We are, first and foremost, travel addicts. We’ve visited over 35 countries around the world with our five kids and spent tens of thousands of dollars on memory-making. We’ve spent a significant amount of that money on Disney Parks worldwide. Once we decided to travel around the globe, visiting every Disney Park soon became a goal.
We achieved this goal in 2019 and continue to crave going to Disney. It’s perplexing why we still want to go and drop serious cash on these theme parks. Our travel wishlist continues to grow each year (instead of shrinking as we might have hoped once upon a time), and we continue to factor a Disney trip into each year of our travels.
What are Disney Parks like around the world? Is it strange to visit a park in another language? Let me share our review of each park and the experience of a foreign Disney lover.
*Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. Opinions shared are my own, and I only endorse products I support. By clicking on any of the links below, I may get a small commission if you purchase at absolutely no additional charge to you. I appreciate your support.*
Let’s establish your options for visiting a Disney Park abroad. There are 12 Disney parks in total in six locations over three continents:
United States
Europe
Asia
Location: Orlando, Florida, USA
This is the largest Disney resort with four massive parks:
Each park deserves at least a day (if not multiple) to enjoy them. They are spread out and require 15-30 minute bus rides away from each other.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
Our favorite thing is that we love staying on property and leaving the regular world behind for a true Disney vacation. Each of the four parks offers something different to different ages and can provide days and days of memory-making. When visiting Animal Kingdom and the parts of Asia, we felt transported back to our time in Asia!
Favorite Rides: Avatar and Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom, Haunted Mansion and Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios, Frozen in Epcot, and Buzz Lightyear and Seven Dwarves Mine Train in Magic Kingdom
Where To Stay At Walt Disney World Resort
Where To Stay Off-Site
Location: Anaheim, California, USA
This resort has two parks:
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
We love the Halloween Party and the later hours. This park caters to night owls. We like the ease of visiting other stunning parts of California and hitting some of our treasured food stops like Egg Slut, Sidecar Donuts, and Salt and Straw Ice Cream. The fireworks show here is also our favorite!
Favorite Rides: Indiana Jones, Peter Pan’s Flight, Toy Story Mania, Guardians of the Galaxy (Tower of Terror), and the Incredicoaster
Where To Stay At Disneyland Resort California
Where To Stay Off-Site
Location: Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, France
Originally called EuroDisney, this resort has two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Like Disneyland Paris, these two parks are near each other and easy to go between.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
We live in Europe, so we are partial to this park as our “home park.” However, it has a long history of mishaps and was the shame of Disney for many years as EuroDisney. Disney corporate took over a few years ago and has committed to bringing it up to standard. Until 2026 there will be many significant renovations. We can’t wait to see some new attractions like the man-made lake in Frozen World.
Favorite Rides: Ratatouille, RC Racer, Starwars Hyperspace Mountian, and La Tanière du Dragon underneath Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Where To Stay at Disneyland Paris
Where To Stay Off-Site
Location: Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Only one park is here in Hong Kong, although several new attractions were underway when we visited. This park is broken into seven sections that blend into one seamless park.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
The castle here impresses with a tour of several Disney princesses inside. Lantau Island has several other fun activities to combine with a trip here. This park is easily accessible through public transportation.
Favorite rides: Castle of Magical Dreams, Big Grizzly Mine Cars, and Iron Man Experience
Where To Stay At Hong Kong Disneyland
Where To Stay Off-Site
Location: Shanghai, China
Like Hong Kong, Disneyland Shanghai has just one big park with different sections. But it is the largest park, land-wise, at over 900 square acres!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
This park will amaze you. Like the rest of Shanghai, it impresses with technical advances and cleanliness. We only had one day in the park, leaving us to crave a more extended stay. Like other Asian parks, we enjoyed some new foods here.
Favorite rides: Enchanted Storybook Castle, Tron Ride, Pirates of the Caribbean (best in the world!), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Where To Stay At Shanghai Disney Resort
Where To Stay Off-Site
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Disney Resort has two parks next to each other, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. This is our favorite Disney park outside of the USA and is touted as the best Disney Park by many. Interestingly, Disney corporation doesn’t own any part of this park. The owners, Oriental Land Company, pay licensing fees to Disney instead.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Cons:
Our Favorite Offerings
Favorite rides: Journey to the Center of the Earth, Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea, Indiana Jones, Raging Spirits, and Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall
Where To Stay At Tokyo Disneyland
Where To Stay Off-Site
Language Barriers
If you’re a native English speaker, rest assured that you’ll be able to communicate with many people worldwide. Asia tourism is strong in English as it’s how European tourists talk in Asia. We had no problems communicating with staff at any foreign Disney parks.
Remember that the rides and attractions are in the local language, but overall we didn’t feel this lack much. Disney is magical in all languages.
If you visit Disneyland Paris, you’ll still find many rides and attractions in English. Shows like the Frozen musical have showtimes in English and French. Be sure to ask about or show up for the language you want! It never ceases to amaze me how many languages Europeans speak, and Disneyland Paris is no exception. Most cast members speak 4-5 languages, and English is always one of them.
Food Differences
We enjoy consuming new cultures through our bellies as much as any other way. Overall, the food in USA-based Disney parks is of the lowest quality and least healthy for you (not a shocker). While eating churros and Dole Whip may be yummy all day, fresh fruits and veggies and an overall healthy balance of meals are not easily accessible in the United States.
We enjoyed the buffets in Hong Kong that served curries, stir-fries, and more. I also loved the corn on the cob with Asian mayo from street vendors.
Paris Disneyland has some nice places to eat (as do all the parks), but we enjoyed the Christmas Market food stalls. Delicious, flaky pastries, hot chocolate, roasted nuts, and more await you during the holiday season in Paris.
One of my favorite snacks was in Tokyo Disney. They offer flavored popcorn in themed containers that you can re-fill around the park. We carried these popcorn containers, which were great toys for many months in our full-time travel.
Our favorite park for food was Tokyo (again). You can find plenty of unhealthy snacks and drinks and fun twists like the giant sushi rolls.
Cultural Differences
Disney fanaticism runs deep into the world around. Visit a Disney store in downtown Tokyo, and you’ll find lines to buy park tickets. However, cultural differences can make for some exciting moments in the parks. Let me share some of our experiences.
In Hong Kong, we found mothers not wanting to get out of line with their children from rides and having their little boys pee in an empty soda container right in the middle of the line. They would then stick those bottles in their bags and keep on with the ride.
Also, in Hong Kong, you’ll find that personal space in line is very different. Don’t be surprised to find the person behind you touching you or even pressing up to you in line. This is true outside of Disney as well. Lines in some Asian countries are very intense, and people will go around you if they feel you are slow or have a gap in front of you.
Europeans can be a bit judgy in Disneyland Paris but share many cultural similarities.
In Japan, trash is NEVER thrown on the ground. Outside of Disney, it can be challenging to find a trash can, and many Japanese carry their own trash home to throw away. Disney Parks in Japan are exceptionally spotless.
In Shanghai, other children were so polite around the characters. My children didn’t think they were waiting to see the characters and butted them in line. I had to have my children apologize!
Overall, cultural differences are small and something to chuckle about. We always know that as tourists, we are probably doing things incorrectly. We try to welcome guests in new countries and pay attention to what seems to be the cultural norm.
Write in the comments which Disney is your favorite!
Xoxo,
Leslie
Book your flight to Disneyland with family on Booking.com, Skyscanner, Kiwi.com, or Expedia
Find a nice hotel near Disneyland from Booking.com, Expedia, or Vrbo, (we also love Tripadvisor and Hotels.com)
Discover more fun activities on GetYourGuide, Airbnb Experiences, or Viator
Need a car? Rent one on Expedia Rental Cars
Get your family’s travel insurance from World Nomads
Capture your best Disney memories with a GroPro, Sony camera, or our favorite drones: DJI FPV, Air, and Mini
Check out other travel necessities for your next Disney trip from a comprehensive list of all the 7Wayfinders Travel Must-Haves. Click Here!
19 Essential Tips for Your First Disney Trip: Everything You Need To Know As A Beginner!
Facebook
Pinterest
Youtube
24 Comments