9 Essential Tips for Visiting Tokyo Disney in 2024

If you enjoy the Disney parks in the U.S., you'll likely fall in love with the two theme parks at Tokyo Disney Resort.

Tokyo Disneyland debuted in 1983, setting a high bar even for Disney's renowned theme parks. Despite budget overruns, the park maintained its commitment to quality. In 2001, Tokyo Disneyland expanded with the addition of Tokyo DisneySea, featuring breathtaking ports and the towering Mount Prometheus volcano.

The Tokyo Disney Resort includes not only two theme parks but also six themed hotels and a monorail system linking to nearby accommodations. From must-see attractions and delicious snacks to ticket tips, lodging, and transportation, here’s everything you need to know before your Tokyo Disney adventure.

Tokyo Disney Essentials

Tokyo Disneyland is the flagship park of Tokyo Disney Resort. It features a classic Disney 'castle park' layout with iconic themed lands like Adventureland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Toontown. The central castle will seem familiar, as it closely resembles Cinderella Castle from Walt Disney World.

Don't mistake it for a mere replica of Disney World. While inspired by the Florida park, Tokyo Disneyland stands as a unique destination in its own right.

Just two monorail stops away lies Tokyo DisneySea, the more innovative of the two parks, offering an experience unlike any other Disney park you’ve encountered.

The park is also home to exclusive attractions, including Journey to the Center of the Earth and Sindbad's Storybook Voyage, along with exciting new rides in the Fantasy Springs area.

The park even features a full-sized steam-powered ocean liner. Visitors can board it to explore, dine, snap photos, and create TikTok videos—an activity that's incredibly popular here.

How to Purchase Tokyo Disney Tickets

One of the perks of visiting Tokyo Disney is its affordable ticket prices compared to U.S. Disney parks. Depending on the exchange rate, adult tickets typically start at $50 per day, with tickets for teens and tweens priced at $42, and child tickets available for just $30 each day.

Evening tickets are also available starting at $30 for adults. These tickets are valid from 5 p.m. onwards on weekdays, and from 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

You can buy Tokyo Disney tickets online at the official Tokyo Disney Resort website, starting at 2 p.m. two months prior to your intended visit.

Keep in mind that tickets may sell out. However, if you're staying at a Tokyo Disney hotel, you're guaranteed access to tickets, taking away some of the stress. Also, be prepared for the Tokyo Disney website (and many Japanese websites) to be particular about accepting certain U.S. credit cards.

From our experience, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express were reliable, but you might need to try different cards as there's no consistent pattern for which ones work. If you're having trouble, the Klook app or website is another option for booking Tokyo Disney tickets and other popular attractions in Japan, and it tends to work well with U.S. credit cards. The downside is that third-party bookings can be slightly more expensive, and once you purchase, you can't change your dates.

No matter how you buy your Tokyo Disney tickets, keep in mind that they are single-day tickets only. Multi-day tickets are not currently available, and you're limited to one park per day—no park hopping allowed.

How Many Days Should You Spend at Tokyo Disney?

The amount of time you should dedicate to Tokyo Disney will vary depending on many factors, especially considering how much there is to see and do in Japan. However, if you want to experience a substantial portion of what Tokyo Disney offers, plan for at least one full day at each park. Aim to stay from opening to closing time.

With the opening of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, you may need at least another half day to fully enjoy most of the unique rides and experiences there. Therefore, we recommend setting aside at least two full days for Tokyo Disney, or ideally three days to truly savor the experience at a more leisurely pace.

That said, if you’re just looking for a quick, Tokyo Disney-themed day, you’ll still have a blast. Instead of rushing to do everything, focus on enjoying what you can during your visit. If you only have one day, we suggest arriving at least an hour before opening to get a head start and make the most of your time in the park.

Just be aware that even if your visit is brief, you’ll likely start planning your next trip to Tokyo Disney as soon as you leave.

How to Get to Tokyo Disney

If you're coming from central Tokyo, the train is a budget-friendly and efficient way to reach Tokyo Disney. Two Japan Rail lines, JR Keiyo and JR Musashino, run from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station, which is right next to the park.

The journey from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station takes about 15 to 20 minutes. If you're coming from other areas of Tokyo, expect a 10- to 30-minute train ride on a JR or subway line to reach Tokyo Station. Navigating Tokyo Station can be overwhelming at first, with long walks, escalators, and moving walkways to change trains.

Trains also connect Tokyo Disney to both of Tokyo's major airports, Narita International (NRT) and Haneda (HND), but depending on your situation—especially if you're traveling with luggage or young kids—other modes of transport might be more convenient. The connection from Narita is particularly cumbersome, involving a lengthy journey with backtracking.

Both of our families opted for a private 45-60 minute van ride with Tokyo Airporter between our resort hotel and Narita Airport (NRT)—a pricey but convenient choice, especially with jet-lagged kids in tow.

For a more affordable option, consider the Airport Limousine bus, priced at 1,300 Japanese yen (roughly $8) per person. Service is more frequent from Haneda Airport (HND) than Narita, but it does stop at several hotels near Tokyo Disney. Check online schedules (searching 'Disney' in the destination filter will show most hotels nearby) to see if this option suits you. It's best to buy tickets once you land in Tokyo for a specific departure time.

Where to Stay Near Tokyo Disney

If you're a Disney enthusiast and can afford the stay, we highly recommend booking one of the six official Tokyo Disney hotels. The 15-minute 'Happy Entry' head start gives you a significant advantage in beating the crowds, allowing you to experience one or two attractions before it gets busy. Additionally, staying here lets you purchase Premier Access for rides earlier than most visitors, as you'll already be in the park.

Of course, if you're not fully committed to the Disney experience or prefer to use traditional hotel points, there are plenty of other accommodation options nearby.

If you're aiming to stay at an official Tokyo Disney hotel, reservations open four months in advance for standard rooms and five to six months ahead for vacation packages. Packages can be a good value if you plan to take full advantage of the inclusions, such as park tickets, rides, and popcorn, especially with the Fantasy Springs passport that helps you make the most of that area of the park.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is a deluxe-tier property, just below the luxury tier which includes part of the new Fantasy Springs Hotel. It’s so close to Tokyo Disneyland that you can almost smell the popcorn from inside the park. With its Victorian architecture, it evokes a similar feel to the Walt Disney World Grand Floridian. The hotel also offers a variety of themed rooms (like Beauty and the Beast, Tinker Bell, and Alice in Wonderland), which we think are definitely worth checking out.

Rates for a stay here start around $400 per night.

Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta

Located in the deluxe hotel tier, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta boasts its own private entrance to the DisneySea park. Its rooms offer a stunning view of the park—allowing you to keep an eye on the magic throughout the night. The hotel’s Roman-inspired design weaves mythical sea stories into both the lobby and the rooms.

Rooms with a park view are definitely worth booking, but they tend to sell out quickly, so be sure to reserve as soon as the booking window opens. One thing to note: aside from a small selection of packaged snacks in the market, there aren’t many grab-and-go food options within the hotel.

Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs Hotel

Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs Hotel is the newest addition to Tokyo Disney’s collection of accommodations, and it’s the only one that offers some rooms in the highest luxury tier.

This hotel features both deluxe and luxury rooms, with the latter offering balconies that overlook the stunning new Fantasy Springs port. Guests will feel as if they’ve stepped into Fantasy Springs the moment they arrive, thanks to the beautiful theming and exclusive rockwork views available only to hotel guests. After the sun sets and DisneySea closes, you can relax on your balcony or in one of the hotel’s public areas, enjoying the twinkling lights of the now-empty Fantasy Springs.

The downside? Tokyo Disney Fantasy Springs Hotel is currently one of the most sought-after reservations in town. Booking a room here is about as challenging as securing a face-value Taylor Swift ticket in the U.S.

Other Official Tokyo Disney Hotels

Beyond the three main Tokyo Disney hotels, there are other official options including the Disney Ambassador Hotel (deluxe tier), Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel (moderate tier), and Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel (value tier). These are typically more affordable than the premium options, especially the Toy Story and Celebration-themed hotels. However, keep in mind that none of these are particularly close to the parks, so you'll need to factor in transportation time.

For the first two hotels, you'll likely take the Disney monorail to the parks, while the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel is served by a shuttle bus.

Other Nearby Hotels

If none of the official Disney hotels are the right fit for your stay, there are 19 additional Good Neighbor and Partner hotels nearby offering perks such as shuttle buses to the parks or access to the resort monorail. Options include the Hilton Tokyo Bay Hotel (which is adjacent to Tokyo Disney's Toy Story-themed hotel) and the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay.

How to Get Around Tokyo Disney

Getting around Tokyo Disney is straightforward and efficient once you're on the property.

Tokyo Disney operates its own monorail system, which loops through the resort with four stations. This convenient ride connects the two theme parks and the hotels, making it easy to get from one location to another. The loop's scale is similar to the Magic Kingdom monorail at Disney World, but it serves an extra park and more hotels.

Unlike at Disneyland and Disney World, the monorail at Tokyo Disney isn't free. However, it's very affordable, costing just 300 yen (under $2) per ride. You'll need to buy your tickets or day pass at one of the stations, and keep in mind that credit cards aren't accepted, so you'll need cash or a Suica card to pay.

Day passes are a more cost-effective choice if you plan to use the monorail more than twice in a day. You can also use transit cards like Suica or PASMO, which are valid on other public transportation systems in Japan, such as trains and subways, to pay for the monorail fare.

While most guests will rely on the monorail at some point, some parts of the resort are within walking distance. For example, it's an easy 10-minute walk from Maihama Station to both Tokyo Disneyland Park and the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. However, to reach DisneySea or many other hotels, you'll need to hop on the monorail.

Tokyo Disney Crowds — and How to Skip the Lines

Tokyo Disney is known for its massive crowds and notoriously long wait times. As the resort is located in the world's largest metropolitan area, it attracts an incredible number of visitors every single day.

Even though posted wait times might indicate long lines, you don't have to settle for waiting two hours. With the right research and a bit of strategy, our families never waited more than 30 minutes for any ride.

The trick to avoiding long waits is to take advantage of Tokyo Disney's two main 'skip the line' options: Premier Access (available for a fee) and the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass (free). Premier Access works like the paid Lightning Lanes in U.S. parks, while the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass is a free version of Disney Genie+.

Free 40th Anniversary Priority Pass

The 40th Anniversary Priority Pass is essentially a free version of Genie+. Upon entering the park, you'll receive a pass for one ride. After that, you can get another pass 120 minutes later, or when the return window opens for your previous ride. You won't be able to pick your exact return time, but you'll get the next available slot for your chosen attraction.

If you arrive right when the park opens, it's reasonable to expect you could snag two Priority Passes in a day — maybe three if you're lucky. Be sure to prioritize the rides you want most, as these passes are limited and can run out.

Attractions eligible for the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass include the following:

- Tokyo Disneyland: Space Mountain - Tokyo Disneyland: Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters - Tokyo Disneyland: Star Tours: The Adventure Continues - Tokyo Disneyland: Haunted Mansion - Tokyo Disneyland: Pooh's Honey Hunt - Tokyo Disneyland: Big Thunder Mountain - Tokyo Disneyland: Monsters, Inc. Ride & Seek - Tokyo DisneySea: Nemo & Friends SeaRider - Tokyo DisneySea: Aquatopia (available from July 2 through Sept. 18, 2024) - Tokyo DisneySea: Raging Spirits - Tokyo DisneySea: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - Tokyo DisneySea: The Magic Lamp Theater - Tokyo DisneySea: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull - Tokyo DisneySea: Turtle Talk

In addition to rides, you can also use the Priority Pass for character meet-and-greets. If you’re hoping to snap a photo with Mickey, Minnie, or any of their friends, be sure to grab a pass for that too.

Premier Access (paid)

Next, there's the paid Premier Access system, similar to the Lightning Lanes in the U.S., designed for the most popular attractions. If you're traveling all the way to Japan and want to experience the top rides, Premier Access is a must-buy.

You can buy your first Premier Access pass as soon as you enter the park, and then you can purchase more (either for the same or different rides) 60 minutes after your last purchase, or after the start time of your last purchased pass—whichever comes first. Additionally, you can have a Premier Access pass at the same time as a show or parade reservation, and you can use it alongside the free 40th Anniversary Priority Passes.

Here are the rides and shows available with Premier Access:

- Tokyo Disneyland: Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo Disneyland: The Happy Ride with Baymax (1,500 yen, about $10) - Tokyo Disneyland: Splash Mountain (1,500 yen, about $10) - Tokyo DisneySea: Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo DisneySea: Rapunzel's Lantern Festival (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo DisneySea: Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo DisneySea: Soaring: Fantastic Flight (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo DisneySea: Toy Story Mania! (2,000 yen, about $13) - Tokyo DisneySea: Tower of Terror (1,500 yen, about $10) - Tokyo DisneySea: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1,500 yen, about $10)

From our experience, if you start buying Premier Access passes right when the park opens and continue purchasing about once every hour (or even earlier if your pass start time is sooner), you'll likely be able to secure about three passes in a day before they sell out. This was the case before Fantasy Springs opened, so with the nearly doubled availability at DisneySea, things might change. However, prioritize one or two rides you absolutely want to do first.

Early Happy Entry

A great way to bypass some of the biggest crowds is by staying at one of the deluxe Disney hotels, which grants you access to the Happy Entry perk.

Depending on which hotel you book and when you're visiting, you can enjoy early access to one or both parks through the 'Happy Entry' program. Make sure to read the details closely, as the opening of Fantasy Springs has altered which hotels offer this benefit for different parks on specific days.

The early access you get with Happy Entry is just an additional 15 minutes, but it can really make a difference. Happy Entry guests use a separate entrance and can immediately head to one of the park's most popular attractions, often with a minimal wait. Plus, they can start making ride reservations with Premier Access and the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass as soon as they enter, getting a crucial head start over other visitors.

This means you can enjoy a quick wait for your first ride while securing priority access for two other attractions using the paid and free passes — all in the first moments before the park officially opens.

If you don’t have access to Happy Entry, be prepared for massive crowds building up outside the park gates long before the opening time. To get to the front of those crowds, you'll need to arrive several hours early. Thankfully, Tokyo Disney Resort is incredibly efficient at processing guests, so even if you arrive closer to park opening, it won't be too overwhelming.

Of course, there are times when the crowds are just too much to handle. The Golden Week holidays in late April and early May are traditionally the busiest. Additionally, the opening of Fantasy Springs in June 2024 is likely to trigger a huge influx of visitors to Tokyo DisneySea throughout the summer and beyond. No matter when you visit, we highly recommend avoiding weekends if you want to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Top Tokyo Disney attractions and must-see shows

Many of the attractions at Tokyo Disneyland will feel familiar to those who have visited Disney parks in the U.S., with iconic classics like It's a Small World, Peter Pan, and Pirates of the Caribbean.

However, for most visitors, the real draw of Tokyo Disney is its unique offerings. The two parks are home to a range of exclusive attractions that can't be found anywhere else, and these tend to have the longest lines. To make the most of your time, having a smart strategy to tackle these popular rides is key.

One of Tokyo Disneyland's newest and most beloved attractions is Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. Located within Beast's Castle (a 2020 addition to Fantasyland), this ride features a trackless teacup vehicle that takes guests on a journey through magical scenes from the movie, complete with lifelike Audio-Animatronic characters.

A fan favorite at Tokyo Disneyland is Pooh's Hunny Hunt, the groundbreaking ride that was the first Disney attraction to utilize trackless ride technology. Other must-try attractions include the Happy Ride with Baymax (which has a similar vibe to Alien Swirling Saucers or Mater's Junkyard Jamboree) and Monsters, Inc. Hide and Go Seek (an impressive upgrade to the classic Disneyland Monster's, Inc. dark ride). While the latter isn’t exactly thrilling, the ambiance alone makes it worth experiencing, so it’s worth sticking around to watch others take a spin if you’re short on time.

Tokyo DisneySea's top thrill ride is Journey to the Center of the Earth, a captivating mix of dark ride and coaster that takes you through the heart of Mount Prometheus, culminating in an adrenaline-pumping drop.

For a slightly milder experience, Tokyo DisneySea offers rides like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sindbad's Storybook Voyage, Nemo & Friends: SeaRider, and Aquatopia. Additionally, don't miss Tokyo DisneySea's version of Tower of Terror, which boasts a unique theme and storyline that sets it apart from other versions of the ride.

Inside Fantasy Springs, you'll find four exciting new attractions: Peter Pan's Never Land Adventure, Rapunzel's Lantern Festival, Fairy Tinker Bell's Busy Buggies, and Anna and Elsa's Frozen Journey — all of which should be on your must-do list.

While many visitors to Disney parks focus on the rides, Tokyo Disney’s shows and live entertainment are equally impressive and should not be missed. These offerings are far more elaborate than those found in U.S. parks.

One of the most popular shows at Tokyo DisneySea is Big Band Beat, a high-energy production that uses a lottery-based “Entry Request” system for seating. Keep in mind, this is different from the Premier Access or 40th Anniversary Priority Pass we’ve discussed.

Certain shows, like the beloved Duffy and Friends' Wonderful Friendship, are exclusive to guests who make a dining reservation at the associated restaurant (we’ll dive into dining options shortly).

Tokyo Disneyland Park hosts both a daytime and evening parade, as well as a spectacular fireworks display in the evening. Over at Tokyo DisneySea, you’ll also be treated to a breathtaking water-based night show. Premier Access is available for reserved “seating” at any of these events.

Fortunately, Tokyo Disney has a highly organized system for watching parades. It’s not uncommon to see families claiming spots along the parade route an hour or two ahead of time, ensuring they have the best view.

Best meals and snacks in Tokyo Disney

Tokyo Disney Resort boasts an extensive range of dining options, which can feel a bit overwhelming. Most visitors who aren't local will likely only have time to try a few of the many available restaurants.

Similar to the U.S. parks, Tokyo Disney features both quick-service and table-service restaurants. Additionally, a select few dining experiences include entertainment, where you can enjoy a meal while watching a character-driven stage show.

Securing a reservation for Tokyo Disney's most sought-after table-service and show-dining restaurants is as competitive as booking for Disney World or Disneyland.

Reservations for show dining open exactly one month in advance at 9 a.m. local time, while table-service reservations are available one hour later at 10 a.m. The demand for these spots often crashes the Tokyo Disney website and app, so don’t be surprised if your top choices are unavailable on the first try (or the second or third).

If all this sounds like stressful vacation planning to you, don’t worry—it’s not necessary to book reservations in advance. Tokyo Disney offers plenty of delicious quick-service meals and snacks. While one of us managed to secure reservations at some of the more popular spots like Magellan's, Teddy Roosevelt Lounge, Blue Bayou, and Mickey's Rainbow Luau, many guests find quick dining options to be just as satisfying.

One of us chose to skip the competitive dining reservation game and instead stuck to quick-service and snacks in the park. This approach allowed for greater flexibility, lower costs, and still provided some really tasty food.

For some quick-service options, the mobile ordering feature in the app is available, much like in the U.S. Disney parks. While not all quick-service locations offer it, there are enough that you can easily avoid long lines and save valuable time. We used it to grab a quick meal from Plasma Ray's Diner in Tokyo Disneyland.

Tokyo Disney offers a variety of cute and reasonably priced snacks for guests on the go. The standout favorite, however, is undoubtedly popcorn. You'll find popcorn carts scattered across nearly every land in both parks, with lines often stretching as long as those for top attractions.

Each popcorn cart at Tokyo Disney offers a unique assortment of flavors, ranging from sweet to savory. In 2024, some of the options include curry, caramel, chocolate, black pepper, garlic shrimp, and matcha white chocolate. At just 400 yen (around $3) per box, you can try a few different ones without breaking the bank.

In addition to popcorn, Tokyo Disney also serves a variety of snacks familiar to visitors of the U.S. Disney parks, such as churros and turkey legs. A little insider tip: skip the potato churro and go for the classic cinnamon-sugar version instead. And, like many other treats here, it’s shaped like Mickey!

A Tokyo Disney exclusive that's frequently spotted on Instagram is the Toy Story Green Alien Mochi dumplings, a treat that’s as photogenic as it is delicious.

Is visiting Tokyo Disney worth it?

With so much to see and do in Japan, it can be hard to decide if spending part of your trip at a theme park is the right choice. While everyone’s preferences differ, if you’re a fan of the U.S. Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are absolutely worth the time.

For those familiar with the U.S. Disney parks, some elements of Tokyo Disney will feel like a welcome reminder of home, offering a comforting sense of familiarity. But there’s also plenty that’s entirely unique to Tokyo, making it a special experience. Both of our Disney-loving families found the visit well worth the time and cost.

Guests can enjoy the freedom to sit on the ground for shows and parades, savor delicious snacks at great prices, try unique and high-quality attractions, meet the lovable Duffy and Friends, and stay at themed hotels. After spending several days at Tokyo Disney, we all found ourselves wishing for even more time to explore.