Exploring Enchantment: My Unforgettable Adventures at Tokyo Disney

Living in Japan afforded me many luxuries and unique experiences for which I am grateful. As a Disney fan, when I learned that there was a park in Tokyo, it was the first item on my to-do list. It is a privilege to say that Tokyo Disneyland was the second Disney park I’ve ever visited. Finding out about the Tokyo Disney park expanded my mind since I’ve only really thought about Disney World because it was the theme park most talked about. Going to Tokyo Disney awakened my desire to travel worldwide to all the Disney parks.

Tokyo Disney has two parks, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, each with a different atmosphere. Disney Sea had more attractions for older visitors, and Disneyland was geared toward traditional guests. They were both exciting and had something for everyone. The coolest part of Tokyo Disney was that there were rides at this park that weren’t at Disney World, the first park I visited, so I could experience them for the first time. Though there was so much to experience, I did have some highlights from both parks.

Holidays at Disneyland

The holiday festivities at the Disney parks are a must for Disney pros. This was my first time experiencing the magic of the Disney holiday, and it was everything I could imagine. Since I visited Tokyo every December for Comic-Con since I moved to Japan, I added Tokyo Disney to my itinerary to kick off the most wonderful time of the year a bit early.

The park was decorated with beautiful 3D scenery from various Disney movies, drawing crowds. As it was the first thing seen when entering the park, it really pulled you into the holiday spirit. From a Christmas scene with Mickey Mouse, Minnie, and Pluto to a beautiful set showcasing Belle and Beast dancing with festive accents, Tokyo Disneyland pulled out the stops for their holiday decorations.

The best part of the holiday experience at Tokyo Disneyland was the inclusion of The Nightmare Before Christmas. This is something that most people look forward to as it is available at many of the Disney parks as a unique holiday offering, but it was my first time seeing it in 2016. The Haunted Mansion was transformed with scenes from Nightmare Before Christmas instead of their typical spooky attraction. Once I experienced it, I was hooked, and it became a tradition to visit Disney for this ride every fall trip I made.

Mermaid Lagoon

At DisneySea, there was an area called Mermaid Lagoon, modeled after the castle and scenes from The Little Mermaid. The structures are vibrant, and elements from the movie make you feel transported into the Kingdom of Atlantica.

Visitors could explore various experiences within this land, including a life-size sculpture of King Triton riding the shell chariot led by dolphins. The caverns the hideaway deemed “Ariel’s Playground” are mostly catered to a younger crowd, but it was beautifully created where even the young at heart would fall in love. Speaking of falling in love, one item that I was drawn to was the Prince Eric statue. I had to take a picture next to it because how can you see this without screaming, “But I love him, Daddy!”

The Thrilling Rides

As stated earlier, DisneySea seemed more “mature,” especially regarding the rides. There were thrilling attractions like Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull and Raging Spirits. They were the heart-pumping and exciting roller coasters I live for at amusement parks. 

Another fun experience I had was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It was memorable because I was caught off guard by the narration, which was all in Japanese. It made sense that it would be since we were in Tokyo, but it was hilarious because I was caught off guard since other rides were in English. 

At Disneyland, I enjoyed Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Snow White’s Adventures, Space Mountain, and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt. Many people likely rode many of these at other parks, but this was my second Disney park experience, so a lot was new to me. 

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and Snow White’s Adventures are two older rides that were removed from Disney World by my first visit. These were so entertaining, though they weren’t new. It was enjoyable to ride these attractions and be transported to childhood. 

Space Mountain is a must-visit at every park. The one at Tokyo Disneyland had unique visuals from the Disney World attraction. It felt like you were surrounded by more stars and fantastic colors. 

The Pooh’s Honey Hunt was a silly ride that could give you whiplash, but it was still enjoyable. There were many funny and awkward moments when the pot would swing you face to face with other families.

Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall

In Critter Country, Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall is a fast-service restaurant with great food. Right when you walk in, you will see the larger-than-life door knob as seen in the Alice in Wonderland movie. From the door and throughout the restaurant, the decor is delightful and quirky, reflecting the vibe of the animated film. The theme is based on the Queen of Hearts castle; you can see familiar characters in the decor. The well-known card guards keep an eye on patrons wall to wall throughout the venue.

There are also plaques showcasing the photos of the Mad Hatter, March Hare, White Rabbit, and more. The tables were also patterned with the Queen of Heart garden. It was reminiscent of the Alice in Wonderland Maze at Shanghai Disneyland. The restaurant also had a great menu, offering entrees, including salmon, chicken, steak, and side dishes and desserts you can select online. You can also purchase souvenir dishes.

Tokyo Disney is one of the best parks on my list of Disney parks. I can’t wait to go back one day. Have you been to Tokyo Disney? What was your favorite place there? Comment below and tell me about your experience at this Disney Park.