DON’T DO THESE RIDES FIRST AT TOKYO DISNEYLAND WITH SMALL KIDS!
Please take note that I don’t mean to not do these rides at all – I’m just saying to not do these rides first at Tokyo Disneyland when visiting with small children.
The reason? The line is long and kids lose momentum and excitement.
So, in case you’re not familiar with the fast pass/express pass system in Japanese Disney Parks, I recommend reading up on all of my tips here first BUT… a basic run down is – You can’t buy fast passes ahead of time. You need the Tokyo Disney Resort app and only once you are physically inside the park can you grab the complimentary OR paid fast passes.
The smart thing to do with small kids is head for the rides with a shorter wait time to make little kids feel like they are straight into the excitement of being at disney right away! And while you’re doing that – the grown ups can sort the fast passes and anniversary passes and paid passes etc. while walking there or waiting in a very short queue for those first happy rides!
The smart thing about doing it this way is that you will be allocated a time for the rides with a longer wait AND if you miss out on fast passes (or fast passes aren’t sold for these rides I mention below on that day – you can line up later instead and use the line for down time (buy everyone a drink and a snack and eat it in the line or use the time in the line for when everyone is getting a bit tired and wants to just stare into space for a bit or help you plan the rest of the day.)
In my Tokyo Disneyland with kids tips here, I have some other suggestions on how to make the waiting time for longer lines feel a bit more fun.
For those interested in reading: here are my things to pack for a trip to Tokyo Disneyland here.
Here are ALLLLLLL of my Tokyo Disneyland with kids tips.
Okay- so back to what I started writing this article for:
“Which rides should you NOT do first with little kids at Tokyo Disneyland”
1. Monsters Inc
The ride is cute but the way it’s set up means that the line moves really slowly. Even first thing in the morning- you can wait up until 50 mins. Don’t do that to small kids who are so so excited. The only exception in my eyes? If the wait times says 20 mins or less!
Otherwise, come back later. Toy Station toy shop is across the road too so you could buy something small to play with in the line or popcorn to eat while you wait too!
2. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt
This ride isn’t just popular with kids – many fully grown adults love this ride and the line gets long fast. It’s a lot of wait time for kids who haven’t ridden a single ride yet. It’s also a bit cruel as it is in Fantasyland so the kids will be able to see a lot of the shorter ride entrances while they wait. This is a good one to get a free fast pass for or come back when the wait time is down under 30 mins.
3. The Happy Ride with Baymax
This is one of the newest rides at Tokyo Disneyland and, for that reason, the line is looooooong. I, personally, think this ride is way too over-rated to wait more than 20 mins but it is rarely ever that short. Take a walk past and see if it interests you but I wouldn’t be rushing or giving it much wait time (I’m going to make so many hard core disney go-ers angry by saying this though!)
4. Beauty and The Beast
To me, this ride is 100% worth paying for a fast pass. It is such a beautiful ride but the wait times can be absolutely manic – especially first thing in the morning. Pay for this one. Don’t go waiting around with small kids in tow.
5. Splash Mountain
This ride is towards the back of the park. If you are one of the first people in the gate, then maybe you will get lucky and only have to wait 30 mins but it’s risky with little kids. Apply for free or paid fast pass instead or keep an eye on the wait times on the app. Or keep this ride wait as one of your “lets rest and snack in the line for this one and just wait it out” later in the day.
See here for my detailed article on why I recommend arriving Tokyo Disney Parks first thing in the morning (and why it’s more important than at other Disney Parks around the world.)
So which rides do I think you should do right away with small children to keep up those special special vibes – which is really while we are there with kiddies right?
1. Teacups (official name “Alice’s Tea Party”)
The ride wait time here is rarely ever more than 5 -10 mins (and, actually, 5 mins is IDEAL because you can be scrambling on the app for fast passes while the kids are watching the riders ahead of them!)
To get here, walk behind the castle- it’s right there.
2. The Carousel
For all the same reasons, I’ve listed the Tea Cups!
To get here, walk behind the castle- it’s right there.
This is a show that goes on repeat all day long. It is a 4D cinema experience with songs from Aladdin, Lion King, Coco, Fantasia etc. The songs are in Japanese but it really doesn’t matter as the show is so so spesh and the effects are cute. The whole show goes for a little over 10 mins + a 5 min pre-show/wait in the lobby before being seated so this is also a great one to keep up your sleeve for when it’s hot or if it rains too.
To get here, walk behind the castle- it’s right there.
4. Jungle Cruise
First thing in the morning, you’re rarely wait more than 10 mins for this ride. It is so cute and easy and little kids LOVE it.
To get here, go to the castle but take the road to the left. From the gate it will take you around 4-5 mins to walk here.
5. Western River Railroad
For the same reason as the Jungle Cruise.
To get here, go to the castle but take the road to the left. From the gate it will take you around 4-5 mins to walk here. The entrance to this ride is just next to Jungle Cruise so you can do both!
6. Star Tours
Star Tours isn’t that popular at Tokyo Disneyland AND it seats many people at one time. It is rarely ever more than a 5 min wait here. It’s a great ride to cross off early in the day or when it’s too hot or rainy. Although it’s not “the best” ride – we still really love it and ride it every single time. 
7. Gadget’s Go Coaster
This kid sized rollercoaster rarely has more than a 5-10 min wait (especially in the morning.) It is located inside of Toon Town towards the back of the park. We have been able to ride this over and over in the morning sometimes.
See here for all of my tips if you decide to also visit Tokyo DisneySea.
