Tokyo Disneyland Resort Expansion

[Wendy Pleakley]

Oh, I don't disagree, I have heard enough to know TDS is overcrowded, and likely suffers from some ride capacity issues.

I just think the claims it is now universally despised because of this, is false. It's always been a TDS issue, which is why they expanded the park.

The real question is, why doesn't OLC restrict capacity better? Or increase dynamic pricing to lower attendance like the US parks? I know people dislike the pricing models now for the US parks, but honestly... they feel WAY less crowded than before.

I think the secret is that all of the park operators want to maximize profits and don't really want to reduce crowds.

Reservations seem more about adjusting staffing levels, including reductions in response to lower attendance days. Part of the reason there doesn't seem to be an off season anymore.

This applies to Disney in general, but they have really gotten away from high capacity attractions. Does DisneySea even have something like an omnimover attraction that can move a high number of people per hour?

Disney will take away a people eater like Universe of Energy to add a coaster that lasts a couple of minutes. Where's the balance?

At least Sinbad still seems to be a good option when you want to do anything without waiting for 45+ minutes.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

If you remotely tolerated 2019 Florida and understood how to navigate it, this isn’t much of a leap. Consumers just aren’t used to that anymore, which is also why Epic is getting a bit raked over the coals.

I found TDS slightly less than USJ (mostly because of the flexibility of obtaining some line skips for free and winning lotteries and having a good attraction or two with no standby lines), followed by less tolerability for USJ that is smooth over completely if you pay for a softly expensive express basket, followed by the expo, that I would almost have given an avoid warning to. But eventually figured it out enough and just accepted my fate.

At least in 2019 the pre-booked free Fastpasses were still a thing. Having pre-booked reservations for Flight of Passage and the Mine Train really made a difference.

I'm a bit nervous about USJ but I figure a lot of it is things I've done elsewhere so can keep it focused. No pressure to ride Forbidden Journey for example. The express ticket is just excessive.

Same with the Expo. I see it as going just to say I did it. Zero expectations.

 

[Timothy_Q]

This applies to Disney in general, but they have really gotten away from high capacity attractions. Does DisneySea even have something like an omnimover attraction that can move a high number of people per hour?

There's still plenty of high capacity rides being built
Boat rides have a capacity that can rival and often surpass omnimovers

Sinbad, Frozen and Tangled all have really good capacity
Indy and ToT aren't terrible either

BATB at TDL, Rise, MMRR and Cosmic Rewind at the american parks also have really good capacity

 

[Disney Analyst]

At least in 2019 the pre-booked free Fastpasses were still a thing. Having pre-booked reservations for Flight of Passage and the Mine Train really made a difference.

I'm a bit nervous about USJ but I figure a lot of it is things I've done elsewhere so can keep it focused. No pressure to ride Forbidden Journey for example. The express ticket is just excessive.

Same with the Expo. I see it as going just to say I did it. Zero expectations.

Meanwhile I am completely skipping USJ, haha. The crowds there seem even worse, unless you pay the crazy prices for express. And the only real thing that is new to me would be Donkey Kong. The coasters look fun, but not worth the time for me.

 

[DonniePeverley]

I've got time so.

Most recent reviews:

Page 1-5 (January-Now)

1 star - 11 ratings
2 star - 7 ratings
3 star - 5 ratings
4 star - 4 ratings
5 star - 23 ratings

Consensus:

A 3.42 average suggests a mixed-to-positive overall impression. But looking at the distribution:
• High satisfaction (5 stars): 46% of reviews (23 out of 50)
• Negative reviews (1–2 stars): 36% of reviews (18 out of 50)
• Middle-ground (3 stars): 10%
• Somewhat satisfied (4 stars): Only 8%

So while nearly half of people loved it, there’s a notable chunk (over 1/3) who were disappointed.

Interpretation:

This kind of split often means:

• Expectations might be high (it is Disney after all), so shortcomings feel bigger.
• Guest experience might depend heavily on timing, crowd levels, weather, or planning.
• The park could be incredible for some but underwhelming or frustrating for others (especially first-timers or foreign tourists dealing with logistics like the app, lineups, or reservations).


So in the end, it is mixed - as is anything in life. I will say, a majority of the 1 star ratings looked to be from when things were more complicated with Fantasy Springs, and now that that is open to all, they have tapered down.

When did you last go ?

 

[Disney Analyst]

When did you last go ?

I am just sharing the work up and analysis from ChatGPT.

You will all get my full thoughts later this year once I’ve completed my trip

 

[DonniePeverley]

I am just sharing the work up and analysis from ChatGPT.

You will all get my full thoughts later this year once I’ve completed my trip

So you haven't been - yet you are looking for excuses to my complaints (and countless others judging by online complaints and reviews). Shall i put you down as a hipster ?

Disney Sea is not all that. It's a myth. It's a terrible experience.

I had a much better time, for example, at the smaller Hong Kong park.

 

[Disney Analyst]

So you haven't been - yet you are looking for excuses to my complaints (and countless others judging by online complaints and reviews). Shall i put you down as a hipster ?

Disney Sea is not all that. It's a myth. It's a terrible experience.

I had a much better time, for example, at the smaller Hong Kong park.

No. I took your word, read the reviews, and came to the conclusion that you are upset about your experience (fair enough), but the reviews were not all universal hatred as you said they would be. The average was 3.42, which in essence says the current opinion (from January until now) is mixed.

And as I stated when I went through every review, the majority of the 1 stars came when Fantasy Springs was still locked down and hard to visit, so I am interested to see if the scale continues to push up now.

Regardless, I am just hoping my experience is nothing like yours, but I will share my honest opinion when I am back

 

[DonniePeverley]

No. I took your word, read the reviews, and came to the conclusion that you are upset about your experience (fair enough), but the reviews were not all universal hatred as you said they would be. The average was 3.42, which in essence says the current opinion (from January until now) is mixed.

And as I stated when I went through every review, the majority of the 1 stars came when Fantasy Springs was still locked down and hard to visit, so I am interested to see if the scale continues to push up now.

Regardless, I am just hoping my experience is nothing like yours, but I will share my honest opinion when I am back

No the majority of the negativity, like i said, was regarding the endless queues.

Disney Sea does not have a bigger attendence than Magic Kingdom, yet the queues are like July 4th at Magic Kingdom x 5. It's very poorly managed. A very poor fast pass system.

 

[DarkMetroid567]

USJ is questionably worse because express isn’t as cheap.

USJ also feels like the most visibly bland park in the chain with the exception of Singapore

 

[The Empress Lilly]

So you haven't been - yet you are looking for excuses to my complaints (and countless others judging by online complaints and reviews). Shall i put you down as a hipster ?

Disney Sea is not all that. It's a myth. It's a terrible experience.

I had a much better time, for example, at the smaller Hong Kong park.

I'm sorry your DS experience was poor. I do believe this was during FS' first year, which was plagued by overcrowding and cumbersome logistics.

Otherwise, TDS is a sublime park, rightly admired. Just crowded, more of the 'long lines everywhere' than 'can't walk' kind, all big rides are insanely popular, with too few of them, and too few C/D-tickets as an alternative. TDS is in a sense more World Showcase/Animal Kingdom than a castle park / Universal. Savouring the environment at a slow-ish pace is how to go about it. Nobody does 15 rides at TDS. If you're not into Mermaid, barely even half that.

 

[DonniePeverley]

I'm sorry your DS experience was poor. I do believe this was during FS' first year, which was plagued by overcrowding and cumbersome logistics.

Otherwise, TDS is a sublime park, rightly admired. Just crowded, more of the 'long lines everywhere' than 'can't walk' kind, all big rides are insanely popular, with too few of them, and too few C/D-tickets as an alternative. TDS is in a sense more World Showcase/Animal Kingdom than a castle park / Universal. Savouring the environment at a slow-ish pace is how to go about it. Nobody does 15 rides at TDS. If you're not into Mermaid, barely even half that.

"I DO BELIEVE" .... have you been lately, or another hipster who subscribes to a myth that Disney Sea is the ultimate bucket list park to visit. It's not.

I have been to Disney Sea 3 times, even before the recent expansion. It is nicely themed i give it that. The Journey to the Centre of the Earth area is up there with Pandora as one of Disney's best themed lands. However, you cannot get past how awful the experience is there. It's not a Disney park really - and it's no surprise that Disney don't own it.

I'll be further honest, i thought Disneyland next door to it was also looking dated - except the new Beauty and the beast attraction.

Japanese folk seemed very submissive to me, not ones to complain - they had a zen like spirit to queue 2/3 hours for a 2 minute attraction. Most foreigners were aghast at how awful it was.

 

[Timothy_Q]

Anyway... what do you guys think the new Port Discovery ride will be?

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

USJ also feels like the most visibly bland park in the chain with the exception of Singapore

Nintendo was its main selling point until the others opened, but now I don't see a reason to return until they open Pokemon or whatever is replacing Spider-Man. Unless you're a big coaster fan, the attraction roster isn't anything special for someone with ease of access to Universal Hollywood or Orlando.

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

OLC could also do what literally every other Disney park around the world does and let people into the park *gasp* before it officially opens.

They do in fact do this.

 

[infloencer]

Anyway... what do you guys think the new Port Discovery ride will be?

A Trackless Darkride or indoor coaster would be great for TDS. Absolutely no idea on theme tho

 

[BasiltheBatLord]

There is a beautiful man made island next door with a dedicated rail line that I’m annoyed they weren’t first with their hands up trying to step into once the expo leaves.

I realize I’m oversimplifying. But I’m sure an opportunity was there.

I've heard various whispers that USJ has been looking at Yumeshima for quite a while for a second gate.

As you noted, the World Expo is currently there until October. It is prime real estate for several developers in the area, as MGM is building Japan's first integrated resort (casino) there. But I don't believe that will take up the whole island.

 

[ThemeParkTraveller]

A Trackless Darkride or indoor coaster would be great for TDS. Absolutely no idea on theme tho

Definitely looks more like dark ride than coaster based on the concept art. Trackless would be fitting as they are removing the park's only trackless ride to build it.

 

[Timothy_Q]

A Trackless Darkride or indoor coaster would be great for TDS. Absolutely no idea on theme tho

A trackless dark ride would be just what TDS needs at the moment
Something that is high capacity and pulls people to that corner of the park away from FS and american waterfront

I would also love to see TDS get a unique and well themed terrain coaster one day
It's kind of the park's biggest blind spot IMO

 

[BrianLo]

USJ also feels like the most visibly bland park in the chain with the exception of Singapore

Don’t tell anyone this, but they are almost all bland apart from IOA, Epic and then the partnered self contained lands.

USB I’d define as Frankensonian. USJ is just a studio’s best of with some pretty egregious real world entries. USS was attempted well but has been allowed to backslide. USH makes the best of being a grafted afterthought and USO had its soul ripped out.

But uhm, yes. I like Universal? Just go to Florida and pass on the rest.