...

Vegetarian's Japan Guide

The Hot Tips for How to Enjoy Tokyo Disney Resort

Japan’s world-famous Tokyo Disney Resort is the top attraction near Tokyo (yes, the resort is not located in Tokyo but in Chiba Prefecture!). To enjoy Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea to their fullest, you will want to avoid the large crowds and explore the parks efficiently. So, we have compiled all the tips for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea you need to know to make your day at the Kingdom of Dreams and Magic smoother!

Table of Contents

Tips for Planning Your Visit to Tokyo Disney Resort

Tips for Tokyo Disney Resort Tickets and Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Passes

Tips for How to Get the Best Out of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Refer to HERE for the Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea map.

Tips:
☛ If you want to stay close to Tokyo Disney Resort but not in one of their official hotels, consider staying at Spa & Hotel Maihama Eurasia the night before. That way, you can walk to Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea instead of taking the first train.
☛ If you prefer not to switch hotels, consider staying in one of the hotels near a station on the Yamanote Train Line to reduce the number of transfers required to reach the Tokyo Disney Resort.

A Summary of the Tokyo Disney Tips and Tricks

Like Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disney Resort is also very popular. Planning your day to maximize your visit is crucial. In addition to listing what you want to do at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, here are the tips for the Tokyo Disney Resort that will help you enjoy the theme park to the fullest.

Tokyo Disneyland Tips: Before Your Visit

  • Purchase your Tokyo Disneyland ticket and/or Tokyo DisneySea ticket online in advance to ensure you can enter the park on the day.
    • Park tickets can be purchased up to two months in advance for the same day. Sales start at 2 pm Japan time every day.
    • As the number of days differs each month, if the current month has fewer days, tickets for the 30th and 31st two months later can be purchased on the 1st of the following month.
Klook.com
  • Make a Tokyo Disneyland/Tokyo DisneySea restaurant reservation in advance to ensure your family has somewhere to enjoy the delicious and potentially unique menu Tokyo Disney offers.
  • Download the Tokyo Disney Resort Official App to your phone.
    • The official app will be very handy on the day. Using its map function, you can navigate your whereabouts and where to go when you are in the resort.
    • The congestion condition of each attraction in Tokyo Disney Resort on the day is also updated on its official app.
    • The app can be used to make restaurant reservations and participate in show lottery draws.
    • The official app is the only way to secure Standby Passes for the attractions that require them.
  • Create a group and add those who visit Tokyo Disney Resort with you on the same day.
    • Refer to HERE for more details about how to create a group on your Tokyo Disney Resort Official App.

Tokyo Disneyland Tips: On the Day

  • Arrive early. We recommend arriving at least 60 to 90 minutes before the park opens unless you plan to stay at one of the affiliated hotels that offer early entry (Disney Happy Entry).
  • Consider purchasing Disney Premier Access to shorten a ride’s waiting time and to reserve a specific viewing time for a show or parade.
  • Have lunch and dinner earlier than usual.
    • We recommend visiting restaurants before 11 am for lunch and by 5 pm for dinner.
  • Check if the shows and attractions you are interested in require an Entry Request. If they do, ensure that you submit your request and cross your fingers for the lottery draw.
  • Do not fill your day with popular rides/attractions only. Queuing for one ride after another is tiring. Ensure that you add a few relaxing rides, such as short cruises.
  • Purchase the souvenir during the day or use the official app to purchase it.
    • While it costs money to store souvenirs in the lockers, the shops are the most crowded at night, shortly before the park closes.
    • If you purchase anything over 10,000 yen, the park will ship your purchase for free (within Japan)!
  • If you want to watch the parade, waiting in front of Cinderella Castle or Toontown is best. These spots are closer to food stalls and restaurants, so you can have lunch or dinner while waiting for the parade to begin.
  • Send a letter to yourself or Disney’s characters.
    • Letters sent using one of the 10 posting boxes in Tokyo Disney Resort will get the park’s special stamp stamped on them.
    • You might even get a reply if you send a fan letter to a Disney character, such as Mickey.

Tip: If you decide to stay at one of Tokyo Disney Resort’s official hotels, you do not need to purchase your park passport beforehand. Hotel guests can buy the park’s ticket from the concierge upon arrival.

Tokyo Disneyland vs Tokyo DisneySea

When it comes to the Tokyo Disney Resort, we often get this question: Which is better, Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disneysea? Our answer is that it depends on the individual. That said, in most cases, adults enjoy Tokyo DisneySea more, and children usually prefer Tokyo Disneyland.

Below is a comparison table that explains the difference between Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. It should make it easier for you to make a decision. We would also recommend browsing through the Rides in Tokyo Disneyland and the Rides in Tokyo DisneySea.

Tokyo DisneySeaTokyo Disneyland
ConceptAdventure and the myths and legends of the seaThe Kingdom of Dreams and Magic
AtmosphereIts atmosphere allows visitors to enjoy the port towns and cultures of different countries. Thus, adults tend to like DisneySea more.A wide range of ages can enjoy Tokyo Disneyland’s fanciful atmosphere.
Types of ridesTokyo DisneySea has more thiller rides.The rides in Tokyo Disneyland focus more on Disney’s characters and stories.
Types of shows/paradesMainly entertaining water showsMainly parades with cute characters
FoodThe restaurants in Tokyo DisneySea offer a wide variety of alcoholic beverages and various cuisines.The restaurants in Tokyo Disneyland are more family-friendly.
Park’s terrainThere are many slopes and stairs. In addition, the harbor in the middle makes it takes time to get around the park.Mainly flat
The difference between Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea

Tip: Fireworks are launched at 8:30 pm every day except for most parts of mid-June to October at Tokyo Disneyland. It can be seen from Tokyo DisneySea as well. Refer to HERE for Tokyo Disneyland’s firework schedule.

Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland’s Opening Hours

Usually, Tokyo Disney Resort opens from 9 am to 9 pm. However, to reduce congestion at the entrance, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea may open 15 to 45 minutes earlier than the official opening time.

  • If you stay at one of the six Tokyo Disney Resort official hotels the night before, you are eligible for the Happy Entry. This means you can enter the park 15 minutes (usually) before others. Refer to Tokyo Disney Resort’s website for more information about Happy Entry.

We highly recommend checking Tokyo Disney Resort’s Operation Calendar for the opening hours on the day of your visit.

What Time Should I Arrive at Tokyo Disney Resort?

The question may sound stupid, as the information is widely available on Google and Tokyo Disney Resort’s website.

However, it is a valid question when it comes to Tokyo Disney Resort because the theme park usually opens before its official opening hours! If you don’t plan to purchase the Disney Premier Access but want to enjoy as many rides as possible, entering Tokyo Disney Resort at the same time the park opens is a must on a busy day.

For more information about what time we recommend you to arrive, refer to our Guide to What Time to Arrive Tokyo Disney Resort!

How to Get to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

JR Miahama Station (舞浜駅) is the closest train station to Tokyo Disney Resort. If you plan to visit Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea by train, stay close to a station along the Yamanote Line to reduce the number of train transfers required. From any stations on the Yamanote Line, change trains at Tokyo Station to the JR Keiyo Line or the Musashino Line to get to Maihama Station.

Unlike Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo Disney Resort is not located next to JR Miahama Station. After getting off the train at Maihama Station, please walk to the park’s Resort Gateway Station (リゾートゲートウェイ・ステーション駅) for the park’s monorail, Disney Resort Line (ディズニーリゾートライン). Then get off at either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea Station, depending on which park you want to visit.

If you plan to visit Tokyo Disneyland, you can also walk from Maihama Station for five minutes.

Tip: Use one of Japan’s Transport Apps to plan your visit.

The Best Day to Go to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Unless you come to Tokyo mainly for the Tokyo Disney Resort, it is probably unrealistic to plan your visit based on the resort’s off-peak season. Nevertheless, once you know when you will be in Tokyo, check the Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea crowd calendar/congestion calendar (refer to HERE for the English version) to avoid as many crowds as possible. The crowd level can differ noticeably from one day to the next, depending on Japanese public holidays.

Note that the congestion calendar link is in Japanese. But you should be able to easily read it using your browser’s translation function.

Tips:
☛ If the day of your visit is shown as congested on Tokyo Disney Resort’s Congestion Calendar, purchase your Tokyo Disneyland ticket or Tokyo DisneySea ticket ASAP. The tickets are usually sold out during the park’s peak season.
☛ The more expensive a day’s ticket is, the more crowded Tokyo Disney Resort will be.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s Busy Season

Before all the international tourists flooded Japan, Tokyo Disney Resort was already a popular attraction near Tokyo. It is therefore unsurprising that the theme park is extra busy on weekends and during Japanese holidays. Avoid the following periods of the year for a more pleasant experience at Tokyo Disney Resort:

  • The weekends, especially long weekends
  • The Christmas and year-end period from December to the beginning of January
    • Note that the Christmas event starts in November, so the park will be quite busy as well!
  • Golden week from the end of April to the beginning of May
  • Japan’s spring and summer break
    • The spring break (especially late March) is the busiest or the second busiest period of the year.
    • Because of the heat, summer break (especially from Friday to Monday) is less busy than spring break.
  • Obun festival period around mid-August
  • The Halloween festival period: Between mid-September and October.

Planning Your Visit to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

As you know, Tokyo Disney Resort is a big tourist attraction, so the earlier you start planning your visit, the better. Mark down the reservation start dates below in your diary so you don’t miss them!

  • Most Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Packages can be reserved 5 months in advance.
  • Official Disney Hotels can be reserved 4 months in advance at 11 am.
  • Restaurants in Official Disney Hotels can be reserved 3 months in advance at 10 am.
  • Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea tickets can be reserved 2 months in advance at 2 pm.
  • The restaurants and other services in Tokyo Disney Resort can be reserved 1 month in advance.

Tip: Tokyo Disney’s official hotels can be reserved on other hotel reservation websites, such as klook. Even if they are fully booked on the official website, you might still be able to reserve them through other channels.

How to Buy Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Tickets

Please note that Tokyo Disney Resort tickets aren’t sold at the park. Purchase your Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland tickets online.

  • You can purchase your Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland tickets through the Tokyo Disney Resort Website.
  • Booking website, such as klook, also sells Tokyo Disney Resort tickets.
    • Purchase your ticket through klook to earn Klook cash.
    • Another reason to purchase from Klook is that the official website may not accept credit cards issued overseas.

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Japan Ticket Price

Tokyo Disney Resort offers several types of admission tickets, including the 1-Day Passport and the Partial Day Passport. The ticket price is determined by demand. Thus, the ticket price for Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea is a good indicator of how busy the park will be on your day of visit.

How Much Does a Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Passport Cost

  • A 1-Day Passport for Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea for
    • Adult (ages 18 and over) costs between 7,900 yen to 10,900 yen
    • Junior (ages 12 to 17) costs between 6,600 yen to 9,000 yen
    • Child (ages 4 to 11) costs between 4,700 yen to 5,600 yen
  • A 1-Day Passport for Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea for Guests with Disabilities and an accompanying guest:
    • Adult costs between 6,500 yen to 8,700 yen
    • Junior costs between 5,300 yen to 7,200 yen
    • Child costs between 3,800 yen to 4,400 yen

Tokyo Disney Resort’s Partial Day Passport

If you can only or want to spend part of the day at Tokyo Disney Resort, consider getting a partial passport to save some money.

  • Early Evening Passport
    • Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea can be enjoyed from 3:00 pm on weekends and holidays with this ticket.
    • A Early Evening Passport for Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea for
      • Adult costs between 6,500 yen to 8,700 yen
      • Junior costs between 5,300 yen to 7,200 yen
      • Child costs between 3,800 yen to 4,400 yen
  • Weeknight Passport
    • Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea can be enjoyed from 5:00 pm on weekdays (excluding holidays) with this ticket.
    • A Weeknight Passport for Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea for
      • Adult costs between 4,500 yen to 6,200 yen
      • Junior and Child costs between 4,500 yen to 6,200 yen

As the ticket types on sale can change over time, you can refer to the Official Website for the currently available ticket types.

Do My Children Need a Tokyo Disney Resort Ticket?

If your children are three years old or younger, they do not need a ticket to enter Tokyo Disney Resort.

What If Tokyo Disney Resort’s Tickets Are Sold Out On the Day I Want to Visit the Park?

Check back in regularly if all the tickets are sold out on the day you want to visit. Some tickets may be available again a few days later due to the following:

  • Tokyo Disney Resort may release more tickets later on.
  • Tickets may become available if those who have purchased the tickets change the day of the visit.

Tip: Tokyo Disney Resort usually releases resale tickets on weekdays.

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Priority Pass, Disney Premier Access, the Standby Pass, and the Entry Request

If you are planning your visit to Tokyo Disney Resort and have skimmed through the theme park’s website, the different types of passes you can get can be quite confusing! So we have decided to put together a guide on each type of pass and tips for getting them. As you can imagine, these passes are popular for those who want to get the most out of their day!

Refer to our article on The Best Guide to the Passes at Tokyo Disney Resort for other passes you might want to consider for your visit!

Disney Mobile Order (ディズニー・ モバイルオーダー)

Another tip to cut down on restaurant waiting time is to use the Official App’s Disney Mobile Order function. You can specify when you want to pick up your order. The restaurant will notify you through the official app when your order is ready. Then, simply head to the designated pick-up location for your food.

Tip: On busy days, time slots on Disney Mobile Order can fill up quickly. If you are unsure of what to order, select something first and then press ‘reserve’. You can always amend your order later. Payment is only required when the app indicates that your order is ready for pickup.

Tip: With 1-Day Passport: Fantasy Springs Magic, you can enter the area as many times as you want. Of course, you can get your Disney Mobile Order any time you desire. But as the timing of your subsequent order is subject to a time delay, put through your first order as soon as possible!

Refer to the Official Tokyo Disney Resort Website for the pricing of the Disney Mobile Order.

Restaurant Reservation and Priority Seating at Tokyo Disney Resort

Like Universal Studios Japan, the restaurants and cafes in Tokyo Disney Resort have their own themes. As the restaurants can be fully booked even on a weekday, we highly recommend booking your seats at one of the restaurants in Tokyo Disney Resort once you have the theme park on your itinerary.

For more information about restaurant reservations at Tokyo Disney Resort, refer to our Guide to Restaurant Reservations at Tokyo Disney Resort article!

Can I Bring Food to Tokyo Disney Resort?

Unless you have a food allergy or if it is baby food, please refrain from bringing food to Tokyo Disney Resort. If you don’t want to dine in the park’s restaurants, you can eat at the picnic area outside the park. There are table sets in the area for guests to use.

Vegan/Vegetarian Food and the Gluten-Free Menus at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Vegans and vegetarians don’t need to worry about food options when they visit Tokyo Disney Resort. There are plenty of plant-based menus in Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

  • HERE is the information about the vegan food at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
  • Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea also offers gluten-free food. Refer to HERE for restaurants that have Special Dietary Menus.
  • If you have other food allergy/special dietary requirements, some restaurants can heat up your prepared meals. Refer to HERE for more information about which restaurants you can head to to heat up your food.

How to Save Money at Tokyo Disney Resort

Disney Hotels and Happy Entry

If you are not budget-conscious, stay in one of the hotels affiliated with the Tokyo Disney Resort for Happy Entry! Affiliated hotel guests can enter the park 15 minutes before everyone else. While 15 minutes may not seem like a significant amount of time, it can make a huge difference if you plan your visit effectively.

The 15 minutes allow you to:

The Disney official hotels can be reserved 4 months in advance at 11 am.

The Tokyo Disney Official Hotels That Offer Happy Entry

Tip: Please check with the staff in advance for a list of attractions and shops that open as soon as the park opens for regular guests. Waiting at one of these attractions means that you can be the first to enjoy it!

Which Attractions/Rides Should I Do First at Tokyo Disney Resort?

Assuming you arrive at Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea early (by 7 am on a busy day) and are the first batch of people to enter the park, here is what you can do after entering the park:

  • After securing your first Priority Pass and Standby Pass, line up at the ride you want to go to that has the earliest Tokyo Disney Priority Pass runout time.
  • Depending on the time slot allocated to the Priority Pass, you might have time to queue up at another attraction before using your first Priority Pass.

If you are unable to arrive at Tokyo Disney Resort early, here is what you can do after entering the park:

  • After securing your first Priority Pass and Standby Pass, check the queuing time of the rides offering Priority Passes and head to the ones with the least waiting time.
  • You can also choose to head to the lesser-popular attractions, take some photos, and meet the characters first!

Tips:
Set an alarm to remind yourself to obtain your subsequent Priority Pass without wasting time.
☛ The queues at popular rides tend to be the shortest shortly before, during parades, and at night. Just note that ride admission can end earlier if the waiting time is likely to exceed the park’s closing time.
☛ The queue at the second or third most popular ride can be surprisingly short in the early morning, as everyone is rushing to get to the most popular ride.

The Must-Do Tokyo DisneySea Rides

Here is the list of rides that we love at Tokyo DisneySea because we enjoy the thrill.

The Must-Do Tokyo Disneyland Rides

Here is the list of rides that we love at Tokyo Disneyland, including the cute and fun ones.

The Attractions Suitable to Enjoy With a 1 to 2 Years Old in Tokyo Disneyland

What to Do While Queuing for Rides at Tokyo Disney Resort

No matter how well you plan your visit to the Tokyo Disney Resort, some waiting time is inevitable. While your phone can keep you entertained, consider saving some battery so you can continue to use the official app later in the day. You will need it to check the waiting time and get passes on the official app. After all, we now live in a world where it is hard to enjoy Tokyo Disney Resort without access to its official app.

So what can you do to kill time while queuing?

How about finding the hidden Mickeys in the park?

In Tokyo Disney Resort, various Mickey patterns are hidden here and there. Some are intentional, whereas others are accidental. Especially if you are with your family and/or friends, finding these hidden Mickeys will keep everyone busy and entertained!

Tips:
☛ After getting off Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival in the Fantasy Springs area in Tokyo DisneySea, you will find a hidden Mickey on the wall to the right of the walkway leading to the exit.
☛ Refer to HERE and translate it using your browser’s translation function for other hidden Mickeys in Fantasy Springs.

Tips on Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort With Children

Traveling with children, especially toddlers, is not easy. So, if you plan to visit Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland with children, we have some more tips to make the day less stressful. Details such as which rides suit which age group and what to bring on the day are also included.

For more information, refer to our Tips on Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort With Children article!

The Attractions Suitable to Enjoy With a 1 to 2 Years Old in Tokyo Disneyland

How to Save Physical Stamina at Tokyo Disney Resort

As you know, it will be a long day at Tokyo Disney Resort. You will most likely be tired from all the walking and waiting in line.

To save physical stamina, we recommend utilizing the transportation type of rides in Tokyo Disney Resort. Not only can you relax on these rides, but you are also on the other side of the park after you get off the ride!

The Must-Bring Items to Tokyo Disney Resort

What to Bring to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea On a Hot Day

What to Bring to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea On a Rainy Day

Note that we get a small commission for advertising the above products on Amazon.

Also Visiting Universal Studios Japan On the Same Trip? Here Are Some Tips!

What Time Does Universal Studios Japan Open, and When Should I Arrive
Click the photo for tips for visiting Universal Studios Japan!

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the three main cities that many international tourists visit when they come to Japan. Instead of a Disney Resort, Osaka has Universal Studios. And yes, it is just as popular as Disney Resort, if not more!

So if you are tempted to visit Universal Studios Japan in Osaka on your upcoming Japan trip, we have some tips in our Tips and the Things I Wish I knew Before Visiting USJ article to make your trip smoother and more pleasant!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *