Family Fun Asia: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea

There is something quite magical about visiting Disneyland. For kids but honestly, it brings out the kid in us grown ups too with all the amusement park rides and when Mickey gives you a hug. In Asia, there are a few great theme parks well worth the trip on any family holidays where kids are involved. Tokyo Disneyland is one of our favourites, but there are are also some other theme parks filled with rides, rollercoasters and all sorts of fun.

Here are 2 theme parks in Tokyo that promise lots of fun for the kids, a chance to meet your favourite Disney stars, lots of thrilling rides, and a great family adventure in Tokyo, Japan.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Visit the amazing world of Tokyo Disneyland, which has all the classic attractions and rides. Famous rides include the famous Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and It’s a Small World.

When you first arrive, hurry over to Fantasyland and grab a Fastpass to board Pooh’s Hunny Hunt – it’s exclusive to Tokyo Disneyland and is one of the park’s most popular rides.

Afterwards, track down your favourite Disney characters for an autograph and  hugsy.

Opening Hours

8am or 9am to 10pm daily (check the website on the day).

Tokyo Disneyland Ticket Prices

1 Day Pass: Adult – ¥6,900,  Junior (12-17 yrs) – ¥6,000, Child (4-11 yrs) ¥4,500

Fastpass: With a fastpass, you can skip the queue for a specific ride within a specified one-hour time slot. Anyone can get a fastpass for free by using the fastpass machine at the desired attraction. However you can only have one active fastpass at a time, so it’s best to get one early ahead of time.

Book Tokyo Disneyland tickets online with Expedia

Top Rides at Tokyo Disneyland

It’s all about the mountain rides at Tokyo Disneyland – head for Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain. 

Attractions

Adventureland: Western River Railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions, Swiss Family Treehouse, The Enchanted Tiki Room

Westernland: Westernland Shootin’ Gallery, Country Bear Theater, Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island Rafts, Big Thunder Mountain

Critter Country: Splash Mountain, Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes

Fantasyland: Alice’s Tea Party, It’s a Small World, Castle Carousel, Snow White’s Adventures, Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Haunted Mansion, Mickey’s PhilharMagic (3-D film of Disney favourites)

Toontown: Gadget’s Go Coaster, Goofy’s Paint n Play House, Toon Park, Minnie’s House, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

Tomorrowland: Grand Circuit Raceway, StarJets, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, Monster’s Inc Ride & Go Seek!

Tokyo DisneySea

Put on your explorer’s cap and chart a course through the mysterious coasts, harbours, mermaid lagoons and islands of your adventure-filled daydreams. Meet Disney characters such as Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid, too!

Photo: CC2.0 Wing1990hk

Tokyo DisneySea has 7 themed ‘ports of call’. Wander Venice on a gondola, visit Ariel in the Mermaid Lagoon, head into the volcano or journey to the center of the Earth on Mysterious Island, or ride the watercrafts and virtual rollercoasters on Port Discovery.

Tip: They serve alcohol at Tokyo DisneySea, proof that this a little more for us grown up ‘child at heart’ types!

Tokyo Disneysea Opening Hours

Depends, but typically open from 9am to 10pm year round.

Tokyo Disneysea Ticket Price: 6900 yen

Book Tokyo DisneySea tickets online with Expedia

Best of Tokyo DisneySea

For thrilling roller coasters, don’t miss the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull ride or the adrenaline rush of an elevator plummet in The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Photo: CC2.0 by Disney, Wing1990hk

Where to Stay

The Tokyo Disney Resort has themed accommodation at both Tokyo Disneyland (Disney Ambassador Hotel and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel) and Tokyo DisneySea (Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta).

Hotel New Otani Makuhari

But if you want to enjoy the world of Disney during the day and step back to reality at night, Hotel New Otani Makuhari will make sure you enjoy your stay. There are several official partner hotels as well nearby, which offer complimentary shuttle bus services to Bayside Station and even guaranteed entry to the park on days with restricted admission> This includes Sunroute Plaza Tokyo, Hilton Tokyo Bay and Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel.

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Useful Advice

What to Wear

Dress for comfort – T-shirts and comfortable pants are best, but do pay attention to the weather forecast as Tokyo can be affected by seasonal weather.

If you plan on going on some water rides at Tokyo DisneySea where it’s likely you’ll get a few splashes, you should consider waterproof pants like track pants, swim shorts or chinos. Swimwear would be handy as well!

The key to a day at the park though, is definitely good comfortable walking shoes as you will be on your feet all day. Trainers or sandals with good cushioning advisable.

What to Bring

Bring along sunscreen and sunglasses as even when it’s cold or overcast, the sun can still reach you. Ponchos or foldable umbrellas are handy.

While dining in theme park restaurants is all part of the experience for some, to save some money, pack some snacks and water. It’ll keep the kids happy and means less time waiting in long lines for food. More time for the attractions!

Things to Note

There are age and height restrictions on some rides, so check before you promise the young ones.

That said, there is still plenty to do for toddlers, including meet and greets with Disney characters, getting up close with animals in their habitats and catching the live shows.