Tokyo Toy Story Hotel Review: Why Families Are Obsessed
One of the things our kids were most excited about on our epic Japan trip was spending three days at Tokyo Disney.
But it wasn’t just the idea of visiting the theme park that had the kids jumping for joy.
It was the fact that we were staying at the Disney resort in a themed hotel!
The Toy Story Hotel is one of the newest hotels at the resort, and from what we saw online, it looked to be a lot of fun.
The theming is awesome, the amenities are on point, the price is doable, and getting to the parks is a breeze.
This review shares our personal experience staying at the hotel, along with everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right choice for your trip.
A Little About the Toy Story Hotel
The Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel opened on April 5, 2022, as the fifth official Disney-branded hotel at Tokyo Disney Resort.
It is also the resort’s first “moderate type” property.
The hotel spans eleven floors above ground (plus a basement) and offers 595 guest rooms—575 standard rooms and 20 superior rooms.
All the rooms are themed in the style of Andy’s bedroom from the Toy Story films.
Facilities include a buffet-style restaurant (Lotso Garden Café), a Disney merchandise shop, dedicated outdoor play areas with oversized Toy Story character sculptures, stroller- and family-friendly amenities, and direct access to the parks via the Disney Resort Line monorail station.
Where Is the Toy Story Hotel Located?
Even though the Toy Story Hotel is considered a moderately priced accommodation, you really can’t beat the location!
You’ll find the Toy Story Hotel inside the Tokyo Disney Resort area, located between the Hilton Tokyo Bay, the Hotel Okura, and the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay.
The hotel is also conveniently situated right across the street from the Bayside Station on the Disney Resort Line monorail.
This makes it super easy (and quick) to access Tokyo Disneyland.
Interestingly enough, it’s actually the only non-Deluxe Disney hotel on the monorail loop anywhere in the world.
As for DisneySea, you are right across the street from the Fantasy Springs Hotel, which has a special entrance directly into the park.
If you are staying at the Toy Story Hotel as part of a vacation package, chances are, you will also have special access to this entrance. But more on this later.
Who Is This Hotel Best For?
If you and your family are fans of the Toy Story franchise or Pixar movies in general, then you will LOVE this hotel!
The theming is bright and playful, and full of all your favourite characters from the movies.
I was truly impressed by the amount of thought and detail that went into the design of the hotel, from the lobby to the rooms, and even the corridors.
It’s also a good pick for first-time visitors (like we were). The layout is simple, and the transportation is easy to access.
But as good as this hotel is, if you are looking for luxury, then this isn’t the place for you.
It also isn’t a good pick if you are looking for a peaceful, adult-oriented hotel.
Duh! It’s TOY STORY! The place is filled with families and kids who are excited, loud and running around (as they should be).
Booking the Toy Story Hotel
One of the things we were most anxious about while planning our epic Japan trip was booking our Disney hotel!
While we decided to take the safe route and use a travel agent who specializes in Disney trips, you can certainly do it yourself.
Booking the Toy Story Hotel is done online through the official Tokyo Disney Resort Online Reservations & Tickets website.
You will need to create an account before you can book.
Reservations open at 11:00 am (Japan time) four months before your stay, so it helps to plan ahead.
Just a heads up, the site can look a little busy at first, but once you follow the steps, the process becomes very straightforward.
Step-by-Step: How to Book the Toy Story Hotel
- Go to the official Tokyo Disney Resort reservations website.
This is where all room bookings are handled. - Create an account or log in.
You need an account to view available rooms and complete your booking. - Enter your travel dates and guest details.
Add the number of adults, children, and rooms. - Search for availability.
Select the Toy Story Hotel and check if your dates are open.
(Rooms at this hotel can go fast.) - Choose your room type.
Pick the option that works best for your family. - Review your booking information.
Make sure names, dates, and room type are correct. - Make the advance payment.
This confirms your reservation and is applied to your final bill. - Complete the booking.
You’ll get a confirmation email once everything is processed.
Helpful Booking Tips
Just a few tips that will help you score the dates that you are after:
- Be ready right at release time for busy seasons.
- Book early. Rooms open four months ahead, and popular dates like Cherry Blossom season or Christmas disappear fast.
- Know your dates before you log in. Availability changes quickly, so you don’t want to waste time looking at your calendar.
- Check often. If your dates are full, keep checking back as cancellations can free up rooms.
Room Categories and Price Range
Rooms at the Toy Story Hotel are grouped by layout and by view.
Standard Rooms
Standard Rooms include two full-sized beds and a trundle bed that slides out when needed. These rooms can accommodate up to 3 people.
These rooms come with either views of the themed outdoor area, Tokyo Bay, or of other nearby hotels.
Superior Rooms
Superior Rooms have the same basic layout, but also include a pull-down Murphy bed for extra sleeping space. These rooms can accommodate up to 4 people.
We booked a Superior Room during our stay, as we needed the space for 2 adults and 2 teens.
Both room types are clean, comfortable, and easy for families to use.
But just a heads up, the room does get a little crowded when all the beds are pulled out.
But let’s face it, how much time are you actually planning to spend in the room?
Pricing
Prices vary depending on the season, day of the week, and demand, so you can expect rates to change throughout the year.
On average, you can expect to pay between $250 to $500 USD per night at the Toy Story Hotel.
Weekends, holidays, and school vacation periods in Japan tend to be the most expensive.
As we mentioned earlier, the Toy Story Hotel is considered a moderate hotel.
This means that while it’s not the cheapest option at Tokyo Disney Resort, it usually sits below the top-tier luxury hotels in price.
We felt that the theming, convenience, and access to the parks definitely helped to justify the cost.
Check Out Our YouTube Short!
First Impressions and Check-In Experience
From the moment we arrived, we just knew that we were going to have a fabulous stay.
Arrival at the Hotel
On our first day, we arrived at the Toy Story Hotel bright and early at 7 am.
This was so that we could exchange our vouchers for park tickets, check in, store our luggage, and make our way to the park before rope-drop.
We were greeted by Cast Members as soon as we set foot on the property.
The Cast Member checked our vouchers to make sure that we were guests of the hotel, as non-guests are not allowed on the property.
As you come up the walkway and into Slinky Dog Park, you will notice just how amazing the hotel’s grounds are.
As you walk through a play area that is colourful and filled with Toy Story characters like Buzz and Jessie, you will feel like you have been shrunken down to toy size.
My son loved the giant Tinker Toys, while I got a kick out of seeing Wheezy and Bo Peep’s sheep!
If you have younger kids with you, there may be no choice but to stop and let them explore for a bit!
And just a heads up, there are also plenty of photo ops to get that perfect shot for the ‘Gram even BEFORE you set foot into the hotel!
Once you set foot into the lobby, it’s sensory overload! You won’t know where to look first!
From the giant Bo Peep game board on the ceiling to the green alien sitting over the gift shop, the colourful furniture, and the familiar music playing in the background, it feels like you’ve walked right into the Toy Story movie.
But I think my absolute favourite detail was the huge Lite-Brite (one of my fave toys growing up!) behind the check-in counter.
Awesome!
You may want to set aside some time just to take in all the little details!
Check-In Process
Check-in at the Toy Story Hotel starts at 3:00 PM, and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
We found the check-in process to be pretty easy, and not much different than checking in at one of the Disney resorts in Florida.
Just be sure that you have your passport and a credit card ready when you arrive.
If you still need park tickets or dining reservations, the Concierge Desk can also help you with that.
We found the staff members to be very friendly and helpful. Many speak enough English to guide you through the process without stress.
In our case, all of our vacation package vouchers were exchanged for tickets during our check-in process.
Unlike Florida, Disney Japan still uses physical tickets. So there are no fancy wristbands here.
It was then explained to us what everything was and how to use our passes, which was pretty helpful.
If your room is not ready, you can leave your bags with Bell Services and then head out to the park.
This is exactly what we did.
We made sure that we had everything that we needed for the day in our backpack, so that when we arrived at the hotel, we didn’t need to rummage through our luggage.
Just a heads up, as easy as the check-in process was, it was incredibly slow.
Overall, I think the entire process, including luggage storage, took about an hour to complete.
🎡 Expert Tip – I would recommend purchasing a lanyard with clear card holders for each member of your family prior to your arrival. These are perfect for holding all your tickets and vouchers that you will be using for the day while in the parks.
Our Room at the Toy Story Hotel
As I mentioned earlier, we stayed in a Superior Room during our stay at the Toy Story Hotel.
Theming and Design Details
All rooms at the Toy Story Hotel are themed like Andy’s room in the movie.
From the blue sky and cloud pattern on the walls to the cowboy-themed bed frame and sheets, and the character prints on the walls, it really is a submersive experience.
Even the provided PJs are Buzz Lightyear-inspired!
Inside the bathroom, you will find Wheezy singing in the shower.
But my absolute favourite part of the room was the TV cleverly disguised as a giant Etch-a-Sketch.
Trust me when I say, if you are looking for a really great themed hotel, this one definitely hits the mark!
Room Layout and Space
As I mentioned earlier, our Superior Room had two full beds, one trundle, and one Murphy bed.
It did feel a little tight when all the beds were out, but we really had no issues with it. For the most part, we were only in the room to sleep.
If I had to guess, I would say that the room was roughly the same size as a value resort room at Walt Disney World (just with smaller beds).
Below the TV, and designed to look like Andy’s toy box, is where the Murphy bed is actually hidden.
And I do mean hidden! We almost didn’t realize what it was, since our Murphy bed at the Wilderness Resort in Disney World occupied the whole wall.
Our room also came with a long desk/table with a couple of chairs, and a night table between the two beds.
This was where you would find outlets and USB outlets to plug in all your devices.
While the rooms are clean and functional, there is absolutely NO STORAGE space anywhere!
The closest thing to storage that you will find is four pegs on the wall with matching clothing hangers on them, right near the door.
That was it!
Let me tell you, with four suitcases and four backpacks, plus shoes, and a myriad of accumulated stuff, our entrance area and desk were soon crowded and somewhat disorganized.
Bathroom Setup
If you have stayed in other hotels in Japan, you will recognize the layout of the bathroom.
While the entire bathroom is separated from the rest of the hotel room by a door, the bathroom is actually divided into three sections.
The main section has a vanity and sink. There were plenty of complimentary toiletries and towels provided.
To the right, and separated by a door, is the toilet room. There, you will find an awesome Japanese bidet toilet, complete with all the usual functions.
To the left of the vanity area, and also separated by a door, is the shower room. This room has a floor area to shower, as well as a tub.
And as I mentioned earlier, there is a fun design on the wall of Wheezy taking a bath.
I really like the layout, because it means that several people can be using different parts of the bathroom at once.
It definitely makes mornings easier when everyone needs to get ready at the same time.
Room Comfort and Noise
Overall, we really liked our room.
It had a nice view of Tokyo Bay, the air conditioning controls were easy to use, and you had many kid-friendly TV channels (though not many in English).
We found the beds to be firm, as is common in Japan, but comfortable. The pillows were actually a lot better than the ones we had in other Japanese hotels.
You will find a small bar fridge and a kettle in the room, which was convenient. That said, there was no microwave.
While this is a family-focused hotel, for the most part, noise levels in the hallway were reasonable. I guess that after long days at the parks, everyone sleeps well!
Dining at the Toy Story Hotel
There are a couple of places to grab a bite at the Toy Story Hotel.
Lotso Garden Cafe
Lotso Garden Café is the buffet restaurant inside the Toy Story Hotel.
Located on the lobby level, it can seat up to 300 people and is open only to hotel guests for breakfast and dinner.
We found the space to be bright and open with a theme inspired by Sunnyside Daycare from Toy Story 3.
You will find a huge Lotso at the entrance as well as some murals on the walls.
And while he is the villain in the movie, he is actually portrayed as lovable and cheerful throughout the restaurant.
We enjoyed breakfast at Lotso Garden Cafe on both mornings during our stay at Tokyo Disney.
And let me tell you, the buffet was amazing! With both Western and Japanese options, even the pickiest eaters will find something that they like.
You will find everything from noodles to curry, meat, fish, salads, and soups, to fresh fruit, bacon and eggs, pancakes, and a ton of desserts.
There is also a self-service beverage station.
I was having a hard time NOT stuffing myself!
My favourite part of the breakfast was the themed food! Ok… It’s a little cheesy (no pun intended), but Disney really goes all-in on their themes.
There were Hamm-printed sandwiches, Lotso’s face dusted on the rice pudding, and so much more.
But the kids (and I as well) really loved the freshly made Churro cart that came around both mornings! These things were hot, crispy and all-around perfectly made.
But you literally had to get ’em while they’re hot. Those things disappeared minutes after they were brought out!
🍓 Fun Tip: During our stay, if you cleared your plate and stacked your dishes, one of the Cast Members would give you a Lotso sticker (adults too)!
As far as dinner goes, we were always in the parks, so we did not see what was being served at the Lotso Garden Cafe.
But if it was even half as good as breakfast, then it would be totally worth it.
Lotso Garden Buffet is open for breakfast from 6:30 am to 10:30 am, and then for dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Shop Together Convenience Store
After our first day in the parks, we came back to the hotel and were feeling a little snacky.
Luckily, there is an awesome konbini located right in the main hallway of the hotel.
If you have spent any amount of time in Japan, then you will know just how incredible the convenience store food is. And the one at Toy Story Hotel is no different!
We found everything from ready-to-eat dinners to snacks, fruit, ramen, drinks, ice cream, and so much more.
Just a heads up, if you do choose a ready-to-eat dinner, you will have to ask the store staff to heat it up for you.
As I mentioned earlier, there are no microwaves in the rooms, and the ones in the convenience store are behind the counter.
We grabbed some cup noodles, so we were able to use the kettle in the room to easily make those.
While many families choose to eat most meals inside the parks because the food selection there is so incredible, we really think that Toy Story Hotel hits the mark for a convenient and tasty breakfast or a late-night bite.
Themed Areas
The lobby and the rooms are not the only themed areas that you will find in this hotel.
In fact, I think the only area of the hotel that does NOT have a theme is the parking garage.
While it does say RC Parking Garage on the outside with some theming, once you enter, it’s just a garage.
Outdoor Themed Spaces
Directly in front of the hotel, you will find Slinky Dog Park. As we mentioned earlier, it’s quite an experience walking through it.
The park is set up like a board game, with huge characters from the movie scattered around. It’s a great place for the kids to run around and explore.
Even the floor in the park is made from that rubber material that makes it soft to walk (and fall) on.
At night, the whole park is lit by giant Christmas lights, making it quite magical when returning from a long day at the park.
If you head into the hotel and just past the lobby, you will find Toy Friends Square, which is another outdoor themed play area.
This is like an inner courtyard, and is filled with more giant Toy Story Figures. My faves were the aliens and Hamm.
Indoor Themed Areas
I really enjoyed walking around the hotel just to check out the theming.
What I really didn’t realize until right before we left was that the hotel has two wings that are themed differently!
We were in the Woody-themed section. All the elevator doors were decorated in a Western motif.
I absolutely LOVED the huge Toy Package next to the elevator door on the guest room levels.
It had a huge mirror on the wall, so that if you stood just right, it made you look like you were “new in the box”!
The other wing of the hotel has common areas that are more Buzz Lightyear themed with space decor.
Just keep in mind that the rooms in either wing are decorated in the same way to look like Andy’s room.
Amenities
There are also a few amenities that I wanted to mention.
‘Gift Planet’ Souvenir Shop
If you are looking for some great souvenirs, then head over to Gift Planet, located across from the check-in counter.
There, you will find a decent selection of popular souvenirs. Many are Toy Story themed, but not all.
The good news is, pretty much everything that you find in Gift Planet can also be found inside the DisneySea park.
This means that you won’t have to buy it during the day and drag it around with you.
We unfortunately didn’t realize that the souvenirs in the Disneyland Park could also not be found in DisneySea or in any of the hotel gift shops.
My kids were looking at some Monsters Inc. stuff, and they missed out as we didn’t pick them up on the one day we were in that park.
Laundry
If you need to do some laundry, the hotel has a laundry room on the 2nd floor.
It is located on the 2nd floor, right near the entrance to Friends Square.
The laundry room is actually pretty spacious and clean, with plenty of machines.
It will cost you about 300 yen per load.
Concierge Desk
As we mentioned earlier, the Concierge service at Toy Story Hotel is super convenient and easy to use.
We checked our bags when we first arrived (and our room was not ready), as well as on our last day after we checked out.
Your bags are locked away in a secure area, and you are given a tag for when you want to retrieve them.
The Concierge Desk was where we were also able to grab a couple of extra pillows and toiletries.
The staff is super friendly. If you have any issues or need anything, they are the ones to ask!
Wi-Fi
You will be happy to know that free Wi-Fi is available everywhere in the hotel, including the rooms.
We found it to be pretty sufficient and consistent.
How to Get to Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea
When you are staying at the Toy Story Hotel, there are several options for you to get to the theme parks.
Access to the Disney Resort Line
The Disney Resort Line via Bayside Station is located directly across the street from the Toy Story Hotel.
The monorail will take you to both Disneyland and DisneySea in a reasonably short amount of time.
What we were a little taken aback about was the fact that you had to pay to ride the monorail!
Unlike in the US, where all Disney transportation between parks and resort hotels is free, in Japan, you have to pay per ride.
The cost is minimal, and you purchase tickets at any of the stations on the monorail line.
You are even able to use your Suica or Pasmo cards for payment, so at least it’s convenient.
Entry Via The Fantasy Springs Hotel
When we purchased our vacation package through Disney Japan, we were given special entry passes for both our days at DisneySea.
These passes entitled us to enter and exit through the Fantasy Springs Hotel.
While this was incredibly convenient (it’s directly across the street from the Toy Story Hotel and just behind the monorail station), it is NOT an early entry pass.
The pass only allows you to enter the park at 10 am, which is an hour after the park officially opens.
That said, you have almost immediate access to the extremely popular Rapunzel and Frozen rides (it’s less than a 5-minute walk from the entry point), rather than having to walk ALL THE WAY ACROSS the park to get to them from the regular gates.
Yes, you are not stuck waiting in line at the regular park entry (which can take quite some time), and you will still be able to get to the popular rides before the wait is crazy-long.
But no, you will not have any chance of getting into the park even a minute early to avoid long lines at certain rides.
Oh, and just a heads up. You can only use the Fantasy Springs gate to exit after 9 pm.
If you plan to leave the park earlier, you will have to exit at the regular gate and take the monorail back.
This is pretty ridiculous, but it may just be easier to stay in the park later, grab a snack or sit at a bench.
Then just leave at 9 pm and spare yourself the possible crowds and extra travel time on the monorail.
Pros and Cons of Staying at the Toy Story Hotel
Just a quick and scannable breakdown of the pros and cons of staying at the Toy Story Hotel that may help in making your final decision:
What We Loved
What Might Not Work for Everyone
Tips for Staying at the Toy Story Hotel
Here are a few tips that we picked up during our stay at the Toy Story Hotel:
1. Book as early as possible
Bookings open exactly four months before your desired check-in date, at 11:00 AM Japan Time (JST).
I would recommend making sure that you have all the info in front of you, including dates and room types, so that there is no delay during your booking window.
Just remember that school holidays, cherry blossom season, Christmas, and any other national holiday will mean that the competition to get a room will be even more fierce.
If you don’t get the dates that you want, book a backup hotel (cancellation policies for most places are pretty good), and keep trying with Toy Story!
Many times, you may be able to score a cancellation!
2. Arrive Early on Your Check-In Day
The Guest Services counter at Toy Story Hotel opens at 6:30 am. We arrived about 7 am to check in, get our tickets and stow our luggage.
This gives you plenty of time to get to the park by opening.
Depending on the time of the year, rope drop at the park is usually 8:30 or 9:00 am. We were in line by 8 am (the line was already quite long), and in the park by 8:30 am!
But back to the check-in…
Even though your room won’t be ready this early, you can take care of the pre-check-in registration.
We filled out all the necessary forms, were given our tickets, passes and maps, and had all of our included perks explained to us.
When we returned from the park that evening, all we had to do was get our room assignment and pick up our luggage.
3. Take Advantage of all Services on Your Check-Out Day
On your last day of stay, be sure to make the most of it!
If you still have a park day booked (like we did), take advantage of the hotel services and stow your luggage at the concierge desk.
Then pick it up at the end of the day. Your hotel card will be enough to get you back on the property to retrieve your luggage.
If you do not have a day at the park booked, sleep in late, have breakfast at Lotso Cafe, and spend some time on the hotel grounds!
There are plenty of places to explore!
4. Use the Fantasy Springs Gate to DisneySea
If you are not interested in being in the park right at rope drop, then waiting until 10 am and using the Fantasy Springs Hotel gate is SO MUCH EASIER!
We did rope drop at DisneySea on our first day, and Fantasy Springs on our second day.
Since we had fast passes booked for later than 10 am, we really didn’t care that we were not in the park earlier.
Besides, the shorter walk to the area of the park that we wanted to see first definitely worked in our favour.
Plan your day carefully and use this privilege!
5. Use the Hotel Shop Instead of Park Stores to Purchase Souvenirs
Shopping at the hotel is often much quieter than inside the parks, especially at the end of the day.
It’s an easy way to pick up souvenirs without dealing with large crowds or long lines or having to drag them around the park all day.
I would recommend taking a peek inside the shop before heading out to the parks.
Aside from character merch from Disneyland Tokyo, which can ONLY be found in the park, most of the popular items from DisneySea can be found in the hotel gift shop.
Is the Toy Story Hotel Worth It?
Yes! We definitely thought that staying at the Toy Story Hotel with our teens was worth every penny!
We loved the Toy Story Hotel’s gorgeous and detailed theming. Soooo fun!
And the easy access to both parks would make it a great fit for families and first-time visitors who want a fun but simple-to-navigate experience.
While it isn’t the cheapest option, and rooms are on the smaller side, I think that most people would feel the convenience and experience are worth the cost.
That said, if you are looking for a large room, a kitchen, or a quieter atmosphere, an off-site hotel or another Disney property may suit you better.
The Toy Story Hotel FAQs
Yes. Most staff members speak enough English to help with check-in, questions, and basic needs.
It depends on your booking. Some packages include breakfast, while others don’t. Check your reservation details.
Yes. You don’t need park tickets to book a room or explore the hotel.
Generally, the answer is no. The monorail is the best way to get around the resort. If you have a package with special entry privileges, then you can walk to DisneySea.
Yes. The theming, layout, and amenities work well for young children.
Yes. The hotel will hold your luggage so you can enjoy the parks right away.
Final Thoughts: Would We Stay Here Again?
We would absolutely stay at the Toy Story Hotel again! Even our teens enjoyed the theming!
And the convenience of being so close to both parks made a big difference to our trip.
The rooms are practical, the hotel is easy to navigate, and everything is set up to make park days less stressful.
If you’re looking for a fun, well-located hotel at Tokyo Disney Resort, the Toy Story Hotel is a solid choice.
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