Disney has parks located throughout the world. Each one is designed around a specific theme with some adding elements specific to the location. Millions of people visit the parks each year to experience attractions and events for people of all ages. Walt Disney World alone had over 17 million visitors in 2009.
Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida has four theme parks and two water parks. Magic Kingdom was the first of the parks built at the Florida location in 1971. Popular rides at the park include Pirates Of The Caribbean as well as The Haunted Mansion. Epcot has been in operation since 1982. Countries from all over the world operate sections devoted to shopping, dining and educational opportunities in the World Showcase while guests can experience thrill rides in Futureworld such as Test Track. Disney's Hollywood Studios followed with its opening in 1989. The park replicates the surroundings of an actual working studio of the early age of Hollywood. A replica of Grauman's Chinese Theater houses The Great Movie Ride which takes guests through some of the most famous scenes of movies like Alien and The Wizard of OZ. Disney's Animal Kingdom launched in 1998. Live animal exhibits coexist with thrill rides throughout the park. Over 1,700 animals, such as tigers and gorilla, live in areas that recreate their natural habitats side by side with thrill rides. Two water parks are featured in Walt Disney World, tropical themed Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach which is themed to resemble a ski resort. Both have wave pools and lazy rivers.
Anaheim, California's Disneyland was the first Disney park in the world. Walt Disney himself was on hand to open the park in 1955. The design of Magic Kingdom in Orlando was heavily influenced by Disneyland. Only Critter Country and New Orleans Square were not introduced into the Magic Kingdom. Disney California Adventure, directly across from Disneyland, features an array of exhibits and rides that highlight the state it is located in. Features to the park include the vintage boardwalk style rides of Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot and Golden State which has Soarin' Over California as a major attraction.
Walt Disney World Resort
1675 N Buena Vista Dr.
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
407-939-6244
disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks
Disneyland Resort
P.O. Box 3232
Anaheim, CA 92802-3232
714-781-4565
disneyland.disney.go.com/parks
Disneyland Paris consists of two parks, Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Disneyland Park was built in 1992 with the same plans as Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Famous rides, such as The Haunted Mansion were brought over with elements change to reflect the area. Walt Disney Studios Park began operation in 2002 and mimics much of Disney's Hollywood Studios. As with Disneyland Paris, elements of famous rides have been altered to better adapt to the surroundings and new rides have been introduced like Crush's Coaster, which is based on the Pixar film Finding Nemo.
Disneyland Paris Resort
Place des Passagers des Vents
77700 Chessy
France
33 1 60 30 60 53
parks.disneylandparis.co.uk/index.xhtml
There are three Disney parks in Asia. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney Park built outside of the United States. Open since 1983, the park also follows the blueprint of Disneyland in Anaheim in landscape and attractions. Tokyo DisneySea is a unique park design that relies on water themed zones called Ports of Call and rides unseen at other Disney parks. Hong Kong Disneyland, built in 2005, features only four lands, Main Street, U.S.A, Fantasyland, Adventureland and Tomorrowland.
Tokyo Disney Resort
1-1, Maihama
Urayasu-shi
Chiba 279
Japan
81-45-330-5211
tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/index_e.html
Hong Kong Disneyland
Lantau Island
Hong Kong
3510 6000
852 1-830-830
park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/parks/overview?name=ParkOverviewPage
