Savvy Tokyo: Everything About Visiting Tokyo DisneySea With Children

Above, a crowd gathers to watch some of DisneySea's entertrainers. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo DisneySea. I've heard about it over the years before my 2015 visit to the park, which sits next door to Tokyo Disneyland.

We visited the park on a Saturday and it seemed that half the population of Tokyo also had the same idea. At best, the wait time for the park's rides were 30 minutes, so we didn't go on any. But we did wander around to take in the shows in different sections of the park.

Savvy Tokyo has posted an article on everything one needs to know about visiting Tokyo DisneySea with children, including some valuable tips.

They begin it with:

A popular opinion about Tokyo Disney Resort differentiates its two parks: Tokyo Disneyland is for children, while Tokyo DisneySea is for adults. But don’t believe the hype! While it’s true that DisneySea has more adult thrill rides and date spots than Disneyland, DisneySea has some enchanting, unique-to-Japan attractions for kids that make it well worth a visit. 

This article includes attractions that may or not be currently open at DisneySea due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We’ve included our top recommendations, but also provided additional resources to aid your planning. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Tokyo Disney Resort To Reopen July 1

Above, entertainers at Tokyo DisneySea during normal times. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Although this is good news for the Japanese, but it is of little use to foreigners (for the time being) as Japan still is closed to foreign visitors.

CNA reported:

TOKYO: Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea will reopen from Jul 1 after a four-month suspension over COVID-19, its operators said Tuesday (Jun 23), as Japan gradually reopens its economy, including theme parks and professional sports. 

Oriental Land said the two resorts will resume operations to a limited number of visitors who bought online, reserved tickets. 

The parks will enforce rigorous social distancing measures and use of masks, while also checking guests' temperatures.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Disney Parks Closed Until April

Above, Tokyo DisneySea and other parks are to be closed until April. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those brave souls who are planning a trip to Japan whose itineraries include visiting Tokyo Disney parks will have to wait a while to do so.

The Straits Times reported:

TOKYO (AFP) - The operator of Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea said on Wednesday (March 11) the parks will remain closed through early April over fears of the coronavirus outbreak. 

Oriental Land also said the openings of new zones and attractions, scheduled for April 15, will be pushed back to mid-May, as the government calls on the public to avoid unnecessary outings and crowded places. 

The announcement came a day after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for a 10-day extension of measures intended to halt the spread of the new coronavirus, including cancelling, delaying or scaling back major events.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea: Top Tips

Above, Mediterranean Harbor at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in 2015, during my last trip to Japan, our group arrived back in Tokyo after a trek of a few days to Atami, Kyoto and Osaka. We decided to take in a Disney theme park.

Since (at the time) I lived in Southern California and have been to Disneyland in Anaheim many times, it was decided to go see Tokyo DisneySea instead of Tokyo Disneyland. Tokyo Disneyland is patterned after the one in Anaheim, so it was preferred to see something new.

The two parks are next door to each other outside of Tokyo, so it takes a commute to get there. We went on a Saturday, so it seemed like half the population of Tokyo was there.

The Japan Times has an article with the "top tips" for visiting the parks.

They begin with:

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea are special theme parks, being the first Disney parks built outside of the United States. As the third and fourth busiest theme parks in the world, with Tokyo Disneyland seeing 17.9 million visitors in 2018, it’s a good idea to do your research before you visit the happiest place on Earth — or, at least, the happiest place in Japan.

To read more, go here. 

Cheap Hotels Near Tokyo Disneyland

Above, guests enjoying a show at Tokyo DisneySea's Mediterranean Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Those who are planning a trip to Japan and would like to also stay at a hotel near Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea, you're in luck!

Tokyo Cheapo has a list of "cheap" hotels near the parks.

They begin with:

Recommended hotels near Tokyo Disneyland 

We’ve listed the following hotels in order of their online ratings as of February, 2019. All ranked above 7/10 when we checked. Prices are a guideline only and may vary according to season, demand and events in the area.

To read more, go here. 

Getting To Tokyo Disneyland From Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Skyliner is one way to get to Tokyo Disneyland from Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some visitors, believe it or not, plan to head directly from Narita International Airport to Tokyo Disneyland (or DisneySea), but haven't a clue on how to accomplish this.

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article on the different options to get the the Tokyo Disney attractions from Narita.

They begin with:

There’s no denying that Disneyland (together with Tokyo DisneySea) is a super-popular destination for visitors to Tokyo. There’s also no denying that getting from Narita to Disney, if you are planning on heading there directly after landing at the airport, can be a bit of a mission. The last limousine bus bound for Tokyo Disneyland leaves the airport at 18:10—what are you supposed to do if you arrive after that? Disneyland is in Maihama, which is Japanese for “the sticks.” 

Here’s a quick guide to the most practical transport solutions from Narita to Disney. Maihama is in Chiba Prefecture, by the way. And no, it doesn’t literally mean the sticks.

To read more, go here. 

5 Tips For Saving Money At Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea

Above, Mount Prometheus erupts at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my last trip to Japan, one of the things I did was to visit Tokyo DisneySea. I heard much about it and wanted to see it for myself.

The visit was on a Saturday (big mistake) as it seemed that half of Tokyo's population was there and the lines for the rides were very long. But, it was a fun excursion anyway. Your best bet for fewer crowds is going during the work week.

Tokyo DisneySea is next door to Tokyo Disneyland. Like all Disney parks, they're both pricey. But there are ways to saving money and Tokyo Cheapo has five tips on saving your yen.

They begin with:

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are bucket-list destinations for many, and while prices will always be high, there are some easy methods to save some yen—maybe for a second helping of that delicious caramel popcorn. Japan isn’t exactly a deal-a-minute, but with some wily ways and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can get the full Tokyo Disney experience with money to spare.

Above, my sole glimpse of Tokyo Disneyland was during the monorail ride to Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To find out what the five tips are, go here. 

TripAdvisor: Japan's Top Ten Theme Parks

Above, one of the top ten theme parks is located inside Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

TripAdvisor, possibly the Internet's biggest travel website, has come up with their list of the top 10 theme parks in Japan.

According to an article in SoraNews 24:

There’s more to theme parks in Japan than just Disney Resort and Universal Studios; there’s also ninjas, go-karts and looking through your legs.

Think of theme parks and there’s a good chance that the the local versions of big American theme parks come to mind. However, travel site TripAdvisor’s list of the ten most popular theme parks in Japan shows that a) there are other theme parks worth a visit beyond Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka; and b) what constitutes a theme park is open to interpretation.

To see what they are, go here. 

Tokyo DisneySea: What To See and Do

Above, Mediterranean Harbour at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Almost three years ago (was it really that long ago?), we visited Tokyo DisneySea.

Unfortunately, since we went there on a Saturday, it seemed like half of Tokyo's population was there and we were unable to go on any rides. But, it was a fun excursion anyway.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has an article with plenty of pictures of Tokyo DisneySea.

It begins with:

There’s no escaping the fact that Tokyo boasts not one, but two Disney themeparks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. Leaving it off your itinerary if travelling with kids in Japan is sacrilege to some. Having visited Disneyland in Anaheim, we were keen to provide the kids with a Japanese spin on the amazing theme park. We found it to be just as quirky as we had imagined. 

Tokyo DisneySea is touted to be a park most suited to those eight years and up. There are less rides than its Tokyo Disneyland counterpart and it has a more distinct mature flavour. It is the only one of its kind in the world and can easily be covered in a day. If you’re kids are still obsessed with Disney Princesses, head next door. If you’re after a unique experience, this is the park for you as there is nothing quite like it anywhere else.

To read more, go here.

Tokyo Disneyland Celebrates 35th Anniversary

Above, my sole view of Tokyo Disneyland was from a train to Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It seems like yesterday that it was announced that there would be a Disneyland built near Tokyo. But the amusement park is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

I've never been to Tokyo Disneyland. I've heard it is like the one in Anaheim, except there's a roof over Main Street. Instead, I've been to Tokyo DisneySea.

According to NHK:

A ceremony was held at Tokyo Disneyland on Sunday to celebrate its 35th anniversary. 

Toshio Kagami, the chairman of park operator Oriental Land, said plans are underway to expand the popular amusement park, which is located in the city of Urayasu, near Tokyo. 

A total of 720 million people over the years have visited Tokyo Disneyland and nearby Tokyo DisneySea, which opened in 2001. 

Many fans hope the expansion will ease congestion at Tokyo Disneyland.

To read more, go here. 

App To Help Relieve Crowding Issues At Tokyo Disney

Above, a crowd enjoying a show at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When we visited Tokyo DisneySea (part of the Tokyo Disney Resort complex) in 2015, it seemed that at least half the population of Tokyo were also attending. Wait times for rides exceeded 30 minutes on average. We enjoyed the park anyway.

To help alleviate this problem, the resort operator is resorting to an app.

According to Nikkei Asian Review:

Tokyo Disney Resort operator Oriental Land will roll out a smartphone app in fiscal 2018 to relieve crowding issues that have frustrated guests at the popular theme park. 

The app will offer a single platform on which customers can buy tickets, book hotel and restaurant reservations, and view park maps with estimated wait times for attractions. It will also be compatible with the smartphone-based e-ticket system introduced Tuesday. 

Another feature, in-park online shopping, should do much to help with the congestion problem. Visitors looking to buy souvenirs and the like tend to crowd stores after the park closes for the day. The app will let guests shop during their time at the park, such as while waiting in line, then pick up their purchases when they leave or have them delivered. 

The app will initially be in Japanese, with Oriental Land to add other language options for international visitors later. It plans to collect and analyze data on users' activities within the park for use in developing new services.

To read more, go here. 

New Disney Theme Park Coming To Tokyo

Above, performers at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those who love amusement parks, particularly those of the Walt Disney Company, a new theme park will be joining Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in the next few years.

Business Insider reported:

There are plenty of new attractions worth traveling to Disneyland and Walt Disney World for in the next few years, but if you want to experience a completely new park, get ready for a long flight. 

According to Kotaku, Tokyo Disney Resort will be adding a third theme park to its Urayasu, Japan complex. 

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are already among the most successful Disney parks worldwide, and the addition of a third gate — with new characters and large-scale attractions — could bring even more tourism to the overseas location. 

The newly announced park, which is said to take on a Japan theme, could bring rides and experiences that touch upon the history, art, and unique terrain of the country. With an eye towards tourists and overseas visitors, the early concept draws similarities to the original focus of Disney California Adventure, as well as Epcot’s World Showcase, which highlights the culture and culinary flavors of 10 foreign countries at Walt Disney World, in Florida.

To read more, go here. 

Halloween Season Kicks Off In Japan

Above, Halloween goodies at the Tokyo Skytree food section. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Next to Christmas, Halloween is the second most popular festive season in Japan and amusement parks and stores in Japan are beginning to sell Halloween merchandise.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —The Halloween season kicks off in Japan this week with the festivities beginning at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea where parades and other events will be held until Oct 31. 

Disney’s annual festival, which starts on Friday, includes Mickey Mouse and his friends joining ghost and skeleton “stars” in entertaining guests with a variety of amusing and exciting musical performances in “Halloween Pop’n LIVE,” presented along the parade route. Along the streets of World Bazaar, cobwebs and jack-o’-lanterns and other Halloween decorations will be set up, raising the Halloween mood even more. Again this year, Westernland, Fantasyland and Toontown will be decorated with pumpkins, ghosts and more for a lively and cheerful atmosphere. 

Universal Studios Japan in Osaka will also start its Halloween events from Friday and extend them until Nov 6. The all-new, chilling J-Horror Area has interactive mazes crawling with cold-blooded ghouls in pursuit of wandering guests. At night, the theme park will be converted into a zombie-infested city (there will be some “safe” areas) as a part of the Halloween Horror Nights event. During the day, there will be Halloween parties and parades. 

Meanwhile, many retailers have already started selling Halloween merchandise, among them Toys ‘R’ Us, Tokyu Hands and Loft.

We saw many Halloween displays while in Japan last October.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo Disney Amusement Park Admission Prices To Be Raised

Above, Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It has been said there are two certainties in life: death and taxes.

You may as well add a third: higher amusement park admission prices.

For those who want to visit Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea, prices for the parks will be raised starting April 1.

Kyodo News reported:

The operator of the Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea amusement parks said Monday that ticket prices will be raised from April 1. 

Oriental Land Co. said the price of a one-day adult admission ticket for both parks, located in Urayasu in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, will be raised by 500 yen to 7,400 yen ($63). 

One-day ticket prices will also be raised for those aged 4 to 11 by 300 yen to 4,800 yen, as well as for junior and senior high school students by 400 yen to 6,400 yen.

We visited Tokyo DisneySea last October.

To read more, go here. 

Tokyo DisneySea Photos - Part One

Although Tokyo DisneySea seemed like it had at least half of Tokyo's population inside the park (it was on a Saturday) and the wait to get on any rides was too long, it was still fun to go there to wander around and catch some shows. We saw roughly half of the park.

We headed over there after returning to Tokyo from Osaka. After taking some local Tokyo Metro trains to get there, we boarded the park's shuttle train. Besides Tokyo DisneySea, the train also stops at Tokyo Disneyland and some hotels.

Here's some photos that I took during our visit:

Above, the train had Mickey Mouse-shaped windows. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a view of Tokyo Disneyland from the train. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Tokyo DisneySea main entrance plaza. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Mediterranean Harbor. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, looking toward American Waterfront. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, performers put on a show for the crowd near Scrooge McDuck's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Scrooge McDuck's department store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, another show at American Waterfront. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Denise and Aiden taking in a show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, "vintage" signs adorn the American Waterfront. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

See more photos in Part Two.

Tokyo Disney Parks' Revenue Seen As "Dismal"

Above, big crowds viewing a show at Tokyo DisneySea. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

You couldn't tell it by the crowds we saw at Tokyo DisneySea this month, but the April - September earnings for that park and Tokyo Disneyland are seen as "dismal".

When we visited Tokyo DisneySea, the crowds were so enormous that it seemed that half the population of Tokyo was there. Rides had line wait times in excess of two hours.

According to The Japan Times:

Oriental Land Co., the operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, reported dismal earnings Thursday for April-September following admission fee hikes at the two theme parks. 

Consolidated net profit for the first half of fiscal 2015 fell 1.1 percent from a year earlier to ¥35.94 billion, on sales of ¥222.04 billion, down 0.3 percent.

While the average revenue per customer is up, this did not offset the lower attendance by visitors. Admission fees for both parks were raised in April.

To read more, go here.