Tokyo’s DisneySea is a must-see attraction for many visitors to Japan. Here is our full guide, with transport information, ticket information, and insider tips to skipping lines and getting the most out of your visit.
Triton’s Kingdom in the Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea - image © Florentyna Leow
Tokyo DisneySea Guide Introduction
If you love amusement parks or have kids that do, you should definitely visit Tokyo DisneySea. It’s well-loved by adults and kids alike, and has a wide range of rides to suit all ages and personalities. The combination of Disney magic and Japanese efficiency makes it one of the most enjoyable amusement parks anywhere.
But it’s busy all year round, so you have to plan carefully and buy tickets in advance to make the most of a visit. Here, we give you all the information you need to skip lines, ride the most rides, and have the most fun.
This guide is divided into the following sections:
- Admission fees and ticket types
- How to buy tickets
- Transport to Tokyo DisneySea
- The FastPass System
- Exploring Tokyo DisneySea
- Tokyo DisneySea Park map
- Handy money-saving and time-saving tips
- Recommended accommodation for Tokyo DisneySea
Prices for DisneySea Tickets. - image © Florentyna Leow
Admission fees and ticket types
Here are the basic admission prices for the park:
1-Day Passport for Tokyo DisneySea
- Adult: JPY7,400
- Junior: JPY6,400
- Child: JPY4,800
- Senior: JPY6,700
2-Day Passport for Tokyo DisneySea and Tokyo Disneyland (select parks in advance)
- Adult: JPY13,200
- Junior: JPY11,600
- Child: JPY8,600
- Senior: N/A
3-Day Magic Passport (Visit each park on one day, and both parks on the third day)
- Adult: JPY17,800
- Junior: JPY15,500
- Child: JPY11,500
- Senior: N/A
4-Day Magic Passport (Visit each park on one day, and both parks on the third and fourth days)
- Adult: JPY22,400
- Junior: JPY19,400
- Child: JPY14,400
- Senior: N/A
After 6 Passport (Visit Tokyo DisneySea from 6pm onwards)
- Adult: JPY4,200
- Junior: JPY4,200
- Child: JPY4,200
- Senior: N/A
Adults are anyone over 12 years of age. Juniors are anyone between the ages of 12 and 17. Children are anyone between the ages of 4 and 11. Seniors are anyone over the age of 65.
The best way to get tickets and avoid waiting on line is to purchase tickets in advance. See the following section for more details.
Lines to enter the park at 8:30am. - image © Florentyna Leow
How To Buy Tickets For DisneySea
You can buy tickets at the counters at the main entrance to the park. However, there are often long lines at the counters in the morning before the park opens. If you want to ride the most popular attractions, you should arrive before opening time and make good use of the FastPass system detailed below.
You can also purchase tickets from kiosks at convenience stores in Japan. However, these are in Japanese, which makes it impossible for people who don’t read Japanese.
A good way to purchase tickets is online, via a reliable and efficient online ticket store. When you purchase a ticket, you can print it out and skip the lines at the ticket windows. You just scan your ticket at the turnstile and walk into the park.
The Disneyland Resort Monorail. - image © Florentyna Leow
Transport to Disney Sea
- Tokyo DisneySea is 17km east of central Tokyo, in Urayasu City in Chiba prefecture. It is very easy to travel there from central Tokyo. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes in total from JR Tokyo Station. You can use a Japan Rail Pass for part of the journey, after which you’ll need to buy a separate ticket to board the Disney monorail. Here’s how to get there from JR Tokyo Station.
- Here’s a summary of the basic route: Take the JR Keiyo Line from JR Tokyo Station to JR Maihama Station. Change to the Disneyland Resort Monorail and ride it to Tokyo DisneySea Station.
- Here are the details: Start at JR Tokyo Station. Look for the signs for the Keiyo Line (Keiyo Sen in Japanese.)
The Keiyo Line is red. - image © Florentyna Leow
Once at Tokyo Station, you’ll need to look or the signs for the Keiyo Line.
Keiyo Street in JR Tokyo Station. - image © Florentyna Leow
If you’re starting from the South Exit of Tokyo Station, this will take you down Keiyo Street, a restaurant-lined section inside the ticket barriers.
Signboard for the Keiyo Line. - image © Florentyna Leow
It’s very clearly signposted in English that you’re heading towards Tokyo Disneyland.
A walkalator towards the Keiyo Line. - image © Florentyna Leow
The Keiyo Line platforms are about a 10-minute walk away - you’ll take several escalators, flights of steps, and even a walkalator. (There are elevators, of course.) Don’t worry about how long it takes. You’ll get there eventually.
Signs for Platforms 3 and 4. - image © Florentyna Leow
You’ll need to look for Platforms 3 and 4. The trains on both platforms go towards JR Maihama Station. The local takes 17 minutes while the rapid train takes 13 minutes, so it doesn’t matter which one you take as long as you alight at the right station. There will be announcements in English.
South Exit at Maihama Station. - image © Florentyna Leow
Once you’re at Maihama Station, head for the South Exit.
Turn left for DisneySea - image © Florentyna Leow
After you exit through the ticket barriers, you’ll need to turn left and walk towards the Resort Gateway Station for Tokyo DisneySea. Turning right will take you to Tokyo Disneyland.
The entrance to the station is a short 1-minute walk from JR Maihama Station. - image © Florentyna Leow
To get to Tokyo DisneySea, you’ll take the Disneyland Resort Monorail.
Ticket prices. - image © Florentyna Leow
Buy a ticket at the ticket machine. A one-way trip is JPY260. Alternatively, you can use an IC card if you have one.
The Disneyland Resort Monorail map. - image © Florentyna Leow
The monorail only goes in one direction and there are just four stops on this loop line. Alight at Tokyo DisneySea Station.
The exit at Tokyo DisneySea Station. - image © Florentyna Leow
Once you’re out of the ticket barriers, turn left and follow the signs (or fellow park-goers) to the park entrance. This is a short 2-3 minute walk away.
FastPass ticket machines for the Tower of Terror. - image © Florentyna Leow
The FastPass System
Like any popular theme park worth its salt, DisneySea attractions often see long queues and wait times. Disney theme parks have a FastPass system in place to help visitors maximize their time in the park, and you should use it at DisneySea as well.
The queue in the ‘standby’ (i.e. non-FastPass) lane for the Indiana Jones Adventure ride. - image © Florentyna Leow
Simply put, a FastPass ticket allows you to skip the queues. You can claim a ticket by scanning the QR code on your voucher (so don’t throw it away) in a FastPass machine as above.
A FastPass ticket. - image © Florentyna Leow
The machine will dispense a ticket showing a particular time slot. In the ticket above, this is for 11:05~12:05, meaning you would need to return to the Indiana Jones Adventure ride during this window. You’ll join the FastPass queue which invariably has fewer people. In between, you can explore the surrounding area, go on other rides, check out the overpriced snacks, and so on. Waiting time for popular rides can be an hour or more, so it pays to plan ahead.
Skipping the lines with a FastPass. - image © Florentyna Leow
The important thing to remember is that there are a limited number of FastPasses available on any given day, and they run out much faster for some attractions than others. For example, if you must ride Toy Story Mania at any cost, this is probably the first FastPass you should obtain - passes here run out the quickest.
Also, once you’ve obtained one FastPass, you can’t be issued another unless a) two hours have elapsed since you picked one up, or b) you’ve just used it.
The following attractions are eligible for FastPass entry:
- Toy Story Mania!
- Tower of Terror
- Nemo & Friends SeaRider
- Indiana Jones® Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
- Raging Spirits
- The Magic Lamp Theater (under renovation at present)
- Mermaid Lagoon Theater (under renovation at present)
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Exploring Tokyo Disney Sea
Here, we’ll give a basic walkthrough of the park and mention the main rides and areas. All of the attractions and areas mentioned here are on our special Tokyo DisneySea at the end of this section.
Disney Sea is divided into seven zones:
- Mediteranean Harbour
- American Waterfront
- Port Discovery
- Lost River Delta
- Arabian Coast
- Mermaid Lagoon
- Mysterious Island
We’ll introduce each of these in turn.
A Venetian-style harbor. - image © Florentyna Leow
Mediterranean Harbor
Mediterranean Harbor is the first zone you enter. It’s built to look like an Italian port town, and the waterfront features Venetian-style canals. You can ride gondolas and boats along the canals and on the waters. Across the waterfront you’ll see a mountain in the distance - that’s the volcano on the Mysterious Island at the center of the park.
The view to your right as you enter this zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
The buildings are primarily rooms at the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta. There’s also an Italian restaurant, a cafe, and several souvenir shops in this zone.
Turning left when you reach the waterfront will take you to the next zone.
(You will pass a bridge on your right on the way to the next zone. This is one of several ways to access the Mysterious Island zone. Crossing this bridge will take you to the castle area, where Magellan’s is. More about Magellan’s can be found in the section describing the Mysterious Island zone.)
Walking into the American Waterfront zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
American Waterfront
This zone is styled after 20th-century harbor towns around areas like New York and Cape Cod. As you enter, you walk past buildings and shops designed to resemble early 20th century Manhattan - delis, a fur shop, a musical instrument shop, a giant steamliner (the S.S. Columbia) that houses two restaurants, and even a ‘Broadway’ theatre where you can watch matinees.
Toy Story Mania. - image © Florentyna Leow
Two of the most popular attractions in the park, Toy Story Mania and Tower of Terror, can be found in this zone. Toy Story Mania is to the left at the end of the road after the Broadway theatre; while the Tower of Terror is a short walk to the right. You can’t miss it: it’s the tallest building in the park.
Queues for Toy Story Mania in the morning. - image © Florentyna Leow
Fast Passes are available for both of these rides, but Toy Story Mania’s popularity outstrips the other ride’s by far and passes here tend to go extremely quickly. Unless you’re first in line at the park in the morning, it’s also likely that you’ll spend an hour waiting in line just for this ride.
The Tower of Terror. - image © Florentyna Leow
If you don’t desperately need to experience Toy Story Mania, we recommend making the Tower of Terror your first ride as soon as you’re through the park gates - waiting time is minimal first thing in the morning.
The American Waterfront Station. - image © Florentyna Leow
In this zone you can also board the Disney Sea Electric Railway. There are just two stations in the park - the American Waterfront Station and the Port Discovery Station. Riding this monorail is a scenic way to see the whole park. It’s also good for taking some of the strain off your legs when you want to head over to the other side of the park.
Lighthouse near ‘Cape Cod.’ - image © Florentyna Leow
Walking past the Tower of Terror and the S.S. Columbia steamliner will take you across a bridge and into a small bay with a lighthouse. Here, you’ll find more restaurants and souvenir shops if you keep walking straight and following the path. It will also lead you to the next zone - Port Discovery.
One of the park’s many Mickey Mouse statues. - image © Florentyna Leow
If you turn right directly after crossing the bridge, you’ll find a ride that takes you on a boat around the waterfront. Following the path onwards will take you to the castle side of the Mysterious Island, detailed further below.
Aquatopia. - image © Florentyna Leow
Port Discovery
This is a self-styled ‘futuristic seaport’ that’s mainly about water-themed rides. It is a relatively small zone compared to other parts of the park. However, it is home to the Searider, one of the attractions with a FastPass system; and Port Discovery Station, one of two stops on the DisneySea Electric Railway.
The main rides you’ll find are: Aquatopia, where you ride watercraft that zip and zoom in between rocks, fountains and whirlpools.
Long queues for the Nemo & Friends Searider attraction. - image © Florentyna Leow
There’s also Nemo & Friends Searider, a ride which simulates a marine exploration session with Nemo and Dory. Depending on the day, this attraction can see long queues, and it’s worth seeing if you can snag a FastPass for this ride.
Horizon Bay restaurant at Port Discovery. - image © Florentyna Leow
The only restaurant in this zone is Horizon Bay. Here, you have the option of ‘Character Dining’ - where the main Disney crew including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and others will stop by your table while you’re enjoying your lunch to say hello. This does require prior reservation and costs a little extra. Head over here at 10am to put your name down on the list.
Walking towards the next zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
Walking past the restaurant and the Nemo Searider will take you into a more forested path, indicating that you’re close to the next zone.
The Raging Spirits Roller Coaster. - image © Florentyna Leow
Lost River Delta
Walking along the path, you’ll eventually see Hangar Stage on your right, where they stage musical shows at regular intervals.
The bridge to the Lost River Delta Zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
On your left is a bridge. Crossing this will take you to the Lost River Delta zone, which is styled after Central American jungle civilizations. There is a recreated ‘ancient temple pyramid’ in this tropical jungle, and you’ll hear ‘forest sounds’ alongside actual cicadas if you’re here in summer.
Entrance to the Indiana Jones Adventure ride. - image © Florentyna Leow
This zone is home to the Indiana Jones Adventure ride, which takes you through the depths of the temple ruins - you’ll experience many jolts, twists and sudden accelerations on this ride; and the Raging Spirits Roller Coaster, which is next to the Indiana Jones Adventure ride. This may be one of the more thrilling rides in the park since it involves actually making a 360 loop.
Fast Passes are available for both the Indiana Jones Adventure and Raging Spirits rides. This section of the park is more suited to teenagers and adults, given the nature of the rides.
There are several places to eat in this area, serving somewhat-appropriately themed food. One snack stand serves smoked chicken legs; the restaurant serves Mexican food.
Following the path through this this zone parallel to the water will take you to the next zone.
The Sultan’s Oasis restaurant in the Arabian Coast zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
Arabian Coast
The Arabian Coast is a world inspired in equal parts by the movie Aladdin and 1001 Arabian Nights. This is a very kid-friendly zone - the rides are all rather tame and colourful.
These are some of the attractions in this zone:
Jasmine’s Flying Carpets. - image © Florentyna Leow
Jasmine’s Flying Carpets. If you are walking in from the Lost River Delta zone, this is the first ride you’ll encounter.
Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage. - image © Florentyna Leow
Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, which takes you on a boat ride through some of his adventures. These are illustrated by colourful animatronics and soaring music in several caverns. The songs are, naturally, in Japanese, but it should be entertaining (or bewildering) enough for anyone.
Central courtyard in the Arabian Coast. - image © Florentyna Leow
There are shops, restaurants, and a courtyard further into this zone. At the end of the courtyard, you’ll take the stairs to exit this area. Crossing the bridge will take you to the next zone.
Triton’s Kingdom in the Mermaid Lagoon. - image © Florentyna Leow
Mermaid Lagoon
Past the Arabian Coast zone is the Mermaid Lagoon, which recreates Ariel’s underwater world. This is another kid-friendly zone - the attractions here are mostly fun but very tame indoor rides.
Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster. - image © Florentyna Leow
They include the following outdoor rides like Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster, a gentle, moderately-paced roller coaster; and Scuttle’s Scooters, which is basically a bumper car ride.
A sign for Triton’s Kingdom. - image © Florentyna Leow
The central building, designed to resemble the underwater castle in The Little Mermaid, is appropriately named Triton’s Kingdom.
The Jumping Jellyfish ride. - image © Florentyna Leow
You’ll find more rides in here. They’re rather tame and great for young children. This is also the place to buy Little Mermaid merchandise, eat seafood (ironically enough), and have your caricature drawn.
To the Mysterious Island. - image © Florentyna Leow
After exiting Triton’s Kingdom, walk along the path away from the direction you arrived in and cross the nearest bridge. You’ll pass through a low, wide cavern. This is one of the paths to the Mysterious Island.
Inside the Mysterious Island Zone. - image © Florentyna Leow
Mysterious Island
This is not actually an island. It refers to the area within Mt. Prometheus, the volcano that’s the central landmark of Disney Sea.
The winding entrance to 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. - image © Florentyna Leow
The area and its attractions draws heavily on fictional places and concepts in Jules Verne’s writing.
Vulcania Restaurant. - image © Florentyna Leow
Examples include the Vulcania restaurant (serving Chinese food) named after a volcano fortress mentioned in his books; and two extremely popular rides, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.
The entrance to Magellan’s. - image © Florentyna Leow
This zone is also home to Magellan’s, a fine dining restaurant located in the castle area of the Mysterious Island. If you are looking for an extra-special experience at the park and don’t mind spending a little more money, this is where you should eat.
They’ll give you a ticket when you make the reservation. - image © Florentyna Leow
Magellan’s is named after the explorer of the same name, and the backstory here is that it’s the meeting place of the Society is Explorers and Adventurers. It’s best to make a reservation here when the restaurant opens at 10am, as seats tend to run out quickly - it’s a popular restaurant.
The globe in the dining room. - image © Florentyna Leow
The dining room features a large, ornate globe that makes a single revolution in thirty minutes; and a gorgeously-painted ceiling depicting the mythical figures of the night sky.
The ceiling mural at Magellan’s. - image © Florentyna Leow
If you’re so inclined, ask to dine in the “secret room” on arrival. As long as there is availability, they’ll take you to a bookshelf set into a wall. You press a button, and the shelves part to reveal a wine cellar that’s another dining room. It’s fun, but the main dining room does have the globe and ceiling to enjoy.
You have a choice of two set lunches at JPY3,600 and JPY4,500 respectively; and dinner starts at JPY8,500 per person. The food is above average - reasonably tasty, but nothing to write home about. You will have better food out in Tokyo. The point here is to enjoy the restaurant itself.
The castle part of the Mysterious Island. - image © Florentyna Leow
Turning left when you exit Magellan’s and following the path over the bridge will take you back to the Mediterranean Harbor where you started.
Tokyo DisneySea Park Map
Our map is realistic and designed for use on a smartphone. You can view the full sized version in Google Maps too.
Handy Money-Saving and Time-Saving Tips
Your time at Disney Sea can either be one of the best days of your life, or a miserable series of long lines and unhappy kids. Good planning and good timing can make all the difference. Here are some handy tips.
- Buy your Disney admission ticket in advance online. This eliminates the need to wait in line to buy a ticket in the morning before opening time, before having to queue again to enter the park.
- Use the FastPass system detailed above to minimize time spent waiting in lines.
- Make reservations for popular restaurants as early as possible to guarantee your seats.
- Check the wait-time monitors and information boards around the park.
- Check the weather in advance and dress appropriately. Don’t underestimate how cold it can be in the winter and how hot in the summer. Consider a folding umbrella or raincoat if there is a chance of rain.
- Try to go on weekdays that are not holidays. This means that the park will be less crowded with local visitors.
- Bring your own drinks. You may want to purchase Disney-themed snacks like Mickey Mouse-shaped ice creams for the photo ops, but the drinks sold at the park are average bottled teas and sodas. Better to bring your own if possible.
- Stay near the park to minimize transport time (see the following section for some recommended hotels).
Recommended Accommodation for Tokyo DisneySea
Tokyo DisneySea is only 25 minutes or so by train from Tokyo Station, so you can stay in the center of the city and visit this theme park. But, staying at the park makes everything easier and more convenient. The hotels listed here are all within easy walking distance of Tokyo DisneySea; or are connected by a short shuttle bus ride.
- Tokyo Disneyland Hotel
(View on Agoda.com)
This is the closest hotel to the entrance of Tokyo Disneyland and is perfect for guests who want the full theme park experience to continue after the day is over. All 706 rooms are themed around various classic Disney films, including Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and Beauty and the Beast. Rooms with a view of the park are classified as, appropriately, ‘Park View.’ Staying at this hotel also offers ‘Happy 15 entry privilege,’ meaning that all guests at this hotel are allowed to enter the park 15 minutes before opening time. This might not seem like much but every minute counts when you’re trying to get FastPasses. - Disney Ambassador Hotel
(View on Agoda.com)
This hotel is around 8 - 15 minutes walk away from the entrance of Tokyo Disneyland, which is not a great hardship considering how much walking you will do in the park, but it’s something to keep in mind. It’s closer to the entrance of Tokyo DisneySea. Alternatively, there are complimentary shuttle buses to both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea for guests. In addition to various Art Deco motifs sprinkled around the hotel, the rooms here are themed around Disney characters, and guests here also have the privilege of entering the park 15 minutes before opening time. - Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
Located near Bayside Station on the Disney Resort monorail line, this is a large-scale, urban resort hotel that has world-class amenities and spacious rooms. The hotel offers shuttle bus services to both stations on the Disney Resort Line monorail, either DisneySea or Disneyland. It’s a good place to retreat to after the crowds at the theme park. - Tokyo Bay Maihama Hotel
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com)
This is also located not far from Bayside Station on the Disney Resort Line. The hotel is structured around a circular atrium filled with natural light, and the guest rooms are laid out around this central atrium. If you don’t need to eat at the theme park, there are restaurants here, too. This hotel offers guaranteed park admission for its guests and shuttle bus services to any of the stations on the monorail line. - Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay
(View on Booking.com or Agoda.com )
This hotel is right next to Shin-Urayasu Station on the JR Keiyo Line, one stop away from Maihama Station. Access to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea is easy if traveling by train. However, the hotel also offers shuttle bus services to both stations on the Disney Resort Line monorail, either DisneySea or Disneyland. Some of the guest rooms here can accommodate up to 6 people - excellent for groups and families traveling together - and entire floors are reserved just for guests with infants and pre-school children.
Tokyo Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Tokyo guide
- Check Tokyo accommodation availability and pricing on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Tokyo
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Tokyo to Osaka and Tokyo to Hiroshima
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a Japan SIM card online for collection on arrival at Tokyo Narita or Haneda airports. Or rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- Compare airline flight prices and timings for the best Japan flight deals. Check my guides to arriving at Narita Airport and at Haneda Airport.
- If you're visiting more than one city, you might save money with a Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
