Tokyo Disney Resort

 

Like its counterparts in Florida and Anaheim, Tokyo Disneyland is laid out using the "spoke" system with seven themed areas in the park: the World Bazaar and four classic Disney lands: Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland; and two mini-lands: Critter Country and Mickey's Toontown.  And like the Magic Kingdom in Florida, these lands surround Cinderella's Castle, the centerpiece of the park.  The park is noted for its extensive open spaces, to accommodate the large crowds that visit the park.  In 2009, Tokyo Disneyland hosted approximately 13 million guests, ranking it as the third-most visited theme park in the world, behind its American sister parks, Magic Kingdom and Disneyland.  Tokyo Disneyland is virtually sold out every day of the year.  Since it's opening, Tokyo Disneyland has been open every day, until April 2011 when a tsunami hit Japan, and forced the temporary closing of the resort.

 

Transportation is available to Tokyo Disneyland via car, bus, and train.  Also, there is monorail access, for an additional charge, that surrounds the Tokyo Disneyland resort including Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. The monorail has 4 stops which include Bayside Station, which serves official resort hotels; Tokyo Disney Sea Station, giving access to hotel Mira Casta; Resort Gateway Station, serving Disney Ambassador Hotel; and Tokyo Disneyland Station, serving Tokyo Disneyland Hotel.  

 

Like the other Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland features parades, attractions, and shows that are second to none!  Parades include Jubilation! and Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights. Shows include Minnie Oh! Minnie, Lilo's Luau & Fun, and One Man's Dream II - The Magic Lives On, among others.  Attractions at Tokyo Disneyland include such classics as Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Peter Pan's Fight.  On January 24, 2011, Tokyo Disney debuted it's newest attraction, "Mickey's PhilharMagic", already a classic at Magic Kingdom in Florida.  Unique to Tokyo Disneyland Park are Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall, Chip'n Dale's Treehouse, and the show,  Pecos Goofy's Frontier Revue.  Dining options include Blue Bayou Restaurant (a Disneyland Anaheim classic), Cafe Orleans, China Voyager, Restaurant Hokusai, and the Hungry Bear Restaurant.  

 

Disney Sea, located across from Disneyland,  opened on September 4, 2001.  Tokyo Disney Sea was the second theme park to open at the Tokyo Disney Resort and the ninth park of the eleven worldwide Disney theme parks to open. Tokyo Disney Sea was the fastest theme park in the world to reach the milestone of 10 million guests, having done so in 308 days after its grand opening.  Tokyo Disney Sea is also the most expensive theme park ever built, estimated to have cost over U.S. $4 billion.

 

Tokyo Disney Sea has an overall nautical exploration theme to it.  There are seven uniquely themed areas or "ports of call".  The entrance to the park is Mediterranean Harbor, which opens up to six more nautically themed ports: American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, and Mysterious Island. Attractions include Venetian Gondolas,  Aquatopia, Tower Of Terror, Indian Jones-Temple of the Crystal Skull, Ariel's Playground, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, to name a few.  On April 28, 2011, Disney Sea Premiered the nighttime spectacular "Fantasmic!" 

 

Disney Sea also features over 20 dining locations, including Magellan's, Cafe Portofino, Sebastian's Calypso Kitchen, and the Horizon Bay Restaurant. Tokyo Disney Resort also includes the Ikspiari shopping and entertainment complex, their equivalent to Downtown Disney in Florida and Anaheim.  In addition to theme parks and shopping complexes, Tokyo Disney also features three hotels.  Disney Ambassador Hotel is a Art Deco wonder located right next door to the Ikspiari shopping center at the entrance to the resort. Hotel MiraCosta is a luxurious, beautifully-themed hotel with a private entrance into Tokyo Disney Sea. A third hotel, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel opened in July 2008. It is the largest of the three on-site resorts, featuring a Victorian architectural style similar to the Grand Floridian Resort at Walt Disney World.

 

Tokyo Disney Resort is extremely popular with the Japanese.  The resort attract millions of visitors each year.  The parks are immaculate, the cast members are friendly, and the guests absolutely love it, making Tokyo Disneyland truly a world destination filled with Disney magic.