Gurugram To Host India's 1st Disneyland? City May Join These Destinations If Plans Go Ahead
The amusement park, planned on a 500-acre site near Pachgaon Chowk in Manesar is strategically located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway.
In a significant initiative to transform Haryana into a global tourism hotspot, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has announced plans to develop the country's first Disneyland-style theme park in the heart of National Capital Region (NCR) in Gurugram's Manesar.
Earlies this week on Wednesday, the Chief Minister met Union Minister of Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in New Delhi to discuss strategies for promoting tourism and preserving Haryana's cultural heritage. Central to the discussion was the proposed Disneyland project, which Saini described as a 'game-changing" initiative.
Strategic Location Near KMP Expressway
As per the media reports, the amusement park, planned on a 500-acre site near Pachgaon Chowk in Manesar is strategically located along the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway and the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor, which aims to position the NCR region alongside global destinations like Paris, Tokyo and California.
The location, close to corporate hubs in Gurugram and the upcoming 1,000-acre Global City project, was chosen for its connectivity and market potential. Saini said that Gurugram was selected as the location because of its economic importance and infrastructure.
'The upcoming Global City project in the city will be another milestone for the region. Hence, it is the most suitable location for Disneyland. The site in Manesar is strategically located along KMP Expressway and Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor (HORC). People from across NCR can easily visit," he said.
The Global City project is a 1,000-acre planned mini-city. It will include links to Delhi-Gurugram and Dwarka expressways, and follow a walk-to-work model with access to all essential services.
He further emphasised that the project would generate significant economic, cultural, and social benefits, not only for Haryana but for India as a whole.
'The Disneyland project will capitalise on Gurugram's market potential and connectivity to create a world-class amusement centre. It will create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, develop infrastructure, and transform the surrounding areas," he said.
The announcement is being seen as an effort to fill the entertainment void left by the shuttering of Gurugram's Kingdom of Dreams in 2022, which had once promised to be India's Broadway.KoD collapsed amid mounting financial losses and disputes between its promoters and state authorities.
If it materialises, this will be Disney's first amusement park in India developed through official collaboration.
Similar Project In Past
However, a similar proposal was made in 1989 by then Haryana CM Om Prakash Chautala to bring Disneyland to the metropolis. However, the project was shelved following opposition from political parties and land-owning farmers.
Abhay Singh Chautala, INLD's national president, lashed out at the ruling BJP, accusing it of hypocrisy. 'The BJP vehemently opposed the 1989 proposal and even a plan for a casino in 2000. They must now explain what has changed," he said as quoted by Hindustan Times.
BJP, however, defended the new project, drawing a distinction between past and present. 'Our opposition in 1989 was against the forcible acquisition of thousands of acres of farmers' land. This project is limited to 500 acres and will be executed in a manner that respects farmers' interests while promoting development," said Arun Yadav, BJP social media head.
6 Disneyland Resorts Operating Worldwide
As of now, there are 12 Disney theme parks operating worldwide, grouped into six resort complexes across four countries. These include Disneyland Resort (California, US), Walt Disney World Resort (Florida, US), Tokyo Disney Resort (Japan), Disneyland Paris (France), Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (Hong Kong), and Shanghai Disney Resort (China).
Out of the 12 parks, six are the classic, 'castle-style" Disney parks featuring iconic castles.
1. Disneyland Resort, California, US: There are two parks in this resort– Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Opened in 1955, Disneyland Park in Anaheim is where Walt Disney's dream first came to life. Often called 'The Happiest Place on Earth," Disneyland Park offers timeless classics like Sleeping Beauty Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion. On the other hand, Disney California Adventure Park celebrates the spirit of California with lands inspired by Pixar, Marvel, and beloved Disney stories. Popular attractions include Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Radiator Springs Racers, and the whimsical Pixar Pier, as per voyeglobal report.
2. Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, US: There are four parks in this resort– Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Opened in 1971 with a sprawling 25,000-acre property, Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is the largest Disney destination worldwide.
Magic Kingdom features Cinderella Castle and iconic attractions like Space Mountain and It's a Small World. EPCOT takes around the world and into the future with pavilions representing 11 countries and futuristic attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Hollywood Studios is home to Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, Toy Story Land, and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway. Animal Kingdom combines wildlife encounters with world-class rides like Avatar Flight of Passage.
3. Disneyland Paris, France: There are two parks in this resort– Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park.
Originally opened in 1992 as Euro Disney, Disneyland Paris is now the most visited theme park in Europe. Nestled just outside Paris, this resort brings fairy tales to life with a distinct European flair.
Disneyland Park features Sleeping Beauty Castle with rides like Big Thunder Mountain and Phantom Manor. Walt Disney Studios Park focuses on movie magic, with attractions such as Ratatouille: The Adventure and the new Avengers Campus, where one can team up with Marvel superheroes.
4. Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan: There are two parks in this resort– Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Opened in 1983, Tokyo Disney Resort is beloved by fans worldwide for its exceptional hospitality and breathtaking design.
Tokyo Disneyland is a familiar yet uniquely Japanese version of Magic Kingdom, featuring Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek. Tokyo DisneySea is themed around nautical exploration.
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5. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong: Opened in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland is the smallest of all Disney parks. It combines classic Disney charm with cultural elements unique to Hong Kong. Recent expansions include the Castle of Magical Dreams, representing Disney princesses from all over the world, and World of Frozen.
6. Shanghai Disney Resort, China: Shanghai Disney Resort, which opened in 2016, is the newest Disney park. Shanghai Disneyland features the largest Disney castle in the world — Enchanted Storybook Castle — and innovative attractions like TRON Lightcycle Power Run, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, and Camp Discovery.
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More
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disneyland Gurugram Mickey Mouse nayab singh saini walt disney
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Gurgaon, India, India
First Published:
July 06, 2025, 17:15 IST
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