Summer at Tokyo Disneyland: Ultimate Guide

Summer at Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea is hot, humid, and busy, but a ton of fun. If you can bear the heat and summer crowds, you’re in for a unique experience you won’t find at any other Disney Park. Our guide tells you everything you need to know about entertainment, merchandise, food, weather, crowds, plus tips and recommendations.

This guide highlights everything about summertime in the parks, including what to expect for weather, crowds, and my tips and recommendations to make the most out of your trip. And most importantly, what to eat and what merchandise is available.

Summer at Tokyo DisneySea (Disney Pirates Summer) runs from July 1 through September 2, 2020. There’s no major summer event at Tokyo Disneyland in 2020. However, there is the “Happy Fair with Baymax” mini-event running June 4 through November 1, 2020.

Summer at Tokyo Disneyland

Summer at Tokyo Disneyland takes a more traditional spin for their event, which means if you’ve ever been to a Japanese summer festival before, it’ll feel familiar. If you haven’t, you’re in for quite the treat. From taiko drums to Mickey and Minnie dressed in summer yukata (summer version of a kimono), there are lots of things to love about Natsu Matsuri (which translates to “Summer Festival”) at Tokyo Disneyland.

Entertainment

Each seasonal event brings a new or updated show. This year for Natsu Matsuri a new show called Sansui! Summer Beat (燦水！サマービート) hosts Mickey and Friends on huge barges in front of Cinderella Castle and hoses down guests with water cannons (yes, you read that right). This is one of the few times throughout the year where you see Mickey and Friends in traditional Japanese clothing—the others being New Year’s and Tanabata Days.

Regular entertainment still happens during the summer months, but check the schedule for times.

Decorations

There’s enough to keep the photographer in you busy, or if you prefer, quick snaps for Instagram. The entrance to the World Bazaar (their version of Main Street U.S.A.) decorates the sign that reads “Tokyo Disneyland” with beautiful banners and ornaments which make for the perfect photo op.

Then in the middle of the World Bazaar is Mickey in his Sansui! Summer Beat outfit playing a traditional Japanese instrument called the taiko drum. Then along the bottom are all the brooms from Fantasia cheering him on. Make sure to visit this again in the evening for a special surprise.

The decorations don’t stop there. Over in the hub area (in front of Cinderella Castle) are more decorations with the rest of Mickey’s friends, such as Goofy, Chip ’n’ Dale, Pluto, Minnie, Daisy, and Clarice. Also, don’t forget to take your unique photo of Cinderella Castle with the traditional Japanese lanterns.

Food & Snacks

You can’t have an event at Tokyo Disneyland without special limited-time snacks and dishes. There’s something there for everyone, from the traditional Japanese summer snack kakigori (shaved ice) to a hearty meal at Grandma Sara’s. We have all the food listed here for you.

I recommend the shaved ice, ramune drink, and the hot dog from the Refreshment Corner. The ice milk dots are pretty but don’t taste like anything special.

Merchandise

The best part of any event for many, the merchandise. This year, they have overloaded us with cute Chip ’n’ Dale specific merchandise and it’s fantastic! You can browse all the items here or watch our video below. Also, don’t forget to browse our Ultimate List of Tokyo Disney Resort merchandise for the latest items.

Disney Pirates Summer at Tokyo DisneySea

The summer events at Tokyo DisneySea is where something different is brought to the park, which fits oh so well with the uniqueness of one of the best Disney Parks. This year, to help promote the latest Pirates of the Caribbean film is a summer event that shows you what it’s like to be a pirate. Disney Pirates Summer offers a brand new, over-the-top Harbor show, atmospheric entertainment, food, drinks, merchandise, and even photo op areas to get your fill.

Entertainment

Pirates Summer Battle “Get Wet!” is their summer show featuring music, choreography, stunts, and of course, tons of water to ensure you’re drenched from head to toe. Pirates who occupy Porto Paradiso are led by Barbosa to make an appearance along with their arch-nemesis, Jack Sparrow, who is preparing for his battle against the Black Pearl.

The show lasts about 20 minutes, and just like Tokyo Disneyland, there are areas where you’ll get completely soaked. For the three main areas, Lido Isle, Mickey Square, and the area in front of Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante, this is done by lottery. But there is ample space around these areas to watch without having to win the lottery.

Since you will get wet in most areas, make sure to have all your electronics protected and either bring a change of clothes (change in the washroom) or quick-drying clothing. I personally buy the large plastic drawstring bag they sell at the resort, but you can ask for plastic bags at any of the gift shops.

If you’re wandering around the Mediterranean Harbor or enjoying a special Pirates lunch at Miguel’s El Dorado, you may run into some Pirates who are out for a stroll. While they’ll only speak Japanese, interacting with them is a ton of fun.

Now, for something non-Pirates-related. The brand new show “Hello, New York” made its debut this year at the Dockside Stage at the S.S. Columbia.

Decorations

The entrance to Tokyo DisneySea sports a familiar sight, complete with cannons. In the Mediterranean Harbor and the walkway between Il Postino Stationery and Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante is a few photo areas, one of which is the iconic scene from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.

Food & Snacks

There’s no shortage of things to try for the summer. We have our full list that you can browse through. Here are my recommendations:

• The Pirates combination (meat) plate at Miguel’s
• Tequila and Tomato Cocktail at Miguel’s El Dorado
• Frozen Lemon Cocktail at Zambini Brothers Ristorante

Merchandise

Ah, merchandise. Is there anything better than spending a month’s worth of wages on cute and adorable items? Well, there’s enough merchandise here to sink a ship. We have the full list here, but you can also watch the video below!

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit is after July 11 but avoid July 17 and the day before and after (which is a public holiday called Marine Day) and before August. This avoids the summer vacation crowd, and the weather is not as hot and humid yet. August is the hottest time of the year and also the busiest due to summer vacation and Obon week.

Visiting at the beginning of the event also ensures you have the best chance of picking up the merchandise you want. Items are known to sell out and it’s tough to say whether or not they’ll come back in stock. Near the end of the event (end of August), the stock will dwindle and items won’t come back.

Read our posts that have details about visiting during the months of July and August.

Tips & Recommendations

Grab a Today Guide to see the latest in merchandise, food, and entertainment. Yes, it’s in Japanese, but it’s full of photos!

• Stay hydrated and cool by following our guide to the summer heat
• Visit at the beginning of the event for the best weather, lower crowd levels, and the best chance of getting the merchandise you want
• Visit mid-week (Tuesday to Thursday) for lower crowds
• Grab a Japanese Today Guide at the turnstiles to see the latest photos of food and merchandise (and watch our videos on YouTube for English explanations)
• Use the Japanese Today Guide to see where the wettest spots are for both summer shows at the Parks (I explain it in the video above)
• You’ll find most event merchandise at Bon Voyage (outside Maihama station).
• Avoid Obon Week (August 11 to 20)

Previous Years

• 2019
• 2018
• 2017
• 2016
• 2015
• 2014