Disney Halloween 2016
I spent my Halloween weekend (it's apparently a weekend now) at Tokyo Disney Resort. For two weeks of the year, they allow everyone to cosplay Disney characters, and I wanted to go check out the spectacle.
The cosplay went above and beyond anything I'd imagined before going. I knew the level of Japanese cosplay was high, but wow! Even the casual ready bought costumes were worn with such attention and care. There were princesses absolutely everywhere, after a while you got so used to them, that the more popular princesses, no matter how amazing the cosplay was, got a little boring. Seeing the crowds around the actual face characters, with cosplayers desperate to get that perfect picture with "their other half", was particularly amusing. Prince Charming was out and about in Fantasyland, and the line of Cinderellas was truly a sight to behold.
There are strict rules to Disney Halloween's cosplay, I've heard rumours that a lot of cosplayers opt not to go because making sure the costumes fit the rules is a hassle, but looking over the rules, and seeing the costumes that walked around the park this weekend, I don't think the rules are a hindrance at all.
Rule #1, you're only allowed to cosplay Disney characters. But that includes all Disney games and all the live action films. However, Marvel characters are as of yet not allowed. There are still so many possibilities, though.
Rule #2, don't dress up as cast members. Costumes from parades or characters that appear in attractions are fine, but absolutely no cast member costumes. For obvious security reasons, I would say.
Rule #3, respect the character you're dressed up as. Don't give them a bad rep. The illustration they used for this rule cracks me up.
This means that if you want to be Mickey, don't put on a body suit and some shorts. Show some respect, wear actual clothes.
There are also rules about how much skin you're allowed to show. You cannot wear costumes that hide your face (this includes full face make-up that makes it impossible to recognise you), and you cannot bring props that would scare other guests (so fake guns, knives, swords are all out). People found some pretty neat workarounds for the rule about hiding your face, though. Full body costumes where the head of the costume is a hood you can easily take off, hats that twist around, so one side has a hole for your face, the other one has the face of the character (turn the hat around when posing for pictures). The creativity on display was inspirational.
Have some pictures!
I have mentioned that Duffy the Disney Bear is real serious business for Japanese Disney fans, right? Yeah. Also note the group of Disney's Easter bunnies in the background!
Full suit Gelatoni, Duffy's friend! The head was a hood that tipped back! Note that this isn't just a Gelatoni suit, it's Gelatoni wearing Gelatoni's DisneySea 15th Anniversary costume!!
Costumes based on a previous Tokyo DisneySea Halloween event (Mysterious Masquerade). Dressing up as show dancers/characters was surprisingly popular! There was a spectacular group of cosplayers with costumes from this year's Crystal Wishes Journey show, but I was unfortunately unable to get good pictures of them.
Tiana! I think this was the only The Princess and the Frog cosplay I saw at the parks. I chased this poor girl down to take her picture.
Amazing prop work!
Again, not only have they made a full body Daisy costume, it's Daisy's costume from the show A Table is Waiting!!
Oh, not to worry, just the Magic Mirror from Snow White riding Aquatopia.
Indiana Jones, and PACO! I laughed so much at this costume. Paco is a character from the queuing area of the attraction. He appears in the safety video showing guests how to fasten their seat belts.
Magic carpet!
That's actually Donald. AND ANOTHER CUTE EASTER PARADE BUNNY. And a Daisy.
Soooooo many dalmatians. And easter bunnies.
I recommend this hashtag on twitter if you want to see more costumes
I live tweeted my visits. For "live" commentary with some pictures, check out my moments on twitter.
Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo DisneySea
The cosplay went above and beyond anything I'd imagined before going. I knew the level of Japanese cosplay was high, but wow! Even the casual ready bought costumes were worn with such attention and care. There were princesses absolutely everywhere, after a while you got so used to them, that the more popular princesses, no matter how amazing the cosplay was, got a little boring. Seeing the crowds around the actual face characters, with cosplayers desperate to get that perfect picture with "their other half", was particularly amusing. Prince Charming was out and about in Fantasyland, and the line of Cinderellas was truly a sight to behold.
There are strict rules to Disney Halloween's cosplay, I've heard rumours that a lot of cosplayers opt not to go because making sure the costumes fit the rules is a hassle, but looking over the rules, and seeing the costumes that walked around the park this weekend, I don't think the rules are a hindrance at all.
Rule #1, you're only allowed to cosplay Disney characters. But that includes all Disney games and all the live action films. However, Marvel characters are as of yet not allowed. There are still so many possibilities, though.
Rule #2, don't dress up as cast members. Costumes from parades or characters that appear in attractions are fine, but absolutely no cast member costumes. For obvious security reasons, I would say.
Rule #3, respect the character you're dressed up as. Don't give them a bad rep. The illustration they used for this rule cracks me up.
This means that if you want to be Mickey, don't put on a body suit and some shorts. Show some respect, wear actual clothes.
There are also rules about how much skin you're allowed to show. You cannot wear costumes that hide your face (this includes full face make-up that makes it impossible to recognise you), and you cannot bring props that would scare other guests (so fake guns, knives, swords are all out). People found some pretty neat workarounds for the rule about hiding your face, though. Full body costumes where the head of the costume is a hood you can easily take off, hats that twist around, so one side has a hole for your face, the other one has the face of the character (turn the hat around when posing for pictures). The creativity on display was inspirational.
Have some pictures!
I have mentioned that Duffy the Disney Bear is real serious business for Japanese Disney fans, right? Yeah. Also note the group of Disney's Easter bunnies in the background!
Full suit Gelatoni, Duffy's friend! The head was a hood that tipped back! Note that this isn't just a Gelatoni suit, it's Gelatoni wearing Gelatoni's DisneySea 15th Anniversary costume!!
Costumes based on a previous Tokyo DisneySea Halloween event (Mysterious Masquerade). Dressing up as show dancers/characters was surprisingly popular! There was a spectacular group of cosplayers with costumes from this year's Crystal Wishes Journey show, but I was unfortunately unable to get good pictures of them.
Tiana! I think this was the only The Princess and the Frog cosplay I saw at the parks. I chased this poor girl down to take her picture.
Amazing prop work!
Again, not only have they made a full body Daisy costume, it's Daisy's costume from the show A Table is Waiting!!
Oh, not to worry, just the Magic Mirror from Snow White riding Aquatopia.
Indiana Jones, and PACO! I laughed so much at this costume. Paco is a character from the queuing area of the attraction. He appears in the safety video showing guests how to fasten their seat belts.
Magic carpet!
That's actually Donald. AND ANOTHER CUTE EASTER PARADE BUNNY. And a Daisy.
Soooooo many dalmatians. And easter bunnies.
I recommend this hashtag on twitter if you want to see more costumes
I live tweeted my visits. For "live" commentary with some pictures, check out my moments on twitter.
Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo DisneySea