Memorable Moments from Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
On our latest visit to Japan, we took our boys to Tokyo Disneyland for our family’s first-ever Disneyland experience. It was indeed a milestone for us!
Before having kids, we might not have considered visiting Tokyo Disneyland. Nicole had been to Disneyland in California, while Cameron visited Disney World in Florida as children. However, as adults, we usually prioritize other travel experiences over theme parks.
Initially, we were uncertain about the boys’ excitement for Tokyo Disneyland, as it had never come up in conversation before. Yet, when we mentioned that we were considering a visit, their faces lit up with anticipation.
As we prepared for the trip to Tokyo, the boys constantly talked about Disneyland and the Pokémon Center. They didn’t know exactly what to expect, but they were aware that Disneyland was a magical realm, and they couldn’t wait to create their own Disney memories.
As I sorted through our photos from Tokyo Disneyland, I realized we had collected far more than just a few snaps, so why not compile a collection of 100 images?
**Update – We recently visited Disneyland Paris. Was it worth the trip? Read about our experience here.
Discover more posts about Japan:
100 Captivating Photos from Tokyo Disneyland
Check out our Instagram stories from Disneyland here.
We entered Tokyo Disneyland through this magnificent gate. The adventure begins!
A significant moment: witnessing the iconic Disney Castle for the first time inside the park.
We visited just weeks before Halloween, and many attractions were adorned with festive decorations.
The iconic Disney Castle at the heart of Tokyo Disneyland.
Our first ride of the day was Star Tours, an exhilarating 3D virtual reality experience in the Star Wars universe.
Star Tours is a popular attraction, and we decided to ride it first. It turned out to be a good choice since there was no line at around 9:00 AM. However, when we returned later, the wait had increased to about 50 minutes.
Capturing a family selfie right before the Star Tours adventure begins.
Many guests love to don costumes, and this group took it to the next level!
Related: Planning to stay at Tokyo Disney Resort? Check this guide first.
This area of the park is known as Tomorrowland, featuring all the space-themed rides.
If you’re curious about the park’s layout, check out this map of Tokyo Disneyland.
This is Space Mountain, located in the Tomorrowland section of Tokyo Disneyland.
You can circumvent long wait times by utilizing the FastPass system. More details are available here.
This efficient system allows guests to skip the lines for select rides, making the experience even more enjoyable!
Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek! in Tomorrowland
We utilized a FastPass for this ride and only waited 5 minutes!
This attraction is one of Connor’s favorites at Tokyo Disneyland.
This ride is perfect for younger kids—it’s not fast or scary at all!
Here’s the exit of the Snow White’s Adventures ride located in Fantasyland.
Entering the beloved It’s a Small World attraction located in Fantasyland.
Inside the “It’s a Small World” attraction, where the journey begins and ends.
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It’s famously known as “the happiest cruise that ever sailed.”
Dumbo The Flying Elephant ride situated in Fantasyland.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon ride located in Toontown.
More Captivating Photos from Tokyo Disneyland, Japan
I’m not entirely sure what this is. It appears to be a deep-fried shrimp stick wrapped in sweet bread, served with processed cheese, cabbage, and some kind of mayo-like sauce. Not my favorite, to be honest.
Related blog post – A Beginner’s Guide to Food in Japan for Tourists
Good Time Cafe located in Toontown at Tokyo Disneyland.
We admired the architecture in Westernland at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Since we visited in October, numerous buildings in Westernland displayed Halloween decor.
Above, the striking Mark Twain Riverboat in Westernland.
This vibrant red steam train transports guests throughout Westernland and Adventureland.
Big Thunder Mountain in Westernland
Big Thunder was one of our family’s favorite attractions at Tokyo Disney Resort. This roller coaster speeds around and through an artificial red-rock mountain, making it a perfect ride for our 8 and 6-year-old boys—fast but not too steep! We managed to use our FastPass and only waited about 10 minutes, while others who did not use a FastPass faced wait times of 45-60 minutes.
Here’s the entrance to the Big Thunder Mountain roller coaster. It’s a must-try!
Big Thunder Mountain is extremely popular, so it’s a good idea to use your FastPass on this ride. Without it, expect long waiting times!
Lunch at Hungry Bear Restaurant
Numerous travel blogs suggested dining before or after typical lunch hours—from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. We opted for lunch around 11:00 AM and encountered no lines, proving to be a wise choice!
Here we spotted Japanese girls dressed in matching Disney-inspired outfits.
Splash Mountain in Critter Country
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to ride on Splash Mountain, as we used our FastPass for Big Thunder Mountain. By the time we reached Splash Mountain, the wait had exceeded 60 minutes. It didn’t make sense to spend over an hour in line.
The steam train passes over the river leading to Splash Mountain below.
Cinderella Castle marks the heart of the park—an excellent reference point.
Outdoor dining options are found near the World Bazaar at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Nicole checking the ingredients of these tasty frozen treats to ensure they are dairy-free. If you have a child with allergies, you can relate! Fortunately, Disneyland resorts provide dairy-free options.
Relishing a refreshing Mickey Mouse-shaped frozen treat on a hot day!
Pirates of the Caribbean at Tokyo Disneyland
Familiarly, we all agreed that the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was a highlight of our time at Tokyo Disneyland. At first glance, the exterior seems unremarkable, but once the boat departs from the loading dock, you’re in for a captivating experience. We highly recommend this attraction!
Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to capture any photos inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride as it’s dark and the boat is always moving. Plus, taking photos is discouraged to avoid distracting other guests; Disney aims to preserve the element of surprise!
Another group of Japanese girls enacted their favorite Disney characters.
I’ve titled this photo “Digital Disney Princess.”
It’s notable that these girls are not employees of Tokyo Disneyland; they are just guests dressed as Cinderella and Snow White!
Would you dress up in costume at Disneyland?
We would love to hear from you! What character would you choose to be for a day? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Who has the best hat?
A funny moment occurred when our boys wanted to try on some hats from a Disney store. After I snapped a photo of them sporting the goofy hats, an employee approached us. I initially thought she was going to ask us to take the hats off or stop taking pictures inside the store.
To my surprise, she handed us even more hats to try on and offered to take a family photo! We rarely capture pictures with all four of us, so it was a lovely gesture.
Inside the World Bazaar in Tokyo Disneyland
The World Bazaar with the Disney castle visible in the distance.
Exploring one of the many Disney Stores situated at Tokyo Disney Resort.
A view of the Enchanted Tiki Room from the Swiss Family Treehouse.
Inside the Swiss Family Treehouse, located in Adventureland.
Tokyo Disneyland Parade
Tokyo Disneyland hosts several parades daily. You can check the schedule here.
We caught sight of part of the afternoon parade, but due to the sweltering heat and lack of shade, we left early to escape the sun. Although we didn’t see the entire parade, what we witnessed was spectacular, with incredible floats!
Interestingly, this was the only time we encountered Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and the other beloved Disney characters during our trip to the resort.
Crowds gathered near the castle to watch the late afternoon parade featuring Disney characters.
One last photo before we called it a day! We could have returned later to catch the Disneyland fireworks, but after spending 7 hours in the park, we were quite tired.
The Disney train that circles around Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
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