Beyond Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, there are theme parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. This listing ranks all 12, with execs & cons, rides, reveals, parades, fireworks, and extra to find out the perfect & 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 listing is our try at objectivity in rating the parks, attempting to the best extent potential to remove 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 fully potential that you simply’ll recognize numerous points of interest, leisure, or the themed lands roughly than us, wherein case your listing would differ. As with something like this, your mileage might differ.
Our 2022 replace to those rankings comes with some large 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 gentle 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 stated, there’s nonetheless loads to complete there, with the middle of EPCOT nonetheless being a large filth 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 facet, there have been quite a lot of notable new lands and points of interest to debut throughout the final 12 months or so. The greatest 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 ought to be one other large 12 months for adjustments and enhancements at a number of parks on this listing. For now, listed here 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 fact 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, now we have no intentions of returning to Disney’s latest theme park.
Back earlier than the world went sideways, Shanghai Disneyland was in the course of the pack. (The model of the park we final visited would rank #8, nevertheless it’s been a number 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 the perfect 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 photographs. Zootopia Land is the following large addition–hopefully that’s a house run.
11. Walt Disney Studios Park
After enhancing due to the addition of the Ratatouille: the Adventure trackless darkish experience a number of years in the past, Walt Disney Studios Park is as soon as once more a park in transition. The large 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 function snow-capped mountains reverse a big lake, with a ship experience that may transport company to Arendelle. The space will even embody 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 identify. For now, it’s far and away the worst entry on this listing.
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 performed 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 filled 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, resort 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 gentle spot for Epcot, however even I can not deny that it’s nonetheless a little bit of a large number proper now, even after the debut of the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. World Showcase is essentially 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 development partitions and will likely be to various levels for at the least the following two years. The middle of the park is actually a large filth 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 stated, Epcot nonetheless has loads to supply. World Showcase remains to be beautiful and presents a few of Disney’s greatest ambiance, anyplace. 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 listing a tad, and the reimagined park emerges to reclaim its rightful place within the prime 5 of this listing!
8. Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland has languished for the previous couple of years since its enormous 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 earth. The two new Marvel rides have additionally confirmed to be a nice 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 an extended approach to go by way of being a novel park that gives compelling attracts. The upside to that is that the brand new Arendelle: the World of Frozen land is underneath development 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 robust argument might be made that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the perfect 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 final park-going public given Animal Kingdom’s hovering attendance.
The drawback for us, and one not resolved by the beautiful Pandora: World of Avatar, is that there’s a number of model, 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, individuals 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 every 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 because the park opened. Animal Kingdom might nonetheless use a family-friendly darkish experience (or two…or three). Perhaps the teased Moana and Zootopia additions will likely be simply what Animal Kingdom must spherical out the experience roster.
6. Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios has seen its inventory soar in the previous couple of years, going from #11 on this listing to #6. Its newest features 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 robust addition, however not practically 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 reveals makes crowds and wait occasions insufferable at occasions. This park might actually use one other darkish experience or two–or at the least reimagined variations of its long-running stage reveals that may be extra fashionable with company.
5. Magic Kingdom
Again, nostalgia comes into play. My opinion of Magic Kingdom will almost certainly all the time be coloured by reminiscences 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 crucial 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 until 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 satirically essentially the most dated and drained land, and the park is with out a nighttime parade. Still, Magic Kingdom has essentially 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 advanced on the earth, 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 reveals and parades, “Disney Stars on Parade” and “Disney Illuminations.” Before the latter, there’s a wow-moment drone present that basically 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 monitor with main refurbishments to key points of interest. This has included intensive 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 earth. This is especially true for individuals who favor parks as themed areas, quite than collections of points of interest. On the experience entrance, Disneyland Paris remains to be a step or two behind the opposite citadel parks, nevertheless it compensates for this with so many superb areas and complicated particulars. Oh, and it has the perfect Disney citadel on the earth. It is usually 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 circulation, 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 observed 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 experience are among the many absolute best on the earth. 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–quite 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 unique magic kingdom. The ‘traditional’ facet of the park nonetheless oozes whimsy, magnificence, and heat. Moreover, Disneyland has among the greatest themed areas on the earth, 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 principally 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 number of lifeless house into participating 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 the perfect 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 appears 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 experience roster that places Tokyo Disneyland close to the highest. The leisure is superb, with a daily lineup of nice seasonal choices, plus Dreaming Up (Disney’s greatest day parade) and Dreamlights (Disney’s greatest 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 number of different leisure remains to be lacking. We wouldn’t go so far as to say Tokyo DisneySea appears 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 number of its luster. However, it was the perfect 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 earth, Tokyo DisneySea can be it.
I’ve already devoted a whole 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 greatest theme park on the earth, even the late 2022 model of the park.
Hope you loved this re-creation of the Disney Parks Power Rankings. Keep in thoughts that this listing 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 after 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 affect 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 serious about figuring out! Do you assume I misranked any parks, or made any poor selections? Any questions we can assist you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!