Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea

📍Maihama 1-1, Urayasu City, Chiba Pref. 279-0031

Preparing for Tokyo Disney:

Trip Itinerary Planning

We went to Tokyo Disney during the very first days of our trip to Japan, which we later realized was poor planning. We flew from California, so the time difference was significant—Japan is 17 hours ahead. We were extremely jet-lagged when we arrived, and we should have taken it easy during the first few days to adjust. Instead, we went straight to Disney, which involves high energy, crowds, long lines, and a lot of walking.

Although we made it work, my body was physically exhausted, and I even caught a minor cold in the process. Based on this experience, I recommend scheduling Disney toward the middle or end of your trip. This allows your body to be more rested and better adjusted to the time difference, rather than being in shock. Your brain will thank you too, since it can be mentally challenging to jump into a fast-paced environment after a long flight and limited sleep. Of course, if you’re traveling from a time zone closer to Japan, you can likely disregard this advice.

When to Visit

When planning your Disney visit, I recommend going during the middle of the week (Monday through Thursday) and avoiding weekends altogether. The theme parks get extremely busy, and even though we visited on a Monday and Tuesday, many attractions still had wait times of over three hours.

I also know someone who went on a Saturday and Sunday and greatly regretted it, as she wasn’t even able to get food. Lines to grab a quick bite at snack stands and restaurants were around three hours long, and many mobile ordering options in the Disney app were closed.

Language

I found that most employees did not speak much, if any, English, but they were all very kind and helpful whenever we interacted with them. Many cast members carry a translator device around their neck and use it to assist with communication. In addition, most attractions are in Japanese, including the character dialogue within the rides. However, there is some English signage throughout the park, as well as English menus available at restaurants. Overall, it was not difficult to navigate the park despite not being able to speak Japanese.

Getting There

The best way to get to Tokyo Disney is by public transportation (train or bus). You can take the train to Maihama Station using the JR Keiyo Line. Once you arrive at Maihama Station, it is about a five-minute walk to Tokyo Disneyland. To get to DisneySea, you’ll need to take the Disney Resort Line monorail to Tokyo DisneySea Station; otherwise, it’s about a 20-minute walk from Maihama Station. I highly recommend using the Google Maps app when navigating public transportation in Japan, as it tells you exactly which trains to take, how many stops to ride, and when to get off. While public transportation can feel daunting at first, it quickly becomes easy and extremely efficient once you get the hang of it.

Of course, there are other ways to get to Tokyo Disney, such as taxis or GO (Japan’s version of Uber). If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, there is also a free shuttle bus that can pick you up from or drop you off at the airport. Check out the website here for more information on the hotel shuttle.

Staying at a Disney hotel also allows you to be much closer to the parks. For example, we stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and were able to walk to the Disneyland entrance in just a few minutes. Some hotels are even located inside the parks, such as the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel. One important thing to note is that the monorail is not free—even for hotel guests—unlike at U.S. Disney parks. This initially confused us when trying to get to DisneySea, until we realized we needed to purchase a separate monorail ticket. Fortunately, staff members are available to help if you run into any confusion.

Tickets

I recommend purchasing tickets in advance rather than waiting until the day of your visit, as they can sell out. We bought our tickets through Klook and had no issues. You can only visit one park per day, as there are no park hopper passes like in the U.S. However, tickets are relatively affordable—we paid around $65 USD per day. Compared to Disneyland in California, where a one-day ticket averages around $150 USD, Tokyo Disney offers excellent value.

Fast Pass

There are two fast pass options available to help you get through lines more quickly:

1) Priority Pass – A free service available through the Tokyo Disney Resort App. You can reserve a return time for eligible rides, though availability is limited and time slots tend to fill up quickly as the day goes on.

2) Disney Premier Access – A paid service available through the Tokyo Disney Resort App. This option allows you to purchase access to reserve return times for select rides, shows, or parades.

For more details on these pass options, be sure to check the official Tokyo Disney website here.

Attractions: Tokyo Disneyland

There are two Disney theme parks in Tokyo: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland features many classic attractions that can also be found at Disneyland in California, including Cinderella’s Castle, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, and the Haunted Mansion, among many others. However, the park also offers several attractions that are exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland, including the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.

The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast

This attraction features the castle from the film and is extremely high-tech, as the ride operates on a trackless system. It was one of the first trackless rides Disney introduced in any of its parks. Guests move through multiple rooms in a giant teacup while experiencing the story alongside all of the characters. I was especially impressed by the animatronics, particularly the facial expressions of Belle and the Beast. There is also a scene in which the Beast transforms into a human, and the engineering is phenomenal—the massive Beast appears to vanish into thin air, revealing the Prince. I even found myself getting a little emotional during the ballroom scene, as the music and scenery were perfectly executed, creating a truly beautiful experience.

This ride was relatively new when I visited and remains one of the most popular attractions at Tokyo Disneyland. I highly recommend riding it first thing when you arrive at the park; otherwise, you may end up waiting two to three hours in line. You won’t be disappointed by the incredible quality of this attraction.

Haunted Mansion

The Haunted Mansion at Tokyo Disney is similar to the version at Disneyland in California. However, since I visited in November, the ride was transformed into The Nightmare Before Christmas overlay, which typically runs from September through January. Jack Skellington and Zero make appearances, along with many other characters from the film. My favorite moment was seeing the Vampire Teddy playing the piano for Sally. Overall, you can still expect the same thrilling haunts and spooky fun on this classic attraction.

The Happy Ride with Baymax

Another fun attraction is the Baymax ride, where Baymax pulls you along while upbeat music plays throughout the experience. Baymax is an extremely popular character in Japan, and this ride has a dedicated fan base—many guests even gather around the attraction just to sing and dance along to the music. Each song has its own set of choreographed dance moves, so by the time you board the ride after waiting in line, you’ll likely already know them. Fair warning: the songs may get stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Music aside, this is a fun, lighthearted ride that I recommend if you get the chance.

Attractions: Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo DisneySea features several familiar attractions, such as Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Toy Story Mania, but it also offers rides that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. These include Aquatopia, a fun water attraction that spins and glides you through a trackless pool, and Journey to the Center of the Earth, a thrilling roller coaster set inside a massive mountain.

The park also has a newer themed area called Fantasy Springs, which is home to attractions such as Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, and Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit Fantasy Springs during my trip because, at the time, guests were required to log into the app on the day of their visit and reserve a time slot to enter the newly opened area. We experienced significant issues with the app, as the page continuously loaded due to the high volume of users trying to secure reservations. It felt as though the system favored locals, as many other international visitors appeared to be experiencing similar problems.

The good news is that Fantasy Springs is now fully open to all guests with no reservation required. I’ve heard it’s a beautiful area with incredibly well-designed attractions, and I’m hoping to explore it on my next visit to Tokyo DisneySea.

Tower of Terror

This ride features the same drop sequences as the Tower of Terror at Disney World, but it has an entirely different storyline. Rather than being themed around The Twilight Zone, Tokyo’s Tower of Terror is based on a hotel owner who traveled the world collecting rare treasures. One artifact in particular causes chaos within the elevator system, ultimately leading to the owner’s mysterious disappearance.

I thought the setup of this ride was excellent, and I actually enjoyed waiting in the longer line because there was so much to see. The decorative details were especially well done, with eerie statues scattered throughout the garden and hotel lobby. There were also numerous newspaper articles describing the hotel owner’s disappearance, which added depth to the story. All of the written materials were in English, since the hotel is meant to be located in New York in 1912. Interestingly, many local guests were using Google Translate to read the English newspaper articles. Despite this, the ride itself is conducted entirely in Japanese.

If you’d like to learn more about this attraction, I recommend checking out Disney’s Behind the Attraction series on Disney+. It explores the origins of the ride and explains how the unique storyline was developed specifically for Tokyo Disney.

Aquatopia

Aquatopia is a fun ride that whirls you through the water and veers in many different directions. There may be an occasional squirt or two of water, but you definitely won’t get very wet. The boat stays on a flat surface in a smooth, trackless system, so there are no dips or bumps. Honestly, this was probably one of my favorite rides because it was so unique—there are no other rides like it at other Disney parks. It’s great fun for the whole family and provides a lighthearted experience.

S.S. Columbia

There is a replica of a 20th-century steamboat, the S.S. Columbia, at Tokyo DisneySea. While it is permanently docked and not a ride, I still thought it was a great attraction to experience. Guests can roam the ship and enjoy great views of the park and the ocean from the upper deck. There are also several restaurants located inside the ship, such as the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge, which offer excellent food and drinks.

Caravan Carousel

The Caravan Carousel is a two-story merry-go-round located in the Arabian Coast area of DisneySea. Its multiple levels make it unique, and riders can choose exotic animals like camels, elephants, or even Aladdin’s Genie himself. Experiencing this attraction at night makes it especially fun, as everything is beautifully lit up. The line also wasn’t too long when we visited, since the carousel can accommodate many guests at one time.

Snacks:

Baked Goods - Disneyland

The Sweetheart Cafe in the World Bazaar area is a counter-service bakery offering both sweet and savory treats. We stopped here in the morning for coffee and paired it with some Mickey-shaped items: a banana and walnut muffin and a meat patty with cheese Danish. Both were tasty, and it was nice to move through the counter quickly.

Popcorn - Disneyland & DisneySea

Popcorn at Tokyo Disney is especially unique due to the wide variety of flavors available, including caramel, black pepper, curry, corn potage, honey, salt, milk chocolate, garlic shrimp, Chinese chili, roast beef, white chocolate, and soy sauce and butter. Each popcorn wagon typically serves only one flavor, so be sure to check the map on the Disney app to see where each flavor is located.

I tried two flavors during my visit: salt and soy sauce and butter. The salt was my favorite, since I prefer classic salty popcorn, while the soy sauce and butter flavor was slightly sweet, tangy, and savory. I personally wouldn’t get the soy sauce and butter again, but I would be interested in trying other flavors on a future visit. Note that popcorn wagon lines can get long, so it’s something to keep in mind as you plan your day.

Churros - Disneyland

Churros and ice cream are available at Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon, located in the Critter Country area. We ordered the chocolate churro, which had just the right amount of sweetness. We also picked up oolong tea and coffee as pick-me-ups, which paired perfectly with the sugary snack. I recommend checking the menu in advance, as the churro flavors appear to rotate seasonally. Overall, this kiosk offers quick service, and there is seating nearby, making it a convenient stop.

Places to Eat:

Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall

I really enjoyed my experience at this Alice in Wonderland–themed restaurant at Tokyo Disneyland. The food is served buffet-style, with entrée options such as roasted chicken, flank steak, meat patty with cheese, and swordfish. I chose the chicken, which was very juicy and flavorful. There were also fun dessert options, including strawberry mousse served with a souvenir plate and a Happy Unbirthday fruit basket cake. The cake was available in both large and small sizes and was topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream icing. It was light, sweet, and very enjoyable. You definitely get a lot of food for the cost (entrées are around $12 USD), making this a great spot for lunch or dinner.

In addition to the delicious food, the restaurant had beautiful decorations consisting of colorful stained-glass windows and bright flower lights. They also had life sized card men statues and hedges to make you feel as though you really were dining in the queen's castle.

Since this restaurant offers counter service, no reservations are needed to dine here.

The Teddy Roosevelt Lounge

If you’re looking for a swanky meal with great food and drinks, the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge is an excellent choice. Located on the second floor of the S.S. Columbia ship replica, this lounge features a full bar with rotating signature drinks. We chose a bright blue signature cocktail topped with sugar crystals swirling around the glass—it was so beautiful that I almost didn’t want to drink it.

While the appetizer options are limited and there is typically only one meal choice (usually a sandwich paired with sides), this setup allows for quick service. During our visit, the meal was a pork sandwich served with lobster bisque, fries, and a cream puff pastry for dessert. The food was excellent and perfectly portioned for lunch.

I recommend making reservations in advance on the Disney website since it gets fairly busy. This will save you the headache of waiting for food after a long day of waiting for rides.

Ristorante di Canaletto

Another standout dining experience can be found in the Mediterranean Harbor area of DisneySea, where you’ll feel as though you’re dining along the canals of Venice. Italian food is served here, with menu options including wood-fired pizza, pasta, and a variety of wine and beer. The pizza was superb and exactly what we needed after a long day in the park. We were also able to sit outside on the patio and enjoy the rustic Italian architecture, which enhanced the experience.

We made reservations in advance on the Disney website, so I recommend booking a spot so that you can ensure you get a seat.

Disney Hotels:

Tokyo Disney has some amazing hotels, and if you get the chance to stay in one, I highly recommend it. Staying on property allows you to remain close to the parks without having to commute and adds to the overall Disney experience with additional dining, shopping, and photo opportunities.

Booking a Hotel

Staying at a Disney hotel is extremely popular, so you’ll need to book your room well in advance. Reservations are made through the Disney website, and the earliest you can book is four months before your planned stay at 11:00 a.m. Tokyo time (UTC +9). I was on my computer late at night in California at the exact moment the reservation window opened in Japan so I could secure our booking. Even logging on right at opening, the DisneySea hotels had already sold out. I ended up reserving our second choice at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, which still turned out to be a great experience.

Be sure to call your bank ahead of time to let them know you’ll be traveling and making purchases in Japan. I ran into an issue at checkout because my credit card was flagged as a “fraudulent purchase.” While it eventually got sorted out, it was a stressful moment watching rooms sell out so quickly.

Closer to Parks

If you stay at a Disney hotel, you’ll be much closer to the parks. For example, we stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and were able to walk to the Disneyland entrance in just a few minutes. Some hotels are even located within the parks themselves, such as the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel.

One important thing to note is that the monorail is not free for hotel guests (unlike in the U.S.). We were initially confused when trying to get to DisneySea and realized we needed to purchase a separate ticket for the monorail. Fortunately, staff members are available to help if you’re unsure.

Early Park Entrance

Disney hotel guests also receive the benefit of entering the parks earlier than general guests through a special entrance. The eligible park depends on which hotel you’re staying at, so be sure to check the official Disney website for details. Unlike early entry in the U.S., this perk only allows entry 5–15 minutes before the park officially opens. However, this small window makes a big difference.

When we stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, we used early entry to get in line for The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Our wait time was just 15 minutes, compared to the three-hour wait that built up later in the day.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

Classy and elegant, the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel makes you feel as though you’re staying in Cinderella’s palace. The lobby features elaborate chandeliers, ornate furniture, and flowing water fountains. The garden is just as beautiful, with intricate streams, colorful flowers, and warm golden lighting. Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, it’s worth stopping by to explore the lobby, garden, and small gift shops, which sell unique merchandise you won’t find in other park stores.

The guest rooms are filled with thoughtful details, including hidden Easter eggs such as Mickey ears incorporated into the furniture and painted onto the walls. Our room featured a classic Mickey and Minnie theme, though other rooms offer more whimsical designs, such as Alice in Wonderland. We were able to take home complimentary, hotel-specific souvenirs like small plastic cups and metal tins filled with Disney toiletries. I especially enjoyed having a vanity desk as a designated space for doing makeup, and I also loved the painted teacups—which we ended up using for tea, coffee, and even wine.