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Have you been wanting to add an autism friendly vacation in Tokyo to your bucket list? If you just said yes, I want to tell you to go for it! Spending time in Tokyo, and the rest of Japan, is an excellent way to experience part of the world with your family. Especially if you decide to visit Tokyo Disneyland during your vacation. Tokyo Disneyland offers the Disability Access Pass, or DAS, that you will find here at the Disney Parks in the US. However, while the features of this pass are similar, registering for it is not as simple as it is here back home. Today, I am going to share what you need to know about registering for DAS at Tokyo Disney. I will also cover a few other things you may not be aware of when it comes to visiting this magical destination in Tokyo.
Visit Tokyo Disneyland
The Disability Access Pass
Okay, so above, I mentioned that Tokyo Disneyland has the DAS pass. When you arrive at the park, you must register for this program with a cast member. An original disability certificate will need to be presented to the cast member, as well as the park tickets for everyone in your party. If you do not have the original disability certificate with you, the park will deny your request for this pass.
Once you have received your DAS pass, you will be able to avoid standing in the long lines at the rides. However, you will only be taken to a separate area to stand and wait for your turn. You will not be allowed to leave to grab a bite to eat, go on another ride, or meet a character. This is how this pass is different from what you are used to in the US.
Tickets for Guests with Disabilities
You can purchase special tickets for guests with disabilities at Tokyo Disneyland. To purchase these tickets, you will need to provide an original disability certificate. Once you have proven your child has a disability, you can purchase this special ticket for them and one other member of your family.
Everyone else in your family will need to purchase a standard ticket. There are no exceptions to this rule. And since you are visiting Japan and are not in the US, trying to make a big deal out of it isn’t going to make a difference at all.
Purchasing Tickets for Tokyo Disney Using a Credit Card
Most of our purchases nowadays are made online using a credit card. So, you would think it would be super simple to purchase your Tokyo Disneyland tickets in advance with your credit card. However, that isn’t the case. The website is not very user-friendly with most types of US credit cards. People have said they have had numerous credit cards denied as “not being authorized”.
So, what should you do?? Well, I recommend using my link through Get Your Guide. Here are the links for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.
Or you can let me book your tickets for you through this authorized 3rd party seller on Disney’s authorized reseller list.
Another option is to wait and purchase your tickets from a convenience store like 7-11, Lawson’s, or Family Mart in Japan. The instructions on those tickets are in English.
The one thing I do not recommend is waiting until the day you want to visit Tokyo Disney to purchase your tickets. These Disney parks are extremely popular. They are usually number 2 or 3 on the list of Disney parks people visit the most. If you wait until you arrive at the park, you may find that all the tickets have been sold for that day. And that would be quite disappointing for your autistic family.
Remember, the FastPass at Tokyo Disneyland is still a paper version. And the FastPasses go quickly. One of your best options is to stay at a Disney hotel. Guests of these hotels are allowed into Tokyo Disneyland theme parks 15 minutes before opening. This 15-minute head start may allow you to secure a FastPass for each family member.
There are also lotteries for many of the shows at Tokyo Disneyland. You are never guaranteed to be the winner of those lotteries. It is best to not get too hyped about seeing a show until you’ve won a lottery ticket for it.
Be Prepared to Run
Here in the US, no one is allowed to run while visiting the Disney theme parks. No one in Japan seemed to get that memo, because everyone runs… like crazy.
Honestly, it’s insane.
Be prepared to see every Japanese guest running as fast as possible to get a ride as soon as the park opens. This is another reason I recommend doing the early park entry. It helps prevent you from being run over by the mass crowds of locals running to their first ride of the day.
Another Autism Friendly Attraction in Tokyo
Spending time at either of the Tokyo Disneyland parks will make your Disney dreams come true. But I don’t recommend spending every day of your vacation in Japan at these parks. Your autistic family will need a little downtime.
One of my favorite autism friendly places in Tokyo is TeamLAB Planets Tokyo. This attraction is an art experience that is similar to Meow Wolf. It is a mild sensory experience your entire family will love. Purchasing tickets to TeamLAB Planets Tokyo will allow your family to decompress while still having fun in this beautiful destination.
There are so many things to do when you are visiting Tokyo during a vacation in Japan. Quite a few of those things can be autism friendly with a little preplanning. That includes a visit to both of the Tokyo Disneyland parks. While you could plan an entire trip to include Tokyo Disneyland on your own, there are so many variables you may not be aware of. This is where my expertise as a Certified Autism Travel Professional can be helpful for your autistic family. Contact me today and let me use my expertise to ensure every moment of your vacation in Japan is designed to meet the needs of your family. Honestly, it is the only way to keep yourself from getting stressed out like you would if you tried to juggle vacation planning with everything else on your to-do list. Let me help you check Tokyo Disneyland off your bucket list, as you continue to travel the world with your autistic family.
