Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland, like every Disneyland is a magical world of fantasy and fun! If you have been to a Disneyland before it will feel very familiar, however, Tokyo Disneyland has a Japanese twist! Japanese people love Disney and everything cute (kawaii). You’ll see cute couples dressed up in matching outfits, hear Mickey and Minnie speak in Japanese and have Japanese versions of American meals in the restaurants.

It’s hard to know where to start in writing this blog, just like it’s hard to know where to go first when you arrive at Disneyland – there is so much to do! The signs are generally in English and Japanese, so are the menus in restaurants. Many of the cast members speak English, however, if they don’t they will find someone for you. Parades, shows and dialogue at rides are generally in Japanese, however, we had no troubles at all figuring out what was happening. Not speaking Japanese was never an issue for us on our visits to Disneyland.

The Disneyland website has maps of the park and a list of attractions. The park is split up into seven worlds – World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Toontown and Tomorrowland.

Each area has themed rides, themed hosts, amazingly detailed sets and themed food!

World Bazaar

World Bazaar is at the entrance (and exit) of the park. It has a number of shops and restaurants themed like an American 20th century town. It’s a great place to stop at on the way out for souvenirs to take home and is covered so a refuge when it’s raining.

As you walk through to the other side of the Bazaar, the Disney Castle sits majestically in the centre of the park.

Adventureland

In Adventureland you can join a jungle cruise, explore the Swiss family tree house or sail with the Pirates of the Caribbean!

In Adventureland you can join the Western River Railroad which travels through Adventureland, Critter Country and Westernland.

Westernland

Westernland is themed as the American Wild Wild West!

Here you will find the very popular Big Thunder Mountain roller-coaster (must be over 102cm to ride), Mark Twain riverboat and raft ride to Tom Sawyer island.

Critter Country

Critter country has our favourite ride – Splash Mountain (must be over 90cm to ride) and Beaver Brothers canoe tours.

Fantasyland

Fantasyland sits at the middle of the park with the Disney Castle taking prime position. This part of the park has the classic Disney fairytale character rides.

Rides in this land include the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (entry request required via the Disney App once in the park, this will then give you a time slot for the ride), It’s a Small World, Alice’s Tea Party, Castle Carousel, Dumbo Ride, Pooh’s Hunny Pot, Peter Pan, Pinocchio and Snow White.

Cinderella’s castle is a must visit, with fascinating detail inside and outside the castles, there’s even a Loch Ness Monster swimming in the garden. Inside the castle is a glass blower making intricate glass slippers and glass roses.

Toontown

Toontown is lots of fun and there are a number of rides for younger kids. Mickey and Minnie’s houses are here to visit! Gadgets Go coaster is a small rollercoaster suitable for younger kids over 90cm. Roger Rabbits Car Toon spin is another fun ride. You can also explore Donald’s Boat and Chip ‘n Dales tree house.

Tomorrowland

Tomorrowland is the land of the future with rides such as Space Mountain (over 102cm to ride) a roller coaster ride in complete darkness! Star Tours (over 102cm to ride), Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc and the Happy ride with Baymax (over 81cm and entry request required via the Disney App once in the park, this will then give you a time slot for the ride).

Parades

Like any Disneyland, crowds queue for the parades long before they are due to come past. Tokyo Disney has day and night parades. For a full list of parades and shows, check out the official Disney site.

Top tips for rides

For more information on Disney planning including rides see our Disneyland and DisneySea blog page.

Each ride has a wait time clock outside the attraction. If the wait is long, there are a number of rides that have FastPass. Download the Disney app and when you are in the park choose rides and times for FastPass. If you don’t have the app you can go to the FastPass machines at the rides(although less convenient than using the app). Simply scan the QR code on your park ticket and you will be given a timed ticket. Return at the time designated on your ticket and join the FastPass queue to skip the long standby lines. However, you must make sure you come in the time frame given, the rides are generally not lenient if you are late so keep an eye on the time! There is no cost for the FastPass tickets.

If you have young children that can’t go on a particular ride then make use of ‘switchy switchy’. Join the line with your kids and when you see the first attendant, mention ‘rider switch’ or ‘switchy switchy’ and they will give you a pass. The attendants might offer it to you without asking. We had no idea what they were going on about when they started saying ‘switchy switchy’ to us! What this means is that one adult can then queue up and go on the ride while the other waits with the kids. When the first adult has finished their ride, then they can stay with the kids and take the switchy ticket up to the front of the line. A limited number of rides also allow for single riders, this can be faster but is currently only available on Splash Mountain.

Tickets and access

For information about tickets, access and where to stay, check out our Disneyland and DisneySea blog. If you are planning to combine your trip with a visit to DisneySea as well, check out our blog on DisneySea.

More Information

Check out our full blog on DisneySea
Official Tokyo Disney page
Disney Hotels
Now Boarding with kids