Between Disney World and Disneyland, there are plenty of reasons to stay stateside and revisit your favorite parks over and over and over again. But there’s a whole world of Disney discovery out there — literally!
Not only are there several other Disney parks across the globe, but each one offers a totally different vibe and experience, and unique reasons to dust off the old passport! We love Disney World and Disneyland as much as Mickey Mouse himself, but we also love a little adventure too! And what better way to experience some international adventure than through Disney!
From the snacks to the totally original rides, here are 9 reasons to leave the country to go to a Disney park!
Immerse Yourself in Another Culture
Let’s face it, for those of us based in the U.S., there isn’t much cultural difference between Florida and California. To experience something totally new, you need to step outside your comfort zone — or a few thousand miles from it.
By visiting Disney parks in countries like France, China, and Japan, you’re fully experiencing something that is completely new. From the food to the language to the weather to the locals to the general environment, you’re sure to marvel at the transformative powers of travel, even when you’re experiencing the nuanced differences from within the Disney parks.
Disney Snacks You Can’t Get in the U.S.
Speaking of food, this is a biggie! There are soooo many Disney snacks that only exist in other international parks, which you can’t find in the U.S., and frankly we’re totally willing to endure an 18-hour flight for some Mickey nuggets.
Some of our faves include melon bread at Tokyo Disneyland, potato churros and Mickey-shaped chicken nuggets at Tokyo Disney Sea, Baymax dim sum dumplings and Donald Duck donuts at Hong Kong Disneyland, and Darth Vader waffles at Disneyland Paris.
The Marvel Hotel
While we have a perfectly thrilling new hotel opening soon at Disney World, there’s an equally exciting hotel that’s already open at Disneyland Paris!
For superhero fans especially, Disney’s Hotel New York — The Art of Marvel looks (and sounds!) utterly incredible, and like something we’d totally take some French language lessons for!
Disneyland Paris’ 30th Anniversary Celebrations
While you’re there, Disneyland Paris is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and the park has some pretty epic events planned!
Kicking off March 6th, the park has a new show called Dream…and Shine Brighter!, the Gardens of Wonder art installation, exclusive merchandise, and special snacks like a salted mashed potato waffle!
The most exciting part of all, though, is the opening of the Avengers Campus this summer, to be found in Disney Studios Park! Spider-Man with a side of mashed potato waffles? Oui!
Worlds of Pixar
Marvel fans aren’t the only ones who should be racing to Paris this year! When the park reopened last year, it renamed a portion of the Walt Disney Studios Park to “Worlds of Pixar,” signifying an increased spotlight on Pixar movies and characters!
Rides to look forward to here include Crush’s Coaster, Ratatouille: The Adventure, and Cars ROAD TRIP, along with Bistro Chez Remy and the “Laugh ’n’ Go!” food truck!
Mystic Manor
If there’s one single attraction worth traveling overseas for, it might be Mystic Manor. Like The Haunted Mansion times 10, Mystic Manor takes a similar premise and escalates it with cool details, more music, and a more immersive and advanced experience.
Located in Hong Kong Disneyland, it’s a trackless ride that explores a spooky (but not too spooky) manor, telling the story of Lord Henry Mystic and his monkey, Albert, all set to a musical score by Danny Elfman. Basically, if you like The Haunted Mansion, this is one ride you’ll love — and anyone who rides it does!
TRON
Another ride that’s definitely worth the mileage is the O.G. TRON in Shanghai Disneyland! Especially as we eagerly await the Magic Kingdom attraction, you can totally hop on a plane and get a preview any time you want!
Clearly, it’s a dazzling and memorable attraction, based on the global icon status of the ride, and the fact that it’s so popular it’s expanding to the U.S.
Explorer Canoes
Also at Shanghai Disneyland, we love Explorer Canoes for a ride that’s a tad slower, but no less enchanting.
The fact that this is a ride where guests literally paddle themselves, unlike anything in the U.S. for sure, it’s an immersive and interactive exploration of a watery wonderland called Treasure Cove.
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
Here in America, when we want our Beauty and the Beast fix, we typically just eat a Grey Stuff Cupcake. At Tokyo Disneyland, however, there’s a whole ride themed after this beloved movie!
One of the park’s newest big attractions, the ride takes guests on magical tea cups through the castle, dancing along in harmony to classic songs and scenes from the movie.
Between the must-eat snacks, the anniversary celebrations, and the passport-worthy rides, there are clearly plenty of reasons to leave the country for different Disney parks these days!
Ranking Disney’s International Parks By Their Attractions
Which international Disney park is highest on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!
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“The fact that this is a ride where guests literally paddle themselves, unlike anything in the U.S.” … Davy Crockett in Disneyland????