One an increasing number of not unusual chorus we’ve observed from readers in keeping with fresh Walt Disney International worth will increase on eating places, motels, park tickets, and extra has been: “For the price of a go back and forth to Walt Disney International, I may seek advice from [insert international destination].” Is that this sentiment in reality proper? This submit breaks down the parts, with comparisons on airfare, lodging, admission, meals, and line-skipping.
Some enthusiasts don’t understand this, however their holiday greenbacks cross additional at Disney’s global parks. Now not best are they more economical, however they’re house to fantastic sights and lands like the brand new International of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Fable Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Simply check out our Ratings of the Highest Disney Theme Parks within the International!
This isn’t to mention the U.S. parks are slouches or that you just shouldn’t seek advice from. “The grass is all the time greener” and all that. A few of our Jap buddies dream of visiting Walt Disney International, and want they’d Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Slinky Canine Sprint, Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Avatar Flight of Passage, and extra. Suffice to mention, the decade has been excellent to Walt Disney International enthusiasts, despite the fact that we don’t all the time recognize it.
Ahead of delving into this comparability, context is essential. One is median wages and family source of revenue are considerably larger in the USA than Japan. As is most probably glaring, the objective demographic for every vacation spot is home vacationers, no longer global ones, so native earning make a large distinction in pricing. Every other is the energy of the respective currencies. In truth, that is the difference-maker at the moment in a comparability of prices at Tokyo Disney Lodge vs. Walt Disney International.
That is truly a tale of the U.S. greenback as opposed to the Jap yen. These days 2024, the yen is across the 154 stage towards the U.S. greenback and simply hit a 3-month low following the U.S. presidential election. To place this into viewpoint for the ones are are unfamiliar with touring to Japan or foreign exchange, a nice/customary rule of thumb was a 100:1 change fee. Now, it’s above 150:1. I’m no mathematician, however that’s a large growth. It’s additionally on best of the decrease baseline costs in Japan. That is large information for American citizens touring to Japan.
Now for the unhealthy information: the window in this most probably will shut prior to 2027. Whilst traditionally vulnerable, the 150 stage is in reality the worst that the change fee has been on our journeys to Japan in the previous couple of years. The rage has reversed, and can most likely proceed to take action, for the reason that U.S. Federal Reserve has signaled it’s going to start out reducing rates of interest, while the Financial institution of Japan is in any case elevating them.
Regardless, the following couple of years must nonetheless be a good time to seek advice from Tokyo Disney Lodge with the change fee good-to-great by way of ancient requirements. Simply no longer somewhat as incredible because it used to be previous this 12 months, when flirting with the 160 mark.
That is large information for American citizens touring to Japan, but it surely doesn’t practice to everybody. Don’t stroll right into a grocery store in Japan and shout about how “affordable” the whole thing is in there. That received’t win you several buddies. Individuals who are living in Japan and are paid in yen have a unique viewpoint in this subject.
Level being, this makes evaluating costs on the home parks to the global ones is apples to oranges. We like Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea and assume they’re most often higher than the U.S. parks, however that conclusion doesn’t require a value comparability to “end up the purpose.”
We’re going to set all of that apart–however simply know that it’s no longer an easy comparability. Explaining the why of it’s past the scope of this submit, which exists to resolve whether or not an American Disney fan can fly midway world wide to Japan and also have a less expensive holiday than touring partway around the U.S. to Walt Disney International.
After all, it’s additionally no longer a query of whether or not a go back and forth to Japan is “affordable” in absolute phrases. It’s relative. Which is the inexpensiveer of the 2 choices: a go back and forth to Walt Disney International or a go back and forth to Tokyo Disney Lodge. A go back and forth to any Disney park is financially out of succeed in for lots of the international’s inhabitants, so we’re all somewhat lucky if we’re ever ready to seek advice from any Disney park anyplace. Use “more economical” versus “less expensive” should you’re stricken by way of terminology.
Mentioned that means, the actual query is whether or not touring to Japan and visiting Tokyo Disney Lodge is more economical than visiting Walt Disney International for American citizens with the manner to holiday at Disney Parks within the first position. Phew. Now not precisely as concise of a headline. It’s a slim comparability geared toward just a sliver of the arena’s inhabitants, however there’s a tight probability you’re amongst that demo should you’re studying an English-language Disney weblog primarily based in the USA.
However, we really feel all of those caveats are essential as a result of this kind of submit inevitability frustrates some enthusiasts. As with the rest, your mileage might range. Let’s set all of that apart and dig into this Tokyo Disney Lodge vs. Walt Disney International cost-comparison…
Airfare: Tokyo vs. Orlando
Flights are often seen because the insurmountable impediment for visiting Tokyo Disney Lodge. In case you seek from a regional airport in West Virginia on Christmas Eve (returning on New 12 months’s Eve), you may conclude that all dates from all airports charge $5,571 roundtrip. After all, that’s no longer reflective of reasonable flights prices, simply because it wouldn’t be for airfare to Walt Disney International.
Inexpensive airfare is in reality what precipitated this submit. I’ve airfare signals set via a handful of various web sites and my e mail has been blowing up with notifications in recent times, together with from towns I’ve by no means observed prior to. It was the case that affordable airfare used to be conceivable out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Now, the ones costs are even decrease–however there are cheap choices from in other places. Right here’s a small sampling of the offers I’ve observed:
For no matter it’s price, we’ve often paid round $600 roundtrip for flights from Los Angeles. Our normal rule is that we pay out of pocket for the rest beneath $900, and use miles for flights above that. The one time we’ve paid extra is when no longer versatile with dates.
Something we’ve spotted in the previous couple of years with airfare to Japan is that it’s usually most cost-effective both when there are gross sales (clearly) or inside of 6 months. Oftentimes, ultimate minute flights have the bottom costs of all. We’ve nearly by no means discovered the most productive costs over 8 months upfront.
Ascribing a price to flights is a problem since they’re so dependent upon trip dates and your house airport. On the absolute most, the associated fee must be LAX-TYO + LAX-your house airport (and you’ll be able to do a visit Disneyland!). Flights to Japan will probably be costlier than costs the majority of vacationers would pay to get to Walt Disney International. For this comparability, we’re doing a birthday celebration of four and surroundings the per-person charge to Tokyo at $900 and to Orlando at $200.
Listed here are the airfare totals:
- Spherical go back and forth flights to Tokyo: $3,600
- Spherical go back and forth flights to Orlando: $800
The entire ballgame right here is basically whether or not decrease prices on the whole thing else in Japan can shut this $2,800 hole. After all, that distinction will increase or decreases according to your birthday celebration dimension–you’ll need to do the mathematics for yourselves.
Monorail Loop Resorts
For years, we’ve really helpful guests on the cheap eschew the Disney-branded motels in want of the Tokyo Disney Lodge Legit Resorts which can be on-site and be offering monorail get admission to to each parks. To attract a Walt Disney International comparability, those could be like hanging the Swan & Dolphin within the Fresh’s location.
Now we have stayed at each and every unmarried this sort of, however want the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay or the Hilton Tokyo Bay. We nearly all the time e book the latter since Sarah has Hilton Diamond Standing, which will get us unfastened upgrades, breakfast buffet, and concierge living room get admission to for foods. Now we have logged extra remains at this resort than with regards to anyplace.
Either one of the Hilton and Sheraton could be Deluxe Inns by way of Walt Disney International requirements–as long as you get up to date rooms (Ocean Dream on the Sheraton; Celebrio on the Hilton). The Sheraton’s trendy rooms are more moderen, however I’ve a cushy spot for the Celebrio rooms on the Hilton. In truth, I’d select those new rooms on the Hilton or Sheraton over the Incredibles rooms on the Fresh; each are simply awesome motels as an entire to the Fresh.
Since lots of the above airfare offers surround dates in Wintry weather 2025, I’m going to make a choice January 19-25, 2025 because the dates to value out motels. This closely favors Walt Disney International, since that’s probably the most most cost-effective fee seasons for motels and there’s these days a 25% off deal. I need to err at the aspect of giving Walt Disney International each and every conceivable merit, as I don’t need any individual to assert this comparability is biased against Tokyo Disney Lodge.
For the ones dates, Hilton Tokyo Bay is $187 according to night time, which is larger than the typical we’ve paid this 12 months. It’s additionally costlier than the almost-inevitable Black Friday flash sale that Hilton will be offering. Against this, the Sheraton is slightly over $200 according to night time. However, I’m additionally throwing Toy Tale Lodge (despite the fact that it’s offered out for many dates on this vary) into the comparability. Despite the fact that they had been the similar worth, we’d e book the Hilton over Toy Tale Lodge, however really feel it’s best honest for a Disney vs. Disney comparability.
Listed here are the resort totals:
- Tokyo Disney Lodge Lodge (Hilton): $1,235
- Tokyo Disney Lodge Lodge (Toy Tale Lodge): $1,801.20
- Walt Disney International Lodge Lodge (Fresh): $3,656.48
- Walt Disney International Lodge Lodge (Wasteland Hotel): $3,348.95
Similar to that, we’ve come truly just about bridging the space!
Park Tickets
As mentioned in our Tokyo Disneyland Cut price Price ticket Pointers, tickets can promote out upfront. We extremely counsel buying a minimum of a pair weeks upfront from TDR without delay or by means of approved TDR price tag supplier Klook (particularly helpful in case your bank card has problems with the TDR website).
Complete single-day park tickets charge 7,900 yen to ten,900 yen for adults, which is roughly $52 to $72. Tokyo Disney Lodge has no longer but resumed gross sales of multi-day tickets or Annual Passes.
For our dates in Wintry weather 2025, tickets are $55 according to day for adults and $33 to $46 for children. (Tokyo breaks down visitor ages as follows: adults are visitors ages 18 & over; Junior is ages 12-17; kid is ages 4-11. Visitors ages 3 & beneath are unfastened. All over this submit, we’ll think the kin of four in query is two adults, one junior, and one kid.)
For five day tickets, listed here are the totals:
- Tokyo Disney Lodge tickets: $933.90
- Walt Disney International tickets: $2,817.98
For Walt Disney International, we priced out 5-day tickets; for TDR, 5 single-day tickets. Those are all one park according to day tickets, since that’s all TDR provides these days. It’s conceivable Walt Disney International will be offering a 4-park price tag deal round this time subsequent 12 months–however we wouldn’t depend on it, as iciness is changing into an increasing number of fashionable. On the other hand, it could be less expensive to buy that.
The per-day charge additionally does lower for Walt Disney International with longer period tickets, however even 10-day tickets in August or September are nonetheless costlier than single-day Tokyo Disney Lodge tickets. The space does slim significantly, however TDR nonetheless wins. (It could be a unique tale for global visitors who can buy 14-day Walt Disney International tickets, because the per-day charge is decrease on the ones.)
Line-Skipping: Lightning Lanes vs. Premier Get entry to
Paid FastPass has (unfortunately) unfold to Japan, and is to be had at fashionable rides and leisure at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. Referred to as Premier Get entry to, it’s their model of Particular person Lightning Lanes. Tokyo Disney Lodge additionally nonetheless has a model of unfastened FastPass, now referred to as Precedence Cross. (Be told extra: Information to Precedence Cross & Premier Get entry to at Tokyo Disney Lodge.)
Now we have no longer purchased Premier Get entry to for any enchantment, as an alternative the usage of early mornings and past due nights to knock the whole thing out (together with more than one rides on Enchanted Story of Attractiveness and the Beast) with out a lot factor. On the other hand, should you’re a primary timer with restricted time, it’s most likely that you are going to acquire it for one trip at Tokyo Disneyland and 3-5 rides at Tokyo DisneySea. (Sure, that’s somewhat the imbalance–due in large part to the brand new Fable Springs at TDS, and a a ways higher lineup of unfastened Precedence Cross sights at TDL.)
Premier Get entry to prices $10 to $13 according to trip, so price range about $30 according to consumer according to day to line-skipping at Tokyo Disney Lodge. That’s a coarse estimate, it might be larger should you decide to buy Premier Get entry to for leisure or different sights (we wouldn’t counsel that).
It’s most probably honest to mention the typical visitor will spend about the similar on line-skipping at Walt Disney International as they might at Tokyo Disney Lodge by means of a mixture of Lightning Lane Multi-Cross and Unmarried Cross. Since we don’t acquire any of those choices, for essentially the most phase, and because they’re completely non-compulsory at each locations, I’m no longer going to incorporate them as a line-item. Simply know that “about $30/day/consumer” goes to be across the reasonable for each. Frugal vacationers can get that to $0, while top rollers can simply transparent $50.
Counter Provider Eating places
Meals is more economical at Tokyo Disney Lodge. In case you’re simply buying an entree, you’ll be able to continuously achieve this for $6 to $8. Hungry Undergo Eating place is my favourite counter provider spot for curry in both park, and it fees ¥900 for the curry at the left and ¥1,100 for the port cutlet curry at the proper. That’s a complete of $13.20 for each bowls.
Particular units also are to be had that come with beverages and muffins, and those usually charge $10 to $14 at Tokyo Disney Lodge. Against this, entrees at in-park eating places at Walt Disney International usually charge $11 to $15. There are not any particular units, so that you’re having a look at spending an additional $9 or so for beverages and muffins.
We’re no longer going to incorporate the ones right here, regardless of them expanding the space, as drink and dessert sizes aren’t related. Additionally, we don’t usually purchase these items, anyway. Right here’s how the comparability breaks down, doing grownup foods for all 4 visitors within the birthday celebration:
- Counter Provider Meal (TDR): $28
- Counter Provider Meal (WDW): $48
After all, this is only one meal. The variation will increase over the process more than one foods and days.
Buffets: Crystal Palace vs. Crystal Palace
This buffet exists in the very same development in each Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland. The important thing variations are that no Winnie the Pooh characters are provide and the delicacies is best at Tokyo Disneyland. Along with meats, sushi and seafood, Crystal Palace additionally has a powerful dessert lineup. The little inexperienced mochi are, to borrow a word from Joey, the place we win our a refund.
The Crystal Palace buffet prices 4,500 yen according to grownup or 1,800 to two,850 yen for children. There’s no tipping in Japan, in order that’s the out the door charge. Against this, Crystal Palace at Walt Disney International prices $62 according to grownup and $42 according to kid plus tax and tip. Listed here are totals for our fictional kin of 4:
- Crystal Palace at TDL: $90.67
- Crystal Palace at WDW: $250
Suffice to mention, the space is considerably better on buffets than counter provider eating places–however this isn’t apples to apples for the reason that one is a personality meal and the opposite isn’t.
Desk Provider Eating places: Magellan’s vs. California Grill
It’s an excessively identical tale with complete desk provider eating places, proper right down to there being no apple-to-apple comparisons. The 2 eating places the place we dine greater than any others are Magellan’s and Ristorante di Canaletto, each in Tokyo DisneySea. Our ultimate meal on the latter, a waterfront Italian eating place, charge $23 according to consumer for person pizzas and tiramisu. That is an identical to a ~$50 meal at By way of Napoli.
The particular set we’d order at Magellan’s prices $40 for a bread route, one starter, one entree, one dessert, and drink. This is sort of a fancier model of California Grill at Walt Disney International, which charge roughly $110 out the door according to consumer the ultimate time we dined there. For this comparability, we’re doing the grownup’s menu solely at Magellan’s, plus 2 adults and a couple of youngsters at California Grill:
- Magellan’s at TDS: $160
- California Grill at WDW: $316
Desk provider menu costs are costlier to start with at Walt Disney International, however ~20% tips about best of the ones already larger costs additionally make a truly giant distinction. In case you do numerous sit-down eating, the price proposition at TDR improves significantly. On the other hand, we wouldn’t counsel doing many desk provider foods if it’s your first go back and forth to Japan–there’s such a lot to look and do! (Magellan’s is a will have to, despite the fact that.)
Tokyo vs. Walt Disney International: Value Comparability Conclusion
In the end, it must be transparent that Tokyo Disney Lodge can be less expensive than Walt Disney International for the typical American kin of four that has to trip to each locations. I hate math, so I’m simply going so as to add up the prices of airfare, lodging, and admission. Virtually the whole thing else, together with issues we unnoticed–like souvenirs and transportation–will most likely charge much less in Japan.
Opting for the higher-tier resort (Toy Tale) at Tokyo Disney Lodge, the entire for simply the ones parts involves round $6,335. The whole for Walt Disney International with the less expensive resort (Wasteland Hotel) is more or less $6,967. Meals goes to change an excessive amount of from family-to-family, however I will be able to fathom a situation wherein it’s costlier to consume at TDR–it must be round part the price of Walt Disney International.
After all, you’ll be able to get either one of the ones numbers larger or decrease. Make a choice the Hilton or Sheraton, and it must drop for Tokyo Disney Lodge. Have hassle discovering flight offers, and it will leap for Japan. It’s good to additionally go for a less expensive Price Lodge at Walt Disney International, however the “downside” with this is there are price range motels which can be <quarter-hour from TDR and price smartly beneath $100 according to night time. The salient level is that there are methods to chop prices for each–you’re simply most probably extra conversant in the strategies for Walt Disney International.
Going with an extended period, as we might counsel for each locations, does building up the per-day foundation of tickets at Walt Disney International, however that still dilutes the per-day charge of airfare to Japan. Until you really torture the mathematics to supply the realization you need (wherein case, why even learn this a ways?), it’s tricky to triumph over the less expensive prices for lodging and meals at Tokyo Disney Lodge. And once more, the above budgets don’t even take meals under consideration, which might finally end up being about two times as dear (give or take) at Walt Disney International.
To not point out the truth that you just’re most likely spending time in other places in Japan, the place there’s an abundance of fantastic cheap or unfastened actions. It’s onerous to copy than in Central Florida, excluding manatee observing and a handful of different issues. Lots of the stuff you’ll need to do round Orlando are touristy, with costs to compare.
Tokyo Disney Lodge is less expensive than Walt Disney International, however previously, the space used to be by no means this vast. Until you had been a solo traveler, couple or lived in California (wherein case, you want to do Disneyland as an alternative of WDW), it used to be nearly unimaginable to triumph over airfare. It received’t all the time be this manner. Presently is a uniquely large time for American citizens to seek advice from Japan to make the most of our more potent foreign money and bigger buying energy.
Because of this you received’t simply come upon “affordable” costs on the parks–you’ll in finding them just about in all places you cross. That may stay true as long as the change fee remains to be traditionally favorable and across the 130 to 160 yen to greenback stage. As a threshold topic, this assumes you’re ready to attain cheap airfare, are at ease touring across the world, and feature the will to seek advice from Japan.
After all, no longer everyone seems to be prepared or ready to trip across the world to Tokyo Disney Lodge. However should you learn this deeply into the subject, we’re guessing you’re a minimum of at the fence. During which case, you must completely do it. Within the decade-plus that we’ve been effusively praising Tokyo Disney Lodge and recommending Japan to any individual who would pay attention, we’ve heard from perhaps 3-4 individuals who had been dissatisfied, and actually masses who mentioned it exceeded expectancies–many even referred to as it the go back and forth of a life-time.
Anyway, just a few meals for concept should you’ve been occupied with visiting Japan however assumed it used to be out of succeed in. Now not best is it probably in succeed in, however now’s an out of this world time to move between the energy of the greenback and new Fable Springs. It additionally could be a great time to take a damage from Walt Disney International, and not using a new primary sights at the horizon till 2027! For the whole thing else you want to grasp, we now have a ton of sources within the hyperlinks underneath.
Making plans a go back and forth to Tokyo Disney Lodge? For complete recommendation, the most productive position to start out is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Go back and forth Making plans Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Lodge Ratings & Evaluations web page covers lodging. Our Eating place Evaluations element the place to dine & snack. To save cash on tickets or resolve which kind to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash submit. Our What to Pack for Disney submit takes a singular take a look at suave pieces to take. Venturing in other places in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Town Information to Tokyo, Japan.
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you bring to mind the associated fee comparability of touring to Tokyo Disney Lodge vs. Walt Disney International? Have you ever visited Japan in the previous couple of years? What used to be your revel in with the sturdy greenback and vulnerable yen? How did you are feeling in regards to the worth proposition of Tokyo Disney Lodge? Any questions we will mean you can solution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please proportion your ideas underneath within the feedback!
