THE RIDES WITH THE SHORTEST WAIT TIME AT TOKYO DISNEYLAND

This article is a part of my general Tokyo Disneyland article. Read my full Tokyo Disneyland with kids guide here.

Which rides at Tokyo Disneyland have the shortest wait times?
We have been to Tokyo Disneyland almost 30 times now and even have a set strategy we use ( you can copy it here if you like) as we love rides but hate waiting.)

I thought I would share this for families with little kids or neurodivergent kids who just can’t wait. These rides are also a good option for filling in the gaps between the paid and free fast passes too.

Before I do share, I invite you to talk to kids before entering Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disneysea and share my hard rule.
My kids know that we NEVER wait more than 30 mins. It’s my hard rule. These rides are usually under (often way under) those times – if, for some reason they are not, I highly recommend holding off until they are (if it’s longer than 30 mins for these rides then it is likely there has been a ride closure or the park is ridiculously overcrowded (one way to avoid this is to check a crowd prediction calendar before you buy tickets.)
If you’re already there though and the ride times for these aren’t budging for some reason – be sure to go during the parade/main show times – as most families go to watch the parades and, therefore, the wait times are less.

These are the ride times with the shortest wait times at Tokyo Disneyland:

Goofy’s Paint’n’Play House
Rarely ever more than 5-10 min wait. It’s more of an experience than a ride. It is also next to a toddler playground with zero wait time.

Goofy Paint’n’Play House, inside Toon Town, is more of a short “fun house” than a ride. Wait times are listed on the Tokyo Disney Resort app.
Kids walk into a room and there are canons that virtually shoot paint around the room to get points.
Just in front of Goofy’s Paint’n’Play House is a small playground for toddlers. It is. a free park and there isn’t line. It’s a good place for small children (1-3 years of age are the ages it’s probably most fun for.)

The entrance to Goofy’s Paint’n’Play House. These are the instructions on how to play. Children just need to pull and release the little dongle at the end of the virtual paint canon in order to shoot (I’ve found that even a child as young as 2 can manage this well without too much help.)

The entrance to Goofy’s Paint’n’Play House.
You can see the Good Time diner in the background. This is all in Toon Town at Tokyo Disneyland.

Toon Park (next to Goofy’s Paint’n’Play and Goofy’s Gadget coaster)
This is a small playground for toddlers in Toon Town that doesn’t require any wait time. My little boy loved this area most of all from ages 1-4. A Tokyo Disneyland with kids ( and toddlers!) must!
See here for where to eat (and what to eat) in the Toon Town area with kids.

The Three Little Pigs walking through Toon Town in the morning. Just near the Toon Park toddler playground area.

Toon Town at Tokyo Disneyland.* Side note: we love the Milk Chocolate flavour of Popcorn sold at a Popcorn wagon at Toon Town. See here for a full list of where to find all of the popcorn buckets sold at Tokyo Disneyland (updated daily) included a list of all of the popcorn flavours and exactly where to find them.

TOONTOWN
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin ( mostly undercover if less than 45 min wait and has some cooling / heating)

The Roger Rabbit Ride at Tokyo Disneyland (inside Toon Town.)

The Roger Rabbit Ride in Toon Town, Tokyo Disneyland.

Roger Rabbit – the final part of the ride. Toon Town. Tokyo Disneyland.

Interactive play areas (next to the Roger Rabbit ride – zero wait time)

The interactive moments for kids at Toon Town, Tokyo Disneyland. This is all next to the Roger Rabbit ride.

Open up the post boxes within Toon Town at Tokyo Disneyland and the mail box talks back.

Star Tours
This ride is always a 5-10 min wait.

Star Tours at Tokyo Disneyland. This ride rarely has more than a 5 min wait so DON’T waste a free anniversary fast pass on this one – just line up and use it on something else.

Peter Pan’s Flight
Usually a 20-30 min wait (if it’s any more do NOT line up. Wait til later instead as that’s crazy for such a short ride)

Look out for Tinkerbell at the start of Peter Pan’s Flight (as in right at the very very start while you’re about to board.)

The Castle Carousel
5-10 min wait. Nice and easy wait with kids. Do it once at night too. So cute.

The Carousel at night at Tokyo Disneyland.

Tea Pot Vending Machine next to the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall and in front of the Carousel

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Usually 5-15 mins wait. Warning: it’s a bit scary for little kids. I forgot how dark that story gets.

The Pinocchio Ride – this ride gets dark really quickly. If your kids are little and sensitive or scare easily then maybe skip this short ride.

Snow White’s Adventures
This ride is usually 15-25 mins wait. It has a sign that pre-warns you but – it is a bit scary for little kids (goes straight to the Magic Mirror and Witch with the apple part.).

Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Usually a 15-30 min wait. We usually skip this one – too much waiting for not enough ride time or storytelling stuff for us.

Mickey’s PhilharMagic
(all indoors)*I think this is one of the most underrated rides at Tokyo Disneyland. It’s so so good! The songs are in Japanese but it doesn’t matter. It’s also all indoors and there is hardly ever a wait time ! It’s just next to the teacups. RARELY EVER LONGER THAN A 10 MIN WAIT – ALL DAY!

Mickey’s Philharmagic. A 3D theatre musical experience is just next to the teacups ride. The wait time is rarely more than 5-10 mins at any time. Guests wear 3D glasses and sit and watch a movie with many scenes from lots of Disney movies. It is technically 4D as everyone gets a little bit splashed during some scenes. There are scenes from the Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty the Beast, The Little Mermaid and Coco. It’s really cute. It’s also a lovely place to sit and have a chill out for a little bit if you have sore feet. Note: Can’t eat and drink in the theatre.

One of the posters inside Philharmagic. There is a whole scene based on The Little Mermaid.

Western River Railroad
Usually between 5-15 min wait time. I really like this little ride. You go into a little cave in the end so maybe skip if your kids are a bit scared of the dark?

Jungle Cruise
I always have time for the Jungle Cruise. I like doing it at day time more than at night. 5-10 min wait time.

NOT RIDES BUT … ZERO WAIT TIME SPOTS!
Swiss Family Treehouse
From a grown-ups’ perspective, it’s really boring, but my kids love the Swiss Family Treehouse. It’s just a big playground. My kids love it because it’s fun. Hubby and I love it because there is no wait time. Unfortunately it’s been closed for a while – I hope it reopens soon.

Tom Sawyer Island
It’s a little island, accessible by (motorized) raft. The island has rocks to climb, rope bridges to cross and caves to explore. It’s a really good wriggle-spot.

Tom Sawyer Island Map, Tokyo Disneyland.

A little play in Critter Country.
It’s nothing much but my kids love playing in the fake mountainside at the base of Splash Mountain. There are also some seats and a drinking fountain here too.

Snow White’s Wishing Well
At the base of Cinderella’s castle (as if you’re going to Diamond Horseshoe) is Snow White’s Wishing Well. If you’re a hard core Snow White fan, like my daughter, you’ll love pretending you’re in the movie for a little bit. The well even sings back – just like in the film.

Country Bear Theater
This constantly on-going “puppet” show is a great spot for a chill out or to hide from rainy weather.
70% of the songs are sung in Japanese but it’s all fun and lots to look at so kids won’t care one bit.
We like this place for a bit of a “re-group” and chill out – especially if we have time to spend before a parade begins or someone in our group just needs to sit for a bit. If you want to know what to expect with this show, the Tokyo Disneyland website has a little video of the Country Bear Theatre here.