At the end of March, I'll be visiting Tokyo Disneyland Resort over two days to close off my family trip to Japan. I've already done a lot of research because I'm just that kind of Disney fan, but I'd like to know from those who have firsthand experience what some must see things are at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. I'm already anticipating to watch the Dreamlights parade and go on all my favorites from the American parks, but what else is good?
Since you only have two days, I would recommend avoiding most cloned attractions to save time. TDR has so many unique attraction and entertainment offerings that using up your valuable time on direct lifts of American attractions would be a waste.
Be sure to arrive before opening each day and avoid weekends if possible. Expect crowds like you've never seen in both parks on any given day.
In TDL, go straight to Monsters Inc to get a FP. Then head to Pooh and ride that standby. Those are the unmissable attractions in that park, so make them a priority. Plan to see Happiness is Here and Dreamlights. If you're visiting during Easter, the park will run an Easter parade instead of Happiness is Here. Know that people gladly stake out spots for parades 1-2 hours in advance, so plan accordingly. We waited 90 minutes for Dreamlights and you will be asked to sit on the ground. No standing in almost all parade viewing areas.
Eat lunch or dinner at Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. It's incredible and the flank steak was phenomenal, especially for counter service.
See the Tiki Room with Stitch. This is the only attraction in TDL that offers English caption devices, so be sure to ask for one before entering the theater.
If you want to see Tom Sawyer Island, go for it - it's kind of like WDW's used to be before lawyers. The Country Bears in a hybrid English/Japanese show are hilarious. Jungle Cruise is a must, and is best after sunset. Splash Mountain, while largely the same as WDW's, has an incredibly impressive queue and loading area, plus a beautiful counter service restaurant situated into it (Grandma Sara's Kitchen). Small World is terrible. Haunted Mansion is an exact replica of WDW's, pre-mid 2000's refurb. The Toontown attractions are direct copies of DL's.
Once Upon A Time, the nighttime castle spectacular, is beautiful, but don't wait too long for it. We walked up to a great spot in the hub on a very crowded day just before showtime. No need to camp out for hours. It's light on pyro due to restrictions there, so it's mostly a castle projection show.
TDS is incredible. Again arrive before opening. Avoid Toy Story Mania like the plague - exact same ride as in America, only with insane popularity. Go straight to Tower of Terror to get a FP (theirs is unique and very cool), and then go to Journey to the Center of the Earth and get in the standby line. Once your TOT FP has passed, get another one for Mermaid Lagoon Theater (an absolute must) or Indiana Jones (theirs is superior to DL's). Be sure to go on Sindbad's Storybook Voyage (usually never has a wait and it's wonderful). Get a Chandu tail next door at Oasis Snacks.
If characters are your thing, be sure to keep an eye out while walking through American Waterfront. The Aristocats, Bernard, Bianca and fab 5 in gorgeous period costumes all appear here throughout the day.
Magic Lamp Theater is fun if you need to sit down and there isn't a long wait. This is the only attraction in TDS that provides English caption devices, so be sure to ask for one.
Ride 20,000 Leagues, it usually has a short wait. See Big Band Beat if you have the time. Fantasmic is fine (better than WDW's, not as good as DL's, and substantially different from either), but since you only have one day, don't waste 2 hours camping out for it. If you want to have a nice dinner and don't mind taking the time, get a priority seating at Magellan's.
Be sure to spend some time poking around Fortress Explorations and Mermaid Lagoon. Raging Spirits is a crappy coaster, skip it. Aquatopia is bizarre, only worth it if there's no wait. If StormRider is open and has a short wait, give it a shot as it's closing permanently in May. It's bizarre as well, but still kind of fun.
Have an amazing time!
. I ended up meeting Gideon, Thumper, and Toulouse, but I saw many more characters including Scrooge and Honest John. Of course, how would I end the day in any way other than seeing Dreamlights? The parade simply has no equal in any other Disney park. Neither the MSEP nor PTN can compare to Dreamlights.