Tokyo Disneyland Trip Planning Guide 2023

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Planning your trip to Tokyo Disney Resort and its two parks, Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea, is overwhelming. Not only are you planning a trip overseas, but you are also travelling to the beautiful country of Japan.

In this guide, I’ll help you plan your travel to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. I’ve lived in Japan for a decade and have been visiting these Parks for much longer. I use my experience to help you get the most out of the Disney Parks in Japan I’ve called home for years.

In addition, take your planning further with our Tokyo Disney Resort 2023 digital guidebook. It’ll help you plan your vacation from start to finish.

A lot has changed at Tokyo Disney Resort since COVID, so I recommend reading our in-depth article on the changes. Also, in 2023 is the Tokyo Disney Resort 40th anniversary event!

What to know about Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort has two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The resort is not in Tokyo but in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. These are the only Disney Parks that are not owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company but instead owned by the Oriental Land Company, which licenses the brand from The Walt Disney Company.

Since the Walt Disney Company doesn’t own and operate Tokyo Disney Resort, it’s best to throw almost everything you know about planning a trip to a Disney Park as much of it won’t apply here. This guide makes sure you learn everything you need to know. I tell you this to save you frustration and confusion.

Tokyo Disneyland Park is the first Disney Park built outside the US and opened on April 15, 1983. Modelled after the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park in California, this park is most familiar to those who’ve visited American resorts. The most noticeable difference is the World Bazaar, which is essentially a covered Main Street USA.

Tokyo DisneySea is the second park at the resort. It opened on September 4, 2001, for 335 billion yen (approx US$2.7 billion). Often referred to as the crown jewel of Disney Parks, Tokyo DisneySea is the world’s 4th most visited theme park. Consisting of seven themed ports of call (or lands), this ambitious theme park displays what is possible when Imagineers are free to explore their creativity.

When should you visit?

The biggest challenge is deciding when you want to visit the resort. You’ll need to consider many factors: Japanese Holidays, weather, and the school calendar. Public holidays in Japan are vastly different from other parts of the world.

Our updated guide tells you the best and worst times to visit, along with my recommendations for 2023 based on refurbishments, celebrations, and construction.

Here’s a quick summary:

• The best time to visit is at the end of May for weather and crowds
• The worst time is Golden Week (the Beginning of May), New Year, and the month of March (Spring Break)
• The best days to visit, in general, are Tuesday through Thursday (always check park hours)
• Use the Tokyo Disneyland Crowd Calendar to check your dates
• Check ride closures to see if you need to change your dates

Weekends

You may have heard the stories about weekends at Tokyo Disney Resort — that the parks are busy and crowded, and you wait for everything. The majority of this is true. As a general rule, if possible, you are best to avoid the weekends (exceptions do apply). Not all hope is lost if you find yourself visiting on the weekend.

• Our Weekend Survival Guide to Tokyo Disney Resort
• What I Learned Visiting Tokyo Disneyland on the Weekend
• 4 Reasons to Visit on the Weekend

Seasonal Events

The resort is a local’s park, resulting in OLC constantly offering guests something new (or updated). Events at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea change with the seasons and sometimes in between. Visiting in December versus May gives you a different experience. All the more reason to visit multiple times! Here’s a list of events at the resort over a given year.

• New Years (January 1 to January 5)
• Winter Events (January to March)
• Easter (End of March to June)
• Tanabata Days (End of June to the beginning of July)
  • This event hasn’t happened since 2019, and not sure if it’ll return.
• Summer (July to August)
• Halloween (September to October)
• Christmas (November to December)

These limited-time events bring a variety of offerings for guests to enjoy. Live shows, parades, merchandise, and seasonal menus. Check the event calendar for 2023.

How many days to spend

If it’s your first time, I recommend three days to take everything the Parks and hotels offer. You can get away with two days, one day for each park. Since only one-day tickets are sold currently, you’ll have to buy multiple one-day tickets for your visit.

Please read our full blog post that helps you decide how many days are best for you.

If you only have one day for Tokyo Disney Resort, I recommend choosing Tokyo DisneySea over Tokyo Disneyland, but that’s a personal preference. I have an in-depth article to help you decide what’s best for you!

How to buy park tickets

After deciding how many days you wish to visit, purchasing your park tickets is next! Here’s a brief breakdown of options:

Tickets are available 60 days in advance, and I always recommend buying them before you get to the park. This avoids having to wait at the ticket booths and wasting precious time.

If you’re staying at the Disney Hotels, you have guaranteed park admission — even if the park is at capacity — and you can buy them at the hotel. The quickest and easiest way to buy Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea tickets is through our trusted affiliate Klook.

For more details on park tickets for Tokyo Disneyland, read our comprehensive ticket guide. 

What does Tokyo Disneyland cost?

Coming to Japan is pricey, depending on where you live. You must consider flights, hotels, food, transportation, and how many more suitcases you must buy to hold all your exclusive Disney merchandise!

• What does a Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation cost?

Here’s a list of average costs for various items at the resort. Keep in mind that prices do vary and are subject to change. Use xe.com to convert into your currency:

Food

• Small Soft Drink or Coffee – ¥240
• Set Meal at Counter Service Restaurant (Entree, drink, dessert) – ¥920 to ¥1500
• Entree Only Meal – ¥600 to ¥900
• Children’s Meal – ¥900
• Snack (Churro, Popcorn, etc.) – ¥310

Merchandise

• Character Stuffed Keychain (Badge) – ¥2000
• Pins – ¥1000
• T-Shirt – ¥2000
• Duffy the Disney Bear Outfit – ¥5000
• Character Plush – ¥3800

Transportation

• One-Day Monorail Pass (on Resort) – ¥650
• One-way JR Ticket from Tokyo Station – ¥220
• One-Day Car Parking – ¥2,500 (weekdays) and ¥3000 (weekends)

Flights to Japan

This is one of your most significant expenses when travelling to Japan, no matter where you are. There are some ways to cut this cost. Follow our detailed guide for more details. I also recommend setting up alerts with Google Flights with your dates. On average, the best time to book a flight is about 3 months in advance.

There are two airports you can fly into:

• Narita Airport (just outside of Tokyo)
• Haneda Airport (within Tokyo)

Each airport has shuttle buses that will get you to Tokyo Disney Resort if you are staying at Resort. If Tokyo Disney Resort is part of a more extensive trip and you stay off-site, you can get to the resort. Japan is well-known for its world-renowned public transportation.

Transportation to Tokyo Disney Resort

As mentioned, Japan is world-famous for its excellent transportation system. English-language information is readily available at most major stations in Tokyo, so figuring out where to go is not impossible. Getting to the resort from Narita or Haneda Airport is intimidating, though.

Our complete guide gives you all the details on how to get to Tokyo Disney Resort from the airport by various means and budgets.

JR Rail Pass

If you’re staying in Japan longer than seven days and plan on visiting other parts of the country, I recommend buying the JR Rail Pass. Which gives you unlimited use of certain trains in Japan for different periods. For example, the cost of a bullet train (shinkansen) ride round-trip to Tokyo is just under the cost of a 7-day pass. To see if this is right for you, our informative blog post gives you a price breakdown.

Disney & Official Hotels

You have a variety of choices for hotels. All of which depend on your budget and time in Japan. A list of hotels in and near the resort is available in English on the official Tokyo Disney Resort website.

Read our Tokyo Disney Resort Hotel reviews and recommendations to help you decide what’s best. We cover both Disney and non-Disney hotels.

Be sure to read our complete guide to Disney Hotels for further details. We also have a guide on how to book Disney and Non-Disney Hotels.

Here is a summary of your hotel options (in order of cheapest to most expensive):

Disney Hotels

• Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel (Discover & Wish)
• Toy Story Hotel
• Disney Ambassador Hotel
• Tokyo Disneyland Hotel
• Hotel MiraCosta

Guests staying at the Disney Hotels receive the following benefits:

• Park ticket sales
  • You can buy your tickets in person instead of online if you wish.
  • This is currently the only way to get a physical ticket with a cute design
• Guaranteed Admission
  • This means that even if park tickets are sold out online, you can buy tickets for everyone on your reservation while staying at the Disney Hotel.
• Entrance to the parks 15 minutes before regular guests with the Happy Entry

Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels

These hotels are right on the monorail loop at Tokyo Disney Resort. This gives you quick access to the Parks. The Hilton Tokyo Bay and the Sheraton Grande Hotel are the two most popular hotels.

Note: As of 2020, the Official Hotels require reservations for Tokyo Disney Park tickets. Each hotel does them differently, so check the hotels directly.

Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels

These hotels are located in and around the Tokyo Disney Resort area. These include park ticket sales and free shuttle service to and from the Resort.

Tokyo Disney Resort Good Neighbor Hotels

If Tokyo Disney Resort is part of a more significant trip to Japan, staying at one of these hotels is an option. All of which include shuttle services to and from the Resort. Note that they do not offer park ticket sales nor guarantee admission into the park. You are best to buy tickets ahead of time.

What to Bring

Japan has four distinct seasons, which means what you bring to the parks will vary depending on the weather. Do not worry if you think you are bringing too much. Lockers are available at various locations throughout the resort for use.

As a general rule, the following items are essential for you to bring:

• Battery Charger
• Comfortable Walking Shoes
• Tote Bag or Backpack
• Refillable Water Bottle
• Hand Towel
• Duffy, ShellieMay, or Gelatoni

Please read our full article on what to pack for Tokyo Disney Resort!

Eating & Dining

A concern for many overseas guests is what to expect from food offerings at the resort. While the focus is on local tastes, there are plenty of food choices for those who are not as adventurous. Burgers, fried chicken, and chicken nuggets are options.

There is no shortage of options for those who want to try something different. Japan takes its cuisine seriously, and Tokyo Disney Resort does everything to cater to local tastes and expectations. All menu items are displayed as plastic food near the front of the restaurant to help you decide your choice.  (How convenient is that?!)

Seasonal menu items are rotated yearly as a “special set.” We recommend trying these dishes, which usually offer an entrée, dessert, and drink. Another option is the Souvenir Set, which includes merchandise only available by purchasing that set. Check the food display cases to see these!

Counter Service

These are the “fast food” restaurants where you order at the counter. Your typical burgers, fries, and pizza are found at some of these locations. Other locations also serve more than your fast food, such as sandwiches, curry, Japanese udon, and seafood. The quality of most counter service restaurants at both parks outshines other Disney Parks in both theming and quality. Read my top 10 counter service restaurants for more details.

Table Service

Looking for an experience that goes beyond simple counter service? Table service restaurants range from mid-end (¥3000 per plate) to high-end (¥8000 per plate). Disney Hotel guests may book their reservations online ahead of time. If you are not a Disney Hotel guest, you can book a table in the park for that day. We recommend getting your reservation early in the day to guarantee your table.

As mentioned early, Tokyo Disney Resort caters primarily to local Japanese guests, and the service at these restaurants is second to none. No other Disney Park comes close to Japanese hospitality. While there can be language difficulties (see our section on language), the experience is lovely and crucial to your experience at Tokyo Disney Resort.

• Top 7 Table Service Restaurants

Snacks

You have seen the photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Photos of the various cute, adorable, and ever-changing snacks at the Resort. One could easily survive off snacks alone during their entire visit! While we do not recommend trying that, trying some delectable choices is fun.  With all the cute, delicious, and Instagram-worthy deliciousness, it is hard not to open your wallet.

While some snacks are available year-round, some are seasonal (much like the special sets at Counter Service restaurants). Grab a Japanese Park map and take a look inside. They list all the seasonal snacks (with pictures) and their locations. While it is in Japanese, take it to a Cast Member, and they will point you in the right direction.

• “Where is this?”
• これはどこですか？
• ko-re wa doh-ko de-su-ka?

Use that simple Japanese above, and the Cast Members will know precisely what you are discussing. Just make sure you are pointing to the item on the map.

• Top 10 Awesome Snacks

Popcorn

Technically a snack, but this deserves its very own section. Popcorn is one of the most popular snacks at the resort. Given the number of flavours (limited and regular) and the many souvenir buckets to buy, it is no secret that everyone loves it. If you only have one snack make sure it is the delicious popcorn from Tokyo Disney Resort!

• Guide to Popcorn at Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea
• Our Top 10 Popcorn Flavours

Hotel Restaurants

Each of the Disney Hotels has a variety of restaurants to choose from. From table service to buffets to character dining.

Character Dining

A few character dining options are available to guests—one at each park and one at the Disney Ambassador Hotel.

• Chef Mickey at Disney Ambassador Hotel
• Duffy and Friend’s Wonderful Friendship at Cape Cod Cook-Off in Tokyo DisneySea
• The Diamond Variety Master at the Diamond Horseshoe in Tokyo Disneyland
• Mickey’s Rainbow Luau at the Polynesian Terrace Restaurant in Tokyo Disneyland

Money & Credit Cards

Japan is a cash-based society, and by always having Japanese yen on-hand, you guarantee not to run into problems. However, sometimes having to use your credit card is unavoidable. Tokyo Disney Resort accepts major credit cards. There are a few points to keep in mind:

• Most locations at the resort take credit cards, including snack carts
• Your card must have a signature on the back.
• If your credit card is a debit card, they may or may not take it even though it may be a credit card with debit functionality.
• Bring a backup credit card for when yours does not swipe or work.
• Some purchases (hotel charges, etc.) have taken up to one month to appear on your statement.
• Call your bank to tell them you use it in Japan to avoid locking your card.
• Cast Members ask you how many payments you want your purchase split across, which is not something done in North America. They will default to asking you if you wish to it as one payment. They will make the hand motion for one. Say “Yes.”

Now, what about cash? 7-11 ATMs are your best option for taking Japanese yen directly from your home bank account. Only one 7-11 ATM exists in the Resort and is in Ikspiari (Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Downtown Disney). Menus are available in English and other languages. Remember to tell your bank before you head on your trip.

How much money should you take out? It would depend on your banking fees – the higher the fees per transaction, the more you should take out to avoid paying more fees.

• Budget at least ¥10,000 per person (about $100) for one full day at the parks. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, drinks, and merchandise. ¥10,000 is one note, which makes it easier to carry around.

Internet & Data

In May 2019, Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea began to offer free Wi-Fi in the Parks. Recently, Japan has made it easier for visitors to get SIM cards and mobile hotspots. Wi-Fi is available in Disney Hotels for free (for the other hotels, you need to check their website).

A SIM card is your best choice if you have an unlocked phone. For those with a carrier-locked phone, there are mobile hotspots for rental.

• Recommended: Mobal Japan Unlimited 4G Data SIM Card (Review)
• Recommended: Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot (7GB)
• Guide to Staying Connected in Japan
• Best SIM Cards for Japan

While out and about in Japan, various locations offer free Wi-Fi hotspots:

• Starbucks Japan
• 7-11
• Family Mart (Japanese Only)

Japanese Language

You do not have to speak Japanese to enjoy your time at the parks. All the essential signs and food menus are in English; if you need assistance in English, a Cast Member will find someone for you. Someone who speaks a level of English is always available in the hotels and guest relations.

While many shows have English lyrics, many of the story elements are in Japanese. The stories are simple enough that you can get the gist of what’s happening. Shows in the Mediterranean Harbour are more challenging to follow story-wise for non-Japanese-speaking guests, but they look fantastic, so sit back and enjoy!

Knowing the basics and key phrases in Japanese will help you immensely. Cast Members and people generally appreciate you attempting to speak their language. We have two simple guides which give you some basic Japanese phrases specific to the parks. If you are uncomfortable speaking, you can print out the sheet too!

• 17 Basic Japanese Phrases
• 20 Japanese Phrases for Dining
• 50 Easy Japanese Words to Learn in a Day

Cultural Differences

Travelling to a foreign country comes with experiencing first-hand cultural differences. Even if you are a Disney veteran, some things are done differently at Tokyo Disney Resort. Here are a few cultural differences you will notice immediately:

• Smaller portion sizes for most food items. Overall, the Japanese eat smaller portions than Western countries. You may find yourself eating more often simply because of this.
• Guests are typically quiet at attractions. This includes thrill rides. While guests will scream out in laughter and enjoyment, do not be alarmed if most guests in your car are as quiet as a mouse.
• Sitting for parades is the norm; you must sit for the entire show for some spots. Bring your leisure sheet, snacks, and favourite distractions, and get cozy while you wait for the next parade!
• When paying for an item or after a meal, do not hand the cash (or credit card) over directly to the cashier unless they put their hand out. There is a small dish to place your cash or credit card in. The cashier will put your change, card, and receipt into the dish for you to pick up. This not only applies to the resort but also to Japan.
• Making customizations of your food is uncommon at the resort and around Japan. If the cheeseburger comes with tomato, that is what you will receive. Asking for customization can cause unneeded confusion. Unless you have an allergy, it is easier to alter your order yourself after sitting at your table.

Attractions

Both parks offer unique attractions not found at any other Disney Park, along with slightly altered versions of their US counterparts. Make it a priority to ride these attractions to experience the best of Tokyo Disney Resort! The following lists include unique and popular attractions at the parks.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea no longer offer FastPass. Instead, FastPass has been changed to Disney Premier Access, StandbyPass, and Entry Request.

Learn how to download the official Tokyo Disney Resort App to make your day easier.

Please read our complete attractions guide for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, where we thoroughly explain which attractions to ride.

Remember to check ride closures to see if any attractions on your list are closed for refurbishment.

Tokyo Disneyland Must Ride Attractions

• Enchanted Tales of Beauty and the Beast
• Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
• Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!
• Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions
• The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents “Aloha E Komo Mai!”
• Stitch Encounter
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• Space Mountain (closing in 2024)

Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is the most popular attraction at Tokyo Disneyland. Make this ride the first one you do in the morning. Afterward, head to Pooh’s Hunny Hunt. These are both trackless dark rides and are worth your time.

Tokyo DisneySea Must Ride Attractions

• Journey to the Center of the Earth
• Soaring: Fantastic Flight
• Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage
• Nemo & Friends SeaRider
• Toy Story Mania!
• Tower of Terror
• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Raging Spirits
• Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
• Venetian Gondolas
• DisneySea Transit Steamer Line
• Aquatopia

While not unique to Tokyo DisneySea, Toy Story Mania! is the most popular attraction at the park. Wait times quickly go over 3 hours on weekends and busy days. FastPasses run out relatively fast. If you have experienced this attraction at other Disney Parks, you can easily skip this and not miss too much if you have never had the pleasure of experiencing Toy Story Mania! Then make this your first attraction in the morning.

Journey to the Center of the Earth is the best thrill ride at the park. The meticulous detail in the queue and the attraction make it worth waiting for. The waits get long on this one, so if you skip Toy Story Mania! Make this your first choice of the day.

Not all rides have thrilling drops and over-the-top special effects. If you want to take it easy and relax, the Venetian Gondolas and the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line are the tickets. Experience it for yourself to see what we mean.

Spending your entire day riding attractions and waiting in lines is easy. Jot down which attractions you must ride ahead of time and make your day that much easier.

Shows & Entertainment

Arguably, Tokyo Disney Resort has some of the best live entertainment ranging from an over-the-top swinging jazz show to seasonal entertainment in which Mickey Mouse hoses down guests. If you are a parade and live entertainment fan, you have no shortage of options. Here are our recommendations for entertainment at Tokyo Disney Resort!

Please read our complete entertainment guides for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Tokyo Disneyland

• Disney Harmony in Color (new for the 40th anniversary)
• Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights
• Dreaming Up! Daytime Parade (ended April 9, 2023)

Tokyo DisneySea

• Believe! Sea of Dreams
• Big Band Beat

This is a living, breathing guide to offer the best and most up-to-date information on planning for Tokyo Disney Resort. Please let us know in the comments if you have any suggestions or comments!

Select photos provided by Duy Phan Photography.

Review Summary

By

Chris Nilghe

Review Date

2023-06-20

Reviewed Item

Tokyo Disney Resort

Rating

5