As someone who has been to Disney parks around the world, I can definitively say that a visit to Tokyo Disneyland is a whole other level of magical. From its immaculate grounds and incredible efficiency to its unique spin on classic rides and attractions, this Japanese Disney resort is in a league of its own. I had the chance to experience the Tokyo Disney magic for myself during the beautiful autumn season in 2018 as part of a wider trip through Hokkaido and Tokyo.
Getting There & Buying Tickets
Tokyo Disneyland and its neighboring park, DisneySea, are located in the city of Urayasu in the western suburbs of Tokyo. It’s about a 15-minute walk from the Maihama station on the Disney Resort Line, or you can opt for buses or resort shuttles to get dropped off even closer.
To avoid wasting any time waiting in ticket lines on the day of, I highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance online through the Tokyo Disney website or via an authorized third-party vendor. Not only can you select your desired park and date, but you can also buy bundles that include things like parking, PhotoPass, special FastPass options and Disney hotel packages. The time savings alone is worth it.
The Park’s Incredible Theming
What immediately struck me upon walking through the front gates of Tokyo Disneyland was just how incredibly themed and detailed every single aspect is. From the gorgeous, flower-lined paths to the Broadway-caliber costumes on cast members to themed snack carts spread throughout, you are completely transported into an alternate Disney reality. Everything is impeccably manicured and maintained too. Not a single trash can or directional sign looks out of place.
A quintessential photo stop is Partners Statue in the World Bazaar area right after the main entrance. Here you’ll find an iconic bronze sculpture of Mickey Mouse joyfully greeting visitors along with other classic Disney characters clustered around him. It’s one of the park’s most popular photo spots, especially with Cinderella’s castle majestically looming in the background.
The park’s seven themed lands include standards like Adventureland, Westernland (Frontierland), Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, along with some unique-to-Tokyo areas like Critter Country full of Winnie the Pooh and friends. Another highlight is the World Bazaar with all its whimsical shops, street performances and two mirrored “Main Street” corridors leading into and out of the park.
Classic Rides with a Twist
While you’ll find plenty of classic Disney rides and attractions like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and more, Tokyo takes these familiar experiences to new heights with superior technology, incredible detailed enhancements, and its own distinct Tokyo Disneyland twists.
One of my favorite examples was the Star Tours ride in Tomorrowland, which is trackless and features incredible visuals that sync up the motion seamlessly with the space flight sequences. I had to experience it multiple times!
You’ll also find exclusive-to-Tokyo rides and shows like Monsters Inc Ride & Go Seek, the Broadway-caliber One Man’s Dream II show celebrating Disney films, Horsedroid Roundup in Toyville Toontown, and the mind-blowing Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast dark ride. Be sure to consult ride wait times and grab a park map to plan your day.
Dining and Snacking
No Disney experience is complete without indulging in plenty of theme park snacks and treats. From the iconic Mickey Mouse premium ice cream bars to the incredible Disney character and animation themed popcorn flavors and buckets, you’ll find some of the most creative and Instagram-worthy snacks here.
Other iconic Tokyo Disneyland treats include the Chandu Tail Bread (an adorable panda-shaped sweet bread loaf) found in Fantasyland, colorful Mickey-shaped churros, cream-filled Mickey Mouse mousse domes, and flavorful kakigori shaved ice desserts.
For full-service sit-down dining, can’t miss restaurants include the Polynesian Terrace in Adventureland serving Tiki cocktails and wild West-inspired dishes at Cowboy Cookhouse Barbecue in Westernland. You’ll want to grab hard-to-get advance reservations for any character dining experiences like the beloved Cape Cod-style restaurant Blue Bayou in New Orleans Square.
Park Entertainment
In true Disney fashion, Tokyo Disneyland features no shortage of incredible live entertainment to round out your visit. From the magnificent daytime parade, Dreaming Up!, to the immersive nighttime spectacular Once Upon a Time fireworks show projected across the castle, these are visual extravaganzas not to miss.
Other must-see shows include the colorful New! Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular fusing live characters and stunts with cutting-edge projection mapping, water effects and pyrotechnics on the Rivers of Fantasy. You can catch some of the resident Disney characters up close grooving in the afternoon dance parties on the World Bazaar main stage too.
Planning Your Strategy
Like most Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland has plenty of seasonal events, entertainment, snacks and merchandise that rotate regularly throughout the year. I personally loved visiting in the autumn when the park was decked out in gorgeous fall decor and offered special Halloween offerings.
No matter when you plan to visit though, I’d recommend purchasing a 2-day pass if possible in order to fully experience both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea without feeling rushed. Use a crowd calendar and plan to visit on lower crowd days for shorter wait times. Be sure to take advantage of the free FastPass system, which allows you to reserve ride times for the most popular attractions in advance. Arrive early, stay late, and prepare to be swept up in the exceptional Disney magic!
From its unbeatably spotless park grounds and incredible efficiency to its world-class attractions fusing cutting-edge technology with nostalgic charm, a trip to Tokyo Disneyland is truly a next-level Disney vacation experience. Whether you’re a longtime Disney fan or just looking for a fun-filled family getaway, this should absolutely be on your bucket list when visiting Japan. Just don’t be surprised when you find yourself never wanting to leave thanks to Tokyo Disney’s pure enchantment!