Which International Disney Trip Is Right for You?
When you search this question, you usually get two extremes:
- Hardcore Disney adults telling you every park you’ve never been to is the “only correct answer,” or
- Listicles that talk about toddlers and thrill-seeking teens like they’re the same species.
You don’t need that. You need someone to say:
“Here’s what each Disney destination is actually like in real life, what it costs in human terms, and which option fits your kids’ ages, your energy level, your passport situation and your wallet.”
That’s what this guide does. We’re going to:
- Sort your family into a simple trip “profile”
- Show you which international Disney trips match that profile
- Compare the big options side by side with budget + sensory notes
- Give you ready-made “trip recipes” you can copy, tweak and book
Lock in flights, beds & basics first
Before the analysis paralysis kicks in, take 5 minutes to open the non-negotiables in new tabs: flights, beds, transport and insurance. You don’t have to book yet, but you do want to see what’s realistic.
These work for every Disney destination in this guide — just plug in Orlando, Tokyo, Paris, Honolulu, Hong Kong, Shanghai or your cruise port and compare.
Screenshots + starred tabs = your new pre-trip superpower. You can come back and book once you’ve picked your park.
Your complete Disney planning stack
Think of this post as your global “zoomed out” map. Once you’ve narrowed things down, layer it with the rest of the Disney supercluster on Stay Here, Do That so you’re not reinventing the wheel.
Core overview & comparison:
- Disney Parks Around the World — Family Guide
- Ultimate Disney Parks Comparison Chart
- Best Time of Year to Visit Each Disney Park
- How Many Days You REALLY Need at Each Disney Park
Individual trip blueprints:
- Walt Disney World Orlando with Kids
- Disneyland Resort Anaheim with Kids
- Disneyland Paris with Kids
- Tokyo Disney Resort with Kids
- Hong Kong Disneyland with Kids
- Shanghai Disney Resort with Kids
- Aulani Disney Resort Hawai‘i with Kids
- Disney Cruise Line with Kids
Food, rides, shows & extras:
- Which Disney Park Has the Best Food?
- Best Disney Rides for Families (All Parks)
- Best Disney Parades & Shows Worldwide
- Best Disney Fireworks Shows (Ranked)
- Disney Resorts Ranked by Pool Quality
- Cutest Disney Merchandise by Park
- Top 25 Disney Snacks Around the World
Budget, hotels & sensory strategy:
- Disney on a Budget: Real Tips for Real Families
- Best Disney Hotels for Families (All Parks)
- Best Off-Site Disney Hotels to Save Thousands
- Disney Parks Ranked by Sensory Load
- Best Disney Parks for Neurodivergent Families
- Disney Tips for Autistic or Sensory-Sensitive Kids
- How to Do Disney Without Meltdowns
Step 1 · Decide what kind of trip this actually is
Before you pick a park, decide what kind of season of life you’re planning for. I like to sort families into a few simple “trip types”:
“First Big Disney Ever”
You’ve maybe done a local theme park, but this is the first major Disney push. You want the classic experience with the castle, parades and fireworks your kids recognize from TV.
Best matches: Walt Disney World Orlando or Disneyland Resort Anaheim, depending on where you live.
“We Want Disney + Real Travel”
You want the magic and you want your kids to see Tokyo, Paris or Hong Kong. This isn’t a bubble trip; it’s a Disney anchor inside a bigger adventure.
Best matches: Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris or Hong Kong Disneyland.
“We Need a Rest, Not a Marathon”
You’re tired. The kids are tired. You want something where Disney comes to you: easy pools, lazy mornings, character magic without 25,000 steps.
Best matches: Aulani Hawai‘i or Disney Cruise Line.
“We’ve Done Florida & California… What’s Next?”
You already know the drill. Now you want something more unique, with next-level theming or rides you can’t get at home.
Best matches: Tokyo Disney Resort, especially DisneySea, or Shanghai Disney Resort.
Circle the trip type that feels closest to your reality right now. That one choice will knock 3–4 options off the table immediately, which is exactly what you want.
Step 2 · Match the destination to your family’s energy
Next, we look at who’s actually coming and what their bodies and brains can handle.
Families with toddlers & preschoolers
- Best bets: Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Park in California, Hong Kong Disneyland.
- Shorter flights (if you’re U.S.-based), tons of all-ages rides, easy mid-day breaks.
- Look for parks with calmer sensory profiles or lots of shaded spaces.
Mixed ages (little kids + tweens/teens)
- Best bets: Walt Disney World (multiple parks), Disneyland + California Adventure combo, Tokyo Disney Resort.
- You want variety: big thrills for older kids, gentle rides and shows for younger siblings.
- Pair with the Best Disney Rides for Families guide and split days intentionally.
Teens & thrill-seekers
- Best bets: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney California Adventure, Tokyo DisneySea, Shanghai Disneyland.
- Layer in park-hopper tickets and a “one chill day” rule to avoid full burnout.
- Check the Ultimate Disney Parks Comparison Chart for thrill vs. chill balance.
Neurodivergent, autistic or sensory-sensitive families
- Start with Disney Parks Ranked by Sensory Load and practical sensory tips.
- More breathable picks: Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, select shoulder-season days at Disneyland Paris.
- Build in intentional reset windows and avoid “hard open to hard close” days.
Budget-conscious but still want “wow”
- Let airfares decide between Florida, California and Paris using the flight tool above.
- Stay off-site using Best Off-Site Disney Hotels to Save Thousands.
- Use the Disney on a Budget guide so food and souvenirs don’t ambush you.
“Once in a decade” splurge
- Consider Tokyo Disney Resort + Japan, Disneyland Paris + Europe or a longer Disney Cruise with multiple ports.
- Mix Disney days with real-world city time (museums, local food, non-park adventures).
- Use Viator to layer in guided day trips, transfers and special experiences.
Step 3 · Compare the big options, parent-style
Here’s the quick-and-honest version of how the major international Disney options stack up when you’re planning for real humans instead of hypothetical perfect children.
| Destination | Why go? | Biggest trade-offs | Ideal trip length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walt Disney World Orlando USA · 4 main parks + water parks |
The biggest menu of everything: classic castle magic, Epcot festivals, Star Wars, animals, water parks and endless hotel options. Great if you want choices and don’t mind planning. | Can be overwhelming. High heat + humidity, lots of pre-trip decisions. You need a plan or it eats time and money fast. | 7–10 days if you’re flying in, including 4–5 park days plus rest days and travel. Use the dedicated WDW with Kids guide to tame it. |
| Disneyland Resort Anaheim USA · 2 parks |
Classic Disney in a walkable footprint. Tons of rides in a compact area, easy to hop between parks, great if you want to mix Disney with beaches, L.A. or road trips. | Less of a “bubble” than Florida. Walkways can feel tight, and hotels/food can run pricey close to the gates. | 3–5 days total, with 2–3 park days and 1–2 beach or down days. See the full Disneyland with Kids blueprint. |
| Disneyland Paris France · 2 parks |
A gorgeous castle, very good shows, and easy train access from Paris. Perfect if you want “European fairy-tale + Disney” in one trip. | Weather is moody, and the Studios park is still evolving. You’ll want to watch crowd calendars carefully. | 2–3 park days inside a longer 7–10 day Europe trip. Start with Disneyland Paris with Kids. |
| Tokyo Disney Resort Japan · Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea |
Often called the best overall Disney destination on Earth. Incredible shows, detailed theming, polite crowds and food that’s fun and affordable. | Long flights for many families. You’ll need to navigate language, tickets and local systems — not hard, just different. | 2–4 park days inside a 10–14 day Japan trip. The Tokyo Disney with Kids guide breaks it down step by step. |
| Hong Kong Disneyland China · 1 park |
A smaller, gentler Disney with room to breathe, strong castle shows and fewer overwhelming choices. Great for younger kids on an Asia trip. | Limited ride count compared to mega-resorts. Heat and humidity can be heavy in summer. | 1–2 park days paired with HK city exploring. Use Hong Kong Disneyland with Kids for structure. |
| Shanghai Disney Resort China · 1 park + Disneytown |
Big, bold, and home to some of Disney’s most technically impressive rides. Ideal if you’ve done other parks and want something new. | Logistics and language can feel heavier for first-time travelers. Not my top pick for very first international trip with littles. | 2–3 park days plus a wider China or Asia itinerary. See the Shanghai Disney with Kids guide. |
| Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Hawai‘i · O‘ahu |
Resort-first, parks-never. Think lazy rivers, beach time, cultural activities, character breakfasts and almost no turnstiles. Great if you want rest, not rope-drop. | No rides, no castles, no fireworks in your face. If your kids are set on coasters, this is a different flavor of Disney. | 5–7 nights at Aulani inside a 7–10 day Hawai‘i trip. Start with Aulani with Kids. |
| Disney Cruise Line Ships worldwide |
The floating Disney bubble: kids’ clubs, character meets, Broadway shows, sandcastles at Castaway Cay or other ports — and you only unpack once. | Less flexibility once onboard, and you’re at the mercy of the schedule. Sea days can be stimulating for sensory-sensitive kids. | 4–7 nights depending on itinerary. The Disney Cruise Line with Kids guide covers ships, cabins and ports. |
Step 4 · Reality check your budget & travel time
You don’t need a line-item spreadsheet (unless that soothes your soul). You do need a quick sense of what you’re signing up for.
- Short-haul trips (Disneyland, WDW, Disneyland Paris if you’re Europe-based) usually win on airfare.
- Long-haul trips (Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, some cruises) can be surprisingly reasonable on-the-ground but pricier to reach.
- Resort-first options (Aulani, cruises) hide costs in drink packages, spa visits and “one little excursion” add-ons.
Use the Disney on a Budget guide as your guardrails, then plug in your chosen destination to see how far you can stretch comfort without tipping into stress.
Step 5 · Copy a ready-made trip “recipe”
Here are a few plug-and-play combos based on what most families ask me for. Swap days around to match your flights and energy.
Recipe 1 · “First Disney, keep it simple” (Florida or California)
- Pick Walt Disney World if you want multiple parks and on-site bubble; choose Disneyland Resort if you want walkability.
- Plan 3 park days + 1 rest day for shorter trips, or 4–5 park days + 2 rest days if you’re flying cross-country.
- Stay at a value/moderate hotel or vetted off-site place from the off-site hotel guide.
- Layer in must-do rides from Best Disney Rides for Families and one big show or parade from the parades & shows guide.
Recipe 2 · “Disney + real Japan” (Tokyo Disney Resort)
- Fly into Tokyo, spend 2–3 days in the city getting over jet lag and exploring.
- Do 2–3 park days split between Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.
- Add 1–2 day trips or a side destination (Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka) using Viator or rail passes.
- Follow the Tokyo Disney with Kids guide for tickets, transport and hotel zones.
Recipe 3 · “European fairy-tale week” (Disneyland Paris)
- Start with 3–4 nights in Paris, then hop on the RER to Disneyland Paris.
- Do 2 park days (one in each park, or 2 days hopping) plus one relaxed resort/Disney Village day.
- Time it using Best Time of Year to Visit Each Disney Park so you’re not freezing in sideways rain unless that’s your thing.
Recipe 4 · “We need rest with a side of magic” (Aulani or Disney Cruise)
- Pick Aulani if you want a home base in Hawai‘i, Disney Cruise if you like waking up in a new port.
- Set a no-park line: this is about pools, beaches, kids’ clubs, characters and sleep, not dawn rope-drops.
- Use SafetyWing to cover flight delays and medical what-ifs so you can breathe a little easier.
- Grab details from the Aulani and Disney Cruise Line guides.
I treat it as the unofficial “Airport Snacks & Extra Sunscreen Fund” — it keeps my kid stocked with crackers and me stocked with coffee while I keep building ridiculously detailed Disney decision guides so you don’t have to.
What to read next (so you can actually choose)
If you’re still between two or three options, use these to break the tie:
- Ultimate Disney Parks Comparison Chart — side-by-side breakdown of every major park by vibe, age, budget and sensory load.
- Which Disney Park Has the Best Food? — if snacks secretly run your household.
- Best Disney Hotels for Families (All Parks) — match your park choice with a bed that fits your budget and energy.
- How Many Days You REALLY Need at Each Disney Park — sanity check your schedule before you buy tickets.
- How to Do Disney Without Meltdowns — practical scripts and pacing tips for real families.
When you finally click “book,” please come back and tell me where you decided to go. Drop a comment on the blog or share your recap and tag stayheredothat.blogspot.com — I’ll be cheering for your crew from my couch with a very large mug of coffee.
📌 Pin this for later: Save this guide to your Disney planning board or drop it in your family group chat so everyone can vote on their dream international Disney trip.
Stay Here, Do That · Family travel guides built for real parents, real kids, and real budgets.
© 2025 Stay Here, Do That. Copying this whole guide and pretending you wrote it is frowned upon by Google, Disney and at least three very tired parents.
