Our Land Exit Survey series is headed back over to Tokyo Disneyland to explore Westernland! Much of it will seem familiar to those who are stateside but some of it will not. Theme parks are made up of sub-sections, generally called lands which is what Westernland is. Since you’re reading a theme parks blog then I’m guessing you probably know that. Many of these lands are spectacular, some are far from it. In this series, we cover individual lands one post at a time and answer some questions about them.

While we won’t be diving incredibly deep into these lands, we’ll provide the basic information about the area and we’ll add in some of our opinions. We’ll also use these posts to talk about theme both throughout the land and within the park. All of the posts will use the same questions. Let us know in the comments if there are questions that we should add!

So far in this series we’ve covered:

• Disney California Adventure: Grizzly Peak and Buena Vista Street
• Disneyland: Mickey’s Toontown, New Orleans Square, and Critter Country
• Magic Kingdom: Fantasyland
• Epcot: Future World West
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Sunset Boulevard and Toy Story Land
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Asia and Pandora – World of Avatar
• Tokyo DisneySea: Mysterious Island and Mediterranean Harbor
• Tokyo Disneyland: World Bazaar

Since we’re covering Tokyo in this one, you’re stuck with just my opinions on this one. Let’s get to it!

What is your short(is)h review of Westernland?

Westernland is the largest of Tokyo Disneyland’s sections and is essentially Frontierland. The Country Bears, great food and Big Thunder make it one of the best lands in all of Tokyo Disneyland.

What’s in the land?

Quite a bit really!

• Big Thunder Mountain – The most popular attraction in the land will feel very familiar and is more or less the same as the other Big Thunders.
• Country Bear Theater – This version of Country Bear Jamboree switches between songs in English and Japanese and is the full version of the attraction, complete with holiday versions.
• The Diamond Horseshoe – A restaurant that typically has live entertainment with it.
• Horseshoe Roundup – This is in the Diamond Horseshoe and is essentially a dinner show (or lunch show) featuring characters from Toy Story!
• Mark Twain Riverboat – The Mark Twain is close to a replica of Disneyland’s and offers a beautiful ride around the river.
• Tom Sawyer Island Rafts – Rafts that run to and from Tom Sawyer Island.
• Westernland Shootin’ Gallery – The classic shooting arcade that is in most Frontierlands around the world.
• Plaza Pavilion Restaurant – Nestled near the hub, this counter-service restaurant serves mostly American food inside of a large white mansion.
• Pecos Bill Cafe – This snack stand serves churros and a delicious pork rice roll!
• Hungry Bear Restaurant – Serving Japanese Curry, this counter-service spot celebrates the Country Bears!
• Camp Woodchuck Kitchen – This cozy counter-service restaurant resides next to some popular meet & greets and the river. It serves sandwiches among other things.
• Happy Camper Supplies – This little shop cart offers Donald Duck merchandise to go along with Camp Woodchuck.
• Frontier Woodcraft – Unique and handmade items are offered at this little shop.
• Western Wear – A large merchandise store that offers western crafts and apparel.
• General Store – This place offers snacks and treats!
• Westernland Picture Parlour – This is a place to get keepsake photos taken? Honestly, I had no idea this existed until right now!
• Trading Post – One of the larger stores in the land, Trading Post offers Disney character merchandise.
• Country Bear Bandwagon – A small merchandise stand that offers headwear and is themed to the Country Bears.

What is Westernland’s backstory and theme?

For all intents and purposes, this is Tokyo Disneyland’s Frontierland. It’s not called that because there isn’t an accurate translation to frontier in the Japanese language, hence Westernland! Guests are placed in the old west and have the entertainment and attractions to prove it. Whether that be singing hokey country songs with bears, riding a steam boat, being jerked around on a mine train or the old west architecture, there is plenty of detail to translate to the theme.

There are a few slight differences to other Frontierlands around the world. Camp Woodchuck is a unique area that is home to Donald Duck and his friends. It has a summer camp and lodge feel to it and is a bit more modern than the rest of the area is designed to look. Westernland’s paths are also wider than what we are used to in Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, likely to fit in more people but it’s a nice change.

What is your favorite part of the land? What’s the most memorable aspect of it?

My favorite part is Country Bear Theater. They show the full Jamboree show at this park and also do the holiday editions. It’s hilarious and a shame that the full version doesn’t exist stateside. Some of it is in Japanese but that doesn’t change how wonderful the experience is. Then you exit into the restaurant and get some curry? That’s a perfect hour right there.

I do understand that not everyone loves the Country Bears like I do so the most memorable aspect is likely Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. It’s an iconic piece of any castle park and is not to be missed. Shoutout to the Mark Twain Riverboat. Catch a ride around sunset and look back toward the castle. It’s sublime.

Are there parts of Westernland you don’t like?

Not really. The wide paths feel strange but I do like them. Camp Woodchuck also has a different vibe but I like the inside of that place and it’s a nice spot to relax at. There’s nothing I actively dislike here.

How does the land coincide and transition with the rest of the park? Does Westernland make the park better or worse?

The transitions are exceptional. Watching the vegetation slowly change as you pass from Westernland into Adventureland is beautiful. Even from the castle hub into Westernland is done with care as the architecture softly changes from Victorian into the old west. With that in mind, along with the extremely high amount of things to do in the land, this section of the park definitely makes Tokyo Disneyland better.

Where would you rank the land in relation to the others in the park?

Tokyo Disneyland doesn’t have a bad land as even Toontown has some charm. Westernland beats out a number of the others based on the amount to do and having the Country Bear, Big Thunder, Mark Twain Riverboat trio. I’ll put the land in third place out of the seven, behind Fantasyland and Adventureland but above Toon, Tomorrowland, World Bazaar and Critter Country.

What do you think of Westernland? Let me know that, as well as any questions, in the comments below! Planning a trip to Tokyo? Check out our guide to help you along the way! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. All of those links are on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!