It might surprise you to learn that there's a Tokyo Disneyland in existence. Up until a couple of years ago, my wife and I had no idea, yet by that point we'd already been to Disneyland Paris, Disneyland California and Disney World Florida a good bunch of times. In fact, since our first trip in 2012, Disneyland Paris has been our favourite. I personally find the cooler weather there and its ample size – along with its quintessential European charm - incomparable.
But now, Tokyo Disneyland is our new favourite! Or maybe second? We're not sure yet! And while it’s highly unlikely we’ll be making frequent return trips given the fact it’s hardly down the road like Disneyland Paris is. if you’re a fan of Disney’s theme park resorts, we can’t recommend Tokyo Disneyland enough. Perhaps you’re already planning a trip, or maybe we’ve somehow already managed to persuade you to go. Either way, here are eight top tips for your trip that we consider to be pretty invaluable. And hey - it's always good to “be prepared”!
But now, Tokyo Disneyland is our new favourite! Or maybe second? We're not sure yet! And while it’s highly unlikely we’ll be making frequent return trips given the fact it’s hardly down the road like Disneyland Paris is. if you’re a fan of Disney’s theme park resorts, we can’t recommend Tokyo Disneyland enough. Perhaps you’re already planning a trip, or maybe we’ve somehow already managed to persuade you to go. Either way, here are eight top tips for your trip that we consider to be pretty invaluable. And hey - it's always good to “be prepared”!
1. Learn some basic Japanese
Preparing for a trip to Tokyo Disneyland means you’re very likely going to be spending some time in the city, too – unless of course you’re happy to travel up to 15 painfully-long hours on a plane just to go to the resort (we wouldn’t judge)! Either way, learning some basic words and phrases isn’t a bad idea. Not only will it go a long way, it’s respectful to show you’ve at least made an effort. It’s also worth noting that tipping isn’t customary in Japan, and is more likely to offend if you try.
The Japanese are the friendliest people you’ll meet, and despite what you might have heard, most of them do know some English. For you, there are some great translation apps, but there’s nothing more reliable than a guide book, like Eyewitness Travel: Top 10 Tokyo. You can find this book at UK airports, and it includes plenty of useful words and phrases. Just note that some shows and attractions at the parks aren't available in English. That said, they can still be enjoyed all the same - after all, they speak the universal language of Disney!
The locals' smiles are bigger (and far more sincere) than this guy's
The Japanese are the friendliest people you’ll meet, and despite what you might have heard, most of them do know some English. For you, there are some great translation apps, but there’s nothing more reliable than a guide book, like Eyewitness Travel: Top 10 Tokyo. You can find this book at UK airports, and it includes plenty of useful words and phrases. Just note that some shows and attractions at the parks aren't available in English. That said, they can still be enjoyed all the same - after all, they speak the universal language of Disney!
A few words can go a long way
2. Purchase your tickets at the park or the hotel
When trying to order your park tickets from the official website, you’ll encounter a slight problem – the system doesn’t accept UK post codes! But don’t worry, as you can easily purchase your tickets at the resort, or, if you’re staying at a hotel on the resort (Disney or non-Disney), you can grab them there instead. Tokyo Disneyland will never sell out, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't purchase your tickets as soon as you arrive. There are also a few other things to take into consideration, too...
Make sure you're very clear on how many there are in your group, how many tickets you need per person and which parks you need them for, as refunds are rarely offered. Even if the sales person speaks pretty good English, there will always be a language barrier. However, they will reiterate your request to you before completing the transaction, as courtesy, consideration and excellent customer service skills are taken with much pride in Tokyo – and, to no surprise, even more so in Tokyo Disneyland!
Don't miss out on sites like this
Make sure you're very clear on how many there are in your group, how many tickets you need per person and which parks you need them for, as refunds are rarely offered. Even if the sales person speaks pretty good English, there will always be a language barrier. However, they will reiterate your request to you before completing the transaction, as courtesy, consideration and excellent customer service skills are taken with much pride in Tokyo – and, to no surprise, even more so in Tokyo Disneyland!
Or this
3. Make the most out of the Disney Resort Line
Walking from your hotel to the parks is certainly doable, but why get into a sweaty mess before your day even begins? Staying out of the sun as much as you can is also both wise and advisable, and you'll also save time (a precious commodity when it comes to exploring Disney theme parks). There are four stations along the DisneyResort Line - Tokyo DisneySea Station, Bayside Station, Resort Gateway Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station.
This impeccable service interconnects the hotels, the two parks, Ikspiari and Bon Voyage on a one-way loop, and it runs approximately every six minutes from each of the four stations from 6am until around midnight (times and hours may vary). Multi-day tickets are available from ticket machines at the station, and are cheaper than singles. And when boarding the unmanned train, try to sit at the very front, as the views of the resort are stunning, and you’ll even feel like you’re controlling it!
The next best thing to a magic carpet
This impeccable service interconnects the hotels, the two parks, Ikspiari and Bon Voyage on a one-way loop, and it runs approximately every six minutes from each of the four stations from 6am until around midnight (times and hours may vary). Multi-day tickets are available from ticket machines at the station, and are cheaper than singles. And when boarding the unmanned train, try to sit at the very front, as the views of the resort are stunning, and you’ll even feel like you’re controlling it!
A "new, fantastic point of view"
4. Prepare an itinerary
You’ll have plenty of time to put an itinerary together when you get there, but doing some research before going won’t do any harm. This includes having a quick look at the online map to familiarise yourself with the layout of the resort and its two theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea, as well as the Disney Resort Line and the shopping districts Ikspiari and Disney Store Bon Voyage. In just two days, my wife and I managed to see a lot - but without an itinerary we'd have been pretty lost!
Whatever you do, don’t fret – you can pick up all the (English) literature at the entrance to each park, including Entertainment Today, Disney Resort Line Information, the Tokyo Disneyland Guide Map and the Tokyo DisneySea Guide Map. Entertainment Today includes details of all the shows that are running on that day, but be mindful that all such shows and events are subject to cancellation during inclement weather (this actually happened to us while we were there!).
Outside queuing systems
Whatever you do, don’t fret – you can pick up all the (English) literature at the entrance to each park, including Entertainment Today, Disney Resort Line Information, the Tokyo Disneyland Guide Map and the Tokyo DisneySea Guide Map. Entertainment Today includes details of all the shows that are running on that day, but be mindful that all such shows and events are subject to cancellation during inclement weather (this actually happened to us while we were there!).
Luckily we got to see this event
5. Stay at a Disney hotel or a nearby hotel
You might have already guessed that this is a pretty good idea. Naturally, you'll end up spending significantly more on a Disney hotel, but there are many non-Disney hotels at the resort, too, each within walking distance of a Disney Resort Line station. The Disney hotels are Tokyo Disneysea Hotel Miracosta, Disney Ambassador Hotel and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel.
Non-Disney hotels are Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel Club Resort, Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel and Sunroute Plaza Tokyo. We stayed at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, which is only a couple of minutes’ walk away from Bayside Station. While we can’t speak for the other hotels, this one does include a neat little Disney Store of its own, as well as a giant Mickey for you to get selfies with!
Just one of many hotels at the resort
Non-Disney hotels are Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel Club Resort, Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel and Sunroute Plaza Tokyo. We stayed at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, which is only a couple of minutes’ walk away from Bayside Station. While we can’t speak for the other hotels, this one does include a neat little Disney Store of its own, as well as a giant Mickey for you to get selfies with!
Not for sale
6. Buy an umbrella!
This tip might seem rather "British", but it’s far more to do with the heat than the rain (even more so if you've been keeping an eye on current events). During your visit, you’ll notice that many Japanese people tend to walk around with umbrellas – or “brollies” as we love to call them here. This is a great way to protect yourself from the heat, but it doesn’t mean you should skimp on sun cream,. And don't think you can dodge the sun while queuing for rides, either, as many queuing systems are outside!
Be sure to pick up a Disney-themed umbrella from one of the many stores across the resort (my wife giddily purchased a Little Green Men one) – but make it a priority, because the Tokyo sunshine and heat can be intense to say the least. On that note, keep your water levels up, too. Don’t listen to any of the stories you might have heard about the water in Tokyo being undrinkable – it’s absolutely safe. And there are plenty of water fountains in the parks that will save you spending a small fortune on bottled water.
See - no rain, and she's definitely not Mary Poppins
These guys are far less annoying when they're keeping you dry
7. Spend at least 3 days in each park
While my wife and I spent only one day in each park, we do wish we’d have spent a little bit longer at the resort as there were certain things we weren’t able to see or do. So three days for each park should be plenty of time to tick everything off your itinerary, and even if that sounds like it might be too long given that the parks aren’t enormous, you’ll be surprised by how things like the heat, tiredness, overcrowding and queuing will slow you down.
In fact, here’s tip-within-a-tip: if any of the aforementioned obstacles arise, hop back on the Disney Resort Line, return to your hotel and take a power-nap. Then you’ll feel refreshed enough to enjoy the rest of your day, and you’ll probably find that you’ll stay out even longer and get more out of the parks. Just make sure you set an alarm, or you might end up like Sleeping Beauty...
There's a lot to see and do in these parks
In fact, here’s tip-within-a-tip: if any of the aforementioned obstacles arise, hop back on the Disney Resort Line, return to your hotel and take a power-nap. Then you’ll feel refreshed enough to enjoy the rest of your day, and you’ll probably find that you’ll stay out even longer and get more out of the parks. Just make sure you set an alarm, or you might end up like Sleeping Beauty...
The night-time is "a whole new world" of wonders
8. Make the most out of the stores & the food
Unlike Disneyland Resort California or Disneyland Resort Paris, Tokyo Disneyland doesn't have a Disney shopping district just before you enter the parks. There is, however, found along the Disney Resort Line route, the shopping centre Ikspiari and the shopping promenade Bon Voyage. There's a Disney Store at each location, and while the one in Bon Voyage is much bigger, Ikspiari's store includes some adorable merchandise that's exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland.
Perhaps a rule of thumb to follow when in Tokyo Disneyland is to assume you'll never visit again. So if you see something you really like, buy it while you can (having been so inspired by Japanese cuisine, we bought Disney character-themed chopsticks and noodle bowls - and that was just for starters)! And when you're in the parks, make sure you try as much of the food as you possible can. At Tokyo DisneySea, there are some mouth-watering turkey legs, delicious Chocolate Churros and wonderful Gyoza Sausages at Mysterious Island. And don't even get me started on the Mike Wazowski-Melon Bread on World Bazaar (the equivalent to Main Street) in Tokyo Disneyland Park, as well as the Great American Waffle Company.
Welcome to Bon Voyage..?
Perhaps a rule of thumb to follow when in Tokyo Disneyland is to assume you'll never visit again. So if you see something you really like, buy it while you can (having been so inspired by Japanese cuisine, we bought Disney character-themed chopsticks and noodle bowls - and that was just for starters)! And when you're in the parks, make sure you try as much of the food as you possible can. At Tokyo DisneySea, there are some mouth-watering turkey legs, delicious Chocolate Churros and wonderful Gyoza Sausages at Mysterious Island. And don't even get me started on the Mike Wazowski-Melon Bread on World Bazaar (the equivalent to Main Street) in Tokyo Disneyland Park, as well as the Great American Waffle Company.
He's on.... some melon bread!
While this post hopefully answers a lot of questions for you, you still might be wondering; is Disneyland or DisneySea better? Well, we can’t stress enough how impressed we were by Tokyo DisneySea in particular. Labelled as “the one for adults”, this park is far more than just that. If anything, such a description does it an injustice. There’s nothing particularly “grown-up” about this park, however, we can see that it’s more likely to be appreciated by one of us than it is a child (but then the same goes for pretty much anything…).
The aesthetics of each land here seem to merge seamlessly, from the rustic and industrial harbour of American Waterfront to the steam punk-esque nautical worlds of Port Discovery and Mysterious Island (three of just many lands in the park). Investing in a good camera one should be on of your top priorities before going, especially for places like the truly dazzling and vibrant, colour-soaked Ariel's Playground at Mermaid Lagoon.
If you have any questions relating to Tokyo Disneyland, get in touch by commenting below or dropping me an email at therookie1984@gmail.com!
It might be on the other side of the globe, but it's worth it
The aesthetics of each land here seem to merge seamlessly, from the rustic and industrial harbour of American Waterfront to the steam punk-esque nautical worlds of Port Discovery and Mysterious Island (three of just many lands in the park). Investing in a good camera one should be on of your top priorities before going, especially for places like the truly dazzling and vibrant, colour-soaked Ariel's Playground at Mermaid Lagoon.
Down where it's wetter, it's definitely better
If you have any questions relating to Tokyo Disneyland, get in touch by commenting below or dropping me an email at therookie1984@gmail.com!
Secret tip: Mysterious Island's volcano actually erupts at night!
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