09 Sep Tips to Enjoy Disneyland while Avoiding Crowds
Disneyland and Disneysea are two theme parks that attracts many people both Japanese and tourists. You might have heard terrible stories of many hours of waiting and time for only few rides to enjoy.
It is true. Both Disneyland and Disneysea can be super crowded and sometimes they even limit the number of people that can enter inside.
Photo by ume-y
Photo by Richard, enjoy my life!
Well, hopefully I didn’t discourage you from visiting Disneyland or Disneysea as they are after all a magical place for both kids and adults.
Here are some tips for you to enjoy Disneyland and Disneysea while avoiding the crowds as much as possible. Hope this can help you have a great time!
Tip #1:Visit on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday
Choosing to go during the middle of the week is always good. Some people take Friday or Monday off to make it a long weekend so those days tend to be crowded. Wait time for rides will be significantly reduced on those days!
Tip #2: Pick a cloudy/rainy day
Photo by A_Peach
It’s kind of ironic to go out when the weather isn’t too great. But that’s the whole point! You can enjoy many rides and may be if it’s a drizzle, you won’t mind.
Make sure to bring rain gear, umbrella, and towels to stay dry!
Tip #3: Get there 1 hour to 30 minutes before the opening time
Not everyone likes to get up early in the morning so if you are a morning person, get up early and get there as early as 1 hour before. You will already have a head start and most likely you have better chance of getting fast pass!
Tip #4: Purchase e-ticket beforehand
There is always a line for everything you do in Disneyland or Disneysea and buying ticket is no exception. You can easily buy e-ticket online with additional fee and now you don’t have to wait in line.
Get a head start to your day and enjoy a ride with zero waiting time!
Tip #5: Get fast pass for your favorite ride
Photo by Richard, enjoy my life!
Fast pass will allow you to reserve a spot on one of the rides. There is a machine in front of each ride and it will give you a ticket with specific time on it. Show up at the specified time and you’ll enjoy a ride with zero waiting time!
As soon as you enter, you need to get a fast pass to your favorite ride. Then, enjoy a different with 30-40 minutes waiting time, use your fast pass and get another fast pass after.
Tip #6: Check waiting time and plan accordingly
You can check the waiting time on the official website so plan well avoiding the crowded rides.
Tip #7: Get your shopping done by lunch
Photo by Ari Helminen
Souvenir stores are full of people as the closing time approaches. If you know you want to get something, you need to go early. It is so much easier to shop when you are not squeezed by other people and queuing in a long line for the cashier.
Tip #8: Go around counter-clockwise
Photo by Ari Helminen
For Disneyland, popular rides such as splash mountains and thunder mountains are located to the left side as you enter and people tends to rush to the left side.
So go opposite side to the right, and you can avoid the crowds a little bit!
Disneyland and Disneysea being one of the popular theme park in Japan both among Japanese and foreigners, it tends to be crowded all the time. Hopefully those tips will help you get around without being stuck in a long line for hours!