In response to one in every of our (many) posts effusively praising Disney’s greatest theme park on this planet, a reader lately requested whether or not our evaluate remains to be true. They expressed concern primarily based on an enormous variety of unfavourable critiques on TripAdvisor. We appeared, and certain sufficient, they had been right: Tokyo DisneySea has seen an enormous spike in 1-star and 2-star critiques there and on Google.
Tokyo DisneySea nonetheless maintains a decent 4.5 rating common throughout over 6,000 critiques on TripAdvisor and sterling 4.9 on Google with greater than 90,000 critiques. However that really speaks to the issue–the park’s rating remains to be sturdy regardless of an inflow of decrease critiques as a result of, previous to 2020, it was virtually completely receiving 5-star critiques. And with over a decade of these within the financial institution, there’s solely a lot the brand new critiques can drag down the general rating.
It’s a simple arithmetic drawback. The scores arguably exacerbate the problem, too. When you go in anticipating a 4.9/5 expertise and one of many top-ranked points of interest in all of Japan, or learn posts like ours calling Tokyo DisneySea the perfect theme park on this planet, you could be extra inclined to go in with excessive expectations. When your expertise isn’t on par with these critiques, you would possibly depart feeling annoyed and extra disenchanted than when you rolled the cube on a 3.5/5 providing.
So what are the brand new critiques saying? A whole lot of various things. Most typical are complaints about traces, crowds, and wait occasions. I don’t make a behavior of studying Google and TripAdvisor critiques of theme parks, however truthfully, I’d anticipate this to be the #1 grievance about any of them. Nobody likes ready in traces and theme parks have quite a lot of them.
With that mentioned, I believe that the unfavourable critiques for Disney theme parks revolving round wait occasions have been exacerbated by the lack of free FastPass. Though there’s nonetheless a free choice in Precedence Go at Tokyo Disney Resort, it’s not almost as strong as FastPass. Most worthwhile points of interest, particularly these in Tokyo DisneySea, now have paid line-skipping through Premier Go.
Second-most widespread are complaints about accessing Fantasy Springs. Or quite, being denied entry to this new port-of-call that includes Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. That is comprehensible and unsurprising, as Fantasy Springs isn’t open-entry and the rides don’t provide standby traces.
Because of this, Fantasy Springs is exceedingly troublesome to enter. It’s worse than any Walt Disney World or Disneyland attraction to ever use digital queues, Lightning Lanes, and so forth. See Easy methods to Enter Fantasy Springs & Get On Rides: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly Entry Choices for a rundown of methods to achieve entry into the land.
The underside line is that when you merely present up after park opening, there’s a great probability you will be unable to enter Fantasy Springs, not to mention journey any points of interest. We’ve been warning company of this because the new land opened, and can’t over-emphasize sufficient how vital advance planning is for Fantasy Springs. The problem of gaining entry has solely worsened because the land first opened.
Whereas there are different causes for the 1-star critiques, these are the large ones. So to these factors, I wished to share a latest expertise we had at Tokyo DisneySea throughout Christmas 2024…
We arrived on the turnstiles to Tokyo DisneySea over 90 minutes earlier than park opening. Our objective was to get there 2 hours prematurely, however that merely wasn’t attainable with a child. Our unhealthy, I assume? In any case, being skilled TDR company, we’re conscious that the turnstiles sometimes open effectively earlier than the printed park opening time as a launch valve on crowds. So our pondering was that, extra realistically, we’d be ready for lower than an hour outdoors the entrance gates.
Our logic was at the very least partially right. Tokyo DisneySea did open safety, or at the very least, the road started transferring for some purpose or one other, earlier than 8:30 am. (My apologies for not having exact occasions and poor high quality telephone pictures–I used to be not anticipating to put in writing a put up about this. I assumed we had been simply visiting for enjoyable.)
What we didn’t account for, however ought to have, was TDR’s glacially sluggish safety screening. Nor did we think about the truth that a number of makeshift traces had been merging into one for every safety checkpoint, which means that the household with the stroller can be getting handed by different company beforehand behind them as everybody jockeyed for positioning to have a greater shot at moving into Fantasy Springs.
Clearly, that is solely partly TDR’s fault. They’ll management the velocity of their safety however whether or not we use a stroller or not, and whether or not individuals go us, is basically out of their palms. Though I’d contend that having 4 makeshift traces merging into one is unduly tense and destined to lead to a unfavourable expertise for a lot of company, particularly in a aggressive state of affairs when typical Japanese courtesy goes totally out the window.
After what felt like an eternity ready within the direct daylight–fortunately this was not a wet day, because the prior two had been, as the world the place crowds congregate affords no shade nor shelter–we lastly approached safety. Naturally, our stroller or who is aware of what else set off the scanner, necessitating secondary screening that was someway each cursory and time-consuming. (Significantly, I’d by no means try this once more with a stroller–we might’ve been in a a lot better place with out it.)
In any case, we had been inside Tokyo DisneySea by 9:10 am. For these holding rating at house, that’s 10 minutes after official park opening. Certainly this could be sufficient time to attain both paid Premier Entry or free Standby Go for Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey, the perfect attraction in Fantasy Springs, proper?
Improper. On the day we visited Tokyo DisneySea, Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey ran out of each queueing choices by 9:08 am. When you’re incredulous that this might occur so rapidly, I’d encourage you to seek the advice of the @_fantasysprings fan account that tracks knowledge for Standby Go and Premier Entry availability. This journey is recurrently operating out earlier than 9:30 am–generally even earlier than official park opening.
It would look like we simply barely missed it, and thus ought to’ve merely tried to reach barely earlier the following day or thrown sharper elbows to the company who handed us in line. However in actuality, it wasn’t that shut in any respect. As quickly as we bought contained in the park, I attempted to purchase/guide one in every of these passes. Sadly, my telephone had inadequate sign and, regardless of a heavy reliance on the app, Tokyo Disney Resort doesn’t provide WiFi.
A few app crashes and transferring to part of Mediterranean Harbor with superior cell service later, and I used to be in a position to entry free Standby Go and Premier Entry. At the moment, each Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies had Standby Go availability. For no matter it’s value, By no means Land Journey is an unimaginable attraction, virtually on par with Frozen Journey. If this journey is your “ticket” into Fantasy Springs, you’re not doing too poorly!
If it had been simply me, I’d’ve been completely proud of By no means Land Journey. However Sarah had points with movement illness on that beforehand and we’re a household with a small little one, in order that made By no means Land Journey a no-go. We opted for Busy Buggies, which punches above its weight and offered us the requisite entry into Fantasy Springs. Pretty much as good as that journey is for what it’s, we positively wouldn’t have arrived over an hour and a half early and handled the tense pre-park opening entry course of.
Within the curiosity of stability, arriving so early did imply we had been in a position to to have our decide of the free Precedence Passes, and it’s generally the case that arriving later means getting shut out of Indiana Jones Journey. So at the very least there’s that. I rapidly booked us for that attraction. I then tried my hand at all the present lotteries, and failed at each single one.
We additionally had our decide of Premier Entry choices outdoors of these in Fantasy Springs. Once more, within the curiosity of equity, if we had been regular company who go to occasionally, we might’ve purchased a pair. Journey to the Middle of the Earth, Hovering: Implausible Flight, and Tower of Terror all would’ve been “value it” for the 90 minute to 210 minute traces they skipped. Having a toddler, we opted towards these.
Even round 9:30 am, most headliner points of interest already had wait occasions above 90 minutes, so we opted for one in every of our favourite points of interest–the Venetian Gondolas. The wait was fully manageable and the expertise was implausible. Most of our morning can be occupied doing transportation points of interest–most likely not everybody’s concept of a great time, however we had been completely joyful.
After one in every of these, we headed over to the Broadway Music Theatre to see if there was standby/overflow seating for Huge Band Beat: A Particular Deal with. For these unfamiliar with this present, it’s the COVID modified model of the swinging jazz revue at Tokyo DisneySea. The complete present is implausible–one of many biggest items of stay leisure Disney has ever produced. The modified model is okay, however doesn’t maintain a candle to the true factor. (Notice: our go to was in Late 2024, not 2021–COVID closures and modifications are nonetheless a factor at TDR.)
Anyway, we had been knowledgeable that standby/overflow seating is now not out there–the one choices are the Entry Request lottery, which we misplaced, or the brand new Premier Entry. We’d’ve perhaps thought-about paying for the complete present, however Tokyo Disney Resort charging for seating–and having no different choice–at a COVID modified present within the 12 months 2024 is simply past the pale. At this level, I used to be getting greater than somewhat annoyed at my favourite place on earth, however that was the top of our points for the day.
The remainder of our day at Tokyo DisneySea was very satisfying. That is partially as a result of we’re skilled company and minimized friction. We knew to put Cell Orders early and make noon desk service restaurant reservations, avoiding buffeterias and snack stands that are inclined to have lengthy traces. We went deep into the park whereas it was nonetheless pretty early, carrying out a good quantity earlier than traces constructed at these points of interest.
We additionally knew not to trouble with extra Standby Passes and Premier Entry for Fantasy Springs. For what it’s value, there are ‘drops’ all through the day at which occasions extra availability is added. We’ve scored spots this fashion previously. The issue, at the very least for us, is that our web is sluggish all through a lot of the park, which makes this tedious and irritating.
The final time we did this, I felt like my head was buried in my telephone for a great chunk of the day as I used to be preoccupied refreshing the app. Though I got here up empty many occasions, I used to be in a position to rating Standby Passes for each By no means Land Journey and Frozen Journey. Whether or not that was definitely worth the display time is debatable.
For this journey, we made the judgment name that it was not–therefore the early arrival within the first place versus simply winging it with Fantasy Springs drops all through the day. We had been there to get pleasure from time as a household, see our daughter’s response to Sindbad and Chandu, let her play in Mermaid Lagoon, take transportation rides, and so forth. All issues that we completed with ease, even on a fairly busy day when the headliners averaged wait occasions of ~120 minutes.
Talking of which, I might’ve even performed a headliner (on my own) on the finish of the night time! Sarah and Megatron left early, leaving me with the chance to leap into 90 minute traces for Journey to the Middle of the Earth or Hovering: Implausible Flight. Sadly, I couldn’t do that with 1 minute on the clock, as you possibly can within the U.S. parks, as a result of TDR now cuts the traces when the wait time plus the present time kind of corresponds with park closing. (It’s not exact.)
In reality, I did briefly soar into that 90 minute line for JTTCOE earlier than seeing how backed up the standby line was and noticing the regular stream of Premier Entry company. At that time, I noticed the wait time most likely wasn’t inflated, and I didn’t “want” to do Journey to the Middle of the Earth badly sufficient to endure an hour and a half wait on my own. I’d quite stroll round and absorb the unimaginable environment of Tokyo DisneySea at Christmas.
In the end, our day at Tokyo DisneySea was irritating however, in the long run, very enjoyable and memorable (principally for the appropriate causes). It began off on the mistaken foot and, for that purpose, we opted towards even bothering with rope drop of Fantasy Springs for the remainder of the journey. Because of this, our experiences had been even higher on subsequent days, and that was regardless of moderate-to-high crowd ranges. If I had been reviewing our go to, it nonetheless would’ve been 5-stars. Okay, perhaps 4.5-stars.
After all, as you’ve most likely been in a position to collect, our circumstances are pretty distinctive. We’re former Tokyo Disney Resort Annual Passholders and have performed every little thing within the park many occasions. At this level, merely being there is nearly sufficient for us. We’re additionally ‘path of least resistance’ individuals, so if one thing is clearly going to be an issue or tense, our method is avoidance.
To wit, if we had that rope drop to do over once more, our answer wouldn’t be to reach even earlier–it might be not doing it in any respect. Due to this, I virtually hesitated to even share this story, because it sounds a bit like entitled whining. Hopefully that’s not the way it comes throughout, as our objective is informing–so you recognize what to anticipate when you go to and may alter your plans and expectations accordingly.
The rationale I’m sharing is as a result of, if we had been first-timers, our ‘evaluate’ of that day in Tokyo DisneySea be completely completely different. It might’ve been beginning the day on a bitter observe, and doubtlessly ready in a bunch of lengthy traces or shopping for our manner out of them. It might’ve meant committing time to enjoying the refresh sport for Frozen Journey, or giving up and savoring the environment. It most likely would’ve meant not having the information or experience to keep away from pitfalls and friction.
Perhaps we might’ve nonetheless been so blown away by the lavish themed design and lavish consideration to element, and nonetheless given the park a 4 to 5-star evaluate, however I’m truthfully unsure. What I do know is that it might’ve been a pointy distinction to our first day within the park over a decade in the past, after we immediately fell in love with Tokyo DisneySea. Different Disney diehards not having a comparable expertise and falling in love with the world’s greatest theme park–when it’s firing on all cylinders and working usually–is why I’m nonetheless reticent to enthusiastically endorse a go to to Tokyo Disney Resort in 2025.
The excellent news is that the entry course of for Fantasy Springs is nearly definitely altering in Spring 2025. Nonetheless, the core drawback of a supply-demand imbalance will persist, because it’s not like switching from a digital queue to standby will alter capability. What Tokyo DisneySea wants–like a 12 months in the past–is extra leisure, longer hours, and higher staffing to assist absorb the present crowds. Right here’s hoping all of that occurs, however Tokyo Disney Resort’s torpid tempo to revive normalcy–whilst crowds explode–isn’t reassuring.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the perfect 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 save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash put up. Our What to Pack for Disney put up takes a singular take 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
When you’ve visited Tokyo DisneySea since 2020, has your expertise been constructive? When you visited each earlier than and after 2020, did the post-COVID go to measure as much as the earlier one? What are your ideas on accessing Fantasy Springs and driving the rides? Have you ever been shut out of the brand new Peter Pan, Tangled, and Frozen land or had been you simply in a position to entry it? Ideas on rope dropping Tokyo DisneySea, traces for safety or the doorway, or the rest lined right here? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
