Disney Cruise Line To Offer New Japan-Based Ship

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

July 9, 2024

 

Disney Cruise Line has been a very busy arm of the Disney company of late, between launching new ships and opening a new private island - Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point - for cruisers to the Bahamas.  Today (July 9), Disney Cruise Line announced a partnership with Japan’s Oriental Land Co., Ltd. for a new Japan-based ship that will offer year-round service from Tokyo.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

This ship will be in addition to the Disney Adventure, the Singapore-based ship which is expected to set sail in 2025.

Oriental Land Company (OLC) is also the owner/operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, so they, too, have had a busy run, with the new Fantasy Springs port opening at Tokyo DisneySea in the past few weeks, with new Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan areas for guests.  In Disney fan circles, Tokyo Disney is often considered the dream trip, because of the high quality and state-of-the-art inventiveness of the Tokyo rides and attractions.  (Plus, we really are jealous of their much-coveted merchandise…)

The yet-to-be-named ship will be the ninth vessel in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, and is anticipating its maiden voyage in early 2029.  OLC will be responsible for the construction of the ship, and will operate the vessel under a licensing agreement with Disney.  (The Tokyo Disneyland park agreement works much the same way, with OLC maintaining ownership of the resort.)  Tokyo Disneyland opened in 1983, and its sister park, Tokyo DisneySea, opened in 2001.

“I am sincerely proud that Disney and Oriental Land will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan,” said Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairperson and CEO, Oriental Land, in a press release today.  “Oriental Land will use their knowhow from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise.”

The new Japan-based ship will be the fourth DCL ship in the “Wish Class”, with about 1,250 staterooms; a 4,000-guest capacity; and 1,500 crew members.  It will be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany (where other recent Disney ships have also been born). The 140,000 gross tons ship will be powered by liquified natural gas.

Disney Cruise Line is currently sailing the Disney Magic; the Disney Wonder; the Disney Dream; the Disney Fantasy; and the Disney Wish; with the Disney Treasure hitting the high seas in December 2024.  The Disney Destiny is still to launch, with expected delivery in 2025.

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Beth Keating is a theme parks, restaurant and entertainment reporter for DisneyBizJournal.

 

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Tokyo Disney to Curtail Hours and Park Admissions Amidst COVID-19 Rise

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 9, 2021

 

In response to recommendations from government health officials, and amidst rising COVID-19 numbers, Oriental Land Company, the owners of Tokyo Disneyland, have cut back park hours for the remaining weeks of January by closing the parks earlier in the evening, adding that “park opening time may vary depending on the day.”

Courtesy of Tokyo Disney Resort

In addition, beginning January 9 until February 7, 2021, ticket sales have been suspended, and the number of guests admitted to the Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Parks will be limited. The Tokyo Disneyland website notes that at both Disneyland and DisneySea, “Attractions, entertainment, shops, and restaurants will operate with reduced capacity or will be closed.”

 

Guests holding current tickets will still be permitted to visit the parks, with health and safety guidelines in place. According to Tokyo Disneyland, “Based on the state of emergency announced by the Japanese government and requests from local authorities, sales of Park tickets for admissions on or after January 9 will be temporarily suspended as we set up our ticket sales system. An announcement will be made on this [Tokyo Disneyland] website when Park ticket sales become available again. Guests who have already purchased tickets, made reservations, or have been successful in the Park admission lottery at this time will be able to enter the Park.”

 

Restaurant availability may also be affected by these changes. Disney advises, “Due to the change in operating hours for restaurants, you may not be able to use your Priority Seating eligibility even if booked in advance. We will send an email to Guests who are affected by the change.” Changes to dining reservations will be impacted through at least February 7.

 

The Resort has cancelled their nightly fireworks shows as well, and the new “Happy Fair with Baymax,” originally scheduled to start January 13, will also be postponed.

 

Currently, there is a travel ban in place, preventing non-resident foreign travelers from entering Japan. Residents arriving in Japan must also undergo a two-week quarantine upon arrival, and show proof of negative COVID test results.

 

Tokyo Disneyland reopened July 1 after earlier COVID-19 closures in February, and was one of the first parks to bring back fireworks shows, parades, and traditional character meet-and-greets.

 

For up-to-date announcements on ticket sales and park closures, head to the Tokyo Disneyland webpage.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

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Tokyo Disneyland To Introduce Variable Pricing Tickets for Parks

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

December 27, 2020

 

Beginning March 20, 2021, Oriental Land Co., Ltd., the owner of Tokyo Disneyland Park and Tokyo DisneySea, will introduce variable price park tickets. The new admission prices will be based on the day of the week, as well as the season.  Florida’s Disney World introduced a similar system in October of 2018.

Courtesy of Tokyo Disney Resort website

According to a release from Oriental Land Co., Ltd., the new variable pricing “will enable a more equal distribution throughout the year of guests visiting the Parks, further enhancing the Park experience for guests.”

 

Oriental Land Co., Ltd. will also begin selling “Early Entry Tickets,” which will allow guests entry to Tokyo DisneySea as early as early as 8:00 a.m.  The new tickets will be available for admissions starting February 20, 2021, and are exclusively for guests staying at a Disney hotel. (Guests using an Early Entry Ticket must also have a valid 1-Day Passport.) An extra perk of the early admission ticket is that guests will also be able to access Standby Passes before other guests are admitted to the Park.

 

For information on the new price structure, head to the Tokyo Disneyland website.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

Please support the efforts of DisneyBizJournal.com to bring news, analysis and commentary on Disney to readers such as yourself. Make a contribution right here via PayPal. Thanks!