s what Disney attractions look like around the world.
Disneyland first opened for business in 1955.
The first theme park created by Walt Disney still stands today in Anaheim, California.
It's currently comprised of two parks - Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park - and three resorts.
Disneyland Park is home to Sleeping Beauty's castle.
From the outside, the castle serves as a stunning pink-and-blue backdrop to tourist photos. But on the inside, visitors can walk through interactive scenes from the 1959 film "Sleeping Beauty."
Parkgoers can also use the castle's tunnel to travel between Fantasyland and Main Street.
Main Street USA was inspired by Walt Disney's hometown of Marceline, Missouri.
While on the strip, visitors can shop, dine, and even create custom Mickey Mouse ears, according to Disney blog WDW Info.
Visitors can also experience Main Street USA by riding vehicles like the Disneyland Railroad, Fire Engine, omnibus, and horse-drawn carriages.
In Adventureland, you can walk through a replica of Tarzan's home.
Tarzan's Treehouse is a walk-through exhibit inspired by the 1999 film "Tarzan." Visitors of any height are allowed to enter the 80-foot-tall tree.
You can also find the Indiana Jones Adventure, Enchanted Tiki Room, and Jungle Cruise in this adventurous section of the park.
Next door is New Orleans Square.
The aesthetic of New Orleans Square is inspired by the Louisiana city, and houses Disneyland Park's spookiest attractions.
The Haunted Mansion is located within the space, as well as the Fortune Red fortune teller and Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
A number of classic Disney attractions are located within Critter Country.
This section of the California theme park includes rides such as Splash Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes.
You can take the Disneyland Railroad to visit different sections of the park.
The full train ride lasts 18 minutes, and stops at four different locations throughout the park, such as Mickey's Toontown and Tomorrowland.
Even more thrilling attractions can be found inside Disney California Adventure Park.
While all Disney parks are family-friendly, Disney California Adventure Park is geared towards teenagers and adults.
Rides like Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! and Mickey's Fun Wheel, for example, are perfect for older visitors who are young at heart. The second section of the California destination also serves alcohol, while Disneyland Park does not.
There are activities for all ages within Cars Land.
This themed section of Disney California Adventure Park is inspired by the 2006 film "Cars."
It was designed to look exactly like the film's fictional city of Radiator Springs, and is home to three rides, including Radiator Springs Racers, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, and Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters.
Pixar Pier is one of the most recent additions to Disney California Adventure Park.
Animated characters from Pixar come to life at this boardwalk-style section of the park. Guests can ride attractions like Toy Story Midway Mania or the Incredicoaster, and then relax at the shops and restaurants spread throughout Pixar Pier.
Walt Disney World is located in Orlando, Florida.
The second Disney theme park opened in 1971, five years after Walt Disney's death. It was originally comprised of a single park, Magic Kingdom, which remains as one of the most popular Disney attractions in the world.
Cinderella's castle greets visitors as they enter the park, but only from a distance.
Most of the castle is closed to park guests, aside from those who attend a Princess breakfast in the dining hall, or a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Celebrities and other special guests are also allowed to stay in an exclusive suite at the castle.
Surrounding the landmark are a ton of classic rides, such as Splash Mountain, It's a Small World, and Haunted Mansion.
You can see all of your favorite characters walking down Main Street USA during parades.
Currently, Walt Disney World hosts two parades at Magic Kingdom: the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party.
New parades are also added seasonally, such as the Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
There's more than one castle within Magic Kingdom.
In 2012, Walt Disney World completed its latest renovations on Fantasyland.
The updated section includes attractions inspired by "The Little Mermaid" and "Beauty and the Beast," all of which are located within the princesses' respective castles.
Hollywood Studios has seen a ton of changes in recent years.
The park was originally called "Disney MGM Studios," and doubled as a working sound stage, according to WDW News Today.
Today, many of the park's original attractions have been removed, like The Great Movie Ride and the Studio Backlot Tour, to make space for the upcoming Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge destination.
Still, some classic attractions remain, such as the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster.
Read more: 24 photos of old Disney World attractions we wish would come back
Toy Story Land was added to Hollywood Studios in July 2018.
The newly-added section of the park includes three rides - the Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster, Alien Swirling Saucer, and Toy Story Mania - and one restaurant.
Animal Kingdom is home to a surprising number of thrill-seeking rides.
Upon entering the park, visitors are greeted by the Tree of Life, a landmark that has animal silhouettes carved into its bark, and disguises the fav-favorite It's Tough to Be a Bug attraction.
Further inside, park-goers can expect to find action-packed rides such as Expedition Everest and Avatar Flight of Passage.
Visitors can also learn about wildlife in the midst of magical attractions.
The Kilimanjaro Safari and Maharajah Jungle Trek are two attractions where visitors can view animals such as giraffes, lions, and rhinos.
Epcot is known for its giant white sphere that sits at the front of the park.
Walt Disney originally envisioned Epcot as a utopian city where people could actually live and work, according to Disney Tourist Blog. The park's name perfectly represents this plan, as it stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.
But today, the park is known for its futuristic rides, like Mission: SPACE and Soarin' Around the World.
Epcot's World Showcase makes you feel as though you're traveling through 11 different countries at once.
The multicultural exhibit features replicas of 11 different countries, such as France, Morocco, and Japan, and takes five hours to walk through. There are also rides, restaurants, and shops located within each destination to help give visitors a better sense of each country.
Walt Disney World is also home to two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
At Blizzard Beach, travelers can race down the Toboggan Racers, and rush through the Summit Plummet slide.
Typhoon Lagoon is also worth a visit, as it includes attractions like the Crush 'n' Gusher slide, Castaway Creek, and Humunga Cowabunga water drop.
Tokyo Disney Resort first opened in 1983.
The Tokyo location was Disney's first attraction built outside the US, and currently includes two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Cinderella's castle sits inside Tokyo Disneyland, and looks identical to the one located within Walt Disney World in Florida. But unlike the original destination, visitors can actually walk through Japan's castle as part of Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall exhibit.
On special occasions, classic Disney characters can be seen wearing traditional Japanese garments like kimonos.
The two Tokyo parks also offer meet and greets with characters that you can't find in any other Disney destination. Duffy the bear and ShellieMay, for example, are extremely popular in Japan, and can be met in Tokyo DisneySea.
In Tokyo Disneyland, parkgoers can expect to find characters like Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde from the 2016 film "ZooTopia."
Pooh's Hunny Hunt is a unique attraction that's only available in Japan.
During the ride, visitors can sit inside one of Pooh's honey pots and take a journey through the Hundred Acre Woods.
Tokyo Disneyland also offers other exclusive rides, such as Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Goofy's Paint 'n' Play House, and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek.
Of course, there are some similarities between Tokyo Disneyland and other parks around the world.
Mickey's Toontown, for example, is included in both the Japanese location and Disneyland Park in California. But in Tokyo, Disney travelers can step inside everything from Donald Duck's boat to Chip 'n Dale's Treehouse, both of which are not available in the US.
The Dreamlights Electrical Parade is the ultimate way to end a day at Tokyo Disneyland.
Mickey Mouse, Aladdin, and the Cheshire Cat are just some of the classic Disney characters you can expect to find at this nighttime parade where everything is covered in LED lights.
From Tokyo Disneyland, visitors can take the monorail over to Tokyo DisneySea.
The entire train is Mickey-Mouse-themed, from the mouse-shaped windows to the Mickey-shaped handles.
Tokyo DisneySea celebrates the relationship between humans and the ocean.
While most Disney theme parks are split into sections like Fantasyland and Critter Country, Tokyo DisneySea takes a different approach, splitting the park into seven different ports of call.
Tower of Terror looks a lot different in Tokyo than it does in other Disney theme parks.
In Florida, the spooky attraction is inspired by "The Twilight Zone" television show, and in California, the classic ride was recently renovated with a "Guardians of the Galaxy" theme.
But in Tokyo DisneySea, the Tower of Terror is set in 1912 New York City, and follows the mysterious disappearance of the hotel's owner. The ride's exterior is also unique, and matches the parks nautical theme.
Toy Story Mania! also looks a bit different in Japan.
To enter the ride, parkgoers must step inside Woody's mouth. From there, visitors will feel as though they've shrunken to the size of a toy, as giant board games and larger-than-life "Toy Story" characters line the queue.
Mermaid Lagoon is one of the park's most whimsical ports.
Inside, visitors can indulge in seven different rides and attractions inspired by "The Little Mermaid." The Whirlpool and Flounder's Flying Fish Race are perfect for those seeking an adrenaline rush, while Ariel's Playground and Jumpin' Jellyfish are ideal for younger travelers.
Disneyland Paris has been around since 1992.
Like in Tokyo, there are two parks within the Paris location: Walt Disney Studios Park and Disneyland Park. Before entering the latter, travelers will encounter relaxing fountains, Mickey-shaped shrubs, and a giant clock tower.
Disneyland Park in Paris is home to Sleeping Beauty's castle.
Visitors are allowed to step inside the stunning pink-and-blue structure, and view scenes from "Sleeping Beauty." Those who enter will, of course, learn about Aurora, but also face Maleficent in the form of a dragon.
Alice's Curious Labyrinth is one of the most unique features of Disneyland Park in Paris.
Visitors can walk through the whimsical pathway leading up to the Queen of Hearts' Castle, and encounter characters from "Alice in Wonderland" along the way.
You can learn about inventions from the 19th century at the Discovery Arcade.
Inventions, patents, posters, and futuristic gadgets fill the halls of this golden building. Disneyland Paris even describes the spot on its website as a "gas-lit homage to the imaginative, and sometimes bizarre, ideas and inventions for the future."
Phantom Manor is arguably the creepiest ride within the Paris parks.
The ride follows the story of a fictional character named Henry Ravenswood, who became rich after mining gold in the fictional town of Thunder Mesa. But after a series of unfortunate events unfolded and killed the Ravenswood family, their mansion was the only thing left standing.
Today, Disneyland Paris guests can enter the Phantom Manor, and visit the 999 ghosts who are said to haunt the premises.
You can celebrate the magic of movies at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris.
Walt Disney Studios Park is strongly reminiscent of Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, and has rides inspired by Disney movies like "Finding Nemo," "Toy Story," and "Ratatouille."
Every inch of the Disneyland Paris-based park makes you feel as though you're walking around Hollywood.
From a replica Hollywood sign to the spooky Hollywood Tower Hotel looming in the distance, Walt Disney Studios Park has a classic California aesthetic.
You'll feel like a movie star while visiting Paris' Disney Studio 1.
Disney Studio 1 is designed to look like a movie set in the middle of Hollywood. Visitors will pass neon signs and flashing lights throughout the building, as well as real restaurants and shops.
Thrill-seeking travelers visiting the Paris location will want to head to the RC Racer ride.
This high-speed ride is inspired by RC, the remote-control car from "Toy Story." Visitors who hop inside the green car will be rocked back and forth, eventually hurtling 82 feet up in the air.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort opened for business in 2005.
Whereas most Disney theme parks are comprised of multiple smaller parks, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort stands alone.
The park was originally built to include a replica of Sleeping Beauty's castle.
The small castle looked similar to the one found in California's Disneyland Park, and still stands today. However, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is currently renovating the attraction, and the castle will soon look completely different.
Most signs in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort are written in either Mandarin, Cantonese, or English.
According to Theme Park Insider, some rides throughout the park, such as the Jungle River Cruise, are offered in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Toy Story Land is also available in the Chinese theme park.
Slinky Dog Spin is a classic ride found within the park's "Toy Story" section, as well as the RC Racer coaster. And if you're hoping to meet Woody and Jessie, you can do just that inside a blue toy barrel.
Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars is one of many fast-paced rides found at the park.
The roller coaster is nicknamed "the wildest ride in the west" for good reason - it twists and turns parkgoers throughout the fictional gold-mining town of Gower Gulch.
But if the ride is a little too action-packed for your taste, the Hong Kong park also offers attractions like the Cinderella Carousel, Mystic Manor, and Jungle River Cruise.
As in Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong parkgoers can travel between their resort and the theme park on Mickey-themed trains.
The park's Mass Transit Railway stops at three stations, and takes approximately 30 minutes to reach Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Shanghai Disney Resort is the newest Disney theme park.
The singular park was built in 2016, and is home to the Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is unlike any other in a Disney theme park. While most Disney castles are inspired by a single princess, typically Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella, the Shanghai location was inspired by the real Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany.
It stands four stories tall, and offers both a dining hall and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique inside. You can also step inside the castle to learn about Snow White, or go under it to experience the Voyage to the Crystal Grotto.
You'll have to put in some work to ride Shanghai's Explorer Canoes.
As visitors paddle through the waters of Shanghai Disneyland Resort, they're able to see shipwrecks, treasure coves, and jungle wildlife.
The park houses two attractions inspired by the film "Tron: Legacy" inside a wave-shaped building.
The TRON Realm Chevrolet Digital Challenge allows visitors to customize digital vehicles with futuristic technology.
In the same building, the TRON Lightcycle Power Run is a fast-paced coaster race that gives travelers an insight into the "energy, lights and excitement of TRON's high-tech universe," according to Shanghai Disneyland Resort's website.
Like Disneyland Park in Paris, the Shanghai destination has an Alice in Wonderland Maze.
However, the two attractions look completely different. While the Paris attraction was inspired by the original animated film, Shanghai's version is reminiscent of Tim Burton's 2010 live-action remake.
Mickey’s Storybook Express is a train-themed parade that travels down the park's Gardens of Imagination.
According to the Shanghai Disneyland Resort website, the parade covers the longest route out of every Disney theme park.
You can find a wide range of cuisine at the Shanghai Disney location.
Most of the restaurants and dining carts in Shanghai Disney Resort offer traditional Asian cuisine, including ramen. But you can also find Walt Disney World's famous turkey legs served at the Tortuga Treats stand.
- Read more:
- People are obsessed with this 'Little Mermaid' hairstyle a mom created for her daughter complete with an Ariel doll
- Disney World is selling 5-layer rainbow cotton candy that's almost too pretty to eat
- Disney is selling a whimsical pool float that looks exactly like the magic carpet from 'Aladdin'
- Enchanting photos show what it's like inside Disney's exclusive Cinderella Castle Suite, where guests can stay by invitation only