Which Disney Should You Visit? My Favorites Around the World

Tokyo DisneySea is my favorite Disney park ever. I loved how adventure-themed it felt and how much there was to explore. The rides are great, but I also liked having little corners to investigate between them. That sense of discovering things is a big part of why it suited me so well.

Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage is also worth seeing. It is so random and funny, and I mean that as a recommendation.

And then there are the popcorn flavors. And the very cute souvenirs. Those smaller details made the day fun too.

What really stayed with me was the atmosphere. People were kind. I loved seeing how much effort people put into their outfits and how openly they were enjoying themselves. It felt easy to join in.

For an adult trip with friends, this would be my first choice. I felt comfortable enjoying Disney there without feeling that it needed to be a trip for children. Leave some room in the day to wander; exploring is part of what I loved about DisneySea.

Disneyland in California has that old Disney feeling I love. If nostalgia is a big part of the appeal for you, this is where I’d start. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is my pick for that feeling.

Make room for Disney California Adventure too. It was awesome, and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is one of the rides I’d prioritize there. California Adventure deserves its own place in the plan.

I think California is a fun trip and worth doing if you live nearby or have room in your travel budget for it. Decide what you most want from the visit: the nostalgic Disneyland experience, California Adventure, or time for both. That makes it easier to judge whether the trip is worth it for you.

I was born and raised in Florida and grew up going to Disney after school, so these parks were part of everyday life for me. That is also why I would not treat all four as interchangeable.

My Florida recommendation changes with the person I’m talking to. If you love animals, Animal Kingdom. For travel and food, EPCOT. For a family trip, I’d point you toward Magic Kingdom. Hollywood Studios is my choice for Star Wars fans, and I also like it for teens or a date.

Pandora — The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom is my favorite Disney land for scenery. Give yourself time to enjoy the setting as well as the attractions. At Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the land I’d prioritize for a Star Wars fan.

One of my favorite ride memories is Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Riding it in the pitch dark was amazing. It’s a specific memory from that visit, so check the current event details before planning a trip around having the same experience.

Shanghai was insane. It felt modern, clean, and futuristic. And Pirates of the Caribbean Battle for the Sunken Treasure? One of the best rides I have ever done. This is the one I would tell you not to miss.

If you’re most interested in that modern Disney feeling, Shanghai would be high on my list. It gives me a different reason to go from the nostalgia I love in California. Pirates is the ride I’d make a point of prioritizing when planning the day.

Hong Kong Disneyland stood out to me for the surroundings as well as the park. The landscape is beautiful, and I thought the hotels were great too.

If the setting and where you stay are a big part of what makes a trip enjoyable, give Hong Kong a closer look. Those are reasons to consider the whole resort when comparing your options.

Paris was my least favorite Disney destination. It felt small to me when I visited, and I found the transportation frustrating.

Phantom Manor, though, is my favorite haunted-house-style Disney ride anywhere. That is the attraction I’d be most excited to return for. A destination can be lower on my list and still have something I really love.

I still think Paris can be a fun Disney adventure. Go with a clear idea of what you most want to do, and work out the journey there and back before the day of the visit. The transport was a frustration on my trip; planning that part carefully would be my first practical takeaway.