What I Wish I’d Known Before Going to Tokyo Disney 

I guess most viewers on this channel are American but since you touching on customs/immigration I would add that travelers should check Japan's visa requirements before planning the trip over. Americans can arrive on "visa free" stays of up to 90 days, but many countries do not have that agreement and citizens will need to have a valid visa. Don't wanna get sent back home after that long flight....i've seen it happen

For those concerned about the language barrier, I had the best time there and had no issues. Staff are the friendliest I have experienced at a Disney park and are well trained to assist foreigners. When they needed to communicate with us (usually when backpacks needed to be taken off or which direction to exit) they used clear hand motions. For ordering food you can point at the option you’d like on a menu. I’d recommend learning some basic Japanese, they were very appreciative and kind when we greeted and thanked them in Japanese.

The trash situation with Tokyo is because of something that happened in 1995 involving sarin gas bags placed on trains and in trash cans at subway stations. After the attack, most trash cans in Tokyo and all other big cities disappeared almost overnight. The separation rules at restaurant trash cans help with recycling and separating between burnable and non-burnable trash.

This video was quite timely. I am turning 50 next year and I am visiting Japan to celebrate such a momentous occasion. Thank for such great guidance.

I just want to say thank you so much for being sensitive and kind and including information about where to find more Westernised food - Tokyo Disney is high up on my dream destination bucket list, but I have an autistic daughter with an extremely picky diet which poses major barriers to be able to travel. So many people don't include that sort of information or talk absolute trash about it, and you handled this in such a kind, sensitive manner that is so helpful!

Suica digital card on your phone much easier to use. Popcorn lines over a hour on the weekends

Portable wifi is a really economical and easy to use option instead of a phone plan. I pre booked online and picked up at the post office at the airport. It is returned by dropping into a post box.

I just came back from there 3 weeks ago and I had the most incredible time. The cast members are so sweet and had some of the most amazing interactions with them. They love when you wave say hi. I can't wait to go back must incredible trip and experience I've ever seen ❤

I chickened out of Tokyo Disney when I visited Japan because I arrived during Golden Week ... Which is just perfect for exploring Tokyo itself because it was very quiet as everybody was out visiting family or going on Holiday but it's not a time you want to visit Disney :p I do have to say the Single Riders tip is sooooo true. I don't know why it was so under used. Now I traveled solo but even then in Universal a line was more than 2h and I got to ride it in under 15min. It was crazy. I do believe because parks are more of a "couple" thing in Japan they don't use them that often? But really if you can, use them. Because lines do get very crazy sometimes.

A note about Suica, they have discontinued Local Suica for the time being so tourists staying for less then three week will want to get the Welcome Suica from the airport. All tourist can get a Welcome Suica but if you are staying for a month or more you should know that it turns off automatically after 21 days, and can't be restarted. I believe this is to save all Suicas for tourists. There a shortage due to a chip or resistor shortage, not an engineer. Just saying get the Welcome Suica before you leave the airport, it will be easier then trying to get it other places because the airport is ready for tourists.

If they sell green iced tea in the vending machines in Japan...omg BUY BUY BUY! You will never go back! It tastes wonderful! Also if you are there during the summer...drink iced coffee. You will be sooooo happy you did.

as a California native who has lived in Japan for 19 years and counting, I can't recommend the Disney parks in Tokyo, especially Disney Sea, highly enough. A few things for your USA viewers - the US has Daylight Savings Time, so half of the year the time difference with New York (EST) is 13 hours behind Tokyo and the other half it's 14 hours behind. In addition to learning a few Japanese words, it's not a bad idea to acquaint yourself with the metric system, especially .C or centigrade for temperatures and also military time or the 24hr clock, which is widely used here. Last - the card for transport (Suica) is pronounced "sue-ee-ka". Have fun!

My sister and I went just this passed April. We went 10 days before Golden week and the end of Cherry blossom season and the parks were DEAD! it felt like our own park.

We just went during our first trip and we had sooo much fun! It’s definitely a different experience than in the states but there’s a kind of magic that no matter where you go you can always find when in Disney. Definitely grab breakfast at Lawson or 7/11. Arrive 1 hr before parks open and bring something to sit on. Watch the nighttime parade cuz it’s just beautiful. Be prepared to wait in line for absolutely everything! Japan is definitely a line culture lol. Loved the video!

just wanted to say you actually CAN bring your own food into tokyo disney!!! i went with my family in march and we stopped at lawsons on the way each morning to grab a lunch, a snack & a drink to take with us so we didnt have to worry about reserving a table at a restaurant. you can also leave and come back to buy food outside the park & theres a convenience store at the train station just outside the park :)))

Best Disney Resort in the world. Everyone is so nice and the food is so good.

Great video but the one thing you missed is regarding a data plan on your phone. You don’t need one at all. You can get an Internet hub from Tokyo’s main station which costs around $50 for a week and gives you between 10-15GB of data a day. You’ll not only get better speeds than the network data on your phone, but it’s also A LOT cheaper. The other thing is Suica. You don’t need a physical card as you can just add it to your phone and top up whenever you need it. It’s super easy to do and much easier to top up as you don’t need to visit a machine to do it.

I have been wanting to go to the international parks for years but it is intimidating! Not knowing much about the parks mixed with the possible language barriers and being someone who never really traveled. Thank you so much for this video!

Just got back from Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland yesterday. We had the best time. The shows, merch and CM’s are top tier. This video is making me miss it already! 😊 I miss the clean bathrooms, bidets, and food especially the garlic shrimp popcorn 😂 I didn’t miss my Diet Coke because their melon soda is SO GOOD!

Every travel video about Japan has a section about the toilets. And every video then complains about how we don't have them back in the states! (For the record, after spending 2 weeks there I came home and immediately started shopping for a smart toilet. It was expensive. I have zero regrets.)

Wow, this video is a goldmine of tips for anyone planning a trip to Tokyo Disney! 😍 From epic shows to dealing with crowds and even the toilets 🚽, you covered it all!

Thank you for this. Im going sometime this summer and lots of helpful things. I only have a day and plan to focus on Disney Seas mostly. So planning is essential. 😊

As someone who lives in the old world and plans to visit Orlando, it's refreshing to see Americans dealing with oversea trip.

I visited Tokyo Disney this year. It was great. Wish this video was out then!

Thank you, i am your fan, i love how you explain everything. And i am going to disney tokyo in a month you are an angel. ❤

thank you for this video ! we're going soon and its been helpful!

I really enjoyed. thisvideo! I have a hard time watching videos due to my attention span and getting distracted, but you managed to keep me attentive, informed, and amused, Thank you for that! Plan on going in May.... Hope I can make it!

This is perfect! Planning a trip in March.

One of the best parks in the world. I will be back after fantasy springs is complete 💖

i'm going to tokyo for disneyland next week!! this is so perfect

I was there this April, I stayed at the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta for 4 nights. Yes it was worth it! The disneysea park is not very disney themed though.

I went to Japan last October and went to both Disney sea and Disneyland. I wish I could have used this for some reference! So much good information!

One of the most complete and informative Tokyo Disney videos ever!

I’m here for the first time since Covid hit and even though I’ve been in Tokyo, Disney for more than 10 times in the past I am so confused with the new rules and thank you so much for posting this video because I had no idea what the 40 years anniversary priority pass. Now I’m going to use the priority pass today because I am going back to the park and thankfully you posted this video on my second day here. You said that you just talked a lot in this video and then you sort of apologize in the end but actually everything you’ve said in this video has been very helpful, so thank you and thank you

Thank you so much for specifically mentioning that the $10/day AT&T worked well for you. That's my plan, too, and I was wondering if I needed the MiFi.

I just want to add and someone who lived there for years and recently went back for a visit (based on the footage around the same time) SUICA cards are not being given out anymore that PASMO card you have acts the same but its not the same thing. and that specific one you can only use for 30 days. you CANT get it at every location and only SOME stations will have them. if you want to make sure you get one then 110% get it at the air port!

DFBBBBBB THANK YOU FOR THIS! Im off Tokyo Disney and hope to make it for the LAST DAY OF 40th ANNIVERSARY! Sunday 31 March hehehe - Im scared and excited

Waaay back in 2010, I booked an online dining reservation at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, three months before our trip. Clearly, I'd f'd it up, because after rushing across the park with two kids in tow...they didn't have it. The looks on our faces must have said a lot, because they got us a table a half an hour later. The place was overflowing, they were overbooked, but they got us in anyway, even though the mistake was absolutely ours. THIS is the reason Disney is so beloved.

Going for the first time next year. So exciteed ^_^.

I love theme park culture in Japan! During the Halloween season, Tokyo Disney allows guests to come in full costume.

The Japanese toilets are SOOOOO amazing! Tokyo Disney will spoil you for the other parks due to the awesomeness of the Japanese people.

Regarding the cellphone data plans: you can buy them at the airport NRT HND at the vending machines. 30GB:15$ 7 days etc... really good value and reception.

I believe you can go to a local Japanese cell phone store and ask for a temporary plan. That’s what i did. It will definitely be cheaper for those staying longer than 2 weeks.

I'm planning a trip to Tokyo next year in September/October and it makes me so excited and nervous thinking about this. Hoping for a Fantasy Springs video soon!

The reason why you will rarely fnd trash cans in Japan is because there was a tragic bombing incident that occured at a subway station, where the perpetrator hid a bomb in the trash.

Disney Sea is the ABSOLUTE BEST park even compared to Disney World and Disneyland, Cali! And it wont break the bank...

Very great video, I learned quite a few things and I've already done a lot of research for my Tokyo trip. I was wondering if you can explain more how the different Disney hotels transported your luggage to another hotel you already have a reservation for? I'm hoping you used this service so I can get an idea what to do when I'm there. I'm doing the Toy Story hotel one night and the Mira Costa for the following two nights but each night is a separate room. Thank!

Just came back from Japan and all very good advice! I will say though that you can do My Japan Web even before you leave the states at the comfort of your home. Fill out that information. That suica card is actually a Pasmo Card. And you can also add it to your mobile. Japan is now technically 14 hours behind due to Daylight Savings time. Those lines were NO JOKE! Pack your patience. And this was during the week. We waited in line for a pumpkin soft serve for 45 minutes so while my husband did that, I also went to go get other lunch near by. The pizza bao buns were just ok. Fami-Chicken though was good! I also suggest, if it's within your budget, to just purchase quick que for some of the big name attractions. Why struggle waiting in line or wasting time on your very first trip, especially if you're limited in time?

these got me wanting to book a trip to Tokyo .....like right now 😆

I’ve been there a week ago. My advice: Disneyland is more for children - if u are alone or a couple and u can live without the castle, go to Disney Sea - it’s a 20 minute walk, and it has more to explore and to ride (but also almost no Disney theming except for Agrabah and Ariel). BUT if u don’t wanna ride everything u can visit both parks in a day: Disneyland took me 4 hours to walk everywhere and ride 2 smaller rides. For Disney Sea u need an hour more. Also, there r 2 single riders lines over there. The merch is boring, don’t bother, and try to go on a weekday of course. Other than that - have a good time! :-) (And bring a light jacket: sun goes down at 6 pm, and there is a coast nearby, so it can get a bit chilly/windy)

OMG My husband appears on the video at 25:09 LOL😂😂 Amazing video by the way

Also, the Google Translate app also helps with conversations. Period. I have to go through that with one of my own students a year ago.

Any thoughts regarding the Sheraton Club rooms vs the Ocean Dream rooms?

Quite a timely set of videos, as I plan to go next year. Regarding international plans, I suggest looking into e-sims if you have a relatively newer phone. They tend to be a lot cheaper than your carrier's plans, and you don't have to switch out your sim card.

By tradition, the waving of the flashlights is coming from the Hotel Miracosta guests and are just being returned by the guests leaving the park. This happens during closing and it basically means waving them goodbye as the park closes. This became an issue though at some point as there was a guest who's epilepsy got triggered by the flashing of phone lights who brought it up in social media but I don't think it received much traction though. Anyway, thank you for your tips. I thought I got everything written down but this is really helpful.

My girlfriend is diabetic; so that bit on the Diet Coke was really helpful to know. Thank you

Does the QR code for the custom at the airport work for kids? We are travelling there in May with 3 children between 4-9

Does anyone know how long the free 40th anniversary passes are staying around for? We're going to TDR in July. Can't wait!!!

Can you use the MiraCosta early entry gate if you're staying at a different Disney hotel on property?

Don’t sleep on the curry popcorn *chefs kiss*

21:27 they're doing those mime cast member performances again? I thought they were permanently discontinued some time ago along with a lot of the other live entertainment in the resort. Hoping more live entertainment return some day.

The best of all Disneys. Other tips: 7:58 if you use apple you can add a digital suica to your wallet ahead of time and top it up using your non-Japanese credit card. And you can even top it up ahead of time when exchange rates are good. I would say you need about 5k yen for a two week trip if you just use it for local transportation. Always carry cash! I recommend you keep 5 or 10k each on you at all times. Especially if you plan on leaving Tokyo. 17:09 +1 for the Sheraton. When we had little kids that’s where we stayed. Now they are older we airbnb.

I thought there was a shortage for physical pasmo/suica cards so they suspended issuing them? You can still get the mobile version though

Do the other hotels in the nearby area like the Hilton hotel count as happy entry or is it just the disney hotels?

Instead of a phone plan just rent a Hotspot in the airport it's easy to get and to return it you just have to mail it in the airport

With so much of wait time n not guaranteed premier access is it worth visiting Disney land?? I’m confused.. I’m going with family April 1st week.. planning to spend 2 days at Disney sea n 1 day at Disneyland 🤔

As someone drinking a diet soda now and is the only thing that gets me through the day; I would FREAK

Some time ago, DFBGuide made a video where she mentioned that if it's your first time visiting Disney, you could ask for pixie dust or other surprises. Is there anything like that at Tokyo Disney? Is there any secret activity one can do if they go on their birthday?

Do you know of traveling agency who can do the planning for you ? We really want to go but it’s so confusing. Would really appreciate your input .

So is that new about Customs forms? Over the Summer, they had people with the QR codes waiting in the same lines as people who had the paper forms and there was no differential, you were just faster when you got to the front of the lines, it didn't make a difference for the actual line. The only difference was if you had Global Entry or a Business/Work Visa. I mean the line in Haneda was only about 30 minutes, but in December 2022, it was over an hour in Narita. The Priority Passes are I believe temporary. They didn't have that in June and I am expecting it not to be there when we go back in June 2024. You can not currently get Suicas anywhere but at the airport (and the Welcome version is the only one available at this time. There is a chip shortage.!) You can also consider the Pasmo Passport which has a super cute Hello Kitty design. If you fly into another airport outside of Tokyo, you will be getting the IC card offered there, which could be a Toica (Chubu) ICOCA (KIX) or Kitaca (Sapporo.) Suica is just the JR East branded IC card. We loved matcha white chocolate popcorn. We did walk-ups for Ristorante di Canaletto in June 2023 and December 2022, we never waited more than 20 minutes to eat. Getting Tokyo Disneyland Hotel reservations is easy compared to trying to get a reservationto eat at the Kirby Cafe or the Pokemon Cafe or tickets to the Ghibli Museum. The best thing about the 15 minute early entry is you can immediately book Premier Passes, so you book a Premier Pass for say Soaring, and then go ride Journey and you can ride Journey 2x before you Premier Pass for Soaring, go on Soaring, and then buy another one. We also did something similar with B+B in Land, despite getting to the park late because we overslept.

Does anyone have any tips on an app that will translate what is being said on a ride as you experience it?

I’ve been to Tokyo, I was handed the paper by the airline, (flew Delta), and filled it out before landing. I also went in the off season, (February), so it was low crowds. I didn’t have to wait long for anything. Also, suica cards are being discontinued. They’re moving to paper tickets. If you still have a card, HANG ON TO IT!!! If you’re not staying at a Disney hotel, you can buy park tickets at the Disney stores around Tokyo. That’s where I bought mine. Should not say I didn’t have trouble with the toilets, and I don’t speak Japanese? 😂

We got to visit Tokyo Disneyland May 1st. It was great for the most part. Everything was half the price it was in Orlando. I agree the park requires two days to get the full experience. I was thrilled they didn't have the western censorship of rides like Roger Rabbit and Pirates. I just wish my international data held. Thank God I screenshot my tickets ahead of time or I couldn't access them. I hope some day I can go back and visit Disney Sea.

Hawaii still has fried apple pies :)

4:46 for the premiere pass you buy these ahead of time (like USJ) or on the spot?

i booked 4 months before :D

Google fi makes international phone service very easy!

Did you film during Halloween parties or is Tokyo Disney more relaxed about cosplay in the parks? I saw full on Ariel, Alice, and a couple Harry Potter cosplays in this video.

Does anyone know if Visa works in buying a suicka card? Or do we need to get a Mastercard? I heard Apple pay works too??

On the time difference, orlando is the night BEFORE (13 hours).

I know many won't agree, but heated toilets are the absolute worst. I will never get used to a heated seat. I always ask to have them turned off in my room, but I dread having to go out of my room

what are best reccomendtions for food allergies I want to make this trip so bad but so terrified of struggling to eat while there because of a severe shellfish allergy

Is their photo pass is Tokyo Disneyland? If not will cast members take photos for you?

Tokyo disney was fun but no firework in the end of the day 😭

They have fried apple pies at Mickey Dee’s in Hawaii. No pun intended.

While I would have loved to stay at one of the Disney hotels during our 2018 trip, we were able to use points to stay at the Sheraton for five nights on points and free trumps theming every time. ;) We're dying to go back, it was everything we dreamed it would be and more. The one thing I feel like you didn't mention is that if you are a picky eater or have specific dietary requirements ... you may find yourself surprised by Tokyo Disney Resort's rigidity. This is a cultural thing. Everything is so meticulously prepared across all of Japan that they simply do not allow for substitutions or off-menu items ... what it is is what you get. They will be very confused if you try to make a change to something on menu, or ask for something not there at all. Even though we knew about this, we were still surprised at Magellan's when there wasn't a single vegan option on the menu and our poor server was almost in tears about not being able to accommodate that need. But to their point, all the menus are posted, this was just something I missed when I made the reservation ... I was so used to how accommodating US Disney restaurants were that I didn't even think about it.

For the Disney monorail that takes you to DisneySea, you can also grab a special day pass with Duffy on the card. I remember it being around ¥1000 for the day. You WONT get your money's worth in regards to riding the monorail from one park to the other IF you're only doing one park on the day that you go, BUT, REAL Disney fans will spend a little more to get Duffy merch that Disney Theme Park fans in the west just don't appreciate.

What does “rope drop” mean? I’m a newbie to theme parks 🙃

Is there an “off season” at Tokyo Disneyland? Or a time when there are less crowds?

There are no paper maps of the parks in the parks. This was pretty disorienting for us. The seven 11 seem to have giveaway booklets that in the center show a map of the parks. While I do know that I could use the app, it’s just not big enough.

Wow DFBGuide is thorough! 👏 Oh yeah, and Japanese TOILETS ARE NEXT LEVEL!! 🚽💦

I rate it 3/10 for a theme park and that’s comparing it to theme parks in Australia 🇦🇺 which are much better.

Your wrong on the McDonald's not serving apple pies. They do serve it. I've been living for 8 yrs now. So trust me I know.

They have Duffy and friends I wanna go play

Don't go this summer. Since many attractions are closed

I know many love it and don’t come after me for that. I can have an opinion but To be honest watching these videos made me originally want to go to Disney Parks but now seeing the truth about lines for rides and lines for food and crowds and how confusing it is to book everything it honestly makes me want to skip Disney completely. I originally started watching them to get info about Run Disney

I’m planning a trip to Disney Tokyo in 2025 so I’m definitely saving this video for planning later on!

What is the best date of the year to go?

Another Coke product to watch out for in Japan is Coke Plus. It is *not* equivalent to Diet Coke or Coke Zero! Coke Plus has dextrin added to it which has a strong laxative effect.

The Domestic crowds are bad enough. I could NEVER abide the Tokyo crowds!! Not that I'd ever have the money to visit there.