10 Reasons To Visit Tokyo Disneyland (Instead of DisneySea)

It’s no secret that foreign travelers visiting Japan love Tokyo DisneySea. Yes, the nautical-themed one. It’s the park that most of us recommend to first-timers to Japan because of how unique and different the park is to us.

Often, this leaves Tokyo Disneyland as a mere afterthought! Sure, there’s a lot to love about DisneySea’s novelty, but there’s also a lot to love about Tokyo Disneyland!

After visiting both parks multiple times, I can confidently say both parks are worth visiting for their own reasons. There are things that I love about Tokyo DisneySea (Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, the water-themed lands, Ariel’s Playground), but there are ALSO things I dislike about the park.

In the same vein, there are things I love about Tokyo Disneyland too. Like The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast, as well as the entire Beauty and The Beast village — definitely an area at Disneyland not to be missed!

If you’re a true Disney fan, you should most definitely be visiting both parks if you have the time. Tokyo DisneySea gets enough love as it is. Today, we’re going to show Tokyo Disneyland some love.

Here are all the reasons why we think Tokyo Disneyland is worth visiting.

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!

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👉 Looking for a side-by-side comparison of the two parks? Check out this post: Disney Tokyo vs. DisneySea: Which One Is Right For You?

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8 Reasons Why You Should Totally Visit Tokyo Disneyland

1. Cinderella’s Castle is located at this park

Tokyo Disneyland features the iconic Cinderella’s Castle, which is a central landmark and a quintessentially Disney photo opportunity. Some would say snapping a photo in front of the castle is a rite of passage as a Disney park-goer!

This fairytale castle will not only captivate you with its looks but it also houses attractions like the Cinderella Fairy Tale Hall, providing an immersive experience into the world of Cinder-Ellie.

In the castle, you can view the throne room (and her glass slipper!) and wander through the castle to view paintings, dioramas, and other artworks that follow her story.

2. The Beauty and The Beast ride is a must

The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast is a must-see attraction that may even make you cry with how beautiful and fun it is!

This new, high-tech, and utterly enchanting ride takes you through the beloved tale of Belle and the Beast, combining state-of-the-art animatronics, breathtaking scenes, and a heartwarming storyline.

You’ll board magical cups that “dance” in rhythm to the well-known music from Beauty and the Beast, as the teacups take you through scenes depicting the story of the animated film.

The musical moments and the immersive experience bring the magic of the classic Disney film to life — it was 100% the highlight of our visit. My personal favorite rooms were the “Be Our Guest” scene and the final scene where Belle and The Beast share their romantic dance together!

This is hands-down the most popular ride at the park — we even paid extra for Disney Premier Access so that we didn’t have to wait in the 2+ hour line. 10/10 would recommend making time for this ride during your visit!

3. It’s home to all the classic Disney attractions

Tokyo Disneyland offers a more traditional Disney experience, similar to other Disneyland parks around the world. It’s got all your classic faves like Splash Mountain, It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Space Mountain.

And, of course, you can’t forget about all the classic rides that the original Disneyland Park in Anaheim opened with (in 1955)! These include a majority of the Fantasyland rides like Peter Pan’s Flight, King Arthur Carrousel, and Mad Tea Party.

If you’ve never been to a Disneyland park before, experiencing these traditional attractions is a rite of passage and a key part of the Disney magic that you can’t miss.

4. Tokyo Disneyland has way more rides than DisneySea

If you’re not patient, Tokyo Disneyland is probably better for you.

One of the biggest challenges at DisneySea is the limited number of rides compared to Disneyland. While the park’s themes sure are immersive and a sight to see, the demand for attractions/rides far outweighs the supply. Too many people + too few rides!

This creates dreadfully long lines for the select few rides available, with masses of visitors funneled into the same queues. And here’s where things spiral: those who don’t want to spend their entire day waiting for rides end up in food and snack lines instead. But with limited food kiosks and snack stands, those lines become just as painfully long.

Popcorn, churros, quick bites—you’ll wait for all of it. It’s a vicious cycle of waiting, whether you’re trying to get on a ride, meet a character, or just grab a drink.

Yes, this applies to the low season too! We’ve gone to DisneySea in the colder months of December and February. Wait times are still crazy.

5. It’s the more family-friendly park

Tokyo Disneyland is the better pick for families with young kids, simply because there’s more to do for them. With a higher number of kid-friendly rides—especially in Fantasyland and Toontown—kids stay entertained instead of spending most of the day waiting in line (ahem… DisneySea).

Add in parades, character dining, and family-friendly attractions, and it’s an easier, more enjoyable experience for parents too.

DisneySea does have one-of-a-kind theming and some unique rides, but it’s geared more toward adults. There are fewer attractions for younger kids, meaning families may spend more time looking around than actually riding rides.

6. The iconic Blue Bayou Restaurant is located here

The iconic Blue Bayou Restaurant, geniusly set inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Adventureland, offers a unique dining experience with its enchanting, dimly-lit atmosphere resembling a serene night in the bayou.

If you can manage to snag reservations here, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious Cajun-Creole cuisine while watching boats with riders drift by. The chef’s recommended course is a must. It’s such an unforgettable meal that’s both delicious and immersive!

7. You can find really unique merchandise unique to Japan

Tokyo Disneyland offers a treasure trove of unique merchandise exclusive to Japan, including themed popcorn buckets, Baymax-themed merch, Woody and Jesse cowboy hats, funky Mickey ears, Tokyo Disneyland-themed aloha shirts, and beautifully packaged confectionaries and cookies.

These one-of-a-kind souvenirs make perfect keepsakes or gifts, providing a fun reminder of your visit to the park long after you’re back in your home country. The Japanese take gift-giving seriously, so you’ll find some incredibly unique items here!

You can find a lot of the same merch at Tokyo DisneySea too, but like I said, there are long lines everywhere in that park.

For the best shopping in the park, we like the World Bazaar area at Tokyo Disneyland. This area is so cute (very much like Main Street USA in the American parks), with rotating products in the store windows changed out to reflect upcoming seasons/holidays.

8. You can partake in the Disney popcorn craze

Not sure how popcorn became so freakin’ popular at the Disney Parks in Japan, but they’re basically as popular as churros are in the USA parks!

While you’re at the park, you’ve got the chance to partake in the Disney popcorn craze! If you’re imagining parkgoers munching on buttered popcorn or kettle corn, you’d be wrong. It goes way beyond that in Japan!

You can choose from a variety of fun flavors like matcha white chocolate, honey, curry, black pepper, caramel cheese, and more.

You can even take it one step further and buy yourself a popcorn souvenir bucket! My favorite ones are the Winnie The Pooh one and the Peter Pan / Tinkerbelle one (the latter actually lights up!).

9. The food is so cheap compared to other Disneyland parks

When it comes to the food at the parks, no other park in the world does it quite like Tokyo Disney. It’s just so darn affordable compared to other Disney Parks in the world!

We usually opt for snacks and counter-service meals since we just don’t have time to do sit-down restaurants, but even the set menus at the sit-down restaurants are pretty affordable.

While both parks have classic/viral food items like ice creams, green alien dumplings, churros, popcorn in all kinds of crazy flavors, smoked turkey legs, etc., our food experience at Tokyo Disneyland was better than at Tokyo DisneySea.

That’s because the lines were slightly shorter at Tokyo Disneyland, meaning we could actually get our hands on more of the foods throughout the day.

(When we were at Tokyo DisneySea, we didn’t have our first popcorn until the lines died down at around 5pm because we didn’t want to wait 20+ minutes in the crazy popcorn lines.)

10. There are more locals and fewer tourists

Most foreigners flock to Tokyo DisneySea because it’s the more ‘unique’ one of the two parks in Japan. With that said, you’ll actually find fewer tourists at Tokyo Disneyland.

When we visited on our fourth trip to Japan, we only saw a small handful of Western tourists. Most of the park-goers were local families who lived in Japan and spoke Japanese. If you want a less touristy experience, this is the park to choose!

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Tokyo Disneyland: A Deeper Dive Into The Park

Tokyo Disneyland’s Theme And Main Attractions

If you’re looking for the iconic Disney experience or have never visited a Disney theme park in your life, this park is the perfect introduction to the world of all things Disney! This is where you’ll find all the classic elements that make Disneyland the “Happiest Place On Earth”.

On top of that, Tokyo Disneyland is ideal for people traveling with younger children, as the park offers many slower, gentler rides suitable for kids.

You’ll find lots of character shows, parades, fireworks displays, and many classic rides like Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Star Tours, Haunted Mansion, and Splash Mountain.

The park features seven lands in total, all themed with cute buildings and characters from various Disney films, rides, restaurants, and shows.

The Different ‘Lands’ at Tokyo Disneyland

The seven different lands/zones in Tokyo Disneyland are:

World Bazaar

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

Adventureland

• Combines adventurous themes like Pirates of the Caribbean and Swiss Family Robinson
• Features the Jungle Cruise and a unique ride called the Western River Railroad
• Has many restaurants from Cajun to Asian to Polynesian and features several shops.

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. You’ll also find turkey legs here!

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 themes
• It’s a Small World water ride, and Peter Pan’s Flight are featured rides
• There are several taverns and restaurants and many gift shops.

Toontown

• An area perfect for younger kids
• Features classic Disney characters, snack venues, character ‘homes’, and toy shops

Tomorrowland

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

Top Rides and Attractions at Tokyo Disneyland

• The Happy Ride With Baymax: Experience this wild musical ride developed by the young inventor Hiro Hamada.
• Enchanted Tale of Beauty and The Beast: Immersive journey through the beloved Beauty and the Beast story.
• Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!: Interactive flashlight game in the Monsters, Inc. universe.
• It’s a Small World: Boat ride showcasing diverse cultures through animated dolls and music.
• Haunted Mansion: Spooky tour through a ghost-filled, eerie old mansion.
• Peter Pan’s Flight: Fly over London and Neverland with Peter Pan.
• Pooh’s Hunny Hunt: Whimsical adventure with Winnie the Pooh in search of honey.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Boat ride through a pirate-infested Caribbean world.
• Enchanted Tiki Room: Animatronic bird show with tropical themes and catchy tunes.
• Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions: Guided boat tour through exotic, animatronic wildlife jungles.
• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue: 3D space adventure in the Star Wars universe.
• Space Mountain: High-speed roller coaster through outer space.
• Splash Mountain: Log flume ride with drops and Br’er Rabbit story.
• Big Thunder Mountain: Runaway mine train roller coaster through a Wild West mountain.

Popular Restaurants and Foods at Tokyo Disneyland

• 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) – Known for its Western-style dishes like burgers and fried chicken.
• Great American Waffle Co. (World Bazaar) – Super popular for those iconic Mickey-shaped waffles!

Other Foods You Can Find

• 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.
• Gyoza Sausage Bun – A unique snack featuring a sausage wrapped in a gyoza dumpling-like bun.
• Seafood pizza – head to Captain Hook’s Galley for a slice 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.

Popular Shows And Parades at Tokyo Disneyland

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
• … and way more seasonal shows (featuring Baymax, Donald Duck, etc.)!

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

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Tokyo Disneyland: Tickets And Reservations

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

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.

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.

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)

Ticket prices vary and can be lower or higher depending on whether it’s a weekday vs. weekend or a public holiday. Here’s an example of what the ticket prices could look like for a 1-day passport:

Adult	8,400yen – 10,900yen
Junior	6,600yen – 9,000yen
Child	4,700yen – 5,600yen

Each ticket will allow you into EITHER Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea.

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 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.

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 our Disneyland tickets on GetYourGuide.

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.

👉 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 will also make it easier to plan your day when you’re at the park.

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Where To Stay For Tokyo Disneyland

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.

• Tokyo Disneyland Hotel – right in front of the Disneyland park
• Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta – located inside Tokyo DisneySea
• Disney Ambassador Hotel – sits between both parks
• Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel – brand-new immersive hotel located inside Tokyo DisneySea in Fantasy Springs
• There is also the more budget-friendly Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel (rooms starting at ~$170 USD / ¥26,000)
• and a moderately-priced Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel (rooms starting at ~$230USD / ¥36,000)

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.

Grand Nikko Tokyo Bay Maihama – So cute and perfect for families!!! Many rooms at this 4.5-star hotel offer fantastic views of Tokyo Bay and the Disney Resort area. This hotel is also within walking distance (or a short shuttle ride) from both parks. The breakfast here? A MUST!

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.

Hilton Tokyo Bay – Situated along the scenic waterfront of Tokyo Bay. Also features Disney-themed rooms and a Disney store for shopping convenience.

Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay – This 5-star hotel is known for its excellent dining options, including Japanese cuisine and a buffet restaurant. Unlike other hotels in Tokyo, Okura Tokyo Bay has very comfortable spacious rooms!

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!

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

Need more Japan trip-planning help? Find the rest of our Japan travel guides here.

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