Hello Readers! This is Carli back this week to talk about Disney’s various parks! Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, also known as Disney Parks, originally Walt Disney Attractions, is one of The Walt Disney Company’s five major business segments. In 2009, the company’s theme parks hosted approximately 119.1 million guests, making Disney Parks the world’s most visited theme park company Disney currently has theme parks in 6 locations around the world. They also manage a resort in Hawaii, Aulani, which was not intended to have a theme park.

Disney’s first original magic kingdom, Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, was built in 1955. Disneyland recently has undergone expansion for the new addition of Disney California Adventure.  In 1971 Walt Disney World in Florida opened, featuring Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Today, it is the largest single-site employer in the United States featuring five golf courses, 25 owned-and-operated resorts, multiple retail and dining centers and a cast members who represent 80 nationalities and who speak more than 50 languages. Walt Disney World is the most visited theme park company and more significantly, it incorporates responsible environmental practices at all of its parks.

Beyond the Borders of The United States, Disney has theme parks in Hong Kong, Paris, and Tokyo and in 2015 they will open a park in Shanghai. The resort will include Shanghai Disneyland, two themed hotels, a large retail, dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities and a lake. Hong Kong Disneyland was the first theme park to be built in China and quickly became one of the region’s top tourist destinations. Over 31 million guests have visited the location likely because of the beautiful view of the South China Sea. Recently the resort announced a plan for expansion; the park will receive three new lands: Grizzly Gulch, Mystic Point and Toy Story Land by 2014.

The first Disney theme park to be built outside of the United States, Tokyo Disney Resort opened on April 15, 1983. The Resort includes two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland which was modeled after the original Disneyland Park, and its companion park, Tokyo DisneySea. These are the only Disney Parks in the world that are not owned by the Walt Disney Company.

Disneyland Paris, originally Euro Disney Resort, is an entertainment resort in Marne-la-Vallée, Paris. The resort was originally modeled after Disney World in Florida, and now includes two theme parks, Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park.

This week you will learn about the various things these parks are doing to become more sustainable and how they are giving back to society. Check out our Social Media for more fun facts and information on our blog!