Beyond Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, there are theme parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. This record ranks all 12, with execs & cons, rides, exhibits, parades, fireworks, and extra to find out one of the best & worst Disney parks worldwide. (Updated November 28, 2022.)
Each of the Disney resort complexes has a citadel park, however not all of those parks are of the identical high quality, and their second gates (and past) are all very totally different. The record is our try at objectivity in rating the parks, attempting to the best extent potential to eradicate private biases and pesky issues like nostalgia.
Like the BCS and different energy rankings, nobody is certain to agree with these, regardless of them being very scientific and downright infallible. Joking apart, it’s totally potential that you simply’ll admire numerous points of interest, leisure, or the themed lands roughly than us, wherein case your record would differ. As with something like this, your mileage might differ.
Our 2022 replace to those rankings comes with some huge openings and occasions this 12 months, together with the restoration of a lot of what’s been lacking within the final couple of years. The latest addition is “Believe! Sea of Dreams” at Tokyo DisneySea, a brand new nighttime spectacular that could be very welcome as that otherwise-excellent park has been mild on leisure since reopening.
Sticking with the worldwide parks, the thirtieth Anniversary of Disneyland Paris kicked off this 12 months and Hong Kong Disneyland is within the midst of main enlargement. Closer to residence, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind debuted at EPCOT, and breathed new life into that stagnating park. With that mentioned, there’s nonetheless quite a bit to complete there, with the middle of EPCOT nonetheless being a large grime pit and the debuts of a number of new points of interest have been delayed or cancelled. Likewise, TRON Lightcycle Run nonetheless hasn’t opened at Magic Kingdom, regardless of being promised for the beginning of Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary celebration.
On the plus aspect, there have been plenty of notable new lands and points of interest to debut throughout the final 12 months or so. The largest of those is Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, which is a part of a blockbuster $750 million enlargement of Tokyo Disneyland. There’s additionally Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure, Cars Road Trip at Walt Disney Studios Park, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Harmonious arriving at Epcot, and extra.
Between the brand new leisure arriving for these anniversaries and new points of interest opening that had deliberate debut dates postponed final 12 months, 2023 must be one other huge 12 months for modifications and enhancements at a number of parks on this record. For now, listed below are our closing 2022 Disney Parks Power Rankings.
N/A. Shanghai Disneyland
We’ve determined to take away Shanghai Disneyland from the rankings, reflecting the truth that it’s unlikely anybody studying this is ready to go to anytime quickly given China’s insurance policies. Beyond that, there’s the query of whether or not anybody ought to need to go to Shanghai Disneyland as soon as allowed to enter China. Hopefully sometime issues normalize, however for now, we have now no intentions of returning to Disney’s latest theme park.
Back earlier than the world went sideways, Shanghai Disneyland was in the midst of the pack. (The model of the park we final visited would rank #8, nevertheless it’s been a couple of years.) Some followers have proclaimed its superiority to all different parks, whereas critics have derided it as franchise-driven and cheesy. We disagree with each polarized stances, discovering it to be one of the best opening day park relative to debuts within the submit Euro Disney period of half-day parks, however nonetheless fairly far behind the decades-established citadel parks.
Among its “home runs” are Treasure Cove (particularly its revolutionary Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure attraction), Camp Discovery, Tron Lightcycle Power Run, and Peter Pan’s Flight. We additionally give it factors for Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is extra spectacular in particular person than its divisive design appears to be like in idea artwork and pictures. Zootopia Land is the following huge addition–hopefully that’s a house run.
11. Walt Disney Studios Park
After bettering due to the addition of the Ratatouille: the Adventure trackless darkish journey a couple of years in the past, Walt Disney Studios Park is as soon as once more a park in transition. The huge addition this 12 months was Avengers Campus, which introduced a reskinned curler coaster, Spider-Man shooter recreation, and different additions much like the Marvel land in DCA.
The excellent news is that much more is on the horizon, with a brand new Frozen land that may characteristic snow-capped mountains reverse a big lake, with a ship journey that may transport visitors to Arendelle. The space may even embrace character encounters, a brand new restaurant, and a store. Walt Disney Studios Park has a promising future, however we’re nonetheless years away from it being a theme park really worthy of the Disney title. For now, it’s far and away the worst entry on this record.
10. Disney California Adventure
Nearly a decade since Disney pulled again the curtain on DCA 2.0, the much-maligned second gate at Disneyland Resort continues to enhance, albeit minus a cohesive “California” theme. This has been carried out slowly, with a two steps ahead, one step backwards form of strategy.
The most up-to-date addition is Avengers Campus, which incorporates the previously-reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy – MISSION: Breakout and newcomer Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Both are enjoyable additions, as is the land itself, which is stuffed with life due to the Marvel characters.
However, nothing else is on the horizon as the corporate turns its focus again to Disneyland, Downtown Disney redevelopment, lodge enlargement, and a zoning marketing campaign. That’s disappointing, as Disney California Adventure nonetheless wants extra to make it companion park to Disneyland.
9. Epcot
I’ve a comfortable spot for Epcot, however even I can’t deny that it’s nonetheless a little bit of a multitude proper now, even after the debut of the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. World Showcase is basically trying good, and the debut of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Harmonious helped that space turn into extra well-rounded, even when each are a bit underwhelming.
The entrance half of the park is the place the issues lie. The space previously often known as Future World is a veritable maze of building partitions and might be to various levels for at the very least the following two years. The middle of the park is actually a large grime pit, and plans for this space are nebulous. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind already moved the needle considerably, and Play Pavilion and Moana’s Journey of Water will spherical out the lineup when these open in 2023. Even then, extra substantive additions and upgrades are wanted within the former Future World pavilions.
With that mentioned, Epcot nonetheless has quite a bit to supply. World Showcase remains to be beautiful and presents a few of Disney’s finest ambiance, wherever. Spaceship Earth stays an awe-inspiring icon and fairly good attraction. Some Future World pavilions stay strong. Here’s hoping that new additions debuting within the subsequent few years assist nudge this up the record a tad, and the reimagined park emerges to reclaim its rightful place within the prime 5 of this record!
8. Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland has languished for the previous couple of years since its big enlargement consisting of Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, and Mystic Point. That enlargement included Mystic Manor and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, that are two of the highest 10 or 15 points of interest on the planet. The two new Marvel rides have additionally confirmed to be a pleasing shock, even when the E-Ticket remains to be years away.
Smaller, much less splashy additions have been revamped the previous couple of years, however Hong Kong Disneyland nonetheless has a protracted solution to go when it comes to being a singular park that gives compelling attracts. The upside to that is that the brand new Arendelle: the World of Frozen land is below building and the citadel enlargement is now completed. While there’s the potential for this to strip Hong Kong Disneyland of its quaint attraction and intimacy, it actually wants these additions–and an id of its personal. If all goes effectively, Hong Kong Disneyland may very well be an elite Disney theme park by its twentieth anniversary.
7. Animal Kingdom
A powerful argument may be made that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of the best theme park in Florida. When you emphasize the theme in theme park, we’d rank it #1 of Walt Disney World’s parks. That’s excessive reward, and sentiment that appears shared by the overall park-going public given Animal Kingdom’s hovering attendance.
The downside for us, and one not resolved by the beautiful Pandora: World of Avatar, is that there’s a whole lot of type, however nonetheless not sufficient substance. Sure, the park is gorgeous and the purest instance of unblemished (or near it) theme at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, folks go to theme parks anticipating rides, not simply themed design. This is true for us, too. While we love Animal Kingdom, we’ve discovered that we love the concept of it greater than the park itself, and really go to it lower than some other park at Walt Disney World.
While the zoological reveals, walk-throughs, and even leisure are fantastic, Animal Kingdom might use extra on the ‘traditional attraction’ finish of the spectrum. Expedition Everest was a begin and Pandora furthered this, however that’s nonetheless solely 3 excessive profile rides for the reason that park opened. Animal Kingdom might nonetheless use a family-friendly darkish journey (or two…or three). Perhaps the teased Moana and Zootopia additions might be simply what Animal Kingdom must spherical out the journey roster.
6. Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios has seen its inventory soar in the previous couple of years, going from #11 on this record to #6. Its newest positive factors come from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the reimagined Fantasmic. The larger rating additionally displays different enhancements within the final couple of years, together with the opening of Toy Story Land, Grand Avenue, and Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy.
The most vital addition stays Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its mega E-Ticket Rise of the Resistance, which lives as much as each little bit of the hype and is tied for the #1 attraction (out of 88!) at Walt Disney World. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run can be a powerful addition, however not almost that good.
However, as an entire DHS is well Walt Disney World’s most irritating park. The top-heavy lineup coupled with a surplus of exhibits makes crowds and wait instances insufferable at instances. This park might actually use one other darkish journey or two–or at the very least reimagined variations of its long-running stage exhibits that will be extra standard with visitors.
5. Magic Kingdom
Again, nostalgia comes into play. My opinion of Magic Kingdom will most definitely at all times be coloured by recollections of my youth–this stays my “home” citadel park. Sitting right here evaluating the park on-line, I can have a look at it with a essential eye, however in particular person all of that melts away as I really feel like a child once more when strolling down Main Street.
Magic Kingdom hasn’t acquired a lot consideration in the previous couple of years except you rely the brand new Disney Enchantment fireworks present, which is an unequivocal downgrade from its predecessor, Happily Ever After. Beyond that, New Fantasyland is not-so-new, Tomorrowland is mockingly probably the most dated and drained land, and the park is with no nighttime parade. Still, Magic Kingdom has probably the most well-rounded attraction lineup of any park at Walt Disney World. It’s additionally residence to loads of fan-favorites like Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the Peoplemover.
Additionally, Magic Kingdom has a sure magnificence, grandiosity, and sentimentality. This sense of escape and suspension of disbelief makes it actually interesting. Go from Adventureland to Frontierland to Fantasyland, and also you stay immersed in every of those environments. Still, because the crown jewel park at Disney’s largest and hottest resort complicated on the planet, Magic Kingdom deserves higher. Plan your go to with our complete Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide.
4. Disneyland Paris
The Disneyland Paris thirtieth Anniversary is now underway, and this celebration places Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary to disgrace. Characters are decked out for the celebration, the newly-refurbished Sleeping Beauty Castle is trying splendid, and Disneyland Paris has introduced again fan-favorite basic exhibits and parades, “Disney Stars on Parade” and “Disney Illuminations.” Before the latter, there’s a wow-moment drone present that actually punctuates the thirtieth. There’s a ton occurring for this celebration–see all of it in our Guide to Disneyland Paris thirtieth Anniversary.
Even earlier than this, Disneyland Paris was getting again on observe with main refurbishments to key points of interest. This has included in depth reimaginings of Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor, the latter of which is France’s distinctive tackle Haunted Mansion. Disneyland Paris nonetheless has room for enchancment (a lot of it on the operational entrance), however Disneyland Paris appears to be like higher than we’ve ever seen it.
This is coupled with the always-exceptional design work at Disneyland Paris make it one of many prime parks on the planet. This is especially true for many who favor parks as themed areas, slightly than collections of points of interest. On the journey entrance, Disneyland Paris remains to be a step or two behind the opposite citadel parks, nevertheless it compensates for this with so many wonderful areas and complicated particulars. Oh, and it has one of the best Disney citadel on the planet. It could be a irritating place to go to, but additionally extremely enchanting. Plan your go to with our complete Disneyland Paris Vacation Planning Guide.
3. Disneyland
Disneyland backs into the #2 slot due to a few issues. Project Stardust has revitalized areas of the park and improved crowd stream, one thing that had been a persistent situation for years. This has improved the visitor expertise in methods many guests won’t ever discover–however would’ve seen had the enhancements not been made.
Then there’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the debut of its flagship attraction, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Both the land and the journey are among the many highest on the planet. Galaxy’s Edge is beautifully-done, immersive, transportive, and represents the evolution of themed lands. Disneyland doesn’t rating fairly as many factors right here as maybe it ought to, as the brand new Star Wars Land feels remoted and eliminated for the remainder of the park–additionally like a park throughout the park–slightly than a coherent house that congeals with the better entire.
However, this separation has one great upside, and that’s the preservation of the attraction and intimacy of Walt Disney’s authentic magic kingdom. The ‘traditional’ aspect of the park nonetheless oozes whimsy, magnificence, and heat. Moreover, Disneyland has among the finest themed areas on the planet, with the Rivers of America, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Main Street all being extremely inviting.
Equally as vital, it has an unimaginable slate of points of interest, starting from intimate Fantasyland darkish rides like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland to blockbuster E-Tickets like Indiana Jones Adventure and Hyperspace Mountain. Disneyland is extremely attraction-dense, with nice variations of the classics, plus a strong slate of leisure. Plan your go to with our complete Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide.
2. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland’s $750 million enlargement has now debuted and the park is as soon as once more working largely usually. Entertainment is slowly returning, venues are reopening, and cuts are being restored. We returned to Tokyo Disney Resort in November 2022 and had been extremely impressed by what the brand new Fantasyland, Toontown, and Tomorrowland additions delivered to the desk. They remodeled a whole lot of lifeless house into partaking themed areas, which has been a giant initiative for Tokyo Disneyland.
Tokyo Disneyland’s attraction roster nonetheless presents the best hits of the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, with one of the best model of quite a few iconic Disney rides. In addition to a formidable lineup of classics, Tokyo Disneyland additionally has a number of headliners of its personal in Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. On prime of that, it now not seems like a ‘clone park’ as so lots of its current lands have been overhauled. (Parts of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland nonetheless need assistance, however these are subsequent up.)
However, it’s not the journey roster that places Tokyo Disneyland close to the highest. The leisure is wonderful, with an everyday lineup of nice seasonal choices, plus Dreaming Up (Disney’s finest day parade) and Dreamlights (Disney’s finest evening parade). Beyond that, Tokyo Disneyland’s upkeep, consideration to element, present high quality, eating, and Cast Members are all unsurpassed. Plan your go to with our complete Tokyo Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide.
1. Tokyo DisneySea
For the primary time, we left Tokyo DisneySea questioning whether or not it’s deserving of the highest spot. While “Believe! Sea of Dreams” is a really welcome new nighttime spectacular, a whole lot of different leisure remains to be lacking. We wouldn’t go so far as to say Tokyo DisneySea seems like a shadow of its former self, nevertheless it has been noticeably downgraded.
As in comparison with what it as soon as was in 2019 or earlier, Tokyo DisneySea has misplaced a whole lot of its luster. However, it was one of the best Disney theme park by a large margin earlier than, and retains that standing, albeit with a a lot narrower lead over its subsequent door neighbor and even Disneyland in California. If we might solely go to or suggest one theme park on the planet, Tokyo DisneySea could be it.
I’ve already devoted a complete article to the Top 10 Reasons Tokyo DisneySea is Disney’s Best Park, so I’ll simply defer to that for what else makes this park so unbelievably particular. Tokyo DisneySea remains to be Disney’s finest theme park on the planet, even the late 2022 model of the park.
Hope you loved this new version of the Disney Parks Power Rankings. Keep in thoughts that this record is all in good enjoyable. Like sports activities followers, most Disney followers have sturdy allegiances in the direction of their residence park and take offense once they really feel it’s slighted. Remember that that is one random dude’s opinion on the web. At the top of the day, it doesn’t impression your enjoyment of your “favorite” park if I rank it at quantity 8, nor does my opinion matter (in any respect) within the grand scheme of issues.
Your Thoughts
How would you rank the Disney Parks you’ve visited? It doesn’t matter what number of parks you’ve been to, I’m nonetheless taken with figuring out! Do you suppose I misranked any parks, or made any poor decisions? Any questions we may help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!