Why Tokyo Disneyland Isn't Really A Disneyland

Summary Tokyo Disneyland, while similar to other Disney parks, is actually owned and operated by The Oriental Land Company.

The Oriental Land Company funded and pitched the idea for Tokyo Disneyland, making it unique compared to other Disney resorts.

Despite being owned by a different company, Tokyo Disneyland replicates the attractions and architecture of other Disney parks well.

Tokyo is home to one of the six Disneyland theme parks around the globe, but the Disney park in Japan's capital isn't technically a Disneyland. Like the locations in every other country, Tokyo's park contains a Disneyland castle and numerous rides that have become synonymous with Disney. Some of these, like Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion, appear in the other parks as well. However, that doesn't mean Tokyo Disney Resort is a carbon copy of its counterparts in the U.S., Europe, and China.

Tokyo Disneyland has a number of rides that don't appear in the other locations, including Pooh's Hunny Hunt and the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. And Tokyo Disneysea is unlike any of the Disney parks elsewhere, making it a worthwhile stop for visitors. These aren't the only things that set Disneyland Tokyo apart. Despite its resemblance to the other locations, the Disney resort in Japan differs from them in one significant way.

Related Disneyland Tickets: Prices, Tiers & Where To Buy Purchasing tickets to Disneyland can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. Here’s a breakdown of everything to know about tickets.

Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Are Not Owned Or Operated By Disney

Both Parks Are Run By The Oriental Land Company

Tokyo Disneyland may feature the same attractions, castles, and characters as Disney's other resorts, but it's owned and operated by a different company. Both Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea are run by The Oriental Land Company, which licenses the parks' characters and attractions from Disney. The Tokyo amusement parks are the only ones that have this setup, making them unique compared to spots like Disneyland California and Walt Disney World Resort. Even the other international locations, like Shanghai Disney Resort, are at least partially owned by Disney.

Tokyo Disneyland may feature the same attractions, castles, and characters as Disney's other resorts, but it's owned and operated by a different company.

The reason Disney doesn't own its Tokyo-based parks is because The Oriental Land Company initially pitched the idea to build Tokyo Disneyland, and it funded the project, too (via Los Angeles Times). Disney and The Oriental Land Company made their deal official in 1979, and it seems like the latter never stepped back from its ownership role. Given how popular Disney's parks are in Japan, it's little surprise the company is content to license out its property, design attractions for these parks, and even expand (hence Tokyo Disneysea).

How Tokyo Disneyland Compares To The U.S. Disneyland

It's Similar To Disneyland California & Walt Disney World Resort

Close

Despite being owned by a different company, visiting Tokyo Disneyland feels a lot like exploring any other Disney theme park. Through its deal with Disney, The Oriental Land Company does an impressive job of replicating everything from the attractions and architecture to the general feeling of other Disneyland parks. Tokyo Disneyland's Cinderella Castle and Beast's Castle look as though they've been plucked from the U.S. parks, though their insides differ. And with a few exceptions, Tokyo's attractions mirror the rides at Disneyland California and Walt Disney World Resort.

That said, Disneysea sets the Tokyo-based resort apart in a huge way, and many visitors claim it's the best Disney park out there. According to Disney Tourist Blog, the performances, cast members, and food are all even better than they are at other Disney parks — and that's saying something. Disneysea attractions like Sinbad's Storybook Village also can't be found in other locations around the world. Needless to say, Tokyo Disneyland is worth checking out for its unique expansion alone. And it's interesting to observe just how well another company handles a Disney resort.

Source: Los Angeles Times, Disney Tourist Blog