Tokyo Disney 101

Take your preconceptions about Disneyland and throw them out of the window.  Tokyo Disney is the most magical place in Japan, and it may very well smash your preconceptions about theme parks.  There is very limited information on the internet about this park, and it is complicated, but well worth two days of your time if you find yourself in Tokyo.  Opened in 1983, Tokyo Disney was the first Disney theme park outside of the USA.  There are now also parks in Paris, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.  Tokyo Disney differs from the other theme parks in several ways, not least of which is the management.  Although it is licensed by the Walt Disney Company, it is owned by The Oriental Land Company.  Most of my readers probably wonder, "why are you telling me this?"  It's important to understand, because many of the things you have come to expect from the other Disney resorts are quite different here.  For one, Cast Members... Annual Passholders... Disney Vacation Club Members... your discounts , passes, and freebies don't work here.  However, I find this park to be very reasonably priced, and, if you're already in Japan, this is a blessing, since the entire country is more expensive than most westerners are accustomed to.  First off, the park itself is out of this world.  The Japanese culture is very much enamored with this place.  You will see adults in nearly full Disney costume... groups of teenagers all dressed alike as chipmunks or Stitch characters.  The most unbelievable Disney hats ever marketed.  Walt would be proud, because the parks are very clean.  However, in Japan, you do not sit on the ground for a parade, you bring your Disney cloth to sit on.  The crowds are actually very polite (and yes, there are CROOWWWWDS).  The front rows in shows and parades always sit in order to give those behind a better view.  You must remove your hats for attractions (read: rides) to not block the view of others.  No photos in them either.  

Did I mention the theming?  Everything has that special Disney touch, even more than the other parks in the world.  I love the grab handles on the Monorails (which, by the way, are public transportation and you have to buy a ticket for...)

The parks themselves are incredible.  The detail is extraordinary.  Tokyo Disney Sea features different seaside locations from around the world, including New York Harbor, Arabian Coast, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Mediterranean Harbor, etc.  There is even an active volcano, which you can catch erupting from time to time.  Many of the attractions themselves are not featured in any other park in the world.  Some of these include Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Monster's Inc Ride and Go Seek, and more.  Especially if you are limited in time, prioritize on the attractions that aren't in your home country.  

Planning

Tokyo Disney is NOT a park to go visit without a plan.  First, tickets are reserved online for the EXACT DATES of your visit.  This is to prevent overcrowding.  Some of us have shown up at the gates of Magic Kingdom in Orlando to be turned away due to park capacity over the holidays.  Tokyo prevents that by having you reserve.  You can print your tickets at home, but due to the paper size issues, it is a good idea to exchange for an actual park ticket at the window.  I suggest doing this the day before your visit (perhaps come stay at an area hotel the night before).  You will have to choose which park to do which days when you purchase your ticket.  Park hopping is not allowed until the 3rd day of a multi-day ticket.  The day of your visit, line up at least an hour before park open, otherwise, you may not be able to do the most popular attractions.  Download a park map and be aware of the location of your first ride before entering.  Don't stop to shop until later...don't worry - in true Disney fashion, those shops are always open when the park is open.  

HELPFUL TIPS (in no particular order): 

• Be patient.  You will notice very quickly that people in Japan are used to waiting in these long lines.  They are often very quiet, and very orderly.  Remember, breaking in line is rude, as is leaving and "coming back to a spot." This flies in Orlando, but not in Japan.  The wait time in my photo is for Pooh's Hunny Hunt, less than 20 minutes after park open.  Luckily, there's FASTPASS!  Try to plan at least 2-3 full days to visit both parks.  
• Be relaxed in your pace.  If you plan, you will be able to do at least the attractions that don't exist at the other Disney resorts
• Try the popcorn.  The Japanese are obsessed with it.  They will refill your popcorn container for a discount, so chip in for a really fun popcorn container.  There are many interesting flavors to try, so look for fun ones, such as Hunny Popcorn at Pooh's Hunny Hunt, or the Jasmine Green Tea Popcorn or the Curry Popcorn.
• Try the Gyoza dog.  That's really not the name, but that's about the best comparison I can come up with.  Gyoza on a stick.  You will have to stand in a 20 minute line to get it, but it's a great lunch, and very unique.
• Get a fastpass for the fireworks.  Different from DisneyWorld - You do NOT crowd the castle to capacity during the show.  They have assigned seats on benches.  No fastpass, no fireworks for you.  (Also, the fireworks are not significantly better than what you see at other Disney Parks, so this may be a great opportunity to enjoy shorter lines)
• There are ATM's around, but the Japanese ATM's don't work with most American cards.  HOWEVER, Tokyo Disney takes American credit cards almost everywhere except for merchandise carts.
• Meet some of the unique characters that don't appear very much in the states.  Some of my favorites that rarely appear anywhere else in the world are Scrooge McDuck, Bernard and Bianca, Berlioz, Piglet, Tweedles, Honest John and Gideon, Brer Bear, Eric and Max, 3 Pigs and Big Bad Wolf, and Jiminy Cricket.  

• Enjoy the very amazing theming, especially at Tokyo Disney Sea.  
• Soak in the uniquely Japanese items, such as the Disney character Ramen.
• You will have sensory overload, so just take it slow and take it in.
• See the Electrical Parade, it will knock your socks off.  If you have seen Paint the Night in California, it's very similar.
• Pin Trading doesn't exist here.  They still have pins for sale, but not for trade.

Quick Day plans:

Disneyland Side

• Go straight to Hunny Hunt and get a fastpass. 
• Then Ride Monster's Inc.  
• Double back and go on Small World (it's different in every park, but sadly, the song is the same...  Bring earmuffs)
• Depending on your Fastpass time for Hunny Hunt, go wait for Peter Pan (It is different here, and worth doing)
• Ride Snow White's Adventures (those of us in Orlando miss this ride back at home!)
• Try out Tokyo's Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain
• Use the rest of your day to shop and catch whichever other attractions interest you, you've hit the highlights!

Disney Sea Side

• Go straight to the Tower of Terror and get a fastpass (this is the most expensive and different Tower of Terror built for a Disney Park)
• Go straight to Journey to the Center of the Earth and ride
• Go to 20,000 Leagues and ride
• Try out StormRider
• Aquatopia is great fun if you don't mind getting a little wet!
• Explore!  The various worlds are really breathtaking.  But, take my advice, don't expend time on Toy Story Midway Mania, it's the same as Orlando, and a huge vacuum of time.  The Mysterious Island is very fun to explore.  I really enjoy all of the Renaissance Era constructions, such as DaVinci's flying machine and the planetarium.  Mermaid Lagoon is amazing inside, and a great place to duck out of the weather.  You would also like the Arabian Coast, which has a fun two-story carousel, which is much less crowded at night. 

Hopefully this way-too-long post has sparked your interest in my favorite Disney Park.  Should you have any questions, please read the sign the the left.  Arigato Gozaimasu!