We love Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. They’re our two favourite Disney theme parks on the planet, and we’ve been singing their praises for years. However, we additionally should admit that reopening has been excruciatingly gradual in Japan, and that’s very obvious at TDR. As such, we’ll be masking whether or not now is an efficient time to go to, or in the event you ought to wait till Spring 2024 or past.
Let’s begin on a constructive notice, which is you can now go to Tokyo Disney Resort in the event you so need. That wasn’t true right now final 12 months, or the 12 months earlier than, and was barely true the 12 months earlier than that. Although behind the remainder of the world, Japan has lastly reopened to particular person vacationers and it’s straightforward to enter the nation.
We’ve already performed precisely that, spending a few month in Japan together with a return to Tokyo Disney Resort. During that, we skilled all the things that’s new and noticed firsthand how the parks have modified as in comparison with pre-closure. The unhealthy information is that Tokyo Disney Resort continues to be fairly removed from firing on all cylinders…
If you’re acquainted with Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the simplest approach to consider present operations at Tokyo Disney Resort is that they’re about 18 months behind the U.S. parks in some regards. In normal, it looks as if that is the dynamic throughout Japan, not simply at Tokyo Disney Resort.
Face masks are nonetheless ubiquitous, plexiglass partitions are frequent in eating places, and different well being security protocol stay commonplace lengthy after they’ve been deserted in the remainder of the world. If you’re an American, there’s a good probability you haven’t worn a face masks in at the least a 12 months.
You will be sporting a face masks in the event you go to Tokyo Disney Resort. For many vacationers, that alone may be make-or-break. (I’ve zero curiosity in reviving that debate right here. If you’re serious about extra about our expertise and ideas on this, see Face Mask Rules v. Reality in Japan on TravelCaffeine, which covers our non-Disney travels in Japan.)
At Tokyo Disney Resort, there are nonetheless shuttered eating places and retail that haven’t reopened up to now ~3 years following the closure of the parks. Snacking is a giant a part of the expertise at TDR, and it’s undoubtedly hampered proper now. Between the plexiglass partitions at common eating places and the dearth of snack spots, consuming is just not practically as enjoyable because it was pre-closure.
While individually minor, these closed places additionally considerably impression retail and restaurant capability in mixture. The finish result’s crowded outlets and really lengthy traces for eating choices, particularly at peak instances.
Because capability stays restrained, there aren’t any multi-day tickets or Annual Passes being offered at Tokyo Disney Resort. This is unquestionably a destructive for locals or those that are going to spend 3-4 days within the parks, and so they’ve (understandably) been complaining loudly. They undoubtedly have a good level–Universal Studios Japan is full stem forward, actively promoting the low price of upgrading to an AP.
With that stated, that is arguably a internet constructive for worldwide vacationers. The single and partial day park tickets are significantly cheaper than the US parks, and the dearth of APs and multi-day tickets undoubtedly places a dent in crowds–particularly on weekends, which had been beforehand bonkers. Tokyo Disney Resort can also be a distinction to USJ, which we discovered to be busier than ever.
Likewise, QuickPass has not returned…and might be gone for good, identical to on the US parks. In its place, Tokyo has rolled out the paid Premier Access line-skipping, which might be the everlasting substitute at no cost QuickPass. Standby Pass can also be obtainable for choose outlets and sights, albeit normally solely on merchandise launch days or significantly busy dates.
The debut of paid QuickPass was probably the most controversial transfer we’ve ever seen at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Perhaps it’s my bias, however I’m extra combined on it at TDR. For now, it’s restricted to only some sights and the brand new Tokyo DisneySea nighttime spectacular. We didn’t purchase it for any rides, however did so for “Believe! Sea of Dreams.” Not having to ‘compete’ with locals who’ve a surplus of time and camp out for hours made that greater than value it to us. Regardless, there’s a really totally different dynamic as in comparison with pre-closure because of no APs and no QuickPass.
Crowd ranges are additionally troublesome to evaluate because of all this. As with Walt Disney World and Disneyland, the Tokyo parks really feel extra crowded even with decrease uncooked attendance ranges. Tokyo Disney Resort felt busier throughout our current visits than throughout comparable dates in 2019 and earlier. (We visited over roughly the identical time frames in 2013-2018, too.)
It’s our understanding that this has not been the case on a constant foundation. Attendance numbers had and have been decrease at different instances, however with journey subsidies and a surge of pent-up demand, these intervals of decrease crowds are probably rarer–if not a factor of the previous, totally. This is particularly true with Tokyo Disneyland’s fortieth Anniversary about to kick off in April 2023.
In quick, there’s a provide and demand imbalance at Tokyo Disneyland–and that’ll grow to be much more obvious as worldwide journey comes roaring again and home subsidies proceed to gas pent-up demand among the many Japanese. (Sound acquainted? Welcome to 2021 on the US parks.)
Unless most of that is rapidly restored or mounted for Tokyo Disneyland’s fortieth Anniversary, it’s probably going to worsen as soon as that celebration begins. Many Japanese guests and native followers are undoubtedly holding off visiting till that occasion begins.
Speaking of which, the long-awaited Tokyo Disneyland fortieth Anniversary celebration kicks off on April 15, 2023 and runs by March 31, 2024. This “Dream-Go-Round” occasion will characteristic an all-new daytime parade and…that’s actually about it. Although much more is being marketed, just about all the things else is scaled again as in comparison with prior milestone anniversaries.
This is a pointy distinction to Tokyo Disneyland’s thirty fifth Anniversary, when there was a parade plus a number of new stage reveals and a projection present on Cinderella Castle that was a wonderful love letter to the park. On high of that, the decorations in World Bazaar and all through the parks had been glorious. Just distinction the above decor (which I’ve enhanced) for the fortieth with the beneath decor for the thirty fifth.
It’s not simply this occasion that’s scaled again. Seasonal leisure has been decreased throughout the board. There isn’t any Easter occasion this 12 months, and the Halloween and Christmas celebrations final 12 months had been nonetheless dramatically scaled again as in comparison with 2019. These are simply the flagship particular occasions–the smaller scale ones haven’t been occurring in any respect.
There are additionally quite a few leisure choices which have but to reopen, which is particularly noteworthy as a result of a lot of the expertise at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea relies upon leisure. There are nonetheless daytime and nighttime parades, however they’re missing performers or have in any other case been truncated.
Many stage reveals are equally scaled again, or not being offered in any respect. The daytime harbor reveals in Tokyo DisneySea have been decreased to temporary smile & wave greetings which are harking back to the character flotillas at Animal Kingdom. Certainly nothing you’d make some extent of seeing, as was the case with the harbor reveals at Tokyo DisneySea up to now.
If it’s your first go to, you won’t even discover this. Even with the restricted lineup, Tokyo Disney Resort nonetheless has extra leisure included with common admission than the U.S. parks. However, in the event you’re a repeat customer, there are methods that the parks at the moment really feel like shadows of their former selves.
More to the purpose, there’s not as a lot that will help you fall in love with Tokyo Disney Resort. When we first visited for Tokyo Disneyland’s thirtieth Anniversary, the Japan parks blew us away and exceeded our wildest expectations. We grew to become prompt superfans and TDR evangelists, dedicating a disproportionate quantity of protection right here to Tokyo Disney Resort.
Longtime readers would possibly do not forget that…and in addition would possibly’ve even been irritated by how a lot consideration we dedicated to parks that had been “unrealistic for the average American to visit.” (A typical line from the various complaints we acquired. Eventually, we heard you, scaled again protection of the worldwide parks, and dialed down our effusive reward.)
That was solely a decade in the past, however it was a unique world then. Social media wasn’t what it’s now, and there was subsequent to no English protection of Tokyo Disney Resort. There was (actually) one web site–it exists right this moment virtually precisely because it was then. In the years since, phrase has gotten out–influencers, vloggers, and different bloggers have additionally began spreading the gospel of Tokyo Disney Resort. And with that, expectations have grown sky-high.
To be clear, we’re not pointing any fingers for that. If there’s anybody guilty, we’re definitely amongst those that are “guilty.” The very first sentence of this put up proclaimed Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea our favourite theme parks on the planet. We have been vocal cheerleaders for these parks through the years, and stand by that–even right this moment.
However, with that comes holding Tokyo Disney Resort to a better commonplace than another theme parks. OLC has demonstrated that going above and past, consideration to element, and the visitor expertise all are immensely necessary. We’ve usually in contrast OLC to the early Eisner period at Walt Disney World, which means that the “Disney Difference” continues to be paramount to administration. Unfortunately, proper now OLC is failing to dwell as much as their very own excessive requirements.
More than the rest, my largest fear is that Tokyo Disney Resort first-timers in 2023 gained’t have that very same lightning in a bottle expertise that made us fall in love with the parks, and with the nation as a complete. Since we returned from Japan, I’ve felt very conflicted and haven’t actually written about it in consequence. That’s an enormous change as in comparison with 2013-2019 when every prolonged keep spawned dozens of posts. It’s additionally not what I anticipated; we did a ton of new-to-us issues!
My inner battle has basically been questioning what a first-timer’s response could be to right this moment’s Tokyo Disney Resort. It’s not the identical as our first go to, however even again in 2013, locals advised us that “it’s not as good as a decade ago.” Even assuming that was true, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea had been leagues higher than what we had at dwelling. We didn’t know what we had been lacking (nicely, till I purchased a bunch of previous DVDs), and to us, it was unimaginable.
This is actually the current standing of my dilemma. Tokyo Disney Resort is just not what it was in 2019 and earlier, which is pretty plain. However, for visitors coming from Disneyland or Walt Disney World, it’s nonetheless significantly better. The core themed design of Tokyo DisneySea is undamaged and Tokyo Disneyland nonetheless exudes happiness in a palpable and contagious (poor phrase alternative after the previous couple of years) approach. You can’t assist however smile in these parks…even when that smile is roofed by a face masks.
Whether it is best to go to Tokyo Disney Resort in 2023 or wait till issues are again to regular is not possible for me to reply. It’s additionally totally attainable that decreased leisure is the brand new regular. Even again in 2019, our ‘Growing Pains at Tokyo Disney Resort‘ article posited that the parks might be pivoting from lavish and frequently-changing leisure to new sights as a driver of attendance. So these ready for a model of regular that features fully-restored harbor and stage reveals and large seasonal celebrations may be ready some time.
The extra compelling cause to attend is for Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, the $2.3 billion growth that includes Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. Fantasy Springs will add a number of blockbuster boat-based rides, eating places, retail, and a second in-park resort to Tokyo DisneySea.
Fantasy Springs would be the most costly growth to any current theme park anyplace, ever. It’ll price triple the quantity of the current Tokyo Disneyland ‘large scale’ addition that included a Beauty and the Beast mini-land and extra, and over double the price of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Although delayed from its unique opening timeframe, development has been full steam forward on Fantasy Springs. The new land will open someday in Spring 2024 in OLC’s first quarter of the following fiscal 12 months. That means someday between April 1, 2024 and June 30, 2024. We cowl all the things it is advisable to find out about this new land, together with a predicted opening date and smooth opening timeframe in this put up.
As a normal matter, we oppose suspending journey and different experiences for one thing theoretically higher down the highway. In life and with Disney theme parks, there’s this fantasy of an ideal tomorrow and imperfect right this moment. Something higher, newer, or larger on the horizon that it is best to wait to see. That overlooks the prices of ready, and in addition the downsides. This philosophy might be higher suited to home journey–the kind of journeys that happen yearly.
With Japan particularly, my go-to line was to not postpone visiting, as your ‘once in a lifetime’ journey is extra probably your first of many. The Tokyo parks and Japan as a complete had an addictive high quality that turned many, if not most, guests into lifelong followers. I nonetheless assume that would be the case for many individuals, however undoubtedly far fewer than earlier than.
If the parks had a “95% approval/recommend rate” earlier than, that’s in all probability all the way down to 80% or so now. That’s nonetheless sufficient for a “Certified Fresh” distinction, however it’s undoubtedly not as spectacular as cracking the 90% threshold. Don’t get us fallacious–there’s nonetheless loads to like. Dreamlights stays mind-blowing. All of the cute meals is heart-melting. Seeing Mount Prometheus erupt for the primary time will nonetheless offer you chills. Tony Solaroni is the intergalactic ambassador we deserve. The listing goes on and on and on and…
However, that is one scenario the place ready one other 12 months would possibly make sense. Tokyo Disneyland’s fortieth Anniversary seems prefer it’s going to be a dud (except for the parade), Fantasy Springs is true across the nook, and hopefully there’s a larger sense of normalcy and development within the phased reopening by early 2024. Even in case your first journey to Japan doesn’t find yourself being a as soon as in a lifetime journey, there’s nonetheless an excellent probability you gained’t go to this 12 months after which flip round and return in 6-8 months.
So, if the query is whether or not to go to in Spring 2023 or Spring 2024–with no choice to do each–I’d in all probability wait. If a global journey is a “must” this 12 months, think about going for the Grand Finale of the Disneyland Paris thirtieth Anniversary Celebration. Or, merely go to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. With the Disney100 festivities in California and quite a lot of modifications in Florida, it’s arguably an excellent time to do the home parks.
Ultimately, it is a long-winded approach of claiming that we can’t supply our regular enthusiastic endorsement of visiting Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea ASAP. However, we additionally can’t suggest towards visiting Japan in 2023. It’s actually a tricky resolution, and hopefully the professionals and cons mentioned right here enable you make the choice for your self.
What we will do is communicate for ourselves. After a virtually 3-year absence, we had been so joyful to be again in Japan and at Tokyo Disney Resort. I’ve talked about earlier than that Kyoto is our favourite metropolis on the planet; it’s a kind of locations that simply “clicks” for us and the place we really feel most at dwelling. While totally different in methods large and small, that was nonetheless true.
We additionally had a blast at Tokyo Disney Resort, and didn’t wish to go away on the finish of our go to…identical to regular. There had been quite a lot of little annoyances and disappointments alongside the way in which, and unsightly reminders of how issues felt in late 2020 and early 2021. However, that was far outweighed by the enjoyment and enjoyable we had.
Perhaps probably the most illuminating a part of all: we’re already anxiously awaiting our subsequent journey to Japan, and sit up for experiencing the Harmony in Color Parade together with different features of Tokyo Disneyland’s fortieth Anniversary. However, we may even be again for the opening of Fantasy Springs, so we’re not selecting one or the opposite. Voting together with your pockets is probably the most compelling endorsement, or lack thereof, and in any case this grousing about what’s “wrong” with Tokyo Disney Resort proper now, we’re nonetheless giving the parks in Japan our vote. Maybe that claims all the things that must be stated.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the perfect place to start out is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Trip Planning Guide! For extra specifics, our TDR Hotel Rankings & Reviews web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Reviews element the place to dine & snack. To lower your expenses on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money put up. Our What to Pack for Disney put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Consult our Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Japan and City Guide to Tokyo, Japan.
Your Thoughts
Have you visited Tokyo Disney Resort since reopening? Was it your first journey to Japan, or are you a repeat customer? How do you’re feeling in regards to the state of the parks in Japan? Think it’s value ready till Spring 2024, or do you suggest going now? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions—even whenever you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!