From California to Abu Dhabi: A look at Disney’s theme parks around the world

Opened in 1955, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, is the first-ever Disney theme park and the only one designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. It consists of two parks: Disneyland Park, home to timeless attractions like Sleeping Beauty Castle and Pirates of the Caribbean, and Disney California Adventure, which features more modern experiences like Avengers Campus and Pixar Pier.

Located in Orlando, Walt Disney World is the largest Disney resort in the world, spanning nearly 25,000 acres. It features four distinct theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests can also explore two water parks and over 25 themed hotels. Known for its scale and variety, it’s often referred to as “The Most Magical Place on Earth” and attracts millions of visitors annually from around the globe.

Tokyo Disney Resort, which opened in 1983, includes two theme parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. While Tokyo Disneyland offers a familiar experience with attractions similar to the US parks, Tokyo DisneySea is unique to Japan and features nautically themed lands like Mysterious Island and Mediterranean Harbor. It is operated by The Oriental Land Company.

Just 32 kilometres east of Paris, Disneyland Paris opened in 1992 and is the most visited theme park in Europe. It comprises two parks: Disneyland Park, which features the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle and classic Disney attractions, and Walt Disney Studios Park, which is undergoing a major expansion to include new areas themed around Frozen and Star Wars.

Located on Lantau Island, Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005 and is the smallest of all Disney resorts. It features seven themed lands, including the recently launched World of Frozen, the first full-scale Frozen-themed area in any Disney park. The resort regularly incorporates local culture into its offerings, especially during seasonal events like Chinese New Year. Expansion projects have significantly enhanced its global appeal in recent years.

Shanghai Disney Resort opened in 2016 and represents Disney’s most ambitious international park to date. It includes Shanghai Disneyland, a spacious park designed with Chinese culture in mind. Highlights include the technologically advanced Pirates of the Caribbean ride and the TRON Lightcycle Power Run rollercoaster. With its emphasis on large-scale, immersive experiences, the park has attracted strong visitor numbers and continues to expand.

Announced in May 2025, the upcoming Disney theme park in Abu Dhabi will be the first of its kind in the Middle East. Set to open on Yas Island, the resort is being developed in partnership with Miral and is strategically positioned to welcome visitors from the Middle East, Africa, India, Asia, and Europe. According to The Walt Disney Company, the park will be both authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati, blending the brand’s signature storytelling with local cultural elements.