Tokyo WARNING for Disneyland USA fans!

[TP2000]

I'll have to say one good side effect of the apparent trolling are TP2000's excellent follow-up posts. Everything TP2000 has said about TD Resort and Japan in general has paralleled my experience. Very well articulated and enjoyable reading (and hopefully informative for people considering a trip to Japan and TD Resort).

Thank you, that's nice of you to say. I've had fun writing those posts, and reliving the best vacation I've ever taken.

The comment about the "high prices" at Tokyo Disney Resort led me to do some comparison shopping on the official Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland websites. What I found was amazing, as I hadn't really thought about it before or during the trip. I had just assumed that Tokyo would be expensive. But it seems that the park tickets for adults are actually cheaper in Tokyo compared to Anaheim. The only thing that is more expensive in Tokyo is the price of an Annual Pass, and they don't have nearly as many options for AP's in Tokyo as they have in Anaheim.

Here's prices taken from both websites, and adjusted for the current exchange rate of 115 yen per American dollar;

1 Day Single Park Ticket
Anaheim: $56.00 - Tokyo: $47.80

2 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $105.00 - Tokyo: $85.20

3 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $139.00 - Tokyo: $119.13

4 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $159.00 - Tokyo: $149.56

Premium 2-Park Annual Pass
Anaheim: $349.00 - Tokyo: $600.00

Only when it comes to Annual Passes does Tokyo become more expensive. For the average Tokyo tourist, of which all of us here would fall into that category, a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort would be cheaper than the comparable visit to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

Interesting, isn't it? It kind of broke some of the stereotypes for me, especially now that I've returned home and I can look over the receipts and realize how much I actually paid for everything.

[TP2000]

If building a Disney Sea in the United States would dictate high profit growth, it stands to be said that it would be built. The fact that one has never materialized is a testament to Disney's idea, that it would not go over well with American customers. Economics drives decisions, not appeasing you and me.

I'm not so sure about that. I went with a half dozen other Americans, all of which had never been to Japan or DisneySea before, and all of us loved that park. We spent a full 1.5 days in DisneySea, during a 3 day visit. Some of their rides were amazingly entertaining, and had us laughing out loud.

With the exception of Indy, and soon Tower of Terror, all of the DisneySea ride experiences and plotlines were new to us. And even with the language barrier, we had a blast. If we spoke Japanese fluently, or they moved those rides to America and had the CM's speak English, they would be even more fun.

Stormrider was a good example, because it has a 5 minute elaborate pre-show where the CM continually spiels and interacts with mechanical props and special effects. It's sort of like the CM who used to talk to Mr. Johnson in Mission To Mars, except with a much bigger budget. We had no clue what was being said in the 12 minute long Stormrider experience that is heavy on dialogue, but the effects were impressive and the ride was a hoot.

Exciting and unique new rides, fabulous entertainment, wonderful restaurants, over-the-top customer service, all served up in an engrossing and impressive themed environment. Why wouldn't that go over well in America?

[TDLFAN]

Here's prices taken from both websites, and adjusted for the current exchange rate of 115 yen per American dollar;

1 Day Single Park Ticket
Anaheim: $56.00 - Tokyo: $47.80

2 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $105.00 - Tokyo: $85.20

3 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $139.00 - Tokyo: $119.13

4 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $159.00 - Tokyo: $149.56

Premium 2-Park Annual Pass
Anaheim: $349.00 - Tokyo: $600.00

Only when it comes to Annual Passes does Tokyo become more expensive. For the average Tokyo tourist, of which all of us here would fall into that category, a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort would be cheaper than the comparable visit to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.

I live in FL but spend so much time at TDR that I actually have an AP for the park, and it's been the best $600+ I have spent repeatedly in the last few years.. Now, do you really want to be appalled?? Then pull up the same ticket media prices you posted above for WDW and compare, keeping in mind the MK is now referred to as the "most visited" Disney park on Earth...

[ZeekSlider]

1 Day Single Park Ticket
Anaheim: $56.00 - Tokyo: $47.80

2 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $105.00 - Tokyo: $85.20

3 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $139.00 - Tokyo: $119.13

4 Day Park Hopper Ticket
Anaheim: $159.00 - Tokyo: $149.56

Premium 2-Park Annual Pass
Anaheim: $349.00 - Tokyo: $600.00

Service with a Smile
Tokyo: Priceless

There are some things money can't buy, for everything else, there's MasterCard.

Sorry, but when people start listing prices like that, I can't help myself. Still though, $20 cheaper for a 3-Day Park Hpper is really attractive to my pocket book. Sucks how their Annual Pass costs twice as much as Anaheim's however.

[doppio]

Anaheim's should be just as expensive. The AP for the Disneyland Resort is way under priced.

[MattO]

I'm not so sure about that. I went with a half dozen other Americans, all of which had never been to Japan or DisneySea before, and all of us loved that park. We spent a full 1.5 days in DisneySea, during a 3 day visit. Some of their rides were amazingly entertaining, and had us laughing out loud.

The half dozen other Americans are your friends. Friends of a hard core Disney fan. We do not count as typical WalMart loving, mini-van driving, "Freedom isn't free, it cost's a 'buck o five'" loving Americans.

With the exception of Indy, and soon Tower of Terror, all of the DisneySea ride experiences and plotlines were new to us. And even with the language barrier, we had a blast. If we spoke Japanese fluently, or they moved those rides to America and had the CM's speak English, they would be even more fun.

Where would they put Meet the World? Fantasyland?

Stormrider was a good example, because it has a 5 minute elaborate pre-show where the CM continually spiels and interacts with mechanical props and special effects.

IOA tried to have elaborate stories to go along with all their rides. It worked so well that that park dropped it all and its now nothing more than a really nice looking Six Flags.

It's sort of like the CM who used to talk to Mr. Johnson in Mission To Mars, except with a much bigger budget. We had no clue what was being said in the 12 minute long Stormrider experience that is heavy on dialogue, but the effects were impressive and the ride was a hoot.

Again, two different cultures. If Mr. Johnson was popular enough it would still be at Disneyland. Pirates IS popular enough, so it stays. How many rides have been ripped out due to low popularity, whether you and I like it?

Exciting and unique new rides, fabulous entertainment, wonderful restaurants, over-the-top customer service, all served up in an engrossing and impressive themed environment. Why wouldn't that go over well in America?

Some argue that Disneyland/WDW "used to be this way". Let's just go down that logical path... If they used to be that way, and now they are not, it stands to reason that most customers don't care about the "way it used to be", as the parks make more money now than ever. You can't deny that the parks make more money now than 25 years ago when Card Walker let them totally stagnate. And honestly, no one cares about the magic inside the Disney company. Sure there are individual employees, but not the company as a whole. The marketing people that like to take credit for an incredible ploy at turning Walt Disney into the best magician since Houdini, they believe in "magic".

[TDLFAN]

The half dozen other Americans are your friends. Friends of a hard core Disney fan.

You just don't get it that other people may enjoy TDS for what it really is, do you? Why don't you get yourself over there and then make up your own informed and experienced opinions of this park instead of attacking someone who is relating his experiences. Your post has no merit as it's based on heresay and not experienced facts. TDS is that good over what we have in the States that people like you will never be able to understand where those of us are coming from because the quality surpasses 10 folds when compared to the low standards now administered at WDW. You will not understand that enthusiasm until you have experienced TDS. Sad. FYI...I too have been to friends to the various Disney parks and they have not been too kind in their opinions to me at WDW and DLP, so I don't think friends would patronize me just because.

[dizfan]

After my visit to Tokyo Disney Resort, my impression was pretty much the same as yours with the exception of the fact that I still enjoy Disneyland Park as much now as I did before I visited. I just got back from Disneyland Paris earlier this month, and even though it is the most beautiful of the Magic Kingdoms, the original Disneyland is still my favorite.

[TDLFAN]

Where would they put Meet the World? Fantasyland?

Meet the World was announced as part of EPCOT Center's Japan Pavillion as an attraction on opening day but budgets and the lack of sponsor delayed the attraction. Then it was altogether dropped. Why do you think the backside of the Feudal castle in the japan showcase is a huge building behind it?

IOA tried to have elaborate stories to go along with all their rides.

I don't blame Universal for trying but Disney is doing just about the same thing with every new attraction they have opened. Stitch comes to mind... However, you can't blame Universal or Disney for trying as it is the people, especially in the western hemisphere, who are loosing their attention span. One more thing.. "Stormrider" preshow is just about the only preshow with english subtitles as the live CM does his/her spiel and interacts with props as the purpose of our mission is explained to us.... I find it quite entertaining every time I have ridden...especially the huge noisy explotion we have to endure during the demostration.

If Mr. Johnson was popular enough it would still be at Disneyland. Pirates IS popular enough, so it stays

POTC is a fun proven ride, reason why it has stayed. Mr. Johnson had to go because the main show in that attraction sucked and became very outdated, just like it will happen to SIR from Stitch's Great Fiasco. "Stormrider" is a terrific simulator ride that take the simulation experience one step further with in-simulator theater effects and calamities.. Reason why I think it will play at TDS for several years more until something that can top it can be put in it's place.

Some argue that Disneyland/WDW "used to be this way". Let's just go down that logical path... If they used to be that way, and now they are not, it stands to reason that most customers don't care about the "way it used to be", as the parks make more money now than ever. You can't deny that the parks make more money now than 25 years ago when Card Walker let them totally stagnate.

That made no sense to me and certainly not logical to me. However...I was a WDW CM under Card Walker's leadership..and back then, we ran a tight ship. We hardly ever had guests coming into City Hall to complaint about anything in the park. Now a days..everytime I peek my head in there, I can hear someone complaining about something. I pity those kids doing Guests Relations now...but when I see them making excuses for the problems guests encounted instead of being proactive and solve problems as we were required to so, it makes me ill to my stomach. People deserve better at $60+ for a 1-day pass. FACE IT! The parks are operating under very restritive budgets... From the short staff levels of custodial, to maintenance, to reduced kiddy shows like Cinderellabration with little glitter (go see this show at TDL and compare), to behind the scenes initiatives like Castzooming where the cost of upkeeping CM costumes has been passed to the CMs themselves... Gimme a break. Operating under restrictive budgets will allow for big buck to be made in the lonh haul.

As for guests not caring about "the way things used to be".... that makes no sense to me. Sounds like an apologist remark more than anything. If people don't care to experience a MK that is dirty or eat at restaurants with dirty tables due to the lack of proper custodial staffing..it's not bacause they do not care about the way it used to be...it because THEY DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. I am sure anyone would choose sanitation over Mickey anytime...or else, they are pigs. And mind you...most guests are pigs now a days. But in regards to what guests prefer or not... the fact remains that budgets cuts affecting things like Custodial, Maintenance, enterntainment, have deteriorated the WDW experience to alarming levels. WDW is simply not worth the price of admission they charge..which should make everyone wonder... as you say MattO, if the parks are making more money than ever now... how come the parks looks so run down and the attractions are so outdated?? Why do we have the oldest Space Mountain in operation still looking pretty much like it did in 1974 when it opened, whereas DL's and DLP's Space Mountains just got revisional changes and updated special effects? Why is the MK park untidy on a constant basis when trash used to be collected within seconds?? Where is that BIG TIME money you claim they are making going?? Are you a stockholder and seeing this money being placed in your account?? Did stockholder not demand change, reason why Eisner is now gone? Who is pocketing the big money you claim the parks are making now a days???

Thank God TDR did not adopt any of these budgetary initiatives, which is why of us who have been there concider the place to be close to perfection, just like WDW "used to be". They uphold their standards and Disney Traditions near and dear, while the new generation operating WDW has lost theirs. Whether this is cultural or not, may or may not be the case, and if it is...then we should be very concerned about where our culture is headed to in the future.

[TDLFAN]

After my visit to Tokyo Disney Resort, my impression was pretty much the same as yours with the exception of the fact that I still enjoy Disneyland Park as much now as I did before I visited. I just got back from Disneyland Paris earlier this month, and even though it is the most beautiful of the Magic Kingdoms, the original Disneyland is still my favorite.

DLP is a trash can, I hate to admit it... as prety as it is.. As for Disneyland Park...it also remains my very favorite DL park as well for many reasons that are unique to them... a seasoned group of CMs who are the friendliest of any DL park, the charming surroundings of the park itself, it unique offerings such as Matterhorn and Alice's ride, a killer Fantasmic! show... the special overlays.. such as Mansion Holidays.. and most importantly, now that Pressler and Harris are out, the excellent standards of maintenance that have resurfaced in the park for the 50th, a standard that I hope Ouimett can keep going once the golden garlands of the 50th come down. DL is certainly the Happiest Place on Earth!