Tokyo Disneyland - Photo by Muhammad Faiz Zulkeflee on Unsplash

To cut a long story short, Tokyo Disneyland will appeal mostly to those arriving with their families and little ones while Tokyo DisneySea’s allure is built around the fact that it caters to young adults and couples respectively.

In the aftermath of the pandemic, entrants to either theme park are required to carry a smartphone in order to be eligible to go on the numerous rides and delight in the other offerings for which these leisure destinations have developed a reputation for. To begin with, go ahead and download the official Tokyo Disney Resort application on your Android or iOS phone. This is because you will need this to get your hands on a Standby Pass, Disney Premier Access or Entry Request. Furthermore, you will be able to stay updated on the waiting times for individual attractions at both theme parks.

Standy Passes function at their absolute best only during peak holiday seasons and can be made use of to access the most popular attractions and souvenir shops. No sooner you arrive and log into the application, you will then enjoy the freedom to select a time to enter the attraction or shop of your choosing. However, it is prudent to arrive at the earliest possible time as slots for Standby Passes tend to be booked at a ridiculous rate. With an Entry Request, you will be well on your way towards enjoying a host of shows and character greetings. The caveat with the Entry Request is that you will not know whether you have been granted access to an event or show up until you select your preferred time. Also, know that only 1 Entry Request can be submitted per day for every eligible attraction. On the flip side and as its name suggests, Disney Premier Access will allow you access to 3 popular rides such as Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland and Toy Story Mania & Soaring: Fantastic Flight at Tokyo DisneySea. Aside from the entrance fee, every person will be required to pay 2,000 Yen per ride.

A standout feature of both theme parks can be attributed to the fact that all parades and shows are subjected to change with the passing of every season. Summer brings with it fewer crowds while Halloween which runs from mid-September to the end of October is by far, one of the most popular times to visit. This is because you will be encouraged to dress up in your favourite Disney character and have a wealth of spooky décor lying in wait for you at every corner.

Differing menus are the hallmark of these Disney parks which are made up of light snacks, buffet feasts and set meal spreads. An online reservation is required as most restaurants have a tendency to crowd up and suffer from average waiting times that can last for as long as 2 hours. If you find yourself at Tokyo Disneyland, then consider heading over to Blue Bayou which is nestled within the quieter section of the attraction titled the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ where you may savour a heavenly candlelit dinner as well. In the event you’ve never wined and dined inside a steam-powered ocean liner, then beeline for Tokyo DisneySea’s SS Columbia which serves appetising fare and lets you marvel at its world class interior.

From Tokyo Station, travel along the Keiyo Line and have yourself dropped off at Maihama Station. From here, it is a mere 5-minute walk to Tokyo Disney Resort. However if you cannot be bothered with walking, then you may ride on the Disney Resort Line from Maihama Station. If you are staying at a serviced apartment in Tokyo such as those offered by Citadines Central Shinjuku Tokyo, you can also consider taking the direct bus. Direct buses also serve those commuting from Ikebukuro, Akihabara and Tokyo.