Everything you need to know about visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea so that you have a wonderful trip.
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Planning a trip to Japan and thinking about visiting Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea? You’re in for something special, but it’s not quite the same as visiting Disney parks in the U.S. Knowing what to expect can make a huge difference in your experience.
If you are spending time in Tokyo, you may be interested in this post, all about tips for visiting the city.
Tokyo Disneyland delivers a more familiar, fairy-tale Disney atmosphere, while DisneySea offers a one-of-a-kind, more immersive experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Both parks are known for exceptional cleanliness, incredible attention to detail, and some of the most dedicated fans you’ll ever see, but they’re also famously busy, with long wait times and a few logistical quirks that can catch first-time visitors off guard.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned Disney traveler, a little preparation goes a long way in turning a potentially overwhelming trip into a smooth and unforgettable adventure.
Here’s what you need to know about visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea:
DPA and 40th Anniversary Passes
Both DPA (paid) and 40th anniversary passes (free) are like fast passes that can be booked in the app once inside the park. To book another pass, you have to wait until your current return time has arrived or til 1 hour has passed for DPA or 2 hours have passed for 40th. Set a timer on your phone.
Prioritize high-demand DPA passes first: Frozen Ever After, Soaring: Fantastic Flight, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Arrive Early
People line up early to enter the park. I highly recommend arriving at least 1.5 hours before the park opens, especially at Tokyo DisneySea. If you can manage to arrive earlier, I would. Since you cannot book DPAs or 40th anniversary passes until you are in the park, it’s important to get into the park as close to opening time as possible.
Prioritize
The Tokyo parks are crowded/extremely busy, so prioritize the rides/shows that are important to you. We concentrated on rides that are not offered at the U.S. parks, and then a couple of our favorite rides.
Mobile Ordering
Mobile order food time slots book fast for lunch; put your order in early in the day. Mobile ordering time slots for waffles at Tokyo Disneyland were booked for the day within 30 minutes of park opening.
Be Patient
Lines will be long for everything from entering the parks to rides to popcorn to food; however, lines are well organized. Be sure to pack your patience.
Data/WiFi
You will need data inside the parks to book DPAs/40th passes, to make mobile orders, and to check rides/show times, so be sure you have an international plan, an eSIM, or a pocket WiFi. We used Holafly during our trip and had zero issues. We used the same plan for Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea. You can save 5% off your first eSIM purchase from Holafly by clicking here or using code: 668ATRCGXQO5
Also bring a portable charger – you’ll need it!
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the parks!
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