As of Monday, re-entry rules have changed massively at two Disney theme parks.
Disney’s theme parks have long been known for their hefty price tags, but since the pandemic, these costs have surged to unprecedented levels. Guests have faced steep increases in nearly every aspect of the experience, from Mickey Premium Bars and balloons to park tickets.
The latter is the most significant increase. When Disneyland Park debuted in Anaheim in 1955, admission plus 10 rides cost just $2.50. Adjusted for today’s inflation, that’s roughly $28.74—showing just how much the price of magic has evolved over the decades.
Of course, said “magic” has always been the silver lining for this price tag. Whether you’re at Disneyland Resort or Tokyo Disney Resort, each Disney theme park contains a trademark blend of classic and world-class attractions, plus character meet and greets, restaurants, and immersive theming.
Guests have always been given the option of leaving the park and re-entering at a later time that day if they do want to return for more of this magic. However, the exact process for this has just been updated at one Disney resort.
According to @ranpu_TDR, Tokyo Disney Resort has discontinued the use of hand stamps for exiting and later re-entering Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Instead, as of Monday, guests wanting to return to enjoy Tokyo Disney Resort attractions such as Splash Mountain, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, and Journey to the Center of the Earth will instead need to talk to a cast member when they leave the park. They’ll then scan your ticket so you can re-enter later in the day.
[Temporary discontinuation of hand stamp re-entry procedures]
As of today, hand stamping upon re-entry has been temporarily discontinued.
If you wish to re-enter the park, please inform a cast member when you leave the park. They will scan your ticket and process your re-entry. It is unclear whether hand stamps will be reinstated.
#TDR__now
【再入園のハンドスタンプ一時的廃止について】
本日より、再入園の際のハンドスタンプが一時的に廃止になりました。
再入園を希望の方は、退園の際にキャストに申し出てください。チケットを読み込み再入園の手続きをするようです。ハンドスタンプが復活するかは不明です。#TDR__now pic.twitter.com/G80Df9JVVR
— らんぷ@TDR情報 (@ranpu_TDR) September 9, 2024
This policy change hasn’t been updated on the Tokyo Disney Resort website yet. This still reads, “If you intend to leave the Park but return again later the same day, please have your hand stamped when you exit. When you return, please enter through the admission gates. Please note that a valid Park ticket and a handstamp are required for re-entry.”
Disneyland Resort axed hand-stamping in 2017, and tickets now rely on photographs of ticketholders to allow re-entry into Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Walt Disney World Resort has also long since eradicated the tradition.
Notably, unlike other Disney theme parks, Tokyo Disney Resort doesn’t offer Park Hopper tickets. Anyone wanting to visit both parks is required to purchase two one-day tickets – or, alternatively, a one-day ticket with an Early Evening Passport (valid on weekends or holidays after 3 p.m.) or a Weeknight Passport (valid on weekdays after 6 p.m.), both of which are considerably cheaper than a regular ticket.
Tokyo Disney Resort has undergone quite a few changes recently, having axed its version of Space Mountain in July. This will now be demolished to construct a bigger, better, more technologically advanced version of the indoor roller coaster.
It also debuted Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea in June, featuring four new rides – Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies – which have had some guests arriving as early as 2 a.m. to try and ride.
In October, the beloved Toy Story ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will also close – which, combined with Space Mountain, leaves Tomorrowland relatively barren for the timebeing – to make way for a new attraction inspired by Wreck-It Ralph (2012).
Do you plan on visiting Tokyo Disney Resort any time soon?