Disney Vacations at Risk: Theme Park No Longer Allows Vacation Bookings

If you have been planning on visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, be aware, as the website may not allow you to go to the theme park, let alone vacation there.

Tokyo Disney Resort, a dazzling display of Disney magic nestled in Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, has captivated hearts since its grand opening in 1983. Owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company under a license from The Walt Disney Company, the resort boasts two theme parks – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea – transporting guests to beloved Disney stories and fantastical adventures.

Tokyo Disney Resort enjoys immense popularity, consistently ranking among the most visited theme parks globally. While exact attendance figures can vary year to year, pre-pandemic estimates suggest the resort welcomes over 17 million guests annually, and this year, the park is expecting 3,000,000. This popularity is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail, exceptional service, and unique experiences offered by Tokyo Disney Resort.

The resort comprises two distinct theme parks, each offering a unique experience.

Tokyo Disneyland: This park, the first to open, is a classic Disney experience. Divided into seven themed lands – Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, Toontown, and World Bazaar – it features iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and “”it’s a small world”.” Adventure seekers can embark on thrilling rides like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, while families can delight in whimsical experiences like Peter Pan’s Flight and Pooh’s Hunny Hunt.

Tokyo DisneySea: This park, opened in 2001, is a global phenomenon unique to Tokyo. Themed around mythical seafaring journeys, it features seven captivating lands – Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, and Cape Cod. Guests can explore the depths of the ocean in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, soar through the skies aboard Aquatopia, and journey through the lost city of Atlantis in Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

Given the sheer number of rides and attractions across both parks (well over 70!), providing a detailed description of each one falls outside the scope of this article. However, the official Tokyo Disney Resort website offers comprehensive information about each ride, including descriptions, wait times, and accessibility details.

The cost of a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort from America can vary depending on several factors, including travel dates, flight options, accommodation choices, and spending habits within the resort.

Here’s a rough breakdown:

• Roundtrip Flights: Prices can range from $1,000 to $3,000 per person depending on the season and airline.
• Park Tickets: One-day adult tickets start around ¥8,200 (approximately $75 USD). Multi-day passes and special event tickets can increase the cost.
• Accommodation: Hotels near the resort range from budget-friendly options to luxurious Disney hotels. Expect to spend anywhere from $100 to $500 per night.
• Food & Beverages: Dining options abound within the parks, from quick-service eateries to character dining experiences. Plan on spending ¥3,000-¥5,000 (approximately $28-$45 USD) per person per day for meals.

Tokyo Disney Resort offers a variety of hotels to suit every budget and preference. The resort boasts Four luxurious Disney hotels – Disney Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta, the newly added Fantasy Springs Hotel, and Tokyo Disneyland Hotel – offering themed rooms, exclusive character interactions, and convenient access to the parks. There are also other hotels, like the Toy Story Hotel, on property.

Several non-Disney hotels situated near the resort provide a range of amenities and price points.

As of June 6th, 2024, Tokyo Disney Resort unveiled a brand new expansion – Fantasy Springs. Fantasy Springs includes three distinct areas: Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land. Additionally, the Tokyo DisneySea Fantasy Springs Hotel opened, offering an immersive experience with multiple dining venues and luxurious accommodations integrated into the park.

The enduring popularity of Peter Pan takes center stage in Fantasy Springs. Tinker Bell, a cherished character in Disney animation, becomes the star of two unique attractions. Guests can embark on a whimsical journey through Pixie Hollow, helping Tinker Bell deliver her packages in Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies.

For the more adventurous, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure offers a thrilling 3D experience, joining Peter Pan himself in a daring rescue mission to save John from the clutches of Captain Hook. Completing the immersive experience, visitors can explore a pirate ship and enjoy a delightful meal at the themed counter-service restaurant Lookout Cookout.

Fantasy Springs finally grants Tangled the prominent presence it deserves. Moving beyond a mere decoration, Rapunzel’s story unfolds in Rapunzel’s Forest. Here, guests can join Rapunzel and Flynn Rider on a romantic boat ride through a dazzling lantern festival in Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival. Fans can also explore Rapunzel’s iconic tower and dine at The Snuggly Duckling, a counter-service restaurant known for its adventurous patrons.

This expansion sets Tokyo Disney’s Tangled experience apart from Disneyland Paris, where a rumored teacup ride pales in comparison to the immersive adventures offered in Fantasy Springs.

The global phenomenon Frozen continues to captivate hearts at Tokyo Disney Resort. Frozen Kingdom brings the beloved characters of Anna, Elsa, and the enchanting world of Arendelle to life. Guests can embark on a dazzling new ride, Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey, reliving the iconic storyline and beloved songs from the original film.

The Frozen Kingdom further immerses visitors with themed dining options. Oaken’s OK Foods offers a variety of quick bites, while The Royal Banquet of Arendelle invites guests to enjoy a delicious meal within the grand Arendelle Castle. This iteration of the Frozen experience is particularly noteworthy, drawing praise for its technological advancements and additional scenes compared to the version found at EPCOT in Walt Disney World.

Tokyo Disney Resort offers an unforgettable experience for guests of all ages. With its two distinct theme parks, charming hotels, and unwavering commitment to guest satisfaction, it’s no wonder this resort remains a global leader in the world of theme parks. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or simply seeking a magical escape, Tokyo Disney Resort promises an adventure unlike any other.

While the resort is a must-do for many Disney fans, Tokyo Disney does not make it easy to visit.

The Tokyo Disney Sea thread on Reddit was recently flooded with guests and fans discussing how complicated and nearly impossible the website is when it comes to booking a vacation.

The thread began with, “I’ve been trying to book a vacation package since yesterday and I’ve actually made anti-progress, at least this morning I got stuck on loading restaurant reservations (which I don’t even want). Now I can’t even get that far. None of the great suggestions on this subreddit helped because the website barely works :(”

Every comment that followed seemed to agree.

One guest wrote, “Yeah, Japanese websites are notoriously out of date and awful.”

Another said, “Agree that this is the worst website ever and they really need to use better IT. It took me trying for almost a day to finally book a VP. After launch there were so many IT issues and after maintenance I kept on getting loading errors. Make sure you’re logged in first, and you’ll have no hope, but when picking items like rides and restaurants, it would take a 5-minute wait for each click, so be patient.”

Another guest noted that they ended up giving up, “I actually gave up. I’m going to be there for my 45th birthday and I wanted to go all out on the package and I can’t even get past the picking hotels screen. I’m just going to wait until the tickets for the month I’m going to be there open up and just hope that we can all tag team some DPA then standby passes.”

These are just a few of many of the comments, that all point to the same issue, the booking website for Tokyo Disney Resort.

Some commenters offered possible solutions, such as attempting to book in the middle of the day, when traffic to the Japanese site would be low, using a VPN, and using multiple browsers. That being said, many noted that even while doing that, they were still stuck.

Personally, when booking a Tokyo Disney Resort trip, I found it easier to book my tickets through a third-party vendor as the Tokyo Disney Resort does not always accept American credit cards; however, if you are looking to book a vacation package, you would have to do that via the resort website.

It is unclear as to why the site is so difficult to use, and why Disney has not yet fixed it, as it is a very common complaint from many who visit, especially internationally. If you do have thin patience, a trip to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort may be an easier travel planning experience.

Have you ever tried to book a Tokyo Disney Resort trip using the official website?