East Meets ACE – Part 6: Tokyo Disneyland / 東京ディズニーランド
On Wednesday, September 26 we went to Tokyo Disneyland in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan. Operating since 1983, this was Disney’s first park outside the U.S. and it was my first visit to an international Disney park.
We arrived early for the 9:00 opening, and I was in great anticipation.
I was not disappointed as this is an amazing park, much like its American cousins, but with a number of distinct differences to set it apart. I will review by its well themed sections.
World Bazaar
While the layout of this front section is similar to the Main Street U.S.A. sections with which I am familiar, its striking difference is that it is completely covered.
Considering the amount of rain Japan gets in the summer (and judging by our trip, in the fall as well), this was a very good move. Such coverings are quite common in Japan at other parks as well as on city streets. Missing here is the train depot as the train does not encircle the whole park and has only one station, but I will get to that.
The buildings here had much of the same look as an American small town main street. The main attraction in this section is the Omnibus, which we did not ride.
One notable difference is that the street after the first block actually leads to the other sections, unlike the dead ends at the U.S. parks.
Adventureland
To the left of World Bazaar is Adventureland,
with much of the familiar look.
Missing here is Dole Whip, a staple of this section in the U.S. parks, and that fact was a great disappointment to our group of four.
Pirates of the Caribbean – This is just as good as it is in the U.S. parks,
and to make it even better, we got to eat at Blue Bayou with a table overlooking the ride. It was a delicious three course meal in a wonderful atmosphere right beside the beginning scene on an iconic ride – 2 rides.
Western River Railroad – Unlike the other parks, this train only has one station, as the story goes, because they would have to pay railroad tax on every passenger due to Japanese rail laws.
Thus it is a ride around the Jungle Cruise
and the Rivers of America, with a U shape around Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. To add to the ride, you go through a tunnel with prehistoric scenes like at Disneyland, which was a nice added touch – 1 ride.
Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions and Swiss Family Treehouse were closed for a few weeks for maintenance. We did not make it to The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents “Aloha E Komo Mai!”.
Westernland
Very similar to the U.S. parks’ Frontierland,
this section is very familiar looking.
Big Thunder Mountain (Walter Elias Disney, Mine Train, 1987)
This gave a great ride
and seemed to have some added sections that the other versions do not have – 2 rides.
We did not make it to Mark Twain Riverboat, Country Bear Theater or the Tom Sawyer Island Rafts.
Critter Country
Like the section of the same name at the California park, this section has Splash Mountain, but here it lies just above where Westernland and Fantasyland come together.
Splash Mountain – This was just as good as the other versions and it was interesting listening to Br’er Rabbit sing Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah in Japanese – 1 ride. We did not ride Beaver Brothers Explorer Canoes.
Fantasyland
There is no New Orleans Square or Liberty Square in this park, so the Haunted Mansion is located in this section,
which otherwise shares a lot in common with its U.S. cousins.
Haunted Mansion –
For Halloween through Christmas they have overlaid Nightmare Before Christmas, and this was a very immersive overlay, much more so than what I remember at Disneyland.
I would have much preferred the original,
but maybe someday I will see it in Japan in its normal form – 2 rides.
“it’s a small world” – Much like the others – 1 ride.
Peter Pan’s Flight – One of my favorite Fantasyland attractions, this was very good – 1 ride.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey – I enjoyed this ride – 1 ride.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt – I had heard this was a not-to-miss attraction, and I see why. Its trackless cars go all over the place, but never hit each other, making for a very fun and unique attraction. The animatronics were very good as well, making for a very good ride – 1 ride.
Snow White’s Adventures – Much like the original, this was good and fun to ride now that it is gone in Florida – 1 ride.
Alice’s Tea Party – Good spinning, and it is covered – 1 ride.
Castle Carrousel – Very nicely preserved historic wood carousel – 1 ride.
We did not make it to Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall, a walkthrough attraction in Cinderella’s Castle;
Dumbo The Flying Elephant; or Mickey’s PhilharMagic.
Toontown
Similar to the California section of this name,
it is well themed and located similarly behind Fantasyland near its border with Tomorrowland.
Gadget’s Go Coaster (Vekoma, Junior Coaster/ 207m Family, 1995)
This gives a good ride – 1 ride.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin – This is always a fun ride, and the spinning cars add to it – 1 ride.
Children’s attractions include Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse; Donald’s Boat; Goofy’s Paint ‘n’ Play House; Minnie’s House; and Toon Park.
Tomorrowland
This section looks similar to the other parks,
but with a big addition to Fantasyland with Beauty and the Beast and Tomorrowland with Big Hero Six coming in 2020, the area that once was home to the Speedway Cars is fenced off.
Space Mountain (Walter Elias Disney, Enclosed, 1983)
This gives a great ride and the darkness and stars along with a very good layout make for a thrilling ride – 2 rides.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue – Good ride – 1 ride.
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters – Good ride – 1 ride. Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek – With its flashlights that activate certain things, this is a fun and unique ride – 1 ride.
Stitch Encounter – Different from the version that was at the Magic Kingdom, this is an interactive show where audience members talk with a cartoon version of Stitch, who reacts to what they say. While it was all in Japanese, it was interesting to see – 1 ride.
Throughout the day there were a number of parades,
some of which we saw
in part. After our large meal at Blue Bayou we opted for snacks the rest of the day, mostly various flavors of popcorn, very popular in Japan. Throughout the day we tried Soy Sause & Butter, Honey, Milk Chocolate, Curry, Barbeque and Salt. The most unusual was Curry, which Vanessa and I liked, but we all agreed the best of the day was Honey.
One interesting thing was that for Halloween many guests dressed in Cosplay, portraying various Disney characters. Some were quite good and almost hard to tell from park employees. This was interesting, especially since adults are not generally allowed to dress in costume at U.S. parks. The park employees were extremely friendly and welcoming. We did have some rain, but it was mostly late in the day and since most attractions are inside, it caused little problem.
I was truly impressed by this park and it was my best day that I have ever experienced on an international trip. Everyone was required to use public transportation to return to the hotel, and while that started out smoothly, an accident on one of the train lines caused delays throughout the system that threatened not to get us to the hotel by the witching hour of 12:00 when the trains shut down for the night, but we made it with a few minutes to spare. All in all it had been an amazing day and the best part was we got to do it again the next day at the other Disney park.
Up Next: Tokyo DisneySea
Ronny's Travels 