📣 < Tokyo DisneyLand & DisneySea > Must Know Tips before visiting & Hotels
□ Which one?
Tokyo is the only place with both DisneyLand and DisneySea together. DisneySea being the only one in the world. Each has its distinct characteristics, so if you have time, visiting both is definitely worthwhile. But if you need to choose one, here are some major differences:
・Number of Attractions
DisneyLand : 39
DisneySea : 29 (has more thrill rides)
・Crowdedness
Based on past data, actual number of guests for each park is about the same; however, DisneySea tends to feel more crowded more often. Reason is probably due to the number of attractions (DisneySea has 10 less). Therefore, on average attractions at DisneyLand has 60 min wait time, compared to DisneySea with 90 min wait time. But waiting time depends on how popular the ride is, so some rides have much less waiting times.
・Height Restrictions
DisneyLand : minimum 102cm to be able to go on all the rides
DisneySea : minimum 117cm to be able to go on all the rides
・Parade vs. Shows
DisneyLand : more parades
DisneySea : more shows
・Themes
DisneyLand : attracts families and Disney lovers; offers the classic and magical Disney experience featuring the iconic Cinderella Castle as its centerpiece. The park is divided into Fantasyland, Adventureland, Tomorrowland, Westernland, Critter Country, and Toontown. Each land having its own theme and attractions.
DisneySea : attracts couples and thrill ride lovers; has a maritime theme with 7 ports of call: Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, and American Waterfront. Each area is meticulously designed, with attention to detail with historical realism.
□ When to go?
・Avoid when Japanese locals and students are on holiday
Year end : Dec/end - Jan/first week
Spring break : March/mid - April/beginning
Golden week : May/beginning
Obon : Aug/mid
Weekends, Public holidays
Ticket prices reflect how busy the park is expected to be, so choose a less busy date. 7,900 jpy is least busy, 10,900 jpy is most busy.
□ How to get tickets?
Official Disney website has multiple language ticket page, but there's reported issues with the use of foreign credit cards, in which case, the official travel agency might be easier to use.
□ What time to arrive?
・Both Disneyland and DisneySea open its gates about 15 - 45 mins before the official opening times, depending on how busy the park is expected to be.
・For weekday, arrive 1-2 hours before; for weekend and busy days, arrive at least 2 hours before official opening time, in order to enter close to the opening time. Getting there early does give you a head start with popular attractions. If you arrive 1 hour before on a busy day, it could be 30-40 mins waiting at the gate.
・If you don't mind starting later, arrive 1 hour after the official opening time and there will not be much line at the gate.
□ Where to line up?
・If you arrive before gates open, line up behind the “Happy Entry” ticket holders (in the middle part of the gate), who are allowed to enter 15 mins before the others. Those line will enter first, so those behind will move forward faster.
□ Priority Pass (free)
・The new Priority Pass works just like the FastPass. It's called the “40th Anniversary Priority Pass". It lets you access the priority line with shorter wait times during a set entry time.
・Upon entering the park, you can book the Priority Pass entry times for selected attractions. Popular attractions sometimes are booked out around noon.
□ Premier Access (not free💰)
・For selected very popular attractions (not included in the Priority Pass), this Premier Access allows you to skip the line for a set entry time.
・For selected parade/show, this Premier Access reserves designated viewing area.
□ Standby Pass (free)
・For some shops and restaurants, this Standby Pass is required (mandatory) to enter the facility.
□ Entry Request (free)
・For some shows and character greetings require (mandatory) this Entry Request. Entry Request is accepted based on random lottery and you only have one chance to make the entry request for each show or greetings per day.
・Tip is to register for the first session in the morning or the sessions at the end of the day.
□ Download the App
To do the following:
・Check attraction wait times
・Book Priority Pass （free）
・Book Standby Pass（free）
・Entry Request for shows and greetings lottery（free）
・Book restaurants（some restaurants can be booked in advance for priority seating to minimize wait time）
□ A few more tips...
・Avoid eating at Lunch time 11:30-13:30 (try to eat before or after)
・For your return, if the Maihama train station is super busy, use the North exit, which has usually less people.
・Tickets can be booked 2 months before
□ Where to Stay
・Official hotels
・Partner hotels
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