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Are you visiting Tokyo Disneyland soon? It may be overwhelming trying to plan your day or what to expect. Here are my tips when visiting Disneyland Tokyo to make your day as magical as ever!
Do: Catch Public Transport
Catching the metro is in my honest opinion the best and most convenient way to get to Tokyo Disneyland (or anywhere else around Tokyo). From Tokyo Station, the journey should take roughly 45-75 minutes and will cost approximately ¥660-¥800 ($6-$7.50AUD). The easiest way to get there based on where you are in Tokyo is to catch a train to Maihama station, then take a 5-minute walk to Resort Gateway Station and depart at Tokyo Disneyland Station. We used the Hyperdia app to plan our journey using the metro.
Don’t: Catch a Taxi or Uber
Since Tokyo has one of the most advanced metros in the world, taxis and Uber are considerably the pricier option. Not only will this set you back ¥9659-¥12802 ($90-$120AUD) one-way, but it isn’t much quicker either. The journey will take approximately 45-55 minutes depending on traffic. A slightly cheaper option other than Uber or taxis is GetTransfer which works similar to Uber. A ride on GetTransfer start at $50AUD one-way. If you have your own car and want to commute there yourself, parking is limited at Disneyland and expect traffic in the parking lot between park opening and closing times. Parking costs ¥2500 ($25AUD) on weekdays and ¥3000 ($28AUD) on weekends and holidays.
Do: Arrive Early
The best way to maximise your trip to Disneyland is to arrive early. Some commuters plan to arrive 1 hour before the park opens to snap up premier or priority passes. Arriving early is also beneficial to avoid waiting in line for your favourite rides and attractions. The park usually opens at 9am but can change based on seasonal periods. Tips for Disneyland Tokyo: Some guests mention that the park opened at 8:30am rather than 9am on some days.
Do: Get Premier Access or Priority Pass
Continuing on from arriving early, obtaining a pass to beat the queue is a good way to maximise your time at the park. Premier Access is available to guests to choose a selected ride and the time in advance to enjoy a shorter wait time. It usually costs ¥1500-¥2500 ($14-$24AUD) per ride. The 40th anniversary Priority Pass is available for free and allows visitors to select eligible attractions and experience them at a selected time with a shorter wait time. Both of these passes can be found on the Tokyo Disneyland App.
Do: Get the Tokyo Disneyland Official App
This is going to save you so much time! The Tokyo Disneyland app provides visitors with an interactive park map, service information and purchasing tickets. The app also provides wait time for attractions, rides and booking restaurants in advance.
Do: Dress Appropriately
Wearing comfortable shoes and dressing for the weather is a must! Expect to walk and wait in line most of the day so wearing your most comfortable pair of shoes will save your feet. Bring a jacket for the evening if you are visiting the park in any season other than summer.
Don’t: Dress as a Disney Character
Guests aged 12 and above cannot enter the park dressed as a Disney Character or in Disney costume.
Do: Take your own Stroller (If attending with kids)
Even though there are services available to rent a stroller from the park, taking your own stroller is going to save you time and money by the time you leave the park. It also provides handy storage for everything you will take home with you. Renting a stroller will cost ¥1000 ($10AUD) per day and is available at the World Bazaar on a first come first serve basis.
Do: Buy tickets in advance and plan your day
There is nothing worse than buying tickets to find out they are sold out on your selected day (tickets do sell out in peak periods). Once you’ve bought your tickets, plan your trip to ensure a smooth day. We planned our day from the moment we left the hotel to when we got back. However, don’t be too strict with your plan as ride wait times can be unpredictable.
Don’t: Ask for food to be changed at restaurants and food stalls
Due to the business of the park, food is never usually customised at restaurants and food stalls. If you do have dietary restrictions or allergies, you can always take a chance and ask the staff, however, the staff most of the time do not cater for this. You can bring your own food into the park if you have dietary restrictions.
don’t: stay past closing time
Once the park is closing it’s best to stop queuing in line and make your way home, to avoid the peak rush of visitors leaving the park. Also, keep in mind when the last train departs Tokyo Disneyland if you are catching the metro, and that trains may be really busy departing Tokyo Resort Station.
Blog That Travels xx
Image attributes: Featured Image: Rob Young from United Kingdom, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons