The Oriental Land Co. today announced the opening date for its Tokyo Disneyland expansion project — April 15, 2020.
The expansion includes four new attractions, all located in the area between Toontown and Tomorrowland. The biggest new attraction in the project will be Fantasyland's Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, a trackless dark ride that will carry visitors through the Beast's castle in spinning tea cups. This won't be as wild a ride as Alice's tea party — think more of a Beauty and the Beast version of the wildly acclaimed Winnie the Pooh ride next door.
Here's a construction video from last winter, including our first look at the Belle animatronics.
The other Fantasyland attraction will be the Fantasyland Forest Theatre, a full-scale indoor theater that can support live musical productions like fans have seen at Disney California Adventure and Tokyo DisneySea.
Toontown is getting a new meet and greet attraction for Minnie Mouse, Minnie's Style Studio, and Tomorrowland is getting a Big Hero 6-themed clone of the Mater's Junkyard Jamboree/Alien Swirling Saucers ride in The Happy Ride with Baymax.
Tokyo Disney's promo video show the location of the new attractions.
The April opening puts Tokyo Disneyland's expansion in the same window as Universal Studios Japan's announced spring opening for its Super Nintendo World. And don't forget that the Summer Olympics are coming to Tokyo next summer, too, which certainly inspired the parks to have their major attractions in open for visitors to the games to enjoy.
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This is still the park I want to visit the most!
Joseph that is a wonderful trip you have planned. I did a similar itinerary to yours when I visited in 2016 and had an amazing time. The best advice I can give concerning the parks is arrive early. I know that is a general piece of advice but the Japanese don't mess around when getting there early. Whereas in America you can walk onto a few rides in the first hour, people mob those parks in the morning creating long lines during that first hour.
I will also tell you that visiting these parks is very similar to going to Universal/Disney in the States. The same tips you use over here apply there, with a few minor exceptions such as you will probably arrive to the parks by their efficient metro systems. Japanese cast members are also more on point than their still solid American counterparts, and very accommodating and willing to work with non Japanese speakers. Good times indeed.
I remember the "Beauty and the Beast" dark ride has been bouncing around for decades and was among the rides announced as coming when Euro Disney opened.
That's what I love about Imagineering, they never throw out any concepts but keep them around as sooner or later, a chance to bring them to life comes up (see how they reworked the EPCOT Africa pavilion plans into Animal Kingdom).
Joseph that sounds awesome. Disney Sea is easily the best theme park in the world. Ive been to Japan 7 times and it never fails to amaze me. Most peoples perception of Japan is miniature everything but not so in Tokyo. Tokyo builds for the masses. I would recommend Sky Tree for the best view of the city, Meiji Jingu shrine which is a huge traditional shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and finally a large garden like Hamarikyu or Showa Kinen which will really challenge those preconceptions. If you are feeling culturally adventurous visit Odaiba Oedo Onsen for a traditional but tourist friendly hot bath experience. You really cant go wrong with whatever you choose because everywhere is so clean, safe, and the people will gladly help if they can.
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Great news as my wife and I will be visiting Japan in October 2020. This will be our first time to Japan and will be staying 8 nights. The plan is 2 days at Disney, 1 day at Universal, 2 days in Tokyo, 1 day in Osaka and finally 1 day in Kyoto.
Any tips for first time visitors to the land of the rising sun?