How to Enjoy Disneyland After the Pandemic in 2023? Pre-Trip Guide for Ticket Purchase and Fast Pass Lottery
After three years of the pandemic, things have finally eased, and we can feel travelers returning to Japan. During the three pandemic years, Tokyo Disneyland has also undergone some changes. How to draw for fast passes? What preparations should be made before departure?
① Purchase tickets in advance
Currently, Disneyland still has a daily limit on the number of visitors, and tickets cannot be purchased on-site. It is strongly recommended to buy tickets in Taiwan beforehand to ensure a smooth entry. Many platforms in Taiwan (such as KKDAY, KLOOK, etc.) sell Disneyland tickets. After purchase, you can enter directly using the QR code, which is very convenient! You can also check the desired date in advance. Typically, prices on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are slightly higher than on weekdays. If you want to avoid crowds, try to steer clear of Japanese holidays that last three days or more, such as New Year (January), Golden Week (May), and Obon (August). If it coincides with special events like Halloween or Christmas, the crowds will also be larger!
The park opening times also vary each day. Be sure to check the opening time, parade times, and fireworks in advance so you don't miss them! Fireworks and parades are often canceled due to weather or temperature conditions, so please be aware of this.
② Download the official Disney App
Image source: Official website
The app launched by the official Disney website has been around even before the pandemic. For a while, FastPass was changed to require the app for drawing. The official app also allows you to check wait times for each attraction. This app is really convenient, but before the pandemic, not downloading it didn't have a huge impact.
However, after the pandemic, many new features have been opened, and the original FastPass system has been canceled. The three new systems introduced are "Entry Request," "Standby Pass," and "Disney Premier Access (DPA)." There are also map positioning features and product search functions (only available in the Japanese version of the app). All these can only be operated through the app after entering the park. The official app has become an indispensable tool. Remember to turn on your phone's location services to use the app.
How to download the official App
③ Check predicted crowd levels
Image source: Crowd prediction website
If you don't like crowds, it is recommended to use a crowd prediction website before purchasing tickets to decide which day to go to Disneyland. This website judges crowd sizes based on holidays, weather, and temperature. You can clearly see on the calendar that blue and green indicate lighter crowd days, while orange, red, and black indicate extremely heavy crowds. Holidays will also have slightly more people. Although it is not 100% accurate, it can serve as a reference.
New systems after FastPass was removed
Tokyo Disneyland has made many changes to the FastPass drawing system. From the initial use of machines to draw paper FastPasses (which have officially become history) to downloading the official app to draw FastPasses (which has been canceled), Disney after the pandemic not only looks different from the Disney everyone knows, but this year also added a new feature allowing you to purchase FastPasses with money. Let's take a look at these new features.
Image source: Official website
The Entry Request function is a service for specific special shows. Currently, the shows available for Entry Request include: Disney Character Greeting / Mickey's Club Dynamic Rhythm / Mickey's Magical Music World / Mickey's Jolly Jump! Dance Together! Once you apply for Entry Request, you cannot cancel or change the time.
In the English version of the app, tap "My Plan" and then "Entry Request" below. After selecting the show you want to draw for, you can choose your preferred time slot. If the drawing result shows a designated time slot successfully, it means your drawing was successful, and you can go watch the show at your chosen time. If the result shows "We are sorry we could not arrange the experience you requested," unfortunately, it means failure, and you cannot draw for the same show again. You'll have to leave with regret and try again next time.
※ Each guest can apply for Entry Request only once per day per facility.
② Standby Pass
The Standby Pass function is somewhat similar to Entry Request. Standby Pass is a service for certain restaurants and shops. Without a Standby Pass, you will not be able to enter some restaurants and shops. Standby Pass is essentially a numbered ticket. The difference from Entry Request is that there is no restriction on drawing only once per day for the same restaurant or shop. You can also choose a time slot and go accordingly. The drawing method is the same as Entry Request. Standby Pass can be canceled but cannot be changed in time. If you want to change the time, you must first cancel the original reservation and redraw a Standby Pass to select your desired time slot.
However, you cannot draw for two or more facilities consecutively. You need to wait a certain interval (60 minutes) or after using one, you can draw the next. You can have one restaurant and one shop at the same time. The deadlines for issuing Standby Passes vary by shop and restaurant. Please check the official website for details.
③ Disney Premier Access (DPA)
Disney, which used to offer free FastPass draws, has officially opened the path to spending money. For those visiting Japan, every minute and second is precious. In the past, anyone who didn't get a FastPass could only queue up. Wait times for many super popular attractions often start at 120 minutes, and you often end up waiting forever.
Starting in 2023, Disney has introduced the option to purchase FastPasses. Although you may still face the situation where FastPasses for popular attractions sell out quickly, compared to before, the chances of riding your most desired attraction are higher.
The rule for purchasing FastPasses is that one Premier Access pass can only be used to purchase (hold) one attraction and one parade reserved seat at the same time. After 60 minutes from purchase or after using one item, you can purchase the next one. Therefore, it is recommended to prioritize purchasing the attraction you most want to ride to avoid sellouts. Once purchased, it cannot be canceled or changed. Currently, the attractions open for FastPass purchase are:
- Attractions: Baymax's Happy Ride / Beauty and the Beast "Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast" / Splash Mountain
- Parade reserved seats: Boo! Halloween Parade / Disney Harmony in Color / Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights
- Attractions: Soaring: Fantastic Flight / Toy Story Mania! / Tower of Terror / Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Parade reserved seats: Believe! Sea of Dreams
Please check the official website for detailed pricing.
④ Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary Priority Pass (Free FastPass)
The previous machine-drawn FastPass and official app-drawn FastPass are no longer available. They have been replaced by the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass. This is also a way to obtain free FastPasses. After entering the park, use the official app to tap on Priority Pass and it works on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all Priority Passes are taken, you can only queue up. The difference from the paid Premier Access is that you cannot choose your preferred time slot; instead, you must experience the facility during the designated time.
The method to draw a Priority Pass is the same as above. In the official app, under "Priority Pass," select the facility you want to draw. The chosen facility will display a time slot. After confirming, tap "Issue" and show the QR code when entering.
The 40th Anniversary Priority Pass has been implemented since July 26, 2023. It has not yet been announced when this free FastPass service will end. It may be extended or suddenly terminated. It is recommended to check the official website again before your trip.
Although the three years of the pandemic have changed many things, one thing that remains unchanged is that Disney's cute characters will still be waiting for everyone in the land of dreams, bringing joy to all!
