Disneylands Around The World

 

On your next family holiday take your kids to Disneyland and gift them the time of their lives. Let them share dreams with Cinderella, read with Snow White, laugh out loud with Mickey and Goofy, get on the craziest rides and be mesmerized by the most spectacular shows ever. Spread across the globe, these five theme parks bring you the magic of Disney with a distinct flavour of the countries they are located in.

So, get set for a fun ride of a lifetime…

1. Disneyland Anaheim, California

The oldest, biggest and most magical (if there ever were a competition of sorts), Disneyland Anaheim, was built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. It was July 17, 1955 when the doors opened to “the happiest place on earth”, witnessed only through movies and cartoons until then. With as many as nine different themed zones, a day is not enough. Stay in the lap of luxury at one of the luxurious Disney resorts and hotels for a complete Disney experience. However, if you are hard pressed for time, buy a daily pass and plan your rides and tours beforehand.

Whether you are taking your little princess, your boisterous son or your easily amused toddler, you need to prioritize your time between Adventureland, Main Street, USA, Mickey’s Toontown and a few other “themed lands”. Take the Bakery Tour and enjoy freshly baked bread in the shape of Sebastian, for breakfast! Watch Ariel and her friends put up a beguiling musical for your family at The Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. Go aboard the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, follow a white rabbit on the caterpillar ride or scale down to the size of a bug and see the world through their eyes!

2. Disneyland, Paris

The most romantic city in the world shall become far more special for your kids this summer, if you plan a holiday to Disneyland Paris.

The moment you step into Disneyland Paris, it is love at first sight. Be greeted by a host of Disney characters and join the most joyful parade ever. Set against the background of the Cinderella Tower, this musical procession has Disney princesses ride with their respective princes, while Goofy and Donald play tricks and wave past hundreds of bemused kids (and parents). This great spectacle of audio and visual effects, will be dream-like. At Main Street USA, get transported to 19^th century America and commute by horse carts and vintage vehicles. Fantasyland has Alice still wondering and wandering while Sleeping Beauty awaits her Prince in her castle and animatronic dolls from all over the world famously sing "It’s a small world". Mad Hatter is ready to serve you a joyous ride in his cups and saucers! At Frontierland, enjoy one of the most famous rides in all of Walt Disney World, the Big Thunder Mountain, and many other wild rides. Adventureland and Discoveryland let you journey through the stars and live your fantasy of being Jack Sparrow (even if just for a day).

Leaving the Eiffel Tower behind, Disneyland Paris is the most visited place in Paris and therefore always crowded. Plan a trip during weekdays or sometime in June to escape the crowd. What’s more? Disneyland has extended its 20^th anniversary celebrations till September 2013, which means a golden chance for you to enjoy more of Disney’s dazzle and discounts!

Make the most of your holiday to Disneyland Paris by purchasing passes to both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studio Park and shop for some unique Disney souvenirs at the Disney Village.

3. Walt Disney World Resort, Florida

Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, America’s second tribute to Disney has unlimited attractions to keep your kids busy and happy while you pamper yourself with state of the art spa and recreational facilities.

With six different theme parks, this one puts up a huge show that brings the world of fairytales alive. However, it is the varied water theme parks here that surpass all other experiences. Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are the resort’s most popular zones designed for kids and adults to enjoy surfing, snorkeling and swimming. Water slides, a separate pool for kids and a giant wave pool are just some of the things that your kids won’t get enough of. Fine dining in the company of fairies and other magical creatures is another special experience that awaits you here. Don’t forget to keep your camera handy!

4. Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea

In Tokyo, Disney magic extends beyond land and gets infused in the sea at DisneySea. Seven different harbours modeled after different geographical regions leave you spoilt for choice. Starting with a gondola ride from the Mediterranean Harbour to the talking sea turtle at the American waterfront, a thrilling 360 degree turnaround ride - Raging spirits, to Indiana Jones joining you on an adventure at the Lost River Delta and the Greeting Trail where Mickey and his friends accompany you on a journey into the jungle, there is plenty for everybody. What started with video games at Toy Story Mania comes to a perfect Disney end on Aladdin’s magic carpet at the Arabian Coast.

If Ariel is a favourite with your kid, then go straight to Mermaid Lagoon for an enchanting sneak peek into Ariel’s world. At Mysterious Island, live the fantastical discoveries of Journey to the Centre of the World. Tokyo’s DisneySea is a unique take on Disneyland which makes it the third most visited Disneyland in the world.

Magnificent shows like Legend of Mythica, an experience that takes you to the ancient world where humans and magical beasts are friends, and Fantasmic where Mickey puts up a dazzling show of colours, special effects, water jets and laser beams and recreates the world of Disney, add to the magic! Remember to buy a FASTPASS to avoid waiting in queues.

5. Disneyland Hong Kong

Ever since its inauguration in 2005, Disneyland Hong Kong has been attracting thousands of curious tourists every year. Despite being the smallest of all the Disneylands, it is no less than its counterparts in terms of imagination and entertainment. At Toy Story Land, enjoy a larger than life experience as you surround yourself with giant-sized toys. A dazzling Broadway show featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, a variety of rides and brilliant firework display in the evenings are just some of the attractions here. At Grizly Gultch, hop on a wagon and ride past natural geysers in a mining town. And that’s not all. This May, Disneyland Hong Kong shall also inaugurate its pioneering Mystic Point, a one stop destination of thrilling rides, 3D illusions and a spooky and magical venture!

As I leave you with these dreamy options and easy travel plans to Disneylands all over the world, I cannot help but sign off by saying the name of my favourite experience at Disney -

Remember Dreams Come True!