Tokyo Disney Resort
Discover Tokyo Disney Resort
Tokyo Disney Resort (Japanese: 東京ディズニーリゾート) in Chiba, Urayasu, was the first Disney theme park resort to open outside of the United States. It is the second most annually-visited theme park complex in the world, behind Walt Disney World. It is noteworthy that it is not owned by The Walt Disney Company but by the Oriental Land Co., Ltd (OLC). Tokyo Disney Resort consists of two theme parks. Tokyo Disneyland (東京ディズニーランド), a "Magic Kingdom" park just like all the others, was the first Disney theme park to be built on non-U.S. territory. The park opened in April 1983 (but had been finished for a few months and the company waited for better weather) and was an instant success. Tokyo Disneyland's sister park Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー), which opened in September 2001, is an ocean-themed park exclusive to Japan. With 17.3 million visits in 2014, Tokyo Disneyland is the second most visited theme park in the world behind Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom; DisneySea follows in fourth place with 14.1 million visits.
What to Experience in Tokyo Disney Resort
Taste of Tokyo Disney Resort...
You will have no trouble finding food at Tokyo Disney Resort. There are many places to eat throughout the two parks and Ikspiari, and all are listed on the maps. However, the food descriptions are either not 100% accurate or there is something lost in the translation. Also, understand that portion sizes are different in Japan so a large drink that you ordered may look like a small to you. This combined with the increase in cost normally expected at an amusement park may hit your pocket book harder than expected. If you are arriving by car/bus you may consider having a cooler in the car and having a picnic. If you decide to eat in the park, scout out the restaurants before you intend on eating. This will give you a better idea of their menus and the fastest way to get there when it is time to eat. Most dining opportunities in the two theme parks are counter service restaurants, most of which serve Western, Japanese, or Chinese cuisine. If you really want to save cash, though, your best bet may be to stick to the many snack carts scattered all throughout the parks. Table service restaurants are also found in the parks but are far less common than counter service restaurants. The finest in-park table service can perhaps be found on board the SS Columbia, the fake ocean liner in Tokyo DisneySea's American Waterfront. 35.63383139.881121 The Crystal Palace, on the World Bazaar/Adventureland walkway, is the only buffet in Tokyo Disneyland.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsMany international visitors would probably land at Narita International Airport (NRT). If you have a Mickey Mouse urge right upon landing, there are buses operated by Airport Limousine, albeit infrequent, that will bring you to Tokyo Disney Resort in 60-90 min at a cost of ¥2400 (children ¥1200). The alternative by rail is to take the Narita Express to Tokyo and transfer to the JR Keiyo Line. The ride takes 90–100 minutes and costs ¥2570 or can be boarded free with the Japan Rail Pass. The cheapest way is to take the Keisei Narita Sky Access to Higashi Matsudo, then transfer to JR Musashino Line and alight at Maihama. The total journey time is about 70 minutes and costs about ¥1250. Tokyo International Airport (HND), also known as Haneda Airport, is the closest airport to Tokyo Disney Resort and mainly serves domestic flights, but is accepting a growing number of international flights from all over the world....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
A car is not required for get around the Tokyo Disney Resort. The resort has a well-developed transit system of buses and monorails. As with the rest of Japan, expect the transportation to be punctual. The four-station Disney Resort Line monorail, with its spacious interiors and Mickey Mouse-shaped windows and pull straps, travels in a counterclockwise circle around the two theme parks. The stops are, in order, Resort Gateway Station (between JR Maihama Station and Ikspiari), Tokyo Disneyland, Bayside Station (gateway to the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels), and Tokyo DisneySea. The fares are listed in the chart below; children age 5 and under ride free. Suica and PASMO farecards can also be used. If you are going straight to the parks from Maihama Station, it is probably easier and faster (and best of all, free) to just walk from the station. There is an elevated walkway, about 1,090 ft (330 m) long, linking the station with the Tokyo Disneyland entrance.
Where to Stay
Tokyo Disney Resort's combined reservations number is +81-045-683-3333, and is open 09:00-21:00. Online reservations and contact information are available at official websites. There are nine hotels within the resort, all rather expensive. These hotels are accessed by taking the free Disney Resort Cruiser bus service from Bayside Station on the Disney Resort Line monorail (see Get around above). Because of the excellent connection to Tokyo Station, you do not necessarily need to stay in an on-site hotel. Cheaper accommodations off-site do exist, and arriving at the park when it opens is still easily possible. Cheaper accommodations can also be found towards Chiba, with Funabashi in particular only 12 minutes away from Maihama by train. The Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels Program is made up of five hotels located in the Shin-Urayasu area right next to the resort.
Money & Budget
Tokyo Disney Resort is a Disney merchandise fan's paradise. Of course, there are plenty of gift shops found within the two parks, but additional selections may be found in Ikspiari and the nearby Bon Voyage store. The World Bazaar, Tokyo Disneyland's entrance area, is anchored by the 35.6344139.879331 Grand Emporium, which can be seen to your right immediately after you have entered the park. This is the largest store in the park with over 3,000 different types of merchandise. The largest store in Tokyo DisneySea is 35.6209139.887882 Emporio which anchors Mediterranean Harbor. Other notable shops are 35.62523139.887483 McDuck's Department Store in American Waterfront; and 35.62668139.882584 The Sleepy Whale Shoppe, 35.62691139.882525 Mermaid Treasures, and 35.62708139.
Language & Talk
Japanese is the primary language spoken here. However, assistance for English speakers is also widely available, because of the presence of American and other foreign cast members. Chinese and Korean are also spoken to a lesser extent. Still, English is not very widely spoken in Japan, even here. Do not expect all cast members (ride attendants) to speak English. Most communication when getting on and off rides is done by sign language, which seems to be standard across all attractions. Maps are available in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese. (The English map will work fine.) All the maps are fine, however the Japanese maps are a little more informative.
Safety Information
Glimpses of Tokyo Disney Resort
Disneyland Tokyo. Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland. Japan.
brown concrete building near body of water during daytime
Tokyo Disneyland. Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland. Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland. Japan.
a large building with a blue dome at night
a large building with a blue dome at night
a fountain in front of a building at night
a group of people standing around a building
Disneyland Tokyo. Japan.
Tokyo Disneyland. Japan.
brown concrete building near body of water during daytime