Disney to Raise Ticket Prices

Beginning October 11th, the cost of one day adult tickets at Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea will increase to 12,400 yen, with tickets for ages 12-17 increasing to 10,200 yen, and children ages 4-11 increasing to 5900 yen. 

An official with Oriental Land Co., which operates the Disney parks, said the price hikes were due to the increased value of the parks, with the 2024 opening of the Fantasy Springs port in DisneySea as well as the higher outlays for construction and personal expenses. The official hopes Disney guests will understand that this was necessary to make sure everyone enjoys the parks.

Disney Parks are incredibly popular with Japanese children AND adults. I think people will pay the increased price and continue to visit the parks.  

People are always surprised that I’ve never been and don’t care to go (at any price). My only Disney park experience was once when I was in high school when my high school’s marching band went to Florida by bus and marched in several locations in Florida, including Disney. (I was a flag carrier and our uniform was a short skirt and white boots). I don’t remember a lot about the Disney experience. 

Back to the ticket price increase - do you think this is reasonable for you and or your family?  I’m sometimes called cheap (I prefer to say I am frugal), but I can think of better ways to spend that much money.

Naughty Reindeer at Tokyo Disneyland

 

Last week, Oriental Land Co., the operator of Tokyo Disneyland, apologized after clips of Minnie Mouse having her skirt lifted by a reindeer in a recent Christmas parade went viral on social media. The operator declined to answer whether the move was choreographed or improved, but said future parades will be carried out "appropriately". Some on social media said it set a bad example for children, while others claimed the production should have the right to decide what to do with the choreography. 

I don't know what I think about it. They are cartoon characters being silly. It seems kind of creepy, but is it setting a bad example for children? Maybe it's setting a bad example for adults. I read about many incidents of men filming up the skirts of school girls.

Another Tokyo Disney Price Increase

Tokyo Disney prices went up twice in 2021, and once in 2020. Beginning October 1, 2023, the variable ticket pricing for park tickets to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea will be increasing again. Ticket prices vary depending on the day of the week, holidays, and other factors.

Tokyo Disney is not just for children.  I'm always surprised when I hear about groups of adult women who go to Disneyland or sea. I've never visited the Tokyo Disney Parks and have no plans to do so.  I'm rather frugal and don't especially like to be around crowds of people (less so since the pandemic). Expensive, crowded places just don't mean "the happiest place on earth" to me. 

What do you think about the price increases? Would the cost or the crowds deter you from visiting the parks?

Half Price Tokyo Disney Tickets for Children

Tokyo Disney announced it would offer half-price tickets for children this summer at both Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. The Tokyo Disney Resort Kids Summer Fun campaign runs through August 31st. The 50 percent discount applies to one-day passes and timed entry from 10:30 am for children aged 4 - 11 years old.  Children younger than four years old do not need tickets. The discounted tickets are available online via Tokyo Disney's reservation system. Prices differ depending on the day of the week.

Tokyo Disney Ticket Prices Have Gone Up Again

The pandemic has been rough on theme parks in Japan.  They were closed for several months at the beginning of 2020, then re-opened with limited hours and number of people.  Disney ticket prices just went up in March of this year and now less than six months later, again. On October 1st (last week), Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea raised prices according to the day of the week and the season of the year. That means it will cost more on weekends and more during holiday weeks. The full day price ranges from 7,900 yen to 9,400 yen for a full day adult ticket. 

Here’s the breakdown of the new ticket prices (from October 1 2021 to January 31 2022): 
One-day pass

• Adults: ¥7,900, ¥8,400, ¥8,900, ¥9,400

• Children aged 12-17: ¥6,600, ¥7,000, ¥7,400, ¥7,800

• Children aged 4-11: ¥4,700, ¥5,000, ¥5,300, ¥5,600

Admission from 10.30am

• Adults: ¥7,400, ¥7,900, ¥8,400, ¥8,900

• Children aged 12-17: ¥6,200, ¥6,600, ¥7,000, ¥7,400

• Children aged 4-11: ¥4,400, ¥4,700, ¥5,000, ¥5,300

Admission from 12noon

• Adults ¥6,900, ¥7,400, ¥7,900, ¥8,400

• Children aged 12-17: ¥5,800, ¥6,200, ¥6,600, ¥7,000

• Children aged 4-11: ¥4,100, ¥4,400, ¥4,700, ¥5,000

I haven't heard about other theme parks, but I imagine their ticket prices will also go up.  How much are you willing to pay for a day at Disney or other theme park?  How much is too much?

Tokyo Disney Price Increase Announced

Starting March 20th, ticket prices for Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea will increase by up to 500 yen during peak periods such as weekends and holidays.  The parks operator claims this is to encourage a more even distribution of guests throughout the year.  

Currently, the one day ticket for either park costs 8,200 yen for adults but will increase to 8,700 yen during weekends and holiday periods such as spring vacation.  Tickets for junior and senior high school students will  go up by 400 yen to 7,300 yen.  Tickets for children age 4 to 11 will go up 300 yen to 5,200 yen.  Prices for tickets outside of peak periods will remain unchanged for now. The last time ticket prices increased was April 2020.  The operator of the parks said it expects a net loss of 51.11 billion yen in the business year through March 2021 due to the coronavirus. 

I don't think I will visit Tokyo Disney during any time, so the price increase doesn't affect me.  Would a price increase make you attend on a non-holiday weekday instead of the peak increased price time? Do you think Disney park ticket prices are worth the cost?

No Screaming Please

photo from the internet

Tokyo Disney Parks and other theme parks in Japan closed in late February due to the coronavirus. Now that infection numbers are decreasing in Japan, the amusement parks are deciding what precautions they will need to welcome guests back safely.  The East Japan and West Japan Theme Park Associations have prepared guidelines which are titled "Guidelines to Prevent the Spread of Infection of the Novel Coronavirus". 

You have to understand, in Japan, guidelines mean polite requests.  The thing is, requesting politely works.  No one argues or protests, they just do it.  I love living in Japan. No lockdowns, no fines or punishment, people get that not following the requests will be dangerous for everyone.

So, back to the guidelines - - - Some are pretty straight forward, like limiting the number of people in the park, checking temperatures and denying entry to those with fevers, asking guests to wear masks.  The guidelines also ask the facilities to encourage cashless payment systems and use advance purchase tickets in order to shorten the time standing in lines and handling cash, in addition to keeping doors and windows open for better ventilation in indoor attractions. 

Then we come to - - - Urge guests to refrain from shouting or screaming on roller coasters and other conveyance-style attractions. Because coronavirus is spread by airborne particles, the associations would rather not have riders' saliva or other particles from the mouth flying around. This guideline also applies to indoor attractions and character shows, as well as haunted houses. This one might be difficult, but I feel sure people will try hard not to scream.  

Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea are set to reopen on Wednesday, July 1st. Ticket prices for one day range from 4900 yen for young children to 8200 yen for adults.