Tokyo Disneyland expansion to open on 28th September

Tokyo Disneyland has announced that its new expansions, shops, restaurants and attractions - the largest suite of additions in the history of Tokyo Disney Resort - will open on 28th September.

Completion of the large-scale development stretching across the attraction’s Fantasyland, Tomorrowland and Toontown, originally scheduled to start operations in the 2022/23 financial year, was brought forward as a result of the building program being accelerated during the park’s Coronavirus shutdown earlier this year.

Among the additions, Fantasyland will debut the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast attraction, shops and F&B, inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Beauty and the Beast.

The zone also includes Maurice’s Cottage and a fountain dedicated to Gaston, as well as the Village Shoppes - La Belle Librairie, Little Town Traders and Bonjour Gifts.

Inside the Beast’s castle, the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast ride will see visitors boarding magical cups that dance to the animated film’s soundtrack.

Tomorrowland will present ‘The Happy Ride with Baymax‘ attraction, based on Disney’s Big Hero 6, which was released in Japan as Baymax.

The Happy Ride with Baymax is the world’s first rotating ride attraction themed to Big Hero 6, and uses the same ride system as Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Alien Swirling Saucers.

‘The Big Pop’, a space-themed popcorn shop, is also heading to Tomorrowland, while Toontown will open a new character greeting experience called Minnie’s Style Studio.

Earlier this year, Oriental Land Co Ltd (OLC),  released its financial results for Q1 2020, revealing that following the temporary closures of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in response to COVID-19, revenue was down 95% amounting to a loss of ¥114.3 billion (US$1.08 billion).

Lower image shows the concept for the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast attraction.