Disney Around the World: The Different Theme Parks

Updated Apr 20, 2026
Fact checked by
Caroline Tremblay
Caroline Tremblay Caroline Tremblay
Caroline, a loyalty program specialist, helps families maximize their points to travel more frequently and affordably. With expertise in Disney, AIR MILES, and Costco, she travels the world with her partner and two children through rewards. Passionate about the latest in loyalty programs, Caroline shares tips to help you earn more points and turn your travel dreams into reality.
All posts by Caroline Tremblay
A fairytale castle under a blue sky, framed by Minnie Mouse ears
To the point Here's an overview of the different Disney parks around the world, and our tips for getting there with points!

Magic Kingdom, Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland Paris… The Disney Parks Worldwide are far more numerous and varied than one might think. In 2026, Disney manages 12 theme parks spread across 6 destinations on 3 continents, in addition to 8 cruise ships and 2 private islands. This guide covers each destination, with 2026 new attractions, up-to-date prices, and the best ways to access them with your credit cards and loyalty points.

6 Disney Destinations Worldwide: 12 Parks

Each Disney destination blends the brand’s magic with local culture. This is what makes each park unique, and the complete list far more surprising than it seems.

DestinationCountryParksOpening
Walt Disney World Resort🇺🇸 United States (Florida)4 theme parks + 2 water parks1971
Disneyland Resort🇺🇸 United States (California)2 theme parks1955
Disneyland Paris Resort🇫🇷 France2 theme parks1992
Tokyo Disney Resort🇯🇵 Japan2 theme parks1983
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort🇭🇰 Hong Kong1 theme park2005
Shanghai Disney Resort🇨🇳 China1 theme park2016
Disney à travers le monde

1. Walt Disney World Resort — Orlando, Florida

The largest Disney complex in the world: 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, over 30 on-site hotels, and an area larger than the city of San Francisco. For a Canadian family, it’s often the first Disney destination, and the easiest to finance with points.

The 4 Theme Parks

  • Magic Kingdom: The classic park with Cinderella’s Castle, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and iconic characters. The most visited in the world.
  • EPCOT: Technology, global gastronomy, and international cultures. The Food & Wine and Flower & Garden festivals attract thousands of Canadian families every year.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Star Wars universe (Galaxy’s Edge), Toy Story Land, and The Walt Disney Studios area (2026) with interactive experiences.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Live safaris, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and an Encanto attraction under construction for 2026.

New Attractions for 2026 at Walt Disney World

  • Renovated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom, opens April 8, 2026): new vehicles, interactive targets, “Buddy” robot, and unlimited scores.
  • Soarin’ Across America (opens May 26, 2026): new version of the Soarin’ attraction to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – major update (May 22, 2026): new scenes with the Mandalorian and Grogu, new planets (Tatooine, Cloud City, Endor).
  • Free Dining Plan for Kids 2026: children eat free in reserved packages, an offer for families to watch out for.
  • Under construction: Encanto attraction (Animal Kingdom), Monsters Inc. Coaster (Hollywood Studios), Cars Land + Villains Land (Magic Kingdom, 2029-2030 horizon).

Magic Kingdom

The most iconic park at Disney World. Cinderella’s Castle and the evening fireworks make it a unique experience. Six zones converge on Main Street, U.S.A.: Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland.

Magic Kingdom-03

EPCOT

Often overlooked, EPCOT is nevertheless one of WDW’s richest parks. Four neighborhoods—World Showcase, World Celebration, World Nature, World Discovery—and festivals that return every year. Children have their place there with Kidcot Fun Stops and the Harmonious show.

EPCOT Disney World Orlando-29

Animal Kingdom

Often cited as the favorite among WDW parks. Thousands of animals, a real safari, Pandora – The World of Avatar, and Expedition Everest. Six themed zones: Oasis, Discovery Island, Pandora, Africa, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A.

Animal Kingdom Disney World Orlando-2

Hollywood Studios

Transformed by the arrival of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, this park has gained appeal for the whole family. Nine zones including Sunset Boulevard, Echo Lake, and Pixar Place.

Hollywood Studios-5

Disney Springs

Not a theme park, but a cluster of shops, restaurants, and entertainment divided into four districts: Town Center, The Landing, West Side, and Marketplace. Free access, no ticket required.

Disney Springs-04

2026 Ticket Prices (WDW)

Prices vary by date and park. Per person (10+ years), per day, before taxes:

ParkMinimum priceMaximum Price
Magic Kingdom139 USD209 USD
EPCOT129 USD199 USD
Hollywood Studios134 USD204 USD
Animal Kingdom119 USD189 USD

Getting to WDW with Points

Walt Disney World is one of the destinations best covered by Canadian loyalty programs. Aeroplan points cover flights to Orlando (between 15,000 and 30,000 round-trip points from Montreal depending on the season). TD Travel Points work well for off-season ticket deals. For accommodation, Marriott Bonvoy has several hotels on the WDW site, including the Swan & Dolphin.

The American Express Cobalt Card remains the best card for accumulating points quickly: 5 points per dollar at grocery stores, transferable to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio. A family spending $800 on groceries per month can accumulate up to 60,000 Aeroplan points per year, or four round-trip tickets to Orlando. Aeroplan credit cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card also offer one free checked bag per person on the booking (up to 8 people), perfect for bringing back Disney souvenirs.

2. Disneyland Resort — Anaheim, California

This is the original park, which Walt Disney himself inaugurated on July 17, 1955. Disneyland Resort is more compact than Walt Disney World, but also more accessible for Canadians making a stop on the West Coast. Two days are enough to enjoy both parks.

The 2 Theme Parks

  • Disneyland Park: The original. Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion. Nine themed zones, including Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
  • Disney California Adventure: Californian culture, Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and the World of Color evening show. A must-see for Marvel fans.
Disney California Family

New Attractions for 2026 at Disneyland

  • Soarin’ Across America (Summer 2026): same update as at WDW for the American 250th anniversary.
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run – update (May 22, 2026): new Mandalorian and Grogu scenes, identical to Walt Disney World.

2026 Ticket Prices

Between 104 USD and 224 USD per person per day depending on the date. Days at 104 USD can be found on weekdays during the off-season. Disneyland is well-served from Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.

3. Disneyland Paris Resort — Marne-la-Vallée, France

The most accessible Disney destination from French-speaking Canada thanks to direct Montreal–Paris flights. In 2026, Disneyland Paris is undergoing its biggest transformation since its opening: the second park is changing its name and appearance.

Sleeping Beauty Castle remains, in my opinion, the most beautiful castle of all Disney parks. The attention to detail at Disneyland Paris is in a league of its own.

Disneyland-Paris-chateau3

The 2 Theme Parks

  • Disneyland Park: The historic park with Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street U.S.A., and classic Disney attractions. New nighttime show since January 2025.
  • Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park, renamed March 29, 2026): completely redesigned park with three immersive worlds already open and a fourth in development.
Carte-Parc-Disneyland-Paris

Disney Adventure World: The New Worlds

  • World of Frozen (opens March 29, 2026): life-size Arendelle, the new Frozen Ever After attraction, a meet-and-greet with Anna and Elsa in their castle, shows on Viking longships, and the Rapunzel Tangled Spin ride.
  • Worlds of Pixar: Pixar universes brought together in a dedicated zone.
  • Marvel Avengers Campus: Interactive Marvel experiences.
  • Lion King World (coming soon): the park’s 4th world, in development.
marvel

Other New Attractions for 2026

  • New Tower of Terror queue line (Spring 2026): themed outdoor area recreating the remains of a 1930s celebrity hotel.
  • Disney Cascade of Lights: new nighttime spectacular on Disney Adventure World’s central lake.
  • Adventure Way: new themed promenade with 14 restaurants including the Regal View Restaurant & Lounge.
  • Disney Sequoia Lodge Hotel: progressive renovation of all 1,010 rooms starting in 2026, the hotel remains open.

Prices and Access from Canada

2-park tickets (Disneyland Park + Disney Adventure World) are sold by the day or as multi-day packages. For a family of 4, expect between 4,500 and 7,000 CAD for a complete stay (flights, hotel, tickets, meals). Disneyland Paris is located in Marne-la-Vallée, 32 km east of Paris, accessible by RER A (Marne-la-Vallée – Chessy station).

4. Tokyo Disney Resort — Urayasu, Japan

Many consider it the best Disney complex in the world in terms of execution quality and cleanliness. Tokyo Disney Resort is managed by Oriental Land Company (not directly by Disney). The Japanese attention to detail elevates every attraction, every show, every parade into a league of its own.

Tokyo Disneyland

The Japanese version of the classic park, with exclusive attractions like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Monster Inc Ride & Go Seek. A new Space Mountain is under construction for 2027 (budget: approximately 500 M USD).

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo DisneySea

Unanimously hailed as the best Disney park in the world. No castle here; the volcano of Mysterious Island dominates the center of the park. Seven themed ports, including the world of Jules Verne (Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), and since June 2024, an eighth port: Fantasy Springs.

The Little Mermaid Disney Sea

Fantasy Springs — Opened June 2024

The largest expansion of Tokyo Disney Resort since DisneySea opened in 2001. Built for approximately 2.2 billion USD, Fantasy Springs includes three themed zones:

  • Frozen Kingdom: A reimagined Arendelle, with brand-new attractions.
  • Peter Pan’s Never Land: Captain Hook’s island in full immersion.
  • Rapunzel’s Forest: Rapunzel’s tower and the enchanted forest.
  • Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel: luxury hotel integrated directly into the park, with exclusive access via a private entrance.

Since April 1, 2025, access to Fantasy Springs attractions operates via standard queue or Disney Premier Access (paid).

Prices and Access

Daily tickets cost between ¥7,900 and ¥10,900 (approximately 70–95 CAD) depending on the date. The resort is accessible from central Tokyo in 15 minutes via the Disney Rail Line monorail from Maihama Station.

5. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort

The smallest Disney park in the world, but not the least charming. Ideal for a day or two during a broader trip to Asia. Short queues, relaxed atmosphere, and a cult attraction found nowhere else.

What Makes It Unique

  • Mystic Manor: Motorized chair ride through Lord Henry Mystic’s manor. Considered one of the best Disney attractions in the world by connoisseurs.
  • Grizzly Gulch: Western zone unique to Hong Kong, with the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars.
  • Bilingual atmosphere: all signs are in Cantonese and employees speak English, making the visit easy even without speaking Mandarin.

Tickets cost between 639 HKD and 779 HKD (approximately 110–135 CAD) per adult. The park is directly connected to Hong Kong International Airport by MTR in 35 minutes, convenient for a layover.

hongkong-1485723_1920

6. Shanghai Disney Resort

The newest Disney park (opened in 2016) is also one of the most modern. Shanghai Disneyland offers exclusive attractions found nowhere else, starting with Tron Lightcycle Power Run, one of the fastest roller coasters in any Disney park worldwide. No Main Street here: a Mickey Avenue replaces the classic entrance.

Exclusive Attractions

  • Tron Lightcycle Power Run: one of the fastest and most spectacular roller coasters of all Disney parks.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure: a technologically much more advanced version than the classic.
  • Zootopia Land (opened in 2023): exclusive themed zone based on the animated film.
  • MARVEL Land: with Avengers Campus attractions.

Tickets cost between ¥399 and ¥799 (approximately 75–150 CAD) depending on the season. The park is accessible from downtown Shanghai in about 40 minutes via Metro Line 11.

disney shanghai

7. Disney Cruise Line — Disney Magic at Sea

For those who want to combine the Disney universe with a cruise, Disney Cruise Line is a distinct option, and one of the highest-rated fleets in the world across all categories.

The Fleet in 2026: 8 Ships

ShipClassPassengersSpecialty
Disney MagicMagic Class2 400Europe and East Coast
Disney WonderMagic Class2 400West Coast, Alaska, Hawaii
Disney DreamDream Class4 000Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas
Disney FantasyDream Class4 000Western Caribbean, Mediterranean
Disney WishWish Class4 000Bahamas, Castaway Cay
Disney TreasureWish Class4 000Caribbean, Adventure and Exploration
Disney DestinyWish Class4 000Marvel: maiden voyage Nov. 2025
Disney AdventureWish Class4 000Southeast Asia (2026)

Coming soon: the Disney Believe (2027, Wish class) and 4 other ships by 2031. The total fleet will reach 13 ships by 2031.

Disney Cruise Line – Minnie

Private Destinations

  • Castaway Cay (Bahamas): 400-hectare private island, exclusively reserved for Disney passengers. Beaches dedicated to adults, families, and children, water activities, beach barbecue.
  • Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Eleuthera, Bahamas): new private destination opened in 2024, on 240 hectares of preserved nature.

Main Itineraries

  • Bahamas and Caribbean (3 to 7 nights). Departing from Port Canaveral, Miami, or New York. Ideal to combine with a stay at WDW.
  • Mediterranean and Europe (7 to 14 nights). Departing from Barcelona, Rome, or Copenhagen. Perfect before or after Disneyland Paris.
  • Alaska (7 nights). Departing from Vancouver or Seattle. A unique option for Western Canadians.
  • Pacific Coast and Hawaii. Departing from Los Angeles or San Diego.

8. The Best Alternatives to Disney Parks

Disney is magical, but there are other world-class theme parks worth visiting, especially if you are in Europe or Asia.

Europa-Park — Rust, Germany

Germany’s largest theme park and one of Europe’s best. 95 hectares, 20 themed zones inspired by European countries, 13 roller coasters including Silver Star (73m) and Blue Fire Megacoaster. A 1-hour flight from Paris or Frankfurt. Ideal for extending a stay at Disneyland Paris.

Efteling — Netherlands

A fairytale park often described as “European Disney.” Based on fairy tales and European folklore myths. Meticulous decor, unique atmosphere. 1 hour 30 minutes from Amsterdam.

Universal Studios Japan — Osaka

Asia’s most popular park after Tokyo Disney Resort. Two exclusive global attractions: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (the most complete in the world) and Super Nintendo World (Mario, Donkey Kong). Combine with Tokyo DisneySea for a memorable Japan itinerary.

Universal Orlando Resort — Florida

Walt Disney World’s direct competitor, a 20-minute drive away. Since the opening of Epic Universe in 2025 (Harry Potter, How to Train Your Dragon, Universal Monsters zones), Universal Orlando has become a serious contender. A Universal + WDW multi-park pass is conceivable for a 10-day stay in Orlando.

Universal Studio Osaka Japan-50

Accessing Disney Parks with Your Points

No matter which park you’re aiming for, your loyalty points can cover a large part of the trip.

For Flights

No matter which Disney destination you’re aiming for, your loyalty points can cover a large part of the trip.

Aeroplan (Air Canada) is the most versatile program for reaching all Disney resorts. Between 15,000 and 30,000 points round trip for Orlando or Anaheim. Around 60,000 points for Paris in economy class. Partnerships with United, Lufthansa, ANA, JAL, and Swiss for Asia.

Amex Membership Rewards Points can be transferred to Aeroplan, British Airways Avios, or Air France-KLM Flying Blue — very useful for Paris and Hong Kong.

NBC Rewards Points can be used as travel points on any flight. Handy for deals to Europe. The National Bank World Elite Mastercard also offers travel credits and strong insurance coverage as a bonus.

TD Rewards are ideal for deals on cash fares, especially to Orlando in the off-season with the TD First Class Travel Visa Infinite Card.

For Hotels

  • Marriott Bonvoy: numerous hotels in all Disney resorts (Swan & Dolphin at WDW, Courtyard in Anaheim). Also usable for booking Disney cruises.
  • World of Hyatt: hotels near WDW and Disneyland Paris.

For Tickets and On-Site Expenses

Disney gift cards, purchased online or at grocery stores, allow you to pay for tickets, Disney hotels, and on-site meals. The American Express Cobalt Card offers 5 points per dollar on grocery purchases where gift cards are sold. Consult our complete guide on Disney gift cards.

The TDMD AeroplanMD Visa Infinite* Card offers one free checked bag per person on the booking (up to 8 people) — perfect for bringing back Disney souvenirs with no extra fees.

Combining Multiple Parks on the Same Trip

The Aeroplan program is priced by zones and distances. It’s possible to add a stop of a few days for only 5,000 additional points. To visit the three Asian parks in one trip:

  • Segment 1: Montreal – Shanghai (stop) – Hong Kong (destination)
  • Segment 2: Hong Kong – Tokyo (stop) – Montreal (destination)

This itinerary costs approximately 57,500 Aeroplan points (52,500 + 5,000 for the stop in Tokyo) — covering all three Asian parks in one trip.

Magic Kingdom Disney World Orlando-08

eSIM

Before you head out to explore Disney parks around the world, think about your Internet connection on the ground. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that install in just a few minutes directly on your compatible phone—no need to hunt for a physical SIM at the airport or pay high roaming fees.

One of the most popular providers is Holafly, known for its coverage in over 250 destinations. All its plans include unlimited data — handy for using Disney apps, checking wait times, and managing your reservations in real time. Holafly offers eSIMs by city, country, region, or worldwide, tailored to multi-destination itineraries.

The eSIM is purchased and installed before departure, then activated upon arrival. Compatible with most recent phones, tablets, and smartwatches. 24/7 customer support via chat, email, or WhatsApp.

Bottom Line

12 theme parks. 6 destinations. 3 continents. The list of Disney parks around the world is longer than you might think, and each destination has something unique to offer. Tokyo DisneySea for the ultimate experience. Disneyland Paris for the beauty of its settings. Walt Disney World for how complete it is. And Shanghai or Hong Kong for the surprises.

With the right loyalty programs, a Disney trip becomes accessible for a Canadian family. The key: start accumulating early, choose the right credit card, and consult the best credit cards to maximize every dollar spent.

Disney Parks Worldwide – Frequently Asked Questions

Come to discuss that topic in our Facebook Group!
Aline Nguyen
Aline Nguyen
Aline, an experienced traveler and avid photographer, is an Avgeek, a foodie at heart and a mother to two children. An expert in credit cards & rewards programs, including Aeroplan, Marriott Bonvoy, American Express Membership Rewards, CIBC Aventura, and RBC Avion, she uses points to travel affordably and save in daily life. Having explored all 7 continents and 83 countries, Aline shares her travel passion and insights to help others make the most of loyalty programs.
All posts by Aline Nguyen
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