Disney Tokyo vs. DisneySea: Which One Is Right For You?

Stuck between which of the two Disney parks in Tokyo to visit?

I get it, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are so different. And if you’re limited on time, chances are, you’re going to have to choose between one or the other. After all, not everyone has two full days to spare at Disney, or the budget to do both parks!

I had to make this decision on more than one occasion. Whenever I visit Tokyo, I only ever have the time to visit one park per trip.

After many years and multiple trips to Tokyo, I’ve gotten the chance to visit both parks multiple times.

Spoiler alert: I used to recommend Tokyo DisneySea to people, but these days, I’m on team Tokyo Disneyland.

This guide will help you:

  • understand the difference between the two Tokyo Disney parks
  • learn what to expect from each of them
  • decide which park fits your interests better

👉 In a nutshell: First-time visitors may prefer Tokyo Disneyland for its classic and iconic attractions, while DisneySea may be better for Disney veterans who want to experience a new type of Disney park not found anywhere else in the world. Adults, teens, and foodies may prefer DisneySea, while ride lovers and families will prefer Tokyo Disneyland.

This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!


👉 Pro Tip: You can buy Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea tickets in advance on Klook to save a lot more money than buying directly from the Disney site. This is where I purchase all my Disneyland tickets for parks in Asia!


An Introduction To Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Urayasu City near Tokyo, Japan.

The resort has two theme parks —Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea— as well as several hotels, entertainment areas, and shopping districts.

Interestingly though, it is the only Disney Resort not owned by the Walt Disney Company. Instead, the parks are owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company (OLC) a Japanese company that licenses the rights to Disney’s intellectual property and characters to operate the resort.

Outside of Walt Disney World Resort (Florida) and Disneyland Resort (California), Tokyo Disneyland is the third-most visited theme park, indicating how much people love it.

It’s considered a rite of passage for Japanese youngsters to go to Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.

When Tokyo Disneyland was initially built in 1983, it was designed in the same style and tradition as the first California Disneyland, though it also boasts staples that you will recognize from Disneyland Florida, such as the iconic Cinderella’s Castle.

The resort expanded in 2001 with the introduction of DisneySea, which currently gets around a million monthly visitors (and growing).

DisneySea features a nautical and sea exploration theme with seven distinct “ports of call” inspired by different regions of the world. You won’t find this theme at any other Disney park around the world.

Let’s now go through what each theme park offers, which is less crowded, and the differences between the two.


Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Overview Of The Parks

Tokyo Disneyland vs DisneySea

Tokyo Disneyland follows the same setup as Orlando’s Magic Kingdom and Anaheim’s Disneyland, with similar attractions as you would find in those two theme parks.

DisneySea offers a nautically-themed experience with ‘Ports of Call’ rather than distinct lands.

Off the bat, you’ll probably find that DisneySea is more unique, while Tokyo Disneyland has more of a classic Disney setup.

For people who have NEVER been to any Disneyland around the world, Tokyo Disneyland may be better for the quintessential Disney magic vibes!

For people who want to experience something entirely new, DisneySea is the better option. But there’s a caveat to this recommendation…

👉 Pro Tip: If you like riding rides, I think Tokyo Disneyland is the better choice. There are not enough rides at DisneySea, yet the crowds are crazy nonetheless. With so many people and so few rides, you’ll all be standing in line for the same rides. You guessed it — the lines at DisneySea are known to be 2-3 hours long.


Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Rides And Attractions

While both theme parks offer rides and attractions, Tokyo Disneyland is noted for being a little more family-friendly. All throughout the park, you’ll find rides that are slower and suited for younger children.

Older, more experienced Disney theme park adventurers may prefer DisneySea as it is the only one of its kind and is home to more dark rides.

Here’s a more comprehensive look at what each of the parks have in store for you:

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland Entrance

Lands:

  • World Bazaar
  • Adventureland
  • Westernland
  • Fantasyland
  • Tomorrowland
  • Toontown
  • Critter Country

Top Rides and Attractions:

  • Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast (Fantasyland)
  • It’s a Small World (Fantasyland)
  • Haunted Mansion (Fantasyland)
  • Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland)
  • Pooh’s Hunny Hunt (Fantasyland)
  • Pirates of the Caribbean (Adventureland)
  • Enchanted Tiki Room (Adventureland)
  • Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions (Adventureland)
  • Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (Tomorrowland)
  • Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)
  • Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek (Tomorrowland)
  • Splash Mountain (Critter Country)
  • Big Thunder Mountain (Westernland)

Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo DisneySea Little Mermaid

Ports of Call (Lands):

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

Top Rides and Attractions:

  • Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure (Fantasy Springs)
  • Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey (Fantasy Springs)
  • Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival (Fantasy Springs)
  • Journey to the Center of the Earth (Mysterious Island)
  • Tower of Terror (American Waterfront)
  • Toy Story Mania! (American Waterfront)
  • Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull (Lost River Delta)
  • Raging Spirits (Lost River Delta)
  • Soaring: Fantastic Flight (Mediterranean Harbor)

As you can see, Tokyo Disneyland offers a more traditional Disney park experience with all the lands you already know and love, while Tokyo DisneySea has a totally different theme centered around ports of call.

DisneySea’s top attractions often have a more adventurous and immersive feel compared to the classic Disney rides found at Tokyo Disneyland.


Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Food And Drinks

Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Set Menu Food
My ramen set menu at Tokyo Disneyland.

Both parks have tons of options for food, from restaurants with table service to counter options and snack stands. The food at the parks primarily caters to Japanese tastes, with lots of excellent Japanese snacks and foods available.

Both theme parks also have standard Western options like cheeseburgers, pizzas, pastas, smoked turkey legs, and fried chicken — which comes in handy if you’re traveling with picky kids or fussy eaters.

Here’s a sample of some of the restaurants and food items you can expect to find within each park:

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland Food
Courtesy of Tokyo Disneyland

Restaurants:

  • Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall (Fantasyland) – Try the Queen of Hearts’ Special Set Menu, featuring dishes inspired by Alice in Wonderland.
  • Plaza Pavilion Restaurant (World Bazaar) – Enjoy a variety of Japanese and Western dishes.
  • Crystal Palace Restaurant (World Bazaar) – Offers a buffet with a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine.
  • The Hungry Bear Restaurant (Westernland) – Serves up Western-style dishes like burgers and fried chicken.
  • Great American Waffle Co. (World Bazaar) – Super popular for those iconic Mickey-shaped waffles!
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Mickey Waffle

Foods You Can Find:

  • Gyoza Sausage Bun – A unique snack featuring a sausage wrapped in a gyoza dumpling-like bun.
  • Little Green Alien dumplings – Inspired by the tiny green aliens in Toy Story, these adorable dumplings are unsurprisingly one of the most famous Tokyo Disney foods on Instagram.
  • Seafood pizza – Captain Hook’s Galley serves up slices of savory flavors of scallops, shrimp, and cheese.
  • Special Character-themed Bento Boxes – Find cute and delicious bento boxes featuring Disney characters.
  • Mickey-shaped Snacks – Look for various snacks in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head, such as waffles, churros, burgers, and ice cream bars.
  • Popcorn, popcorn, popcorn!
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Popcorn at Tokyo Disney

Tokyo DisneySea

Restaurants:

  • Magellan’s (Mediterranean Harbor) – Fine dining with a European theme. If you can snag a reservation, opt for one of the iconic course menus for a gourmet experience.
  • Vulcania Restaurant (Mysterious Island) – Offers a range of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.
  • Casbah Food Court (Arabian Coast) – Features Indian/Middle Eastern cuisine, including curry and rice plates.
  • New York Deli (American Waterfront) – Serves classic American deli sandwiches and hot dogs. This one always has a long line!
Tokyo Disneysea food
Courtesy of Tokyo DisneySea

Foods You Can Find:

  • Gyoza Dog – A unique fusion snack featuring a gyoza dumpling inside a hot dog bun.
  • Mango Churros – Enjoy churros with a tropical twist, covered in mango-flavored sugar.
  • Toy Story Mochi – Found at Mamma Biscotti Bakery, the adorable Little Green Aliens are made from glutinous rice and are filled with yummy flavoured cream.
  • Chandu’s Tail – these adorable buns are filled with creamy chicken curry, or spicy beef and cheese if you visit during the springtime (March to May).
  • Popcorn, popcorn, popcorn!

Note: Menus and offerings will change over time, so if food is your MO, be sure to check for the latest menu options on the site. During certain seasons (Halloween, winter holidays, etc.), you’ll also find special seasonal menus.

Looking for alcohol within the parks? DisneySea is noted for having more venues that serve alcohol, so this might swing the park in your favor if you fancy a beer or a cocktail. Good places to grab a drink at DisneySea include The Teddy Roosevelt Lounge and Barnacle Bill’s.


Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: How Busy Are The Parks?

Both parks get very busy, and there’s no real off-season. We’ve visited on weekdays in May and February and weekends in December. The result is the same. LOADS OF PEOPLE.

Of the two parks, you’ll find yourself waiting in longer lines at DisneySea.

While Tokyo Disneyland gets more visitors, the lines are actually shorter there! That’s because Disneyland has more rides compared to DisneySea.

Because there are more rides at Tokyo Disneyland, you’ll actually be able to find some attractions that have much shorter wait times of ~10 minutes.

At DisneySea, there are only about 9 or 10 rides people go crazy for. That means you and everyone else at the park are waiting in line for the same handful of rides. With that said, it’s not uncommon to see ride lines ranging from 80 to 120 minutes during peak hours.


Tokyo Disneyland: An In-Depth Look

Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Cinderellas Castle

The seven different zones in Tokyo Disneyland are:

World Bazaar

  • Similar to Main Street, U.S.A
  • Glass Victorian Conservatory roof protects from rainy weather
  • Many places to grab a snack or food, and lots of souvenir shopping

Adventureland

  • Combines adventurous themes like Pirates of the Caribbean and Swiss Family Robinson
  • Features the Jungle Cruise, the Pirates ride, and a unique ride called the Western River Railroad
  • Has many restaurants from Cajun to Chinese to Polynesian and features several fun shops.
  • Home to the famous Blue Bayou Restaurant (located inside the Pirates ride)
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - New Orleans Adventureland

Westernland

  • This is Tokyo Disneyland’s answer to Friontierland, with a Western theme and Rivers of America
  • Features Big Thunder Moutain and the Mark Twain Riverboat
  • American-style restaurants abound, and themed shops sport Western goods.
  • This is where you’ll find Disneyland’s famous turkey legs too!
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Westernland

Critter Country

  • Home of Splash Mountain and Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes
  • A small zone that gets very crowded
  • It has two restaurants and three shops

Fantasyland

  • Features Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Beauty and the Beast-themed areas
  • The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast, It’s a Small World, and Peter Pan’s Flight are some of the most popular rides
  • There are several taverns and restaurants and many gift shops.
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Enchanted Tale Of Beauty and the Beast Area

Toontown

  • This is a close copy of Toontown in Disneyland (California)
  • Features classic Disney characters, snack venues, and toy shops
Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Toontown

Tomorrowland

  • Science fiction and fantasy themed, with Buzz Lightyear and Big Hero 6
  • Features the Space Mountain ride, space-themed restaurants, and shops

Popular Rides

Tokyo Disneyland features many classic Disneyland rides and a few unique ones. Some of the most popular are:

  • The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast
  • The Happy Ride with Baymax
  • Splash Mountain
  • Space Mountain
  • Big Thunder Mountain
  • Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • It’s a Small World
  • Alice’s Tea Party

Popular Shows And Parades

Tokyo Disneyland offers more shows and parades than DisneySea; this may be your deciding factor if you have young children who love to see their favorite characters in action. Here are some attractions you can expect, though events change seasonally:

  • Disney Harmony in Color
  • Electrical Parade Dreamlights (night parade)
  • Disney Sky Full Of Colors Fireworks
  • Mickey’s Magical Music World
  • Jamboree Mickey! Let’s Dance!
  • Mickey’s Rainbow Luau
  • Club Mouse Beat

Some of the parades/shows are seasonal, so be sure to check the site for the latest offerings and showtimes before your visit!


Tokyo DisneySea: An In-Depth Look

Tokyo DisneySea Park Overview

DisneySea is the companion theme park to Tokyo Disneyland and forms part of the Disney Tokyo Resort. It was opened in 2001 and remains a unique theme park experience that you won’t be able to find at any other Disney resort in the world.

DisneySea tends to appeal to an older crowd, as you’ll find more thrill rides there, plus more opportunities to grab some alcoholic drinks!

Park Theme And Main Attractions

As the name suggests, DisneySea has a nautical theme, and the park is divided into themed ‘Ports of Call’.

With the park’s opening of the Fantasy Springs area in 2024, DisneySea is more popular than ever.

Tokyo DisneySea Zones

The different Ports of Call in Tokyo DisneySea are:

Fantasy Springs

  • A new Port Of Call themed around the Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan movies
  • Connected to the all-new Fantasy Springs Hotel (it’s a dropdead gorgeous hotel!)
  • Getting in is pretty complicated at the moment, and it’s pretty impossible to ride all the new rides in one visit due to park-imposed limitations.
Fantasy Springs Tokyo DisneySea

Mediterranean Harbor

  • The entrance Port of Call is themed as an Italian port city, including Venetian gondola rides
  • Features entertainment like the Maritime Band and seasonal celebrations
Mediterranean Harbor - Tokyo DisneySea

Mysterious Island

  • Based on Jules Verne’s fantasy island from his novel The Mysterious Island, with ‘active’ volcano displays
  • Expect high-speed dark rides, snack stands, and gift shops

Mermaid Lagoon

  • Designed to look like King Triton’s palace with fantastical undersea architecture
  • Ariel meet-and-greet
  • Rides are mostly indoors, which is convenient if the Tokyo weather turns wet and cold
  • This area has rides that are mostly for little kids
Mermaid Lagoon Tokyo DisneySea

Arabian Coast

  • This port is themed to look like an Arabian harbor and features Aladdin and Arabian Nights
  • Has several Middle-Eastern-themed eateries and attractions like Jasmine’s Flying Carpets, and a 3D show at The Magic Lamp Theater.
Arabian Coast Tokyo DisneySea

Lost River Delta

  • The Lost River Delta zone is an adventure and archeological site in a tropical rainforest with an Indiana Jones theme
  • Huge Aztec temple that’s lit up with fire at night
  • Home to the fan favorite, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
Lost River Delta Tokyo DisneySea

Port Discovery

  • Hailed as “the marina of the future” and sometimes called the “Tomorrowland” of Tokyo DisneySea
  • Home to Nemo & Friends SeaRider, Aquatopia, and the DisneySea Electric Railway (an overhead electric trolley that transports riders to and from the American Waterfront).

American Waterfront

  • An American-themed port of call featuring New York Harbour and Cape Cod
  • The DisneySea Transit Steamer Line, Toy Story Mania, and Tower of Terror can be found here
  • Big Band concerts
  • A good selection of sit-down and counter service restaurants, and the opulent McDuck’s “department store” selling all kinds of Duffy merch

Popular Rides

DisneySea has some of the most popular thrill rides of the two theme parks, with the new Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan rides in Fantasy Springs proving to be the most popular (and with long wait times to match).

Other “must-ride” rides available at DisneySea include:

  • Journey to the Center of the Earth
  • Tower of Terror
  • Toy Story Mania!
  • Soaring: Fantastic Flight
  • Raging Spirits
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Popular Shows And Parades

While Tokyo Disneyland may have more shows and parades, that doesn’t mean that DisneySea is lacking in this area.

DisneySea features seasonal shows and entertainment like:

  • Big Band Beat
  • Fantasmic
  • Let’s Celebrate With Colors
  • Believe! Sea of Dreams
  • Duffy and Friends’ Wonderful Friendship

In addition to pop-up musical performances happen throughout the park at random times, and there are also lots of designated places to meet and greet characters such as Ariel from The Little Mermaid.

You will also have the usual host of cast members in the park who are helpful and friendly and go above and beyond to make your experience fantastic.


Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea: Which Is Better?

Honestly, it wouldn’t be fair to say one park is ‘better’ than the other. They both provide experiences that are as different as night and day!

When I was FIRST deciding between Tokyo Disneyland vs DisneySea in 2018, the choice was easy.

Having grown up just 6 hours away from Disneyland Park in Anaheim (we would go quite a bit during our childhood), then living in Los Angeles for 6 years and continuously visiting on a yearly basis, I was already way too accustomed to the ‘typical’ Disneyland experience.

Tokyo DisneySea was going to be a truly unique experience for us, so we ultimately went with DisneySea over Tokyo Disneyland. And we had a ton of fun!

Not only were we shocked to see SO many young Japanese people dressed up as Duffy the Bear, but we also had a ton of fun watching the shows — all of which were completely in Japanese.

2024 UPDATE

We went to Japan two times this year. On the first trip, we did Tokyo Disneyland. To our surprise, we had a ton of fun there. The Beauty and the Beast ride was the major highlight.

On our second trip of the year, we chose DisneySea (after the opening of Fantasy Springs). DisneySea was a hot mess this time around — there were way too long of lines everywhere (even the food kiosks and popcorn/churro lines), plus the fact that we were not allowed to ride the new Fantasy Springs rides without the right passes was annoying.

Based on my overall experiences at both parks as someone who hates long lines and inefficiency, I’d honestly have to recommend Tokyo Disneyland over DisneySea — at least until DisneySea stops limiting people’s ability to enjoy all that Fantasy Springs has to offer.

Ultimately… the ‘better’ theme park for YOU depends on your interests. Here’s a summary of how I think you should look at it:

Tokyo Disneyland is the better choice if you…

  • are a first-time visitor to a Disney park and want the classic Disney experience
  • have small children who enjoy gentler rides
  • plan to watch more shows and parades
  • want to ride as many rides as possible (Disneyland has more rides than DisneySea)
  • want to experience the new Beauty and the Beast ride (it’s totally worth the wait)
  • can’t stand overly long lines

Tokyo DisneySea is the better choice if you…

  • want a new take on the Disney theme park experience
  • want to experience the new Fantasy Springs area + the new Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan rides
  • have an appreciation of the decor and immersiveness of the lands (rather than the # of rides you could get on)
  • are looking to ride more adventurous/exhilarating rides
  • don’t mind waiting in lines for literally everything (popcorn, churros, restaurants, rides, etc.)

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea: Tickets And Reservations

When buying tickets for Tokyo Disney Resort, you can easily buy them online or at the gate. Having said that, we like to pre-purchase our tickets in advance.

Since the theme parks can get very busy, there could be a chance you can be turned away at the gate if you haven’t pre-bought a ticket and the park reaches capacity. I’ve actually seen it happen!

For this reason, I recommend always buying tickets in advance! You can get them up two months in advance online.

👉 Pro Tip: You can buy Disneyland tickets in advance on Klook to save a lot more money than buying directly from the Disney site. This is where I purchase all my Disneyland tickets for parks in Asia!

Tickets are available as:

  • 1-day passports
  • fixed-date passports, which start from 10:30am
  • early evening passports begin from 3pm on weekends and public holidays
  • Weeknight passports start from 5pm on weekdays (not public holidays)

Depending on the type of credit card you have, you may run into an issue with your non-Japanese credit card on the official Disney site. This is why we like to buy all of our Disneyland tickets for Asia parks on Klook!

I’ve purchased tickets for DisneySea as well as Hong Kong Disneyland and have never had issues with payment going through. PDF tickets are delivered via email immediately too!

Another way to secure tickets when the park is at capacity during peak seasons is to stay at one of the Disney Hotels and pay for the tickets at the hotel desk. However, to take advantage of this, you’ll need to stay at one of the hotels that offer guaranteed park entry.

👉 Pro Tip: If character dining or scoring lunch/dinner reservations at an iconic Disney restaurant is on your agenda, be sure to download the official Tokyo Disney Resort App to help you make advanced bookings for restaurants and attractions. The app is also a must when you’re at the park!


Where To Stay For Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea

Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

Tokyo Disney Resort has six official onsite hotels located near the different parks. There are four deluxe hotels (many of which are super pricey).

Are they dreamy and gorgeous? Yes. Will they also cost you a fortune? Also yes.

Don’t want to pay that much for accommodation? Neither do we! You’ll be glad to know that there are another 19 Disney partner hotels near the parks.

The main perk of being a Partner Hotel Guest? You can take advantage of a complimentary direct shuttle bus service between the hotel and the bus terminals at both Tokyo Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea Park.

Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels

Staying at a Tokyo Disney Resort official hotel offers several perks, including the convenience of:

  • purchasing park tickets on-site (to save time)
  • guaranteed park admission even during peak periods
  • complimentary shuttle service to the parks

While these hotels are not on the Disney Resort property, they are situated just steps away! Plus, all of them come super highly-rated by previous guests. Here are some of the most notable ones:

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama – Many rooms at this 4.5-star hotel offer fantastic views of Tokyo Bay and the Disney Resort area. This hotel is conveniently located within walking distance or a short shuttle ride from Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel First Resort – The hotel offers some uniquely themed rooms, such as ones inspired by Fantasyland and Adventureland!

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel – The 4.5-star hotel has extensive and beautifully landscaped grounds, providing a relaxing atmosphere. Also offers character dining experiences where you can enjoy meals with Disney characters.

Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel – 4.5-star hotel known for its affordability compared to some other nearby hotels.

Tokyo Disney Resort Partner Hotels

Similar to Disney Resort Official Hotels, guests at Partner Hotels get similar perks:

  • use of complimentary shuttle bus services to travel directly between their hotel and parks
  • purchase park tickets at their hotel
  • access real-time Tokyo Disney Resort information

Urayasu Brighton Hotel Tokyo Bay – This 4.5-star hotel offers stunning panoramic views of Tokyo Bay and the Disney Resort area. It’s also situated along the waterfront and close to Kasai Rinkai Park, providing a really quiet and peaceful setting.

Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay – A 4-star hotel known for its elegant and luxurious interior decor and furnishings. Offers a variety of dining options, including Japanese cuisine and a lounge with bay views.

Hotel Emion Tokyo Bay – A 3-star hotel known for its family-friendly facilities and services, including a play area for children. This one offers a water taxi service to and from Tokyo Disney Resort, providing a unique transportation option!

Mitsui Garden Hotel Prana Tokyo Bay – A 4-star hotel that features a contemporary design and comfortable amenities. Also has an onsen bath for guests to use!


How To Get To Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea

Tokyo Disneyland Train Station

Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture. For the parks, you’ll get off at Maihama Station.

This means if you’re going to be based in the Tokyo area, it can take some time by train to get to the parks/hotels.

To get an idea of how long your journey will take from where you are staying, here’s a quick list of popular areas and their travel times (by train) to Maihama Station.

From Tokyo

  • Marunouchi: 15 minutes
  • Nihombashi: 15 minutes
  • Tokyo Station: 15 minutes
  • Ueno/Akihabara: 35 minutes
  • Shinagawa: 40 minutes
  • Shibuya/Shinjuku: 45 minutes
  • Ikebukuro: 50 minutes
  • Haneda Airport (HND): 1 hour

From Chiba

  • Kaihimmakuhari: 25 minutes
  • Chiba: 40 minutes
  • Narita Airport (NRT): 1 hour 30 minutes

From Kanagawa

  • Kawasaki: 45 minutes
  • Musashi-Kosugi: 55 minutes
  • Yokohama: 1 hour
  • Yokosuka: 1 hour, 30 minutes

To get to Tokyo Disneyland: get off at Maihama Station and walk 8 minutes to the park entrance.

To get to Tokyo DisneySea: get off at Maihama Station and —

  • either transfer to the Disney Resort Line and ride 3 stops to Tokyo DisneySea Station
  • or walk 19 minutes to the park entrance from Maihama Station

Disney Resort Line: The Disney Resort Line circles the resort, stopping at both Disneyland and DisneySea. It leaves Maihama Station and stops at major resort destinations.

A single ticket on the monorail allows you one full loop and costs 300 yen for adults and 150 yen for kids under 11. However, if you are an adult, you can be accompanied by two young children (under six) free of charge.

Tokyo Disneyland Japan - Cinderella Castle

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you visit both parks in one day?

Yes, but this is usually not done. You technically could visit both parks in one day, but that would almost be a waste of money. Because of how big both parks are (and how long lines can get in both park), it’s actually recommended that you spend a day at each one rather than trying to visit both in one go.

Which park has more rides?

Tokyo Disneyland has more rides. If your main goal is to ride rides, Tokyo Disneyland is the better option for you.

Which park has newer rides?

Tokyo DisneySea. The resort’s newest area, Fantasy Springs, opened up at Tokyo DisneySea in 2024. This area includes three of the resort’s hottest and newest rides: Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey, and Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival.

Is there a park-hopper option?

Disneyland and DisneySea have 1-day passport options. A 1-day passport does NOT mean it’s a Park Hopper ticket! They don’t have those here. 

If you want to visit both, you must buy separate tickets for the two theme parks. The prices are the same for both theme parks.

There are also tickets available for later afternoon/evening that are cheaper than full-day passes, which is a good option if you have limited time to spend at the park.


Planning Your Trip To Japan?

Here are some of our other Japan travel guides to help you plan an incredible trip!

Tokyo

Disney Tokyo vs. DisneySea: Which One Is Right For You?

17 Best Theme Parks Near Tokyo, Japan

15 Best Hotels In Tokyo Near JR Yamanote Line (With Map)

2 Days In Tokyo, Japan: Best Things To Do With Your Time

The Perfect 5-Day Itinerary In Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo Travel Tips: 50 Essential Things To Know Before You Go

12 Other Cities Worth Visiting Near Tokyo, Japan

20 Best Things To Do In Tokyo At Night

18+ Best Attractions In Tokyo For Anime Lovers

20+ Top Things To Do In Shinjuku, Tokyo’s High-Energy District

10 Of My Favorite Cheap Eats In Tokyo, Japan

10 Best Tattoo-Friendly Onsens Near Tokyo, Japan

Japan In General

Is Japan’s Fuji-Q Highland Worth Your Time And Money?

Best Of Japan: The Perfect 2-Week Itinerary For First-Timers

18 Popular Foods To Try In Japan

15 Amazing Onsen Towns In Japan To Visit On Your Next


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AUTHOR

Elle Leung

My name is Elle and I'm a travel blogger and adventurer based in California. I love helping people plan trips and create unique itineraries based on their interests and their budgets. I'm a huge fan of outdoor adventures and doing off-the-beaten-path things in my state (and all around the world too)!

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