Greater Tokyo · Maihama, Urayasu (Chiba)No.168★★★Open in map →
Tokyo Disney Resort
Two parks on reclaimed land in Urayasu, Chiba: Tokyo Disneyland, which opened in 1983 as the first Disney park outside the United States, and Tokyo DisneySea, the world's only Disney park built around a sea theme.
Tokyo Disney Resort sits on roughly 2,000 acres of reclaimed bay land in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture — geographically outside Tokyo, though the name has always said otherwise. The resort is owned and operated by Oriental Land Company (OLC), which licenses the Disney brand from The Walt Disney Company; this makes it the only Disney resort in which Disney holds no ownership stake. Tokyo Disneyland opened on 15 April 1983, drawing about 3,000 guests on opening day; by 1986 it had turned a profit and cleared its accumulated losses in just four years. Tokyo DisneySea opened on 4 September 2001 as a companion park, built around seven nautical-themed ports of call. It is the only Disney theme park in the world themed entirely on the sea, and features original attractions not found at any other Disney park. Both parks are accessible from a single station.
Background & history
Oriental Land Company was established in 1959, and spent more than a decade creating the landfill site — over 2,100 acres in total — that would eventually hold the resort. Planning approval was granted in 1980, construction began in January 1981, and Tokyo Disneyland opened in April 1983. Tokyo DisneySea followed eighteen years later in 2001. The resort as a whole is now one of the most-visited theme park complexes in the world, typically drawing over 20 million guests a year across both parks combined.
What to look for — in walking order
- Maihama Station exit
- the Welcome Center is immediately to the left of the JR station exit; resort maps and hotel services available here
- Tokyo Disneyland
- the original park that opened in 1983; centred on Cinderella Castle
- Tokyo DisneySea
- a second park opened in 2001; the world's only Disney park themed on the sea, with seven distinct port-of-call zones
- Resort Gateway Station
- a Disney Resort Line monorail stop connects the JR station to both park entrances and the resort hotels
How to enjoy it
Both parks require a dated ticket purchased in advance through the official Tokyo Disney Resort app or website; walk-up same-day entry is extremely limited and cannot be relied on. Maihama Station is the access point for everything: from the station, the Disney Resort Line monorail connects to the two park gates and the resort hotels. The park gates open about 30 minutes before the scheduled opening time.
How to actually get there
- Tokyo Station → Maihama Station (JR Keiyo Line, ~15 min, frequent service).
- Maihama Station → Disney Resort Line monorail (follow exit signs; one stop to each park gate).
- Disney Resort Line → Tokyo Disneyland Gate or Tokyo DisneySea Gate (monorail, 1–2 stops).
- JR Keiyo Line from Tokyo Station
- Tokyo Station →(JR Keiyo Line, about 15 min)→ Maihama Station. Trains run frequently; no advance booking needed for the train. From Maihama Station, take the Disney Resort Line monorail to the park gate you need, or follow the walkway signs.
- Return on JR Keiyo Line from Maihama
- From Maihama Station, take the JR Keiyo Line back toward Tokyo Station. Trains run frequently through the evening. The park gate to Maihama Station is a short monorail ride or a walkable distance; allow extra time on busy days.
Before you go
- Cash
- Park admission requires advance tickets purchased through the official Tokyo Disney Resort app or website. IC cards (Suica / PASMO) are accepted on the JR Keiyo Line and the Disney Resort Line monorail.
- Closing days
- Both parks publish their annual calendar with opening and closing times on the official website. Advance ticket purchase is mandatory; same-day entry is extremely limited. Golden Week (early May), summer holidays, and the New Year period are the busiest and often sell out far in advance.
- Another way
- From Shinjuku, take the JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station as an alternative routing. Limousine buses from major Tokyo hotels and Haneda/Narita airports also stop at the resort directly.
- After you get off
- Maihama Station exit faces the Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Center directly. Follow signs for the Disney Resort Line monorail to reach the park gates.