Worldwide Disney Parks

Did you know that some of the inspiration for Disneyland began because Lillian Disney wanted Walt to find a new place to play with his trains- aside from their backyard? Walt had a lifelong love of trains that became a core concept of the theme park, and he would even conduct the Disneyland Railroad incognito throughout his life. Walt Disney has a fascinating history: nearly going bankrupt in Kansas City brought him to Hollywood in 1923, with his most recent film Alice’s Wonderland. He founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio with his brother Roy, which later became the Walt Disney Studio. Disneyland was opened on July 17, 1955, and has become a cultural phenomenon across the globe.

My mom had an obsession with all things Disney. Growing up in Orange County, California, she got to experience the evolution of Disneyland, when all that existed was the Disneyland Railroad and 20 attractions. Throughout her life, and our childhood, she frequently visited Disneyland, and she passed the nostalgia along to us. Sometimes she would wake us up in the morning for school and say, “We’re playing hookie today and going to Disneyland instead!” I have so many fond memories in the Parks, and also watching the Disney movies, dressing up like a princess and playing pretend with my siblings. We spent our last family vacation at DisneyWorld, just as my mom wanted. When I had young children, we spent every Tuesday at Disneyland, sometimes just hanging out like it was our local park. My kids would get dressed up in tiny princess dresses and bounce around with awe in their eyes. My siblings and I would go together, on days we missed our mom, and soak in the smell of warm churros. I never really set out to visit all the Disney Parks, it just evolved on its own, a fated path I let myself be taken down.

Disneyland, California

The iconic and original park, this one holds a special place in my heart, holding so many of my core memories in its archives. Of course, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is perfection, and the new Star Wars land is impressive. Besides, is there anything more nostalgic than its a small world?! California Adventure Park adds to the fun with inventive new rides and lands like Carsland. One of the best things I have done at this park is to ride the Disneyland Limited on a full trip around the Magic Kingdom, by sitting on a bench behind the conductor. All you need to do is ask, and if you are lucky you will get to experience the views and the history in Walt’s seat. The lines for this Park can be excruciatingly long, and the weather can be nasty in the summer. My favorite foods are the clam chowder in a bread bowl, and of course, churros! It may be the Smellitizer, but it just brings instant calm and joy for me to walk in the gates here. 

DisneyWorld, Florida

This Park complex spans over 27,500 acres and 4 awesome Parks! The Magic Kingdom is a close replica of Disneyland, although this is Cinderellas Castle. It is actually the smallest park on its own, with the most rides! It’s lovely that Disney has stayed true to the original, with a few fun twists. The Animal Kingdom’s tree of life is an iconic 145 feet tall with carvings of over 300 animals on it! There are live animals scattered through the park, and one of my favorite rides of all time is the Avatar Flight of Passage. Hollywood Studios boasts another of our favorites, the Rock’n’Roll Rollercoaster. Epcot takes you on a journey around all of Earth’s unique cultures with cuisine and drinks specific to that region. It also has the super fun ride, Star Tours: The Adventure Continues. 

This is potentially the busiest Park, since there are other attractions in the complex that also draw a crowd- such as two waterparks and a thriving Downtown Disney scene. It can be very muggy in Florida as well, which can make a crowd seem even bigger. However, there is something about a Dole Whip on a humid Florida day that cures even the crankiest toddler (or dad). 

Disneyland Tokyo

I think this Park is so loved because the people are exceptional. There are so many locals on a given day, mostly adults, and they are all cult Disney followers. They come dressed in matching outfits, with every ounce of enthusiasm they possess, and they throw themselves into the shows, rides, character meet and greets, even the food lines! And don’t even get me started on the people that actually work there! Not to be ignored, the food is awesome, especially the Chandu Tail, a meat filed pastry! The rides are good, the lines are fairly short, and the prices are the lowest of anywhere else in the world. I loved Ariel’s Castle in DisneySea, even if it is small, and the oceanic theme all around the park made for a unique Disney experience. Besides all of this, every toilet in the whole park is equipped with a bidet and I just love that.

Disneyland Paris

This park, along with its host city, can feel a little snooty. Its not bad, just a stark difference from the other Parks with their overly enthusiastic visitors, this one is a lot more subdued. There are no character meet and greets and no night time shows either. However, you are able to enjoy a glass of champagne in a flute while you admire the art of Belle’s Castle, which is a nice twist of fate. The rides are alright, even if there aren’t very many of them. The top of the list would be Phantom Manor and Hyperspace Mountain. Some parts of this park are still undergoing construction to add to the magic, which is exciting. 

Disneyland Shanghai

The largest Park in the world, and also owned in partnership with the Shanghai Shendi Group. Disney does hold 70% of the management stakes, which means it feels the same as any other Park inside. This park has the biggest castle (my favorite castle), the Enchanted Storybook Castle. It also has the most fantastic rides, with Tron and Pirates of the Caribbean absolutely living up to the hype. Its popular with Chinese, can be very crowded, and the lines seem to be the longest of the international parks. The details and magic are fantastic, not only around the park but in the shows and parades. We loved Zootopialand, it really felt like you were walking around in the movie as a small animal. The Asian food choices like beef kimchi are fun as well

Disneyland Hong Kong

This may feel like the smallest Park, but it packs a big punch. The castle of Magical Dreams is beautiful, although you can’t go inside of it. It is the least crowded of the parks, and I think it has the prettiest surrounding settings since you can see the hills and mountains of Hong Kong in the distance. There are some classic rides, but with an Asian twist, and it was fun to discover the similarities and differences. We did not find the rides to be as exciting as some of the other parks, aside from Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars. Frozenland was amazing, and the rides there were adorable. They also had a pretty cool Jungle Cruise, and Hyperspace Mountain.

Its a Wrap

In all, each Disney Park is unique in its own way, and each is absolutely worth a visit! I was lucky to be able to visit all six Parks with my middle child, Julie, and my dear friend, Ronda. Both of our late mothers shared the love of Disney so it was fitting and to be able to share these memories with her too. I like to think my mom was enjoying the journey with me in spirit- and loving every moment as much as I did. Now I get to pass on the love and magic to my kids and grandkids as well!