Suppose Walt Disney World has essentially the most Byzantine set of insurance policies and protocol for accessing points of interest? Suppose once more. That set of park reservations, digital queues, Genie+ and Lightning Lane guidelines don’t have anything on difficulties of entering into Fantasy Springs, the brand new $2 billion port-of-call that includes Frozen, Peter Pan, and Tangled at Tokyo DisneySea.
The objectives of this submit are two-fold. First, to assist these of you who have already got plans get on as many rides as attainable–hopefully all in a single day. Second, to steer you away from the “ugly” method of accessing Fantasy Springs with cautionary tales about our personal days at DisneySea that have been “suboptimal” due to obsessing over Fantasy Springs.
We’ve been singing the praises of Tokyo DisneySea for over a decade, imploring anybody who will hearken to recapture the Disney magic by visiting Japan. And all of that’s nonetheless true. Maybe not as a lot because it was in 2019, however Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea are nonetheless Disney’s two finest parks on the earth. It’s additionally true that Tokyo Disney Resort has a studying curve, and one which has nothing to do with the language barrier. Whereas a number of the expertise Walt Disney World and Disneyland diehards have discovered will translate, different points are distinctive to TDR.
To that time, it’s additionally price noting that there are different transferring components on prime of merely entering into Fantasy Springs and on points of interest. For instance, though Tokyo Disney Resort doesn’t have park reservations, they do at present solely promote single day tickets–and people promote out prematurely occasionally. As such, we advocate shopping for not less than just a few weeks prematurely. (See Tokyo Disneyland Low cost Ticket Ideas.)
Similar to Walt Disney World and Disneyland, FastPass can be useless at Tokyo Disney Resort. Nonetheless, not like these, there may be nonetheless a free line-skipping possibility–together with a paid one like Lightning Lanes. (See our Information to (Free) Precedence Move & (Paid) Premier Entry at Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea.)
Lastly, though there are not any digital queues in so many phrases, Tokyo Disney Resort does use lotteries (formally generally known as “Entry Request” within the app) for choose character meet & greets and stage exhibits in each parks. You’ll additionally want to make use of the app on sure events to enter outlets (often on/round launch day for seasonal merchandise or Duffy stuff).
All of that is nothing new. Fantasy Springs simply dials it as much as 11, and, in tandem with the whole lot else, there are numerous transferring items to plan round. In any case, let’s begin with a easy clarification of accessing the brand new port-of-call by way of a chart from Tokyo Disney Resort:
To enter Fantasy Springs and luxuriate in the brand new points of interest, a Standby Move (freed from cost entry) or Disney Premier Entry (paid entry) for eligible points of interest in Fantasy Springs will likely be required, along with a legitimate Park ticket for Tokyo DisneySea.
Standby Move is obtainable on the Tokyo Disney Resort App, and company can get hold of a Standby Move freed from cost after getting into Tokyo DisneySea. Visitors are capable of expertise any of the 4 points of interest at Fantasy Springs with a Standby Move. As soon as company get hold of a Standby Move, they’ll be capable of enter Fantasy Springs to discover the brand new space and expertise the chosen attraction at a delegated time.
No matter whether or not you’re attempting to attain free Standby Passes or paying for Premier Entry, we’d advocate prioritizing as follows:
- Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey
- Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey
- Rapunzel’s Lantern Pageant
- Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies
Disney Premier Entry is obtainable for a payment, and company can buy Disney Premier Entry utilizing the Tokyo Disney Resort App after getting into Tokyo DisneySea. Visitors are capable of expertise three points of interest at Fantasy Springs with Disney Premier Entry. Costs are as follows:
- Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey: 2,000 yen
- Rapunzel’s Lantern Pageant: 2,000 yen
- Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey: 2,000 yen
With Disney Premier Entry for an attraction at Fantasy Springs, company are capable of enter Fantasy Springs at a specified time to discover the brand new space and expertise the chosen attraction with a decreased wait time.
In different phrases, Disney Premier Entry is Tokyo Disney Resort’s model of a Lightning Lane and Standby Move is their model of a digital queue. There are distinctive wrinkles to it, however this isn’t all that a lot completely different from driving TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom. The most important distinction is that you just want one of many two issues simply to entry Fantasy Springs in any respect. It’d be like not with the ability to enter Tomorrowland with out exhibiting a digital queue boarding group or particular person Lightning Lane.
As famous, Standby Move or Disney Premier Entry can be found after getting into Tokyo DisneySea. This implies a few issues. First, the already early-arriving crowd now arrives even earlier and camps out ready to enter Tokyo DisneySea. When you’re questioning what time company begin to arrive, sorry, we can not reply that. We’ve by no means–not as soon as–in our decade-plus historical past of visiting Tokyo Disney Resort been among the many first company on the turnstiles. And in all chance, neither will you.
We’ve rope dropped Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea over 100 instances at this level, and by no means have we been on the entrance of the pack. Nearish it, positive, however by no means at it. Primarily based on Japanese social media posts, I’m guessing that the road begins forming round 5 a.m., however that’s only a guess. I’ll by no means discover out firsthand.
The nice (goodish?) information is that you just don’t must completely forgo sleep in your trip to Japan and may as an alternative arrive round 6:30 a.m. In all probability even 7 a.m., or perhaps 7:30 a.m. for those who’re a gambler. Nonetheless, if it have been me and I solely had 1-2 days at Tokyo DisneySea and deliberate on shopping for Premier Entry or scoring a Standby Move, I’d line as much as enter the park no later than 6:30 a.m. Sorry, however that’s merely the best choice.
The opposite excellent news is that Tokyo DisneySea sometimes opens sooner than the printed opening time of 9 a.m. The time varies from each day and is pushed by demand. That is really the case at all Disney and Common theme parks, and is a matter of crowd management and security. They don’t need congestion outdoors the gates to get too dangerous, so early openings occur as a ‘launch valve’ on crowds. That’s additionally why the time is seemingly random. It may very well be 8:09 a.m. in the future and eight:27 a.m. the following.
Earlier than common park opening, there’s additionally Pleased 15 Entry for company of Lodge MiraCosta and Fantasy Springs Lodge, which supplies company of those two on-site motels (and now solely these two on-site motels) quarter-hour of early entry to Tokyo DisneySea. It could seem to be a minor factor, however it’s an enormous benefit–particularly given traces to enter the park.
All of for this reason we borrow a phrase from my military-man father relating to rope dropping TDR: “When you’re technically early to park opening at Tokyo Disney Resort, you’re late.” Very a lot applies right here.
The top results of Tokyo DisneySea opening earlier than its formally printed time and the early-arriving crowd of TDR followers and locals is that each free Standby Passes and paid Premier Entry is offered out earlier than 9 a.m.
Accordingly, you have to arrive early and make your experience reservations the second you scan into the park. There’s a motive everybody stops of their tracks in Aquasphere Plaza to ebook the free Standby Move or purchase Premier Entry–it’s crucial that you just do that earlier than heading to your first attraction of the day. Don’t make the error of attempting to ‘kill two birds with one stone’ by racing to a experience and reserving whereas in line. That’s an okay strategy for Tokyo Disneyland, however not Fantasy Springs.
Right here’s a have a look at when every Fantasy Springs attraction offered out from one among our favourite Tokyo Disney Resort data-tracking accounts:
#ディズニーシー今日の待ち時間
【6/17 曇り時々晴れ】先週よりスタンバイパスの発行終了が早まると同時に、待ち時間が激減しました
昨日のシス調(4時間超え休止)も影響してるのか、明らかに発行数を減らしたかんじです！パーク自体は昨日よりやや混雑し、他のアトラク待ち時間は長めでした pic.twitter.com/AZowPwP5Ai
— Disney Colours – クロロ (@DisneyColorsJp) June 17, 2024
For these of you who’re planning a go to to Tokyo Disney Resort a number of months to a yr down the street, I’d extremely advocate following the Disney Colours account and seeing how these instances change. Whereas it’s true that Fantasy Springs nonetheless has the ‘new port-of-call odor’ proper now and that this may die down, don’t overestimate the extent to which that’ll occur.
TDR followers are essentially the most zealous Disney followers on the planet, and the Japanese seemingly have a far higher tolerance for ready in traces than Individuals. Different compounding components are that pent-up demand remains to be a factor in Japan, Fantasy Springs is unbelievable, proper now isn’t even the busy season at TDR, and Annual Passes/multi-day tickets are each nonetheless suspended.
Suffice to say, we absolutely count on Fantasy Springs to be a difficult land to expertise 5 years from now. (Sure, actually.) The very best comparability I can provide is to Common Studios Japan, the place timed entry remains to be in use for Tremendous Nintendo World and possibly will likely be for some time. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter nonetheless used timed entry for over 5 years after it opened. It wasn’t a every day prevalence, however it did occur. The identical will in all probability be true to some extent for Fantasy Springs in 2027 and perhaps past.
In its official supplies, OLC already notes that “relying on the gang, you might be able to enter [Fantasy Springs] with out utilizing the standby or Disney Premier Entry.” This might imply that, going ahead, Standby Move for getting into the land received’t be turned on till Fantasy Springs hits capability. That is additionally how USJ makes use of timed entry for Tremendous Nintendo World. When you arrive early sufficient, you’ll be able to head proper into the land.
When you’re not an early chook, all hope just isn’t misplaced! Similar to Lightning Lanes, there are experience reservation refills all through the day for the Fantasy Springs points of interest. In our expertise, this happens on a number of the half-hours. We’ve discovered that it’s very hit and miss. For instance, in the future, each single attraction had an enormous refill at 11:30 a.m. with near-immediate returns. On one other, a number of half-hours have been (seemingly) skipped solely. I assume there’s a system used that takes into consideration experience breakdowns, effectivity, and many others.
Nonetheless, like the whole lot else, that is very a lot topic to vary. One large motive for these unannounced drops is to not fully drawback company who don’t arrive early–and never additional encourage that habits resulting in a ‘spiral’ wherein followers present up earlier and earlier as a way to not miss out. As such, it behooves Tokyo Disney Resort to change up the drop instances in order that the facility customers don’t scoop up all of them.
I might implore you to not rely too closely on these experience reservation refills, particularly in case your time at Tokyo DisneySea is restricted. Whereas we have now a number of success tales with this, I wish to as an alternative share a cautionary story. One of many days we did Tokyo DisneySea, we arrived too late for the morning distribution of Standby Passes and Premier Entry. So as an alternative, we performed the refresh sport, having success with the 11:30 a.m. drop for a midday return.
We entered Fantasy Springs instantly, having solely finished 4 points of interest in Tokyo DisneySea previous to then, partially as a result of we’d been enjoying the refresh sport even earlier than 11:30 am. After we did the experience we had booked, we wandered round Fantasy Springs, having fun with the land in between extra cracks on the refresh sport for extra experience reservation refills.
On not less than 5 completely different events, I noticed one thing however was unable to seize it earlier than another person. On the time, a part of me blamed T-Cellular (a pure inclination when something dangerous occurs) for our web connection being too gradual. Then I began trying round on the half-hour, and observed that we very a lot weren’t alone.
Loads of presumably high-knowledge Japanese company with (additionally presumably) succesful web connections have been additionally failing. (On a unique day, we observed that the out of doors seating space for Snuggly Duckling was filled with company doing precisely this. We made two separate visits to the restaurant for drinks that have been virtually two hours aside, and a number of the identical company have been nonetheless sitting there, fixated on their telephones.)
This continued till round sundown once we lastly determined to chop our losses and do different issues in Tokyo DisneySea. (Notice that you may re-enter Fantasy Springs for those who rating one other Standby Move or Premier Entry. The explanations we didn’t depart have been desirous to {photograph} the sundown and never desirous to stroll all the way in which out and again in.)
Level being, we spent about half the day in Fantasy Springs and solely had one experience to indicate for it. I don’t wish to say that point was all wasted–as we did stroll across the land and had enjoyable, however we positively spent method an excessive amount of time fixated on the app once we might’ve simply been having fun with the park.
For us, this wasn’t the tip of the world. We’ve spent a ton of time in Tokyo DisneySea–together with 9 days within the final two months–and “researching” Fantasy Springs was our main focus at this level. For you, the chance value is probably far larger. I can say with full certainty that, regardless of how a lot you’re keen on Fantasy Springs, doing one thing within the different ports-of-call beats refreshing the app in Fantasy Springs. Simply one thing to contemplate earlier than you spend your restricted time glued to your cellphone.
For these with extra money than time, far and away the best choice for accessing the land and its points of interest is the 1-Day Passport: Fantasy Springs Magic. This particular Tokyo DisneySea ticket permits unfettered entry to Fantasy Springs with out getting a Standby Move or buying Disney Premier Entry.
The brand new 1-Day Passport: Fantasy Springs Magic could be bought ONLY by Fantasy Springs Lodge company or these utilizing eligible plans for the Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Bundle. This implies for those who ebook a resort-only reservation for Toy Story Lodge or the MiraCosta, you can not buy the 1-Day Passport: Fantasy Springs Magic. It’s just for Fantasy Springs Lodge or trip package deal company of the opposite motels.
The massive promoting level of the Fantasy Springs Magic Ticket is that it provides open entry to Fantasy Springs and is mainly an limitless FastPass for the points of interest. We wrote about our glorious expertise utilizing this ‘Golden Ticket’ in We Did 20+ Rides in One Day at Fantasy Springs by way of ‘Limitless FastPass.’ The title just about says all of it, however that’s price studying for those who’re on the fence about this ticket.
The Fantasy Springs Magic Ticket is greater than double the price of a standard Tokyo DisneySea ticket, however it provides large peace of thoughts. It allowed us to enter the brand new port-of-call within the first place with out fear. It enabled us to sleep in, as an alternative of getting up on the morning time and being zombies all day. It allowed us to have a carefree day, reasonably than being glued to our telephones.
I’m unsure what the worth of the Fantasy Springs Magic Passport is to us, however positively rather more than we paid for the Trip Bundle. We went from by no means doing the package deal to, at this level, by no means not doing it (not less than till the preliminary pleasure of Fantasy Springs dies down…so like for the following decade?).
One other benefit of the Trip Bundle is that it permits you to enter the eating places (at no cost drinks) with out making a Cellular Order. That is massively advantageous–and a perk that’s flying below the radar. In our estimation, the meals at Fantasy Springs is barely okay…however the themed design is beautiful. So exploring the eating places with out committing to a full meal, and as an alternative consuming elsewhere, is the way in which to go. And you may solely try this with a Trip Bundle.
When you’re touring internationally to expertise Tokyo DisneySea (presumably anybody studying this), making the splurge for the Trip Bundle with a Fantasy Springs Magic Ticket is very really helpful. Actually, I don’t understand how you even learn up to now of the submit and conclude in any other case.
The entire strategies earlier than this could sound anxious…as a result of they’re. They completely could be finished–we did them, a number of instances! However once more, for those who solely have a day or two at Tokyo DisneySea and also you’re flying from america or wherever…do you actually wish to danger it?
The entire motive we booked the Trip Bundle within the first place was as a result of we feared it will take 2-3 days to totally expertise Fantasy Springs with out it. Whereas we ended up not needing the protection web, we didn’t know that getting into. If we needed to do it yet again, we’d once more overpay for the Trip Bundle. With none hesitation by any means. It’s not even a remotely shut name for worldwide vacationers.
One closing advice I’d make, and that is sure to be a controversial one, is reserving Lodge MiraCosta over Fantasy Springs Lodge. Partly, it is a subjective one. We expect Lodge MiraCosta is way nicer and higher themed than Fantasy Springs Lodge. However this isn’t merely primarily based on our preferences.
It’s additionally price noting that the Fantasy Springs Lodge entrance closes promptly at 9 pm. That is one other factor that’s topic to vary–and we hope/assume it would change very quickly with damaging visitor suggestions. If not, meaning company of the resort who plan on staying till the tip of the evening might want to exit out the entrance and take the monorail all the way in which round to get again to their resort.
Strategically, it additionally makes extra sense to ebook Lodge MiraCosta. Since you have already got limitless entry to Fantasy Springs and its points of interest, you don’t want proximity to the land. Having the in-hotel entrance to Fantasy Springs provides completely no benefit. Furthermore, that limitless entry additionally means you must resist the temptation of doing Fantasy Springs first.
Lodge MiraCosta is nearer to the entire different high-demand points of interest in Tokyo DisneySea. That means that for those who’re going to make the most of Pleased 15, you’re popping out forward with the proximity supplied by way of Lodge MiraCosta. Your finest bets are going to be specializing in Hovering Unbelievable Flight, Toy Story Mania, Tower of Terror, or Journey to the Heart of the Earth (in that order). Each single a type of rides is nearer to Lodge MiraCosta.
Lastly, and I can not stress this sufficient, however Lodge MiraCosta is nicer. Possibly you’ve seen some fairly pictures or effusive reward for Fantasy Springs Lodge–which can be tougher to ebook proper now, however that’s attributable to FOMO and the ‘new resort odor.’ (Additionally, there’s an excellent probability the reward you’ve seen is from Westerners who’ve by no means stayed at Lodge MiraCosta–they don’t know what they’re lacking.)
Finally, there are just a few choices for accessing Fantasy Springs and getting on the points of interest, all of which have their very own upsides and disadvantages. Ultimately, I wouldn’t take into account any of those good, dangerous or ugly–they’re all a mixture of all three, relying upon your perspective and the way issues play out throughout your journey.
As might be clear from our enthusiasm, we predict the Trip Bundle is the best choice…however even that has the ugliness of making an inequitable system that considerably benefits these spending the massive bucks and disadvantaging common park company. We used it with a “don’t hate the participant, hate the sport” mentality, however nonetheless hope Tokyo Disney Resort makes efforts to shut the hole on these choices and make entry simpler and with out such a steep studying curve.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Lodge Rankings & Critiques web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Critiques element the place to dine & snack. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash submit. Our What to Pack for Disney submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Metropolis Information to Tokyo, Japan.
YOUR THOUGHTS
How will you try and entry Fantasy Springs and experience the rides? Will you be doing the Tokyo Disney Resort Trip Bundle to effectively expertise the brand new port-of-call? Or will you follow free Standby Move or paid Premier Entry? Ideas on rope dropping Tokyo DisneySea, Fantasy Springs Lodge vs. Lodge MiraCosta, or the rest lined right here? Questioning how any features of visiting work? Interested in crowds or the rest? What do you consider the Peter Pan’s By no means Land, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Frozen Kingdom? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
