Since Disneyland’s opening day in 1955, Disney’s theme parks have had a massive influence on American (and global) culture. Ushering in thousands of guests a day to jump into the worlds of Disney, the Disney Parks around the world are beloved by millions and considered the highest echelon of theme park quality.
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But we can’t all go to Disneyland every day (the lines are long enough as it is), so what is a Disney Parks fan to do when they’re feeling nostalgic for a world-class amusement park? Thankfully, Disney’s theme park creations have crossed over into new mediums, with movies, books and shows featuring Disney Parks characters and locations available worldwide. But for those looking for a more immersive and interactive experience, there are plenty of video games that will scratch that itch.
10Disney Magic Kingdoms
Build your own Disney Park!
This mobile game is the Disney Parks fan’s dream smartphone app: a miniature version of your own custom Disney Park, right in your own pocket. While it’s a standard city-sim style mobile game, the charm here obviously comes from its setting. Fans of Disney Parks are sure to enjoy trying out this title and progressing through the story, meeting iconic characters and unlocking new areas like Frontierland and Tomorrowland.
The game is built around the iconic rides and locations of Disney Parks, with rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Haunted Mansion all available to add and collect themed items from. And the references don’t stop at rides:Disney Magic Kingdomsalso lets players collect and build the other things that make the Disney Parks special, like parade floats, concessions stands and more.
9Kingdom Hearts
A series for every Disney fan
It’s difficult to imagine how the elevator pitch of a crossover betweenFinal Fantasyand Disney got the attention of executives, but boy did it pay off. With over a dozen games across multiple generations of systems,Kingdom Heartsis one of the most beloved RPG franchises ever and a Disney fan’s dream come true.
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Each game explores different settings from Disney films likeHercules, Toy StoryandThe Nightmare Before Christmas,allowing players to get immersed in the universes of their favorite Disney movies. The most recent iteration even featured Disney Parks-inspired special attacks, with moves based onBig Thunder Mountain Railroad, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blastersand more!
8Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Become one with the force
This recentStar Warstitle earns a place on our list thanks to a surprising feature in the game: lightsaber customization. Players can collect new customization options for their lightsaber throughout the game, and in an act of collaboration with Walt Disney Imagineering, Respawn’s customization pieces are the exact same as those available to guests at Galaxy’s Edge’s lightsaber-building experience.
Aside from recreating their real-life masterpiece from Savi’s Workshop, fans of the Disneyland and Walt Disney World “Star WarsLands” may also recognize BD-1, an explorer droid that can now be seen at the Droid Depot at the Black Spire Outpost. The game is also an absolute treat for anyStar Warsfan, with huge planets to explore and a stellar cast of voice actors to bring you into a new story from a galaxy far, far away.
7Disney Speedstorm
Speed… I am speed
Disney Speedstormis a kart-racer featuring characters from across the Disney-verse, with new maps and racers beingconsistently addedto the roster in new updates. The game features online and local splitscreen multiplayer and has over 35 Disney characters to play as across 15 environments (Disney Parks fans will be excited to see EPCOT’s Figment as a playable character).
In addition to being available on every system imaginable (including upcoming iOS and Android releases),Disney Speedstormis also free-to-play, so there’s no payment necessary to get in on some Disney racing action.Pirates of the Caribbean, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Inside OutandToy Storyare just a few of the iconic Disney franchises that make appearances in this fun kart-racing game.
6Toy Story Mania!
Ride like the wind!
Toy Story Mania!is a rare standout in Disney’s game catalog because it’s actually a direct adaptation of one of Disney’s actual theme park rides. The interactive ride Toy Story Mania! (or Toy Story Midway Mania! at California Adventure) received a video game makeover for play at home, and just like the ride, it revolves around shooting virtual targets for points in a series ofToy Story-themed challenges.
The game includes actual levels from the real-life theme park ride, including Woody’s Rootin Tootin Shootin Gallery, Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop and Buzz Lightyear’s Flying Saucers. Plus there are a bunch of bonus mini-games to play featuring the cast ofToy Storyand the game supports up to four players locally.
5Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge
Never tell me the odds
Made as a direct tie-in with the launch of theStar WarsGalaxy’s Edge theme park expansions at Disneyland and Hollywood Studios,Tales From the Galaxy’s Edgeserves as a prequel to the canon events that occur in the theme park experience. This highly-interactive VR title allows players to explore the planet of Batuu and battle the First Order with a level of immersion rivaled only by the Black Spire Outposts at the parks themselves.
Cameos from Galaxy’s Edge characters like Dok-Ondar and Hondo Ohnaka, as well as Star Wars franchise favorites like R2-D2, C-3PO and Yoda, are littered throughout. Fans of the Galaxy’s Edge themed areas in the Disney Parks will be excited to further their experience on Batuu, going to new locations and meeting new characters only seen in the game.
4Sea of Thieves
A pirate’s life for you
Sea of Thievesmay have made it on the list just for being the best pirate game on the market, but it scores its place on this list thanks to its official crossover update withPirates of the Caribbean, entitledA Pirate’s Life. Rare added five new Tales based on thePirates of the Caribbeanfranchise for free to the game for all players, and they’re the perfect experience for fans of the ride and fans of the movies.
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When Sea of Thieves clicks, most likely because you have a full galleon of fellow pirates to work with, it can create a rousing, fun experience.
A Pirate’s Lifealso added numerousPirates of the Caribbeancosmetics for players to get at the Pirate Emporium. Some of our favorite items in this set include the personal pet Prison Dog, a wearable replica costume of Redd from the Disneyland ride, and the Captain Jack Sparrow emote set.
3Disneyland Adventures
The happiest place on earth
If you’re specifically craving a return to Disneyland Park in any way you may get it,Disneyland Adventureis the perfect choice for you. The game features a huge cast of characters to talk to and receive quests from, as well as all the lands and rides from the real park. Play as a guest at the park and enjoy collecting autographs, meeting characters, exploring the various lands and going on iconic Disneyland rides.
Of course, the rides in this game are more involved, transporting players into magnificent mini-games and experiences based on attractions like the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Pirates of the Caribbean. A full-scale recreation of Disneyland Park is available to explore and enjoy, and you get to skip all the lines!
2Epic Mickey
Journey into imagination
Fans of Disney’s theme parks are sure to have a great time playingEpic Mickeythanks to its vast catalog of Disney cameos and inside references. Even the main story is built around deep-cut Disney lore as you face off against Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, who was Walt Disney’s original lead cartoon character before starting Disney.
The setting of the entire game is in a bizzaro-world version of Disneyland called the “Wasteland” and is made up of different sections that are dark reflections of Disneyland’s iconic lands. With animatronic versions of other characters, explorable levels based on iconic rides and even a secret area located in Walt’s Apartment above the fire station, this is aperfect titlefor Disney Parks fans.
1Disney Dreamlight Valley
Live in the world of Disney
What if you could just live in Disneyland every day?Dreamlight Valleysets out to fulfill this dream, presenting players with a cute and vibrant life-sim taking heavy inspiration from theAnimal Crossingseries, starring a huge and growing roster ofDisney characters.The game is also being constantly updated and is designed for longevity and a games-as-a-service style of content.
There are tons of Disney Parks clothes, items and buildings to collect and display, as well as seasonal events with even more exclusive Disney Parks swag to unlock. It’s a game that’s as easy to pick up as it is to get lost in and players of any age or skill level can enjoyDreamlight Valleyfor as long as their hearts desire.
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The Clumsy Villager in Disney Dreamlight Valley is who you may expect if you’ve watched the cartoons.
