If you plan to visit Tokyo Disneyland Resort soon, one of its best and most popular rides won’t be available. That’s because the indoor roller coaster Space Mountain is closing this month for a three-year renovation. However, there are many other rides and attractions you can enjoy. In fact, there is so much to do that you may need more than just one day to completely enjoy the theme park. With that in mind, here are ten other rides and attractions to consider when visiting Tokyo’s version of the Happiest Place on Earth.
What to Ride and See at Tokyo Disneyland
Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain is one of the fastest rides at Tokyo Disneyland, reaching speeds of up to 36 MPH (56kph). Because of its speed, this roller coaster ride resembling a historic mining train may not be suitable for all visitors. In fact, Tokyo Disneyland has boarding restrictions, including a height requirement of 102 cm (40.1 inches). On the other hand, if you enjoy the thrill of faster rides, this is among your best options in the entire theme park. Unlike other Disney theme parks, Big Thunder Mountain can be found in Westernland, rather than Frontierland.
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(credit: Beauty and the Beast, Park Pass)
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
It shouldn’t be surprising if you aren’t familiar with this ride. That’s because Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beauty can only be found in Tokyo Disneyland. What’s more, this ride, based on Disney’s 1991 movie “Beauty and the Beast”, is inside a castle. In other words, at Tokyo Disneyland, not only will you see Cinderella Castle, but the Beauty and the Beast Castle. Located in Fantasyland, Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is among the best and most popular rides at Tokyo Disneyland. For this reason, this ride may also have among the park’s longest wait times.
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Enchanted Tiki Room
While it shares some similarities with its counterparts at other Disney parks, this Enchanted Tiki Room is unlike any other. In brief, this Tokyo Disneyland version features Stitch, the animated koala-like Disney character. On the other hand, Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai is very entertaining, filled with Polynesian-style music and talking animals. Although the singing and narration is in Japanese, you can ask a cast member for a handheld tablet for an English translation.
Haunted Mansion
Looking much like its counterpart at Magic Kingdom in Orlando, the Haunted Mansion is the scariest ride at Tokyo Disneyland. At the same time, it’s also among the best and most popular rides. Of course, that means you might have to experience longer lines in order to reach this top attraction. Once inside, you’ll enter the familiar stretching room similar to the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland. After that first somewhat scary scene, you’ll be led by Tokyo Disneyland staff onto one of the Omnimover vehicles. While the narration is in Japanese, you will enjoy the ride, especially since the 999 ghosts are friendly. Like the Beauty and the Beast Castle, the Haunted Mansion at Tokyo Disneyland is in Fantasyland.
It’s A Small World
One of Tokyo Disneyland’s opening day attractions, It’s a Small World remains a very popular ride for visitors of all ages. Known as an old mill boat ride, It’s a Small World transports you through different regions from around the world. During the approximately 10-minute ride, you will see up to 300 animatronic dolls dressed in traditional clothing. As you pass through each region, these colorful dolls sing “It’s a Small World” in their respective languages. Despite its popularity, this ride will temporarily close in winter 2025 and will be replaced by It’s a Small World with Groot. In case you’re unfamiliar with Groot, he’s a Marvel Comics character best known from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Either way, It’s a Small World continues to be one of the best rides at Tokyo Disneyland for all ages.
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Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions
Some slight differences exist between this Jungle Cruise in Adventureland and other Disney theme parks. However, Jungle Cruise: Wildlife Expeditions is just as entertaining as its counterparts. Led by a riverboat guide who happily narrates in Japanese, you will glide across the water and see native animals in Africa, Asia, and South America. While the ride is generally family-friendly, it might be scary if you’re with small children. On the other hand, most guests laugh along with the guide as he braves the waters to take you back to the start. With all this in mind, along with a recent Disney movie, Jungle Cruise is clearly among Tokyo Disneyland’s best rides.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Another original amusement ride at Tokyo Disneyland is Pirates of the Caribbean. The third oldest Pirate ride in the Disney chain of theme parks, it’s quite like its counterparts. However, this version is in Adventure rather than New Orleans Square at Disneyland. Either way, you’ll travel on a boat and see several animatronic pirates, animals, and more. However, these characters speak Japanese for most of the ride, except for the famous song “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).” While this ride is suitable for guests of all ages, it might be a little scary for small children. Due to its popularity, you may experience a longer wait than some other rides.
(credit: Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Tokyo Disneyland Resort)
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
One ride not to miss that you won’t find at any other Disney theme park is Pooh’s Hunny Hunt. This is especially worth riding if you are a fan of Winnie the Pooh and his friends like Eeyore and Piglet. While there are Winnie the Pooh rides at other Disney parks, this Tokyo version is the best of all. In fact, Tokyo Disneyland spent $120 million on this trackless and technologically advanced dark ride. As you ride in one of the honey pot vehicles, you’ll get to see Pooh’s house, as well as the coveted Honey Tree.
Splash Mountain
As you enter the hottest time of the year in Tokyo Disneyland, you can cool off with a ride on Splash Mountain. On the log flume ride, you’ll travel through the mountain while seeing several animatronic characters. In fact, these characters and passageways are much like what you’d see in It’s a Small World. While the 10-minute log ride might seem casual, you’ll complete your journey with a 52.5-foot (15-meter) drop. As you plummet down, you’ll reach a speed of up to 45 mph (72 km/h). That technically makes Splash Mountain the fastest ride at Tokyo Disneyland. A special version of Splash Mountain is being featured through
Western River Railroad
If Big Thunder Mountain is too fast for you and your family, then Western River Railroad is a nice alternative. What’s more, you’ll have a chance to rest a bit with a leisurely train ride, although it doesn’t circle the entire park like other Disney trains. Instead, this steam locomotive train passes through Adventureland, Westernland, and Critter Country. Nevertheless, it’s a 15-minute ride on one of the trains with names like the Colorado and the Missouri. The Western River Railroad station is in Adventureland, next to the Jungle Cruise ride attraction.
Bonus Ride Recommendation: Mark Twain Riverboat
One of the most iconic and familiar rides at Disney theme parks is the Mark Twain Riverboat. In fact, this beautiful paddle steamer was one of the original rides when Disneyland opened in 1955. What’s more, the Mark Twain Riverboat at Tokyo Disneyland is the only one of its kind in Asia. Once onboard, you can enjoy the view while taking a leisurely 12-minute ride through the Rivers of America. The picturesque Mark Twain Riverboat is in Westernland, yet not far from the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride in Fantasyland.
How to Get to Tokyo Disneyland
The easiest and most affordable way to reach Tokyo Disneyland is by public transportation. In some detail, you would take a JR (Japan Railway) train to the Maihama Station in the city of Urayasu. From Maihama Station, it’s about .62 miles or 1km to the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland. You can take a direct JR train from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station via the Keiyo or Musashino lines. One-way fare from Tokyo Station to Maihama Station is about 230 yen ($1.46), and the trip takes less than 20 minutes.
Tickets for Tokyo Disneyland
The best way to obtain tickets for Tokyo Disneyland is to visit the official website. Once on the site, you can choose the ticket type and day you wish to visit. Single-day tickets start at 7400 yen ($49.61) for children and 9400 yen ($59.79) for adults. After purchasing your tickets, you should download the official Tokyo Disneyland app for Apple iOS or Google Android. In addition, if you plan to visit a dinner show at Tokyo Disneyland, like The Diamond Horseshoe, you should make a reservation in advance. Of course, the most complete information can be found via the official Disneyland Tokyo website.
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About The Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and is a Bay Area Travel Writers (BATW) member.
