Where in the World Are All Nine Disney Resorts?

Everyone knows “the Walt Disney Company” has been a leading name in the film and entertainment industry for a century now. And as of the 1950s, the Company took the lead in the hospitality industry as well, primarily in accordance with the opening of the first Disney Park, Disneyland Park. While Disney-branded theme parks have since expanded worldwide, the need for lodging attending Guests to these Parks continues to increase exponentially. And that is why every Disney Park location also doubles as full-fledged Disney Resorts. Additionally, several other Disney Resort locations have emerged over the years, independent of any affiliated theme park locations. To date, there are nine official Disney Resorts in operation around the globe. But do you know where each one is located? Here is an extensive list showcasing each and every Disney Resort throughout the world.

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Disneyland Resort

Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland Resort stands out as the first Disney Resort in the world ever established. Disneyland Resort officially opened in 1955, in conjunction with the debut of Disneyland Park. The original Disneyland Hotel also dates back to that same year, although the Wrather Corporation owned it until the Walt Disney Company officially purchased it in 1988. Now two other Disney Resorts operate at Disneyland. These include Disney’s Paradise Pier (currently being transformed into Pixar Place) Hotel and the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Disneyland has grown significantly over the years and continues to grow even to this day. In addition to boasting “the original Magic Kingdom” which is Disneyland Park, it now includes a second theme park, Disney California Adventure. It is also home to various shopping and dining opportunities, including those found in its corresponding Downtown Disney district.

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney opened a second dual Resort and Park destination in Orlando, Florida, back in 1971. While massive land purchases helped establish the dream come true, at the time of its inception, only Magic Kingdom Park and two on-property Resorts were in operation. These included Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Polynesian (later renamed Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort). Now boasting more than 25 different lodgings on the premises, we can rightfully conclude that Disney World’s inception of owned and operated accommodations directly on property grounds epitomized the perks and benefits Disney Resorts worldwide have since become renowned for—that Disney difference, so to speak.

Walt Disney World Resort has expanded and grown considerably over the last 50-some years. It now comprises four main theme parks, two water parks, and the bustling social district of Disney Springs.

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Tokyo Disney Resort

The first Disney Resort of international acclaim came about in 1983 with the establishment of Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. Originally opening as just Tokyo Disneyland Park, expansions over the years have included a second Park, Tokyo DisneySea, which opened in 2001, and the addition of five Disney-owned and operated accommodations. A sixth Resort, Tokyo Disney Sea Fantasy Spring Hotel, is scheduled to open in 2024.

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Disneyland Resort Paris

A second international Disney Park and Resort location opened in 1992, this time in Chessy, France. Originally known as Euro Disney, this was the Walt Disney Company’s answer to expanding its presence in the European continent. At the time, the Resort comprised just one anchoring Disney Park—Disneyland Park Paris and several onsite lodging options. In 2002 a second Park, Walt Disney Studios Park Paris, was established. In addition to these Parks and the many stellar Resort accommodations gracing the site here, Disneyland Paris is also home to the Disney Village shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Located just two hours southeast of Walt Disney World Resort, within the Vero Beach Resort district of Florida, the establishment of Disney’s Vero Beach in 1995 marked a significant milestone. It was the first-ever Disney Vacation Club Resort to be constructed outside of Disney World. In fact, the Resort is neither connected to nor is it affiliated with any theme park locations whatsoever. It offers a coastal, relaxing getaway experience for those looking for that Disney Resort difference yet aren’t necessarily looking to take in the theme park scene.

Disney’s Vero Beach offers a host of onsite amenities and recreations, including dining, swimming, and many other onsite endeavors. Being set within the surrounding Vero Beach Resort district also opens up many other extended opportunities to Disney Guests.

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Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort

Continuing the trend of opening Disney Vacation Club Resorts away from Disney Parks, the Walt Disney Company moved a little further north up the East Coast when they opened their South Carolina-based operation in 1996. Like the aforementioned Vero Beach Resort, Disney’s Hilton Head Island offers a coastal retreat. This one is set in the quaint, naturalistic backdrop of the charming Broad Creek tidal marsh. This is where the primary Resort accommodations and the vast majority of onsite amenities are situated. Ongoing shuttle services take Guests directly to the coast throughout the day and an additional, exclusive beach house.

Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort is a true marvel in serving as an alternate Disney destination without the same fanfare or spotlighted presence most often defaulted by the Disney brand. It’s the best way to enjoy the Disney difference in a thriving, albeit, small-town, community setting.

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Disneyland Hong Kong Resort

Disney Resorts continued the international expansions with the establishment of Disneyland Hong Kong Resort, which came about in 2005. To date, the site consists of one theme park—the largest theme park operating in Hong Kong, and three anchoring hotels. These include Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, Disney Explorer’s Lodge, and the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel. In addition to endowing Guests with the high-end quality all Disney Resorts are renowned for, these Resorts feature numerous onsite amenities, recreations, and even delectable dining.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Disney’s Vero Beach and Disney’s Hilton Head Island proved lucrative in demonstrating the fact that Disney Resorts could do well on their own without any established attachments to existing Disney Parks. But nothing could compare to the success that came when a third independently operating Disney Vacation Club Resort opened in Kapolei, Hawaii, on August 29, 2011. Spanning an impressive 21 acres and boasting over 350 hotel rooms and more than 400 time-share villas, the Walt Disney Company certainly outdid itself where this Resort is concerned. Not only do you get that distinguishable Disney difference of all-out impeccability, but you’re in the paradise of a Hawaiian haven, no less. And to count all the onsite Resort amenities and other optimal endeavors would be a long and extensive process. All the same, Aulani stands out as a truly elevated Resort—even by Disney standards.

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Shanghai Disney Resort

The most recent addition to the existing lineup of Disney Resorts around the world came in 2016 with the establishment of Shanghai Disney Resort. As the first Disney-owned theme park to open in Mainland, China, Shanghai Disney currently features its Shanghai Disneyland Park along with two onsite hotels. These include the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel, both of which feature a stunning array of onsite amenities, recreations, and onsite dining. Other areas located within the bounds of Resort property here include a Downtown Disney district and the Wishing Star Park—a regional area laden with gardens.

As the Walt Disney Company continues to expand, it’s my belief that we will continue to see more and more Disney Resort locations popping up around the globe. We already see such expansions taking shape with the development of Storybook Living, for instance. And let’s not forget those “Disney Communities” within the heart of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Therefore, it goes without saying that it is only a matter of time before the Disney Difference continues to increase the standard of living and vacation stays worldwide.