Is Tokyo Disneyland worth it if you hate queuing? For me, yes. In my last episode I talked about how much I hate queuing for food in Japan. Then we spent a whole day at the place with the most queuing of all. The biggest activity at Tokyo Disneyland is queuing, and we still had a great day.
We went on 6 December 2023, during the 40th anniversary and the Christmas season. We rode a double-decker bus, saw two parades and the castle fireworks, and queued two hours for Beauty and the Beast. My wife's advice at the end is the part to remember.
I talk it through in Cantonese on my podcast, in my own voice, with English subtitles on screen.
How do you get into Tokyo Disneyland?
You get off at Maihama Station and follow everyone else. We arrived at about ten in the morning, and the queue started right outside the station exit.
We had bought all our tickets online in advance, so getting in only needs a QR code scan. The slow part is the bag check before the gates. You queue for quite a while, they check your bag, and then you walk in.
What is Tokyo Disneyland like in December?
Very pretty. 2023 was the park's 40th anniversary, so there was a big "40" over the entrance and on the castle. December also means Christmas: decorations everywhere and a huge Christmas tree under the glass roof of the main street. The atmosphere was really good.
Outside the park there's also the resort monorail, which runs round to the DisneySea side as well.
What is the double-decker bus at Tokyo Disneyland?
It's an old English-style green bus, nothing like the double-deckers in Hong Kong. You climb on, sit upstairs, and it takes you round a loop near the entrance. From the top deck you see the lawns and the castle as it goes round.
Which rides did we do in the morning?
Our first ride was Pirates of the Caribbean. You go in by boat into a dark night scene, and it's a little bit scary. Then we walked through Cinderella's castle for a while, where the glass slipper sits on a cushion behind glass.
After that we did Monsters, Inc., the one where you shoot at things with a torch. It's fun. Of course it's much better than Movie World on the Gold Coast. Even a few years ago it was already far ahead, and honestly, Australia can't compare.
What did we eat for lunch?
Pizza. Everything comes with Disney characters on it, so that was fine with me. That queue was only a warm-up for the real one later.
Is the day parade at Tokyo Disneyland worth waiting for?
Yes, but you need to grab a spot early. We got there at about twelve. If you've seen the floats in Brisbane or at the Toowoomba flower carnival, these are on another level.
The one I remember most was the Zootopia float, with a giant pink donut and the characters on top waving and waving. It was a sunny day, so the photos came out nicely. It wasn't hot, though. December in Tokyo is cold, and the night was colder.
Is Beauty and the Beast worth a two-hour queue?
We queued two hours for it, in the evening. It was OK, because the queue keeps giving you things to look at as you walk through the Beast's castle, like Mrs Potts on a table in front of a red curtain.
Inside, you ride in a big teacup that spins through the story. The animatronics move like real people. That was a few years ago, and robots everywhere look real now, so you may not feel the same today.
The paid fast pass for this ride had already sold out when we got into the park, and the queue made me pretty cross. Buy that pass if you can.
What happens at night at Tokyo Disneyland?
The other big event is the night parade. Every float is covered in lights: a train, a castle, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, and of course Frozen. It has to have Frozen. Kids love it.
After the parade we had a burger for dinner, and at about 8:30 we watched the fireworks over the castle. For me, the fireworks are the most important thing at Disney. I'm not sure they still run them the same way now, so check before you go.
Are Tokyo Disneyland souvenirs worth buying?
This is where we spent the most. A lot of things are Disney-only, they can only be bought there, and the shops have everything. We went on a buying spree: for the kids, 40th anniversary items, things for family and for other friends. It made everyone very happy.
Tips for Tokyo Disneyland if you hate queuing
My wife reminded me of the most important one after I finished recording: plan everything before you go in.
- Decide which rides matter most before you enter the park.
- Plan your times around the parades and the fireworks.
- For the big rides, buy the paid fast pass (Disney Premier Access) as early as you can. It's not cheap, it's limited, and it can sell out.
- Get to the day parade early if you want a good spot.
Otherwise you'll be like us: most of the day queuing, queuing, queuing. It's not cheap overall, either. I don't know if we'll get another chance to go.
This is part of my Japan travel series. For food, read 12 days of Tokyo food and eating in Japan when you hate queuing. Getting around? See my Tokyo subway 72-hour ticket review and the Yokohama day trip. Would you queue two hours for one ride? I'd love to hear.
Sources
- Tokyo Disney Resort: Disney Premier Access (paid, limited numbers, may sell out, bought in the app)
- Tokyo Disney Resort: Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
- Oriental Land Co.: 40th anniversary "Dream-Go-Round" (15 April 2023 to 31 March 2024) and Christmas 2023
Checked 13 November 2026. Prices, passes and show times change, so check the official app before your visit.
All photos are my own, taken at Tokyo Disneyland on 6 December 2023, and edited for the web: cropped, colour-tuned, and other visitors' and staff faces pixelated. AI helped me edit the English.
