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Tokyo Disneyland Guide: 10 Essential (And Muslim-Friendly!) Tips For An Amazing Adventure

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Have Halal Will Travel •  Dec 02, 2022

If you’re travelling to Tokyo, there’s a good chance you’ll be visiting the famous Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. From thrilling rides and meeting Disney characters to exciting parades and cute merchandise, you’re in for the best time of your life as you go on this magical journey!

Visiting both parks comes highly recommended, but if you want a more classic Disney experience, then Tokyo Disneyland is your answer! We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to enhance your Disney experience and since Tokyo DisneySea is unique on its own, we have a separate guide that you should check out as well if you’re thinking of visiting the two parks.

How to get to Tokyo Disneyland

Before we get into the details, here's how to get to Tokyo Disneyland. Alight at Maihama Station on the JR (Japan Railway) Keiyo Line/Musashino Line. From Maihama Station, it's a 5-minute walk to the main entrance of Tokyo Disneyland.

1. Book Your Tokyo Disneyland Ticket In Advance

Ticketing for the Tokyo Disney parks has changed quite a bit since 2020. Guests can no longer purchase tickets at any ticket booths before entering the park so you have to purchase tickets in advance! Once you've confirmed your travel dates, we highly recommend booking your tickets. In fact, you can purchase your tickets up to two months in advance!

Here's how you can buy Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea tickets:

  • Official Tokyo Disney Resort Website
  • Klook
  • Tokyo Disney Resort App (Japanese language only)
  • Disney Hotel (You're guaranteed entry if you have a hotel reservation)
  • Selected convenience stores in Japan: 7-11, LAWSON, Family Mart, and Ministop
  • Note: You can no longer purchase tickets at Disney stores in Japan without a reservation (reservations must be made through the Shop Disney Japan app which is in Japanese).

#HHWTip: If you have a non-Japanese credit card, it might not work with the Tokyo Disney Resort website so we highly recommend getting your Tokyo Disney Resort Park one-day pass on Klook!

If you prefer to maximise your day by entering the park closer to its opening time (check the park calendar for opening hours as it may vary across different days), plan to arrive earlier so you can be the first few visitors to obtain your ticket. 

2. Check The Park Calendar

Not only are tickets more expensive during the weekends and public holidays, it's also a lot more crowded! Also, visiting any one of the Disney parks during the Golden Week (usually between end-April to mid-May) is another period where making a trip to the park isn’t the best idea. Check the crowd forecast before deciding which day to visit the theme park!

3. Dine At Red Lobster in Tokyo Disney Resort

Credit: Food Diversity 

Replenish the energy you spent screaming on fun rides by dining at Red Lobster at Tokyo Disney Resort. Now offering a Muslim-friendly menu, Muslim travellers can make their way to this eatery that’s situated at Ikspiari, a shopping mall located between Maihama station and the Disney Ambassador Hotel.

Credit: Food Diversity

Muslim-friendly menu at Red Lobster, Tokyo Disney Resort:

  • Beef bowl
  • Butter chicken curry
  • Vegetable penne

Since Red Lobster is located outside the park, make sure to have your hand stamped when you exit so that you’ll be able to return again later on the same day. Upon re-entry, enter through the admission gates. Do note that a valid park ticket and a handstamp are required upon your return. 

Halal status: Muslim-friendly menu available. All ingredients in the Muslim-friendly menu are from halal-certified suppliers and although it’s prepared in the same kitchen as non-halal meals, separate kitchenware is used to prepare the meals. Do note that dining utensils are the same as non-halal meals but you can request for disposable utensils.

While there are no halal options in the park, you can find the list of allergens for food served in the parks. However, alcohol isn't listed as one of the allergens so you'll have to check with the cast members to be sure. We recommend that you dine at your own discretion.

Alternatively, you can bring your own food and request for the cast members to reheat your meal (only available at selected restaurants).

4. Perform Prayers In Tokyo Disneyland

Credit: @amsabila

There is a quiet room available for you to do your prayers but as it's located outside the park, don't forget to get a re-entry stamp!

Credit: @amsabila

#HHWTTip: Remember to bring your own prayer mat, Qibla compass and garments.

5. Beat The Queues With Disney Premier Access

The reality of visiting Tokyo Disneyland is that you’ll queue a lot, especially for the more popular rides and attractions. Sadly, the FASTPASS has been discontinued since the pandemic. Instead, you can purchase the Disney Premier Access, which is essentially a paid FASTPASS where you can enjoy selected rides at a designated time at a fee.

Here are the rides with Disney Premier Access in Tokyo Disneyland:

  • Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (¥2,000)
  • Splash Mountain (¥1,500)
  • Baymax Happy Ride (¥1,500)

While it may be pricey, it certainly saves time if you want to experience a certain ride or you can't afford to stand in line (imagine if you have kids in tow!). If your kids are 3 and under, they can access the ride with an accompanying person who has purchased the Disney Premier Access. Find out more here!

6. Secure Your Wi-Fi Before Arriving In Japan

In Tokyo Disneyland, Wi-Fi is only available in selected areas throughout the park and valid for 15 minutes in each session. So, instead of having to reconnect hundreds of times to check wait times of different attractions, it’s so much easier to get yourself a pocket WiFi in advance!

7. Submit An Entry Request (Required for certain shows and experiences)

Credit: @coro0118 on Instagram

There are experiences where Entry Requests are required. For example, Disney character greetings and certain shows such as Mickey's Magical Music World. We recommend submitting an entry request as soon as you're in the park so that you can plan your schedule for the day. You can find out more here!

8. Arrive Early For Parades And Shows

Tokyo Disneyland is known for its iconic parades and shows, which is why you can expect a huge crowd gathered park-wide to witness the spectacle. Join the early birds to stake out the best viewing spots so you can comfortably enjoy the parades and take some cool photos. There are seasonal parades throughout the year so there's always a reason for a return trip to Disneyland!

9. Avoid Park Visits On Launch Days Of Seasonal Merchandise

Disney merchandise is one of the must-haves whenever you make a trip to Tokyo Disneyland. With that being said, it has been known that people intentionally visit the park just for these items, especially the more popular characters that are released during seasonal times like Christmas, Spring, Halloween and Tanabata Festival. Products that are available only within a limited time are guaranteed to attract a huge crowd, so it’s better to avoid visiting the park on launch days.

If you happen to miss the seasonal lineup, there are still other awesome souvenirs you can take home! With 43 shops across the theme park, release your inner shopaholic by browsing through the various t-shirts, soft toys and more!

10. Try Out Different Flavoured Popcorn

It’s not very often that you get to try various popcorn flavours but at Tokyo Disneyland, you can find them easily! Do check with the park for the ingredients used as the flavours may change from time to time. 

What makes this delicious popcorn even more tempting is the extremely cool refillable popcorn buckets. Each popcorn cart features different bucket designs, so check out the different carts to find the bucket you like before you make your purchase. 

#HHWTTip: If you plan on getting a few rounds of popcorn, we recommend getting the adorable popcorn buckets as refills are more value for money!

And there you have it! The tips and tricks you’ll need for your trip to Tokyo Disneyland. Now that you’re armed with this handy guide, all that’s left to do is to enjoy yourself at “The Happiest Place On Earth”!