Is It Cheaper to Go to Tokyo Than Disney World?

One more and more widespread chorus we’ve seen from readers in response to latest Walt Disney World value will increase on eating places, resorts, park tickets, and extra has been: “For the price of a visit to Walt Disney World, I might go to [insert international destination].” Is that this sentiment truly appropriate? This submit breaks down the elements, with comparisons on airfare, lodging, admission, meals, and line-skipping.

Some followers don’t understand this, however their trip {dollars} go additional at Disney’s worldwide parks. Not solely are they inexpensive, however they’re house to unbelievable points of interest and lands like the brand new World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland and Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Simply check out our Rankings of the Greatest Disney Theme Parks within the World!

This isn’t to say the U.S. parks are slouches or that you just shouldn’t go to. “The grass is all the time greener” and all that. A few of our Japanese pals dream of visiting Walt Disney World, and want that they had Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Slinky Canine Sprint, Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, Avatar Flight of Passage, and extra. Suffice to say, the final decade has been superb to Walt Disney World followers, even when we don’t all the time recognize it.

Earlier than delving into this comparability, context is critical. One is median wages and family earnings are considerably larger in the USA than Japan. As might be apparent, the goal demographic for every vacation spot is home vacationers, not worldwide ones, so native incomes make a giant distinction in pricing. One other is the energy of the respective currencies. Truthfully, that is the difference-maker proper now in a comparability of prices at Tokyo Disney Resort vs. Walt Disney World.

That is actually a narrative of the U.S. greenback versus the Japanese yen. As of late 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 perspective for these are are unfamiliar with touring to Japan or overseas foreign money, /regular rule of thumb was a 100:1 change price. Now, it’s above 150:1. I’m no mathematician, however that’s a large enchancment. It’s additionally on prime of the decrease baseline costs in Japan. That is nice information for People touring to Japan.

Now for the dangerous information: the window on this in all probability will shut earlier than 2027. Whereas traditionally weak, the 150 stage is definitely the worst that the change price has been on our journeys to Japan in the previous few years. The pattern has reversed, and can probably proceed to take action, as a result of the U.S. Federal Reserve has signaled it’s going to begin slicing rates of interest, whereas the Financial institution of Japan is lastly elevating them.

Regardless, the subsequent couple of years ought to nonetheless be a good time to go to Tokyo Disney Resort with the change price good-to-great by historic requirements. Simply not fairly as improbable because it was earlier this 12 months, when flirting with the 160 mark.

That is nice information for People touring to Japan, nevertheless it doesn’t apply to everybody. Don’t stroll right into a grocery store in Japan and shout about how “low cost” every part is in there. That received’t win you a lot pals. Individuals who reside in Japan and are paid in yen have a unique perspective on this subject.

Level being, this makes evaluating costs on the home parks to the worldwide ones is apples to oranges. We love Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea and assume they’re usually higher than the U.S. parks, however that conclusion doesn’t require a value comparability to “show the purpose.”

We’re going to set all of that apart–however simply know that it’s not a simple comparability. Explaining the why of it’s past the scope of this submit, which exists to find out whether or not an American Disney fan can fly midway world wide to Japan and nonetheless have a less expensive trip than touring partway throughout the U.S. to Walt Disney World.

Lastly, it’s additionally not a query of whether or not a visit to Japan is “low cost” in absolute phrases. It’s relative. Which is a budgeter of the 2 choices: a visit to Walt Disney World or a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort. A visit to any Disney park is financially out of attain for many of the world’s inhabitants, so we’re all fairly lucky if we’re ever in a position to go to any Disney park wherever. Use “inexpensive” versus “cheaper” in the event you’re bothered by terminology.

Said that manner, the actual query is whether or not touring to Japan and visiting Tokyo Disney Resort is inexpensive than visiting Walt Disney World for People with the means to trip at Disney Parks within the first place. Phew. Not precisely as concise of a headline. It’s a slim comparability aimed toward solely a sliver of the world’s inhabitants, however there’s an honest likelihood you’re amongst that demo in the event you’re studying an English-language Disney weblog based mostly in the USA.

Nonetheless, we really feel all of those caveats are mandatory as a result of such a submit inevitability frustrates some followers. As with something, your mileage might range. Let’s set all of that apart and dig into this Tokyo Disney Resort vs. Walt Disney World cost-comparison…

Airfare: Tokyo vs. Orlando

Flights are continuously seen because the insurmountable impediment for visiting Tokyo Disney Resort. In case you search 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 value $5,571 roundtrip. In fact, that’s not reflective of common flights prices, simply because it wouldn’t be for airfare to Walt Disney World.

Cheaper airfare is definitely what prompted this submit. I’ve airfare alerts set by way of a handful of various web sites and my e mail has been blowing up with notifications recently, together with from cities I’ve by no means seen earlier than. It was the case that cheap airfare was attainable out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Now, these costs are even decrease–however there are cheap choices from elsewhere. Right here’s a small sampling of the offers I’ve seen:

For no matter it’s value, we’ve continuously paid round $600 roundtrip for flights from Los Angeles. Our common rule is that we pay out of pocket for something beneath $900, and use miles for flights above that. The one time we’ve paid extra is when not versatile with dates.

One factor we’ve observed in the previous few years with airfare to Japan is that it’s usually most cost-effective both when there are gross sales (clearly) or inside 6 months. Oftentimes, final minute flights have the bottom costs of all. We’ve nearly by no means discovered the perfect costs over 8 months prematurely.

Ascribing a worth to flights is a problem since they’re so dependent upon journey dates and your house airport. On the absolute most, the fee ought to be LAX-TYO + LAX-your house airport (and you are able to do a visit Disneyland!). Flights to Japan will likely be dearer than costs the overwhelming majority of vacationers would pay to get to Walt Disney World. For this comparability, we’re doing a celebration of 4 and setting the per-person value to Tokyo at $900 and to Orlando at $200.

Listed here are the airfare totals:

• Spherical journey flights to Tokyo: $3,600
• Spherical journey flights to Orlando: $800

The entire ballgame right here is actually whether or not decrease prices on every part else in Japan can shut this $2,800 hole. In fact, that distinction will increase or decreases based mostly in your get together measurement–you’ll should do the maths for yourselves.

Monorail Loop Resorts

For years, we’ve beneficial guests on a finances eschew the Disney-branded inns in favor of the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Resorts which might be on-site and supply monorail entry to each parks. To attract a Walt Disney World comparability, these could be like placing the Swan & Dolphin within the Up to date’s location.

We now have stayed at each single certainly one of these, however favor the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay or the Hilton Tokyo Bay. We nearly all the time guide the latter since Sarah has Hilton Diamond Standing, which will get us free upgrades, breakfast buffet, and concierge lounge entry for meals. We now have logged extra stays at this resort than simply about wherever.

Each of the Hilton and Sheraton could be Deluxe Resorts by Walt Disney World 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 newer, however I’ve a smooth spot for the Celebrio rooms on the Hilton. Truthfully, I’d choose these new rooms on the Hilton or Sheraton over the Incredibles rooms on the Up to date; each are simply superior inns as a complete to the Up to date.

Since many of the above airfare offers embody dates in Winter 2025, I’m going to decide on January 19-25, 2025 because the dates to cost out inns. This closely favors Walt Disney World, since that’s one of many most cost-effective price seasons for resorts and there’s at the moment a 25% off deal. I wish to err on the aspect of giving Walt Disney World each attainable benefit, as I don’t need anybody to assert this comparability is biased in direction of Tokyo Disney Resort.

For these dates, Hilton Tokyo Bay is $187 per night time, which is larger than the typical we’ve paid this 12 months. It’s additionally dearer than the almost-inevitable Black Friday flash sale that Hilton will supply. Against this, the Sheraton is a bit over $200 per night time. Nonetheless, I’m additionally throwing Toy Story Lodge (although it’s bought out for many dates on this vary) into the comparability. Even when they have been the identical value, we’d guide the Hilton over Toy Story Lodge, however really feel it’s solely honest for a Disney vs. Disney comparability.

Listed here are the resort totals:

• Tokyo Disney Resort Lodge (Hilton): $1,235
• Tokyo Disney Resort Lodge (Toy Story Lodge): $1,801.20
• Walt Disney World Resort Lodge (Up to date): $3,656.48
• Walt Disney World Resort Lodge (Wilderness Lodge): $3,348.95

Identical to that, we’ve come actually near bridging the hole!

Park Tickets

As mentioned in our Tokyo Disneyland Low cost Ticket Ideas, tickets can promote out prematurely. We extremely advocate buying at the least a pair weeks prematurely from TDR instantly or by way of licensed TDR ticket vendor Klook (particularly helpful in case your bank card has points with the TDR web site).

Full single-day park tickets value 7,900 yen to 10,900 yen for adults, which is roughly $52 to $72. Tokyo Disney Resort has not but resumed gross sales of multi-day tickets or Annual Passes.

For our dates in Winter 2025, tickets are $55 per day for adults and $33 to $46 for youths. (Tokyo breaks down visitor ages as follows: adults are visitors ages 18 & over; Junior is ages 12-17; baby is ages 4-11. Friends ages 3 & beneath are free. All through this submit, we’ll assume the household of 4 in query is 2 adults, one junior, and one baby.)

For five day tickets, listed below are the totals:

• Tokyo Disney Resort tickets: $933.90
• Walt Disney World tickets: $2,817.98

For Walt Disney World, we priced out 5-day tickets; for TDR, 5 single-day tickets. These are all one park per day tickets, since that’s all TDR gives at the moment. It’s attainable Walt Disney World will supply a 4-park ticket deal round this time subsequent 12 months–however we wouldn’t depend on it, as winter is changing into more and more in style. Nonetheless, it will be cheaper to buy that.

The per-day value additionally does lower for Walt Disney World with longer period tickets, however even 10-day tickets in August or September are nonetheless dearer than single-day Tokyo Disney Resort tickets. The hole does slim significantly, however TDR nonetheless wins. (It will be a unique story for worldwide visitors who can buy 14-day Walt Disney World tickets, because the per-day value is decrease on these.)

Line-Skipping: Lightning Lanes vs. Premier Entry

Paid FastPass has (sadly) unfold to Japan, and is on the market at in style rides and leisure at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. Referred to as Premier Entry, it’s their model of Particular person Lightning Lanes. Tokyo Disney Resort additionally nonetheless has a model of free FastPass, now often known as Precedence Go. (Be taught extra: Information to Precedence Go & Premier Entry at Tokyo Disney Resort.)

We now have not purchased Premier Entry for any attraction, as a substitute utilizing early mornings and late nights to knock every part out (together with a number of rides on Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast) with out a lot situation. Nonetheless, in the event you’re a primary timer with restricted time, it’s probably that you’ll buy it for one journey at Tokyo Disneyland and 3-5 rides at Tokyo DisneySea. (Sure, that’s fairly the imbalance–due largely to the brand new Fantasy Springs at TDS, and a much better lineup of free Precedence Go points of interest at TDL.)

Premier Entry prices $10 to $13 per journey, so finances about $30 per individual per day to line-skipping at Tokyo Disney Resort. That’s a tough estimate, it might be larger in the event you choose to buy Premier Entry for leisure or different points of interest (we wouldn’t advocate that).

It’s in all probability honest to say the typical visitor will spend about the identical on line-skipping at Walt Disney World as they might at Tokyo Disney Resort by way of a mix of Lightning Lane Multi-Go and Single Go. Since we don’t buy any of those choices, for probably the most half, and since they’re fully non-obligatory at each locations, I’m not going to incorporate them as a line-item. Simply know that “about $30/day/individual” goes to be across the common for each. Frugal vacationers can get that to $0, whereas excessive rollers can simply clear $50.

Counter Service Eating places

Meals is inexpensive at Tokyo Disney Resort. In case you’re simply buying an entree, you possibly can usually achieve this for $6 to $8. Hungry Bear Restaurant is my favourite counter service spot for curry in both park, and it prices ¥900 for the curry on the left and ¥1,100 for the port cutlet curry on the precise. That’s a complete of $13.20 for each bowls.

Particular units are additionally accessible that embrace drinks and desserts, and these usually value $10 to $14 at Tokyo Disney Resort. Against this, entrees at in-park eating places at Walt Disney World usually value $11 to $15. There aren’t any particular units, so that you’re spending an additional $9 or so for drinks and desserts.

We’re not going to incorporate these right here, regardless of them rising the hole, as drink and dessert sizes aren’t comparable. Additionally, we don’t usually purchase this stuff, anyway. Right here’s how the comparability breaks down, doing grownup meals for all 4 visitors within the get together:

• Counter Service Meal (TDR): $28
• Counter Service Meal (WDW): $48

In fact, this is only one meal. The distinction will increase over the course of a number of meals and days.

Buffets: Crystal Palace vs. Crystal Palace

This buffet exists in the very same constructing in each Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disneyland. The important thing variations are that no Winnie the Pooh characters are current and the delicacies is best at Tokyo Disneyland. Along with meats, sushi and seafood, Crystal Palace additionally has a formidable dessert lineup. The little inexperienced mochi are, to borrow a phrase from Joey, the place we win our a refund.

The Crystal Palace buffet prices 4,500 yen per grownup or 1,800 to 2,850 yen for youths. There is no such thing as a tipping in Japan, in order that’s the out the door value. Against this, Crystal Palace at Walt Disney World prices $62 per grownup and $42 per baby plus tax and tip. Listed here are totals for our fictional household of 4:

• Crystal Palace at TDL: $90.67
• Crystal Palace at WDW: $250

Suffice to say, the hole is considerably bigger on buffets than counter service eating places–however this isn’t apples to apples provided that one is a personality meal and the opposite will not be.

Desk Service Eating places: Magellan’s vs. California Grill

It’s a really related story with full desk service 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 final meal on the latter, a waterfront Italian restaurant, value $23 per individual for particular person pizzas and tiramisu. That is equal to a ~$50 meal at By way of Napoli.

The particular set we’d order at Magellan’s prices $40 for a bread course, one starter, one entree, one dessert, and drink. This is sort of a fancier model of California Grill at Walt Disney World, which value roughly $110 out the door per individual the final time we dined there. For this comparability, we’re doing the grownup’s menu solely at Magellan’s, plus 2 adults and a pair of youngsters at California Grill:

• Magellan’s at TDS: $160
• California Grill at WDW: $316

Desk service menu costs are dearer to start with at Walt Disney World, however ~20% tips about prime of these already larger costs additionally make a very massive distinction. In case you do a number of sit-down eating, the worth proposition at TDR improves significantly. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t advocate doing many desk service meals if it’s your first journey to Japan–there’s a lot to see and do! (Magellan’s is a should, although.)

Tokyo vs. Walt Disney World: Value Comparability Conclusion

In the end, it ought to be clear that Tokyo Disney Resort can be cheaper than Walt Disney World for the typical American household of 4 that has to journey to each locations. I hate math, so I’m simply going so as to add up the prices of airfare, lodging, and admission. Virtually every part else, together with issues we omitted–like souvenirs and transportation–will probably value much less in Japan.

Selecting the higher-tier resort (Toy Story) at Tokyo Disney Resort, the entire for simply these elements involves round $6,335. The whole for Walt Disney World with the cheaper resort (Wilderness Lodge) is roughly $6,967. Meals goes to range an excessive amount of from family-to-family, however I can fathom a state of affairs wherein it’s dearer to eat at TDR–it ought to be round half the price of Walt Disney World.

In fact, you will get each of these numbers larger or decrease. Select the Hilton or Sheraton, and it ought to drop for Tokyo Disney Resort. Have hassle discovering flight offers, and it might soar for Japan. You can additionally go for a less expensive Worth Resort at Walt Disney World, however the “drawback” with that’s there are finances inns which might be <quarter-hour from TDR and value effectively beneath $100 per night time. The salient level is that there are methods to chop prices for each–you’re simply in all probability extra conversant in the strategies for Walt Disney World.

Going with an extended period, as we’d advocate for each locations, does enhance the per-day foundation of tickets at Walt Disney World, however that additionally dilutes the per-day value of airfare to Japan. Except you actually torture the maths to supply the conclusion you need (wherein case, why even learn this far?), it’s troublesome to beat the cheaper prices for lodging and meals at Tokyo Disney Resort. And once more, the above budgets don’t even take meals into consideration, which might find yourself being about twice as costly (give or take) at Walt Disney World.

To not point out the fact that you just’re probably spending time elsewhere in Japan, the place there’s an abundance of fantastic low-cost or free actions. It’s exhausting to copy than in Central Florida, excluding manatee watching and a handful of different issues. Many of the belongings you’ll wish to do round Orlando are touristy, with costs to match.

Tokyo Disney Resort is cheaper than Walt Disney World, however up to now, the hole was by no means this vast. Except you have been a solo traveler, couple or lived in California (wherein case, you can do Disneyland as a substitute of WDW), it was nearly unimaginable to beat airfare. It received’t all the time be this manner. Proper now’s a uniquely nice time for People to go to Japan to make the most of our stronger foreign money and larger buying energy.

Which means that you received’t simply encounter “low cost” costs on the parks–you’ll discover them just about all over the place you go. That can stay true as long as the change price continues to be traditionally favorable and across the 130 to 160 yen to greenback stage. As a threshold matter, this assumes you’re in a position to rating cheap airfare, are snug touring internationally, and have the need to go to Japan.

In fact, not everyone seems to be prepared or in a position to journey internationally to Tokyo Disney Resort. However in the event you learn this deeply into the subject, we’re guessing you’re at the least on the fence. Through which case, it is best to completely do it. Within the decade-plus that we’ve been effusively praising Tokyo Disney Resort and recommending Japan to anybody who would pay attention, we’ve heard from perhaps 3-4 individuals who have been disenchanted, and actually a whole lot who stated it exceeded expectations–many even referred to as it the journey of a lifetime.

Anyway, just a few meals for thought in the event you’ve been interested in visiting Japan however assumed it was out of attain. Not solely is it probably in attain, however now’s a improbable time to go between the energy of the greenback and new Fantasy Springs. It additionally is likely to be time to take a break from Walt Disney World, with no new main points of interest on the horizon till 2027! For every part else you’ll want to know, we’ve a ton of sources within the hyperlinks beneath.

Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Lodge Rankings & Evaluations web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Evaluations element the place to dine & snack. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash submit. Our What to Pack for Disney submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent objects to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Metropolis Information to Tokyo, Japan.

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you consider the fee comparability of touring to Tokyo Disney Resort vs. Walt Disney World? Have you ever visited Japan in the previous few years? What was your expertise with the robust greenback and weak yen? How did you are feeling in regards to the worth proposition of Tokyo Disney Resort? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!