Disney guests will need to plan their evenings a little differently this summer.
Nighttime is typically one of the busiest times inside Disney parks. Guests often save popular attractions for after dark, while many wait until the evening to watch the park's nighttime spectaculars before heading home.
Most Disney parks also keep every themed land open until official park closing. While individual rides sometimes shut early, it's unusual for an entire land to become off-limits before the day is over.
That's about to change at one Disney castle park.
Fantasyland Will Close 30 Minutes Before Park Closing
Tokyo Disneyland has confirmed that Fantasyland will close 30 minutes before the rest of the park from July 1 through September 14.
The temporary policy is tied to Reach for the Stars: Everlasting Dreams, a special drone version of the park's nighttime projection show. The limited-time performance serves as the final version of Reach for the Stars, which ends permanently in September.
Because Fantasyland sits behind Cinderella Castle, the area will be used as the operating base for the drone show.
From 8:30 p.m. until park closing, guests will not be allowed to enter Fantasyland or walk through it.
That means several attractions will become inaccessible before the rest of the park closes, including Alice's Tea Party, Castle Carrousel, Snow White's Adventures, Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall, and Dumbo The Flying Elephant.
Tokyo Disney Resort warned guests to allow extra time to move around the park.
“During the period of entry restrictions, passage within Fantasyland will be prohibited,” Tokyo Disney Resort confirmed. “Please allow ample time for your journey.”
The restrictions won't apply every evening. If poor weather cancels the show, or if it operates without drones, the resort said the Fantasyland closure will be lifted.
More Summer Changes at Tokyo Disney Resort
The announcement comes as Tokyo Disney Resort adjusts several parts of its nighttime entertainment schedule.
Earlier this month, the resort also suspended Sky Full of Colors, the fireworks show shared by Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The seasonal hiatus is scheduled to last until September 14.
The resort pauses fireworks most summers, although The Oriental Land Company has never publicly explained why. Many Disney fans believe the decision is linked to Tokyo's hot, humid weather and frequent summer rain.
For guests visiting between July and mid-September, the change means planning Fantasyland earlier in the day.
Anyone hoping to ride Dumbo The Flying Elephant, visit Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall, or experience the land after sunset will need to do so before 8:30 p.m., even though the rest of Tokyo Disneyland will remain open.
The temporary closure is expected to end on September 14, when Reach for the Stars: Everlasting Dreams concludes and the park returns to its normal operating pattern.
Are you visiting Tokyo Disney Resort this summer?
