Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Tokyo Disneyland breaks ground on its 2020 expansion project

April 4, 2017, 9:04 PM · A day after a disappointing attendance report, the Tokyo Disney Resort redirected its attention toward the future with a groundbreaking ceremony for its expansion project at Tokyo Disneyland.

Mickey and Minnie were on hand for the event, which officially starts construction on the new attractions that the park will debut in 2020, the same year that Tokyo will host the Summer Olympics. (And the same year that Universal Studios Japan in Osaka will open its Super Nintendo World. It should be a fun year to visit Japan!)

The new attractions will include a Beauty and the Beast section of the park's Fantasyland, which will include a new dark ride, a major new live performance theater, and a new character meet and greet facility. Here's a promo video with new concept art for the projects, released today by the resort.

Tokyo Disneyland has closed the old Grand Circuit Raceway ride to help clear space for the new attractions, which will stand in between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

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Replies (14)

anonymous
107.208.160.41
April 4, 2017 at 9:43 PM · I have to give props to TDL for closing their Autopia to build something new. I have been saying for years and years now that Disneyland needs to completely demolish the entire North-East corner of: Autopia, Subs, Monorail, and the remnants of the Motor Boat Cruise, in order to make room for an entire new land. But the powers at Disneyland seem to be forever married to those dang Autopia cars. Sheesh.
anonymous
108.94.9.215
April 4, 2017 at 9:48 PM · I feel like they are overdoing the Beauty and the Beast theming and I fear that B&B is the next Frozen.

However, Super Nintendo Land sounds groundbreaking.

SC121
Still a fan
April 4, 2017 at 11:16 PM · Tokyo Disney's attendance is down? You mean from "insanely crowded" down to merely "terribly crowded"?
daveydizzl
Dave Adams
April 5, 2017 at 2:50 AM · that beauty and beast castle looks sweet!
robert
Editor
Robert Niles
April 5, 2017 at 7:01 AM · Ok, Still a Fan made me LOL. So true.
anonymous
73.193.7.2
April 5, 2017 at 7:11 AM · "I feel like they are overdoing the Beauty and the Beast theming and I fear that B&B is the next Frozen."

A property of Disney's that has remained popular for over a quarter of a century is the same as one just released in the past four years?

Anonymous878
Anton M
April 5, 2017 at 8:02 AM · Will be in DisneySea next week. Each Disneyland style park needs unique rides. Beauty and the Beast will attract visitors to Tokyo Disneyland while Disneyland in Anaheim will get Star Wars Land. Wonderful development.
Veritas351
Bob Stabb
April 5, 2017 at 9:04 AM · So if I'm interpreting correctly, announcing an expansion that will be complete in 2020. They move fast.
anonymous
136.62.30.200
April 5, 2017 at 9:06 AM · Beauty and the Beast is a great Disney franchise and one that I love, but it is not deserving of this type of treatment in the theme park. I think the first major error is the inclusion of a second, major castle in a Disneyland theme park. The dark ride is fine, but a Beauty and the Beast land within a land is ridiculous. I must also add that was the worst animation preview ever released from Disney. You go to all the expense of showing the land, but cheap out an only include cut outs of people. I don't get it.

It sure seems like Disney is just fumbling the ball over and over lately.

anonymous
136.62.30.200
April 5, 2017 at 9:08 AM · 107.208.160.41 why close existing attractions when you can make a new land where nothing exists? Hello- Star Wars land.
Disfan
Disfan
April 5, 2017 at 10:33 AM · So they get the Beast's castle, while WDW gets the Beast's doll house. Nice. I don't think Disneyland should completely get rid of the Autopia, though they could shorten it to add an attraction in the Motor Boat Cruise area.
Troynotown
TROY DAVIDSON
April 5, 2017 at 12:39 PM · I'm not sure why WDW did not get a Beauty and the Beast dark ride? We got the doll house and the Mermaid ride (which is not too great) The Circus area is---well not too great either. Disney World has just made some really poor decision's the past decade. It's sad, because I know they can do really great things in other parks.
anonymous
60.93.124.98
April 5, 2017 at 3:22 PM · Yeah , I went with my family literally a month ago , it's our 6th time I think , but it will be our last . 1 Hour waits for popcorn 2 hour waits just to get a fast pass ticket that you need to wait in line again for an hour and all the while the crowd calanders out there all said 50 percent full. Never will go again .
phobicgalvan
Daniel Galvan
April 6, 2017 at 2:31 AM · Leave it to Tokyo Disney to 1 up the domestic parks yet again. Disney World got Storytime with Belle and Tokyo is getting an E ticket!

Any word on what will go in the DisneySea expansion area after Frozen (thankfully) was cancelled? I actually think Pandora would go great there. It would be a great transition from the futuristic Port Discovery to the jungle themed Lost river Delta. I'm sure they will be very careful before building as that is their last remaining major expansion space.

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