Tokyo Disney Resort History

The Tokyo Disney Resort is made up of two separate parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and is operated by the Japanese company Oriental Land, which obtained the necessary license from The Walt Disney Company. At that time, Tokyo Disneyland was the only Disney park outside the US. It is also the only Disney park that was not invested in by the American company. The Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Maihama in Chiba Prefecture, which is not Tokyo city itself. But it is only a short 16-minute train ride away from the centrally located Tokyo Station.

Besides the official Tokyo Disneyland Hotels, there are many other hotels in the area. They are a perfect starting point for a trip to one or both of the parks. We can help you find the best deals for these hotels.

Most of us grew up loving the wonderful movies of Walt Disney. So visiting one of the Disney parks to have a magical day is on many kids’ and adults’ wish list. Whether you have gone to a Disney park already or if it is your very first time, the two Tokyo Disney parks in Japan are sure to delight young and old. The rides are so impressive and whole worlds from the Disney movies you love the best have been faithfully recreated. Moreover, the shows are of Broadway-quality, and every little detail in the park and everyone who works in the park will make your trip to a Disney park unforgettable.

About IKSPIARI

The two Disney parks are not the only ways to enjoy the Tokyo Disney Resort. Those who love to shop top brands for discounted prices will definitely love the nearby shopping mall IKSPIARI that opened in 2000. The mall is one of the official facilities of the Tokyo Disney Resort, but it is not operated under the license of the Walt Disney Company.

It is operated by the IKSPIARI Co., Ltd. subsidiary company of Oriental Land who operates the two Disney parks in Tokyo. Because of this division, they don’t use Disney characters in the mall. Also, the shops don’t sell Disney character goods except for the official Disney Store. But there are a lot of other great items for sale, so it is a great place to combine a visit to one of the Disney parks with.

The theme of the shopping mall is ‘A Town filled with Stories and Entertainment’. The name IKSPIARI was created out of two words, ‘Experience’ and ‘Peri’, who is a fairy in Persian mythology. There are about 140 shops, restaurants, and movie theaters in the mall. You can enjoy these facilities with their unique atmosphere, and it does feel a bit like it is a part of the Disney Resort. Even if you are not interested in shopping, you may get excited just walking around the semi-outdoor beautiful buildings.

IKSPIARI Shops and Restaurants

So what kind of shops can you find here? There are many kinds of stores such as fashion, fashion goods, jewelry, and accessories. There are also shops for hobbyists, books, household goods, health products, cosmetics, photo studios, and travel agencies. You can even find beauty salons, a massage parlor, and a supermarket here!

It is a good idea to come a bit before lunch or dinner time and satisfy your hunger after shopping, as there are plenty of nice restaurants to choose from. There are Japanese restaurants that serve foods including sushi, sukiyaki, shabushabu, ramen, udon, soba, Okinawa food, okonomiyaki (Japanese-style pancake), takoyaki, Western, Chinese, Asian, coffee shops, bakery, desserts such as ice cream, donuts, and crepe, fast foods such as hamburgers, and bars.

There is a cinema complex with 16 screens, so there are many choices of movies, including Disney movies if they are out. You can buy popcorn, hot dogs, and drinks before entering the theater room.

Are you in IKSPIARI around New Year’s time? They start to sell fukubukuro or lucky bags from midnight of January first. It is always the very first fukubukuro that goes on sale in Japan. A fukubukuro is a bag that contains all kinds of goodies, and many larger and smaller stores give them out. The fun part is that you have no idea what you are buying, as the contents are often a surprise and all you can see is a price tag. What you do know, though, is that it will always be a (very) good deal. A bag that costs 3,000 yen can easily contain 10,000 yen worth of goodies.

Tokyo Disney Hotels

There are many hotels around the resort’s area. There are four official hotels of Tokyo Disney Resort; the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel which is next to IKSPIARI, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, and Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel. These hotels are completely in the style of Disney characters and movies, making them especially interesting for families.

Some rooms even have special themes such as Cinderella, Beauty and Beast, and Mickey Mouse. A great benefit of staying in one of these hotels is you can choose a plan with special benefits. You can, for example, get fast passes and show tickets.

There are more hotels in the area, many of which are also very comfortable to stay at. For example, Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, and many more. You can use the free shuttle bus service between the hotel and the monorail Bayside Station that stops at the entrance gate of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

Tokyo Disney Resort Numbers

About 780 million guests in total have already visited Disneyland and DisneySea as of December 2020, this is how successful the parks are. It is said that Michael Eisner, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, mentioned it was a big mistake that the company hasn’t managed Tokyo Disneyland directly after seeing its great success.

The number of guests per year is over 30 million for both parks together. This means that about 82,000 guests per day go to Disneyland or DisneySea, and that there are always queues for popular attractions. It is good to know that you may have to line up for two hours in the peak season for the popular attractions.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

IKSPIARI Information

Access: 1-minute walk from Maihama Station of the Keio Line. You can see the entrance of the mall once you exit the station.

Hours: 10 am – 11 pm (actual opening hours differ per shop)

IKSPIARI Area Map

Tokyo DisneySea History

The Tokyo Disney Resort is made up of two separate parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and is operated by the Japanese company Oriental Land, which obtained the necessary license from The Walt Disney Company. At that time, Tokyo Disneyland was the only Disney park outside the US. It is also the only Disney park that was not invested in by the American company.

DisneySea exists only in Japan and was built in 2001 right next to Tokyo Disneyland. At first, there was a plan to build the second Tokyo Disney park as a movie-themed park. But because Japanese people are not so used to foreign movies, they changed the plan to use a concept that was actually created for a new theme park in Long Beach, California, but that park eventually didn’t get realized.

The Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Maihama in Chiba Prefecture, which is not Tokyo city itself, but it is only a short 16-minute train ride away from the centrally located Tokyo Station. Besides the official Tokyo Disneyland Hotels, there are many other hotels in the area that are a perfect starting point for a trip to one or both of the parks. We can help you find the best deals for these hotels.

Tokyo DisneySea Areas

The concept of the DisneySea park is “Where Adventure and Imagination Set Sail”, and there will be eight different themed areas in the park.

Mediterranean Harbor: This area’s theme uses the backdrop of a typical port town in southern Europe. Porto Paradiso has the motif of Italian port towns such as Portofino and Cinque Terre. The most popular attraction in this area is Soaring Fantastic Flight. At the Palazzo Canals, you can also ride on a Venetian-style boat.

American Waterfront: The theme of this area is a ‘good old port’ in the USA. Steamship Colombia, which has a restaurant inside, is the symbol of the area. The Tower of Terror is an unmissable attraction here, which looks like a very spooky version of an old-fashioned high-rise hotel in New York City.

Port Discovery: This area looks like a port in the future as it was imaged in science fiction novels from the early 20th century.  It is not so much futuristic as it is retro-futuristic, taking you back to what was imagined to be the future a long time ago. Fun ride Nemo & Friends Sea Rider is in Port Discovery.

Lost River Delta: This wetland resembling area is made like an archeological excavation site of an ancient civilization in the rainforest of Central America in the 1930s. Indiana Jones Adventure, Temple of the Crystal Skull is a must-do attraction here.

Mermaid Lagoon and Other Areas

Mermaid Lagoon: The Little Mermaid was the start of the Disney Renaissance of the 1990s, the movie became immensely popular and sparked a new generation’s interest in Disney movies. The Mermaid Lagoon is completely built to look like King Triton’s kingdom on the seabed. There are two separate areas; Under the Sea and Above the Sea. The show at the Mermaid Lagoon Theater is a popular attraction.

Arabian Coast: The Arabian Coast will take you right to the world of the One Thousand and One Nights story as made by the Genie from one of Disney’s most popular movies of all time, Aladdin. Fun for the whole family can be found in Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, which is a boat ride resembling the ride It’s a Small World in Disneyland, but then set in the Middle East.

Mysterious Island: You can’t really miss the sometimes spewing volcano of Mysterious Island that looks like a volcano from the South Pacific Ocean. The motif of this area was inspired by the famous late 19th-century novel of Jules Verne. Prometheus Volcano is a symbol of the area. The Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of the most thrilling rides in the park.

(from 2023) Fantasy Springs: The eighth area is currently (December 2020) still under construction, but it is already known that the theme will be ‘a world of Disney fantasy lead by a magical fountain’. They will reproduce the typical world of Disney movies. We certainly can’t wait to see it once it is finished!

Japan-specific Attractions

Unlike Disneyland, which is almost a copy of its sister theme park in the US, DisneySea has plenty of original attractions that cannot be found anywhere else; Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Rising Spirits, Tower of Terror (Japan’s original story), and Nemo & Friends Sea Rider are found only in Japan, which should give you a very good reason to visit DisneySea if you come to Tokyo! If you have limited time and are wondering whether to go to Disneyland and DisneySea, it is good to keep this in mind.

Tokyo DisneySea Visit Tips and Tricks

When you visit Tokyo DisneySea, watching a parade at least once is an experience you should definitely include. It is a good idea to check the parade schedule when you enter the park, as the schedule is subject to change. If you want to make sure that you will not miss the parade, you need to calculate the waiting time of the ride you do before heading to a good viewing spot for the parade.

Mickey & Friends Harbor Greeting: This show is held at the Mediterranean Harbor three times per day.

Transit Steamer Greeting: This show is held at Waterways of Tokyo DisneySea three times per day.

Disney Light the Night: This is a firework display (from 8 pm)

In order to minimize the waiting time, using the free fast passes will be very helpful. With a fast pass, you can enter from the fast pass entrance without standing in a long queue. There are three ways to get it, and it is a very good idea to familiarize yourself with the process beforehand so you will not have to waste any valuable time while in the park.

How To Get DisneySea Fast Passes

Hotel plan with fast passes: If you apply for certain plans of official hotels that are part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, you will get several fast pass tickets with your hotel plan. The number of tickets depends on the plan you choose. These tickets are very convenient because you can use them at any time without having to make a reservation using an app or the machines in the park. It is a special perk for those who stay in a Disney hotel.

With the app: In order to use the app, you have to download and register for the Tokyo Disney Resort App first. Then, once you entered the park, you can choose the attraction that you want to have the pass for. It will show the time you can enter. It is good to be aware that you have to wait for two hours before you can get your next fast pass.

From the ticket dispensers in the park: This method of getting a fast pass takes some planning. You will first have to decide which attraction is the most important for you to be able to ride, and head to that attraction first thing after you enter the park. You will find a ticket dispenser machine somewhere near the entrance of the ride, that will indicate the time you can enter with a fast pass.

The machine will issue the fast pass when you put your entrance ticket to the card reader, so keep your entrance ticket for the park safe! In order to get your next fast pass, you will need to wait for at least two hours or until the time you will use your first fast pass, whichever comes first.

Tokyo Disney Hotels

There are many hotels around the park’s area. There are four official hotels of Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel Ambassador, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, and Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel. These hotels are completely in the style of Disney characters and movies, making them especially interesting for families. Some rooms even have special themes such as Cinderella, Beauty and Beast, and Mickey Mouse. A great benefit of staying in one of these hotels is you can choose a plan with special benefits such as getting fast passes and show tickets.

There are more hotels in the area, many of which are very comfortable to stay at. For example, Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, and many more. You can use the free shuttle bus service between the hotel and the monorail Bayside Station that stops at the entrance gate of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

Tokyo Disney Resort Numbers

About 780 million guests in total have already visited Disneyland and DisneySea as of December 2020, this is how successful the parks are. It is said that Michael Eisner, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, mentioned it was a big mistake that the company hasn’t managed Tokyo Disneyland directly after seeing its great success.

The number of guests per year is over 30 million for both parks together. This means that about 82,000 guests per day go to Disneyland or DisneySea and that there are always queues for popular attractions. It is good to know that you may have to line up for two hours in the peak season for the popular attractions.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including a visit to Tokyo DisneySea. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

DisneySea Information

Access: 5 minutes walk from Maihama Station of the Keio Line.
Entrance fee: 8,200 yen for adult / 6,900 yen for junior and senior high school student / 4,900 yen for 4 to elementary school student. There are discount tickets available depending on the time you enter. There are also discount tickets for multiple-day passes.

Hours: 9:00 – 21:00

*Please note that at this moment you need to make a reservation to enter to park because of COVID-19. They limit the number of guests to about 20,000 people per day, which also means that the lines are much shorter than usual.

DisneySea Area Map

Tokyo Disney Resort History

The Tokyo Disney Resort is made up of two separate parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and is operated by the Japanese company Oriental Land, which obtained the necessary license from The Walt Disney Company. At that time, Tokyo Disneyland was the only Disney park outside the US. It is also the only Disney park that was not invested in by the American company.

The Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Maihama in Chiba Prefecture, which is not Tokyo city itself, but it is only a short 16-minute train ride away from the centrally located Tokyo Station. Besides the official Tokyo Disneyland Hotels, there are many other hotels in the area that are a perfect starting point for a trip to one or both of the parks. We can help you find the best deals for these hotels.

Tokyo Disneyland Areas

The structure and attractions of the park are almost the same as the park in the US, with seven different areas that feel like they are different countries. These are the 7 areas:

World Bazaar: This area is a recreation of a typical local city of the US in the early 20th century. It is called Main Street USA in the parks of the US. There are many souvenir shops and service facilities here, and the area is covered with a glass roof.

Adventureland: The theme of this area is exploring undiscovered lands and adventures in a region where pirates are active. Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise are the most popular attractions in this area.

Westernland: This is a recreation of a Western town during the pioneer time, it is called Frontier Land in the US. There is a big river with Tom Sawyer Island in the middle, and you can ride on the steamboat ‘Mark Twain’. Big Thunder Mountain is also a popular attraction in Westernland.

Fantasyland and Other Areas

Fantasyland: The theme of this area is the world of dreams and magic. The Cinderella Castle is the symbol of this area. There are many attractions that have classic characters in their themes such as Pinocchio, Snow White, and Alice in Wonderland. The Haunted Mansion is also in this area.

Critter Country: This is the hometown of a bunch of small animals. You can find water attractions Splash Mountain and Beaver Brothers Explore Canoe here. The canoe is the only attraction in which riders need to use their own physical strength.

Toon Town: This is where Mickey and his friends live. In this part, there are attractions that are mainly for families with small children. You can see Mickey Mouse at Mickey’s House and the Meet Mickey attraction.

Tomorrowland: The theme of the area is the future world as it was imagined before humans landed on the moon. Space Mountain and Star Tours are the most popular attractions. Because the concept is to use the newest technology, they change the attractions in Tomorrowland more frequently than in other areas. It is similar to the Epcot Center in America’s Disney World.

Japan-specific Attractions

There are two rides that are unique to the park in Japan, so you should make sure to have these on your to-do list:

Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek: There is a Monster, Inc. attraction in other parks, but the one in Japan is the only attraction using a ride-form. Riders play a hide and seek game while enjoying the cart ride. Rocky is a character that can only be found in the Japanese ride.

The Enchanted Tiki Room: You find this attraction in the US as well, but the character Stitch appears only in Japan.

Tokyo Disneyland Visit Tips and Tricks

When you visit Tokyo Disneyland, watching a parade at least once is an experience you should definitely include. It is a good idea to check the parade schedule when you enter the park, as the schedule is subject to change. If you want to make sure that you will not miss the parade, you need to calculate the waiting time of the ride you do before heading to a good viewing spot for the parade.

Dreaming Up!: This is a parade during the daytime (currently suspended)

Electrical Parade Dreamlights: This is an evening parade with a lot of illuminations (currently suspended)

Disney Light the Night: This is a firework display (from 8 pm)

In order to minimize the waiting time, using the free fast passes will be very helpful. With a fast pass, you can enter from the fast pass entrance without standing in a long queue. There are three ways to get it, and it is a very good idea to familiarize yourself with the process beforehand so you will not have to waste any valuable time while in the park.

How To Get Disneyland Fast Passes

Hotel plan with fast passes: If you apply for certain plans of official hotels that are part of the Tokyo Disney Resort, you will get several fast pass tickets with your hotel plan. The number of tickets depends on the plan you choose. These tickets are very convenient because you can use them at any time without having to make a reservation using an app or the machines in the park. It is a special perk for those who stay in a Disney hotel.

With the app: In order to use the app, you have to download and register for the Tokyo Disney Resort App first. Then, once you entered the park, you can choose the attraction that you want to have the pass for. It will show the time you can enter. It is good to be aware that you have to wait for two hours before you can get your next fast pass.

From the ticket dispensers in the park: This method of getting a fast pass takes some planning. You will first have to decide which attraction is the most important for you to be able to ride, and head to that attraction first thing after you enter the park. You will find a ticket dispenser machine somewhere near the entrance of the ride, that will indicate the time you can enter with a fast pass.

The machine will issue the fast pass when you put your entrance ticket to the card reader, so keep your entrance ticket for the park safe! In order to get your next fast pass, you will need to wait for at least two hours or until the time you will use your first fast pass, whichever comes first.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotels

There are many hotels around the park’s area. There are four official hotels of Tokyo Disney Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, Disney Ambassador Hotel Ambassador, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta, and Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel. These hotels are completely in the style of Disney characters and movies, making them especially interesting for families.

Some rooms even have special themes such as Cinderella, Beauty and Beast, and Mickey Mouse. A great benefit of staying in one of these hotels is you can choose a plan with special benefits such as getting fast passes and show tickets.

There are more hotels in the area, many of which are very comfortable to stay at. For example, Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, and many more. You can use the free shuttle bus service between the hotel and the monorail Bayside Station that stops at the entrance gate of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

Tokyo Disney Resort Numbers

About 780 million guests in total have already visited Disneyland and DisneySea as of December 2020, this is how successful the parks are. It is said that Michael Eisner, the CEO of the Walt Disney Company, mentioned it was a big mistake that the company hasn’t managed Tokyo Disneyland directly after seeing its great success.

The number of guests per year is over 30 million for both parks together. This means that about 82,000 guests per day go to Disneyland or DisneySea, and that there are always queues for popular attractions. It is good to know that you may have to line up for two hours in the peak season for the popular attractions.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we can help you create your perfect Japan tour including a visit to Tokyo Disneyland. Contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Information

Access: 5 minutes walk from Maihama Station of the Keio Line.
Entrance fee: 8,200 yen for adult / 6,900 yen for junior and senior high school student / 4,900 yen for 4 to elementary school student. There are discount tickets available depending on the time you enter. There are also discount tickets for multiple-day passes.
Hours: 9:00 – 21:00

*Please note that at this moment you need to make a reservation to enter to park because of COVID-19. They limit the number of guests to about 20,000 people per day, which also means that the lines are much shorter than usual.

Area Map

Where to Go in Narita City

The city has another important role; besides being a gateway to Japan, it is the temple town of Narita-san Shinsho-ji Temple, a popular Buddhist temple with a history of over 1000 years, which attracts more than 13 million worshipers a year. Shinsho-ji Temple has always a time-honored place of worship since it was erected in 940.

In addition to the temple, the city and surroundings have several other attractions that can keep transit travelers busy. The road leading to the temple is named Omotesando, and this is the most picturesque street in the city. It is lined by traditional wooden houses and shops, and one of the delicacies sold here you should definitely give a try is unagi, eel.

Along the same lines, if you like traditional looking houses then a stop in Sawara should also be on your list. Sawara is a small waterfront town with many remnants of the past. The National Museum of Japanese History is also great for history buffs or those who want to learn a bit more about Japan’s colorful past.

For those who need some relaxation, Yamato no Yu can offer you just that. It is an onsen complex, where you can soak in 8 outdoor baths which are especially wonderful in colder weather. Naritasan Park is also a place to relax a bit, the walking course leads you past plenty of trees which are beautiful when in bloom and in autumn.

Or if you simply want to do some shopping, then the Aeon mall is a good option. There are 180 stores including souvenir shops, and a visit is a good way to sample a bit of the local daily life in Japan.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Narita Area Map

Tokyo is serviced by two major airports. Narita International Airport (NRT) in Chiba prefecture handles mostly international air traffic and is the arrival point for the majority of foreign visitors. Then there is also the more centrally located Haneda Airport (HND). This airport handles mostly domestic air traffic and a smaller number of international flights.

There are plenty of facilities at Narita airport to make your transit comfortable. There are amenities like showers, nap rooms, a capsule hotel, baggage delivery service, a post office, and lounges. One thing you might want to do while you are at the airport is renting a pocket WIFI. That handy device will keep you connected to the internet throughout your trip.

Narita Airport Transportation

The airport consists of 3 terminals, of which terminals 1 and 2 have their own train stations from which you can get to Narita city and Tokyo. Taking the train into Tokyo is one of the easiest ways to get there. But you can also opt for the limousine bus or if you have a high budget for a taxi. Please keep in mind that taking a taxi from Narita airport to a hotel in central Tokyo will easily set you back around 200 dollars for a one-way ride.

Narita Airport is located about 60 km outside of Tokyo, in the city of Narita. If you have a layover in Narita of at least 4 hours you can visit nearby Narita city which is only a train ride of 15 minutes away. When your layover is at least 6 hours it would be a waste not to take this opportunity to visit Tokyo.  The fastest train takes only a little over one hour to bring you to the middle of this bustling metropole.

If you really want to make the most of your layover time, consider hiring a private guide who can either pick you up from the airport or meet you at Tokyo station and show you some of the best highlights and local hidden treasures.

Your Japan Tour

As seasoned Japan experts, we create perfect Japan package tours. Check out our group tours and private tours, or contact us to start planning your unforgettable holiday to this fascinating country. Japan is full of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, culture, history, nature, and delicious food!

Narita Area Map