NEW MONORAILS TO OPEN AT TOKYO DISNEY RESORT IN MAY

BY GABRIELLE

New monorails are opening at Tokyo Disney Resort in May 2020, including a new ‘Type C’ monorail.

The design of the new monorails is in-keeping with the style of the currently operating the Disney Resort Line, with a two-colour graduation to resemble softy-flowing waves on the sides of the trains. The monorails also boast larger Mickey Mouse windows designed to improve travellers’ viewability of the park.

Inside, the monorails have a bigger width and height and lengthened seats to improve boarding and uploading procedures. Wide spaces have been added to the third and fourth cars of each train, and a freestanding space has also been allocated on each vehicle to accommodate for guests with wheelchairs.

Also new to the upgraded monorails are Mickey Mouse shaped handles which have been installed at different height levels so both children and adults can use them.

The observation sear on the new trains are also positioned so that visitors in wheelchairs can use them.

The first of the five new monorail trains will open at Tokyo Disney resort on May 21, 2020 with the remaining trains being rolled out by 2024.

DETAILS UNVEILED ABOUT TOKYO DISNEYLAND’S 2020 EXPANSION

BY GABRIELLE

Oriental Land Company, owners of Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Japan, has unveiled details about the expansion of the theme park. Additional rides, attractions and facilities will be launched at the Toontown, Fantasyland and Tomorrowland areas.

Fantasyland will see the arrival of a trackless dark ride called the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, alongside new dining facilities and shops. A Fantasy Forest Theatre will also open in the land, hosting performances of the new stage show, ‘Mickey’s Magical Music World.’ The theatre will be the first indoor theatre to open at Tokyo Disneyland.

A spinning ride called The Happy Ride with Baymax will open in Tomorrowland. The attraction will be the world’s first rotating ride that is themed on Walt Disney’s animated superhero film, Big Hero 6. Opening next to The Happy Ride with Baymax will be a cosmic-themed shop, specialising in popcorn.

In Toontown, Minnie Mouse will have her own dedicated character spot, with the opening of Minnie’s Style Studio. Minnie will meet visitors at the studio, wearing her latest fashion designs.

The new arrivals at Tokyo Disneyland are due to launch in April 2020.

TOKYO DISNEY RESORT BOASTS IMPRESSIVE ATTENDANCE FIGURES

BY GABRIELLE

Tokyo Disney Resort enjoyed a record number of visitors during the first six months of the fiscal year 2019.

Figures released by the Oriental Land Company (OLC) show that Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea welcomed a combined total of 15,735,000 visitors in the first half of 2019.

This represented a 1.4% increase in attendance figures from the same period in 2018, putting visitor numbers at the highest for a first half of a year ever recorded at Tokyo Disney Resort.

The reason behind the rising visitor numbers is being pinned on a new attraction installed at Tokyo DisneySea. The flight motion-simulator ride, the Soaring: Fantastic Flight opened at the resort in July.

Both theme parks have featured special and seasonal events this year, which have helped pull in the crowds.

Tokyo Disney Resort have also announced a new programme for the park known as ‘Very Very Minnie!, which features Minnie Mouse.

The programme with run at Tokyo Disneyland from January 10 to March 19, 2020, offering special entertainment, merchandise and F&B.