Why Disney’s #1 Park is Getting 1-Star Evaluations

In response to certainly one of our (many) posts effusively praising Disney’s greatest theme park on the earth, a reader lately requested whether or not our evaluation continues to be true. They expressed concern based mostly on an enormous variety of unfavorable opinions on TripAdvisor. We regarded, and positive sufficient, they have been appropriate: Tokyo DisneySea has seen an enormous spike in 1-star and 2-star opinions there and on Google.

Tokyo DisneySea nonetheless maintains a decent 4.5 rating common throughout over 6,000 opinions on TripAdvisor and sterling 4.9 on Google with greater than 90,000 opinions. However that truly speaks to the issue–the park’s rating continues to be sturdy regardless of an inflow of decrease opinions as a result of, previous to 2020, it was virtually completely receiving 5-star opinions. And with over a decade of these within the financial institution, there’s solely a lot the brand new opinions can drag down the general rating.

It’s a simple arithmetic downside. The scores arguably exacerbate the difficulty, too. For those who 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 most effective theme park on the earth, you could be extra inclined to go in with excessive expectations. When your expertise isn’t on par with these opinions, you may depart feeling annoyed and extra upset than if you happen to rolled the cube on a 3.5/5 providing.

So what are the brand new opinions saying? Loads of various things. Most typical are complaints about traces, crowds, and wait occasions. I don’t make a behavior of studying Google and TripAdvisor opinions of theme parks, however truthfully, I’d count on this to be the #1 criticism about any of them. Nobody likes ready in traces and theme parks have a number of them.

With that stated, I believe that the unfavorable opinions 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 relatively, being denied entry to this new port-of-call that includes Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. That is comprehensible and unsurprising, as Fantasy Springs is just not open-entry and the rides don’t supply standby traces.

Because of this, Fantasy Springs is exceedingly tough to enter. It’s worse than any Walt Disney World or Disneyland attraction to ever use digital queues, Lightning Lanes, and so forth. See The best way to Enter Fantasy Springs & Get On Rides: Good, Unhealthy & Ugly Entry Choices for a rundown of find out how to acquire entry into the land.

The underside line is that if you happen to merely present up after park opening, there’s likelihood you will be unable to enter Fantasy Springs, not to mention experience any points of interest. We’ve been warning friends of this for the reason that 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 for the reason that land first opened.

Whereas there are different causes for the 1-star opinions, 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 purpose was to get there 2 hours upfront, however that merely wasn’t doable with a child. Our unhealthy, I suppose? In any case, being skilled TDR friends, we’re conscious that the turnstiles usually open properly earlier than the printed park opening time as a launch valve on crowds. So our considering was that, extra realistically, we’d be ready for lower than an hour exterior the entrance gates.

Our logic was not less than partially appropriate. Tokyo DisneySea did open safety, or not less than, the road started shifting for some cause or one other, earlier than 8:30 am. (My apologies for not having exact occasions and poor high quality telephone images–I used to be not anticipating to write down a put up about this. I believed we have 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 consider the truth that a number of makeshift traces have been merging into one for every safety checkpoint, which means that the household with the stroller can be getting handed by different friends beforehand behind them as everybody jockeyed for positioning to have a greater shot at stepping into Fantasy Springs.

Clearly, that is solely partly TDR’s fault. They will 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 fingers. Though I’d contend that having 4 makeshift traces merging into one is unduly disturbing and destined to end in a unfavorable expertise for a lot of friends, 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 realm 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 in some way each cursory and time-consuming. (Severely, I’d by no means try this once more with a stroller–we’d’ve been in a a lot better place with out it.)

In any case, we have been inside Tokyo DisneySea by 9:10 am. For these protecting rating at residence, that’s 10 minutes after official park opening. Certainly this might be sufficient time to attain both paid Premier Entry or free Standby Go for Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey, the most effective attraction in Fantasy Springs, proper?

Fallacious. On the day we visited Tokyo DisneySea, Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey ran out of each queueing choices by 9:08 am. For those who’re incredulous that this might occur so shortly, I’d encourage you to seek the advice of the @_fantasysprings fan account that tracks information for Standby Go and Premier Entry availability. This experience is recurrently operating out earlier than 9:30 am–typically even earlier than official park opening.

It would appear to be we simply barely missed it, and thus ought to’ve merely tried to reach barely earlier the subsequent day or thrown sharper elbows to the friends who handed us in line. However in actuality, it wasn’t that shut in any respect. As quickly as we acquired contained in the park, I attempted to purchase/ebook certainly one of these passes. Sadly, my telephone had inadequate sign and, regardless of a heavy reliance on the app, Tokyo Disney Resort doesn’t supply WiFi.

A few app crashes and shifting to part of Mediterranean Harbor with superior cell service later, and I used to be capable of 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 unbelievable attraction, virtually on par with Frozen Journey. If this experience is your “ticket” into Fantasy Springs, you’re not doing too poorly!

If it have been simply me, I’d’ve been completely pleased with 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 supplied us the requisite entry into Fantasy Springs. Nearly as good as that experience is for what it’s, we undoubtedly wouldn’t have arrived over an hour and a half early and handled the disturbing pre-park opening entry course of.

Within the curiosity of stability, arriving so early did imply we have been capable of to have our decide of the free Precedence Passes, and it’s typically the case that arriving later means getting shut out of Indiana Jones Journey. So not less than there’s that. I shortly 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 exterior of these in Fantasy Springs. Once more, within the curiosity of equity, if we have been regular friends who go to sometimes, we’d’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 certainly one of our favourite points of interest–the Venetian Gondolas. The wait was fully manageable and the expertise was improbable. Most of our morning can be occupied doing transportation points of interest–in all probability not everybody’s concept of time, however we have been completely completely satisfied.

After certainly one of these, we headed over to the Broadway Music Theatre to see if there was standby/overflow seating for Massive 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 total present is improbable–one of many best items of stay leisure Disney has ever produced. The modified model is ok, however doesn’t maintain a candle to the true factor. (Be aware: our go to was in Late 2024, not 2021–COVID closures and modifications are nonetheless a factor at TDR.)

Anyway, we have been knowledgeable that standby/overflow seating is not accessible–the one choices are the Entry Request lottery, which we misplaced, or the brand new Premier Entry. We might’ve perhaps thought-about paying for the total present, however Tokyo Disney Resort charging for seating–and having no different choice–at a COVID modified present within the yr 2024 is simply past the pale. At this level, I used to be getting greater than slightly 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 gratifying. That is partly as a result of we’re skilled friends 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, engaging in an honest quantity earlier than traces constructed at these points of interest.

We additionally knew not to problem 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 prior to now. The issue, not less than 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 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 capable of 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 have been there to take pleasure in 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 accomplished a headliner (on my own) on the finish of the evening! 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’ll be able to 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 actual fact, I did briefly leap 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 friends. At that time, I spotted the wait time in all probability 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 relatively stroll round and take in the unbelievable environment of Tokyo DisneySea at Christmas.

In the end, our day at Tokyo DisneySea was irritating however, ultimately, very enjoyable and memorable (principally for the proper causes). It began off on the flawed foot and, for that cause, we opted towards even bothering with rope drop of Fantasy Springs for the remainder of the journey. Because of this, our experiences have been even higher on subsequent days, and that was despite moderate-to-high crowd ranges. If I have been reviewing our go to, it nonetheless would’ve been 5-stars. Okay, perhaps 4.5-stars.

After all, as you’ve in all probability been capable of collect, our circumstances are pretty distinctive. We’re former Tokyo Disney Resort Annual Passholders and have accomplished every part within the park many occasions. At this level, merely being there is sort of sufficient for us. We’re additionally ‘path of least resistance’ individuals, so if one thing is clearly going to be an issue or disturbing, our strategy is avoidance.

To wit, if we had that rope drop to do over once more, our resolution 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 purpose is informing–so you recognize what to anticipate when you go to and may modify your plans and expectations accordingly.

The rationale I’m sharing is as a result of, if we have been first-timers, our ‘evaluation’ of that day in Tokyo DisneySea be completely completely different. It could’ve been beginning the day on a bitter be aware, and doubtlessly ready in a bunch of lengthy traces or shopping for our method out of them. It could’ve meant committing time to enjoying the refresh sport for Frozen Journey, or giving up and savoring the environment. It in all probability would’ve meant not having the data or experience to keep away from pitfalls and friction.

Perhaps we’d’ve nonetheless been so blown away by the lavish themed design and indulgent consideration to element, and nonetheless given the park a 4 to 5-star evaluation, however I’m truthfully undecided. 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 sort of actually altering in Spring 2025. Nevertheless, the core downside 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 yr in the past–is extra leisure, longer hours, and higher staffing to assist take in the present crowds. Right here’s hoping all of that occurs, however Tokyo Disney Resort’s torpid tempo to revive normalcy–at the same time as crowds explode–is just not reassuring.

Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Resort Rankings & Evaluations web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Evaluations 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 novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Metropolis Information to Tokyo, Japan.

YOUR THOUGHTS

For those who’ve visited Tokyo DisneySea since 2020, has your expertise been constructive? For those who 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 using the rides? Have you ever been shut out of the brand new Peter Pan, Tangled, and Frozen land or have been you simply capable of entry it? Ideas on rope dropping Tokyo DisneySea, traces for safety or the doorway, or the rest coated right here? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!