Have you ever dreamt of stepping into Andy’s room? Well, now you can! The Toy Story Hotel at the Tokyo Disney Resort is the newest addition to the magical world of Disney, and it’s a must-visit for any Toy Story fan. I recently had the chance to stay at this incredible hotel and am thrilled to share my experience with you! I’ve made it my mission to stay at every Disney hotel across the globe, and I’m so glad I finally checked Tokyo Disney Resort off my list!
A World of Toy Story Magic!
The Toy Story Hotel is right in front of Bay Station on the Tokyo Disney Resort Line, the park’s charming Mickey-themed subway system. This makes getting to the parks a breeze, with the Resort Line taking just a few minutes to reach either park. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a 30-minute walk, which I did once (more on that in my Tokyo Disneyland blog post!). The hotel boasts two wings, each themed after a beloved Toy Story character: Woody and Buzz Lightyear! The elevators and hallways are exactly what you’d imagine – Woody’s wing is a western wonderland, complete with his loyal pals and catchy western tunes. Buzz’s wing (which I sadly didn’t get to see in person) is futuristic and space-themed, just like the space ranger himself!
While both wings offer similarly styled rooms, each room is adorned with the iconic Toy Story touches. The wallpaper features the famous Toy Story clouds, and you’ll discover little nods to the movie throughout. And who could forget the two mini parks that await you? Slinky Dog Park, situated near the hotel entrance, is a board game-style playground with Jessie, Buzz, and Trixie acting as game pieces. The rubberized ground is perfect for little ones to run around safely, and if you look closely, you’ll see Jessie lighting up the park!
Fun for Everyone: Playtime and Delicious Treats!
The second mini park, Friends Square, can be accessed from inside the hotel. The lobby leads to a staircase that takes you up to the square, or you can reach it from either wing’s second floor. Friends Square is a spacious open area featuring oversized statues of Woody, Bo Peep, Billy, Goat, Gruff, and Wheezy. And at the staircase, you’ll encounter the Green Aliens and Hamm!
If you’re feeling peckish, head over to Lotso’s Garden Cafe, located at the back of the lobby. This cafe serves a breakfast and dinner buffet, but reservations are required. Although the theming is adorable, and the cafe looks incredibly cute, I opted out of the buffet based on other reviews I read online. Don’t worry though, there’s a convenience store right next to Lotso’s offering a variety of snacks, like onigiri, rice bowls, ice cream, and even Toy Story and Disney-themed treats! It’s a great option for a quick, easy, and affordable meal, especially outside of regular restaurant hours. And if you need to freshen up your clothes, the hotel has a spacious and clean laundry room on the second floor, near the Friends Square entrance. It’s equipped with plenty of affordable machines, costing around 300 yen per load.
Become a Sheriff: A Fun Hotel Scavenger Hunt!
The hotel guide map invites guests on a delightful scavenger hunt, transforming you into a sheriff! Start your adventure with a friendly “Hey, Howdie, Hey” to a cast member, and you’ll receive your “sheriff-in-training” sticker. From there, simply follow the tasks outlined in the guide, which include exploring the mini parks, interacting with decorations, and even setting up a wake-up call for the next morning! This last one was especially fun, as it’s not something I often do. But it’s extra special at this hotel, because you’ll receive a wake-up call from your favorite space commander! After completing all the tasks, show your completed guide to a cast member, and you’ll be officially crowned a sheriff (complete with a sticker to commemorate your achievement!).
Tips for a Magical Tokyo Disney Resort Experience!
If you’re planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort, I have a few tips to make your stay even more magical:
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Booking your stay: The Tokyo Disney Resort website might be a bit tricky to navigate when it comes to bookings. You can book just the rooms, or you can book vacation packages, which are limited to a maximum of two nights. Room reservations can be booked for up to five nights. For longer stays, you’ll need separate bookings. Room reservations open at 11:00 AM JST (adjust to your local timezone) three months before your stay. I was a month late for my reservation window, so I had limited options. However, I persisted, and one day, a room at the Toy Story Hotel became available for my desired dates! So don’t give up hope, a spot might open up for you!
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Back up your plan: Sometimes things don’t go as planned, and you might not get your dream room. No worries! It’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. The hotels have a generous cancellation policy, so it wouldn’t hurt to book your backup while you try to secure your first choice.
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Buy your tickets at the hotel: Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel are guaranteed tickets to the park on the days of their stay, including the day of check-in and check-out. While it adds another task upon arrival, it’s quick and easy, and you avoid the hassle of finding a compatible credit card or relying on third-party websites. Plus, you’ll receive cute Disney character paper tickets!
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Check in early: The Tokyo Disney Resort offers a fantastic service at Maihama Station called the Welcome Center. Here, you can check in early, drop off your bags, and purchase tickets. However, it doesn’t open until 7:30 AM. Depending on the day, the parks might open around 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM, but they sometimes open earlier than the posted time. On my trip, the park was scheduled to open at 8:30 AM, but it opened at 8:00 AM. If you wait until the Welcome Center opens to check in and purchase tickets, you might miss the park opening or find yourself stuck in a long line. My suggestion: arrive at the resort as early as possible, head straight to your hotel, and take care of all the check-in formalities there. The Toy Story Hotel’s guest services counter opened at 6:30 AM. We arrived at 6:40 AM, completed everything by 7:00 AM, and reached the DisneySea turnstiles by 7:20 AM. There were already some lines, but they became much longer shortly after our arrival.
Embrace the Magic: Explore the Hotel’s Hidden Gems!
While the parks are the main attraction, the hotels are full of charming details that you’ll miss if you don’t take the time to explore them. Hunt for those hidden Easter eggs, appreciate the meticulously crafted decorations, and soak in the ambiance. We dedicated a small portion of our day to wandering around the hotel and discovering its hidden gems. We stumbled upon some adorable artwork that looked incredibly realistic, as if it was done with chalk on cardboard. It’s those small touches that truly make the hotel special!
