Robert Niles
Editor
Robert Niles

Tokyo Disney adds annual pass blockout dates... and cuts prices

February 16, 2018, 12:41 PM · The Oriental Land Co., which owns and operates the Tokyo Disney Resort under license from the Walt Disney Co., announced today that it is introducing blockout dates to its annual passes, as it looks to better balance crowd sizes at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.

For annual passes bought on or after March 1, 2018, the following blockout dates will apply:

Aug. 12, 13, 14
Oct. 6, 7, 8
Nov. 23, 24
Dec. 8, 9, 29, 30, 2018
Mar. 28, 29, 30, 31, 2019

Future blockout dates will be announced in July. Oriental Land said that it will announce new blockout dates quarterly from that point forward. The blockout dates do not apply to current APs, or one bought before the end of this month.

Visitors also must activate newly purchased annual passes within two months, instead of the six months they now have to activate.

To compensate visitors for the loss of these blockout dates, Tokyo Disney is reducing the price of its annual passes.

Okay, I will wait a minute for you to regain consciousness. That's right, Tokyo Disney is cutting AP prices to make up for adding blockout dates.

(Darn it. I hope that none of you hurt anything when you passed out again after reading that.)

The new price of a two-park Tokyo Disney annual pass is ¥89,000 — or US$837, at current exchange rates. That's down four percent from ¥93,000. One-park APs will be ¥61,000, or about US$574, down three percent from ¥63,000.

Despite offering what might be the two best Disney theme parks in the world, Tokyo Disney charges significantly less for tickets to its parks than Disneyland and Walt Disney World do for theirs. A one-day, one-park ticket to either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo DisneySea costs just ¥7400 — about US$69. Compare that to the $97-124 that you would pay for one-day, one-park tickets at one of Disney's U.S. theme parks.

That's why we encourage theme park fans on the U.S. west coast to keep their eyes open for airfare discounts to Tokyo and to consider a trip to Tokyo Disney if they are looking for an alternative to a Disneyland or Disney World vacation. Navigating Tokyo Disney without speaking Japanese is easy and if you catch a discounted airfare, the lower theme park ticket prices can make a Tokyo Disney vacation accessible for U.S. fans. (Look for reservations at the on-site Hilton or Sheraton at the Tokyo Disney Resort for the best deals and easiest logistics on a hotel stay.)

Replies (5)

1976DIS
Paul Scott
February 16, 2018 at 1:43 PM · I followed your advice and guide four years ago and found it very easy to visit Tokyo Disney. I have stayed at the Sheraton multiple times getting the room as low as $110 each night to A high of $160. I always compare rates between Sheraton and Hilton and Sheraton is always less. It's a great hotel. A slow day at Tokyo Disney is still very busy with the top attractions having lines between 60 and 90 minutes. If you use FP properly you can hit all the major attractions.

Anonymous878
Anton M
February 16, 2018 at 7:58 PM · Depends on when you’re going. If going in April during the height of cherry blossom season, absolutely no reservations can be found less than 6 months out. Pick an unpopular time, but Tokyo is increasingly popular as a tourist destination.
bet1227
Brandon Townsend
February 17, 2018 at 9:17 PM · I highly recommend a trip there. Just make sure you save some days to visit Tokyo as well, (TDL is in the 'burbs) as it's an extremely interesting city. And if it's a once in a lifetime trip, I also recommend staying at the MiraCosta, even if you have to sell a kidney or two.
SC121
Still a fan
February 18, 2018 at 11:43 PM · Okay, so what's an unpopular time for TDR?
Anonymous878
Anton M
February 19, 2018 at 1:24 PM · Summer is actually a good time to go. It doesn’t coincide with any other government or school holiday or special event.

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