Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort

While planning our trip to Tokyo, we knew a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort was a must.

We originally planned on buying tickets once we got to Tokyo.  We were going to try and buy them at a Disney Store, and if we didn't have time to go to the store, we'd simply by them at the park.

However, after seeing online that a few dates near our desired dates of visit were sold out of online sales, and we saw on the online "crowd prediction" calendars high rates of attendance, we didn't want to risk not getting tickets at all (limited tickets may be sold on the day of at the park if online ticket sales stop), so I bought our tickets online (which was a good thing, because the line to buy tickets was very long!).

Buying tickets online was not as easy as I thought it would be.

After reading several blogs and forums, it seemed as if people were having issues with credit cards, just as I did.

My Visa didn't work, and when I tried to use a MasterCard, that failed too.

Turns out, there were no charge attempts on my Visa, but there was a fraud warning on the MasterCard (which I appreciated).  After cancelling the fraud warning, I was able to successfully purchase our 2-day Passports with my MasterCard.

You have to designate which date you'll be visiting which park.  You are allowed to make certain changes to your tickets, and you can't park hop with a 2-day Passport.



The website insists that you print your tickets on A4 paper, however, since I didn't have access to any A4 paper (and it's not a common paper size in the US), I simply printed the tickets on 8.5" x 11" paper.  You are allowed to print multiple copies (but only 1 copy will be valid once scanned), so I printed one set automatically, and another set by changing the paper setting to A4 (the bottom text got cut off, but the code was still clear and valid).

On the day we arrived at the park, I used the tickets that were set to A4 paper printed on letter paper, and had no issues.

When it's time to scan them to get FastPasses, simply fold the paper small enough to fit into the scanner.

To get to Tokyo Disney Resort by rail, you simply have to find your way to Maihama station. Once there, you have the option to walk to either park (about 10 minutes to Tokyo Disneyland, 30 minutes to Tokyo DisneySea), or buy tickets for the Disney Resort Line Monorail. We opted for two-day passes on the monorail.

Everything you read online about the long lines for everything (for rides, food, and even restrooms!) and the rush for (and quick sell out of) FastPasses is true.  Most people just patiently wait in 100-minute-plus lines playing cards, eating popcorn, reading, or playing with their smartphones.

Height requirements for rides must be met, or the cast members have no problems telling you that you (or your child) cannot ride.  If your child's height is questionable, he/she will be measured and given a wristband to prove that he/she meets the height requirement.  Our youngest son had to show his wristband numerous times.

Although they are strict when it comes to rules, the cast members are still so pleasant.  Even though we didn't understand a word they were saying, it was easy to understand the gestures.  For instance, they'd make a big "x" with their arms if we started to hold up our smartphone and photos weren't allowed.  They'd also motion taking off backpack straps to ensure we took them off and stored them on the ground by our feet on rides.

The Japanese are huge fans of all things Disney.  Not only would they be dressed in Disney gear, wearing a Disney hat, and donning a Disney popcorn tin or bag around their necks, but when a character came around - whether through a parade or for autographs through the park, they'd scream in delight.  And I'm not talking about the kids - I'm talking about the adults!

As with almost all of Tokyo, strollers are a rare sight.  Although I did see strollers, it's nothing like at the California parks - where you can find a sea of strollers at each ride.  In fact, we passed by several rides where the stroller parking was empty!

Credit cards were accepted at most of the stores and restaurants, and the only places we used yen were at the food carts.

We spent 12 hours at each park, and we were extremely exhausted at the end of each day, but we made some of the best memories while at Tokyo Disney Resort!

Goodnight, Disney!

Read about our visits to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.