I Visited Tokyo Disneyland — And It Was Absolutely Next-Level Compared To The Disney Parks In America
Hi, my name is Raven, and I recently went to Japan for the first time at the end of 2023, and it was absolutely amazing. While I've dreamt of this trip for as long as I can remember, there were two bucket-list places I had to check off my list: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
To give context: My husband and I spent one day at each park while staying at two different Disney hotels — Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel and Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel.
Since many people are predicted to travel to Japan this year because the yen is at an all-time low, I wanted to provide an ultimate review of my experience at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea that includes tips for the easiest way to buy tickets, the best foods to try, and "little-known" facts that many people may not fully know about the parks. I hope that you're able to take away one thing from this review to help make planning way, way more manageable for you and your family if you ever have the opportunity to go!
I also want to preface that my experience and review of these parks are from the perspective of a 30-something-year-old woman who does not have children. So take any tips and advice with a grain of salt if you plan on traveling with kids.
A lot of people don't know this but Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are actually not owned by The Walt Disney Company but rather by Oriental Land Co., Ltd, which licenses the parks' characters and attractions from Disney. In fact, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are the only two Disney parks that are 100 percent owned by another company since Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland are nearly split between Disney and the parks' respective governments.
This unique ownership has allowed these two parks to run independently compared to other Disney Parks, which allows for cheaper tickets (which cost between ¥7,900 to ¥10,900 (about $50-$70) and food prices (that are actually pretty tasty), and one-of-a-kind merchandise, rides, and services that you can't find anywhere else.
Through the licensing agreement, Disney provides its Imagineers and consultants to design and build Tokyo Disney's theme parks and attractions while receiving a certain percentage of fees and royalties because OLC originally pitched the idea for The Walt Disney Company to come to Japan. So, if you've noticed that Tokyo Disney's attractions, animatronics, and parades hit differently, that's why.
As for the theme parks themselves, in my opinion, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are next level compared to the other parks in America. A few things I noticed when I was visiting were how pristine everything looked, and the attention to storytelling was simply jaw-dropping, whether it was an attraction, food item, or the overall land area. While we didn't have the opportunity to try every ride or food at both parks (because of jet lag and not enough days), everything we did experience was quite — dare we say — magical (sorry, I had to).
To start, let's dive right into Tokyo Disneyland. If you've been to Disneyland in California or Magic Kingdom in Florida, then you may already have an idea of what this park looks like. Think: classic Disney rides like "it's a small world" and Big Thunder Mountain, with a nearly identical map layout of the different lands, such as Tomorrowland and Fantasyland (although some of the names of the lands are different, such as Frointerland's name was switched to Westernland).
As someone who grew up going to Magic Kingdom, I felt the park's overall vibe was very familiar yet slightly disorienting when we first arrived. Everything nearly looked and felt the same, yet the Japanese culture and hospitality were very apparent throughout every corner of the park — which I absolutely loved.
As an example, when you walk by the shops, food halls, or rides, cast members with giant Mickey Mouse gloves will wave hello. It warmed my cold American heart every time I saw it happen.
However, even though the park felt mostly the same as Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, there were a few key differences. For instance, Main Street is called World Bazaar, and it's completely covered by a glass Victorian-style conservatory roof (which we could honestly use in Orlando since it rains so much there). Also, there were barely any strollers. (Seriously, my mind was blown.) In Florida, all the parks have large designated sections just for stroller parking. I'm not sure why this wasn't the case at Tokyo Disneyland, but I felt blessed that my shins came out unscathed by the end of each park day.
Another difference is that there is no railroad train that goes around the park. Since Japanese transportation laws indicate that tickets must be purchased for trains and subways with multiple stops, the train we know and love in America is only stationed in Westernland in Japan.
One of the wildest differences about Tokyo Disneyland is that it feels like you're going back in time because most of the attractions have either kept their original designs or are no longer available to ride in the U.S., like Snow White's Adventure or Splash Mountain. They even still have the "Who Wants a Redhead" section in Pirates of the Caribbean, which was replaced in the other parks. So, if you're looking for a "nostalgic" fix, then Tokyo Disneyland is your park.
Here's a list of all the attractions at Tokyo Disneyland: Western River Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions, Swiss Family Treehouse, The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents "Aloha E Komo Mai!", Westernland Shootin' Gallery, Country Bear Theater, Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island Rafts, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes, Alice's Tea Party, "it's a small world", Castle Carrousel, Snow White's Adventures, Dumbo The Flying Elephant, Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Peter Pan's Flight, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Haunted Mansion, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's Paint 'n' Play House, Chip 'n Dale's Treehouse, Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Stitch Encounter, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, The Happy Ride with Baymax, Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!
Pro tip: If you are interested in riding a specific attraction, make sure to check which rides are available and under construction, before you buy your tickets to avoid disappointment. You can find that list here for both parks.
Even though you may feel like you're going back in time, this Disneyland park has a few new-ish park-exclusive rides you don't want to miss, like The Happy Ride with Baymax, Monster's, Inc. Ride & Go, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Aside from some of the thrill rides, like Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain, these three rides are some (if not) the most popular attractions at the park — which means prepare for incredibly long lines (for instance, The Happy Ride with Baymax can be as long as 100 minutes on a slow day). So, just make sure to prioritize riding these attractions when you first get there (which I'll explain how to do later in the story).
If you only have time to go on one ride at the park, though, I cannot stress enough that you have to prioritize the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast. I don't say this lightly: it's one of the best Disney rides I have ever been on (aside from Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios). To be honest, I was hesitant to initially go on it because I wasn't "impressed" with the full-ride video on YouTube – and boy, was I wrong.
Here's a synopsis of the ride from the Tokyo Disneyland website: "Guests board magical cups that 'dance' in rhythm to the well-known music from Beauty and the Beast as they take guests through scenes depicting the story of the animated film."
Basically, it's a full-body, first-person experience of the Beauty and the Beast movie that will make you as emotional as after finishing a very cathartic therapy session. And while the whole ride is in Japanese, you don't need to know the language to understand what's happening because the ride simply mirrors the structure of the movie.
Similar to Rise of the Resistance, it's a trackless dark ride, but the vehicle resembles the design of Chip's mug, which magically dances during the duration of the attraction. But what makes this ride so special is that you actually feel like you are part of the story because you're not facing "scenes" like you do in the Little Mermaid ride at Epcot. Instead, you're literally in the middle of each scene as the environment and the story unfolds around you. Every detail is crafted to scale, and minimal screens are used throughout the ride, which is usually a feature that pulls me out of most rides as it can feel like a separation between the story and the guests.
The truth is, no element of this ride feels lazy, from the queue (which is found within Beast's castle) to the animatronic designs and the technical features. Every section of the ride feels intentionally placed to move the story forward seamlessly. If you want a peek at how the ride operates, here's a walkthrough of the ride.
Pro tip: The one thing I highly recommend is getting a Premier Access Pass (which is like the U.S. Lighting Lane) for this ride (which costs around ¥2000 yen (about $13). The line for this attraction is probably the longest at both parks, as it can average around under three hours, so if you don't have a lot of hours in the day, make sure to budget for this ticket feature.
Another pro tip: If you want the best ride experience, ask the Cast Members if you can sit in the front row of the tea cups. This will enhance the "in-movie" experience I mentioned above.
Raven Ishak
Another ride I loved was, of course, Space Mountain. But this Space Mountain was unlike the other ones in the States as it has an alien-like theme that amps up the scare factor — and it goes way, way faster. (The top speed in Orlando and California is around 27-28mph, and the top speed in Tokyo is around 30-32 mph.) This speed difference might not seem like a lot, but let me tell you, I thought I was going to fly out of my seat throughout multiple points of the ride. Did I love it? Absolutely. Was I praying to the unknown gods of the universe for three minutes straight to spare my life? 1000 percent.
Note: This version of Space Mountain will be demolished and rebuilt into a whole new Space Mountain attraction starting July 31, 2024. So, if you plan on going to Tokyo Disneyland soon, make sure you check out this attraction, as the new Space Mountain will not be available to ride until 2027.
Raven Ishak
While I can go on and on about the attractions, what takes the cake (pun intended) at Tokyo Disneyland is the food. Not only is the food at both parks way better in quality than in the States, but also most of the snacks and meals are packaged with intentional designs that either evoke a story or highlight a cute specific feature of a character (think: Donald Duck's tiny feet or Baymax's adorable face). Plus, it doesn't hurt that the prices are significantly lower than in the States. For instance, while quick service meals are similar in price, drinks are actually included in Tokyo Disney — so you get more bang for your buck. Here are some of the best things I ate at Tokyo Disneyland that you absolutely have to try for yourself:
Raven Ishak
Mickey and Minnie Ice Bars (¥3.50/$2.20): If you are going to Tokyo Disneyland during the warmer months, you HAVE to get these flavored ice bars. You can think of these like the traditional Mickey ice cream bars found in America since they don't have those at Tokyo Disney. Unlike the treats in America, there was nothing artificially sweet about these two snacks, as you get punched in the face with fresh fruit flavors with every bite. Mickey's flavor was tropical fruit, whereas Minnie's was peach and raspberry, and they're both so, so good and refreshing.
Little Green Men, aka the Alien Mochi (¥400/$2.52): If there's one snack you have to buy at Tokyo Disneyland, it's these dessert mochis. This snack is a wildly popular dessert because it resembles the aliens from the Toy Story movies. Each of the three characters is filled with a different flavored pudding-like custard that will send your tastebuds into outer space. The three cream flavors are custard, strawberry, and chocolate. When I tell you I'm normally not a fan of strawberry-filled flavoring, this is not the case in Japan. Every strawberry dessert I had tasted fresh and not overly sweet or artificial. It was heaven, and I miss it so much.
Turkey Leg (¥900/$5.66): Look, I don't know what they did differently in Japan compared to the States, but these Turkey Legs tasted juicy and were crunchy with two Cs. While I would have liked the leg to be more seasoned, I appreciated that my teeth weren't sinking into a dry carcass.
Here are some other foods you should absolutely try that other people seem to love when they visit Tokyo Disneyland: Mike Wazowski Melon Bread, Mickey-Shaped Churros, Baymax Burger, Mickey Waffle (apparently, they're the best out of all the parks), and Baymax Curry.
Pro tip: Something to note when it comes to allergies at either of the parks: you cannot switch or remove items on any of the food menus. Simply put — you receive what you order without any adjustments. So, if you have any allergies, the Cast Members will give you a special menu to choose from and walk you through every step of the way to make sure you correctly received what you ordered so you don't accidentally receive an item that can cause an allergic reaction. We had to do this for my husband, who has a few allergies, and the whole experience was handled with immense care and thought.
Another thing you absolutely have to check out when you visit Tokyo Disneyland is the parades. Tokyo Disneyland has a few different character-themed parades at any given time, but they have two consistent parades throughout the year: Disney Harmony in Color and Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights.
While my husband and I didn't have the opportunity to watch the Electrical Parade, which is a huge bummer, we did get a peek at the Harmony in Color, and it was a blast to watch.
The floats themselves are gorgeous and truly larger than life. Want to watch Rapunzel swing from her tower with her hair? Done. Do you crave extravagant costumes that actually add depth to the overall parade? You got it.
In Japan, parades are taken very seriously. They're a spectacle where families wait hours (and I mean hours) for the show to arrive. Families will save a spot earlier in the day with a picnic-like blanket and hang out until the show arrives.
Another key difference from the U.S. parks is that everyone will sit when the parade floats by, which makes watching the parade (especially for children) a much more enjoyable experience than watching it in the States. (Although, if you prefer to stand, there are specific designated sections for this.)
The technology involved in each of these parades feels groundbreaking, so don't sleep on them. Even if you only have a few minutes to watch, it's a great way to get some downtime while also enjoying something unique about the Tokyo Disneyland culture.
Next up is Tokyo DisneySea, aka what is believed by many to be the best Disney Park in the world. What makes this park so different from the rest is that it's the only Disney Park that is themed to the "myths and legends of the sea." This means that each of the eight lands has different ports that focus on (or reimagine) the distinct areas of the sea from around the world. (The theme park was originally focused on the "seven seas," but Fantasy Springs was recently added in June 2024, which now makes it eight.)
Here is a list of all the ports: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Fantasy Springs, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island.
When it comes to Tokyo DisneySea, I highly recommend getting there as early as possible (about an hour or two before the park opens at 9 a.m.). While this is absolutely the case with both parks, the lines at Tokyo DisneySea tend to be longer because most of its attractions (and foods) are unique to the park itself. Because of this, I also recommend looking at the park map beforehand. Even though it may be easier for international guests to navigate Tokyo Disneyland because it has a similar layout to the parks in the States, Tokyo DisneySea marches to the beat of one's own drum due to its multiple water ports.
Trust me when I say this is a park you don't want to miss. The overall vibe is a mix between incredibly casual, serene, dangerous, and wet — it simply depends on which port you're located in.
I, for one, loved the variety of this theme park. While each of the lands evokes a water theme, each of the ports does not feel like a repetition of the other. Yes, some ports were way better than others, but I appreciated that each had its own foods and attractions you could explore. Basically, if you're a fan of the World Showcase section of Epcot but wish each land was bigger and had more attractions, then you're going to love Tokyo DisneySea.
Pro tip: This is the kind of park you want to explore both during the day and at night. The mood completely changes when the sun goes down as you watch the lights reflect against the water. Between the Italian villas, the molten volcano, and the streets of New York, it seems like the whole park comes alive at night.
Raven Ishak
Most of Tokyo DisneySea's attractions are wildly unique. But even if the park has a ride that can be found in the States, the story may be different because it's geared to the Japanese audience and their culture. For instance, while we have Twilight Zone's Tower of Terror in Florida, in DisneySea, the story follows Harrison Hightower the Third, who is a collector of antiques who died at the Hightower Hotel. And even though they have a Soarin' ride, it's called Soaring: Fantastic Flight, and the story follows a fictional aviator named Camellia Falco.
Here's a full list of all the attractions at Tokyo DisneySea: Turtle Talk, Tower of Terror, DisneySea Electric Railway, DisneySea Transit Steamer Line, Toy Story Mania!, Soaring: Fantastic Flight, Fortress Explorations, Venetian Gondolas, Fortress Explorations“The Leonardo Challenge”, Aquatopia, Nemo & Friends SeaRider, Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull, Raging Spirits, Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey, Rapunzel's Lantern Festival, Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure, Fairy Tinker Bell's Busy Buggies, Caravan Carousel, Jasmine's Flying Carpets, Sindbad's Storybook Voyage, Ariel's Playground, Jumpin' Jellyfish, Scuttle's Scooters, Flounder's Flying Fish Coaster, Blowfish Balloon Race, The Whirlpool, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth,
This is one park I wish I had the opportunity to explore every ride because nearly every attraction had immersive queues and jaw-dropping animatronics. Luckily, though, I got to ride some pretty cool attractions that I think you should give a go. First up: Journey to the Center of the Earth.
This was the first attraction we rode. We went on the ride right after the park opened —and thank God we took this approach because, by the time we got off the ride, the line was around 180 minutes long... at 10 a.m.
Pro tip: If you don't want to go on this ride right when the park opens, I highly recommend going the Premier Access route, which is about ¥1,500 ($9.44).
What makes this attraction a must-ride is the overall experience from the queue to the attraction. Just like the Beauty and the Beast ride at Tokyo Disneyland, no creative detail is ignored. While the line begins outside a volcano (that actually erupts throughout the day), you eventually enter it, bypassing chemist sets and expedition items from Captain Nemo himself as you learn that he has discovered an unknown world deep underground — which you get to explore by going down an elevator shaft.
DLP Welcome / Via youtube.com, Raven Ishak
While I wouldn't call the ride groundbreaking (another pun, sorry), I would say it's a great mix between the Dinosaur and Expedition Everest rides from Animal Kingdom. It's a scary, adventurous, and drop-dead gorgeous attraction that has one of the most unique ride vehicles I have ever seen. Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention that there's a drop. You've been warned.
Yes, the majority of the park feels like it's made for grown-ups, but there's one area that's created specifically for kids (and the kids at heart): Mermaid Lagoon.
Listen, call me childish all you want, but this was probably my favorite area in the whole park. If you ever wanted to know what King Triton's Kingdom from The Little Mermaid looks like in real life, then your jaw will drop to the floor the minute you enter this area.
Unlike Ariel's grotto in Magic Kingdom, this entire "port" is imagined as if you are underwater as you slowly descend from the human world to the mermaid world. Once you're inside, the ceiling of the coral-like building is covered with water-like designs, and the room is circumferenced by shells, sea creatures, and underwater plant life. It's wild how breathtaking it looks.
Since Mermaid Lagoon is completely covered, it's the perfect place to take a pause if you need a break from the weather outside. However, I warn you, you may spend hours here, as it's designed for guests to get lost within the caverns to explore Ariel's world, from her Grotto with Eric's lifesize statue to sea creature attractions, shops and food halls.
Raven Ishak
Even though the attractions within Mermaid Lagoon are all geared toward kids (think carnival-like rides with sea creature vehicles), everyone is encouraged to shop, eat, and explore. There's a map within the Lagoon that highlights all the places you want to see, as most of these areas are interactive in nature. To be honest, it felt kind of like a science center, which I loved.
However, if you get bored with the exploration, you can grab some food at the main restaurant at Sebastian Calypso Kitchen or check out the giant whale shop, which slowly opens and closes its eyes. You heard me. The whale is alive.
Talking about food, Tokyo DisneySea has some incredibly tasty snacks you need to sink your teeth into. Here are some of the best things I think you need to eat:
Raven Ishak
Sea Salt Monaka Ice Cream (¥300/$2.00): To be honest, there is nothing about this snack that I should like. Sea salt vanilla ice cream, raspberry filling, and a thin wafer all sound like "nopes" to me. However, I completely changed my mind after taking one bite of all the flavors combined with a seashell-shaped design.
It's slightly salty, not overly sweet, and it's not completely smothered with the raspberry filling, which I appreciated. Plus, the packaging is adorable, with a mermaid Minnie on the front. Don't sleep on this treat.
Specialty Cocktail with Lychee and Milk (¥780/$4.91) While this alcoholic beverage is no longer available, it was so, so tasty and not overly sweet, especially for a lychee drink.
I wish I could tell you the ingredients that were included, but that's something you will notice throughout the park: when you order certain drinks or desserts, you might not fully know what's inside them — which is one con for people who have allergies. So, always double-check with a Cast Member just to be safe. Most of Tokyo Disney's beverages — alcoholic or non-alcoholic — are incredibly unique and are usually filled with jellies or bobas. While not every single drink will be a hit, I highly recommend being a little adventurous and trying out a few for yourself.
Matcha White Chocolate Popcorn (¥400/$2.52): I love matcha, but I hate white chocolate, yet this combo was so unique and tasty that I couldn't stop eating it. The mix of salty and sweet with a bite of matcha was a nice surprise. I wish there was more matcha flavoring, but I also prefer the umami of matcha. So, if you prefer matcha that's more subtle, this treat is for you.
Pro tip: Tokyo Disney Resort is known for its unique popcorn flavors. Make sure you try a few different flavors to get the full experience. Here's a list of some of the flavors you can try: Black pepper, curry, caramel, berry cheesecake, and honey.
Here are some other foods you should absolutely try that other people seem to love when they visit Tokyo DisneySea: Spicy Smoke Chicken Leg, Mickey Ukiwaman Chicken Bun, Garlic Shrimp Popcorn, Gyoza dog, and Soy Sauce Butter Popcorn.
While Tokyo Disneyland has parades and fireworks, Tokyo DisneySea has water shows and fireworks. You can catch all the shows in the Mediterranean Harbor. Similar to Epcot, DisneySea has a nighttime water show called Believe! Sea of Dreams. While we didn't have the opportunity to watch it, I've heard nothing but amazing things about the show.
While the whole show is in Japanese, you can follow the story of your favorite characters talking about believing in dreams and making their wishes come true. The show involves dozens of water boats that highlight some of the most loved Disney characters. If you want to watch the full show, check it out here.
One last thing to note: if you plan on going to Tokyo DisneySea soon, you may get to enjoy Fantasy Springs, the newest "port of call" that just opened in 2024. This port is home to the "magical spring leading to a world of Disney fantasy." Within this area, there are four new attractions, three new lands, and a new on-property hotel called the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.
The three lands are Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land. The four rides are Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey, Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure, Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies, and Rapunzel's Lantern Festival.
While the good news is that you do have the opportunity to enter the new land, the bad news is that there are some extra steps you need to take, as most guests are unable to just enter whenever they want. If you absolutely want to make sure you get to explore this new park expansion, I highly recommend watching this video from TDR Explorer. TLDR: There are multiple ways to get in, but some may cost money.
DFBGuide / Via youtube.com
Of course, for both parks, we can't forget to talk about souvenirs. Tokyo Disney puts the U.S. parks to shame when it comes to merchandise. Since Japan is all about Kawaii (cute) culture, you can expect to find miniature toys, plushes, and stationery of your favorite rides, foods, and characters. Mickey Ears are at a much lower price than the U.S. parks ($15 compared to $32), and you will find some of the best popcorn buckets ever created here! However, while some merchandise is kawaii in nature, a lot of it is downright practical. I saw so many character-centric soap dispensers, eyeglass holders, coin pouches, handkerchiefs, and more. Pro tip: Tell your bank account you're sorry in advance.
While the majority of the merchandise involves Disney characters you already know, there's a Tokyo Disney-specific character named Duffy that is all over Tokyo Disney Parks.
Duffy was initially created to be Mickey's teddy bear, which was created by Minnie to keep him company. Since Duffy has gained popularity over the years, the brand has evolved into Duffy and Friends.
You won't find Duffy in America because he and his friends can only be found at the Asian Disney theme parks, but if you go to any of the parks, you will find stores designated to just Duffy products. It was a little confusing at first for me because I wasn't expecting Duffy to be this popular, but I understand the hype. Just know that the merchandise is supposed to be cute and cuddly, and if you become a Duffy convertor, let me know.
As for my overall consensus of both parks: It feels like a huge benefit that these two parks are completely run by Oriental Land Co., Ltd. The fact that the company's whole focus and budget is solely for the parks is very apparent, as it highlights not only the classic films of Disney but also giving love to cuter characters such as Baymax and creating completely new characters of their own. I love how Tokyo Disneyland provides nostalgia and comfort in ways that the U.S. parks have forgotten about and that Tokyo DisneySea amplifies a grown-up feel without diminishing childlike wonder within the avenues of science and nature.
While the company can absolutely increase the prices of tickets, food, and merchandise just like its U.S. counterparts, it seems they actively choose to keep prices lower to attract more people to the parks, which should be implemented across all Disney parks.
I believe this decision is perfect for larger families who want to have fun but don't want to spend thousands of dollars on a Disney trip. As an adult with no children, though, I felt more joy exploring the parks because I didn't feel like a larger company was trying to take every penny I had in my bank account. Even though I love going to Disney, it's little things like this that will make me wanting to come back again and again.
As for the negatives, the one complaint I will make about Tokyo Disneyland is that some areas do feel a little dated, but I also think this factors into the original '50s and '60s designs and attractions that still take precedence at the park. I just think it can be a weird juxtaposition from the '80s-looking Tomorrowland to the new Beauty and the Beast section that was created in Fantasyland. (Although Tomorrowland is getting revamped soon, so this issue will no longer be a problem.)
Another thing I wish was different is the ability to change menu items. While this decision is based on the overall culture of Japan (because it's considered rude to tell the chef you want something different), it can make it harder to find something you like if one ingredient isn't a good fit for your taste buds, especially with people who have allergies.
Oh, and the lines. The lines are incredibly long, which can impact how much you do in a day. For instance, if you want to try the waffles at Tokyo Disneyland, you can expect to wait around 70 minutes sometimes. Thankfully, Tokyo Disney brought back their version of Fast Pass for their 40th Anniversary (which is free) to help reduce wait times for the attractions, but just like the parks in the U.S., you will most likely have to fork over some cash for the Premier Access passes if you want to ride all the most popular rides.
1.Don't panic if you don't read or speak Japanese. The majority of the park's menus, ride descriptions, announcements, and apps are also translated into English. The only issue you may have is that the rides are in Japanese, and not all Cast Members speak English, which may make it a little hard to navigate if you have specific questions you need answered. My suggestion is to download a translation app and talk to it to help speak with the Cast Members. Even though this might feel weird at first, it's something that a lot of people use even outside of the parks, so do whatever will make your experience much easier for you and them.
2.While you absolutely can wear "tourist" attire at either of the parks, it's actually quite normal for locals to dress up and go all out with their looks. Think: cute dresses, school uniforms, matching outfits with your friends or significant other, or full Disney-themed ensembles. (Here's a TikTok video as an example.) Bonus tip: If you go during the Halloween season, like we did, you will see guests cosplaying in unbelievable handcrafted costumes. Let's just say I felt completely underdressed when I was there in my shorts and shirt.
Even when some guests wore "basic" outfits, they had a fashion flair to them. The good news is, you absolutely can — and should! — buy some of your Disney gear at the parks to elevate any look. For instance, some of the most popular items we saw were Mickey sunglasses, Baymax merchandise from Big Hero Six, and Popcorn buckets.
However, there is one thing to keep in mind when picking outfits: the "unspoken" modest dress code in Japan. A lot of people in Japan tend to dress more modestly, so you won't see a lot of tank tops, tattoos, or short shorts (and yes, unfortunately, this is mostly geared toward women). But since we went during the fall season, there were a lot of locals who were wearing mini-skirts with long socks, boots, and sweaters, so as long as you're comfortable and happy, I think that's all that matters.
3.Speaking of attire, there are a few unique items you may want to bring with you that you might not even think of bringing when you visit other Disney parks. Having these items on hand while we were there made the whole experience much, much easier. Pro tip: If you have a lot of things with you, both Tokyo Disney parks have lockers you can rent right in front of the parks. You'll just need cash to use them. A lot of guests use these lockers to keep their luggage there as well, as there are many different sizes to choose from.
Here's a list of items I would highly suggest bringing:
• A handkerchief: A lot of bathrooms in Japan don't actually have paper towels to dry your hands with, so it's pretty common for locals to have a handkerchief or two on them to dry their hands and/or wipe the sweat away if the weather is unbearably hot.
You can also use this item to "save" a table right before you order food at many of the fast-casual restaurants. (To give context: it's custom to pick a table first before ordering food. Here's a TikTok video to explain further.)
• A small umbrella: While ponchos are incredibly popular for Disney guests to use at the U.S. parks, you really won't find them at Tokyo Disney because a lot of locals actually have umbrellas with them at all times to 1) block the sun, 2) keep dry from the rain.
• A portable charger: This is non-negotiable with all the pictures and videos you plan on taking. Trust me. Tokyo Disney does have portable charges that you can rent, but they charge per hour, so if you want to save a little bit of yen, I suggest packing your own.
• A comfortable bag/backpack: Since you will most likely be waiting in long lines at both parks, whether it's for rides or food, I highly suggest bringing a bag that won't hurt your shoulders.
• A picnic blanket: Only bring this if you love parades and want a front-row seat. The rule of thumb is that if you want to save your spot for a parade, you place a blanket of sorts on the ground as a "marker." No one will touch it, even if you have to step away to grab some food.
• Seasonal Items: Japan's winter and summer months are no joke, so it's vital to bring a small portable fan if you plan on going in the summer or warmer items like jackets, ear muffs, or hand gloves if you plan on going in the winter. The good news is that Tokyo Disney will have a lot of these seasonal items available for purchase if you forget.
• A phone with Wi-Fi capabilities: While it's okay to miss some of the other items from this list, NOT having access to Wi-Fi is not one of them. Whether that means getting a SIM card or a pocket Wi-Fi, you'll need to have access to Wi-Fi to use the Tokyo Disney app for booking rides, reservations, and everything in between because neither DisneySea nor Tokyo Disneyland have Wi-Fi on their properties.
Pro tip: My husband and I got a pocket Wi-Fi from Japan Wireless, and it works perfectly for both of our phones. The price point was also really great for a two-week trip.
4.When it comes to technology, downloading the Tokyo Disney Resort App is one thing you absolutely should do before going to the parks. Within the app (which can be used in English), you can look at wait times for rides and food (yes, lines can get long for food, too), buy tickets to the parks and passes for the rides, and book reservations. Just like the Disney app in the U.S., registration to a MyDisney Account and a credit card are required.
While I highly suggest familiarizing yourself with the app way before you go to the parks, here are some keywords to know that are different (yet similar) to the ones in other parks that you may find within the app:
1. Disney Premier Access: Similar to the Lighting Lane, these are individual passes you can purchase for a fee within the app for specific rides. Just like the Priority Pass, you will also get to pick a window of time to ride the attraction and be granted to go into a different line that's typically shorter.
2. Priority Pass: This is similar to the Fast Pass that was once available at U.S. parks, where you can pick a specific window of time to go to an attraction, so you don't have to wait in a regular long line. While this feature is free to use within the app, it was supposed to be a special limited feature for the 40th Anniversary in 2023. It still seems to be available for guests to use, but make sure to double-check the app before you go just to make sure no changes have been made.
3. Entry Request: This requested feature is only used for shows; think of it as a lottery since approval for these shows is picked randomly. The biggest issue is when you make one request to watch a show, you don't have the ability to make another request, even if you don't win the "lottery." However, you can watch some of the shows' first performances without using an Entry Request by waiting in the standby line. Just make sure to get in line right when the park opens.
4. Standby Pass: This pass is typically used for shops with special merchandise releases or restaurants. However, sometimes, it will be used for attractions. For instance, since Fantasy Springs in Tokyo DisneySea just opened, guests can get Standby Passes for the new attractions in that area.
Once you acquire any of these passes on the app, you'll just need to scan the QR code when your registered time becomes available.
Pro Tip: If you have a scheduled time to visit an attraction between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., your QR code will become available to scan five minutes before the window time opens.
5.Okay, now let's talk tickets. I want to preface it right from the start that you cannot — I repeat — you cannot buy Tokyo Disney tickets on park property, as the ticket booths are currently closed. So, if you're thinking: "Well, Raven, how the heck am I supposed to buy tickets from across the world?" I got you.
According to the Tokyo Disney Resort website, there are a few ways you can buy Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea tickets. As previously mentioned, park tickets cost between 7,900 and 10,900 yen (which is about $50-$70). See, I told you the tickets are significantly cheaper. At this time, there are no Park Hopper options; only single-day tickets. Plus, kids under the age of three can go to the park for free.
One straightforward way is to purchase tickets directly from the official Tokyo Disney Resort website or app. Fixed-date ticket sales open two months in advance on the same day. So, if you're thinking of going to one of the parks on November 20, 2024, you'll be able to purchase tickets on September 20, 2024.
However, if you're worried about tickets selling out — which can happen around the holidays — you can book a stay at one of the Disney Hotels to be guaranteed entry to the parks, no matter if they're completely sold out. This is one of the major perks of staying on a Disney property.
Pro Tip: Just be mindful that you'll only receive tickets based on the number of nights you stay at a hotel. This means if you book one night at the Toy Story Hotel, you can only get tickets for one day at a park.
Also, if you're splitting stays between Disney hotels, this rule works the same (which I learned while I was trying to buy tickets for both park days at our first hotel). Not gonna lie; this was a little frustrating but not a deal-breaker since we were guaranteed tickets either way. We just had to purchase our second-day tickets from the other hotel once we arrived.
Another Tip: If you purchase tickets at the hotels, you will receive paper tickets, so just make sure to scan them into the app before you head into the parks.
The final way to purchase tickets is through a reputable site called Klook. Klook is a travel website where you can purchase tickets for experiences across the globe. Klook might be a great option if tickets are sold out from the official website, you don't want to stay on property, or if your international credit card is not going through when you're trying to purchase tickets directly from Tokyo Disney (which apparently can happen sometimes).
To be honest, I initially did not feel 100 percent confident using Klook because I wasn't sure if the website was trustworthy, but I purchased Universal Studios Japan tickets from them — because it's nearly impossible to buy tickets directly from the USJ website as an international guest — and they worked perfectly!
6.WAIT! Before you purchase your tickets, seriously consider the days you want to go. I highly recommend going to Tokyo Disney on a weekday and avoiding holidays if possible because the parks can get extremely crowded during these times. For instance, my husband and I went at the end of September, which meant we still got to experience all of the Halloween decor and experiences without dealing with the holiday crowd.
Seriously, don't make this mistake. Going during the weekend (even sometimes on a Friday) or when there's a holiday means you may be waiting in extremely long lines, whether it's for food, rides, or shows. So before you purchase your tickets, make sure to check when holidays are happening in Japan (here's a list of them), and try to purchase tickets from Monday to Thursday.
Pro Tip: Another reason to go Monday through Thursday is that ticket prices are typically much, much lower (unless there's a holiday, of course!). So, you're not only saving time, but you're also saving money.
7.However, if you plan on staying on Disney property, you have plenty of hotel options to choose from. There are three categories of hotels: Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels, Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels, and Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels. Each provides different benefits, services, and price points.
Here's a full list of the benefits under each hotel category:
Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels: These hotels are typically the closest to the Tokyo Disney Parks (aside from the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel, which is about a 15- to 20-minute complimentary shuttle ride).
When you stay at an official Disney Resort, you gain Happy Entry access to either one or both parks, depending on the hotel. This means you can enter the park 15 minutes earlier than guests who are not staying on Disney properties.
Pro Tip: Be mindful that you will not get Happy Entry on check-in days. Also, due to the recent opening of Fantasy Springs, Happy Entry is not available Tokyo DisneySea on certain days. However, if you want guaranteed access to Fantasy Springs, you can purchase a vacation package or book a stay at the new Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.
As I mentioned before, you can purchase park tickets directly from the hotel, even if the parks are completely sold out that day.
You can also purchase special merchandise that is only sold at the designated hotels, as well as have special access to restaurants that only hotel guests can reserve.
Rates range from ¥21,500 to ¥500,00 ($139.07 to $3,234.18)
Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels and Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels: You can still purchase park tickets for these hotels, but they may not be available if the parks are sold out or in peak season. Also, you may have complimentary shuttle access, but some Good Neighbor hotels may require reservations or be located in Tokyo, so make sure to double-check before you book.
Rates can start as low as ¥10,900 ($70) and go up from there.
*Changes can occur at any time, so make sure to double-check the benefits before you book your stay.
8.While Tokyo might be in the name, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are not actually in Tokyo. Both parks are located in the Chiba prefecture, which is about an hour to an hour and a half from Tokyo or both airports (Haneda and Narita) if you plan on using public transportation.
If you prefer using a taxi service instead, just be mindful that they're incredibly expensive. (Ubers don't operate in Japan.) For example, my husband and I took a taxi directly from Haneda International Airport to our Disney Hotel, and it cost us about $75+ for a 20 to 30-minute drive. I live in New York, and my heart nearly dropped.
9.As for public transportation, Japan's subway system is incredibly efficient, so if you're already staying in or around Tokyo, I highly recommend going this route.
Tokyo Disney Resort is right off the Maihama Station, which directly connects to Tokyo Station. So, wherever you're located within Tokyo, your goal is to connect to the Keiyō Line (which uses the JE symbol and connects Tokyo to Chiba)
Tip: Tokyo Metro Tickets start at 180 yen but can increase to different denominations based on how far you travel. For instance, if you're staying in Shinjuku, the above route can cost you 439 yen (which is about $2.81). I highly recommend adding one of Tokyo's prepaid IC cards to your phone so you can easily scan in and out of the metros. More information about the IC cards is here.
Once you get to Maihama Station, you'll want to use the Tokyo Resort Line, Disney's monorail system, to head to the parks. If you're exiting Maihama Station, you'll want to head toward Resort Gateway Station, which is to your left, past the Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Center.
Tokyo's monorail system is a giant loop that stops at every Disney hotel and park, just like the monorail in Orlando, Florida. The only difference is that the train service is not free. You will have to pay 300 yen for adults or 150 yen for children once you get to the monorail station. (This is because the monorail is considered "public transportation" in Japan, unlike in the States.) The good news is: You can also use your IC card like any other train station in Japan.
Tip: However, if you plan on using the monorail multiple times a day, I recommend buying a day pass. There are four ticket types, from 1-Day Pass to 4-Day Pass, and the prices start from 700 yen and go up to 1,500 yen. This is also a great souvenir, as the card is hard and usually has a few different limited-edition designs to choose from.
Once you're on the monorail, just listen for your stop as it's announced. Nearly everything in Tokyo Disney Resort is written or spoken in Japanese and English, so things will be pretty easy to navigate once you're on the property.
Pro Tip: Make sure to take a picture of yourself using the Mickey handrails. They're famous for a reason.
What do you think of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea? Have you been to either of the parks or plan to go in the near future? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below
