Tokyo Disney Magic: a family friendly adventure guide
Tokyo Disney is a fantastic experience for young and old when visiting Japan. Thinking about visiting Tokyo Disney with toddlers? Don’t be daunted. There’s so much that little kids will love to do and see at this magical theme park with age-appropriate rides and activities as well as opportunities to meet and greet their favourite Disney characters.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney with toddlers
Best times to visit
Tokyo is very much a year-round destination, however the summer months do get hot and humid. If standing in the long queues for the attractions in the muggy sunshine doesn’t sound like fun with a toddler in tow, then perhaps plan your Japan trip at a slightly cooler time of year. That said, I visited recently with my toddler in June and whilst it was very hot we still enjoyed our time. We just made sure we had plenty of water and shade breaks and things were manageable. Crowds-wise, you’re in Tokyo which is the most populated city in the world – it is going to be crowded at any time of year. No matter when you choose to visit, there’s so much to do in Tokyo it will knock your socks off!
Where to stay to visit Tokyo Disney
Honestly, Tokyo is one of the most well-organised and connected mega cities I’ve ever visited making this decision very easy. You can certainly opt to stay in the accommodation at the Tokyo Disney Resort, but it is just as easy to stay in more centrally in one of Tokyo’s incredible neighbourhoods and simply visit Tokyo Disney for the day. I would always choose to stay around the Shibuya, Harajuku or Shinjuku areas as there’s so much to see, do and eat. Ginza is another great option – particularly for shopping and food lovers. And on my most recent visit I stayed near the Imperial Palace at the Ascott Maranouchi which was less bustling, but very convienient with a young kiddo in tow.
Booking.comDecide between Tokyo Disney or Tokyo DisneySea
The Tokyo Disney complex has two parks: Tokyo Disney and Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo Disney is the more toddler-friendly of the two, so for younger kiddos I recommend selecting this one as your preferred park to visit. Toddlers can ride around 70% of the rides at Tokyo Disney as long as they can sit upright unassisted, so you’ll find plenty to amuse yourselves. With that said, DisneySea has just launched a Frozen ride so if you have a little Frozen-obsessed toddler (like mine) then perhaps a visit to DisneySea might also be in order. Overall, though, Tokyo Disney is the better choice for young kids.
Getting tickets
Now that you’ve decided which Tokyo Disney park to visit, it is time to get tickets booked. Like many main attractions these days, it is far better to secure your tickets early by booking online in advance. You can book tickets up to two months in advance and can add on things like a priority pass to skip the lines for some rides and attractions.
The best part of travelling to Tokyo Disney with toddlers? Children under 4 receive free entry!
Download the Tokyo Disney Resort App
This app is a super handy one to have on hand for a map of the park and the different things happening throughout the day of your visit. It is also where your tickets will be stored and where you can purchase things like a priority pass. To enter the park, you’ll just scan your tickets in your App.
How to get to Tokyo Disney from Tokyo city
Catch the train
Japan is renowned for its public transport system and its no surprise that Tokyo Disney has its own dedicated train station at the park. From Tokyo Station, take the JR Keiyo line to Maihama Station and follow the signs and the throngs of people to the park of your choice. From Tokyo Station, the travel time is 24 minutes and six stops. The cost per person is 230 JPY and children up to six years old travel free on Tokyo trains.
My only caution is that the platform to board the train at Tokyo Station is a LONG walk from the entrance to the station – allow plenty of time to walk through the station and try to avoid peak hour due to the crowds.
Drive or Taxi
If you have access to a car, then you may choose to drive to Tokyo Disney, though I would certainly recommend public transport as the simplest and easiest option. From the Tokyo Station area, it is around 20 minutes drive out to Urayasu. Parking is located nearby the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and costs 3000 JPY for the day.
A taxi takes the stress out of having to find a park, however is an expensive option costing between 4000 – 7000 JPY depending on traffic. Japanese taxis don’t have seats for your toddler or baby, so you also need to hold them on your lap so you’ll need to assess the safety of this option for your family.
What to do at Tokyo Disney with toddlers?
Toddler-friendly rides
Tokyo Disney is actually super toddler and baby friendly. There are a few rides that allow you to sit your baby or toddler on your lap such as the Jungle Cruise or the Western River Railroad. Both of these rides are nice and gentle and are more sight-seeing than thrill rides, so are great options for you and your little one to sit back and enjoy the scenery. Its A Small World is another ride that allows children to sit on laps, however the only caution with this ride is that it is dark, so some small kids (like mine) may get a little nervous.
For small children who can sit unassisted, there are more options for rides available and Fantasyland in particular has some great ones. Our daughter loved the Carousel and we were able to strap her in and ride with her. Another great choice for kids that can sit unassisted is the famous spinning teacup ride – Alice’s Tea Party – though our toddler was a bit unsure about this one. Dumbo the Flying Elephant is one that is good fun, though it does go quite high for little people.
There are a few rides that are kid-friendly but travel through darkness such as Peter Pan’s Flight and the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. My 1.5 year old freaks out a bit in those scenarios, so we didn’t end up riding them. Now that she’s two, shes a bit more confident and we would probably give them a go now. Be warned, the lines for Beauty and the Beast are huge most days as the attraction is quite new.
Toddler-friendly shows
Tokyo Disney has a heap of shows to experience, though they can be quite overwhelming for little kids. of course, the park-wide lunchtime parade is a great one to watch because it is out in the open and less intense than some of the others that are behind closed door in the theatres. Our daughter loved sitting on her dad’s shoulders and watching the characters go past, dancing to the music.
On the other hand, our daughter was completely overwhelmed in the Country Bear Theatre and Mickey’s PhilharMagic. She was totally freaked out by the darkness and the loudness of both the shows and we had to make a swift exit. The content itself is totally kid-friendly, but our girl is a bit sensitive to loud noises – it was a bit too much.
Character Meet & Greets
One of the joys of visiting Tokyo Disney with toddlers is seeing their amazement at coming close to the characters they know and love. We did meet and greets with Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse, both of which our daughter still talks about 6 months later. We also came across roaming characters such as Goofy and the Incredibles on our walk around the park.
Other Toddler-Friendly Activities
Toon town is a great area for toddlers and small kids as it features several attractions that allow kids to wander through and have a play. Our daughter’s highlight was visiting Minnie Mouse’s house and cooking in her kitchen. She also loved playing on Donald Duck’s boat and climbing the Chip and Dale Treehouse. Toon Town also has a great little play area by way of the Toon Park – perfect to let the kids out of the stroller for a run around.
Cinderella lovers will enjoy visiting the interior of Cinderella’s castle where you can see her glass slipper and the throne room. Cinderella’s Fairy Tale Hall is also stroller friendly.
Where to eat at Tokyo Disney with toddlers
There are food options galore at Tokyo Disney. If you’re travelling with a toddler you’ll want to bring plenty of snacks to keep them occupied for the day – this will help save money as well as the food at Tokyo Disney isn’t cheap. Technically, I don’t think you are meant to bring in outside food, but the team at the gate were OK with us bringing in items for our daughter. We brought some blueberries, rice crackers and a banana along with us and then we purchased lunch at the big food hall in the Tomorrowland area. We also treated Grace with an ice cream later in the day as it was very hot!
There are heaps of restaurants at Tokyo Disney and they’re all very kid friendly. A few that seemed really popular when we were there was the La Taverne de Gaston, Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall and the Camp Woodchuck Kitchen. Most restaurants have pre-order available via the App, so that you can avoid a hangry toddler.
In summary: visiting Tokyo Disney with toddlers
Tokyo Disney is a great choice for an outing with kids and toddlers. Whether your kiddo is a daredevil wanting to try all the rides or more into the shows and character meet and greets, Tokyo Disney will have plenty to occupy them all for the day. Though it may not be the cheapest day out, your kids will love the day and you’ll create core memories of happiness and fun for a lifetime.
FAQs for visiting Tokyo Disney with toddlers
Is Tokyo Disney suitable for toddlers?
Yes! Tokyo Disney is very family-friendly and offers many attractions, parades, shows, and character meet-and-greets that are perfect for toddlers. While some of the more intense rides may not be suitable, there are plenty of gentle rides, playgrounds, and interactive experiences tailored to young children.
What to pack to visit Tokyo Disney with young kids?
Snacks, water bottle, nappies, wipes and a change of clothes. We visited in summer, so we also packed a hat and sunscreen and a light muslin to clip onto our pram so that our daughter could have a nap in the park. A portable phone charger can also be helpful if your phone tends to run out of battery. Everything else, you can buy at Tokyo Disney.
Is Tokyo Disney stroller friendly?
Absolutely. We travelled around the whole day with our BabyJogger City Tour 2 stroller. Every show and ride has stroller parking and there were no parts of the park that were difficult to navigate. Tokyo Disney even offer stroller rental for those who may need one.
Are there height restrictions for rides?
Yes, there are height restrictions for some attractions. However, many rides in Tokyo Disneyland are designed for smaller children and don’t have height limits. It’s always a good idea to check the specific attraction’s height requirements on the official park map or website before you go.
Are there parent facilities and baby change rooms?
Yes, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea have baby care centers. These centers are equipped with changing tables, nursing rooms, bottle-warming stations, and even small play areas. It’s a great spot for parents to take a break if needed.
Can I stay at Tokyo Disney?
Yes, there is a hotel at Tokyo Disney and it is possible to stay. However, it is also very easy to visit on a day trip via the amazing Japan Rail train system.
What’s the best way to navigate around Tokyo Disney?
Download the Disney App and use the map and other features to navigate and plan your day. It’s a fabulous one stop shop for planning your Disney adventure. The app also includes information about ride and attraction wait times.
What other kid-friendly activities are in Tokyo?
Tokyo is honestly full of great kid friendly experiences. TeamLabs Planets is a wonderful installation that all ages will enjoy. The Tokyo Toy museum is a great place to spend a few hours, and particularly fabulous on a rainy day. Tokyo also has a Fire Museum and a Police Museum where kids can go and dress up in uniforms, see fire trucks and even play on a helicopter!
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