Welcome to Tokyo Disneyland, Japan’s enchanting place where dreams come true, and imagination knows no limitations! Tokyo Disneyland, one of the world’s most popular theme parks, provides an unforgettable experience for both the young and the elderly. This park transports guests into a world of magic and wonders with its unique blend of Japanese and Disney culture. Tokyo Disneyland has something for everyone, from exhilarating rides to colorful parades and breathtaking fireworks displays. So join us for an in-depth tour of this beautiful park and uncover all the secrets and surprises that await you!
Brief Background About Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland is a world-famous amusement park in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is a vast oasis of fun and amusement for visitors of all ages, with its 115-acre (47-hectare) grounds. The main gate of the park is strategically located next to both Maihama Station and Tokyo Disneyland Station, making it easily accessible from everywhere in Tokyo.
Tokyo Disneyland, which opened on April 15, 1983, was the first Disney park developed outside the United States. WED Enterprises designed the park in the same style as Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland in California. It has a stunning selection of attractions and rides, including traditional favorites such as Space Mountain and Pirates of the Caribbean, and also contemporary attractions such as Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters and Monsters, Inc. Ride and Seek!
The Oriental Land Company owns Tokyo Disneyland and has an exclusive license to use The Walt Disney Company’s intellectual property. This means that all of the familiar and beloved Disney characters and brands are seamlessly integrated into the park’s attractions and experiences.
The History of Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disneyland’s origins began in the late 1950s, when Kunizo Matsuo, a Japanese businessman, approached Walt Disney with the notion of establishing a Disney park in Nara. Walt Disney was initially interested in the project but finally dropped out. Matsuo pushed ahead and launched Nara Dreamland in 1961, a Disneyland-style attraction devoid of Disney characters or intellectual property. Nara Dreamland was open until 2006.
Masatomo Takahashi of The Oriental Land Company approached Walt Disney Productions in August 1978 with the idea of Tokyo Disneyland. Following the success of Disney World in Florida, negotiations for the construction of Disneyland in Chiba Prefecture began, and the initial contract for the construction of Disneyland in Chiba Prefecture was signed in April 1979. Japanese engineers and architects visited Disneyland in California in preparation for the new park’s construction, which began a year later. The building of Tokyo Disneyland was highly publicized as an indicator of the park’s grand ambitions for the future. The park’s total cost was 180 billion yen, which was greater than the planned cost of 100 billion yen.
To keep up with the times, Tokyo Disneyland has undergone various alterations and updates, including the addition of new attractions, themed sections, and technological advancements. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the park announced a temporary closure in February 2020. The shutdown, which was supposed to stay until mid-March, was later extended many times, with the last extension lasting until July 1, 2020.
Tokyo Disneyland made waves in 2021 when it introduced gender-neutral announcements in English. The park’s dedication to inclusivity and diversity is only one example of its continual efforts to ensure that all visitors have a pleasant and welcoming experience. Despite the challenges of the past year, Tokyo Disneyland remains a popular tourist and local destination, providing a unique blend of Japanese and Disney culture that is sure to enchant and inspire.
Tokyo Disneyland’s Seven Themed Areas
1. World Bazaar
The World Bazaar is Tokyo Disneyland’s primary entrance and shopping area. The neighborhood is themed to look like early twentieth-century America, comparable to Main Street, U.S.A., in other Disney theme parks. Despite the use of the word “World” in its name, World Bazaar’s overall theme is not intended to represent any particular country or culture.
Main Street and Center Street intersect to form World Bazaar. Main Street is the primary corridor leading from the park’s main entrance towards Cinderella Castle. It’s surrounded by stores, restaurants, and other attractions. The Disney Gallery, which showcases artwork and merchandise from notable Disney films, and the Main Street Cinema, which screens classic Disney cartoons, are among the stores open to guests.
Center Street runs parallel to Main Street, leading to Adventureland in one direction and Tomorrowland in the other. Guests can choose from various restaurants along Center Street, including the famed Sweetheart Cafe and Great American Waffle Company.
The permanent canopy that covers Main Street and Center Street is one of World Bazaar’s distinguishing features. This canopy was created to shield visitors from the weather, as Tokyo can experience heavy rain and high temperatures at certain times of the year.
2. Adventureland
Adventureland at Tokyo Disneyland is a popular place for guests seeking adventure and thrill. Adventureland, one of the park’s themed zones, presents a unique blend of distinct Adventureland interpretations, providing a fascinating and eclectic experience.
The area is divided into two sections: a New Orleans-themed part and a “jungle”-themed region. Pirates of the Caribbean is housed in the New Orleans-themed area near the Adventureland entrance. The area is supposed to resemble New Orleans Square at Disneyland, with buildings that mix in with the architecture of World Bazaar.
On the other hand, the “jungle”-themed sector provides a thrilling and immersive experience, with attractions such as the Jungle Cruise and the Western River Railroad, which take tourists on a beautiful trip through the Wild West. This area is filled with lush foliage, waterfalls, and other characteristics that transport visitors to a tropical jungle paradise.
Coral Landing, a Typhoon Lagoon-inspired shipwreck shanty town with many eateries, and the park’s rendition of the Swiss Family Treehouse is another sub-land within Adventureland. This region is modeled after a tiny seaside community with a shipwreck and other nautical characteristics.
3. Westernland
Westernland is one of Tokyo Disneyland’s seven themed lands and the park’s version of Frontierland. Due to linguistic and cultural differences, the phrase “frontier” did not translate well into Japanese, so the area was renamed “Westernland.”
The centerpiece of Westernland is the Rivers of America, a vast body of water that tourists can explore aboard the Mark Twain Steamboat, the park’s version of the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a thrilling roller coaster that takes passengers on a high-speed journey through a gold mine, and the Country Bear Theater, which houses the Country Bear Jamboree show, are two more popular attractions at Westernland. The Pecos Bill Cafe and Camp Woodchuck Kitchen are two of the many businesses and restaurants on the property that provide Western and frontier-themed products and cuisine.
4. Critter Country
Critter Country is a small themed park at Tokyo Disneyland that was constructed expressly for Splash Mountain’s debut. The narrative of the land focuses on a dam collapse caused by Rackety Raccoon’s bursting still, which flooded the surrounding area and turned it into a natural habitat for numerous species.
The Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes, which is managed by the creators of the busted dam, is the only other attraction in Critter Country. Guests can paddle boats throughout the Rivers of America to get a closer look at the surrounding scenery and fauna.
In addition to the two attractions, Critter Country has a few restaurants, one of which is run by Rackety Raccoon himself. Critter Country is generally packed throughout the day because of the popularity of Splash Mountain, with tourists waiting hours to experience the ride.
5. Fantasyland
Fantasyland is a themed land at Tokyo Disneyland centered around the renowned Cinderella Castle, which serves as the zone’s focal entryway. Fantasyland’s main attractions include dark rides and other attractions that transport visitors to settings from famous Disney films, including Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Pinocchio.
A new portion of Fantasyland will open in September 2020 as part of the park’s most significant expansion to date. The Beauty and the Beast sub-section includes the new Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast dark ride, which is situated in the new Beauty and the Beast Castle. The experience transports tourists through sequences from the classic animated film, and it includes magnificent animatronics and special effects. At its entrance, the new area also features Maurice’s Cottage and Gaston’s Fountain, as well as Belle’s Village, which comprises the La Taverne de Gaston restaurant and Village Shoppes selling souvenirs and presents.
The Fantasyland Forest Theatre, a new stage entertainment venue with a capacity of 1,500 people, is another exciting addition to Fantasyland. The venue offers Mickey’s Magical Music World, a 25-minute presentation featuring popular Disney characters singing and dancing to classic Disney tunes.
6. Toontown
Toontown is a themed zone at Tokyo Disneyland that is heavily based on the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It has a cartoonish appearance and architecture, with buildings and attractions designed to appear to be right out of a cartoon. The famous Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, a spinning ride through a colorful world of cartoon characters, is located in Toontown.
Minnie’s Style Studio, which will debut in September 2020, will be a new addition to Toontown. This is a character greeting area where customers can take photos with Minnie Mouse, who will be costumed in a variety of seasonal ensembles. The studio has a bright and humorous aesthetic, with items and settings that transport visitors to a cartoon world.
Toontown, in addition to Minnie’s Style Studio, has other character greeting locations such as Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey, where customers can snap photos with Mickey Mouse himself. Toontown also has various interactive play zones, such as Goofy’s Paint ‘n’ Playhouse, where kids may engage with interactive pieces and create their own works of art. Toontown is a popular destination for children and younger visitors who appreciate the cartoon-inspired land’s colorful and whimsical vibe.
7. Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland is a themed area dedicated to science fiction and futuristic fantasy themes at Tokyo Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland’s Tomorrowland is fanciful, with attractions based on popular science fiction movies and characters.
Many of the architectural elements in Tomorrowland were inspired by Florida’s Tomorrowland from 1971 to 1993, with a retro-futuristic look that combines science fiction elements with Art Deco design. Tomorrowland’s most popular attractions include Space Mountain, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, all of which provide customers with thrilling and immersive experiences.
Tokyo Disneyland’s largest expansion to date last September 2020 included a new rotating car attraction named The Happy Ride With Baymax, based on the hit Disney animated film Big Hero 6. The ride, which is the first Disney attraction built around the beloved film, takes visitors on a fun-filled voyage with the endearing robot Baymax.
All in all, Tokyo Disneyland is a world-famous theme park that provides guests with a magical and unique experience. The park has something for everyone, from the classic Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland to the exhilarating Space Mountain in Tomorrowland. Its recent expansion, which included new attractions, including Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast and The Happy Ride with Baymax, has further increased its allure and excitement. If you’re a Disney fan or simply enjoy amusement parks, Tokyo Disneyland is a must-see.