| 6 mins read
#100YearsofDisney
Can you even believe that its' been 100 years since Disney has been a part of our lives? The date, 27th January 2023, marks Disney's centenary celebration; indeed, it is truly an emotional moment for Disney fans worldwide. Needless to say, it is truly a glorious year to plan a family vacation with your kids.
"For kids, the world of Disney is their fantasy land, and for adults, it is a door to their world of carefree nostalgia."
And just to address the elephant in the room, Disney is planning on making the Disneyland Parks double-exciting and attractive throughout the year. In simple words, it will not be a one-day celebration; rather, the year 2023 will be filled with new adventure parks, rides, music themes, parades, video games and merchandise.
Today, tourHQ recommends three of the world-famous Disneyland Parks outside the U.S.
[Note: While curating the article, we thought of introducing the less-crowded places, especially for the people of the West, something that doesn't require them to travel continents!]
Disneyland Paris, France
The two most significant upsides of Disneyland in Paris are that it's estimated to be less than a four-hour drive for 70 million people and a two-hour flight away from 300 million more! And secondly, it does have stay options inside the park. So you can actually plan a long Disney vacation with your family!
Here, you can enjoy the rides of the Disneyland railway train, which gives a glimpse of themed parks, and the Big Thunder Mountain, which is a thrilling rollercoaster ride. You must check out the Phantom Manor (a haunted mansion), Lion King Theatre and a beautiful Aladdin-themed attraction to remind yourself of the magical universe of Aladdin. Moreover, there are options for toddlers, like the Peter Pan flight and Dumbo, the flying elephant.
A distinct area of Disneyland Paris Park is Tomorrowland and Walt Disney Studios, where you can shop, eat and check out many academies that genuinely add life to our otherwise cartoon characters.
What is more to explore? You can add tourist sites or unique activities to make the most of your family vacation. Apart from the mandatory visit to click a family picture in front of the Eiffel Tower and the world's largest art museum- the Louvre Museum, pay a respectful visit to the Sainte Chapelle near Notre Dam. Stroll through the artist corner in Montmartre, watch the exciting and jaw-dropping performances at the Moulin Rouge, go shopping at Galeries Lafayette, enjoy an opera night at the Palais Garnier, take an evening walk with your family on the most extravagant bridge of Paris- Pont Alexandre III, try the adventurous Ferris Wheel ride and spend some quality time over the lunch table in Saint-Rustique, the oldest pedestrian walkway in Paris having beautifully small cafes.
Want to know more options? Get in touch with tourHQ’s Paris guides.
Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD), China
One of the upsides of HKD is its location in Penny's Bay on China's Lantau Island, giving it outstanding views of the South China Sea and the mountains around it. Hence, every year, HKD attracts around 8-10 million tourists!
So if you visit HKD, remember to try the Cinderella's Carousel, the Mad Hatter's Tea Cup, and the Fairy Tale Forest, which are a few kid-friendly attractions here. There are plenty of options for adults, like Big Grizzly Mountain, Runaway Mine Car, Expedition Everest, and Big Thunder Mountain, among other thrilling rides. Moreover, an essential fact about Hong Kong Disneyland is irrespective of this year being the year of centenary celebrations, HKD hosts special events throughout the year, including seasonal festivals, marathons, musical and fireworks nights, among much more!
There is one attraction that especially deserves a special mention, and that is Tarzan's Tree House. What a joy it is to relive the experience of Tarzan!
What more to explore? Some of the landmark attractions in Hong Kong are the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery, Tai Po Waterfront Park, Nan Lian Garden, and the neighbourhood of Mongkok. And do not miss shopping for souvenirs at the vibrant markets of Hong Kong, be it the Temple Street market, the Jade Market, the Toy Market or the Cat Street (Hong Kong's go-to place for antiques). Again, to diversify your vacation experience, take your kids on a ferry ride to the Tai O Fishing Village, meet the little 'bird' friends at the one-of-its-kind Yuen Po Street Bird Garden (a market dedicated to pet birds) and gulp in the must-try authentic delicacies of Dim Sum and fish balls!
Want to know more options? Get in touch with tourHQ’s Hong Kong guides.
Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
Needless to say that Japan tops as a famous tourist destination all seasons around. Be it a family vacation, honeymoon trip, cross-cultural experience or even a budget-friendly experience- Japan tops the list.
And when in Japan, you cannot miss Tokyo's Disneyland. What makes Tokyo's park unique from others across the world are its twin theme parks, i.e., Tokyo Disneyland, preferred by families and children, while Tokyo Disney Sea, frequently visited by adults and couples, making it one of the most visited theme parks in the world. Moreover, the unique Japanese touch of beauty makes each theme park and parades a little unique and worth visiting.
So on your visit, you can check out the Country Bear Theatre, the Jungle Cruise, Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, Sinbad's Storybook Voyage, and much more.
What more to explore? Since you are already in Tokyo, why limit yourself to Disneyland Park? Take some days to explore the culture and atmosphere of Tokyo, starting with seeking blessings at the greatly-renowned Sensoji Temple for your family's well-being. You can also visit the Robots Restaurant, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Ghibli Museum, the shopping streets of Ginza and the 'young neighbourhood' of Harajuku. Your family can also dress up as cartoonish characters and enjoy go-karting on Tokyo's streets. To add more, you can take your kids to a sumo show and try Kaiseki, a traditional Japanese multi-course tasting meal, to make the vacation wholesome.
Want to know more options? Get in touch with tourHQ’s Tokyo guides.
So it is an excellent choice to look out for a Disneyland vacation in 2023. Year-long, you will be able to enjoy new and unique rides, parades and other cultural events like the new nighttime Disney show of the World of Color, which will take you through the glorious story of Disney's 100 years, the new makeover of the Toontown, the first major Mickey-themed ride, and so much more!