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Ultimate First Time Guide to Tokyo DisneySea

We are happy to provide this Ultimate First Time Guide to Tokyo DisneySea because if you're like me, a day at a Disney park always lifts your spirits!

Knowing what to expect your first time at Tokyo DisneySea will set you up for success and maximize any time you have there, whether just the day, two days, or more.

In this DisneySea guide, we share what makes this park unique amongst all Disney Parks on earth, tips for planning ahead (like how to buy Tokyo Disney tickets), how to get to the parks the day(s) you're going, and lots of Tokyo DisneySea photos to get you excited amongst lots of other helpful information!

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase, at no cost to you . We truly only recommend hotels, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Tokyo DisneySea is a Unique Disney Theme Park

I've been a huge Disney fan since childhood. I know I'm not alone here! I dreamed of visiting Tokyo DisneySea as a teenager and knew one day I'd visit.

DisneySea Tokyo is a unique destination amongst Disney Parks and Resorts, themed entirely on water destinations and notions. It contains rides like Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I adore its gorgeous pastel rainbow-tiled Mermaid Lagoon.

Disney Imagineers seamlessly wove nautical adventures across multiple lands into one another to create a beautiful Disney sea-themed park, and we give you the full lowdown in this ultimate guide to Tokyo DisneySea, including Disney items to pack (and for what weather too), must-visit attractions, and even some fun snacks to enjoy while you're there.

Tokyo DisneySea Tips for Things to Do Ahead of Your Trip

There are a few things that we recommend doing before you even leave home. These are things to do during your Japan trip-planning stage. They are:

Buy Tickets in Advance

Currently, you can only buy tickets for Tokyo Disney Resort online . As the website states, “Ticket booths are currently closed.” However, our favorite way to buy Tokyo Disney tickets is not directly on their website. It's with Klook, a third party.

We've bought tickets on the Tokyo Disney website in the past then discovered you can purchase tickets on Klook, which is what we did the last time we were there. It was 100 times easier to buy tickets on Klook than the the Tokyo Disney site, whose primary language is Japanese. Even when you translate the page to English, it's confusing.

Klook is very easy to use and valid. We know because we tested it out ourselves, and it was very easy.

What to Do When Buying Tickets to Tokyo DisneySea

Pick a day you want to go to the Tokyo DisneySea Resort to purchase a fixed-date ticket, which is currently their only option.

They used to have Flex Tickets that you could purchase and use whatever day you want but they are not available to purchase now, just like the ticket booths are closed.

Be sure to check Japan's national holidays to stay away from days that families may have off from work and head to the parks, if you can avoid it.

We've been to the park on non-holidays and during a fall holiday weekend. While it's definitely less crowded on a non-holiday, minor holidays aren't that bad.

Partial Day Tickets at Tokyo Disney

You can also buy a ticket for after 3:00 pm or 5:00 pm, depending on the day, but we found that the price difference wasn't worth it. For the $10 to $20 less, it was far less time in the park. It wasn't even a full half day.

The minimal cost difference to buy a ticket for the whole day, even if we entered the park at noon instead of 9:00 am, was worth it to us. Waiting until 3:00 pm or 5:00 pm when the park closed a few hours later, seemed silly to us. But it is an option most days if you are limited on time, budget, or both.

After Purchasing Your Tokyo Disney Tickets through Klook

Be sure to download the Tokyo Disney app. Once downloaded, you can either scan your Klook tickets by bringing it up on another screen, like your computer screen or an iPhone. Or, simply show your Klook vouchers at the front gate of the park you're going to and Disney cast members will help you add it to the Tokyo Disney app.

But remember, there isn't really wifi at the Disney parks in Tokyo so be sure to bring your own wifi hotspot to use throughout the parks, which is what we do.

Book Your Tokyo Disney Resort Hotel Well in Advance

If you plan on staying at a hotel on Tokyo Disney property, book that well in advance. We're talking six months or more out from your visit. They get booked FAST. Beware, they're a “healthy” $$$ investment.

However, I stayed at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel with some friends, and we all split the cost. It was worth it!)

Hotel Options at Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort was built in a little bit of an isolated area. It's really fun to stay there overnight because you can see some of the Disney icons lit up at night. But know that you'll pay a premium for staying nearby.

Usually (but not always), the “Official” Tokyo Disney Resort hotels cost the most amount of money. But we have some unofficial hotels to recommend too that are just steps away from the parks.

Disney Hotels

There are currently five Disney hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort – some deluxe, some moderate.

Deluxe hotels: the original three hotels on the property that are considered “deluxe” are the Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel, and Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.

Moderate hotels: Like Disney World and Disneyland, there are less expensive options for people who don't want to totally splurge on the cost of hotel nights. The options for moderate resorts are Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel, and Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Hotel (opening date: April 2022).

Official Tokyo Disney Hotels

These resorts may not be run by Tokyo Disney Resort, however, they are considered official Tokyo Disney Resort Hotels.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel is in an ideal location for access to the Tokyo Disney Resort monorail without having to take a shuttle bus there. We love that it's upscale yet has fun themed areas, like mini-golf onsite and a gorgeous pool with some “cliffs” they created to add a little Disney character.

Hilton Tokyo Bay is another official Tokyo Disney Resort hotel, under the Hilton brand, which has a free shuttle to get to the monorail. There's even a Disney store inside.

Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel is in a cool circular building, that reminds us of the fun architecture of the Swan and Dolphin hotels at Walt Disney World . Inside, is a calming “forest” like oasis that reaches 11-stories high to a vaulted glass ceiling. The Disney Fantasy shop inside will give you even more Disney-shopping options.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay has one of the largest hotel atriums in Japan. The salmon-colored rectangular building is very easy to spot from Tokyo Disney Resort. They have a Disney Fantasy shop inside their resort as well so you can do some last-minute shopping if needed!

Bring Disney Outfits, Ears, and Other Fun Disney Items

Buy some Disney gear ahead of time! Sure, you can buy stuff there too. But I love the thought of packing some Disney stuff in my bag to get excited, even if no one ever sees it. Or packing Disney ears to wear so I'm all set with my Disney energy when I get to the park!

As is common at all the Disney theme parks, it's very common for entire families and groups of friends – males and females – to dress alike when they go to the Disney Tokyo parks in Japan.

If you coordinate your outfits for Tokyo Disney with friends, your spouse, or children – ahead of time when you pack, then wear it during your Disney park days in Japan – you'll be in good company. (Seriously, how cute is this Mickey Mouse-inspired winter hat ? It's TikTok and Instagram-worthy! That's for sure!)

Download the Free Tokyo Disney Resort App and Bring Your Own Hotspot

Why waste time when you're in Japan doing this when you can download the Tokyo Disney app in advance at home?

Unlike Walt Disney World, which has switched to a Genie and Lightning Lane system in lieu of good ‘ole FastPass (who else misses it?) Japan's Disney parks still use the usual FastPass system.

You can use the app for FastPass when you're in the park. This is SUPER handy if you don't want to run all the way to the attraction just to spit out a FastPass ticket.

If you buy a ticket in person, you'll have to scan your ticket into the app from within the park. This is to say, if you try to use the FastPass system from home or outside the park, it won't work. But if you download the app ahead of time, you'll be prepared for your arrival and FastPass once you're inside Tokyo DisneySea.

Bring Your Own Hotspot — There is Not WiFi at Tokyo Disney Parks

There is no free wifi throughout the parks, just like there isn't at the Disney theme parks in the United States. There is only free wifi at the park entrances, which you can truly only connect to when you're standing at the entrance, only . And it's not good wifi – we tried it.

If you wish to have wifi all the time, we highly recommend bringing along your own hotspot (which is what we do).

• WiFi on up to 10 devices
• Lightweight and pocket-sized
• Works in more than 135 countries

▶︎ Use code “SOMETIMESHOME” for 15% off your purchase

Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort Year-Round and What to Pack

Keep in mind that Tokyo has four seasons. Unlike Orlando's Walt Disney World resort, which is warm pretty much all year except for some rare chilly days from December through February, Tokyo gets cold.

I grew up on Long Island in New York, and the seasons in Tokyo are very similar to that area. The leaves change color in fall as temperatures drop. It occasionally snows during winter, and everyone awaits spring for Cherry Blossoms (especially in Japan) and leaves to grow back on trees. Summer can get hot!

If you're traveling to Japan during fall or winter, be sure to pack layers and a coat, including for your trip to Tokyo Disney.

Consider packing some cute winter Disney hats and gloves for your trip, which you can wear throughout your visit to Japan. “Cutesy” stuff in Japan (which they call “kawaii” ), no matter if you're at Tokyo Disney or walking around Osaka, is completely normal!

How to Get to Tokyo DisneySea

Arrive at tokyo disneysea by train (recommended).

You can travel to Tokyo DisneySea by car but the  best way is by train. If you ask me, nothing beats the excitement of counting down the train stops until you're at Tokyo Disney's stop.

Additionally, you'll be able to see some really cool signage at the station, like the below. I even got a fun water bottle that was shaped like Minnie Mouse that I saved and use often (it's the perfect size to fit inside a handbag). The water bottle was only available at a concession stand on the train platform. I wouldn't have seen or purchased it had I not arrived with that mode of transportation.

The train is affordable and incredibly convenient.

Your destination is the JR “Maihama”   train station.  This is the only train station at Tokyo Disney Resort no matter where you originate from. Click here for detailed train line routes and transfer information.

Arriving at Tokyo DisneySea by Car

If you drive in Japan to get to the park, it's good to be aware that there are lots on-site with a fee of 2,500 yen for parking on weekdays and 3,000 yen for weekends. Beware that you need an international driver's license to drive there. Additionally, they drive on the left side of the road.

Tokyo Disney Resort has a parking lot for cars and people who choose to drive to get there.

However, the language they use on their website very much discourages guests from arriving there by car because of heavy traffic in the area. (And candidly, we've always taken the train there.) They do, however, mention the best routes to get there .

Best time to Arrive at Tokyo DisneySea

I've been to Tokyo DisneySea a couple of times, and both times it's been incredibly less crowded during the first two to three hours it opens for the day.

If you want to feel like you practically have the park to yourself, arrive when it opens. Stay as long as you like {during operating hours}!

Riding the Tokyo Disney Resort Monorail

Once you arrive at Tokyo Disney Resort, you must then travel to your destination, whether DisneySea, Disneyland, or a hotel. It's kind of like how you have to park at Ticket and Transportation Authority at Walt Disney World, then take the monorail to get to Magic Kingdom or Epcot.

The most fun way to do this is on the monorail (and probably the most efficient way too). Unlike the monorail at Walt Disney World in Orlando, which is free, you need a paid ticket to ride Tokyo's monorail .

The cost is minimal – simply a couple of hundred yen (a few US dollars), but it's good to know you need a ticket so you're prepared when you go to enter the gate to take the escalator up to the station platform. The best part about the monorail is its Mickey head-shaped windows and Mickey Mouse handholds inside the cars.

Buying Tokyo DisneySea Tickets

Buy tickets in advance on the website. While you used to be able to buy them in person, we're not sure when or if that will return in a post-pandemic world. When tickets were available in person, however, they were the same price as the website.

Important Tokyo Disney Resort ticket info:

• Ticket nomenclature: They call their tickets “passports.” with the option to purchase one to four days per ticket. They do not have the typical American “Park Hopper” pass option.
• Buy online: You can ONLY buy tickets online, not in person.
• Create a registered Disney Account . You must have one to purchase tickets on their website.
• Select your date : you must select what date you are visiting when you buy your tickets. You can purchase tickets up to two months in advance.
• Download the Tokyo Disney Resort app : you have to show your tickets at the gate on the app . If you cannot get online for some reason, then you must have the code that is in your purchased tickets email.

Buying tickets in advance online will also give you peace of mind.

Tokyo Disneyland (their version of Orlando's Magic Kingdom or California's Disneyland) gets way more jam-packed than Tokyo DisneySea so if you have to consider days of the week when you book tickets, then book Disneyland for a weekday over a weekend if possible.

No Such Thing as a Park Hopper

Disneyland and Walt Disney World fans know a park hopper pass allows you to switch theme parks midday if you like. But there is no such thing in Tokyo.

It's a one-park-per-day situation.

The only option to have more flexibility in days and parks is with their multi-day passes that are sometimes available. But even then, it's not a park hopper.

Park Ticket Prices for Tokyo DisneySea

Prices fluctuate depending on the day of the week and season you are visiting. Expect higher prices for peak dates.

The below prices are the adult tickets (18+). Assume that a Junior Ticket (ages 12-17) or Child Ticket (ages 4-11) is less money. Children under 3 are free. There are savings for disabled visitors and senior citizens too.

General (All Day) Tickets

• ¥7,900-9,400: One-Day Passport for Tokyo DisneySea or Tokyo Disneyland from park open to close.

Fixed Date and Time Passports

These tickets all you to enter the park in the afternoon for a cost savings.

• ¥6,500 to 7,400: Early evening passport – 3:00 pm to close .
• ¥4,500-5,000: Weeknight passport – 5:00 pm to close.

For more ticket information, visit this page of the website.

Lay of the Land at Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo DisneySea is divided into seven lands, much like how Orlando's Magic Kingdom is divided into six. (Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, etc.). Starting in front of you when you enter the park, proceeding counterclockwise, they are:

• Mediterranean Harbor
• Mysterious Island
• Mermaid Lagoon
• Arabian Coast
• Lost River Delta
• Port Discovery
• American Waterfront

Click here for a map of Tokyo DisneySea.

Tasks to do Immediately Upon Arrival at Tokyo DisneySea

Fastpass a ride (called “standby pass” at tokyo disney).

Upon arrival, be sure to take advantage of the Standby Pass system (which you may know as the Genie+ or FastPass system). This will help maximize the number of attractions you can enjoy during a what-always-amounts-to-not-enough-time visit.

Utilize the app within the park to add yourself to a Standby Pass list. You have to be in the park to use it.

As a reminder, there is limited free wifi in the park. You need cell service or wifi for the app to work. (This is why we always bring our own portable pocket wifi hotspot .) Then, add your ride to Standby!

Standby is currently on hold at Tokyo DisneySea, but it is available at Tokyo Disneyland.

If it comes back, we recommend Standby for Journey to the Center of the Earth at Mysterious Island, Raging Spirits roller coaster in Lost River Delta  or Tower of Terror at American Waterfront. (Tower of Terror at Tokyo DisneySea has a different storyline from the Tower of Terror attractions in Orlando and California).

FastPass another attraction after your allotted pass timeframe frees up if you can. If the Standby list is in Japanese, don't be shy about asking a Cast Member to translate!

Getting another Standby Pass as soon as it's available may be the difference in being able to enjoy an additional attraction that day.

Assess Your Not-to-Miss Attractions

Both times I've visited Tokyo DisneySea, I have experienced my not-to-miss attractions  first . The park is relatively small, even though it may seem huge when you arrive.

Even if you experience a ride in one land and hop to the neighboring land for the next, you won't be wasting time. This way, you won't be disappointed if you find you need to leave the park at a certain time or aren't able to get onto a ride before closing.

In our opinion, a few not-to-miss attractions include:

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (there's usually no line in the morning)
• Aquatopia (water gliders)
• Tower of Terror (the storyline is different than at other parks)
• Sinbad's Storybook Voyage (it reminds me of Walt Disney World's “It's a Small World”)
• Raging Spirits (roller coaster)
• Journey to the Center of the Earth (a classic dark ride)

Don't forget to check showtimes as well, as some of the most fascinating attractions at Tokyo DisneySea are their shows and parades.

Challenge Yourself to Ride (and Explore) Outside Your Norm on Tokyo DisneySea Rides

There are certain rides I may skip on a usual trip to Walt Disney World. But in a unique circumstance, such as a visit to Tokyo DisneySea on the other side of the world from where I live, nothing is off limits !

One of the must-experience Tokyo DisneySea rides was one I was immediately drawn to: Caravan Carousel in the Arabian Coast inside a beautiful blue onion-domed building. Sure, it's more so a children's attraction. But I was a kid at heart that day (well, perhaps always) and I had the best time riding it! I even had my photo taken with the Genie.

I also took some time to enjoy a leisurely ride aboard the DisneySea Electric Railway .

If you don't usually walk around a Disney park in its entirety – including corridors and walkways that perhaps only lead to more theming, challenge yourself to do so at this park. The theming is really beautiful and unlike any other Disney park or resort we have visited.

I found the area below simply walking around the Arabian Coast. There is a lot of hidden beauty like this around the Mediterranean Harbor as well.

Eat, Eat, and Eat…Because Tokyo DisneySea has the Cutest Snacks and Food! 

One of the most fun things to do your first time at Tokyo DisneySea is to experience the unique snacks they have available. (And meals too, if you opt to eat at sit-down restaurants.) What to Expect at Tokyo DisneySea in terms of food is some great-the med stuff you won't find at other resorts. (The food is so kawaii !)

I simply loved seeing what each concession stand I passed had to offer or looking up food options on the park map. I had Green Alien mochi filled with pudding (you receive one of each of three different flavors in your purchase: vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry).

Another fun food item I enjoyed was a pork bun in the shape of a circular life raft with Donald Duck packaging to complete the adorable visuals. It was very “ kawaii !”

🍿 Popcorn at Tokyo DisneySea

What to expect your first time at Tokyo DisneySea in terms of additional fun snacks? You may have already heard but just in case you haven't, POPCORN is a  huge thing at Tokyo Disney. Collectable popcorn buckets just started to get big at the United States Disney parks and resorts, but it's nothing like in Tokyo.

Both Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland have various popcorn flavors around the park that are noted on the park maps. You can find “Salt” flavored popcorn in Mermaid Lagoon and Curry flavored popcorn in Arabian Coast, to name two!

Popcorn flavors include: 

• Herb-Tomato
• Milk Chocolate
• Black Pepper
• White Chocolate

Tokyo DisneySea Restaurants

Don't be surprised if a lot of the menus include American food. Japanese people love American culture and, after all, Disney is an American brand. It's part of the reason the Japanese love Disney and many Japanese people (the primary audience at Tokyo Disney) go there for a taste of Western culture.

If you are looking for a Japanese meal in Tokyo DisneySea I recommend Restaurant Sakura at the American Waterfront. This was certainly nowhere near the best Japanese food we had in Tokyo, but it was a good option for Japanese cuisine at Tokyo DisneySea.

People Watch at Tokyo DisneySea

If people-watching could be an attraction unto itself there are some prime people-watching at Tokyo DisneySea.

Things that fascinated us:

• The amount of entire families in matching Mickey Mouse shirts.
• How many adult women dress up.
• How elaborate some of the costumes people put their children in are. (Japanese children are the  cutest  – like the little girl in the Daisy Duck costume in the photo below.)
• The amount of themed popcorn containers people buy. (There are many different types of containers around the park – people seem to collect them!)
• How in love with “Duffy” they are, Mickey Mouse's teddy bear. There's even shows and events surrounding this character.

Stop to Shop at Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disney Resort Shops

They have some outrageous items in the shops at Tokyo DisneySea. They'll certainly provide a glimpse into what the Japanese culture enjoys.

It's difficult to find books there but you'll find an abundance of graphic shirts, Mickey ears, key chains, and plush toys. (I had a hard time locating any books on the resorts at all, never mind various options.)

If you're wondering if those are mini udon soup bowl keychains in the photo below you would be correct!

Stay at Tokyo DisneySea After Sunset

Stay after the sun goes down if you're able to.

There are night shows to behold and nighttime lighting that illuminates the park. It's a really beautiful experience to see Tokyo DisneySea in the evening.

Seeing the Toy Story area of the American Waterfront at night is a sight; the hundreds of lights are mesmerizing. It reminded us of Pixar Pier at Disneyland.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is also very special and extra appealing after sunset.

Are you going to Japan? Also check out:

• 20 Surprising Things to Love About Japan
• What is Kabuki Theater and Why You Should be Interested
• 12 Must-See Inspiring Photos of Kyoto Japan

I didn’t know you were such a Disney fan. Seems like this is much more affordable than the US versions!

I am! Yeah the tickets certainly are more affordable!

Thank you Mikkel Paige.Looks like an amazing trip! Would love to hear more details about where you stayed in tokyo and the tour guides you used.

I have only toured solo in Japan (thus far!). I loved staying at the 9 Hours capsule hotel in Japan. I have a great post on it! https://sometimeshome.com/9-hours-pod-hotel-shinjuku-japan/

Hello! We are thinking of a family trip to Japan, and are thinking of including a day at Disneysea. Is there much English spoken there, as far as staff and attractions?

Hi Jon! DisneySea is really unique – there’s no other theme park like it in the world! They speak enough English to get by – they probably speak more English than most people you’ll find in Japan overall. However don’t let that deter you from going. Japanese people are some of the nicest human beings I’ve ever met. Yes, there is a language barrier once in a while, overall in the country, but I’ve never found it to be a setback in travels or experiences there. Definitely go if you’re on the fence and want to explore this beautiful, unique country and DisneySea!! Also check out our “Japan” category on the site for other helpful information when visiting the country.

I had a blast at Tokyo DisneySea! The park is huge and there’s so much to do. I highly recommend it if you’re ever in the area.

We are so glad to hear that! It’s truly a special park. We love it there too! – Mikkel + Dan

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Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea Guide (2024) — Maximise your Tokyo Disney Day with these 12 Tips and Tricks

Here’s the Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea guide we wished we had before going to Japan.

First published: 27 Sep 2017

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are without a doubt one of the best in the world. The problem is, it’s also an incredibly crowded park all year round. And if you’re a huge theme park fan, you’d know if you want to hit all the best rides in one day, you’re gonna need a game plan.

Planning a trip to Japan? Check out our guides and itineraries across various parts of Japan — from the familiar favourites of Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido, to the lesser-known Okinawa, Kyushu, and Matsumoto.

Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea?

Obviously, both parks are incredibly magical and many swear by them being the best in the world. If you have the luxury of time, spending two days exploring both parks is a no-brainer. But if you only have a day to spare, here’s a brief crackdown on the two.

Photo credit: Tom Bricker

Tokyo Disneyland  is the classic of all classics. If you’re a fan of the immersive, magical experience unique to Disney Parks, this is the one. If you have young kids or are young at heart (aren’t we all? :P), Tokyo Disneyland is without a doubt the one. The shows and parades are also known to be more extravagant and spectacular here compared to DisneySea.

Photo credit: Alpha Coders

Tokyo DisneySea is totally different from any other Disney Park in the world. Many rides have a spooky theme and the intensity of the rides is generally designed for the older kids. We saw an 8-year-old bawling his eyes out at the end of a ride on Indiana Jones Adventure — he might have enjoyed Disneyland a lot more.

With star rides like Toy Story Mania! and Journey to the Centre of the Earth , even the most skeptical kid will be blown away. If you prioritise thrilling rides for your Disney experience, you’d probably enjoy DisneySea more.

Although we ended up picking DisneySea , these are tips you can apply to both parks and will set you up for a game-changing day at the Tokyo Disney Parks.

New attractions in Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea (2024)

Photo credit: Tokyo Disney Resort

From now till 31 March 2024, Tokyo Disney Resort is celebrating its 40th anniversary , which means you can buy themed merch and snacks, plus enjoy special attractions as well!

These include the Disney Harmony in Colour Day Parade (Disneyland), and the Sky Full of Colours firework display (Disneyland and DisneySea).

DisneySea also recently announced that the much-anticipated new land, Fantasy Springs , will open on 6 June 2024 ! It will be a mish-mash of Disney favourites: Frozen, Peter Pan & Tangled. Fantasy Spring will feature Frozen Kingdom (Arendelle), Rapunzel’s Forest, and Never Land… so if you think about it, it’s basically three new lands opening up 😂

Here are four new attractions you can expect:

1) Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey — a musical water boat ride depicting events from the original Frozen film 2) Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival — a water boat ride through the different locations seen in Tangled 3) Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure — a 3D attraction where guests attempt to rescue John from Captain Hook 4) Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies — a family-friendly attraction where guests help Tinker Bell deliver parcels

Plus, the upcoming Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel is available for reservations starting 8 Feb 2024 !

Before your trip

1) buy your tokyo disneyland/sea tickets online.

The counters at the Tokyo Disney Park only open 30 minutes before the park opens.

When you arrive, there will be two separate queues: one for parkgoers who already have their tickets and are waiting to enter the park. The other, to get the tickets. You don’t want to be stuck in the latter queue! Buy your tickets online — this will give you a head start for queueing for the best rides.

Our Tokyo Disney tickets via Klook didn’t even need printing. All we had to do was have our QR code scanned from our phones and we’re in!

Ticket prices vary depending on day of visit and can be purchased up to two months ahead.

*Note: Certain credit cards issued outside of Japan are not accepted when purchasing through the official Disney Resort website .

2) Ultra-crowded days to avoid

Weekends This is obvious but other than the weekends, Mondays and Fridays are sometimes equally as crowded. If you have the luxury to choose, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are your best bet. Check the Crowd Congestion Forecast Calendar and try to avoid the dates highlighted in red.

School   Holidays However, come school holidays, it probably doesn’t matter which day of the week you’re going. We visited DisneySea in the last week of the Summer Holidays and despite being there on a Thursday, the popular rides had queue times of up to 180 minutes 😱

Summer: Usually July to August

Winter:  December to January

Spring:  March to April

Japanese Public Holidays 

There are 16 different Japanese Holidays but because some of them happen in the same week, a lot of locals take the entire week off for an extended week-long break. Three of the busiest periods to avoid are:

Golden Week: 29 April to 6 May Obon: Mid-July or Mid-August (depending on the solar calendar) New Year:  31 December to 1 January

3) Download the Tokyo Disney Resort App

In 2024, most things can now be done from the Tokyo Disney Resort app :

– Check queue times – Book Premier Access for rides – Dining reservations – Entry requests for shows and character greetings

It has all the essential information you’ll need about the parks, and the map with your live location is pretty handy when navigating!

Just register your ticket in the app once you’re in the park and create a group for your party.

4) Updates to the FASTPASS System (Disney Premier Access, Standby Pass, 40th Anniversary Pass)

Tokyo Disney Resort veterans will probably remember the FASTPASS system where every ticket holder had a fair chance at one of the popular rides without much waiting time. Unfortunately, that service has been suspended. In its place now is the new Disney Premier Access (from ¥1,500/access) where you can buy express tickets for specific rides.

Purchasing Disney Premier Access: Premier Access is located under ‘My Plan’ in the Disney Resort app. From there you can select the experience and timeslot you want. The QR ticket code will appear 5 minutes before your designated time and you’ll need to scan it to enter via the Priority Access Entrance.

Tokyo DisneySea Disney Premier Access Rides

There’re currently four Disney Premier Access rides available, but since there are limited time slots, you should purchase the tickets on the app immediately after entering the park. These rides include Toy Story Mania! , Soaring: Fantastic Flight , Tower of Terror , and Journey to the Centre of the Earth .

Better seats for the Believe! Sea of Dreams parade are also available through Premier Access.

*Pro-tip: Try securing Premier Access slots for the afternoon as you’ll have more time to queue for other rides in the morning.

From experience, Toy Story Mania! and the Soaring: Fantastic Flight have the longest queues, and Premier Access timeslots also run out quickly.

(1) Toy Story Mania!  (American Waterfront)

Everyone raves about this unassuming carnival-themed ride and you’ll probably question yourself too while queuing.

The queuing area replicates the experience of being shrunken down to one of the characters of Toy Story, and the ride brings you through an interactive 3D course where you get to shoot digital balls at aliens to rack up points. Okay, perhaps this description doesn’t do it justice but trust us on this one, getting Premier Access for this will be well worth it.

(2) Soaring: Fantastic Flight (Mediterranean Harbor)

Opened during the pandemic, Soaring: Fantastic Flight is the newest addition to DisneySea and is exclusive to Tokyo. The ride has a consistently long wait time (~180 minutes) which made us skeptical given that it’s not a roller coaster but we quickly understood why. The experience was so realistic that we forgot for a moment we were on a ride. Also trust us on this one #worth.

Tokyo Disneyland Disney Premier Access Rides

The Disney Premier Access for Tokyo Disneyland works similarly to Tokyo DisneySea. Here are the attractions and parades you can use it on:

Attractions: Splash Mountain , The Happy Ride with Baymax , Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast Shows: Minnie @Funderland (till 19 March), Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights , Disney Harmony in Color

Standby Pass Rides

Certain character greetings and shops might require a Standby Pass to enter but the period and availability for passes are constantly being updated so we suggest checking online in advance. FYI, standby passes give you the right to wait in the regular queue for the attraction at the specified time. So if you don’t have it, you may not be able to go on the ride at all!

*Note: Standby Passes will be available for the new Fantasy Springs attractions on 6 June 2024 .

40th Anniversary Priority Pass Rides

The special 40th Anniversary Priority Pass is similar to the Premier Access, such that it will give you line-skipping powers! But the rides you can use them on are different. Check online for availability on your visit date.

Tokyo Disneyland/Sea Day Guide

5) bring a bento box for lunch.

Food is allowed in the Disney Resort Parks and you can eat them at the designated picnic area — outside the main entrance on the left. To save money, purchase a bento box or a couple of onigiris before heading in. There’s a New Days convenience store just outside Maihama station .

Re-entry is also allowed here (just remember to get your hand stamped) so you can head out to the convenience store at New Days for a quick bite.

6) Arrive at least 1 hour before the park opens

Park opening hours vary by season, so check the Tokyo Disney Park Operations Calendar  before visiting.

Queues get quite crazy 30 minutes ahead of opening, so it’s best to arrive an hour before the park opens. Hopefully, you’d already have your pre-booked Tokyo Disney Tickets  so you can skip the ticket queue and join the entrance queue instead.

7) Start by queueing for popular rides

When the park first opens, head straight for one of the following rides as queues can go up to as long as 3 hours by mid-afternoon.

(1) Journey to the Center of the Earth   (Mysterious Island)

The Mysterious Island is another very well-themed area. One of my favourite areas of the park in fact! Since the tracks for this ride are hidden inside the mountain, there was no way we could prepare ourselves for what to expect but it turned out to be a close second favourite ride for all of us.

We enjoyed the whole experience even starting from the queuing area, to the many surprise elements paced cleverly throughout the ride.

(2) Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull   (Lost River Delta)

Another roller coaster in the dark, this ride was laced with many unexpected surprises. The narration for this ride (as with all the rides in Tokyo) was in Japanese but despite this, we could follow the story because of the well-designed track. The detail in the design here is truly unbelievable!

(3) Tower of Terror (American Waterfront)

Twilight Zone fan (or not), you’ll love the Tower of Terror. The exterior is one of the most iconic sights in Tokyo DisneySea, but the interior is just as beautiful, with a hint of creepiness. It’s possibly also one of the most adrenaline-inducing and hair-raising rides — both literally and metaphorically.

8) Entry Requests for shows

Previously, you’d have to catch the first show or win lottery tickets in person at the Biglietteria to get a seat. Now, Disney Resort has shifted everything online to their app so you’ll need to submit an Entry Request to secure a reservation. You only get to try once for each show, so it all comes down to luck!

Popular shows at DisneySea: Get your tickets from the Disney Resort app!

Jamboree Mickey! Let’s Dance !  — A dance-along program for kids with Mickey Mouse and friends.

Big Band Beat : A Special Treat  — Broadway performance with a live jazz band and Mickey on the drums.

Duffy and Friends’ Wonderful Friendship  — A show at Cape Cod Cook-Off you can enjoy as you dine

Seasonal Shows — DisneySea hosts holiday-themed shows throughout the year. Right now, the Sky Full of Colors firework show is ongoing (also available at Disneyland).

Fortunately, seasonal greetings and night shows are still happening on the Mediterranean Harbor and do not require any Entry Requests.

Check the official Tokyo Disney Website for the latest parades and shows.

Photo credit: Duy Phan

Popular shows at Tokyo Disneyland: Get Entry Requests for shows on the Tokyo Disney Resort app.

Disney Harmony in Color — A colourful flower petal-themed day parade featuring Mickey Mouse and Disney friends

Mickey’s Magical Music World   — Catch Mickey Mouse and your favourite characters in a live stage performance in the majestic Fantasyland Forest Theatre.

Club Mouse Beat — A dynamic live song and dance show by Mickey Mouse and his Friends

Minnie @Funderland — See Minnie Mouse and her friends on a glittery float, complete with pop music!

9) Catch the mid-day greeting if you don’t win lottery tickets

Entry Request tickets for shows don’t come easy and if you miss the opportunity for shows, save a seat on the Mediterranean Harbor near the railings at least half an hour before the show to secure a good spot for the seasonal greeting.

We caught the Halloween Greeting where Mickey Mouse and Friends sailed around and waved from a giant ship.

10) Escape the afternoon heat and head to Triton’s Kingdom at the Mermaid Lagoon (DisneySea)

Photo credit: Wing1990hk

In the summer, afternoons can get a little overwhelming. Being stuck in outdoor queues surrounded by lots of people might hinder your experience. The best-kept secret really is at the underground area of Mermaid Lagoon — Triton’s Kingdom.

This area is specially catered for little kids so it’s usually not too crowded. Enjoy the aircon as well as a walk through this spectacular underwater-themed area. It’s the perfect refuge from the prickly afternoon sun.

11) Visit Magellan’s for a midday drink (DisneySea)

If dining in a themed restaurant sounds like your cup of tea, we’d highly recommend DisneySea’s Magellan’s — especially if you’re craving a midday alcoholic beverage (Disneyland doesn’t serve alcohol at all).

The decor is an attraction itself with its giant globe at the entrance and hidden dining rooms behind doors disguised as bookshelves. This place gets filled up during the day so definitely get Priority Seating for this restaurant.

*Pro-tip:  From 9AM onwards, you can book Priority Seating with your preferred time later in the day on the app — the other way is to book online the day before but the site is only in Japanese.

Recommended DisneySea Restaurants with Priority seating:  Magellan’s , Horizon Bay Restaurant , Restaurant Sakura , S.S Columbia   Dining Room .

12) Catch the night-time entertainment before the park closes

If you’re still in the park after sunset, catch the stunning firework display at Tokyo DisneySea which happens daily at 8:30PM. We suggest saving a spot at the Mediterranean Waterfront in advance so you get an unobstructed view of the light show.

At Tokyo Disneyland, the Electrical Parade Dreamlights is a night parade you wouldn’t want to miss. With lit-up floats and classic Disney music, the atmosphere is pretty magical.

*Pro-tip: Save a spot for the night parade 45 minutes before it starts!

Bonus: Tokyo DisneySea Itinerary

This is best for fellow kiasu people who want to prioritise the three most exciting rides and the two most popular shows! *assuming the park opens at 9AM.

8AM: Arrive at Maihama Station Stock up on lunch at New Days (convenience store) before taking the Tokyo Disney Line to DisneySea. The queue to enter starts piling up by 7:30AM so it really doesn’t hurt to arrive an hour early.

#1: 9AM — Gates open

9:05AM: Book Disney Premier Access Rides for Toy Story Mania! and Soaring Fantastic Flight Right after uploading your ticket in the app, select your desired time slots for Premier Access so you can plan the rest of the rides around it.

#2: Run to Journey to the Center of the Earth Queues can get a little long in the afternoon as this is one of the few roller coasters in the park, located inside the iconic volcano.

#3: 10:55AM* —  Catch Big Band Beat at Broadway Music Theatre Use the Tokyo Disney Resort app and submit an Entry Request for Big Band Beat.

#4: Queue for Tower of Terror

#5: 1PM* — Catch one of the Seasonal Shows If you didn’t manage to secure an Entry Request for this, we recommend exploring the Arabian section of the park and doing some souvenir shopping.

#6: 2PM — Take a breather and enjoy a picnic lunch Explore the different sections of DisneySea, have your packed lunch at the designated picnic area and book Entry Requests for the Meet & Greet Disney Character sessions.

#7: Make way for Indiana Jones Adventure

#8: Cool off at Magellan’s If it’s too crowded that day, ask the Disney staff for a Priority seat and you will get a timed ticket to come back later.

#9: If you don’t get a seat at Magellan’s, head to Mermaid Lagoon Character Greetings that don’t require an Entry Request are constantly happening within the theatre so you can snap a quick photo with one of the Disney Characters.

4:30PM – 7:15PM: Enjoy skipping the queues with your Premier Access Once you’ve caught the first two shows, take note of the timing on your Premier Access tickets and make your way to the rides within the time period. Fill up the time in between by looking for rides with the shortest wait times on the app.

#10: 8PM — Get ready for the Fireworks show by the Mediterranean Harbor at 8:30PM Double-check the entertainment schedule but it’s good to get seated 30 minutes before the show begins.

*Showtimes may vary across different months.

Getting to Tokyo Disney Resort Parks

If you’re holding on to a JR Pass , the best way to get to Tokyo Disney Resort is via the JR Keiyo Line to Maihama Station — 15 minutes from Tokyo Station. From there, you can board the Disney Resort Line to get to the park (¥260/one-way).

By Bus from Shinjuku Station

If you’re staying in the Shinjuku area, the most direct way is to take the bus from Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal which arrives directly at both Disneyland and DisneySea in 40-50 minutes. You can pre-book your tickets online via Klook .

Hope you found the tips and tricks in this Tokyo Disney Guide helpful! Don’t forget to order your Tokyo Disneyland/Sea Pass before getting there!

Been to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea and discovered new tips? Share with us in the comments!

This post was brought to you by Klook .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by thetravelintern.com 🇸🇬 (@thetravelintern)

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28 comments.

which one is better? disneysea? or universal studio?

It’s really dependent on you! Between Disneyland and Disneysea, Disneysea has more rides while Disneyland has more interesting shows and characters.

USJ is totally different with their other rides and trademark brands. You can check out this guide! https://thetravelintern.com/ultimate-usj-guide-universal-studios-japan-planning/

Are the shows in English or in Japanese?

Is it still worth watching the shows even if it is Japanese?

We’ve been to both parks the last couple of days and we don’t speak Japanese (from the UK) and the language didn’t spoil the enjoyment at all for us.

just a quick update: klook has increased prices for the one day pass at disneyland/sea. it is now SGD 92.90.

Hi xindy, it’s probably due to currency fluctuations. It’s SGD91.2 now!

This is the most helpful post ever!! Can’t wait to go in 2 weeks! Thank you!

hi there, may I know is 1 fast pass can be use by 2 person? meaning I draw 1 fast pass so me and my friend can get into the fast pass lane together. Thank you!

Hi Law, the fast pass is only usable by one person and is tagged to your ticket!

Hi. Does the park have VIP tour guides available like the parks in the US?

Hi Tien Pham,

There are guided tours for sure, though we’re unsure of the VIP ones!

Hi there, the information is really helpful. But I’d like to ask few questions 1. When we are in the queue in fastpass, Is it possible the fasspast running out before our turn? 2. We have 4 persons in a group, can we separate into two groups? For instance, 2 persons queue for ride A regular lane, and 2 persons queue to get the fastpass for ride B. Are they allowed to join the queue in ride A after they got the fastpass for ride B?

Hey Sean, yes! It’s entirely possible for the Fast passes to run out, especially on the really popular rides (mentioned above!). (2) is a great strategy but you’ll have to be a little thick skin and walk through the queue to look for your friends. We only did this for rides with mainly outdoor queues.

hi, the rides that your reccomended, are they suitable for young children below 8?

Toy Story Mania is ok. But the other 2 rides probably not!

Hello! Do you know where are the other FastPass kiosks at DisneySea?

All the FastPast kiosks are near the actual entrance of the rides!

My wife and I went there in 2017 and I produced two vlog episodes out of the entire experience by following some of the tips listed on this page. Feel free to drop a subscribe on my YouTube channel (MervTV) if you like my content. (trying to get to 100 subscribers).

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oys46aVXGao Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Samf6dG0X2E

thanks for sharing!

Hello. We’ll be visiting in two weeks. Do you know if they give military discount? Is it better to purchase the tickets online from the states or does it not make any difference? Thank you so much!

Hi Mikukia, nope I believe there isn’t a military discount as it isn’t a US company. It’s better to purchase your tickets online as you save time and money! https://www.klook.com/activity/589-tokyo-disneyland-japan/?aid=312

Hi, I’m going on a school trip and we only have a half day to go there. Do you know if we can go to both parks with the ticket (like a park hopper) or would we have to pick one only?

Hi Katy, if i’m not wrong, park hopper tickets are only available for 3/4 day passes. So you might have to get two separate entrance tickets. To be very honest though, you definitely would not have time to visit both parks in one day. My suggestion would be to just stick to one!

Wow! This is such a comprehensive and super helpful guide. It is very good and very informative. There is a useful information in it.Thanks for posting.

Hello! I was wondering what are the most popular rides in Tokyo Disneyland and what are their wait time? Also, what rides in Tokyo Disneyland would you recommend? Thanks!

Hey Hailey. Wait times vary wildly from 30mins to 3+hrs depending on the day that you go. Avoid weekends and public holidays for sure. You can get the wait times off the app and website! My suggestion is to perhaps use a proxy to get a sense of the time. For example if you plan to visit on a weekday next month, find a similar weekday before your trip and compare the times.

Personally, I loved Star Wars & Space Mountain.

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Wandering In Disney

A disney theme parks blog.

• Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Planning Guide

Many believe that a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort is nothing more than a pipe dream. Sure, the photos look amazing and everyone raves about it, but traveling to Japan is far different from traveling within the United States. While that is true to a degree, some may be surprised at how attainable at trip to Tokyo Disney Resort (and Japan) is. For those who have decided to go on this amazing trip, or even for those that are simply thinking about it, we’ve created this guide to Tokyo Disney Resort. Our planning guide will include the best times to go to Tokyo Disney Resort, places to stay, where to get park tickets, attraction guides, itineraries, dining tips and reviews, and more. We also have trip planning guides to Disneyland and Disney World .

While we’d like this guide to have every answer to any questions you might have, I also don’t want it to be longer than Moby Dick. Instead, think of this as a jumping off point for a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort. There are many links included within the guide, some to our content and some to other sites that we’ve used. Over time, we’ll have more and more TDR content and will update this guide periodically. More than anything, we want this post to ease some of the burden of what might feel like a monumental task. There are more things to plan and worry about when traveling internationally than there are when going to Disney World or Disneyland, but we think the reward is greater when going to Tokyo Disney Resort. For those just getting started on their planning, here’s a timeline to loosely follow .

Near the end of the post I will discuss whether 2024 is a good time to visit Tokyo Disney Resort. After all of the craziness of the last few years, Japan is open and drawing many tourists. 

I realize that people vacation when they can and sometimes that portion of trip planning isn’t all that flexible. If you can’t be flexible on what year to go, don’t fret. Tokyo Disney Resort and Japan are incredible destinations, regardless of the year. Sure, some are better than others, as we will discuss below, but if you are already planning then this guide will try to help you have an even better time. If you’re simply wondering how the resort differs from the American parks then this post may be a good place to start.

As always, if there is something we didn’t cover or you have a question, then please leave a comment. On to the guide!

When to Visit Tokyo Disney Resort?

Like any other trip, when you visit Tokyo Disney Resort will likely depend on your schedule and priorities. Where it differs is that the trip should include going to cities and landmarks around Japan. For example, we’ve centered some of our trips to Japan around cherry blossom season and fall color season. Both were incredible and had little to do with Tokyo Disney.

Before booking our trip, I did check a crowd calendar to make sure the parks wouldn’t be overrun with people during our potential dates. I’d recommend the same strategy for anyone else. The cherry blossoms and fall colors in Kyoto should likely outweigh any factors that Tokyo Disney Resort brings. But, if your trip is mainly focused on TDR then here is a breakdown of what months we’d recommend, starting with the months we’d probably stay away from. We do have a full post on this subject if you’d like to go further in depth .

Like Disneyland and Disney World, the weather in July and August can be excruciating in Tokyo. Both months are also fairly crowded with the higher crowds being in August. Tokyo can be quite humid in the summer and we’d recommend staying away unless you have no other option. June is also quite warm but doesn’t have as high of crowds, so if you need to travel during the summer months we’d recommend June.

Somewhat surprisingly, one of the busiest months at Tokyo Disney Resort is March. This is because of spring breaks for the schools and student discounts on tickets. If possible, wait until the first week of April is over to visit if you are going to Japan in the spring. February is somewhat similar to March, although the crowds are slightly lower and the weather a little cooler.

September and October are hit and miss crowd wise, thanks to the popularity of Halloween at Tokyo Disney Resort. The average temperature is ideal but it is typhoon season so guests might run into high winds and rain. Of course, if you love Halloween then seeing how TDR decorates may be worth any crowd or weather headaches.

November and early December have lower crowds and the resort does a wonderful job of decorating for Christmas, despite the holiday not being widely celebrated in Japan. The temperatures can be cold but it may be worth it to see the outstanding décor and experience some of the Christmas entertainment. Avoid the week after Christmas, leading into the New Year as the crowds are absurd.

The lowest crowd levels of the year are generally in mid to late January. Sure, weather is cold but it may be a solid trade-off to see the parks empty. Plus, you may be able to see Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea with snow on the ground.

The sweetest spot as far as crowds and temperatures go is April and May, except for Golden Week (a week in Japan with multiple holidays where many people travel). While the events are slightly less interesting than Halloween or Christmas, the parks look beautiful as guests would catch the tail-end of blooming season and the parks will be filled with color. If you have your pick, I’d recommend May or early December.

For a look into what specific week you should visit, this is a great crowd calendar . It is all in Japanese, so either use Google Translate and then decipher from there or check out this post that breaks down the crowd calendar from the excellent TDR Explorer. Last of all but probably most importantly, go to Tokyo Disney Resort on weekdays. The crowds will be much lower and more manageable. While we don’t completely advise planning a trip to Japan around Tokyo Disney Resort, make sure your itinerary has you there on weekdays as opposed to weekends. This isn’t quite as big of an issue post-pandemic but is still smart to try for.

Airfare, Transportation, & Communication

We have a few thoughts on airfare in our post about what a Tokyo Disney Resort vacation would cost . This will be one of the most expensive portions of your trip if you live outside of Japan. Having said that, airfare from the United States to Japan has steadily decreased in price over the last few years. If you live on the west coast, I’ve seen airfare under $700 out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vacouver BC. Other west coast cities, including Seattle and Portland, have airfare below $900 round trip commonly. Throughout America, costs shouldn’t rise much above $1,000 RT and could be less than that if you are close to a major hub like Chicago or New York.

If flying into Tokyo, there are two options – Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND). Narita is the bigger of the two airports and may be the cheaper option. Haneda is closer to Tokyo Disney Resort and has been gaining popularity over the last few years. If you are going straight from the airport to TDR then Haneda may be the better choice but only if it won’t cost you much more than Narita. Traveling from the airport to the resort is a little bit cheaper and faster from Haneda but it’s not much time in the grand scheme of things.

If Kyoto, Osaka or other cities in that region are where you’re starting your itinerary then check out flights into Osaka International (KIX). While likely not cheaper than one of the Tokyo airports, it might save you some money in travel costs in getting from Tokyo to one of those cities.

As usual, we recommend using  Matrix ITA Software to find the best fare when looking for a flight. That site includes nearly all major airlines and is very direct in the information given, with no pop-up ads or other distractions. While you can’t book directly on that site, it will show the cheapest option. If possible when first starting to look into flights (and your trip) we recommend being flexible on dates to find the cheapest option.

Once at the airport, getting to Tokyo Disney Resort is fairly simple. Both Narita and Haneda Airports offer direct buses to the resort and the signage within the airport is pretty clear in how to catch a ride. If you are coming from Tokyo (or outside of Tokyo) via trains then get to Tokyo JR Station and transfer to the Keiyo Line. Follow signage for Tokyo Disney Resort from there.

When you finally make it to the resort, there is an internal monorail to take to your hotel. Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel share a stop. Following that is Bayside Station (the Official Hotels stop), which includes Hilton Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, and other resorts. The next stop is Tokyo DisneySea and Hotel MiraCosta. Finally, the Resort Gateway Station is right next to the JR train line that the trains come from. This is home to Ikspiari (Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Downtown Disney) and the Disney Ambassador Hotel. We loved the monorail and recommend using it when going in between parks and resorts, although it does cost a nominal fee.

For traveling outside of Tokyo Disney Resort but still in Japan, we like the convenience of the Japan Rail Pass . This is offered to foreigners and gives easy access to railroads, including the Shinkansen (bullet train), across the country. If you are traveling throughout Japan rather than just Tokyo then you will get value out of the Rail Pass at least in terms of time. The rail system in Japan is very advanced and can get travelers to nearly any area they want to go. With renting a car being somewhat out of the question for most (we wouldn’t recommend it even if you were feeling up to the challenge) trains are an easy way to get around. Buy the JR Pass before leaving for Japan. Unfortunately, the prices on the pass have been raised in the last year so it’s not as good of a deal.

Here’s a whole post on the subject !

When traveling throughout the country, Google Maps will be a huge help. We recommend putting locations into Google Maps during your trip planning so that you’ll be somewhat familiar with locations. Planning itineraries using landmarks that are close together will make traveling more efficient and enjoyable.

As far as how to get Google Maps to work while walking around Japan, we recommend a device that you can rent called pocket wi-fi . This is essentially a wi-fi hot spot small enough to fit into your pocket that you can connect multiple smart phones (or laptops) to. This will make messaging (multiple messaging apps work), as well as connection to apps or the internet, fairly easy. You can find one here and combine it with a JR Pass purchase.

How Many Days?

This one used to be simple… Four days . As we’ll cover in the park tickets section, the maximum amount of days you used to be able to buy a ticket for is 4 park days. Multi day tickets at Tokyo have not come back yet although I think they will at some point. Regardless, filling up four days at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea is very easy. In fact, I’d recommend more days if it was at all logical or a good value.

Of course, time constraints come into play and eventually you’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. Tokyo, Kyoto and other landmarks in Japan are fantastic destinations in themselves. Staying at TDR for a full week will likely take a hefty chunk out of your trip to Japan. Perhaps that’s fine with you and, if that’s the case, you should stick to a 4-Day pass. If on limited time, I do think you could see most everything with a 3-Day Passport. That’s assuming that you are going during the week and at a less busy time of year. Any lower than 3 days and I’m not sure how you’ll be able to see everything. Perhaps that’s okay with you if you’re more interested in Japan than you are Tokyo Disney Resort. Since you’re reading this blog, we come at it from a Disney centered point of view but can certainly understand being more interested in other aspects of the trip. That said, four days gives you the ability to explore the parks as well as ride and see nearly everything without rushing around.

Where to Stay?

We’ve covered this topic extensively in this post . A quick breakdown of the accommodation situation (feels like a Schoolhouse Rock song) – there are Disney Hotels, Official Hotels, and Partner Hotels or other places throughout Urayasu and Tokyo. The Disney Hotels include Hotel MiraCosta , Tokyo Disneyland Hotel , and the Disney Ambassador Hotel. These hotels are pricey but lavish with outstanding locations. The recently opened and popular Toy Story Hotel fills the mid-range price point. There’s also Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel that would be considered a value Disney hotel. We do not recommend that option, as the location is far worse compared to similarly priced hotels. These hotels do get you into the parks 15 minutes early in the morning, which might not seem like a lot but is beneficial for the headliner rides. Staying at one of these hotels also makes it easy to book dining reservations ahead of time. If you have the means, the high-end Disney Hotels are incredible.

The Official Hotels are also very nice and with a great location. No, they aren’t Disney hotels but they are usually far cheaper. Their location is mere minutes away from the parks while still being high quality hotels. The Official Hotels include a Hilton, Sheraton and several other Japanese chain hotels. If you are wanting to stay somewhere nice and close but are looking to save a little money then one of these hotels is the way to go.

Lastly, the partner hotels or staying at an Airbnb away from the parks is an option. Frankly, we wouldn’t recommend this unless you are on an extremely strict budget. Even then, we’d recommend trying to save elsewhere. Transportation can be a bit of a headache if you are staying outside of the resort grounds and makes getting to the parks on-time in the morning quite difficult. While we don’t recommend them while staying at Tokyo Disney Resort, we have had several wonderful experiences staying in Airbnb’s throughout Japan, specifically in Kyoto and Tokyo. We don’t recommend it here unless you can get a spot very close to Tokyo Disney Resort but do recommend that route for other legs of your Japan journey.

Park Tickets

Tokyo Disney Resort tickets are far more affordable than the Disney Resorts stateside. This isn’t because there is some secret site to go and buy discounted tickets but simply because the tickets are cheaper. With a 1-day ticket costing less than $70 depending on the time of year, the value is already there. Currently, Tokyo Disney uses a dynamic pricing model with a 1-day ticket so it can be anywhere from around $50 USD up to 80.

In the past, Tokyo Disney Resort also offered Starlight Passports (just under $50) which give guests a chance to enter after 3 PM on select national holidays, Saturdays and Sundays. On weekdays, After 6 Passports (under $40) are offered and they allow guests to go into a park of their choosing after 6 PM. While neither ticket is an extremely good value, it is a way to get a little extra park time out of your trip while perhaps exploring Tokyo or another city during the day. We started off our Tokyo Disney Resort stay with an After 6 Ticket before using a 4-day ticket and I thought the strategy worked well, although it’s not a great value. These tickets aren’t offered at the moment but I’m hopeful they’ll come back.

The easiest way to buy tickets is through the Tokyo Disney website or app. You can buy them 2 months in advance and it’s a fairly simple process, following steps as directed. If you are staying at a hotel affiliated with Tokyo Disney, meaning the official hotels (like the Hilton, Sheraton, etc.) or Disney Hotels, then you can buy your tickets there, as well. If you go that route, I recommend doing that the night before you enter the parks as it saves time in the morning and waiting in line at the ticket booths is a hassle, especially on busy days. There’s really no reason to do anything other than buy them on the app or website.

Attractions, Itineraries and Guides

Both parks have a number of world class attractions and we’ve ranked them all. This probably goes without saying but prioritize the ones that we rank in the top ten!

• Tokyo Disneyland Attraction Rankings
• Tokyo DisneySea Attraction Rankings

Of course, there are more to the parks than just attractions. Tokyo Disney Resort is full of incredible entertainment, from jaw-dropping parades to outstanding stage shows. The resort just debuted a new daytime parade and the nighttime option, Dreamlights , is the best we’ve ever seen. DisneySea is home to giant harbor shows that are quite a spectacle as well as our favorite stage show of all time – Big Band Beat . On top of that, both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea have beautiful lands that you should take plenty of time to explore and enjoy. With all of this in mind, we’ve created 1-Day Itineraries to each park that try to encompass the best of attractions, shows, food and wandering.

• Tokyo Disneyland 1-Day Itinerary
• Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Itinerary

While we tried to incorporate this into our itineraries, make sure to give yourself time to relax and wander the park. Part of the charm of these parks is some of the beautifully detailed lands inside of them. I could walk around Tokyo DisneySea for an entire day without riding an attraction and be perfectly happy. Tokyo Disneyland isn’t far behind in that regard either. A few of our favorite lands in these parks are Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Mysterious Island, and Arabian Coast in DisneySea and Westernland, Fantasyland, and World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland.

The food in Japan is one of the things that we’re asked most about. While we understand that foreign food can be intimidating, it’s much ado about nothing really. Japanese food is mild, as far as spices go, and full of flavor.  Outside of putting too much mayonnaise on a few random items, we thoroughly enjoyed everything we tried while in Japan.

Tokyo Disney Resort’s food is even less foreign than that as there are plenty of different options throughout the parks. While there are some traditional Japanese restaurants throughout Tokyo Disney Resort, there’s also American, Italian, Chinese, and standard theme park food that we’d find throughout Disneyland and Disney World.  We haven’t made it to every Tokyo Disney restaurant but we do have a number of reviews listed below.

The food throughout TDR and Japan, as a whole, is cheaper than what we’re used to in America. Magellan’s, arguably the best theme park restaurant in the world, has 3-course meals that are cheaper than some standard table-service restaurant entrees in Disney World. It’s easy to find table-service meals for under $30/person and counter-service meals for under $15/person. Dining prices are an easy way to save some money on a trip to Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland dining reviews:

• Crystal Palace (table-service)
• Hungry Bear Restaurant (counter-service)
• China Voyager (counter-service)
• Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall (counter-service)
• La Taverne de Gaston (counter-service)
• Pan Galactic Pizza Port (counter-service)

Tokyo DisneySea dining reviews:

• Magellan’s (table-service)
• Ristorante di Canaletto (table-service)
• Restaurant Sakura (table-service)
• New York Deli (counter-service)
• Vulcania (counter-service)
• Zambini Brothers Ristorante (counter-service)
• Horizon Bay Restaurant (counter-service)
• Casbah Food Court (counter-service)
• Cafe Portofino (counter-service)

Along with some fantastic restaurants, Tokyo Disney Resort is home to some of the best, and definitely the cutest, snacks in any Disney Park. This post ranks all of the snacks we’ve tried at both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea . Make sure you set aside some time and funds for snacking around the parks. All in all, dining in Japan and Tokyo Disney Resort is something to look forward to, not something to be afraid of.

Outside of the Parks and Resources

If this hasn’t come through already in this guide, we absolutely loved Japan outside of Tokyo Disney Resort. From Kyoto’s contemplative history to Tokyo’s futuristic skyline, both cities made a lasting impression on us. Kyoto has become our favorite city in the world and one we long to visit nearly every day. I can’t recommend it enough. Tokyo is overwhelming to the senses and fascinating. While we loved both cities, we only were able to experience a fraction of them so we are far from experts. To read about our travels in Japan, check out this trip report . In the future we look forward to experiencing Hiroshima, Nara, Himeji Castle, and other landmarks throughout the country.

For better resources of what to do in Japan check out Travel Caffeine , an excellent travel website by Tom Bricker ( Disney Tourist Blog also has great Tokyo Disney Resort tips). He has developed the best online resource to Kyoto there is, as well as other cities in Japan. TDR Explorer is another exceptional resource to Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan, and other theme parks in Asia. In planning our travel, we used these sites extensively as well as Lonely Planet’s Japan Guide . If you have questions about Japan please let us know in the comments!

Should You Visit Tokyo Disney Resort in 2024?

Yes! The country is open, the resort is in decent shape and one of the biggest expansions in theme park history is set to open in June. Naturally, this means that the summer months at the park will be quite crowded. If you feel like you can handle that, go for it! Otherwise, going this fall or winter would be fantastic. The next big project Tokyo Disney is opening isn’t until 2027 so there’s no time like the present.

Tokyo Disneyland boasts a new Beauty and the Beast attraction as well as the soon to be Fantasy Springs. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast opened in 2020 during the pandemic. In June, DisneySea will be adding Fantasy Springs , a multi-billion (that’s billion with a B) dollar expansion. There’s no doubt that the land will be a sight to behold.

Regardless of when you’re able to visit Tokyo Disney Resort we know that you’ll have the time of your life. These are two of the best Disney Parks in the world and Japan as a whole is a beautiful place to discover. We couldn’t recommend traveling there highly enough.

We hope this guide has been helpful! If you have any thoughts or questions, please leave a comment down below. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!

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Categories: Trip Planning Guides

Tagged as: Disney Parks Travel Guide , Tokyo Disney Resort , Tokyo Disney Resort Guide , Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Planning Guide , Tokyo Disneyland , Tokyo DisneySea

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great article and travel guide, thanks

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Top 15 Tokyo DisneySea Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for a Stress-Free Visit

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Boom! If you’ve decided to spend your hard-earned yen on a Tokyo DisneySea ticket, you’ve chosen well.

Tokyo DisneySea is the world’s fourth most visited theme park attracting almost 6 million visitors each year.

Aday out in this unique theme park is not worth being wasted on travel, queues, and other inconveniences.

Use these 15 tips, tricks, and hacks to ensure you and your crew get the most out of your Tokyo DisneySea visit.

Get ready for an enchanting adventure and secure your tickets for Tokyo DisneySea today!

Table of Contents

Top 15 Tokyo DisneySea tips, tricks, and hacks for a stress-free visit

A trip to Tokyo DisneySea doesn’t need to be wasted on queues and travel.

Focus on the adventure with these 15 smart hacks for a great time at Japan’s #1 theme park:

• Opt for Happy Entry
• Study a crowd forecast calendar
• Use PremierAccess wisely
• Book in advance
• Eat at non-peak times
• Book hotel nearby
• Don’t forget Duffy the Disney Bear
• Try exclusive snacks
• Try all popcorn flavors
• Get FASTPASSES
• Get Premier Access for Soaring Fantastic Flight
• Hop on Tokyo Disney Resort Bus from Tokyo Skytree
• You can buy tickets in 7 Eleven stores
• Prioritize visiting Toy Story Mania
• Pack an extra layer of clothes and a rain poncho

Now, let’s zoom in and analyze the specifics of each hack.

1. opt for Happy Entry

If you are staying at a Tokyo Disney Resorts Hotel, opt for Happy Entry.

We all know you have to turn up super-early to be at the head of the queue, but why waste time in the public queue when you can use your Happy Entry Privilege and enter the park up to 15 minutes before anyone else?

When you check in, staff will tell you the Happy Entry opening time, so make a note of it and start your DisneySea adventure before anyone else!

Also Read 📖

• Japanese Theme Park Rules You Should Follow
• 38 Japanese Theme Parks for You to Visit

2. Study a crowd forecast calendar

I suggest you study a crowd forecast calendar to plan the best time to visit Tokyo DisneySea.

Google can help you work out the best time of the week or year to buy your Tokyo Disney Resort tickets.

Simply search for ‘Tokyo DisneySea crowd forecast calendar’ to find handy calendars that tell you the busiest periods at the park.

Queue Times has a great Tokyo Disney Resort calendar that highlights days in red, amber, or green according to how busy the park is.

3. Premier Access on ONE ride

Choose well because you can only use Premier Access on ONE ride!

Tokyo DisneySea has some of the best Disney rides in the world, so it’s well worth making sure that you have at least one hassle-free experience by using the Premier Access service.

For about 2000 yen, you can use PremierAccess to board a ride immediately at a designated time, without a long queue. However, Tokyo DisneySea only allows you to do this for one ride. Book via the Tokyo Disney Resort App .

4. book way in advance

If you’re from overseas, you gotta book waaaay in advance.

Let’s keep it real. Tokyo DisneySea is much more popular than Tokyo Disneyland because there is nowhere else like it on Earth! 

Want to know more about Tokyo Disneyland vs Tokyo DisneySea? Check out my article: Tokyo Disneyland vs Tokyo DisneySea Which one should I visit?

Also, Tokyo locals love TDR and will visit frequently.

This means that you’ll have to book way in advance to have your Tokyo Disney Resort’s hotel and park tickets sorted.

The Japanese always book in advance . so leave at least three months between booking tickets and your trip. 

5. Have meals at Tokyo DisneySea at odd hours

Getting a sit-down meal or even quick counter service at Tokyo DisneySea can be an ordeal!

The key to escaping the longest queues is to eat at non-peak times, usually the odd hours of the day.

Another way you can have an easier time eating is to eat at the restaurants that are furthest away from the main entrance.

And if you want table service, don’t leave it to chance. Make a reservation at the restaurant of your choice online up to one month before your visit. Or make a last-minute booking at 9 am on the day of your visit. 

See Also – What’s Unique about Tokyo Disneyland Resort?

6. staying outside of the Tokyo Disney Resort?

If you’re staying outside of the Tokyo Disney Resort book a hotel that is as close to the resort property as possible.

The official Tokyo Disney Resort hotels are more expensive and fill up quickly compared to a wide range of nearby hotels. Many visitors save money by booking a hotel that is outside the Tokyo Disney Resort for their trip. 

There are several cheap hotels for Tokyo Disney Resort, some of which even offer a shuttle service to and from the park.

One of my top picks is Family Resort Fifty’s For Maihama , which is under 2 kilometers from the park entrance.

They offer great value accommodation from as little as $55 per room per night.

Family Resort Fifty’s For Maihama

7. duffy the disney bear merch is only available at tokyo disneysea.

Die-hard fans and collectors of Duffy the Disney Bear (ダッフィー) can only find him in Tokyo DisneySea.

You can buy all sorts of nautical Duffy and Friends merchandise, including limited-edition items that sell out extremely quickly.

8. Try exclusive Tokyo DisneySea snacks during your visit

One of the other things that makes a trip to Tokyo Disney Sea special, is the delicious and exclusive snacks that you can eat there. 

I think they are far better than the food at Tokyo Disneyland. 

Even if you brought food into the park, save a few yen to treat yourself to:

• Mysterious Island Gyoza Dog – a delicious, sausage-stuffed dumpling (Nautilus Galley)
• The Chandu Tail – steamed chicken bun (Sultan’s Oasis)
• The Sultan’s Sandae – coconut ice cream sundae (Sultan’s Oasis)
• Maple Cream Balls – choux pastry dessert (Sultan’s Oasis)
• Ukiwa Buns – life-preserver-shaped shrimp-laden buns (Seaside Snacks in Port Discovery)
• Snacks and beer in Barnacle Bill’s (American Waterfront)

9. popcorn flavors at Tokyo DisneySea

Don’t forget to try all the crazy popcorn flavors at Tokyo DisneySea.

My #1 favorite thing at Tokyo DisneySea is the delicious popcorn flavors that are exclusive. They are all priced between 400 and 500 yen.

Make sure you try these delicious flavors from the popcorn wagons around the park:

• Black pepper popcorn
• Matcha white chocolate popcorn
• Salted popcorn
• Curry popcorn
• Soy sauce and butter popcorn
• Milk chocolate popcorn
• Garlic shrimp popcorn
• Caramel popcorn

Remember to treat yourself to a souvenir popcorn bucket or popcorn sleeve which you can buy from the wagon. 

10. grab FASTPASSES

When you enter the Tokyo DisneySea, grab  FASTPASSES immediately.

It does involve a fair bit of running around first thing in the morning, but getting FASTPASSES will make your day run so much more smoothly.  

FASTPASSES are paper passes that provide you with a time slot for your ride. You save an average of 30 minutes of wait time by using them.

However, they aren’t unlimited, so head over to your priority rides to get them before they run out – and keep track of the time!

11. Spend Premier Access on Soaring: Fantastic Flight

If you want to go on Soaring: Fantastic Flight, it’s well worth spending on Premier Access

Soaring: Fantastic Flight is the amazing Tokyo DisneySea version of the Soarin’ attraction in Disney parks around the world.

This spectacular museum of flight, with its legendary ride, is one of the highlights of a trip to Tokyo DisneySea but unfortunately, the queues are just as amazing:

You can easily wait for more than 2 hours to access Soaring: Fantastic Flight.

So this is where I recommend that you pay the 2000 yen ($14) Premier Access fee to essentially jump the queue.

It’s an amazing ride, but you have other things to see and do during those two hours.

12. Staying in a regular Tokyo hotel?

Hop on the Tokyo Disney Resort Bus from Tokyo Skytree!

Visitors in central Tokyo can get a dedicated Tokyo Disney Resort® Line shuttle that transports them between Tokyo Skytree Town and Tokyo DisneySea in around 45 minutes.

The bus leaves for Tokyo Disney Resort from Ueno Asakusa in Tokyo Skytree Town . 2023 prices for the shuttle are 800 yen for an adult and 400 yen for children (under 3s ride for free). The earliest bus leaves for Tokyo Disney Resorts at 06:50 am. 

13. Buy Tokyo DisneySea tickets at 7 Eleven stores

Did you know you can buy Tokyo DisneySea tickets at 7 Eleven stores in Japan?!

Crazy huh? But yes, the urban myth is true! 

In Tokyo, certain convenience stores are official Tokyo Disney Resort ticket vendors .

Apart from the park itself, you can purchase your Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea tickets from:

• JTB travel agency outlets
• 7 Eleven stores
• FamilyMart stores
• Ministop convenience stores 
• Lawson stores

Always buy in advance to save time on the day!

14. Prioritize visiting Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania is an attraction that is exclusive to Tokyo DisneySea and has earned rave reviews from visitors from around the world.

If you are traveling to Tokyo DisneySea with your family it is a ride to prioritize as all ages and abilities can enjoy it!

Toy Story Mania has a vibrant carnival atmosphere with lots of games that feature your favorite Toy Story characters.

You can find Toy Story Mania on the American Waterfront and use Premier Access to get in quickly.

15. Pack an extra layer of clothes and a rain poncho

It’s easy to forget that the Tokyo Disney Sea is right on Tokyo Bay. You are going to get authentic marine weather that includes rain and a distinct chill in the evening.

Make sure you pack a rain poncho or sweater so you have to be warm and comfortable in the evening!

Don’t miss out on the magic, grab your tickets for Tokyo DisneySea now!

[BONUS] Stay for the evening show!

It’s tempting to beat the rush and get out of the park well before closing time. But the evening shows at Tokyo DisneySea are truly amazing.

After sunset (8:30 pm) there is a seasonal Sky Full of Colors evening show that features fireworks, and classic songs. The perfect end to a great day at Tokyo DisneySea!

About the author

Renee Christian

Renée Christian is a writer and long-standing travel enthusiast who enjoys learning about other countries, cultures, and foods! When she’s not perfecting a ramen bowl or tempura recipe in the kitchen, you’ll find her in her permaculture garden or trekking the nearest coastal path!

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New Wreck-It Ralph Ride Replacing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland

Disney announced that a new attraction based on the world of Wreck-It Ralph will debut at Tomorrowland in Tokyo Disneyland during fiscal year 2026 or later. This shares full details and concept art, plus extensive commentary–including the “Walt Disney World Connection” (and there are a couple big ones) for those who don’t have plans to visit Japan.

Let’s start with the official details. This new Wreck-It Ralph attraction at Tokyo Disneyland will be an indoor interactive game play experience, perfect for children and adults, that will be created by reimagining the existing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters attraction. As a result, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters will permanently close in October 2024. A specific date has not yet been announced, but expect another send-off event for that fan-favorite ride.

Wreck-It Ralph , which serves as the theme for the new attraction, is an arcade-game-hopping adventure from Walt Disney Animation Studios. Ralph, who has played the bad guy in his popular video game, embarks on an action-packed journey as he sets out to prove to everyone that he is a true hero with a big heart. As he explores exciting new worlds, he teams up with some unlikely new friends including feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz.

In the upcoming Wreck-It Ralph attraction, enter the candy-themed racing game Sugar Rush, which is being attacked by Sugar Bugs – glitches created by King Candy. Guests team up with the beloved film characters Ralph and Vanellope to transform the Sugar Bugs back to their original “kawaii” confectionery such as cookies and cakes.

Guests can look forward to this new attraction at Tokyo Disneyland and immerse themselves in the world of the candy-themed racing game, Sugar Rush, while embarking on a thrilling adventure. The Planet M gift shop will also close and be rethemed ( concept art below ).

This is part of a bigger-picture New Tomorrowland project that revolves around rebuilding Space Mountain ( concept art below ). That $437 million project is expected to feature placemaking in addition to bringing a brand-new roller coaster type that’s never been used in any Disney park.

Sections of track have arrived to a staging area behind Tokyo Disneyland, and one of the first sections appears to be a portion of drop track manufactured by Intamin. That means it will  not  use the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride system (different manufacturer), and will instead be something Imagineering has never done before.

Turning to commentary, this is interesting for several reasons. The first is that Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is one of the more popular rides at Tokyo Disneyland. The ride regularly commands wait times of around an hour, which is–on average–higher than Peter Pan’s Flight.

Not only that, but Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters is on the newer side, opening in 2004 at Tokyo Disneyland. Despite that, it’s better maintained than the newer version (by 1 year) of the same attraction at Disneyland in California. The ride still  feels fresh thanks to high upkeep standards, and while it’s noticeably less modern than the newest incarnation at Shanghai Disneyland, it’s lighyears ahead of the version at Magic Kingdom.

To put this into perspective, this is almost the equivalent to reimagining Splash Mountain. It takes a popular ride that doesn’t feel like it’s in need of a replacement…and does it anywhere. Obviously there are key differences in motivations–Buzz Lightyear is not a controversial character in Japan ( yet…we don’t know what he has planned this summer)– but it’s a somewhat similar scenario.

In a nutshell, this means that nothing is safe in Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland, other than the new Happy Ride with Baymax and probably Monsters Inc Ride & Go Seek (but even the latter has seen its popularity slip significantly in the last few years). It’s an inevitability that Stitch Encounter will be replaced at some point in the not-too-distant future, and even Star Tours – The Adventures Continue could go.

Those aren’t my biggest fears, though. Rather, it’s Pan Galactic Pizza Port and intergalactic hero Tony Solaroni. This is all part of an area called “ AstroZone ,” which was built as a placemaking project alongside the original Star Tours to alleviate congestion. The official backstory is that aliens crashed and constructed a base from parts of their damaged spaceship to communicate with their home planet. This means a lot of satellites and other (at the time) futuristic space junk. This is no longer the dominant aesthetic of Tomorrowland, and it’s almost certainly all going to change.

We are avid Solaronians (Tony Solaroni is a Sonny Eclipse-like character who toils over a pizza machine all-day in a delightfully bizarre show with some interesting undertones), but the restaurant and its surrounding area has a decidedly 1990s-kitsch feel to it. Although this is “just a pizza place,” we will be devastated when it goes. We’ve made many great memories watching Tony Solaroni. We are well aware that it’s (beyond) time and thus won’t be mad about the change…but it’ll be a big blow to our nostalgia.

As for why this is happening, it’s part of a long-term goal for Tokyo Disneyland to receive “area-based development for each themed land, to take place in stages, intended to leave a lasting impact.” That’s kind of meaningless PR speak, but what I’ve taken that to mean is that OLC wants to transform Tokyo Disneyland into its own unique park. So much of the original was copied and pasted from Walt Disney World or Disneyland, and the goal is to get away from that.

Much of the look of Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland was borrowed liberally from Magic Kingdom. (You can read more about this in Tokyo Disneyland: Bizarro Magic Kingdom , which focuses heavily on Tomorrowland.) This also has me worried that Tokyo Disneyland will change the iconic entrance, which still features the spires that were the focal point for the U.S. versions of Tomorrowland prior to their 90s redos.

These twin towering monoliths are sleek and bright, with greener than green grass and beautifully-maintained tile at the bottom of the waterway under the bridge to Tomorrowland. The entrance to Tomorrowland at Tokyo Disneyland simply oozes optimism. It’s still stunning. Whereas I understand why Tony Solaroni’s days are probably numbered and can accept that, I don’t think the same is true for these spires.

As for the “Walt Disney World Connection,” there are two components to this. The first is that there were strong rumors of a  Wreck-It Ralph  attraction for Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom dating back to around 2017. Those really died down around the time the Play Pavilion was announced, which was instead going to be the home to a  Wreck-It Ralph  presence at Walt Disney World. But guess what isn’t happening now?!

Nevertheless, I’m highly skeptical that Walt Disney World is getting a Wreck-It Ralph  ride. I just don’t think the character has had the staying power necessary to justify it (I’m honestly surprised Tokyo Disneyland is getting this). If Magic Kingdom were to get a new character IP in Tomorrowland, it would probably be something Stitch or Baymax. That’s just my gut–not anything credible.

Moreover, the rumored Wreck-It Ralph  ride for Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom was to replace Stitch’s Great Escape. Although I’d imagine some of the assets could be shared between the two, it was a totally different concept. Still, it’s a vague possibility of that being revived if Imagineering is already working on something Wreck-It Ralph for Tokyo.

It would also make sense that Disney would announce this now in advance of D23 Expo, as Oriental Land Co. owns Tokyo Disneyland and is not bound to that event. While new details are sometimes shared about upcoming attractions, the announcements are more geared towards the parks Disney actually owns…especially the ones in the United States. Tokyo Disneyland also likes to do send-off events for outgoing attractions, so announcing in August and then closing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters in October would be inconsistent with their normal precedent.

Speaking of OLC owning Tokyo Disneyland, this also means that the Wreck-It Ralph  ride does NOT count towards the $60 billion investment planned for the parks in the next decade. Disney does not invest any money in the Japan parks. Actually, it’s the opposite–Disney is  paid  for what goes into Tokyo Disney Resort. The big reason Imagineering pitches OLC hard on clones from the U.S. parks is because it dilutes and thereby reduces per-park costs for those additions.

The bottom line there is that Walt Disney World could still get a separate Wreck-It Ralph attraction announcement at D23 Expo. It’s not something I had on my bingo card–and still won’t be adding since I think the odds are pretty low–but the chances just did increase slightly.

The Walt Disney World Connection that I think ( and hope! ) is more likely is an update to Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin with Tokyo’s hand-me-downs. It’s pretty safe to assume the new Wreck-It Ralph ride at Tokyo Disneyland will reuse the existing ride system, vehicles, and layout…but nothing else. That means everything from the blasters themselves to the show scenes will go.

All of this stuff is in great shape, and could be used to spruce up the Walt Disney World version of the Buzz Lightyear ride. Space Ranger Spin has been limping along for years, and importing newer tech and showpieces from Tokyo could breathe new life into the attraction. Honestly, my first choice would be a full-scale reimagining that brings new characters to this space (how many Toy Story rides does Walt Disney World really need?), but I’d happily settle for a refresh.

This also doesn’t seem super likely, but is probably more likely than Magic Kingdom getting a sorta-similar-but-not-really Wreck-It Ralph ride. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has gotta be nearing the end of its useful life–I cannot really imagine it escaping the next decade without a reimagining or outright replacement. So it’s probably getting some of that $60 billion at some point; it might be nice if that amount were lower thanks to hand-me-downs from Tokyo.

With all of that said, when it comes to the U.S. parks, the outcome with the highest probability is Disneyland in California getting some of the stuff from Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland to use as spares or to refresh that ride. Those two versions are pretty close to the same, and there are components of the Disneyland version of Astro Blasters that are really showing their age.

But with Burbank about to turn on the money spigot for Walt Disney World and Disneyland, we can dream of bigger plans for the Tomorrowlands in Florida and California. Both of these lands in the U.S. parks need much more help than their counterpart in Japan, so let’s hope this is simply the beginning of many Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow(lands)!

Planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort? For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our  Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Trip Planning Guide ! For more specifics, our  TDR Hotel Rankings & Reviews  page covers accommodations. Our  Restaurant Reviews  detail where to dine & snack. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our  Tips for Saving Money  post. Our  What to Pack for Disney  post takes a unique look at clever items to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Consult our  Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Japan  and  City Guide to Tokyo, Japan .

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of a Wreck-It Ralph ride replacing Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters at Tokyo Disneyland? Hopeful that Walt Disney World and Disneyland follow suit? Or would you be satisfied if Magic Kingdom got TDL’s hand-me-downs from Astro Blasters to reinvigorate this dated shooter? Agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Very excited for this news. I recently got to ride the Ant Man shooter in Hong Kong which of course, used to be a Buzz Lightyear ride. Was shocked how much of a massive upgrade that was. Better tech for aiming/shooting, fun story, and really impressive new sets. Plus, they removed the spinning feature, which was a huge bonus in my opinion (Tom, you’ll understand why this is a good thing, when Megatron is roughly 2-3 years old).

Suffice to say, if Disney can do an upgrade that good to this type of ride on their own, then I can’t wait to see what happens here, with this one in the hands of OLC. Should be awesome!

I’m probably the only one with this opinion and it definitely isn’t happening, but I think it would be really fun to re-theme Test Track to a Sugar Rush kart-style ride. Test Track has always felt thematically blah to me because it’s essentially just a Chevrolet advertisement (but they’re the ones sponsoring the ride so they get the say on what happens to it.)

I can’t get excited more!! ✨I was impressed by their decision to bring Wreck It Ralph to Tokyo, and how OLC knows their audience. (So relieved that they didn’t bring Marvels ) Venellope and Ralph would make Tomorrow land more warm and kawaii, and sure the merchandise will make good sales than now(sorry Buzz).

When the news broke last night, the first thing I said to my wife was “Tony Solaroni isn’t safe”

The last three trips we’ve made to the park, we made it a point to sit and watch the entire show loop on the balcony and enjoy some piping fresh pan galactic pizza. Even though it seems inevitable, it will truly be devastating.

I know odds are slim, but I hope Disney Archive can get their hands on and preserve Tony.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue at Tokyo did not get the recent updates as California, Florida and Paris did. Does this seem to indicate it will be replaced? It seems like this has nothing to do with the Tokyo “does not update its attractions” thing (and their Star Tours actually got the previous updates just like at the other parks).

I’ve been putting off a trip to the Tokyo parks until my youngest was tall enough to ride everything – and he’s nearly there! Do you think the odds are good that this might debut by April 2026, or is it more likely going to be a Summer or Fall addition?

I am glad that Tokyo is doing something to update its Tomorrow Land as arguably it needed the help the most given it hadnt even had the arguable failures of the updates of the US parks(mostly budget related and hurts Disneyland more granted).

It does have me wondering whether if this is a sucess this is one of the rides that gets copy and pasted into Paris either at Studios/Adventure World or as an easy look heres something new in Disneyland Paris because the development will be paid for the OLC. I dont think its as easy to uupgrade Buzz in the US parks although they could definately use a few months refurb and I guess if Splash can go and the Bears got updated its possible.

I do think its going to feel really weird in Tomorrowland Tokyo Disneyland come Feb 25 when I go as I went when they were refurbing them in May last year. Although I guess its a case of there will be plenty to see given the opening of Disney Springs at Disneysea-assuming that I can even get in it!

So it’s a shooter, but it’s in the environment of a Kart racing ride. Huh, I wonder where I’ve seen this before?

We rode the MK Buzz Lightyear ride in February and I was disappointed in how lackluster it seemed, although I had lots of fun memories of it from Disneyland. I figured at the time that I’m just used to the newer, more advanced rides and this one just isn’t exciting anymore. I hadn’t realized that the MK version was older than the DL version. Interesting to learn. My kids had fun on it which is (maybe) all that matters, but they both agreed it’s skippable next time.

That seems like an odd choice. Wreck it Ralph will be 14 years old when this opens. While it’s a good movie, I’m not sure it has the “timeless classic” feel to it. Even when it came out, much of it is based on nostalgia for older arcade games, by 2026 I’m not sure any of the park’s main demographics will have played those. That said, I’m sure it will be a fun attraction. We didn’t get to ride Buzz on our trip last year because it was in the middle of a 5-month refurb. I’m a little disappointed we’ll never get to ride that version now! But with such a major refurb pretty recently, everything should be in good shape if they do want to move some of it to the US.

If it’s any consolation, if you have been on the versions of the attraction at Disneyland, Paris, or (formerly) Hong Kong, you’ve essentially experienced it already.

Good to know, Will. We have ridden the DLP and Disneyland versions. Though I like to keep a record of my high scores in all the parks. 🙂

I think it’s arguably an odd choice from the perspective of longevity, but the Wreck-It Ralph does have a gamified ride concept right there in it. So it doesn’t feel fairly obvious from that perspective.

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These are the Most Attended Theme Parks in the World

Posted: May 1, 2024 | Last updated: May 1, 2024

As some of the most popular tourist spots in the world, theme parks have long been a great place to visit. Fun for families and adults, theme parks are now self-contained resort complexes that offer everything you need and then some. You’ll now find as many dining options as rides and activities. 

With this in mind, let’s look at the most attended theme parks in the world so parents can start planning today. It’s important to note that 2023 attendance numbers won’t be out until later this year, so the Theme Index Report uses 2022 numbers.

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Magic Kingdom

It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Magic Kingdom is the world’s most attended theme park. The crown jewel in Disney’s theme park lineup, Magic Kingdom features six different lands. Across Main Street U.S.A., Frontierland, Adventureland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland, there is always something to do. In 2022, more than 17.13 million people visited Magic Kingdom in the U.S.

Disneyland Park

Arguably the world’s first modern amusement park, Disneyland California was officially opened by Walt Disney on July 17, 1955. Located in Anaheim, California, Disneyland offers incredible attractions like Autopia, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Frontierland, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. In 2022, Disneyland had 16.8 million visitors, a 97% increase over 2021.

Universal Studios Japan

Hosting more than 12.3 million visitors in 2022, Universal Studios Japan is the third most-visited theme park in the world. Planning for the 130-acre park began in December 1992 with opening day held on March 31, 2001. The Japanese location includes 10 different areas including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Hollywood, WaterWorld, and Sesame Street.

Tokyo Disneyland

With over 12 million visitors in 2022, Tokyo Disneyland is the fourth most attended theme park in the world. A 115-acre park right outside Tokyo, Tokyo Disneyland was the first Disney location built outside the U.S. With an opening on April 15, 1983, Tokyo Disneyland is not owned by Disney. Instead, it’s owned by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses Disney’s intellectual property.

Islands of Adventure

Located in Orlando Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure is part of the Universal Studios experience. The park is believed to be a journey of exploration with a variety of different themed islands. The property includes many popular experiences including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, and Skull Island. More than 11.02 million people visited in 2022.

Hollywood Studios

Delivering an awesome experience to 10.9 million visitors in 2022, Hollywood Studios makes it look easy. Located in Orlando, Florida, Hollywood Studios opened up on May 1, 1989. The third of four theme parks Disney operates in Orlando, Hollywood Studios is divided into seven unique areas. Both Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge have become huge hits since their openings in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Universal Studios Florida

With 2022 attendance hitting a four-year high of 10.75 million people, Universal Studios Florida is a major attraction. First opened to the world on June 7, 1990, the park is owned and operated by NBCUniversal. Along with its multiple rides, the park also includes a sister park next door and CityWalk, an outdoor entertainment and dining area.

Tokyo DisneySea

Opening up on September 4, 2001, The Oriental Land Company owns Tokyo DisneySea. Similar to Tokyo Disneyland, all of Disney’s intellectual property is licensed for use in the park. Of course, the 10.1 million visitors in 2022 just focus on seeing Disney magic regardless of the owner. Across the area, there are a total of seven different themed lands including Mysterious Island, Arabian Coast, and Mermaid Lagoon.

The second of Disney’s major experiences in Orlando, Epcot was the last park Walt Disney worked on before his death. Walt Disney’s vision was for Epcot to be an experimental concept for the city of tomorrow. While Epcot didn't quite become a city, it did see more than 10 million people come through in 2022. The park is currently broken up into two distinct areas: Future World and World Showcase.

Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris

Hosting 9.93 million visitors in 2022, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris opened its doors in April 1992. The first of two Disney locations, the layout of Disneyland in Paris is almost the same as Disneyland in California. Across 140 acres, the area is almost completely dedicated to fairy tales and Disney characters. While it’s the 10th most attended park in the world, it’s number one in all of Europe.

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Hotel at new Tokyo DisneySea area shown to press

Oriental Land showed to the press on Tuesday a hotel located in Tokyo DisneySea's new "Fantasy Springs" area, which is scheduled to open on June 6.

One of the two, "Fantasy Chateau," has 419 rooms with interiors featuring decorations with motifs of flora and fauna, and the landmark "Fantasy Springs" of the new area, as well as designs of popular characters such as Rapunzel.

All 56 rooms at the other building, higher-end "Grand Chateau," have a balcony and terrace from which the whole of the theme park can be viewed, and guests will be given a ticket allowing them to enter attractions smoothly.

The minimum overnight fee is ¥66,000 for rooms at Fantasy Chateau and ¥341,000 for those at Grand Chateau.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

Breaking News

Will Disneyland get an Avatar land? It’s likely. Here’s what else may be in store

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With the city of Anaheim unanimously voting to pass DisneylandForward , the Disneyland Resort will be forever changed.

Twice in the last 69 years, Disneyland has been significantly transformed. Four years after the park opened in 1959, Disneyland added its monorail, the Matterhorn Bobsleds and a submarine ride and expanded Autopia. It was a message that would begin to fulfill Walt Disney’s promise that Disneyland would never be completed.

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More than that, however, it revealed that Disneyland would continue to look to the future. Disneyland in 1959 showed its guests possibilities — a transportation system in the monorail that could remake urban communities, a tease of the freeway system that would reshape travel and a glimpse at the sort of deep-sea excursions only a lucky few could witness. The Matterhorn, while inspired by the film “Third Man on the Mountain,” also was meant to be a transportive experience, to not only bring to Disneyland a new kind of thrill ride but give visitors a taste of international adventure.

Disneyland’s second reimagining came much later. In 2001 the Walt Disney Co. would open Disney California Adventure, the Grand Californian hotel and the Downtown Disney District. These additions would attempt to make Disneyland, the company’s original park, one that could, in theory, rival Florida’s Walt Disney World by becoming a resort that could demand multiday stays.

This expansion succeeded as well, but not overnight.

The original vision of Disney California Adventure proved to be lackluster, relying heavily on on-the-shelf rides and lacking emotion-driven experiences that take visitors out of their daily life. While the Grand Californian is a Craftsman-inspired triumph, Downtown Disney is in the midst of a transformation and is still attempting to outgrow its reputation as a home for chains and midtier eateries.

And now we’re entering a new era of possibilities, one that likely will look much different from the prior two. Modern Disney is centered on intellectual property — or IP, in corporate speak — rather than Walt-era idealism, and the most tantalizing prospects of DisneylandForward center on building around existing structures rather than erecting a new park.

With DisneylandForward, the company won the flexibility to redesign the resort. Zoning rules will be amended so that Disney can add new attractions alongside hotels on the west side of Disneyland Drive. These will, if they come to fruition, likely be extensions of Disneyland or Disney California Adventure rather than a third park. Additionally, a new shopping, dining and entertainment district can be created to the southeast on what is currently the Toy Story parking lot at Katella Avenue and Harbor Boulevard.

Company brass and the DisneylandForward materials have offered teases of what could be built. Most of these have centered on recent expansions at Disney’s international parks, such as the World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland or Zootopia at Shanghai Disney Resort. There’s been little ideological talk about the future of Disneyland, as the focus has centered squarely on popular properties and franchises rather than the resort’s status as a cultural hub and gathering space.

But DisneylandForward came with a pledge. The Walt Disney Co. has promised to spend a minimum of $1.9 billion on Disneyland attractions, lodging, entertainment, shopping and dining in the next 10 years. That money can go quickly, with modern attractions costing sometimes in the high six figures, but the Walt Disney Co. also is in the midst of doubling down on its theme parks. Disney has guaranteed to spend $60 billion over the next 10 years in its experiences division, with at least half of that total dedicated to parks and resorts, according to a recent SEC filing .

It’s safe to say that the next 10 years will shape Disneyland for decades to come. While there’s much to be revealed, there are, perhaps, some safe bets. Here are a few educated guesses as to what to expect with an expanded Disneyland in the near term.

Get ready for Pandora

DisneylandForward materials reference everything from “Tangled” to “Peter Pan” to “Tron” as possible experiences that could come to Anaheim. One word, however, is missing, and it’s one that’s been regularly referenced by Disney brass in recent weeks: “Avatar.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger mentioned it at a recent shareholder meeting, even sharing the “Avatar” concept art, which was referred to as “inspirational artwork.” Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, wrote in a blog post after the shareholder event that further news on Disneyland-related attractions such as the “Avatar” experience was tied to the approval of DisneylandForward.

“We are excited about the stories our guests could experience at Walt’s original theme park destination after approval of DisneylandForward — including the chance to experience all-new Avatar adventures with a visit to Pandora,” D’Amaro wrote . And last night in Anaheim, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock again teased “Avatar” at the DisneylandForward hearing and vote. Finally, one of Disney’s most respected theme park creatives even posted the “Avatar” concept art on Instagram , expressing the hope of sharing more on the project in the future.

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Consider a large-scale “Avatar”-inspired land all but a done deal, and the art shared for Disneyland isn’t an exact replica of Florida’s Pandora — The World of Avatar, which resides in that coast’s Animal Kingdom park. Now where to put it? Expect Pandora to be bound for Disney California Adventure. There’s been speculation that it could replace the area currently served by water ride Grizzly River Run or move into a largely vacant slot of Hollywood Land, but neither is ideal. The latter requires a rerouting of the monorail, and Grizzly River Run remains a popular attraction.

Here’s betting it’s positioned in one of the DCA expansion areas near the Pixar Place Hotel, as that would allow the company to give the James Cameron property a plethora of space, especially if Disney must hide a large show building behind an illusion of floating mountains.

Expect more hotel options

With Disneyland lacking the acreage of Florida’s Walt Disney World, hotel prices in Anaheim are at a premium. Rooms for the recently revamped Pixar Place Hotel — Anaheim’s “budget” option — can routinely top $500 per night. More hotel space is needed, and if Disneyland goes all-in on “Avatar,” expect lodging and more entertainment options to follow close behind. Disney has long touted development of the Toy Story Lot as prime space for hotel, dining and entertainment modeled after Florida’s Disney Springs district.

The DisneylandForward materials mention the land as “the perfect location to cater to locals, conventioneers, hotel and Disneyland Resort guests with restaurants, hotels, live music, shopping, ticketed shows and theme park experiences.” A new proposed parking structure to the north would solve the parking issue, and Disney has done extensive research on this already, as it was part of an earlier, pre-pandemic planned development known as the “Eastern Gateway.”

Walkways to and from the new parking structure would connect the current resort to the new entertainment area. And while fans may want Disney to rapidly fill the available space with theme park attractions, if the resort is planning to increase capacity it’s first going to need a spot for those guests to park. Additionally, Iger at a recent media event said the company likely would hold back some of its theme park funds so the organization could move on the popularity of new films or franchises.

“We actually have a fairly good idea in the near term of what’s being built, but we’re purposefully not going to allocate it all,” Iger said. “Because who knows? In five years we can end up with a giant hit movie — think ‘Frozen’ — that we may want to mine essentially as an attraction, or a hotel or restaurant in our parks. So you want to maintain some flexibility.”

What about ‘Frozen’s’ Arendelle? Or a ‘Coco’-themed experience?

Beyond “Avatar,” which seems a sure thing as it’s been mentioned by Iger on multiple occasions, any future aspects of DisneylandForward become pure speculation. But a couple of franchises may have higher priority than others.

Disney now has a “Frozen” attraction in Walt Disney World, a land in Hong Kong and experiences in the works for Disneyland Paris and Tokyo DisneySea. Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park experiences, clearly has done the work on bringing “Frozen” to life in physical spaces, and it stands to reason that expansions to the original Disneyland Park, with its fairy-tale feel, would go more of a Fantasyland-inspired route.

What’s more, re-creating Arendelle in the expansion plots located near the Disneyland Hotel would give Disney the opportunity to construct a second castle, as any extensive changes to park centerpiece Sleeping Beauty Castle are prohibited due to structural limitations . The enduring popularity of “Frozen” seems relatively assured at this point, so bringing the franchise to Disneyland is far from a risk.

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But if the company opts to create something unique for Southern California rather than importing Hong Kong’s World of Frozen or Shanghai’s Zootopia, one franchise that seems to be routinely brought up by executives is “Coco.” When mentioning blue-sky concepts last year year at an investor event in Florida, D’Amaro teased “Coco” as a key film that has yet to be properly explored in the Disney parks.

Potrock again mentioned “Coco” in an op-ed in the Orange County Register touting the benefits of DisneylandForward, writing that the initiative could pave the way for “the chance to celebrate Dia de Los Muertos in a ‘Coco’-themed experience.” Disney California Adventure, of course, is home to a Dia de Los Muertos celebration that does center a short “Coco” show, and the property seems especially ripe for Southern California and our heavily Latino communities. That makes it an opportunity to give Disneyland an unique land not found in other parks while also tapping into the region’s diverse fan base. Walt’s original park deserves no less as it looks ahead to closing out its first century.

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Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

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