Why Does Tokyo Disney Get All the Cool Stuff?

 by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 8, 2024

 

This past week was big for the Tokyo Disney Resort. Disney CEO Bob Iger and Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences, were on hand to open Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

The new themed port featured three areas based on Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan, as well as the Fantasy Springs Hotel.  

 

The Disney Parks Blog offered the following summaries of each area:

 

• Rapunzel’s Forest. “The romantic boat ride ‘Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival’ leads to the annual Lantern Festival where you can experience Rapunzel’s ‘best day ever’ as she falls in love with Flynn Rider and visits various locations featured in the Disney Animation film ‘Tangled.’”

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

• Peter Pan’s Never Land. “During your visit to the mysterious island of Never Land at Fantasy Springs, journey through Skull Rock for this eye-catching view of Peter Pan’s Never Land. This scenic view features the home of Captain Hook and his pirate ship, the Jolly Roger, moored in a large, sparkling lagoon.”

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

• Frozen Kingdom. “The guards have opened up the gates to the kingdom of Arendelle at Tokyo DisneySea. Before you enter Arendelle Castle, immerse yourself in the world of Disney Animation’s ‘Frozen’ with a view of the new Royal Banquet of Arendelle, Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey and Elsa’s Ice Palace sitting high on the North Mountain.”

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Meanwhile, the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel includes two buildings – the Fantasy Chateau and the Grand Chateau.

Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Taking all of this in, plenty of Disney fans in the U.S. are asking: Hey, why does Tokyo Disney always seem to get the cool stuff? Indeed, that was the question many asked when Tokyo Disney Resort Toy Story Hotel – the fifth Disney Hotel – opened in April 2022. Disney describes the hotel as being “full of playful designs that immerse guests in the creative imagination of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story films.”

 

At the opening of Fantasy Springs, Iger said, “I am so proud of the richly immersive experiences we’ve created together, and I look forward to the bright future ahead of us here at Tokyo Disney Resort. We’ve worked alongside Oriental Land Company for more than 40 years, and this new land exemplifies our companies’ shared commitment to excellence in everything we do.”

 

And there’s the key. The Walt Disney Company doesn’t own the Tokyo Disney Resort, which includes Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo Disneyland, five Disney-branded hotels, and Ikspiari, which is a shopping, dining and entertainment district. Instead, these are owned and operated by the Oriental Land Co, Ltd., which licenses Disney’s intellectual property.

 

By the way, the resort opened in 1983, and was Disney’s first theme park venture beyond the U.S., with DisneySea opening in September 2001.

 

The bottom line is that the Tokyo Disney Resort tends to get the cool stuff because Disney isn’t paying for it. The Oriental Land Company is, and Disney reaps the rewards via licensing. That’s a great deal for regional and international guests, as well as Disney. As for the rest of us not visiting Tokyo Disney anytime soon, we’ll have to see what lies ahead with the $17 billion plans for Walt Disney World.

 

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Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com; and author of the Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries, the Alliance of Saint Michael novels, and assorted nonfiction books. Have Ray Keating speak your group, business, school, church, or organization. Email him at raykeating@keatingreports.com.

 

The views expressed here are his own – after all, no one else should be held responsible for this stuff, right?

 

The Disney Planner: The TO DO List Solution combines a simple, powerful system for getting things done with encouragement and fun for Disney fans, including those who love Mickey, Marvel, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Pixar, princesses and more.

 

Never miss any new book by Ray Keating by joining the Pastor Stephen Grant Fellowship with Ray Keating at

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Various books by Ray Keating…

 

• The Pastor Stephen Grant thrillers and mysteries. There are 19 books in the series now.

 

• Cathedral: An Alliance of Saint Michael Novel is at Amazon. 

 

• Order The Weekly Economist III: Another 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, The Weekly Economist II: 52 More Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist, and The Weekly Economist: 52 Quick Reads to Help You Think Like an Economist at Amazon.com.

 

• Signed editions of Ray’s books are at www.raykeatingbooksandmore.com. 

 

Also, check out Ray’s podcasts – the Daily Dose of Disney, Free Enterprise in Three Minutes, and the PRESS CLUB C Podcast.

Tokyo Disney To Offer Free “Priority Passes” for 40th Anniversary

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 18, 2023

 

Tokyo Disney Resort is celebrating its 40th Anniversary until March 31, 2024, and among their anniversary treats and perks, they will be offering a free “Priority Pass” this summer.

Source: Tokyo Disney Resort website

For a limited time, guests at Tokyo Disney Resort can share in the “Tokyo Disney Resort 40th ‘Dream-Go-Round’” and take advantage of Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th Anniversary “Priority Pass” for select experiences at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. 

 

While details on the program are still to come, the free service will allow guests to enjoy certain attractions with reduced wait times. Guests will connect with the service by using the Tokyo Disney Resort App after entering the Park. 

 

Tokyo Disney explains, “The Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary Priority Pass gives guests the ability to select eligible experiences using the Tokyo Disney Resort App after entering the Park. Guests will be able to enter the venue from a designated entrance at a specified time and enjoy their selected experience with a reduced wait time. This service will provide options for how guests experience the Parks, offering convenience and added flexibility for those who wish to personalize their experience and get the most out of their visit. The launch date for the Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary Priority Pass is yet to be determined, but is scheduled to become available this summer.”

 

Included attractions at Tokyo Disneyland are:

• Star Tours: The Adventures Continue 

• Space Mountain 

• Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters 

• Big Thunder Mountain 

• Pooh’s Hunny Hunt 

• Haunted Mansion 

• Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!

 

At Tokyo DisneySea, they are:

• Aquatopia 

• Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull 

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 

• Turtle Talk 

• Nemo & Friends SeaRider 

• The Magic Lamp Theater 

• Raging Spirits

 

So, should those of you who aren’t going to Tokyo this summer pay any attention to this program? Absolutely, because while Disney has certainly not indicated that this program is a “test case” for any changes coming to the U.S. parks next year, we know that Disney has said they are looking at ways to smooth out the Disney Genie+ program to make it more guest-friendly and easier to use, allowing guests to access Genie+ and Lightning Lanes earlier in their vacation planning.  To make things more interesting, Disney FASTPASS is no longer being offered in Tokyo, and is being permanently ended, so Priority Pass promises to be a helpful substitute if the program works.

Source: Tokyo Disney Resort website

Will there be lessons to be learned from the roll-out of the Tokyo Priority Pass?  Maybe, friends, just maybe!  We know Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea is a bucket list trip for many Disney fans – it might be important to take a closer look at their “Premier Pass” program this summer.

 

You can keep up-to-date with any of the celebration details at Tokyo Disneyland, as well as whatever information is released about the soon-to-come Premier Pass.

 

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

Tokyo Disneyland to Lower Attendance Cap

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

April 22, 2021

 

The roller coaster ride continues for Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, as COVID-19 numbers in Japan evolve once more.

  
After only raising the attendance cap on April 1, Oriental Land Co., the operator of the Tokyo Disney parks, said Monday that it will “lower the cap of the daily number of visitors to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea each from 20,000 to 5,000.” 

Courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog

The decreased capacities will remain in effect through May 11. Tokyo DisneySea will also close one hour earlier at 8 p.m. through May 11.

 

According to The Japan Times, the government of Japan is considering “quasi-emergency measures” due to COVID-19 in Urayasu, where Disneyland is located, as well as in four other cities in Chiba Prefecture, and Kyodo News reports that “the Japanese government plans to impose a fresh coronavirus state of emergency in Tokyo as well as Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures on Friday.”

 

It has not been smooth sailing for the Japanese parks since their COVID-19 re-openings. Tokyo Disneyland was one of the earlier Disney parks to reopen on July 1 after their February 28, 2020 COVID closures. In September 2020, Tokyo Disneyland unveiled the largest expansion in the park’s history, a three-year-long undertaking that had already been delayed earlier in the year by COVID shutdowns. Then came January, and Tokyo Disneyland had to temporarily suspend ticket sales until February, permitting only previously ticketed guests to visit the parks in the face of fluctuating COVID numbers.  Now they are once more adjusting their guest attendance levels. 

 

Tokyo is also the location of this year’s Olympics, set to begin July 23, but postponed from last summer because of coronavirus. Foreign spectators are not permitted in the stadiums for this year’s games.  

 

In fact, there have also been calls for the Olympic games to be postponed yet again because of Japan’s changing COVID-19 numbers. CBS Sports reports that a recent Kyodo News poll found that the majority of Japanese residents, 72%, are in favor of postponing or cancelling the games in the face of a fourth wave of coronavirus.

 

According to the Kyodo News poll report, “Amid lingering concern over a fourth coronavirus wave and the slow progress of vaccination, the poll found 39.2 percent believe the postponed Olympics and Paralympics should be canceled, while 32.8 percent think they should be rescheduled. Only 24.5 percent responded that the games should be held as scheduled.”

 

As the availability of ticket sales and attendance numbers continues to change at Tokyo Disneyland, and the Japanese government initiates additional restrictions, Disneyland’s plans may need to adjust yet again. Head to the Tokyo Disneyland website for current information.

 

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

 

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Limited Ticket Sales Resume at Tokyo Disneyland

 by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

January 17, 2021

 

Tokyo Disneyland has begun selling a limited number of 1-day Passports for January and February, following last week’s suspension of sales due to rising COVID numbers and under the guidance of local health authorities. 

 

Courtesy of Tokyo Disney Resort

As we reported here, ticket sales were originally suspended from January 9-February 7, with the parks limited to guests who had already purchased tickets, made reservations, or were successful in the Park Admission lottery.

 

A number of attractions, entertainment options, shops and restaurants also began operating with reduced capacities or experienced closures last week, and those reduced hours and capacities continue. “Happy Fair with Baymax,” scheduled to start January 13, was also postponed.

 

1-Day Passport tickets are now available for admissions up to February 19, 2021, and after February 20, admissions for February 20-26 will begin.  Additionally, tickets will only be available up until the parks hit capacity. According to the Tokyo Disneyland website, “Admissions to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will be limited to Guests who have purchased fixed-date tickets from the Tokyo Disney Resort Online Reservations & Tickets website or the Tokyo Disney Resort App, or Guests who were successful in the Park admission lottery.”

 

Guests may purchase up to five tickets at a time, and as local conditions change, admissions policies may need to adapt as well. Check with Tokyo Disneyland ticket sales for the current restrictions.

 

According to Tokyo Disneyland, “Information about resuming sales for Fixed Date and Time Passports (from 10:30 a.m.) and Fixed Date and Time Passports (from 12 noon) will be announced on this [Tokyo Disneyland] website as soon as it becomes available.”

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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!

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.

 

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!

Additional Disney Parks Set to Reopen; Paris and Tokyo Announce Return Dates

by Beth Keating

News

DisneyBizJournal.com

June 25, 2020

We already know that Disney’s parks in Shanghai and Hong Kong are open. Vero Beach and Hilton Head are saying “Welcome Home” to guests. Disney World is set to reopen Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11 and Epcot and Hollywood Studios on July 15. And Disney Springs is already serving up burgers and Dole Whips.

We reported yesterday that, unfortunately, the reopening of Disneyland California has been pushed back to a yet-to-be-determined date (it was supposed to reopen on July 17), though the Downtown Disney District will be opening on July 9.

Now comes news that Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will reopen July 1 (having been closed since February 28). Tickets for Tokyo Disney Resort will go on sale June 25.

Disneyland Paris has also announced that it will be re-opening its parks on July 15, with a phased reopening of its Disneyland Park, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Newport Bay Club Hotel, and Disney Village. Disneyland Paris has been closed since March 12. Paris will also use a new online park reservation system similar to the one in use at Disney World this week. The Paris reservation system will go live in early July.

Each of the parks will be adhering to reduced attendance strategies, as well as requirements for social distancing and health regulations in place for each of their governing agencies.

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See related...

“Disneyland Reopening Delayed Beyond July 17”

“Disney Spreads Out Opening Dates for Additional Resort Hotels”

“Making Reservations for Entry Into the Parks: Our Experience”

 

“Disney Opens New Reservation System for Theme Park Entry”

“Disney Cancels Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and H2O Glow Nights; Makes Changes to Food and Wine Festival; Park Hopping Suspended”

“Dining Reservations Now Available for Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Guests”

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Beth Keating is a regular contributor to DisneyBizJournal.

Tokyo Disney Closing – What’s Next?

by Ray Keating

News/Analysis

DisneyBizJournal.com

February 28, 2020

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea will be closed starting Saturday, February 29, to March 15, due to the coronavirus.

Shanghai Disney and Hong Kong Disneyland have been closed since late January.

As of February 28, there have been 2,800 deaths linked to the coronavirus, and more than 83,000 cases – with mainland China taking the brunt of the trouble.

Both the Shanghai and Hong Kong parks have no targeted date for re-opening, and while the Tokyo parks are scheduled to re-open on March 16, that, of course, depends on the circumstances.

Indeed, if the coronavirus continues to expand, DisneyBizJournal would not be surprised to see Disneyland Paris as the next park slated for a temporary closing.

As for the impact on the company, the Disney stock price has taken a dive from $141 on February 19 to $118 on February 27. That, of course, is in part due to the overall market tanking in reaction to the coronavirus, and the specific ills for Disney.

Ray Keating is the editor, publisher and economist for DisneyBizJournal.com, and author of The Disney Planner 2020: The TO DO List Solution and the Pastor Stephen Grant novels. He can be contacted at  raykeating@keatingreports.com.