Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983 and from day one it turned a tremendous success. In the mid 1990s, plans were put in place to expand Tokyo Disneyland from a theme park to a full-fledged resort. The Tokyo Disney Resort grew up around Tokyo Disneyland in a big way. The success of Tokyo Disney Park is unquestionable. For many years, it sat at the top of the list of the world's theme parks in terms of total attendance. One big feature of Tokyo Disneyland Park is that it's big-about 114 acres - compared to Disneyland Park in California, which is 74.2 acres, and the Magic Kingdom in Florida which is 106.3 acres. Despite its larger size, Tokyo Disney has fewer rides and attractions, about 45. Much of the park is open space, seemingly designed to hold as many visitors as possible.
As for the layout of Japan Disney Resort, for the most part, it mirrors its American counterparts. The main entrance leads you up Main Street to a central hub which branches out to the lands of the park. Just like in other Disney theme parks, the centerpiece of the Tokyo Disney Park is a castle - Cinderella Castle. Despite the familiar layout, there are some obvious differences. Main Street, which is called "World Bazaar" here, is covered by a Plexiglas canopy. The steam train doesn't run around the perimeter of the Park, it runs around Adventureland. Frontierland is not called Frontierland, it's called Westernland because there is no translation for the word Frontier in the Japanese language, therefore when Tokyo Disneyland opened one of its original 5 lands was listed as Westernland. There's no New Orleans Square at the Tokyo Disneyland, although there is an area that looks a lot like it but it is basically Adventureland. Fantasyland looks like Disneyland's Fantasyland did in the late 1970s. Tomorrowland is not very futuristic.
One of the wonderful things about Tokyo Disneyland Park is that it is meticulously maintained. The Park is over 20 years old now but you'd never be able to tell, even on close inspection. Rides and attractions are all as close to perfect as can be, both cosmetically and functionally. Walkways, benches, and eating areas are always spotless. Part of it is that the Japanese people help keep their park clean. In Japan it's poor etiquette to walk and eat at the same time; this helps keep walkways free from popcorn and ice cream spills. The cost of admission to the Tokyo Disney parks is less than admission to the Disney theme parks in the United States. Some attractions at Tokyo Disneyland do not exist elsewhere, including Cinderella's Castle Mystery Tour, The Mickey Mouse Revue and several shows. There is also a do-not-miss, spectacularly-themed buffeteria restaurant called Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall.
Tokyo Disneyland Park is very similar to American Disney parks, and it's very different at the same time. Regardless of how many times you have visited Disneyland Park in California or Magic Kingdom in Florida, Tokyo Disneyland Park is different enough that the visit there for the first time will be refreshing and exciting and very much fun.