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Disney is often synonymous with "theme parks." After all, it is the most visited theme park company in the world, with twelve theme parks across six resort locations. What started as a side project of a successful movie company has now evolved into a multibillion-dollar business recognized worldwide.

While all Disney parks share certain commonalities, each is also unique, whether due to its location—Florida, California, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai—its themes, or the attractions it offers. Here are all the Disney theme parks explained!

The first theme park opened by Disney in 1955, and the only one inaugurated by Walt Disney himself, Disneyland Park was originally conceived as a side attraction for tourists visiting the Disney Studios in Burbank. However, space limitations forced the company to relocate the project to Anaheim.

The park is divided into nine themed "lands," inspired by different regions of America, the world, and Disney’s own productions. Although many attractions have been added since its opening, the park holds a unique charm, blending nostalgia with innovation.

Opened in 2001, this park draws inspiration primarily from California and its culture, while focusing on Marvel, Pixar, and other newer Disney franchises. Often considered a more grown-up park compared to the family-friendly Disneyland Park, it features more thrilling attractions.

Disney California Adventure is also divided into themed lands, in this case inspired by California landmarks—such as Hollywood, Santa Monica, or the Yosemite National Park—as well as by successful movie franchises, including Marvel’s Avengers, and Cars.

Probably the most recognizable Disney theme park, thanks to its iconic Cinderella Castle, it is also the most visited of the twelve parks. Planned as part of a larger resort complex, it was designed by Walt Disney to be a larger version of the original Disneyland park in California. Sadly, Walt Disney passed away before the park opened.

Magic Kingdom is divided into six themed lands inspired by American history, remote destinations, the space age, and classic Disney fairy tales. Its attractions include iconic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain, and Haunted Mansion.

Often described as a "permanent world fair," EPCOT was designed to celebrate human achievements and technological advancements. Spaceship Earth, the park's most famous landmark, takes guests on a "time machine" ride through the history of human communication.

The park is divided into four neighborhoods that explore technology, science, creativity, architecture, and the natural world, and it also features Disney-themed rides related to these subjects. The park’s largest neighborhood, World Showcase, is dedicated to representing different cultures from around the world, with reproductions of famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Hampton Court Palace.

Opened in 1989, Disney's Hollywood Studios represents an idealized version of Hollywood, drawing inspiration from the Golden Age of cinema. The park originally included an operating production studio, which was later removed.

The different park areas are inspired by real Hollywood locations or famous Hollywood stories, often including buildings and attractions modeled after well-known landmarks. One of its most iconic attractions is the Fantasmic! show, which has been running since 1998.

Opened on Earth Day in 1998, Animal Kingdom focuses on the natural environment and animal conservation. Unlike other Disney parks, Animal Kingdom features live animal exhibits alongside traditional rides and attractions. For this reason, the park is somewhat isolated from other resorts in the complex and avoids loud attractions or shows that could disturb the animals.

Divided into six themed areas, the park offers a mix of Disney-themed attractions and rides, with areas inspired by animals and their natural habitats. The park is officially accredited as a zoo and maintains high standards of research, conservation, and animal welfare.

Although officially part of the Disney brand, this park and the rest of the Tokyo Disneyland Resort are not owned or operated by the Walt Disney Company. Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney park to open outside the U.S., and its layout closely mirrors that of the original Disneyland park in California.

Divided into seven themed areas, most of the attractions are similar to those found in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, though there are some exclusive rides and experiences. One of the most visited theme parks in Asia, Tokyo Disneyland is renowned for its extensive open spaces, designed to accommodate large crowds.

Initially conceived as a copy of Disney's Hollywood Studios, Tokyo DisneySea was ultimately developed with a nautical theme, taking advantage of the location of the resort in Tokyo Bay. The resort is known for remaining open during typhoon season—though opening hours may be reduced and some outdoor attractions may be unavailable—and has only fully closed due to weather conditions during the 2019 Typhoon Hagibis.

The park is divided into eight "ports of call," inspired by real and fictional maritime locations—such as the Mediterranean or the Arabian Coast—and by characters from Disney stories, including the Little Mermaid, Sinbad, or Indiana Jones.

The second Disney park outside the U.S., Disneyland Paris, opened in 1992 as Euro Disneyland Park. Similar to Tokyo Disneyland, this park was also designed after the original Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom parks. Its most iconic landmark is the Sleeping Beauty Castle, a reimagined French version of the castle in Disneyland, California.

The park is divided into five themed lands, and many attractions are similar to those found in the California and Florida resorts. However, two areas—Fantasyland and Discoveryland—have been reimagined with European concepts and aesthetics.

Although this park was initially conceived as a European counterpart to Disney's Hollywood Studios, it eventually shifted away from the movie-studio concept to focus more on Disney-themed attractions. The park is currently undergoing a major expansion, with plans to be renamed Disney Adventure World.

The park is divided into five "studio lots" that represent different aspects of film production. According to the expansion plans, these lots will be transformed into six areas, including new zones inspired by Frozen and Marvel’s Avengers, as well as the addition of a new lake.

Opened in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland was carefully designed to respect local culture and avoid potential controversies. To achieve this, the park was planned according to Feng Shui principles and with multiple allusions to Chinese culture and customs.

Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of all the Disney theme parks, and it’s divided into eight themed lands, similar to other resorts, with the distinction that each land is designed to be fully immersive and somewhat isolated from the others.

Opened in 2016, Shanghai Disneyland is the most visited theme park in China and the newest Disney park to date. It is the only Disney park without a steam railroad encircling the park, reportedly because train travel is quite common in China and therefore not considered a novelty.

At the center of the park is the Gardens of Imagination, inspired by the Chinese Zodiac. While areas of the park are similar to those found in other Disney resorts, the traditional layout has been adapted: some classic themed lands have been modified to avoid direct references to American culture.