Tokyo Disneyland - 25 Years
Disney's First Asian Park Celebrates its 25th Anniversary
From an idea to provide recreation for Japanese businessmen, Tokyo Disneyland has grown into one of the world's premiere theme park destinations.
Urayasu, just outside Tokyo, Japan is the site of the first Disney theme park to be constructed outside of the United States. A sister park to the original in Anaheim and the second park in Orlando, Tokyo Disneyland is owned by the Oriental Land Company and licensed from the Disney Company.
Notable Differences
The 115 acre theme park opened on April 15, 1983 and was closely modeled after the American versions with a few exceptions. Main Street USA, though similar in appearance is called World Bazaar and is enclosed under a glass canopy to keep out inclement weather. Adventureland combines the same aspects of the namesakes in the other parks but also includes New Orleans Square which is a separate mini-land in the other parks. Frontierland was given the name Westernland and the train ride does not encircle the park as in the other parks. Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Toontown remain similar to the American counterparts.
While the Japanese insisted they wanted their Disneyland to be as much like the Anaheim version as possible, cultural differences have necessitated a few changes. The Haunted Mansion, for example, is in Fantasyland for the Japanese relegate ghosts to the realm of fairy tales. The logs that transport guests through Splash Mountain carry visitors side by side as the Japanese are uncomfortable with the ‘in your lap’ type seating arrangements in the California park. Some of the cuisine is more to Japanese tastes, you’ll find tempura and chirashi-sushi as well as ‘burgers and fries. The Mickey Mouse Revue which debuted in Walt Disney World in 1971 was moved to Tokyo Disneyland after the character’s speaking parts were translated into Japanese. Other minor changes include Beaver Brothers Canoe Ride taking over from Davy Crockett, Autopia has become Grand Circuit Raceway, and the 3-D show Honey, I Shrunk the Audience is renamed MicroAdventure.
In the Beginning
The idea to build a Disneyland in Japan first began in 1972 when the Oriental Land Company sent its people around the world to evaluate the amusement and recreational facilities in other countries. One of these teams went to check out Disneyland. In later years Noboru Kamisawa, managing director of Tokyo Disneyland said in an interview for Disney News: "the wholesome atmosphere (of Disneyland) would fill the hearts of the Japanese people…the philosophy…taught by Walt Disney himself – this is what we wanted to bring to Japan."
Two years later the Oriental Land Company approached Disney with the idea. Due to their latest success when Walt Disney World opened in 1971, and the overwhelming popularity of Disney films and merchandise in Japan, Disney decided to take the chance and branch out. By 1979 a master agreement had been signed and the Oriental Land Company was to own and operate the park with Disney providing the master plan and technical expertise. The next year Japanese businessmen arrived in Anaheim to learn ‘the Disney Way’ in an intensive six to nine month training course. Kamisawa later said: "Our greatest responsibility will be to get the ideas of the Disney traditions and philosophies across to future Tokyo Disneyland employees."
The next step was to bring Disneyland cast members from California and Orlando to Japan to guide the new park up to and through the chaos of the opening days in April 1983. All went well. Ten million guests passed into the park in the first year alone.
Continuing to Grow
Over the next twenty five years Tokyo Disneyland continued to expand, Captain EO, Big Thunder Railroad, Star Tours and Splash Mountain were all added to the original park. In addition a second theme park, the 176 acre Tokyo DisneySea was opened in September 2001 with such attractions as Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island and Port Discovery.
While Tokyo Disneyland in the only Disney theme park not owed by the Disney Company, it has stuck to the same values, philosophies and ideals of the original parks and remains one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Bibliography
Disney News – various issues
Joe Flower, Prince of the Magic Kingdom, John Wiley & Sons, 1991
Postcards:
1 – Cinderella Castle viewed from World Bazaar – c Walt Disney Productions
2 – The elegant Mark Twain takes guests on a leisurely cruise – c Walt Disney Co.
3 – Splash Mountain – c Disney Enterprises, Inc.
4 – Tokyo DisneySea – Mermaid Lagoon – c Disney
5 – Tokyo Disneyland Map – 1993 – c Disney
