Tokyo Disneyland Isn’t at Its Best

EDIT (September 25, 2022): Japan is reopening to visa-free travel in October 2022. Mentions of not knowing when the borders would reopen were the information we had at the time.

My first visit to Tokyo Disney Resort was back in 2010 on a trip during the rainy season in June. Back then, I’d only begun visiting Disney Parks. That first trip to Tokyo spoiled me with its immaculate attention to detail.

I’m not alone in this sentiment.

Many Explorers who have had the pleasure of experiencing Tokyo Disney Resort can attest to how beautiful things are in Tokyo. Not to say it’s perfect, because it does have its quirks.

Since the reopening of Tokyo Disney Resort back in 2020 after closing due to COVID-19, the parks haven’t been the same. While this isn’t unique to Tokyo Disney, the parks here in Japan have been painfully slow to move forward.

While I don’t like to admit it, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are not at their best right now and here’s why I think so.

An Abundance of Caution

Japan has yet to reopen tourism fully. While the country technically allows tourists, it’s only through tour groups. It’s still unclear when the government plans to open for individual travellers. If we’re being honest, who wants to go on a tour group with heavy restrictions?

I know I wouldn’t.

As for Tokyo Disney Resort, they’re still in this middle ground with precautions. Recently the social distancing tape has been removed and dividers on attractions. But, we still see the partitions in restaurants (that’s not unique to Tokyo Disney, many restaurants throughout Japan still have partitions).

The ticket situation is a complete mess, with no multi-day tickets or Annual Passes.

The foreign credit card issue isn’t new, but it’s worse in the last few years. Ways to buy tickets have been reduced to the Tokyo Disney Resort website, app, being a Disney Hotel Guest, convenience stores, and maybe a travel agent. To add even more complexity, if you’re a foreign resident with a non-Japanese credit card, it’s a roll of the dice if your card even works.

I have an in-depth article on how to buy tickets for Tokyo Disney Resort, so I recommend reading through it.

One good thing I can say is Tokyo does not have park reservations, so at least there’s that. Another change is the Resort introduced Disney Premier Access, a paid FastPass.

Lack of Entertainment and Events

Entertainment at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea is nowhere near what it used to be.

While our two major parades at Tokyo Disneyland of “Dreaming Up!” and the “Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights” are still fabulous, they’re cut-down versions of the original with fewer performers. While Mickey’s Magical Music World is performing, it’s an alternate version since it made its debut, so we’ve never seen what it’s supposed to be. Then we have Club Mouse Beat and Jamboree Mickey too.

Then at Tokyo DisneySea, there’s a tiny “greeting” show for the 20th anniversary, an impossible-to-win lottery show on the Hangar Stage, a weird version of Big Band Beat, and another version of Jamboree Mickey.

The best Park for entertainment right now is Tokyo Disneyland, which wasn’t always the case. Both Parks have always had excellent offerings, but it makes me sad to see how lacklustre Tokyo DisneySea is right now.

EDIT: DisneySea has since announced a new nighttime show debuting in November.

Seasonal events are part of your day ticket and don’t cost anything extra unless you want merchandise or food. When it comes to these seasonal events, they’re a shadow of their former self. Over the last few years, these events have turned into nothing more than centring on merchandise and food with maybe a tiny parade.

You always felt you got immense value with your park ticket, but now it feels even less so.

Despite the Challenges, Things Are Moving

Despite all the challenges, projects are moving forward, which is lovely! Since its reopening in 2020, the Resort has opened:

• Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
• Mickey’s Magical Music World
• Club Mouse Beat
• Tokyo DisneySea 20th Anniversary Event
• Toy Story Hotel
• Kingdom Hearts 20th Anniversary Hotel Room

It’s tough to believe that Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast celebrates its second anniversary in September, and many have not been able to experience it yet. I hope that changes soon.

We also have the Fantasy Springs expansion opening sometime in 2023.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Will Bounce Back

With all that said above, I love the parks in Japan. I always have, and I always will. Despite my undying love for the Resort, I needed to share my honest thoughts.

Right now, Tokyo Disney Resort is navigating significant changes to its parks, even if it’s slow going. I think sometime in 2023, things will resemble some sort of normalcy (whatever that may be).

What’s happened in the last few years has been challenging for everyone. I have confidence that Tokyo Disney Resort will bounce back. The parks in Japan will never be the same, much like all the other Disney Parks, but I’m confident in the Resort moving forward.

Despite all the issues, the parks remain excellent because of their Cast Members and endless other aspects that make it the top Disney Resort that Disney and theme park fans want to experience.

The Resort will get through this rough patch. There are plenty of things coming, and we’ll continue to be here to share it all with you.

I believe in you, Tokyo Disney Resort.

We all do.