Tokyo Disneyland Guide – Enjoy a Magical Theme Park Stay in Japan!

Inspired by the original Disneyland in California and the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland in Chiba Prefecture just outside of Tokyo is a world-class theme park with a magic all its own. Opened in 1983, it was the very first Disney park constructed outside of the United States. The park is located on the Tokyo Disney Resort, which also is home to Tokyo DisneySea. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, here’s a Tokyo Disneyland guide to learn everything you need to know before you go.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide

Tokyo Disney Resort is consistently one of the most successful and profitable Disney resorts. Tokyo Disneyland, in turn, is one of the most popular theme parks in the entire world, receiving an astounding 16 million visitors a year and pulling in higher revenues than all other Japanese theme parks combined. This 115-acre park was constructed by WED Enterprises and is actually not owned by the Walt Disney Company but by The Oriental Land Company, which also operates the park. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are the only Disney parks not owned, at least partly, by Disney. The Walt Disney Company does, however, retain full creative control.

When the plan to construct Tokyo Disneyland was first put into motion in 1979, the architects and engineers working on the project paid a visit to Disneyland in Anaheim in preparation for construction. This is why the park closely resembles the original Magic Kingdom and will feel very familiar to anyone who has visited Anaheim Disneyland before. Don’t be fooled into thinking it is a mere copy, however. Tokyo Disneyland has grown into a world-renowned park in its own right, noted for its well-designed, open spaces and ability to comfortably accommodate large crowds. It is a very clean and well-maintained park with friendly cast members eager to provide you with that world-renowned Japanese hospitality.

Tokyo Disneyland is divided into seven different lands, each offering something different for visitors to experience.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to Disney Lands

• World Bazaar: Take a trip down a 1950’s American style main street underneath a Victorian-style conservatory roof at **World Bazaar. This is the park’s main shopping and dining hub.
• Adventureland: A visit to Adventureland will have you feeling like you’re exploring the rugged and wild jungle, with a more distinctly Hawaiian feel than at other Disney parks.
• Westernland: Tokyo Disneyland‘s version of Frontierland, Westernland immerses you into the American Old West of the 19th century, complete with the Rivers of America.
• Tomorrowland: Tokyo Disneyland‘s Tomorrowland is a space- and science fiction-themed land featuring numerous movie tie-in attractions.
• Fantasyland: The most magical land in the park, Fantasyland is centered on the Tokyo Disneyland castle and features numerous gentle rides great for children.
• Critter Country: Created specifically for Splash Mountain, Critter Country is a small but popular land with adorable theming.
• Mickey’s Toontown: The home of Mickey and all of his friends, Mickey’s Toontown will make you feel as if you’ve been transported into Mickey’s cartoon world.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to Top rides & attractions

Many of the most popular rides at Tokyo Disneyland are those that you will also find at other Disneyland parks around the world, as they were cherry-picked for duplication in the park during the initial construction. Some of the best rides that you definitely want to make time for are Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Haunted Mansion, and “it’s a small world.” Even if you’ve been on these rides in other Disney parks, they are just as good, if not better, in Tokyo Disneyland. Splash Mountain is a particularly fun experience as the attention to detail on the ride is unmatched by the other parks.

Tokyo Disneyland also offers rides that you won’t find anywhere else, as every single new addition to the park since its construction has been unique. One of the park’s flagship rides is Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!, a thrilling and interactive dark ride. On the ride, guests are equipped with flashlights that they can use to look for the hidden monsters. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt is another flagship dark ride and considered by many to be one of the best rides of its kind. The ride vehicles are completely trackless, which allows for a truly immersive journey through the beautifully themed ride environment. Both attractions are an absolute must-ride to really see what Tokyo Disneyland has to offer.

Finally, if there’s one thing that Tokyo Disneyland guests love more than the stellar rides, it’s the park’s incredible parades. Every day, park visitors look forward to the grand daytime Dreaming Up! parade. Watch as Mickey and all of his friends put on a park-wide show, dancing and celebrating together. The park’s equally popular evening parade is called “Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights.” This electrical parade lights up the night with thousands of sparkling LEDs. If you want a good view for the parades, you’ll have to grab your seats as early as half an hour to an hour in advance.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to Shopping & dining

Running around Tokyo Disneyland is sure to help you work up an appetite. Thankfully, there are nearly 50 different dining options within the park. If you’re looking for a place to grab a quick and affordable bite, then your best options are Refreshment Corner, Cafe Orleans, and Camp Woodchuck Kitchen. Tokyo Disneyland also has a great array of sit down restaurants that offer priority seating. You can fill up at the buffet at Crystal Palace Restaurant, enjoy the romantic ambiance at the Blue Bayou Restaurant overlooking the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and try Polynesian cuisine at Polynesian Terrace Restaurant. There are also various stands and wagons around the park selling snacks such as churros, shaved ice, and teriyaki chicken legs.

If you’re looking to do a bit of shopping, there’s also no shortage of stores where you can pick up unique merchandise and Tokyo Disneyland souvenirs to take home. For the park’s largest selection of merchandise, head to the Grand Emporium in world bazaar. Here, you’ll find a collection of selected merchandise from all of the other lands. The different lands and even specific rides also have their own unique gift shops. Adventureland Bazaar, for example, has all of the adventure-themed merchandise you could want. Fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride will want to visit the Pirate Treasure store to outfit themselves like the pirates on their favorite ride, while Pooh Corner is the place to go after you’ve been wowed by the Pooh’s Hunny Hunt ride.

TOKYO DISNEYSEA

Any visit to Tokyo Disneyland needs to include a visit to Tokyo DisneySea, even if you’re only visiting for a day. This unique, nautical-themed Disney companion park opened in 2001 and attracts over 13 million visitors a year. It was the fastest theme park in the entire world to have 10 million visitors walk through its gates, which happened in less than a year. The concept for the park came from an idea to build a “Port Disney” park in California. Like Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea is divided into seven themed areas known as ports of call:

• Mediterranean Harbor
• Port Discovery
• Mermaid Lagoon
• Arabian Coast
• American Waterfront
• Lost River Delta
• Mysterious Island

The flagship attraction at Tokyo DisneySea is Journey to the Center of the Earth, a dark and thrilling ride that you absolutely must check out if you have the opportunity. The meticulously-themed ride takes guests deeper and deeper into the earth, past stunning worlds created using state-of-the-art special effects. Another well-known and well-loved ride at Tokyo DisneySea is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which takes you to explore the depths of the ocean. To truly take in everything this ride has to offer, you’ll need to get back in line a couple of times. Make sure you also attend the Big Band Beat show at the Broadway Music Theatre and catch at least one showing of Fantasmic!, which is performed every night in the Mediterranean Harbor.

There are plenty of places to eat and shop at Tokyo DisneySea as well. If you’re looking for casual and affordable dining, consider eating at Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante or New York Deli. To try the best dining experiences that Tokyo DisneySea has to offer, make sure you eat at Magellan’s, Ristorante di Canaletto, or S.S. Columbia Dining Room. You’ll also find delicious bakeries and plenty of snack booths serving items such as smoked turkey legs and ice cream. When it’s time to shop for some souvenirs, make sure you visit Emporio, which holds the largest collection of merchandise in the park. Other fantastic stores include Galleria Disney, Figaro’s Clothiers, and Il Postino Stationery.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to Opening Hours & Tickets

Tokyo Disneyland is typically open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday to Monday, and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. However, park hours can change throughout the year and are often extended for holidays, so make sure you check the schedule for your visit. Tokyo DisneySea hours are usually similar to the hours of operation for Tokyo Disneyland, though they are also subject to change due to holidays or during different seasons. The winter months are more likely to have shorter operating hours.

Park tickets provide access to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, allowing you to hop back and forth between the two parks. A 1-Day Passport is ¥7,400 for adults, ¥6,400 for a junior ticket, and ¥4,800 for children. The park also offers 2-Day, 3-Day, and 4-Day Passports. A 4-Day Passport costs ¥22,400 for adults, ¥19,400 for a junior ticket, and ¥14,400 for children, providing significant savings on the costs of each day’s ticket. You can also get a discounted price if you purchase an After 6 Passport (for entry after 6 p.m. on weekdays) or a Starlight Passport (for entry after 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays).

DISNEY FASTPASS

The Tokyo Disney Resort parks can get quite busy, with long lines forming at the most popular attractions. Ensure the best use of your time by using a Disney FASTPASS to skip the line for your favorite rides, or for new and popular rides that you want to experience. Simply head to a FASTPASS machine near the ride, scan your park ticket, and receive a FASTPASS ticket in return. The FASTPASS will note the time period when you can return and use the much shorter and quicker FASTPASS line. FASTPASS tickets are available for all of the most popular attractions and the FASTPASS system is completely free to use.

Disney FASTPASS tickets are available for the following attractions at Tokyo Disneyland:

• Space Mountain
• Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
• Haunted Mansion
• Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
• “it’s a small world”
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain
• Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!

Use FASTPASS tickets for these attractions at Tokyo DisneySea

• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Mermaid Lagoon Theater (King Triton’s Concert)
• The Magic Lamp Theater
• Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
• Nemo & Friends SeaRider
• Toy Story Mania!
• Raging Spirits
• Tower of Terror

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to Transportation

The best way to get to Tokyo Disneyland is by using Tokyo‘s fantastic train system. The nearest stop to Tokyo Disneyland is Maihama Station, which can be reached using the JR Keiyo Line or the JR Musashino Line from Tokyo Station, one of the city’s main transit hubs. Maihama Station is just a 15-minute train ride from Tokyo Station using either line, so you can take the train that arrives first. Tokyo Station can be easily reached from other major stations around the city, as well as from Tokyo‘s major airports. Here are the lines you can take depending on where you are coming from.

• Chuo Line from Shinjuku Station
• JR Yamanote Line from Ikebukuro Station and Akihabara Station
• JR Tokaido Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku Line from Yokohama Station
• JR Narita Express from Narita Airport
• Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport

Once you arrive at Maihama Station, it is only a five-minute walk to the main gate of Tokyo Disneyland. However, if you’re headed to Tokyo DisneySea, then, after leaving Maihama Station you’ll want to head to the Resort Gateway Station of the Disney Resort Line. The Disney Resort Line is a monorail system that can take you to various destinations within Tokyo Disney Resort. For Tokyo DisneySea, you can get off at Tokyo DisneySea Station. From there, it is only a one-minute walk to the gate. The Disney Resort Line also goes to Bayside Station, which is the closest station to the Tokyo Disney Resort hotels.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide to TOKYO DISNEYLAND HOTEL

For quick and convenient access to Tokyo Disneyland during your trip, you’ll want to stay at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. It is the closest hotel to the park, located directly outside the entrance. The hotel offers 706 guest rooms, each with a special Disney character theme. Disney motifs are present all throughout the hotel, right down to special Disney-themed amenities in every room. Guests can continue to enjoy the Disney magic even after returning from a long day in the park. For a truly immersive Disney vacation, the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is a top pick.

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel offers three fantastic dining options. Dreamers Lounge is a great place to eat breakfast before heading to the park. After a long day on your feet, buffet-style dining at Sherwood Garden Restaurant will have something for everyone. If you’re looking for fine dining, you can make reservations for lunch or dinner at CANNA. There are also two fantastic shops located directly inside the hotel, Disney Mercantile and Looking Glass Gifts. At Disney Mercantile, you’ll find original Tokyo Disneyland Hotel merchandise that isn’t available anywhere else, while Looking Glass Gifts is a great place to pick up snacks and drinks before heading to the park.

All official Tokyo Disneyland hotels offer extensive perks to hotel guests, including the ability to obtain park tickets at the hotel and to watch the Disney Channel free of charge. One of the best perks is Happy 15 Entry, which gives hotel guests the privilege of entering both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea 15 minutes before the parks open to the rest of the public through a special entrance. These 15 minutes can ensure that you are the first in line for the most popular rides, which fill up almost immediately after the park opens. Hotel guests also receive a complimentary Disney Resort Line pass, making it easy to travel around the resort.

TOKYO DISNEYSEA HOTEL MIRACOSTA

If you like the idea of staying right inside of a Tokyo Disney Resort park, then choose the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta hotel inside of Tokyo DisneySea. Access doesn’t get easier than this, as hotel guests can step right into the park through a special entrance gate. To reach Tokyo Disneyland park, all you have to do is hop on the nearby Disney Resort Line and get off at Tokyo Disneyland Station. Because Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta is an official Tokyo Disneyland hotel, guests also receive a complimentary pass for the Disney Resort Line and Happy 15 Entry privileges.

Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta has 502 guest rooms, all themed, like Tokyo DisneySea itself, in the style of faraway places. The hotel has three sides: a Tuscany Side, a Venice Side, and a Porto Paradiso Side. Whichever side you stay in, you’ll feel as immersed in the wonder and adventure of Tokyo DisneySea as you do during the day. When it comes time to eat, you’ve got three fantastic options. There’s Oceano, a restaurant along Tokyo DisneySea‘s Mediterranean Harbor that serves lunch, dinner, and a breakfast buffet. You also have Silk Road, the go-to place for authentic Chinese lunch and dinner cuisine. For more casual dining, head to the BellaVista lobby lounge. Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta also has its own gift shop called MickeyAngelo Gifts.

TOKYO DISNEYLAND Guide for Making the Most of Your Visit

Any visit to the Tokyo Disney Resort is sure to leave you smiling. It is not at all difficult to have a wonderful time, whether your goal is to sightsee, shop, eat, watch a parade or go on as many rides as possible. Still, here are a few simple tips that can help you make the most of your experience.

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: most cast members at the Tokyo Disney Resort can speak English, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re lost or looking for a place to eat. Even if something gets a little lost in translation, the patient staff is always eager to help and will gladly fetch someone who can answer your question or simply play a little charades until you understand each other.
2. Arrive early and head straight to pick up a FASTPASS: It is recommended that you arrive at least half an hour before the park gates open (if you do not have Happy 15 Entry privileges from staying at a Disneyland Hotel). Entry lines can be long and the queues for the most popular rides fill up fast once visitors are inside. This is why, when you make it through the gates, it is wise to head straight for the FASTPASS machine for the ride you are most eager to go on.
3. Dress appropriately for the weather: Tokyo is a four-season destination and Tokyo Disneyland is an outdoor park, so you need to be ready for the weather and temperatures. Summers in Japan are hot and very humid. Comfortable shorts and t-shirts are best for hot summer days, and sweat-wicking fabrics are a must. Conversely, temperatures during winter can drop to below freezing. Come prepared with a proper coat, winter hat, and winter gloves, and warm, waterproof shoes. Dressing in layers is a good idea.