Synonymous to literal fairytale dreams, once in a lifetime experience and coveted bucket list option, the charm of Disneyland is not unknown to anyone. Expanding its global footprint, the Walt Disney Company has announced the opening of its seventh Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi, marking the brand’s first foray into the Middle East (West Asia). While the new location sure is an enticing bet, HELLO! rounds up all of Disney’s themed parks that should be at the top of your destination list as you plan your fun summer getaway with friends, family or solo.
DISCOVER THE MAGICAL WORLD OF DISNEY AT THESE THEME PARKS
Abu Dhabi
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, USA
While novelty often steals the spotlight, there is an undeniable intrigue for where it all began. The same applies to this particular one offering a hefty dosage of adrenaline. The oldest Disneyland in Anaheim, California. USA, built by Walt Disney himself, is also the largest one with nine theme zones. Opened in 1955, the destination offers several icons such as that of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the life-sized Pirates of the Caribbean port as well as the Space Mountain.
Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida, USA
Designed not just for children but for every adult still in touch with their inner child, Walt Disney World Resort is a sprawling kingdom for everyone alike. Walt Disney was mindful of the spectrum of his audiences while constructing his second edition in the Disneyland franchise. It set the course for unfathomable growth, perhaps one even he didn’t imagine would’ve been possible at the time. Opened in 1971, it consists of four major theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and the future-first Tomorrowland—along with two water parks and a trove of fine-dining options as well.
Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Japan
Tokyo Disneyland, opened in 1983 stands as the most eclectic one in the entire franchise. It owes its vibrancy to the synthesis of other Disney parks like Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. While the Disneyland offers a litany of themed lands, with Adventureland, Westernland, Critter Country and Fantasyland being a few, the DisneySea, nautical-themed park, consists of various harbours and ports that are themed around the Disney universe, making it the third most visited Disney park in the world.
Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France
The “City of Love” as well as the Disneylands, are both lauded for their extravagance; combined together, this destination is a must-visit for the sole purpose of its magnificent views. From the Sleeping Beauty Castle reimagined in a French lens to Ratatouille: The Adventure, the whole park is a tangible version of as far as the creativity of the mind goes. With costumed characters serenading your arrival, vintage cars greeting you on cobblestone walkways, and a generous helping of Parisian panache, this version of Disney is as photogenic as it is magical.
Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland, China
For those with an insatiable appetite for fantasy, China offers not one but two display sites for Disney, as if one wasn’t enough. A common cohort of the Disney fanbase can often be found here, with both of them offering a unique experience to the travellers. While Hong Kong boasts unique offerings like Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch, the Shanghai one celebrates architecture with its massive Enchanted Storybook Castle as its centerpiece as well as a literal garden of imagination.
From the modern magnificence of their newest ventures, to the old-world charm of the original classics, there’s a magical summer on the cards and we can’t wait for you to experience every bit of its sparkle.