One more and more frequent chorus we’ve seen from readers in response to current 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 cheaper, 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 simply shouldn’t go to. “The grass is all the time greener” and all that. A few of our Japanese buddies 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 respect it.
Earlier than delving into this comparability, context is critical. One is median wages and family earnings are considerably greater in america 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 in opposition to 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 forex, a superb/regular rule of thumb was once a 100:1 alternate price. Now, it’s above 150:1. I’m no mathematician, however that’s an enormous enchancment. It’s additionally on high of the decrease baseline costs in Japan. That is nice information for People touring to Japan.
Now for the unhealthy 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 alternate price has been on our journeys to Japan in the previous few years. The development has reversed, and can seemingly 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 alternate 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, but it surely doesn’t apply to everybody. Don’t stroll right into a grocery store in Japan and shout about how “low cost” the whole lot is in there. That received’t win you a lot buddies. Individuals who stay in Japan and are paid in yen have a distinct 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 typically 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 a lot of the world’s inhabitants, so we’re all fairly lucky if we’re ever capable of go to any Disney park anyplace. Use “cheaper” versus “cheaper” in case you’re bothered by terminology.
Said that manner, the true query is whether or not touring to Japan and visiting Tokyo Disney Resort is cheaper 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 probability you’re amongst that demo in case you’re studying an English-language Disney weblog based mostly in america.
Nonetheless, we really feel all of those caveats are mandatory as a result of the sort of submit inevitability frustrates some followers. As with something, your mileage could fluctuate. 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. If you happen to search from a regional airport in West Virginia on Christmas Eve (returning on New 12 months’s Eve), you would possibly conclude that all dates from all airports value $5,571 roundtrip. After all, 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 via 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 once the case that cheap airfare was potential 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 price, we’ve continuously paid round $600 roundtrip for flights from Los Angeles. Our basic rule is that we pay out of pocket for something underneath $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 sometimes 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 virtually by no means discovered the very best costs over 8 months prematurely.
Ascribing a price to flights is a problem since they’re so dependent upon journey dates and your house airport. On the absolute most, the fee needs to be LAX-TYO + LAX-your house airport (and you are able to do a visit Disneyland!). Flights to Japan might 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 basically whether or not decrease prices on the whole lot else in Japan can shut this $2,800 hole. After all, that distinction will increase or decreases based mostly in your occasion dimension–you’ll should do the mathematics for yourselves.
Monorail Loop Resorts
For years, we’ve really helpful guests on a funds eschew the Disney-branded motels 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 can be like placing the Swan & Dolphin within the Modern’s location.
We’ve stayed at each single one in all these, however favor the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay or the Hilton Tokyo Bay. We virtually all the time e book the latter since Sarah has Hilton Diamond Standing, which will get us free upgrades, breakfast buffet, and concierge lounge entry for meals. We’ve logged extra stays at this lodge than simply about anyplace.
Each of the Hilton and Sheraton can 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 tender spot for the Celebrio rooms on the Hilton. Truthfully, I’d decide these new rooms on the Hilton or Sheraton over the Incredibles rooms on the Modern; each are simply superior motels as an entire to the Modern.
Since a lot 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 motels. This closely favors Walt Disney World, since that’s one of many most cost-effective price seasons for resorts and there’s presently a 25% off deal. I wish to err on the aspect of giving Walt Disney World each potential benefit, as I don’t need anybody to say this comparability is biased in direction of Tokyo Disney Resort.
For these dates, Hilton Tokyo Bay is $187 per evening, which is greater than the common we’ve paid this 12 months. It’s additionally dearer than the almost-inevitable Black Friday flash sale that Hilton will supply. In contrast, the Sheraton is a bit over $200 per evening. Nonetheless, I’m additionally throwing Toy Story Resort (although it’s bought out for many dates on this vary) into the comparability. Even when they had been the identical value, we’d e book the Hilton over Toy Story Resort, however really feel it’s solely truthful for a Disney vs. Disney comparability.
Listed here are the lodge totals:
- Tokyo Disney Resort Resort (Hilton): $1,235
- Tokyo Disney Resort Resort (Toy Story Resort): $1,801.20
- Walt Disney World Resort Resort (Modern): $3,656.48
- Walt Disney World Resort Resort (Wilderness Lodge): $3,348.95
Similar to that, we’ve come actually near bridging the hole!
Park Tickets
As mentioned in our Tokyo Disneyland Low cost Ticket Suggestions, tickets can promote out prematurely. We extremely suggest buying no less than a pair weeks prematurely from TDR instantly or through licensed TDR ticket vendor Klook (particularly helpful in case your bank card has points with the TDR website).
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 teenagers. (Tokyo breaks down visitor ages as follows: adults are company ages 18 & over; Junior is ages 12-17; baby is ages 4-11. Friends ages 3 & underneath 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 here 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 presently. It’s potential Walt Disney World will supply a 4-park ticket deal round this time subsequent 12 months–however we wouldn’t rely 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 length 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 distinct story for worldwide company who should purchase 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 obtainable at in style rides and leisure at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea. Often known 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 Move. (Study extra: Information to Precedence Move & Premier Entry at Tokyo Disney Resort.)
We’ve not purchased Premier Entry for any attraction, as a substitute utilizing early mornings and late nights to knock the whole lot out (together with a number of rides on Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast) with out a lot challenge. Nonetheless, in case you’re a primary timer with restricted time, it’s seemingly that you’ll buy it for one trip 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 Move points of interest at TDL.)
Premier Entry prices $10 to $13 per trip, so funds about $30 per particular person per day to line-skipping at Tokyo Disney Resort. That’s a tough estimate, it could possibly be greater in case you choose to buy Premier Entry for leisure or different points of interest (we wouldn’t suggest that).
It’s in all probability truthful to say the common visitor will spend about the identical on line-skipping at Walt Disney World as they might at Tokyo Disney Resort through a mixture of Lightning Lane Multi-Move and Single Move. Since we don’t buy any of those choices, for probably the most half, and since they’re solely elective at each locations, I’m not going to incorporate them as a line-item. Simply know that “about $30/day/particular person” 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 cheaper at Tokyo Disney Resort. If you happen to’re simply buying an entree, you may typically achieve this for $6 to $8. Hungry Bear Restaurant is my favourite counter service spot for curry in both park, and it expenses ¥900 for the curry on the left and ¥1,100 for the port cutlet curry on the proper. That’s a complete of $13.20 for each bowls.
Particular units are additionally obtainable that embody drinks and desserts, and these sometimes value $10 to $14 at Tokyo Disney Resort. In contrast, entrees at in-park eating places at Walt Disney World sometimes value $11 to $15. There are not 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 sometimes purchase this stuff, anyway. Right here’s how the comparability breaks down, doing grownup meals for all 4 company within the occasion:
- Counter Service Meal (TDR): $28
- Counter Service Meal (WDW): $48
After all, 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 healthier 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 teenagers. There isn’t any tipping in Japan, in order that’s the out the door value. In contrast, 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 on condition 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 comparable story with full desk service eating places, proper all the way 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 particular person 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 particular person the final time we dined there. For this comparability, we’re doing the grownup’s menu completely 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 service menu costs are dearer to start with at Walt Disney World, however ~20% recommendations on high of these already greater costs additionally make a very large distinction. If you happen to do numerous sit-down eating, the worth proposition at TDR improves significantly. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t suggest 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
Finally, it needs to be clear that Tokyo Disney Resort can be cheaper than Walt Disney World for the common 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 the whole lot else, together with issues we omitted–like souvenirs and transportation–will seemingly value much less in Japan.
Selecting the higher-tier lodge (Toy Story) at Tokyo Disney Resort, the entire for simply these elements involves round $6,335. The full for Walt Disney World with the cheaper lodge (Wilderness Lodge) is roughly $6,967. Meals goes to fluctuate an excessive amount of from family-to-family, however I can fathom a state of affairs through which it’s dearer to eat at TDR–it needs to be round half the price of Walt Disney World.
After all, you will get each of these numbers greater 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 “downside” with that’s there are funds motels which might be <quarter-hour from TDR and price nicely underneath $100 per evening. The salient level is that there are methods to chop prices for each–you’re simply in all probability extra acquainted with the strategies for Walt Disney World.
Going with an extended length, as we’d suggest 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. Until you really torture the mathematics to supply the conclusion you need (through which 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 under 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 simply’re seemingly spending time elsewhere in Japan, the place there’s an abundance of fantastic low-cost or free actions. It’s exhausting to duplicate than in Central Florida, apart from manatee watching and a handful of different issues. A lot 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 previously, the hole was by no means this huge. Until you had been a solo traveler, couple or lived in California (through which case, you would do Disneyland as a substitute of WDW), it was virtually inconceivable to beat airfare. It received’t all the time be this fashion. Proper now could be a uniquely nice time for People to go to Japan to benefit from our stronger forex and higher buying energy.
Because of this you received’t simply encounter “low cost” costs on the parks–you’ll discover them just about in every single place you go. That can stay true as long as the alternate price continues to be traditionally favorable and across the 130 to 160 yen to greenback stage. As a threshold matter, this assumes you’re capable of rating cheap airfare, are comfy touring internationally, and have the will to go to Japan.
After all, not everyone seems to be keen or capable of journey internationally to Tokyo Disney Resort. However in case you learn this deeply into the subject, we’re guessing you’re no less than on the fence. During which case, you must completely do it. Within the decade-plus that we’ve been effusively praising Tokyo Disney Resort and recommending Japan to anybody who would hear, we’ve heard from possibly 3-4 individuals who had been disenchanted, and actually a whole bunch who stated it exceeded expectations–many even known as it the journey of a lifetime.
Anyway, just a few meals for thought in case you’ve been interested by visiting Japan however assumed it was out of attain. Not solely is it doubtlessly in attain, however now could be a improbable time to go between the energy of the greenback and new Fantasy Springs. It additionally is likely to be a superb time to take a break from Walt Disney World, with no new main points of interest on the horizon till 2027! For the whole lot else you should know, we’ve got a ton of assets within the hyperlinks beneath.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the very best place to begin is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Resort 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 Suggestions for Saving Cash submit. Our What to Pack for Disney submit takes a novel take 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 sturdy greenback and weak yen? How did you’re feeling in regards to the worth proposition of Tokyo Disney Resort? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
