Some Disney park features are just so very Disney that you expect to find them at any Disney property, no matter which one you visit. But some of these familiar park elements aren’t to be found if you don’t visit the right park — and these missing attractions might surprise you.
Here are 10 attraction you’d expect to find at any Disney property you visit… but won’t find everywhere.
9. The Circular Disneyland Railroad
Disneyland Railroad© E. Harper
Walt Disney’s love of trains was translated into the steam trains that run in some form at one of the parks in each resort. But the circular track that loops endlessly around the park’s borders to transport guests won’t be found in Tokyo Disneyland. Instead, the park has a shortened rail route that goes from Adventureland to Critter Country and back, operating as an attraction more than a transit system. Due to Japanese rail regulations, the line couldn’t have multiple stops or it would be classified as a commuter rail line, which would prevent them from using the open-air rail cars found on other Disney Rail lines.
And on the subject of trains, Hong Kong Disneyland Railroad is the only one of the lot that doesn’t run on steam. Instead, its trains are diesel powered but with the outward appearance of steam engines.
8. Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise© E. Harper
It can be argued that the Jungle Cruise is a bit…okay, more than a bit…silly. This pun-tastic ride features a jungle tour with a different round of jokes each time you go through, which makes it a great one to ride and re-ride. This classic attraction is a mainstay of Adventureland in many Disney parks, including Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Hong Kong Disneyland (where it’s called Jungle River Cruise).
Disneyland Paris, however, misses out on the fun, in part due to the colder temperatures of northern France. A somewhat similar ride was originally planned for the park, but with guests riding indoor jeeps instead of outdoor boats — but when Disneyland Paris wasn’t the financial success Disney hoped it would be, the plans were scrapped.
7. Haunted Mansion
Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion© Disney
The mostly friendly denizens of the Haunted Mansion are familiar to Disney parkgoers world-wide… except for those in Hong Kong. Censorship in China affects a great deal of entertainment content – and the portrayal of ghosts can sometimes be a sticking point with the Chinese government. So at Hong Kong Disneyland, there’s no Haunted Mansion because there’s no haunting – and definitely no ghosts.
In the Haunted Mansion’s place is Mystic Manor, which fills a similar role, but skips all of the haunting themes. The adventure you’ll find in this ride isn’t caused by playful spirits but instead by a magical music box which brings items throughout the home to life.
6. Mickey and Minnie’s House
Mickey’s House© Disney
Want to visit the homes of your favorite Disney characters, like Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy? Surprisingly few Disney parks feature character homes (with, of course, meet and greets) — currently, you’ll only find it in the Toontown area at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland. This isn’t to say you won’t find your favorite Disney pals at other parks…just that they don’t necessarily have a permanent address.
Florida’s Magic Kingdom had its own Toontown – the original, in fact, which opened in 1988 – but it closed in 2011 to make more room for Fantasyland. Hong Kong Disneyland, meanwhile, had Mickey’s House on Main Street, but it closed in 2009.
5. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
Enchanted Tiki Room© Disney
This Retro Walt Disney attraction is a fixture in the American parks, where guests go in to enjoy a delicious Dole Whip and cool off in a refreshingly air-conditioned theater… but it isn’t found at all in Paris or Hong Kong. Tokyo has its own version, called Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! This unique show maintains some of the show’s original elements but – obviously – features Stitch from Lilo and Stitch, who rather steals the show from the usual avian cast.
4. Peter Pan’s Flight
Though many of Walt Disney’s original dark ride designs have begun to show their age since they were opened at Disneyland in 1955, at least some of these classics can typically be found in every Disney resort. The one that’s universal to most resorts is Peter Pan’s Flight, which continues to impress guests – as shown by its always lengthy wait times – with its flying pirate ships that sail over scenes from Peter Pan. Hong Kong Disneyland, however, lacks most of these classic Disney dark rides…and even leaves Peter Pan out of the mix.
3. Mark Twain Riverboat
Mark Twain Riverboat© E. Harper
Though the Mark Twain Riverboat seems uniquely American, but it fits in perfectly with the Wild West vibe of Frontierland, which you’ll find in almost all the Magic Kingdom-style parks. At Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, and Tokyo Disneyland you’ll find the Mark Twain Riverboat sailing along the Rivers of America, while in Disneyland Paris the Mark Twain travels the Rivers of the Far West. Hong Kong Disneyland, however, has no Frontierland and its only river is the one that serves its Jungle Cruise.
2. Hall of Presidents
Hall of Presidents© Disney
Back in the 1950s, Walt Disney had the idea for a show that would pay tribute to all U.S. Presidents, though it was eventually scaled down to simply showcase President Lincoln. This concept eventually transformed into the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at the 1964 World’s Fair — which operates at Disneyland to this day while Disney’s original Hall of Presidents concept was made a reality at the Magic Kingdom park in Florida.
It’s a classic piece of Disney magic…but it’s also a classic piece of Americana, and unlike some other elements of Americana found in the park, has an intensely patriotic vibe. Perhaps it’s not entirely surprising that it doesn’t make an appearance in any of the overseas parks.
1. Soarin’
Soarin’ Over California© Disney
When you’re visiting Epcot, riding the flight simulator Soarin’ is a way to catch glimpse of the terrain of the other side of the country… but riding it in Disney California Adventure it always seems a rather like an innovative way to see scenery that’s not much further away than your window. The ride is still fun, of course, but it doesn’t take you anywhere that you’re not at least somewhat familiar with already.
That’s why it seems so odd that Soarin’ only exists in the American Disney parks when it seems like it would be a great way to bring the experience of visiting other places to the overseas parks. However, Shanghai Disneyland is slated to get its own version of Soarin’ called Soarin’ Over the Horizon, so perhaps overseas parks won’t be without their own version of Soarin’ for long.
