For many theme park fans, and more specifically, Disney fans, visiting all of the Disney theme parks around the world is a bucket list item. The international Disney theme parks are filled with unique attractions, food, merchandise, and more, making each one worth visiting. And while many of us have likely taken a vacation to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, or the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, getting to the rest of the Disney theme parks can prove a little more challenging, and not just with the long plane trips it can take to get halfway around the world.
Even better, 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic time to visit one of the international Disney theme parks. Across the world, exciting anniversary celebrations are happening, new attractions are opening, and even newly renovated theme parks are getting ready to debut. So if you’re like me and already planning your 2026 getaways, keep reading because I’m sharing everything that’s happening in 2026 at all of the international Disney theme parks and how to decide which park is best for you to see next year.
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Where are the international Disney theme parks located around the world?
There are currently four international Disney resorts located around the world. The first is Disneyland Paris, which has two theme parks (Disneyland Paris and Walt Disney Studios Park, soon to be Disney Adventure World) and multiple on-site hotels. The second is Tokyo Disney Resort, which features two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, and a handful of on-site hotels. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is one of the smallest resorts with just one park and three hotels. Lastly, there’s Shanghai Disney Resort, which has one theme park, Shanghai Disneyland, and two hotels.
Are there plans to build another international Disney theme park?
Yes, earlier this year, Disney announced it would be building its seventh theme park destination in Abu Dhabi. While not much is known about the plans for the park, we do know that it will be located on Yas Island and will be built in partnership between The Walt Disney Company and the Abu Dhabi-based immersive destination company, Miral.
Disneyland Paris in 2026
2026 is set to be a big year at Disneyland Paris, with the rebrand of Walt Disney Studios Park to Disney Adventure World, returning seasonal events at Disneyland Park, and more just beyond the park’s gates.
Disney Adventure World
The official launch of Disney Adventure World will start when the park opens its newest addition, World of Frozen, this spring.
The park’s Frozen-themed land will allow guests to step into the bustling kingdom of Arendelle. The land will feature new attractions, dining, and character interactions. From the moment you walk into World of Frozen, you’ll see the North Mountain towering over 118 feet above you. Inside, you’ll be able to ride a boat ride retelling the story of Anna and Elsa on Frozen Ever After, shop at Arendelle Boutique, and dine in a Nordic-inspired tavern.
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Disney Adventure World will also have a spinning flat ride called Rapunzel Tangled Spin near the park’s entrance, dubbed Adventure Way. Additionally, on the banks of Adventure Bay, the park’s central water feature, a new restaurant, The Regal View Restaurant and Lounge, will open as a character dining table service eatery, complete with Disney Princesses. There’s also a new nighttime show around Adventure Bay coming to the park, complete with water screens, fountains, and drones.
Additionally, a new Lion King-themed water drop ride, similar in style to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Splash Mountain, though no opening date for this attraction has been announced yet.
Disneyland Park
While Disney Adventure World is getting most of the buzz in 2026, Disneyland Park is gearing up for a host of spectacular events next year, too. This includes the return of Disney Halloween Festival and Disney Enchanted Christmas during the holiday season.
Disney Village
And the fun doesn’t stop once you leave the parks. Over at Disney Village (Disneyland Paris’ version of the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort), the entire space is getting refreshed with new dining and shops. One new spot opening is Casa Gila, which has seating for more than 500 guests and serves Italian cuisine.
Where to stay at Disneyland Paris in 2026
To truly be immersed in the magic of Disneyland Paris, consider splurging for a few nights to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. The five-star hotel recently completed a massive renovation, bringing an even more regal feel to the lobby and other common areas, including a spectacular crystal chandelier that depicts a castle. The hotel has its own entrance into Disneyland Park, which makes it easy to come and go from the theme park as you wish.
Is Disneyland Paris the right international Disney theme park for you in 2026?
If you’re someone who wants to see a completely reimagined theme park, loves Frozen, or hasn’t been to Disneyland Paris yet, this is the time to go. It’s pretty easy to add a visit to the theme park resort to a trip to Paris, even if it’s just for a day, especially because public transportation can take you from the heart of Paris to the park in about 40 minutes via the RER A train route.
Tokyo Disney Resort in 2026
Tokyo Disney Resort is often lauded as Disney’s best theme park destination, and after visiting last year, I have to agree. The resort has two fantastic theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, plus highly themed hotels that are accessible via the Tokyo Disney Resort monorail system.
Tokyo Disneyland
The real joy of walking into Tokyo Disneyland is how familiar it feels. The layout is similar to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort. The park is filled with exclusive attractions like The Happy Ride with Baymax and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, both of which are very popular with locals and tourists.
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When I visited Tokyo Disneyland last year, I couldn’t believe my eyes on Enchanted Take of Beauty and the Beast, with its lifelike animatronics of Belle and the Beast, plus mind-bending special effects. No new attractions or celebrations have been announced for this park next year as of publication.
Tokyo DisneySea
In 2026, Tokyo DisneySea will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Sparkling Jubilee celebration kicks off April 15, 2026, and runs through March 31, 2027, so you’ve got plenty of time to plan a trip that coincides with the epic party. The park will be decked out in the celebration’s signature “Jubilee Blue” color, along with new entertainment coming to Tokyo DisneySea.
Some of the new entertainment offerings include the Sparkling Jubilee Celebration, where Mickey Mouse and his pals will sail into Mediterranean Harbor for you to spot. Additionally, Dance the Globe will take over Waterfront Park in the American Waterfront area of the park. During the show, Mickey will invite some of his friends, like Rapunzel from Tangled, Hiro from Big Hero 6, and Mirabel from Encanto, to dance to music from around the world.
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Even beyond the Sparkling Jubilee, Tokyo DisneySea is an impressive theme park that you’ll want to spend a few days at. The newest port (what this park calls its lands) is Fantasy Springs, which opened in June 2024. The port has three mini-lands inside dedicated to Frozen, Peter Pan, and Tangled. Fantasy Springs has four new attractions, including the wildly popular Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey and Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival. There are also three new restaurants. My favorite is Lookout Cookout, where snack boxes are filled with butter curry or lemon tea chicken tenders, plus seaweed fritters, shrimp chips, and banana chips.
Where to stay at Tokyo Disney Resort
Since Tokyo DisneySea will kick off a big celebration event next year, I would book a hotel with easy access to that park. The two best options are the Fantasy Springs Hotel or Hotel MiraCosta. Both hotels have dedicated theme park entrances for hotel guests, and some rooms even look into the park, offering a unique look behind the curtain before the park opens for the day and after it closes each evening.
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If I had to pick just one, I would opt for Hotel MiraCosta. The rooms are lavish, and if you really want to treat yourself (and why not if you’re going to fly for over 12 hours to Tokyo), book a room with a view of the interior of the park so you can watch the evening shows from the comfort of your bed while hugging you’re new favorite Duffy and Friends character plush.
Is Tokyo Disney Resort the right international Disney theme park for you in 2026?
As a fan-favorite international Disney theme park, there’s no bad time to visit Tokyo Disney Resort. If you’re looking for a park destination that’s celebrating a big anniversary year, has some of the best service of any Disney theme park, and features exclusive attractions and unique dining opportunities, 2026 is the time to visit Tokyo Disney Resort.
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in 2026
Earlier this summer, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration, which will continue until June 2026. All around the park, you’ll see plenty of 20th anniversary decor, characters in vibrant new outfits, and of course, heartwarming entertainment. Be sure not to miss the Disney Friends Live: Party at the Castle! Show, which features all of your favorite Disney characters combined with high-energy music that feels more like a concert than a Disney Parks show.
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Additionally, Hong Kong Disneyland launched the Friendtastic! Parade, which features 11 floats, more than 30 Disney characters, and around 100 performers, making this the biggest-ever parade at the park.
And next year, the party gets even bigger with new themes every season of the event. It all starts in January with a Chinese New Year Celebration from January 30 to March 1, 2026. The Year of the Horse will be hosted by Bullseye from Toy Story, who guests can meet at the park throughout this mini-event. Then from March 20 through June 7, 2026, the annual Duffy and Friends Play Days will return, complete with adorable treats, merchandise, shows, and more.
April 2026 will have Chip ’n’ Dale throwing The Most Mischevious Party around Grizzly Gulch, with new live music, character interaction opportunities, and the chance to perform alongside the town band. The themed celebrations end in May, with Lord Henry and Albert Throw a Mysterious Party. The two characters from the Mystic Manor attraction will be out and about around Mystic Point to meet guests.
Where to stay at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
There are three hotels onsite at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort: the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel, Disney Explorers Lodge, and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. For a stay that feels unique with just a touch of Disney magic, Disney Explorers Lodge is our pick.
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This is the newest of the trio of accommodations at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and feels like a mix of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (sans wild animals) from Walt Disney World. The resort has more than a thousand pieces of art and artifacts from around the world on display, so you’ll definitely want to explore the resort to see it all. Even better, the resort is just a short five to 10-minute walk from the park.
Is Hong Kong Disneyland Resort the right international Disney theme park for you in 2026?
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is high on my list of places to visit in 2026. The 20th anniversary celebration seems like a lot of fun, and Disney fans often hype up how wonderful the Mystic Manor attraction is. This might be the right international Disney theme park for you next year if you want to knock out a few international parks at once by visiting Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort back-to-back.
Shanghai Disney Resort in 2026
2026 is a big anniversary year for Shanghai Disney Resort, as the destination will celebrate its 10th anniversary. While details of the festivities have yet to be shared, Shanghai Disney Resort revealed there will be new offerings and special experiences to honor a decade of dreams coming true.
Where to stay at Shanghai Disney Resort
There are two hotels at Shanghai Disney Resort, the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and the Toy Story Hotel. Both resorts offer complimentary shuttle transportation to and from the park, and one hour of early entry at the park.
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But our pick for the best experience is the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel. The beautiful property is just across the lake from the entrance to the theme park. It also has a dedicated water taxi that can transport you to and from the theme park. Rooms are perfect for small families, as most sleep up to three people. Some even have views of the park. The hotel has an outdoor water play area and hedge maze, an indoor pool themed to The Little Mermaid, and multiple dining locations.
Is Shanghai Disney Resort the right international Disney theme park for you in 2026?
If you’re trying to hit all of the Disney theme parks in Asia in one trip, you’ll definitely need to make plans to get to Shanghai Disney Resort. Alternatively, if you can’t wait to celebrate another milestone theme park anniversary, you should put this park on your trip calendar for next year.
