How You Can Celebrate Tokyo Disney’s 35th Anniversary

Photo source: Disney Parks

Starting on April 15, 2018 and running through March 25, 2019, the Tokyo Disney Resort will have a special event entitled the “Tokyo Disney Resort 35th Happiest Celebration.” It marks 35 years since the grand opening of Tokyo Disneyland Park, and Disney is prepared to celebrate in grand style over the next year. Special celebration features include: 

New Shows and Parades

The brand-new daytime parade at Tokyo Disneyland, called “Dreaming Up!,” takes guests to a new world of Disney fantasy and imagination. The parade features 13 floats and over 140 performers - 50 of who are Disney characters. 

Starting in July, there will also be a new nighttime spectacular, “Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland,” which will be projected onto Cinderella’s castle. This 15-minute show uses lasers, state-of-the-art projection mapping technology, water cannons, and more. 

At Tokyo DisneySea, a new show, “Happiest Celebration on the Sea,” features Disney characters in new costumes to help celebrate this milestone year. Disney characters will be dressed in special anniversary celebration costumes and will greet guests from a special boat along the Mediterranean Harbour waterfront. 

Other new shows include “Let’s Party Gras” at Theatre Orleans inside Tokyo Disneyland and “Hello, New York!” at the Dockside Stage in Tokyo DisneySea. 

Small World Re-Opening

The beloved Small World attraction will also reopen, complete with new enhancements for the 35th anniversary celebration. Guests will see nearly 40 new figures who represent signature Disney characters from different Disney films. Some of these include Olaf, Anna, and Elsa from Frozen and Ariel from The Little Mermaid. There will be a new mural of Mickey and Minnie at the ride’s boarding area, and look for specially themed merchandise and menus throughout Tokyo Disneyland. 

Park Decorations

Expect the parks to also be decorated differently this year as well. The World Bazaar, which takes the place of the more iconic Main Street U.S.A. as seen in other Disney Theme Parks, will be transformed into Celebration Street. There will be a 10-meter-tall monument with nine different Mickey Mouse statues, all wearing different Tokyo Disneyland anniversary costumes, along with the one commemorating the grand opening of Tokyo DisneySea. They were hand-picked to represent the different eras in the park’s history. During the day, you’ll hear the new anniversary music playing. At night, images will be projected inside the World Bazaar, a first in the park’s 35-year history. 

Look for other anniversary décor around the park, including special photo locations. 

Anniversary Merchandise

One thing Tokyo Disney is renowned for is its merchandise. There is an entire line of special 35th anniversary merchandise that will be released throughout the year-long celebration. This includes Disney characters dressed in anniversary costumes, t-shirts, jewelry, and more.

There will also be a special, limited-period shop at Pastry Palace and Ice Cream Cones that features Chocolate Crunch, a popular souvenir from the parks since it debuted in 1986. Guests can fill their own tins with different flavors of the Chocolate Crunch while Ice Cream Cones will feature ice cream cones using Chocolate Crunch. 

Special Menus and Souvenir Dishes

Tokyo Disney offers special menus and souvenir plates and glasses. These are popular collector items for die hard Disney fans. For around $8 or $9 US, you can get a signature dessert and 35th anniversary collectable glass or plate to take home. 

If this is your first visit to Tokyo Disney and you’re a big Disney fan, you might want to bring an extra suitcase as it’s hard to walk out of the theme parks without a few bags of souvenirs and gifts! 

Remember that Tokyo is subject to the Pacific Typhoon Season, so if you plan to visit during the rainy months, it is recommended you purchase a travel insurance policy from RoamRight, which can add assurances in the event of a natural disaster. 

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.