One more and more widespread 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 may go to [insert international destination].” Is that this sentiment really appropriate? This publish 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 unimaginable 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 Finest 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 associates 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 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 an enormous distinction in pricing. One other is the energy of the respective currencies. Actually, 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 international forex, a great/regular rule of thumb was once a 100:1 trade fee. Now, it’s above 150:1. I’m no mathematician, however that’s an enormous enchancment. It’s additionally on prime of the decrease baseline costs in Japan. That is nice information for Individuals touring to Japan.
Now for the dangerous information: the window on this most likely will shut earlier than 2027. Whereas traditionally weak, the 150 stage is definitely the worst that the trade fee has been on our journeys to Japan in the previous couple of years. The development has reversed, and can possible proceed to take action, as a result of the U.S. Federal Reserve has signaled it’s going to begin chopping 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 trade fee good-to-great by historic requirements. Simply not fairly as improbable because it was earlier this yr, when flirting with the 160 mark.
That is nice information for Individuals touring to Japan, however it doesn’t apply to everybody. Don’t stroll right into a grocery store in Japan and shout about how “low cost” every little thing is in there. That gained’t win you a lot associates. Individuals who dwell in Japan and are paid in yen have a special perspective on this matter.
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 suppose 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 publish, which exists to find out whether or not an American Disney fan can fly midway around the globe 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 capable of go to any Disney park anyplace. Use “inexpensive” versus “cheaper” for those who’re bothered by terminology.
Acknowledged 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 Individuals with the means to trip at Disney Parks within the first place. Phew. Not precisely as concise of a headline. It’s a slender comparability geared toward solely a sliver of the world’s inhabitants, however there’s a good likelihood you’re amongst that demo for those who’re studying an English-language Disney weblog based mostly in the USA.
However, we really feel all of those caveats are mandatory as a result of this kind of publish 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 incessantly seen because the insurmountable impediment for visiting Tokyo Disney Resort. For those who search from a regional airport in West Virginia on Christmas Eve (returning on New Yr’s Eve), you would possibly conclude that all dates from all airports price $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 publish. I’ve airfare alerts set by way of a handful of various web sites and my e mail has been blowing up with notifications currently, together with from cities I’ve by no means seen earlier than. It was once the case that cheap airfare was doable out of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. Now, these costs are even decrease–however there are affordable choices from elsewhere. Right here’s a small sampling of the offers I’ve seen:
For no matter it’s value, we’ve incessantly paid round $600 roundtrip for flights from Los Angeles. Our normal 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 couple of 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 most effective costs over 8 months prematurely.
Ascribing a worth to flights is a problem since they’re so dependent upon journey dates and your property 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 will likely be costlier 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 price to Tokyo at $900 and to Orlando at $200.
Listed below 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 little thing else in Japan can shut this $2,800 hole. In fact, that distinction will increase or decreases based mostly in your get together dimension–you’ll must do the maths for yourselves.
Monorail Loop Motels
For years, we’ve really helpful guests on a price range eschew the Disney-branded motels in favor of the Tokyo Disney Resort Official Motels which can be on-site and provide 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.
Now we have stayed at each single one in every of these, however favor the Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay or the Hilton Tokyo Bay. We virtually 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. Now we have logged extra stays at this resort 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 delicate spot for the Celebrio rooms on the Hilton. Actually, I’d decide these new rooms on the Hilton or Sheraton over the Incredibles rooms on the Modern; each are simply superior motels as a complete to the Modern.
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 motels. This closely favors Walt Disney World, since that’s one of many most cost-effective fee seasons for resorts and there’s presently a 25% off deal. I wish to err on the aspect of giving Walt Disney World each doable benefit, as I don’t need anybody to assert this comparability is biased in the direction of Tokyo Disney Resort.
For these dates, Hilton Tokyo Bay is $187 per night time, which is greater than the common we’ve paid this yr. It’s additionally costlier than the almost-inevitable Black Friday flash sale that Hilton will provide. In contrast, the Sheraton is a bit over $200 per night time. However, I’m additionally throwing Toy Story Resort (although it’s offered 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 Resort, however really feel it’s solely honest for a Disney vs. Disney comparability.
Listed below are the resort 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 advocate buying not less than a pair weeks prematurely from TDR instantly or through approved TDR ticket vendor Klook (particularly helpful in case your bank card has points with the TDR web site).
Full single-day park tickets price 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; youngster is ages 4-11. Company ages 3 & underneath are free. All through this publish, we’ll assume the household of 4 in query is 2 adults, one junior, and one youngster.)
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 presently. It’s doable Walt Disney World will provide a 4-park ticket deal round this time subsequent yr–however we wouldn’t rely on it, as winter is turning into more and more widespread. Nonetheless, it could be cheaper to buy that.
The per-day price additionally does lower for Walt Disney World with longer period tickets, however even 10-day tickets in August or September are nonetheless costlier than single-day Tokyo Disney Resort tickets. The hole does slender significantly, however TDR nonetheless wins. (It could be a special story for worldwide visitors who should purchase 14-day Walt Disney World tickets, because the per-day price is decrease on these.)
Line-Skipping: Lightning Lanes vs. Premier Entry
Paid FastPass has (sadly) unfold to Japan, and is offered at widespread 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 generally known as Precedence Cross. (Be taught extra: Information to Precedence Cross & Premier Entry at Tokyo Disney Resort.)
Now we have not purchased Premier Entry for any attraction, as a substitute utilizing early mornings and late nights to knock every little thing out (together with a number of rides on Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast) with out a lot difficulty. Nonetheless, for those who’re a primary timer with restricted time, it’s possible 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 Cross points of interest at TDL.)
Premier Entry prices $10 to $13 per trip, so price range about $30 per particular person per day to line-skipping at Tokyo Disney Resort. That’s a tough estimate, it may very well be greater for those who choose to buy Premier Entry for leisure or different points of interest (we wouldn’t advocate that).
It’s most likely honest to say the common visitor will spend about the identical on line-skipping at Walt Disney World as they’d at Tokyo Disney Resort through a mixture of Lightning Lane Multi-Cross and Single Cross. Since we don’t buy any of those choices, for essentially the most half, and since they’re fully non-compulsory 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 inexpensive at Tokyo Disney Resort. For those who’re simply buying an entree, you’ll be able to usually 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 out there that embody drinks and desserts, and these sometimes price $10 to $14 at Tokyo Disney Resort. In contrast, entrees at in-park eating places at Walt Disney World sometimes price $11 to $15. There aren’t any particular units, so that you’re taking a look at 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 these items, 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 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 reimbursement.
The Crystal Palace buffet prices 4,500 yen per grownup or 1,800 to 2,850 yen for youths. There isn’t a tipping in Japan, in order that’s the out the door price. In contrast, Crystal Palace at Walt Disney World prices $62 per grownup and $42 per youngster plus tax and tip. Listed below 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 isn’t.
Desk Service Eating places: Magellan’s vs. California Grill
It’s a really comparable 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, price $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 price roughly $110 out the door per particular person 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 children at California Grill:
- Magellan’s at TDS: $160
- California Grill at WDW: $316
Desk service menu costs are costlier to start with at Walt Disney World, however ~20% recommendations on prime of these already greater costs additionally make a very massive distinction. For those who do loads 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: Price Comparability Conclusion
In the end, 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. Nearly every little thing else, together with issues we omitted–like souvenirs and transportation–will possible price much less in Japan.
Selecting the higher-tier resort (Toy Story) at Tokyo Disney Resort, the whole for simply these elements involves round $6,335. The entire for Walt Disney World with the cheaper resort (Wilderness Lodge) is roughly $6,967. Meals goes to fluctuate an excessive amount of from family-to-family, however I can fathom a situation by which it’s costlier to eat at TDR–it needs to be round half the price of Walt Disney World.
In fact, 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 bother discovering flight offers, and it may soar for Japan. You possibly can additionally go for a less expensive Worth Resort at Walt Disney World, however the “drawback” with that’s there are price range motels which can be <quarter-hour from TDR and value properly underneath $100 per night time. The salient level is that there are methods to chop prices for each–you’re simply most likely 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 price of airfare to Japan. Until you actually torture the maths to supply the conclusion you need (by which case, why even learn this far?), it’s tough 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 may find yourself being about twice as costly (give or take) at Walt Disney World.
To not point out the truth that you simply’re possible spending time elsewhere in Japan, the place there’s an abundance of fantastic low-cost or free actions. It’s arduous to copy than in Central Florida, except manatee watching and a handful of different issues. Many of the stuff you’ll wish to do round Orlando are touristy, with costs to match.
Tokyo Disney Resort is cheaper than Walt Disney World, however prior to now, the hole was by no means this vast. Until you have been a solo traveler, couple or lived in California (by which case, you may do Disneyland as a substitute of WDW), it was virtually inconceivable to beat airfare. It gained’t all the time be this manner. Proper now could be a uniquely nice time for Individuals to go to Japan to reap the benefits of our stronger forex and larger buying energy.
Which means that you gained’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 trade fee 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 affordable airfare, are snug touring internationally, and have the will to go to Japan.
In fact, not everyone seems to be prepared or capable of journey internationally to Tokyo Disney Resort. However for those who learn this deeply into the subject, we’re guessing you’re not less than on the fence. By 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 possibly 3-4 individuals who have been disillusioned, and actually a whole lot who mentioned it exceeded expectations–many even known as it the journey of a lifetime.
Anyway, just a few meals for thought for those who’ve been interested in visiting Japan however assumed it was out of attain. Not solely is it probably 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 great time to take a break from Walt Disney World, with no new main points of interest on the horizon till 2027! For every little thing else it’s good to know, now we have a ton of sources within the hyperlinks under.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the most effective 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 save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash publish. Our What to Pack for Disney publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets 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 couple of years? What was your expertise with the robust greenback and weak yen? How did you’re feeling in regards to the worth proposition of Tokyo Disney Resort? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
