A Fun Guide to Tokyo Disneyland Halloween
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Tokyo Disneyland Halloween
For the purposes of this article, I am only writing about my own personal experience geared for “older kids” (ahem…adults) at Tokyo Disneyland. I didn’t visit Tokyo DisneySea so I can’t comment on that experience. I do hear that the main difference is while Disneyland is geared more for children, DisneySea operates on both an adult and child level. Keep this in mind relevant to the ages of your party as you plan your experience.
Tokyo Disneyland Halloween Tickets
Both parks feature their seasonal Halloween events in the months of September and October. Visitors can make an entire day of it with the 1-Day Passport or opt to celebrate Halloween after the sun sets as we did with the After 6 Passport. While there are restrictions with the After 6 Passport, there are alternatives as well. See the tip box below and always check the park calendar as restrictions and validity can change as fast as the wind in Iceland. If you’ve been to Iceland, you know what I’m talking about and have already laughed!
We tried purchasing tickets to this event prior to traveling to Japan. However, we were unable to do so. In 2016, online reservations made with cards issued outside of Japan were no longer accepted. This was updated in early 2019 to accept foreign cards but still came with a warning that some wouldn’t work. My friend and I each tried two different types of cards with no luck.
For these reasons, we purchased the tickets onsite and our cards worked fine at the park, in the park, and everywhere else in Japan. Please note, if you purchase the After 6 Passport, you will not be able to enter the park until 6 pm. As a reference, we purchased tickets by 5:30 pm and lines had already formed.
Getting to Tokyo Disneyland Halloween
The best, most economical way to get to Tokyo Disneyland is via train…especially if you have Japan Rail Passes. Take the JR Keiyo Line/Musashino Line and get off at the Maihama Station. For perspective, Tokyo Disneyland is located outside the city center approximately half-way between the Haneda and Narita Airports. Time-wise it takes around 15 minutes to arrive from Tokyo Station.
Highlight Attractions for Tokyo Disneyland Halloween
If you have a Day Passport or a Multi-Day Passport, you will have enough time to get in all that you wish to do. However, if you are visiting on the Starlight Passport or the After 6 Passport (as we were), you will most likely have to make choices due to long lines and limited time. Because of this, I have highlighted the top attractions below for focus.
Main Street
All Disneylands and Magic Kingdom at Disney World have a Main Street. Tokyo Disneyland is no exception. It was an exception in the fact that its Main Street was unlike any other Main Street I’ve been down. This is a statement since I have visited Disney World, Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland, and now Tokyo Disneyland. It truly just came alive with the lights dancing to the music!
Most Popular: Cinderella’s Castle & The Parade
Everyone wants to see Cinderella’s Castle especially those who have seen it at any of the other Disney parks. Unfortunately, like a lot of other landmarks in Japan at the time, it was under construction to prepare for the influx of tourists that the 2020 Olympics would bring in. Sadly, the games were put on hold.
Not to burst anyone’s bubble but while the scaffolding was delightfully artistic, the castle itself was the same size as it is in the other Disneylands I’ve visited…small. Having grown up relatively close to Disney World, none of the other castles can compare to its size.
The Happy Halloween Harvest Parade is the nightly highlight of the fall season. Even so, we made the choice to take advantage of the parade’s attendance to avoid the insanely long lines at the Haunted Mansion. If you have kids though (you know, the younger ones), the parade will be an event not to miss!
Most Classic: Space Mountain & It’s A Small World
Of course, Space Mountain is one of the most classic rides in all of Disney. I would also say it’s one of the most popular but due to the seasonal events, I placed it in this category. We headed here first. We didn’t pass go, we didn’t collect $200, we simply made a beeline for Space Mountain to grab a FastPass.
I can’t tell you how giddy I was when it was finally our time to ride the escalator to the interior of the unknown. Okay, so it was known as it was the interior of Space Mountain but just go with it. 😉 It had been a hot minute since I had last ridden my favorite ride and I was quite excited!
While we waited for our FastPass timeslots for the ride in space, we headed over to our second all-time favorite ride, It’s A Small World. Don’t tell me you won’t be singing that in your head for the next 5 hours…you’re welcome! Hey, I’m right there with you singing as it took longer for me to write this article than it will for you to read it! So, checkmate! 🙂
We excitedly made our way down to the boarding area and boarded the boat for our quick ride around the world.
We definitely felt welcome and I’m happy to report that our experience was a positive one just like it is at all of the other Disney parks. It’s a small world, after all! See what I did there? A bit much? Okay, duly noted.
Home culture representation…
This last room before exiting is believed to be representing all cultures coming together as one small world. I personally love this and I love the cool, calming colors chosen. Worldwide peace is something for which we can never stop striving.
ありがとうございました Mickey and Minnie and さようなら!!
Translation: Thank you very much, Mickey and Minnie, and good-bye (sayōnara)!
Most Clever: The Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare
The most clever attraction is The Haunted Mansion that transforms into The Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare. It’s a brilliant way to combine Halloween with Christmas which is Disneyland’s two most popular seasonal events.
As you approach the entrance, it seems to be all Halloween…
but upon entering you find this is obviously not a Halloween-only kind of attraction!
If any of this looks somewhat familiar, you aren’t seeing things…or ARE you? The Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare is very Tim Burton and based on a take of Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas!
While the experience is in Japanese, there were no issues understanding what was going on even if you’ve never seen it before.
This might have been my favorite display. I was mesmerized by the creativity, bright colors, and unique design.
Arguably the best time to visit Tokyo Disneyland, the Halloween and Christmas events are the most popular of the entire year. During this time, you can have your cake and eat it too!
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Dining
Admittedly, we didn’t make time for quality dining and since it’s Disney, it would depend on your idea of quality. I do know there are places with good food and I hear Tokyo Disneyland might even be a step above. However, I’m usually all about Mickey Mouse ears ice cream and getting to the rides!
We stopped in at Plazma Ray’s which is a newer counter-service restaurant located in Tomorrowland. Due to its convenient location to Space Mountain, we ducked in for a quick dinner while awaiting our FastPass timeslots.
We chose the Japanese-style dish that oddly enough came with fries. As expected, it was pretty good but not sure it was worth the price.
The cookie though was all kinds of different and cool. I’m not sure which I enjoyed more…eating it or trying to figure it out!
Halloween Costumes for Tokyo Disneyland
During the Halloween events for September and October, you can wear Disney-friendly costumes. We saw several of these as you can see Belle above. We briefly thought about bringing the light, packable costumes we wore to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disneyland in California.
However, once we discovered that only Disney-friendly costumes are allowed, I changed my plans to wear this feminine pumpkin t-shirt and paired it with a lightweight long-sleeved shirt underneath.
Tips For Halloween Night at Tokyo Disneyland
- Admission tickets include all Halloween events in the park. Nothing is ticketed separately like with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
- The After 6 Passport price is around 45 USD compared to the 1-Day Passport which is around 78 USD. See Tokyo Disneyland’s pricing for all other options.
- FastPass: No discussion needed. Just do it. See the guide for more information.
- FastPass Strategy: As soon as you enter, head straight to your highest priority ride and get a FastPass. Try to then FastPass as many popular attractions as soon as you’re allowed to re-enter, you’ve completed your previous FastPass, or after 2 hours (whichever comes first). There is an app to help with this if you are so inclined.
- If the parade isn’t your thing, this is a good time to do the Haunted House if you were unable to obtain a FastPass. During this time, the lines are as low as they’re going to get for the night.
- If entering on the After 6 Passport, try to eat before you enter the park to cut down on costs and maximize time.
- Dress in layers or bring a jacket as temps can be rather cool.
PIN IT!
And that’s how we, ahem, “older kids” enjoyed Tokyo Disneyland Halloween in the most budget-friendly and time-efficient way possible. Whether you have kids or you ARE the kids, this is a great way to spend Halloween in Japan!
Where is the most fun destination you’ve spent Halloween? Have you experienced a Tokyo Disneyland Halloween? If so, what tips would you add?
‘Til next time…
Trimm Travels,
