For Disney fans around the world, free line-skipping has officially become a relic of the past. Tokyo Disney Resort—the last remaining holdout offering a complimentary queue-skipping service—has confirmed it is fully transitioning to a paid model.
Since July 2023, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea have offered the “40th Anniversary Priority Pass.” This free system acted as a spiritual successor to the original FastPass, allowing guests to reserve return times for select attractions. However, the Oriental Land Company (OLC), which operates the resort, announced earlier this summer that the free Priority Pass will be retired after August 31, 2026.
Following the release of its first-quarter fiscal report on July 30, 2026, OLC revealed its true replacement plan. Starting September 1, 2026, the resort will vastly expand its paid “Disney Premier Access” system, adding several classic attractions that were previously free to skip.
Here is what this means for your vacation and which rides will soon cost extra.
What is Disney Premier Access?
Disney Premier Access is Tokyo Disney Resort’s version of Lightning Lane Single Pass. Accessible via the Tokyo Disney Resort App, the service allows guests to pay a per-ride fee to select a designated return window and significantly reduce wait time.
Currently, the service is largely restricted to the resort's newest E-ticket attractions, such as Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (2,000 yen) and The Happy Ride with Baymax (1,500 yen). However, the upcoming September expansion will move many older, classic attractions behind this paywall.
The New Paid Attractions
If you are planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort this fall, you should be prepared to open your wallet if you want to skip the lines for these fan-favorite rides:
Tokyo Disneyland:
- Big Thunder Mountain: 1,500 yen
- Pooh’s Hunny Hunt: 1,500 yen
- Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!: 1,000 yen
- Haunted Mansion: 1,000 yen (Only available on Premier Access from September 15, 2026, through January 7, 2027, during its Holiday Nightmare overlay)
Tokyo DisneySea:
- Raging Spirits: 1,500 yen
- Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull: 1,500 yen (Currently undergoing refurbishment; official Premier Access start date is TBD)
Additionally, a brand-new stage show debuting in Tomorrowland on September 30, 2026—D-Groovationz4 Live: Happy! Funky! Groovy! Tour—will offer Premier Access viewing for 2,500 yen.
Which Rides Are Losing Line-Skipping Entirely?
Not every attraction currently on the free Priority Pass tier is making the jump to the paid Premier Access tier. Several rides are expected to drop line-skipping altogether and revert to traditional standby-only queues.
At Tokyo Disneyland, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue will become standby-only. At Tokyo DisneySea, beloved attractions like 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Turtle Talk, Nemo & Friends SeaRider, and The Magic Lamp Theater are also expected to lose their line-skipping capabilities.
A Net Positive for Standby Guests?
While the elimination of free FastPass is disappointing for budget travelers, some Disney park experts believe this shift could actually improve the overall park experience.
The free Priority Pass system was highly competitive, often leaving later-arriving guests with no options. By removing the free tier, fewer guests will be utilizing the express lanes. In theory, this means the traditional standby lines for rides like Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Big Thunder Mountain will move faster and more efficiently than they did under the Priority Pass system.
Regardless, guests heading to Tokyo Disney Resort after September 1, 2026, will need to strategize. With the current exchange rate, purchasing Premier Access remains highly recommended for first-time visitors looking to maximize their time.
