Tokyo Disney Resort Discussion Thread

[Garet]

I think it's going off discussion but i'll try and put a cap on this since Osaka is only a 90 minute flight we've been checking in quite often: The country is very likely to be opening up in the late summer or fall months but it's pointless debating until there's some kind of official announcement.

In terms of this discussion about closed vs not closed, yes tourists still can't go in. Bert is also right that you can go for business through his work. HOWEVER, you need a sponsor and Japan as a culture are pretty respectful of rules. If you've gone on a business visa and someone be it a person or company have put their name and reputation out there by sponsoring you, you're expected to try and be a part of the corona fight by limiting what you are doing to business. I'm sure you could do a trip to TDL while there but your sponsor might not be too impressed.

[jedimaster1227]

Tokyo Disney Resort has announced the debut of Disney Premier Access for two of its most popular attractions, available starting on May 19th, 2022!

http://www.olc.co.jp/en/news/news_olc/auto_20220513546228/pdfFile.pdf 

Tokyo Disney Resort® announced that Disney Premier Access will become available on the official Tokyo Disney Resort® App on May 19, 2022. This new digital service provides guests with the convenience of reserving certain Park attractions by using the app while at Tokyo Disneyland® and Tokyo DisneySea® Parks. By using this new service, guests will have more flexibility, be able to customize their visit, and get the most out of their Disney day.

With Disney Premier Access at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, guests will have the ability to select their preferred time and make reservations to experience attractions. This service, available for a fee, will provide options for how guests experience the Parks, offering convenience and added flexibility for those who want to personalize their experience and get the most out of their visit.

For the two attractions eligible for Disney Premier Access, Standby Pass is suspended starting April 25, 2022. However, guests can still experience these attractions as usual by waiting in line.

The two Parks will continue to operate with the goal of creating a seamless guest experience by reducing the daily capacity to a number lower than before the outbreak of COVID-19, and by introducing innovative services that will empower our guests to enjoy the Parks their way and continue to respond to guest needs.

Disney Premier Access Experiences

• Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast
• Soaring: Fantastic Flight

Price

• 2,000 yen per access - All prices include tax.

The above information is valid as of the date of this release, and is subject to change. - Please check the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Website (https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/) for information about the available date, price, etc., and instructions on the available Disney Premier Access experiences. - Depending on the circumstances and Park operating conditions, Disney Premier Access may not be available for purchase on the day of visit.

Visit https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl/guide/disneypremieraccess.html for more details.

[coasterbill]

This is about $15 for anyone else who was wondering.

This sounds totally worth it to me (well, maybe not for Soarin but I know that ride is ridiculously popular in Japan for some reason).

[Nrthwnd]

^ That's what we're actually planning to do, when we finally get over there in a few years' time.

Run to Soarin' after the rope drop in DisneySea, LOL! Then, park hop, and hustle over to Beauty/Beast Land, etc.

Or hit them on two separate days. That should work, right?  Right???

We miss this. Taken by my David.  At the end of the TPR 2013 Japan Tour.

[Garet]

Quote

After being closed to tourists for two years, Japan is opening its borders to visitors from 98 countries and regions.

It marks the most significant moment so far in the country's slow relaxation of its Covid-19 entry restrictions.

But some restrictions will remain, including a requirement to visit the country as part of a tour group.

Japan implemented some of the world's toughest virus control regimes, and banned foreign visitors from the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Travel restrictions had already been relaxed for foreign residents and business travellers, and the government recently raised the limit on daily foreign arrivals to 20,000 from 1 June.

Since mid-March international students have also been permitted entry.

From 10 June, tour groups will be allowed to enter the country. However the nearly 100 countries and regions, which includes the UK, will be divided into three risk categories - red, yellow and blue - which will determine whether or not visitors can bypass quarantine measures, according to Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Japan has largely remained closed since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a move that has hit the tourism industry hard.

A major part of Japan's economy, tourist arrivals fell more than 90% in 2020 - nearly erasing inbound tourism.

Travel agencies have responded warmly to the news.

"We're continuing to see a lot of interest in visiting Japan despite it being off limits for nearly two years. I'm sure there will be a rush in bookings as soon as borders are fully open." said Zina Bencheikh, managing director of Intrepid Travel.

Other tour operators noted the cost of Japan's closure.

"The Japanese government is being very cautious," said James Greenfield, managing director of Japan Journeys.

"They want the first tourists to enter on guided tours and we're ready to do this and to do whatever is necessary to keep our customers happy and to recoup some income after more than 2 years without any," he said.

Source
Since the discussion about tourist visas happened here I figured I'd post it here. Borders are reopening but you need to go through a tour group for now.

[Nrthwnd]

^ Well, that's a great start.  We want to return to Tokyo Disney Resort in a few years from now.

Hopefully we'll all be able to come back and visit, group or no group.

Way back when. David and me & The TDL Castle, as part of the TPR 2013 Japan Tour.

[Nrthwnd]

Fantasy Springs in DisneySea will be opening "in early 2024"... which is the end of the 2023 Fiscal Year!

So says the recent press release, by the OLC.

Hot damn!

[Nrthwnd]

A couple of recently-taken photos of ongoing construction of Fantasy Springs, in DisneySea. They were taken, from above...

Right now, stuff on the ground is a jumble of metal and "chicken wire" sculpting.  Interesting how everything in DL looks, from here.

Mainly showing the Peter Pan attraction show building. And to it's left, TinkerBell's Ride and a themed eating spot.

Thank you to Sunmz, who took these shots.

[Nrthwnd]

Hey Elissa! Guess what? It's Chip 'n' Dale's 80th Birthday!

And they've got a bunch of souvenirs to celebrate the occasion, at TDL Resort.

https://tdrexplorer.com/chip-n-dale-80th-anniversary-merchandise-at-disney-store-japan/

Have fun deciding what to buy. Thanks to TDRexplorer.com for the great listing of stuff!

It'll all be available from March 14 and 17th at various Tokyo Disney Stores.

[SharkTums]

It's always good to see the rodents get the recognition they deserve. I'm sure no one in the US even knows it's their birthday, let alone a full merchandise line!!!

[Taylor Finn]

Hoping to visit the parks on 8/30 and 8/31. Just trying to figure out when school vacation typically ends to figure out if I should push the visit to the next week! Will plan to get Premier Access for many of the rides if lines seem to warrant it... since we only have a day at each park, we will want to make the most of it.

[SharkTums]

^I googled a few Japan school calendars and it looks like most schools are back in session by your dates. 

[Taylor Finn]

Hey, thanks! I think we've opted to do a Full Day at Tokyo DisneySea and try to squeeze in just a half day (evening) at Tokyo Disneyland. Plan to just hit up a few of the favorites. If we can somehow still get premier pass for Beauty and Beast, great. If not, may not work out.

Just a whole lot of non-amusement park related things to do this time. So, doing my best to strike a balance!

[SharkTums]

^FYI - the big rides with long lines have been closing the line HOURS before park close. =(

Again, hopefully this will be changed and back to normal by the time you go but I tend to doubt it.  Also, B&TB Premier Access sells out in the morning so you would have no chance at that.  I agree to spend more time at Sea than Land, but the parks are very different from how they used to operate so keep that in mind. 

[Taylor Finn]

^Very very helpful information. Won't count on being able to hop in line for things before park close. That's definitely an element of the Tokyo Disney parks that is unfortunate compared to the U.S. parks where you can just get in line 5 minutes before close and extend your day a bit. That, coupled with seemingly earlier close (9:00 PM) might make it difficult to get too, too much done. But we will keep our eyes peeled on how the parks are operating closer to our visit.