Comprehensive Guide to Tokyo Disney Premier Access

As someone who has visited Tokyo Disneyland before and after the pandemic, I have some tips for saving time and money and making the most of your trip. I’ve experienced two very different yet beautiful versions of Tokyo Disney, and I can’t wait to share all my tips and tricks with you.

Tokyo Disney is one of Japan’s top tourist attractions, meaning long lines are guaranteed no matter what time of the week or year you go! Thankfully, Tokyo Disney Premier Access helps you minimize wait times and maximize memories! All without breaking the bank!

If you are familiar with Disney parks in the U.S., then Disney Premier Access is comparable to the a la carte Lightning Lane access that is available at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, but better.

Don’t come at me for saying that, but as an avid Disney parkgoer, I do believe that the Tokyo Disney Premier Access is far superior to the Lightning Lane access and Genie+ system that was created for the US.

In this post, we will discuss Tokyo Disney Premier Access, a pay-per-attraction service offered at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. We will also explain how much it costs, how to purchase it, what rides qualify, and more.

Tokyo Disney’s Premier Quick Cost Breakdown:

Disneyland Attraction	Cost
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast	¥2,000
The Happy Ride with Baymax	¥1,500
Splash Mountain	¥1,500
Disney Harmony in Color	¥2,500
Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade	¥2,500
Minnie @ Funderland	¥2,500

DisneySea Attraction	Cost
Soaring: Fantastic Flight	¥2,000
Toy Story Mania!	¥2,000
Tower of Terror	¥2,000
Journey to the Center of the Earth	¥1,500
Believe! Sea of Dreams	¥2,500

For information about rides and attractions at Tokyo Disneyland, check out these posts;
Tokyo Disneyland Rides and Attractions
Tokyo DisneySea Rides and Attractions

At the end of this post, I will give my honest review and experience that I had using the Disney Premier Access at both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea to have the ultimate trip. Service, and my best tips for the service. So let’s get right to it!

What is Tokyo Disney Premier Access?

In its simplest form, the Tokyo Disney Premier Access is a paid service, where you pay per ride to have shorter wait times for some of the more popular rides and shows.

This new system replaced the old paper fastpass system that they had until the pandemic closures. Making it easier for guests to get shorter wait times for their favorite attractions.

If you’ve never powerwalked across a Disney park to get to the free paper FastPass for an attraction, you probably won’t understand how nice and convenient this system is!

Selecting and purchasing the attractions you want is all done through the Tokyo Disneyland app!

Purchasing Tokyo Premier Access for rides allows you to get shorter wait times for the more popular attractions. And when you purchase Premier Access for a show or parade, you get designated Premier Access seating.

Although Tokyo Disney doesn’t allow you to purchase Premier Access for many rides, it works towards popular and exclusive attractions.

Personal Tip: When you purchase Tokyo Disney Premier Access for rides, you get to select a time you wish to enjoy the attraction. Space out the rides so you can do other rides (not through) Premier Access.

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How does Tokyo Disney Premier Access work?

Thankfully, purchasing and using Tokyo Disney Premier Access is really simple! I personally was impressed with how easy it was to use.

Tokyo Disney recommends you get the Tokyo Disney App for Premier Access (and so do I). It makes purchasing easy while taking a snack break or waiting in line.

If you’re worried about a language barrier, don’t worry, the Tokyo Disney App is available in English for both Apple and Android phones.

To download the Tokyo Disney App from the Apple Store; click here.
To download the Tokyo Disney App from the Google Play Store; click here.

Once you select and purchase the attraction you want, it will be listed under your plans in the app.

When it is time to use your pass, you will be allowed to ‘redeem’. This redemption is a QR code that is scanned at the Premier Access attraction entrance.

That’s it. It’s that simple! And very similar to the Genie+ or Lightning Lane services offered at the Disney parks in the U.S.

How to Buy Tokyo Disney Premier Access:

Through The App

On the home page, there is an option for Disney Premier Access under the ‘My Plan’. This only shows up after you’ve selected a park when the app opens.

Once you enter the Disney Premier Access area, you want to select all group member tickets.

Note: You really don’t have to have everyone’s tickets linked to one Tokyo Disney App, however, it can make it easier to ensure everyone gets the same time slot for an attraction.

Expert tip: In the app, it won’t let you select Tokyo Disney Premier Access if your tickets haven’t been scanned into the park for the day!

With all party guest tickets selected, you then get to select the attraction and time you want. If there are no available selections for that attraction, it will be listed under a greyed-out ‘Unavailable’ section at the bottom.

After selecting the experience and time, you will be guided to double-check all the details and confirm that they are all accurate.

Once everything is confirmed and you pay for the Premier Access, the time and attraction you selected will be listed under ‘my plan’ in the app.

Personal Tip: I highly recommend downloading the app prior to your trip to Japan. Create your account and get familiar with how to use the app before you get to Tokyo Disney. This will just save you so much time!

In Person

If you have difficulties purchasing Disney Premier Access in the app, there is a way to purchase in person.

This is an option if you have card issues, which I ran into, or if you just don’t wish to store your credit card information in the app. It is also a good option if you wish to pay cash for the day too.

To do so, you will need to make sure you purchase each Premier Pass in person at each park. The best way to save time is to buy the ones you want first as you enter the park.

Where To Buy Tokyo Premier Pass

I highly recommend if you are going to purchase your Premier Access Pass in person, to do so right after you enter the park for the day, as the areas to purchase the passes in person are by the front entrance.

If your plan is to enjoy a ride or two first and then get Premier Access Passes to various other rides, then prepare for a potential line when waiting to buy.

How to buy Tokyo Disneyland Premier Access

In Tokyo Disneyland, you can purchase in person at Main Street House. Main Street house is by the front gates of the park, on the left-hand side. Just before you enter the World Bazaar.

How to buy DisneySea Premier Access

In Tokyo DisneySea, you can purchase in person at Guest Relations. Guest Relations is by the front of the park to the left and right as you walk in through the gates. In the giant area by the rotating globe.

These are the only locations where you can purchase access in person. There usually is a bit of a wait, so be sure to take that into consideration when planning.

When to buy Disney Premier Access Tokyo?

Now you might be thinking that Disney Premier Access for Tokyo Disney sounds like the perfect addition for your trip. So when do you buy it?

As much as I’d love to say you can purchase the Premier Access when you purchase your tickets to the park, that isn’t the case.

Tokyo Disney has strict rules about only purchasing Premier access AFTER your tickets have been scanned into the park (regardless of whether it’s Disneyland or DisneySea).

Now, from my own personal experience, even if you purchase Tokyo Disney Premier Access in person, you will still need the app with your tickets linked.

Once the premier passes are purchased, the cast member scans your tickets from the app. Then they refresh your app to ensure that the purchase is listed under your plans.

Again, you can download the app here for Apple or here for Android.

I cannot say for certain, but I have read if you don’t have the app and you purchase the Tokyo Disney Premier Access in person, they should give you a physical access pass that has a QR code to be scanned at the attraction. I believe this is a pretty unpopular option, as I didn’t see anyone with a paper Disney Premier Access during my time.

How much does Tokyo Premier Access cost?

Each attraction and show is priced differently. Therefore the cost of Tokyo Premier Access depends on which attraction or show you select.

The typical cost of the attraction/show can range between ¥1,500 – ¥2,500 per person each time. On average, you can expect to pay about ¥2,000 per person each time.

I listed the prices in Japanese Yen (JPY), so that you can do the current conversion to your home currency. As the conversion rates often fluctuate, it didn’t seem right to list them in USD.

For the full breakdown of the cost of each attraction or show available through the Disney Premier Access, see below.

Tokyo Disney Premier Access at Tokyo Disneyland

Here is a breakdown of all the rides and attractions that are available at Tokyo Disneyland with Disney Premier Access. As mentioned previously, there are only a few rides and shows at Tokyo Disneyland that offer Disney Premier Access.

But check back prior to your trip, as I will keep this post updated, so if any additional attractions or shows become available with Disney Premier Access, they will be listed.

Attractions:
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast – ¥2,000
The Happy Ride with Baymax – ¥1,500
Splash Mountain – ¥1,500

Parade/Shows:
*Minnie at Funderland – 2,500
Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade – 2,500
Disney Harmony in Color – 2,500

*Only available from January 10 – March 19, 2024

Tokyo Disney Premier Access at Tokyo DisneySea

The following are the shows and attractions that are available for guests to purchase Disney Premier Access. There are currently four attractions and one show that is available for guests.

Just because a lot isn’t offered, doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth investing a little in seeing the attraction to save time!

Attractions:
Soaring: Fantastic Flight – ¥2,000
Toy Story Mania! – ¥2,000
Tower of Terror – ¥2,000
Journey to the Center of the Earth – ¥1,500

Shows:
Believe! Sea of Dreams – ¥2,500

Disclaimer: the prices of Disney Premier Access for both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea can change at any point. I will do my best to keep the information here updated and relevant.

Tokyo Disney Premier Access Rules

Obviously there are some important rules that must be known prior to using Tokyo Disney Premier Access. These rules are important to know so you can make the most of the Premier Access.

These are the official rules of Tokyo Disney Premier Access and can be found on the Tokyo Disneyland Website.

The Disney Premier Access is purchased in addition to the regular general admission ticket that is needed to enter the park.
Every guest with a park ticket has the option (not mandatory) to purchase Premier Access to the select rides that are available.
Every guest within a group will need to purchase their own Premier Access to the attraction desired.
Disney Premier Access cannot be shared or transferred.
After the purchase of an attraction, guests will have to wait 60 minutes (or after the start of the Disney Premier Access time starts)
Guests are allowed to purchase Disney Premier Access for an attraction multiple times within a day
Guests cannot purchase Disney Premier Access until they have entered a Disney Park for the day.

These rules are pretty straightforward and self-explanatory. And are designed to benefit the guests and ensure that they have the best experience.

If you are a tourist visiting Tokyo Disneyland, don’t try to take advantage of these rules or services that are offered. Be kind, and follow the rules.

After using the Disney Premier Access myself, there are a few notes that I would like to add to these rules. My notes are not to replace these rules but to help give a little bit more insight.

Everyone who wants Premier Access for an attraction needs to purchase their own pass. There is no sharing of Premier Access or purchasing one for the group.

However, if you have all of the tickets linked on one phone, you can select the tickets that you wish to get Premier Access (Just like in the U.S.). This makes it easier and ensures that everyone in your party will be in the same time slot.

Tickets cannot be scanned for Premier Access prior to being scanned at the front gates.

On my second Tokyo Disney day, I thought I would save even more time by purchasing Disney Premier Access while waiting in line to enter. I was notified with a ‘Please use this feature at the park’.

However, once my ticket was scanned at the front gates, I was able to make a Premier Access selection. There is no way to scan your tickets prior to the front gates scanning them.

Is Tokyo Disney Premier Access Worth It?

If you are on vacation in Japan, you want to make the most of your time. This is why I highly recommend purchasing Tokyo Disney Premier Access for those rides or shows that you don’t want to miss.

In other words, Yes! Tokyo Disney Premier Access is definitely worth it!

Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea are not exempt from the infamous long Disney wait times. Attractions lines can sometimes take hours to get through!

I wish I was exaggerating when I say that I’ve waited over 200 minutes for an attraction at Tokyo DisneySea!

If you can create a rough plan to utilize Disney Premier Access, it is worth experiencing attractions without waiting in such long lines. Disney Premier Access really helps you get through some of those longer lines, allowing you to experience more attractions while in the parks.

My Experience Using Tokyo Disney Premier Access

My last trip to Tokyo Japan included a few days visiting Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. This was my first trip to Tokyo Disney where Premier Access was available.

And I have to say that purchasing Tokyo Disney Premier Access was absolutely worth it!

As someone who has spent multiple days at Tokyo Disney, I cannot stress enough how precious time is. There is so much to see and experience in each park, it is like time flies by twice a fast (especially if you suffer from jetlag).

My group and I were able to nearly walk onto every attraction that we purchased Premier Access for! Now I cannot guarantee that it will be the same when you have your visit, but it definitely cut back hours of waiting!

The only downside to Tokyo Disney Premier Access was that on my phone through the app, I was only able to make one purchase a day. For the other attractions that we wanted Premier Access to, I had to go in person to purchase.

Now I am not sure if this was an operator error or if it is an error in the app, or what. But honestly, it wasn’t that much of a hassle to purchase the additional access in person. It was still worth it.

My only regret with Tokyo Disney Premier Access is that I wish we had purchased the access for Believe! Sea of Dreams when we had the chance. As it is a Tokyo Disney Exclusive show that is really incredible.

We were able to see parts of the show, but the view that we had was not ideal, and there were a lot of people everywhere around us trying to get a good view. Which I totally get!

How much is FastPass at Disneyland Tokyo?

In 2020, Tokyo Disneyland got rid of the FastPass system that was in place. It very much was similar to the free FastPass system that was established in the U.S. Disney Parks.

Since then, Tokyo Disneyland has released Disney Premier Access (it’s called the same in Disneyland Paris). This is very similar to the now Genie+ services which are available in the U.S. Disney Parks today.

What does Disney Premier Access include?

Tokyo Disney Premier Access includes either entrance to a shorter line for select attractions or a designated seating area for shows.

How do you skip lines at Tokyo Disney?

There is no real way to “skip lines” at Tokyo Disneyland. The only way to get shorter (but not guaranteed) lines is to purchase Disney Premier Access for one of the selected attractions.

The other alternative would be to plan your trip to Tokyo Disneyland during the off-season and not during any Japanese National holidays when crowds or tourism could be high.

The Wrap-Up: Tokyo Disney Premier Access

Tokyo Disney Premier Access is a pay-per-attraction system that allows you to select your return time for select attractions and shows, almost guaranteeing shorter wait times. This system replaced the FastPass system that used to be in place.

The cost of access depends upon the attraction, and the access is limited to only a select number of attractions in each park. Tokyo DisneySea also offers Premier Access to one show, Believe! Sea of Dreams. Tokyo Disneyland offers Premier Access for its daytime parade, as well as its night-time parade.

Where the Tokyo Disney Premier Access doesn’t guarantee that you will have no wait for the attraction, it can greatly reduce the wait time that you have for the more popular attractions. Making it a great mini-investment for your trip.

If you have any further questions about Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, planning a trip to Japan, or wish for itinerary services, feel free to reach out. You can email me at; red@redthetraveler.com.

If you have any further questions about Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, or planning a trip to Japan, feel free to reach out. You can email me at; red@redthetraveler.com.