Disneyland or Walt Disney World

High on the bucket list for dream holidays is Disney, it does not matter if you are a child or a child at heart, it is a lovely holiday. There are currently 5 Disney Resorts with number 6 due to open in 2016. Keep in mind that children should be over 132cm height to go on some of the bigger rides in the parks. Each park offers variations but covers attractions, rides, shopping, dining and entertainment. The best time to visit is a Tues – Thurs as this is when you get the least amount of people. The benefit will be shorter waiting times and you fit so much more in your day not dealing with crowds. Here is bit of information on each park.

Disneyland Paris – France This is perfect particularly if you are planning a holiday to Europe anyway and this is an add-on to that. It is made up of 2 resorts Disneyland Park, with its 5 lands filled with attractions, shows and street parades. There is also Walt Disney Studio Park where you can discover the mystery behind the Disney films. Disney Village for shopping, dining and entertainment. Golf Disneyland Park where you can enjoy a round of golf. There are 7 hotels in the park to choose from and it takes 35 minutes by train from Paris. You can easily see everything in 3 days at this resort.

Tokyo Disney – Japan This was the first Disney theme park outside of the US and opened in 1983, once again it's a great add- on if you are already visiting the Far East but would not go to Japan just for Disney. It comprises of 2 parks both with attractions, rides, characters and shopping. Tokyo Disneyland which is made up of Mediterranean Harbour, World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Toontown and Tomorrowland. Tokyo DisneySea is made up of American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and Mysterious Island. There are 3 hotels to choose from and it is easily accessible by train from Tokyo.

Hong Kong Disneyland – China This is the only resort that South Africans do not need to visa to visit, as no visa is needed if you are just going to Hong Kong. It is located on Lantau Island, same as Hong Kong International Airport, so is very easy to get to by MTR, public bus or taxi. It will be a great stop if going on a holiday to the Far East or flying via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. It is made up of one park which has Main Street USA, Adventureland, Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point, Toy Story Land and finally Fantasyland. Then Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre which is a 12 hectare artificial lake where you can relax and enjoy nature. There are 2 hotels to choose from in the park and it opened in 2005.

Disneyland – Los Angeles - USA This was the original Disneyland Resort and opened in 1955. It is made up of 2 parks Disneyland Park where you can meet princesses, sail with pirates, explore jungles, rocket through the skies or dive under the ocean. Disney California Adventure offers Cars Land, Buena Vista Street, Grizzly Peak, Pacific Warf, Hollywood Land and Paradise Pier. Normally 2 full days is long enough to see everything. There are 3 hotels to choose from in the park but you can just as easily stay in a normal hotel in Anaheim and not in the park.

Walt Disney World Resort – Orlando – Florida – USA This is the biggest and most famous of all the parks and comprises of magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingkom, Hollywood Studios, ESPN Wide World of Sports and Disney Quest. There are also the 2 water parks namely Typhooon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach as part of Disney. It is like a little town on its own and there is no real comparison to the other Disney parks. You can go all the way to the USA and just go to Orlando. You can very easily spend 7 full days and still not see everything. There are 21 hotels in the park to choose from and easily accessible from Orlando. The benefit of staying in the park is you get to enter the various parks earlier than people staying outside of the park. There is so much to see apart for Disney in the area including Seaworld and Kennedy Space Centre to just name 2. Avoid the summer (June – August) as it is just too hot and full to make the most of your time.

Shanghai Disney – China This resort is opening in 2016 but is once again far to travel for South Africans unless you are planning a trip to Shanghai anyway.

I hope this has given you a bit of insight into the various parks - please feel free to contact me to discuss your travel plans further. I have been privileged enough to have visited Walt Disney World in Orlando and Disneyland in Los Angeles so I can give advice from personal experience on those 2 parks.