Tokyo Disney Resort consists of two theme parks. '''Tokyo Disneyland''' (_____f_B_Y_j_[_____h), a "Magic Kingdom" park just like all the others, was the first Disney theme park to be built on non-U.S. territory. The park opened in April 1983 (but had been finished for a few months and the company waited for better weather) and was an instant success. Tokyo Disneyland's sister park '''Tokyo DisneySea''' (_____f_B_Y_j_[_V_[), which opened in September 2001, is an oceanic-themed park exclusive to Japan. With 13.9 million visits, Tokyo Disneyland is the third most visited theme park in the world behind Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and the original Disneyland; DisneySea follows in fifth place. (Disneyland Paris ranks fourth.)
Tokyo Disney Resort also includes the '''Ikspiari''' (_C_N_X_s_A__) shopping and entertainment complex. On October 1, 2008, Montreal-based '''Cirque du Soleil''' unveiled '''ZED''', its first permanent show in Japan, at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Tokyo Disney Resort is something different from all the other Disney parks. People are friendlier, and you forget that you are in the largest city on Earth when you are wandering, amazed at the fantastic shows and rides in both parks.
This is no Walt Disney World, in other words, it's small and can be easily tackled in about two or three days, maybe more. But whatever effort you place into coming here is well worth it.
Maps are available in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese. (If your native language is not one of these, the English map will work fine.) All the maps do a very good job of letting you know how to get around. The Japanese maps, however, are a little bit more informative. They include highlights on some of the special events going on in the park, including special food menus and merchandise, most of which can only be had for a limited amount of time. It also sorts the restaurants, shops and shows into different categories. If you know katakana, hiragana, and a little bit of kanji, this might also be a helpful resource. Nearly any park attendant should have maps available if you forget to pick one up or lose it.
Most international visitors would probably land at '''Narita International Airport''' ({{IATA|NRT}}) [http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/]. If you have a Mickey Mouse urge right upon landing, there are buses operated by '''Airport Limousine''' [http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/timetable/narita/tdr_h.html], albeit infrequent, that will bring you to Tokyo Disney Resort in 60-90 minutes at a cost of ¥2400 (children ¥1200). The alternative by rail is to take the Narita Express to Tokyo and transfer to the JR Keiyo Line. The ride takes 90-100 minutes, and costs ¥2570 or can be boarded free with the Japan Rail Pass.
'''Tokyo International Airport''' ({{IATA|HND}}) [http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/], also known as '''Haneda Airport''', is the closest airport to Tokyo Disney Resort and mainly serves domestic flights. Haneda also has a few international flights to Seoul (Gimpo), Shanghai (Hongqiao), and Hong Kong. There are more buses [http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/timetable/haneda/tdr.html], also operated by Airport Limousine, that run to the resort 3 to 5 times per hour. The one-way cost is ¥810 (children ¥405) and the ride takes 50-70 minutes. The rail alternative from Haneda is cheaper than the bus, but you will need to take three trains: Keikyu Express Line (from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa) ''or'' the Tokyo Monorail (from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho), JR Yamanote Line (from Shinagawa/Hamamatsucho to Tokyo), and finally JR Keiyo Line (from Tokyo to Maihama). This costs ¥690 via Keikyu, or \760 via the Tokyo Monorail, and will take about 1 hour.
As with virtually all of Japan, the most practical way of getting to Tokyo Disney Resort is by train. Tokyo Station is the western terminus of the '''JR Keiyo Line''', and '''Maihama''' (___l), which is adjacent to the park, is the sixth stop east. The ride costs ¥210 and takes about 15 minutes on an express train.
As you exit JR Maihama Station, take note of the '''Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Center''' immediately to your left. If you will be staying at one of the Disney Hotels or the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Hotels (see Sleep below), this is where you check in, and your luggage will be shipped straight to your room for free while you enjoy the parks. The Welcome Center is also the place to purchase park tickets, the Resort Gateway Station of the Disney Resort Line monorail (see Get around below) is located above the center, and the entrance to Ikspiari is nearby.
From the Tokyo/Yokohama region, follow the coast of Tokyo Bay to Chiba, exit at the Urayasu ramp and then go out at Route 357, go straight on the road about 1km, and make a U-turn at Mihama Rittai Road (___l_______H). Then, just follow the signs.
Tokyo Disney Resort has ample parking spaces, but be forewarned that parking fees are astronomical. Parking at the two theme parks is \2,000 for passenger cars, \4,500 for buses, and \500 for motorcycles. Parking at Ikspiari* is \500 for the first hour and \250 for every additional half-hour. The three Disney Hotels charge a per-night fee for the use of their parking facilities, costing \1,000 per night at Disney Ambassador Hotel, and \1,500 per night at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.
<small>*A purchase of \3,000 or more at one Ikspiari shop/restaurant will give two hours of free parking. Seeing a movie at AMC Ikspiari will give three hours of free parking.</small>
If you want more information about the car park and the circumstances of the surrounding streets, you can contact the Tokyo Disney Resort information line at 81-045-683-3011.
Long distance bus services come here from all over Japan, but the Shinkansen is much faster and easier to use by non-native speakers of Japanese or persons who don't understand the language.
Unlike Walt Disney World, a car is not necessary for visiting Tokyo Disney Resort. The resort has a well-developed transit system of buses and monorails.
The Passnet stored value card, which was discontinued on January 11, 2008, can be still be used on the monorail; otherwise the fares are listed in the chart below. The fare for children age 5 and under is free.
{| border='1' cellpadding=5 cellspacing=0 align="center" style="text-align:center" !Ticket type !! Ages 12+ !! Ages 6-11
If you're going straight to Disneyland (not DisneySea) from Maihama Station, it's probably easier and faster (and best of all, free) to just walk from the station - there is an elevated walkway, about 1,090 feet long, linking the station with the park entrance.
'''Note that Suica and PASMO farecards cannot be used on the Disney Resort Line monorail.'''
Tokyo Disney Resort is mostly for doing, not seeing. But of course, you can see the same Disney characters, a castle, mountains, and live performances as at other Disney Parks. The seaside does make this park a bit different from the others. And, the people-watching is great.
If you can, it is a good idea to get a map ahead of time and plan out what rides/attractions you would like to get to first. Like any other large amusement park, Tokyo Disney Resort can be quite crowded. Even on weekdays there can be a large amount of people in the park and if you want to maximize your experience, it's best to have at least an idea of what you would like to do before you get there. It may even get you on one or two more attractions. If a physical map cannot be had ahead of time, the park website is just as good, if not better.
Before you reach the ticket counters, your bag will be inspected by a clerk, but you don't need to show your ID card. Generally the check is very brief, and not at all thorough. At the ticket counter, you will not need to show any ID either. While not everyone speaks English fluently, most employees understand enough to get you the basics. You will receive a receipt, your passport (ticket) and a map.
Like all the other Disney parks, Tokyo Disney Resort uses '''FastPass''', which enables you to skip lines at the most popular attractions. If you wish to use FastPass, you need to do so before 4pm. They cover the machines afterward and then you will have no choice but to stand in the long lines.
The seven theme lands of Tokyo Disneyland are, starting from the main entrance and going clockwise around Cinderella Castle, '''World Bazaar''' (instead of Main Street, USA), '''Adventureland''', '''Westernland''', '''Critter Country''', '''Fantasyland''', '''Toontown''', and '''Tomorrowland'''. With only a couple of exceptions, the attractions are essentially the same as those found everywhere else.
The '''World Bazaar''', Tokyo Disneyland's entrance area, is anchored by the '''Grand Emporium''', which can be seen to your right immediately after you have entered the park. This is the largest store in the park with over 3,000 different types of merchandise.
The largest store in Tokyo DisneySea is '''Emporio''' which anchors '''Mediterranean Harbor'''. Other notable shops are '''McDuck's Department Store''' in '''American Waterfront''' and '''The Sleepy Whale Shoppe''', '''Mermaid Treasures''', and '''Kiss de Girl Fashions''', three interconnecting shops in '''Mermaid Lagoon'''.
'''Ikspiari''' [http://www.ikspiari.com/], pronounced like "experience" without the last syllable, is Japan's answer to Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney, with more than 140 stores and restaurants, and a 16-screen movie theatre. It's no surprise that there is a Disney Store here, by the way.
'''Bon Voyage''', shaped like a giant suitcase and hatbox and conveniently located on the elevated walkway linking JR Maihama Station with Tokyo Disneyland's entrance, is the answer to the World of Disney stores in Florida and California, which essentially are Disney Stores on steroids. Inside, you'll find the grandest selection of Disney merchandise available under one roof anywhere in Japan.
Major credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere. Remember that American cards only allow a one charge purchase, meaning that a \10,000 purchase will be charged once, instead of 5,000 yen now and 5,000 yen next month. (This system allows Japanese to keep their interest low.) They will ask you (sometimes) if you want to be charged once. Say yes and the transaction will go smoothly, say no and you will double your time at the counter.
If you haven't brought enough money, there's one ATM at each park entrance (at the information desk). But only Japanese cards will work in these ATMs. At Ikspiari there is an international ATM on level 2F near "Local Motion".
There are several places to eat and all are listed on the map. However, the food descriptions are either not 100% accurate or there is something lost in the translation. Also, understand that portion sizes are different in Japan so don't be surprised when that large drink you ordered looks like a small to you. This combined with the normal increase in cost normally expected at an amusement park may hit your pocket book harder than expected. If you are arriving by car/bus you may consider having a cooler in the car and having a picnic. If you do decide to eat in the park scout out the restaurants before you intend on eating. This will give you a better idea of their menus and the fastest way to get there when it is time to eat.
Online reservations and contact information are available at official websites.