The short answer

• You don’t need to reserve most rides at Tokyo Disneyland—standby is the default.
• The only ride/show “reservations” are:
  • Disney Premier Access (paid, timed access) for select rides and parade/spectacle viewing.
  • Entry Request (free in-app lottery) for select stage shows and some character greetings.
• Table-service restaurants use Priority Seating (advance dining reservations).
• Almost everything is managed in the Tokyo Disney Resort App after you enter the park; dining can be booked before your visit.

Official sources

• Disney Premier Access overview and eligible offerings at Tokyo Disneyland: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/premier_access.html
• Entry Request (show/greeting lottery) at Tokyo Disneyland: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/entry_request.html
• Restaurants with Priority Seating and how to reserve: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/guide/ps/
• Tokyo Disney Resort App (required for day-of bookings): https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdrapp.html
• Tokyo Disney Resort Vacation Packages (include pre-arranged benefits): https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdr/vp.html

What actually requires a reservation (2025 snapshot)

• Must/should book in advance (before your park day):
  • Table-service dining with Priority Seating (very competitive restaurants like Blue Bayou, Crystal Palace, Eastside Cafe). Source: Tokyo Disney Resort “Priority Seating” overview above.
• Book day-of (after you enter the park, via the app):
  • Disney Premier Access for select rides and entertainment (paid; limited quantities). Source: Disney Premier Access page.
  • Entry Request for specific stage shows and some greetings (free lottery; required for entry when in use). Source: Entry Request page.
• Optional but helpful:
  • Vacation Packages (include pre-reserved benefits like show seating or Premier Access). Source: Vacation Packages page.

How Tokyo Disneyland reservations work

• Disney Premier Access (DPA)
  • What it is: Paid, timed access for designated attractions and reserved viewing areas for some entertainment. Limited daily inventory; prices vary by date and offering. Source: DPA page.
  • When/how: Purchase only after entering the park via the Tokyo Disney Resort App; pay by credit card. Source: DPA page.
• Entry Request
  • What it is: Free in-app lottery that determines if you can enter certain venues (e.g., theater shows, sometimes character greetings). If you “win,” you get a return time; if not, you typically cannot enter that performance. Source: Entry Request page.
  • When/how: Available only after you enter the park, in the app, for your party. One request per production per day. Source: Entry Request page.
• Priority Seating (dining)
  • What it is: Advance dining reservations for table-service venues; secures a seating time window with minimal wait. Source: Priority Seating page.
  • Booking window: From 10:00 JST one month before your visit date up to 20:59 JST the day before; day-of same-day slots may be released from the morning and throughout the day. Source: Priority Seating page.
• Tokyo Disney Resort App
  • You’ll use the app for DPA purchases, Entry Requests, mobile dining management, digital tickets, and wait times. Source: App page.

Which rides use Disney Premier Access at Tokyo Disneyland?

• Expect the following headline attractions to offer DPA (availability and pricing can change; confirm in-app on the day):
  • Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Fantasyland)
  • The Happy Ride with Baymax (Tomorrowland)
  • Select entertainment viewing areas, such as major parades/spectacles when offered (e.g., Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade Dreamlights, seasonal parades)
• Check the current, official list here before your trip: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/premier_access.html
  • Tip: DPA can sell out quickly on busy days; purchase soon after entering the park.

Which shows and greetings require Entry Request?

• Stage shows that run in dedicated theaters often require Entry Request (lottery) for each performance.
  • Example: Mickey’s Magical Music World at Fantasyland Forest Theatre requires Entry Request when operating under that system. Official show page: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/show/detail/str_id:fl_theater/
• Some character greeting venues may use Entry Request depending on the day/operating conditions (the app will show what’s using Entry Request on your visit day). Official overview: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/guide/entry_request.html
  • If your Entry Request is unsuccessful, there is usually no standby option for that performance. Consider revisiting the app for other showtimes or different entertainment.

Dining you should book (Priority Seating)

• Book these early (10:00 JST, one month out). They are popular and often fill immediately:
  • Blue Bayou Restaurant (Adventureland; waterfront dining inside Pirates of the Caribbean)
  • Crystal Palace Restaurant (Buffet near Cinderella Castle)
  • Eastside Cafe (World Bazaar; pasta-focused)
  • Restaurant Hokusai (World Bazaar; Japanese set meals)
  • The Diamond Horseshoe (Frontierland; themed dining; offerings vary)
  • Polynesian Terrace Restaurant (Adventureland; themed dining; offerings vary)
• Full and current list, plus booking rules: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/guide/ps/
  • Same-day openings: Check the app frequently—slots can drop due to cancellations.
  • Counter-service locations do not accept reservations (e.g., Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall, La Taverne de Gaston).

What to do when: a simple booking timeline

• 30–31 days before your park day (10:00 JST)
  • Reserve Priority Seating restaurants in the app or on the website. Source: Priority Seating page.
  • If you want guaranteed benefits and less day-of stress, compare Vacation Packages. Source: Vacation Packages page.
• 1–3 days before
  • Re-check dining for cancellations.
  • Ensure your app is installed, updated, and linked to your tickets. Source: App page.
• Park day (after you enter Tokyo Disneyland)
  • Open the app and, in this order:
    1. Submit Entry Requests for theater shows and any greetings using the system that day. Source: Entry Request page.
    2. Purchase Disney Premier Access for your must-do attractions/entertainment before they sell out. Source: DPA page.
    3. Monitor dining for day-of drops if you didn’t book in advance.

Step-by-step: how to use each system in the app

• Disney Premier Access (after park entry)
  1. Open the app and link your party’s tickets.
  2. Tap Disney Premier Access and select the attraction or entertainment.
  3. Choose a return time or viewing slot; confirm party members.
  4. Pay in-app by credit card and show the QR/return screen at the venue. Source: DPA page.
• Entry Request (after park entry)
  1. Open the app and choose Entry Request.
  2. Select the eligible show/greeting and your party members.
  3. The app will display a result (accepted with time, or not selected). Source: Entry Request page.
• Priority Seating dining (before or day-of)
  1. From the app or website, browse restaurants with Priority Seating.
  2. Choose date, party size, and time; confirm reservation.
  3. On the day, arrive during your time window and check in at the restaurant. Source: Priority Seating page.

Pro strategies to book smart

• Buy DPA in priority order: If riding both Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast and The Happy Ride with Baymax, secure Beauty and the Beast first—it’s the higher-demand headliner. Source: DPA page (availability is limited).
• Enter the park early: Hotel guest “Happy Entry” early access can help you clear high-demand standby or reach shows earlier; check your hotel’s benefit details on TDR’s hotel pages.
• Have a backup show plan: If Entry Request fails for a theater show, pivot to parades, castle shows, or nighttime entertainment that don’t require Entry Request (some may still offer optional DPA viewing). Source: DPA and Entry Request pages.
• Keep refreshing: Same-day dining and even additional DPA slots can occasionally appear due to system adjustments or cancellations.

Example 1-day plan: families with kids

• Before the trip: Book lunch at Crystal Palace; dinner at Blue Bayou (10:00 JST, 1 month out).
• On the day (after entry):
  • Entry Request for Mickey’s Magical Music World.
  • Buy DPA for Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast; consider DPA viewing for a major parade if offered that day.
  • Use standby for Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and it’s a small world; mobile-check dining reservations.

Example 1-day plan: thrill and headliners

• Before the trip: Book early dinner at Restaurant Hokusai.
• On the day (after entry):
  • Buy DPA for Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, then The Happy Ride with Baymax.
  • Entry Request any theater shows of interest; fill with Space Mountain, Big Thunder, Splash via standby.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I need a reservation for most rides?
  • No. Most attractions only use the standby line. Disney Premier Access is optional and limited to specific rides and entertainment. Source: DPA page.
• Is FastPass still available?
  • No. The legacy free FastPass program at Tokyo Disney Resort has been retired; the paid replacement is Disney Premier Access. Source: DPA page.
• Can I buy Disney Premier Access before I enter the park?
  • No. Purchases open only after you enter the park and link your tickets in the app. Source: DPA page.
• What if I don’t win the Entry Request lottery?
  • You typically cannot enter that performance. Try other showtimes, different entertainment, or optional DPA viewing for parades if available. Source: Entry Request and DPA pages.
• When do dining reservations open?
  • From 10:00 JST one month before the date of use; same-day slots may open the morning of and throughout the day. Source: Priority Seating page.

Final checklist for 2025

• Install and log into the Tokyo Disney Resort App; link your tickets. Source: App page.
• At T-1 month (10:00 JST), reserve Priority Seating for must-do restaurants. Source: Priority Seating page.
• On the day, immediately submit Entry Requests and buy Disney Premier Access for top-priority rides/entertainment after entering the park. Sources: Entry Request and DPA pages.
• Check the official pages on your exact dates—eligible rides/shows and policies can change. Sources above.