Beyond Walt Disney World in Florida and Disneyland in California, there are theme parks in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. This list ranks all 12, with pros & cons, rides, shows, parades, fireworks, and more to determine the best & worst Disney parks worldwide. (Updated December 30, 2024.)
Each of the Disney resort complexes has a castle park, but not all of these parks are of the same quality, and their second gates (and beyond) are all very different. The list is our attempt at objectivity in ranking the parks, trying to the greatest extent possible to eliminate personal biases and pesky things like nostalgia.
Like the BCS and other power rankings, no one is bound to agree with these, despite them being very scientific and downright infallible. Joking aside, it’s entirely possible that you’ll appreciate various attractions, entertainment, or the themed lands more or less than us, in which case your list would differ. As with anything like this, your mileage may vary.
Our latest update to these rankings comes with some big openings and events this year, along with the restoration of much of what’s been missing in the last couple of years. The newest large-scale addition is the Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, which made that fan-favorite park even stronger…but also, weaker. (We’ll explain below–it makes sense.)
Closer to home, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure debuted on both coasts, but that was this year’s only new ride. Prior to that, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway debuted at Disneyland and TRON Lightcycle Run opened at Magic Kingdom. Over at EPCOT, a lot has been changing and “mission accomplished” was declared on the overhaul. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Moana’s Journey of Water, and Luminous: The Symphony of Us all debuted.
However, that’s about it on new additions for a little bit…
While there are still stragglers from the last development cycle that aren’t quite done–mostly in the Walt Disney Studios Park–2025 is a time for transition for most Disney Parks around the globe. One construction cycle has finished, and another is beginning.
Since things necessarily take time to build, that means no major new lands or attractions in 2025. For that matter, very little (outside the aforementioned Parisian park) in 2026. The next wave of additions won’t really come online until 2027, and even then, the bulk of the projects will wrap in 2028 through 2030.
Suffice to say, it’s going to be an interesting few years for the Disney Parks Power Rankings. Movement up and down the list will probably be minimal, and more driven by entertainment enhancements and how negatively construction and closures do (or do not) impact the guest experience.
In the meantime, here are our current Disney Parks Power Rankings for 2025…
12. Walt Disney Studios Park
After improving thanks to the addition of the Ratatouille: the Adventure trackless dark ride a decade ago, Walt Disney Studios Park is once again a park in transition. The big recent-ish addition was Avengers Campus, which brought a reskinned roller coaster, Spider-Man shooter game, and other additions similar to the Marvel land in DCA. It wasn’t enough.
The good news is that more is on the horizon! The latest announcement is a Lion King Land & Ride, which will open…eventually. Before that, guests will be treated to an array of new experiences at the park that what will soon be called “Disney Adventure World.” This includes Adventure Bay & Way, the family attraction Raiponce Tangled Spin, Regal View Restaurant & Lounge, and the highly anticipated World of Frozen land–all opening in 2026.
Before all of that, Spring 2025 brings with it the transformed entrance area to Walt Disney Studios Park (still its name for 2025), now called World Premiere, which will pay homage to historic movie theaters in Hollywood. Will this be enough to lift Walt Disney Studios Park out of the proverbial gutter? Of course not.
Walt Disney Studios Park/Disney Adventure World has a promising future, but it won’t be a theme park truly worthy of the Disney name until 2026. For now, it’s far and away the worst entry on this list. Even then, it’s going to be tough to pass DCA for #11.
11. Disney California Adventure
Nearly a decade since Disney pulled back the curtain on DCA 2.0, the much-maligned second gate at Disneyland Resort continues to improve, albeit minus a cohesive “California” theme. This has been done slowly, with a two steps forward, one step backwards kind of approach.
The most recent addition is Avengers Campus, which includes the previously-reimagined Guardians of the Galaxy – MISSION: Breakout and newcomer Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure. Both are fun additions, as is the land itself, which is full of life thanks to the Marvel characters. There’s also San Fransokyo Square, I guess, but that’s really more a fresh coat of paint on the food court rather than anything new.
The good news is that Disney California Adventure has much more on the horizon before 2030. DCA got perhaps the most love during D23, with announcements of Pandora – World of Avatar, multiple new Marvel rides, and a Coco boat ride that sounds fantastic. The bad news is that none of this will open until Christmas 2027 at the absolute earliest, so we’re still a few years away from DCA moving up the list. Could Disney Adventure World pass it in the meantime? Eh, possibly.
10. Shanghai Disneyland
Although there’s the question of whether anyone reading this should want to visit mainland China, that’s more of a ‘procedural’ question and not germane to the question of where the parks rank. We have yet to return to Shanghai Disneyland since the border reopened earlier this year, and have no intentions of doing so anytime soon.
The version of the park we last visited before the world went sideways was good, but not great. There’s a strong possibility that Zootopia will push it to greatness. Some fans have proclaimed that it’s already there–that Shanghai Disneyland is superior to all other parks. Conversely, critics have derided it as franchise-driven and tacky. We disagree with both polarized stances, finding Shanghai Disneyland to be the most ‘complete’ castle park during its early years relative to debuts in the post Euro Disney era of half-day parks. It’s still pretty far behind the decades-established castle parks, though.
Among its “home runs” are Treasure Cove (especially its revolutionary Pirates of the Caribbean – Battle for the Sunken Treasure attraction), Camp Discovery, Tron Lightcycle Power Run, and Peter Pan’s Flight. We also give it points for Enchanted Storybook Castle, which is more impressive in person than its divisive design looks in concept art and photos. Zootopia Land looks like it’s also a home run.
9. EPCOT
The EPCOT overhaul is finally finished, I guess. The construction walls are down, and World Celebration and CommuniCore Hall have opened. Underwhelming as both might be–lateral moves at the absolute best after ~5 years of construction–they are better than walls and a dirt pit.
Fortunately, there have been several worthwhile substantive additions. World Showcase is largely looking good, and the debut of Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure helped that area become more well-rounded. In the former Future World, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind moved the needle significantly, and is one of the best rides at Walt Disney World. Moana’s Journey of Water also helped round out the lineup.
Even so, more substantive additions and upgrades are needed in the Future World pavilions. Play Pavilion has been abandoned, Spaceship Earth’s overdue reimagining was shelved, and a much-needed redo of Journey into Imagination has been rumored for the last decade. EPCOT really needs more additions and actual improvements at the front of the park. Its overhaul should not be over.
With that said, EPCOT still has a lot to offer. World Showcase is still gorgeous and offers some of Disney’s best ambiance, anywhere. Spaceship Earth remains an awe-inspiring icon and pretty good attraction. Some Future World pavilions remain solid. It’s just unfortunate that half of the “overhaul” didn’t end up materializing or changing much.
8. Animal Kingdom
A strong argument can be made that Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the best 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 high praise, and sentiment that seems shared by the general park-going public given Animal Kingdom’s soaring attendance.
The problem for us, and one not resolved by the lovely Pandora: World of Avatar, is that there’s a lot of style, but still not enough substance. Sure, the park is beautiful and the purest example of unblemished (or close to it) theme at Walt Disney World. Nevertheless, people visit theme parks expecting rides, not just themed design. This is true for us, too. While we love Animal Kingdom, we’ve found that we love the idea of it more than the park itself, and actually visit it less than any other park at Walt Disney World.
While the zoological exhibits, walk-throughs, and even entertainment are wonderful, Animal Kingdom could use more on the ‘traditional attraction’ end of the spectrum. Expedition Everest was a start and Pandora furthered this, but that’s still only 3 high profile rides since the park opened. Animal Kingdom could still use a family-friendly dark ride (or two…or three).
Tropical Americas will help considerably, with the new Encanto ride plus reimagining of Dinosaur into Indiana Jones Adventure. In our view, that’s a good start–but just that, a start. The reality is that Animal Kingdom is the park at Walt Disney World the furthest removed from its last big additions, and it’s been overdue for more new rides for the last several years. It’s slow descent down these rankings reflects that.
7. Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney Hollywood Studios has seen its stock soar in the last few years, going from #11 on this list to #6. Its latest gains come from Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway and the reimagined Fantasmic. The higher ranking also reflects other improvements in the last couple of years, including the opening of Toy Story Land, and other placemaking improvements.
The most important addition remains Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and its mega E-Ticket Rise of the Resistance, which lives up to every bit of the hype and is tied for the #1 attraction (out of 91!) at Walt Disney World. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is also a strong addition, but not nearly that good.
However, as a whole DHS is easily Walt Disney World’s most frustrating park. The top-heavy lineup coupled with a surplus of shows makes crowds and wait times unbearable at times. This park could really use another dark ride or two–or at least reimagined versions of its long-running stage shows that would be more popular with guests.
It’ll start to get that in 2025 with the new Villians Unfairly Ever After and reimagined Little Mermaid stage show. In a few years, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will also add a Monstropolis mini-land.
6. Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland catapulted up this list following its huge expansion consisting of Toy Story Land, Grizzly Gulch, and Mystic Point. That expansion included Mystic Manor and Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, which are two of the top 15 attractions in the world.
Not much changed for another 5 years, but Hong Kong Disneyland now emerges from another mostly-finished expansion cycle. The two new Marvel rides have also proven to be a pleasant surprise, even if the E-Ticket is still years away. The new Arendelle: the World of Frozen land is now open, and far exceeds expectations. Don’t take it for granted as simply a clone of the EPCOT attraction plus a kiddie coaster.
The castle has also grown in size and scale, which was a controversial change but one that clearly establishes Hong Kong Disneyland as a park with its own identity, and not just a lesser-Disneyland clone. Smaller, less splashy additions have been made over the last few years, to the point that Hong Kong Disneyland now punches above its weight and is a worthy castle park.
Do not sleep on Hong Kong Disneyland if you visit Asia. It’s a pleasant surprise and one of our favorite places to spend time, even if its ride roster or themed design still puts it–on paper, at least–a rung below the “big” castle parks. You won’t regret visiting, and HKDL might just steal your heart, like it did ours. That’s why Hong Kong Disneyland is our Disney Destination of 2025, and arguably deserving of a spot in the top 5.
5. Magic Kingdom
Again, nostalgia comes into play. My opinion of Magic Kingdom will most likely always be colored by memories of my youth–this remains my “home” castle park. Sitting here evaluating the park online, I can look at it with a critical eye, but in person all of that melts away as I feel like a kid again when walking down Main Street.
It’s also been a good couple of years for Magic Kingdom. Happily Ever After made its triumphant return and TRON Lightcycle Run is an excellent addition. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure also opened. As things stand entering 2025, Magic Kingdom still has a toehold on the #5 spot. However, that could change as there are growing pains on the horizon.
Walt Disney World announced two all-new Cars attractions in a reimagined area of Frontierland and Villains Land expansion at Magic Kingdom, essentially behind Cars Land, and between/behind Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion. Those are likely pluses from a ride roster perspective in the long-term once they debut between 2028 and 2030.
To get there, the Rivers of America will be filled in, meaning that Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat will permanently close. That has a lot of fans upset, worried about how it’ll negatively impact the atmosphere of Magic Kingdom. Even if it does manage to be a net positive long-term, it’s still going to be a rough few years of construction walls.
On top of that, New Fantasyland is not-so-new, Tomorrowland is ironically the most dated and tired land, and several attractions are long overdue for updates. Still, Magic Kingdom has the most well-rounded attraction lineup of any park at Walt Disney World. It’s also home to plenty of fan-favorites like Country Bear Musical Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, Carousel of Progress, and the Peoplemover. Oh, and it’s getting a new night parade, Disney Starlight Dream the Night Away, in 2025. So that’s a near-term win, at the very least!
With all of that said, Magic Kingdom has a certain beauty, grandiosity, and sentimentality. This sense of escape and suspension of disbelief makes it really appealing. Go from Adventureland to Frontierland to Fantasyland, and you remain immersed in each of these environments. Still, as the crown jewel park at Disney’s largest and most popular resort complex in the world, Magic Kingdom deserves better. Plan your visit with our comprehensive Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Guide.
4. Disneyland Paris
Disneyland Paris has admirably used the momentum of its fantastic 30th Anniversary into success thanks to drones and seasonal entertainment. The park has perfected drone shows over the castle, refurbishments have rides and Sleeping Beauty Castle looking splendid, and Disneyland Paris has brought back fan-favorite classic shows and parades, and will debut the new “Disney Tales of Magic” nighttime spectacular in early 2025.
Even before this, Disneyland Paris was getting back on track with major refurbishments to key attractions. This has included extensive reimaginings of Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor, the latter of which is France’s unique take on Haunted Mansion. Disneyland Paris still has room for improvement (much of it on the operational front), but Disneyland Paris looks better than we’ve ever seen it.
This is coupled with the always-exceptional design work at Disneyland Paris make it one of the top parks in the world. This is particularly true for those who favor parks as themed spaces, rather than collections of attractions. On the ride front, Disneyland Paris is still a step or two behind the other castle parks, but it compensates for this with so many amazing spaces and intricate details. Oh, and it has the best Disney castle in the world. It can be a frustrating place to visit, but also incredibly enchanting. Plan your visit with our comprehensive Disneyland Paris Vacation Planning Guide.
3. Disneyland
Disneyland takes the #3 slot, and comes within striking distance of #2. Once the Disneyland 70th Anniversary Celebration begins in May 2025, with the return of Paint the Night Parade and Wondrous Journeys Fireworks, plus the debut of Walt Disney – A Magical Life, we believe it might sneak into that second slot. But until then, the light entertainment lineup sets it back.
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 ride are among the very best in the world. Galaxy’s Edge is beautifully-done, immersive, transportive, and represents the evolution of themed lands. Disneyland doesn’t score quite as many points here as perhaps it should, as the new Star Wars Land feels isolated and removed for the rest of the park–also like a park within the park–rather than a coherent space that congeals with the greater whole.
However, this separation has one tremendous upside, and that’s the preservation of the charm and intimacy of Walt Disney’s original magic kingdom. The ‘traditional’ side of the park still oozes whimsy, beauty, and warm. Moreover, Disneyland has some of the best themed spaces in the world, with the Rivers of America, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Adventureland, and Main Street all being incredibly inviting.
Equally as important, it has an incredible slate of attractions, ranging from intimate Fantasyland dark rides like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Alice in Wonderland to blockbuster E-Tickets like Indiana Jones Adventure and Hyperspace Mountain. Disneyland is incredibly attraction-dense, with great versions of the classics, plus a solid slate of entertainment. Plan your visit with our comprehensive Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide.
2. Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland’s $750 million expansion has debuted, and the new Fantasyland, Toontown, and Tomorrowland additions have brought a lot to the table. They transformed a lot of dead space into engaging themed areas, which has been a big initiative for Tokyo Disneyland.
Entertainment is slowly returning, venues are reopening, and cuts are being restored. It’s to the point where, outside of scaled-back seasonal events, Tokyo Disneyland feels pretty close to what it was like in 2019. The park recently debuted the new “Reach for the Stars” nighttime spectacular, which is fine. It’s also brought back the Country Bears seasonal shows and other celebrations, which is a much bigger deal.
Tokyo Disneyland’s attraction roster still offers the greatest hits of the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, with the best version of numerous iconic Disney rides. In addition to a formidable lineup of classics, Tokyo Disneyland also has multiple headliners of its own in Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
It no longer feels like a ‘clone park’ as so many of its existing lands have been overhauled, and that’ll be even more true in a couple years when the all-new Space Mountain and revamped Tomorrowland debuts. For now, that part of the park is a mess of construction walls–not to the point to hurt its ranking, but enough to comment on.
However, it’s not the ride roster that puts Tokyo Disneyland near the top. The entertainment is amazing, with a regular lineup of great seasonal offerings, plus the new Harmony in Color daytime parade and Dreamlights, Disney’s best night parade. Beyond that, Tokyo Disneyland’s maintenance, attention to detail, show quality, dining, and Cast Members are all unsurpassed. Plan your visit with our comprehensive Tokyo Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide.
1. Tokyo DisneySea
Even after the debut of Fantasy Springs, there is somehow still legitimate debate about whether Tokyo DisneySea is deserving of the top spot. You can read Why Disney’s #1 Park is Getting 1-Star Reviews for a full discussion of why, but suffice to say, the park is an operational mess right now.
For one thing, you may not even be able to get into Fantasy Springs due to its restricted access. So it’s difficult to take this new land and its excellent attractions into account when evaluating the park because of how it’s “walled off” from many–perhaps most–guests each day. For another, a lot of other entertainment is still missing. We wouldn’t go as far as to say Tokyo DisneySea feels like a shadow of its former self, but it has been noticeably downgraded.
As compared to what it once was in 2019 or earlier, Tokyo DisneySea has lost its luster. However, it was the best Disney theme park by a wide margin before, and retains that status, albeit with a much narrower lead over its next door neighbor or even Disneyland in California. The fact of the matter is that, even acknowledging its issues and ignoring Fantasy Springs, if we could only visit or recommend one theme park in the world, Tokyo DisneySea would still be it.
I have already dedicated an entire article to the Top 10 Reasons Tokyo DisneySea is Disney’s Best Park, so I’ll just defer to that for what else makes this park so unbelievably special. Tokyo DisneySea is still Disney’s best theme park in the world, even the current version of the park. That’s the bottom line, and why it’d be disingenuous to let one of the Disneylands sneak into the top spot over it just because I’m frustrated by Fantasy Springs.
Oh, and if you do get into Fantasy Springs, and have a chance to experience one (or multiple!) of its new attractions, the excellence of Tokyo DisneySea becomes more pronounced, as does its lead over #2 Tokyo Disneyland. This over $2 billion addition consisting of Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled areas is the biggest budget expansion of any existing Disney theme park ever and absolutely lives up to the hype. There’s a reason why Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey makes Sarah & Tom’s List of the Top 15 Disney Attractions in the World, and Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure almost does!
Hope you enjoyed this new edition of the Disney Parks Power Rankings. Keep in mind that this list is all in good fun. Like sports fans, most Disney fans have strong allegiances towards their home park and take offense when they feel it’s slighted. Remember that this is one random dude’s opinion on the internet. At the end of the day, it doesn’t impact your enjoyment of your “favorite” park if I rank it at number 8, nor does my opinion matter (at all) in the grand scheme of things.
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Your Thoughts
How would you rank the Disney Parks you’ve visited? It doesn’t matter how many parks you’ve been to, I’m still interested in knowing! Do you think I misranked any parks, or made any poor choices? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
