Just getting on an attraction early costs an extra 10,000 yen!?
The commotion started when a screenshot of a scene from a TV news report showed a small child standing there in a daze unable to enter the new area was shared on social media, splitting opinions in two.
The two opinions were simply, “I feel sorry for the kids,” and “It’s the parents’ fault for not doing their research properly.” In order to enter the new area, it is essential to line up in the morning, and there have been many voices from Disney “hardcore fans” blaming the adults who neglected to do so.
And in proportion to the increase in such voices, the number of criticisms about the current Tokyo Disney Resort, where only hardcore fans can enjoy it, is also increasing, and the situation is no longer under control. It seems that, although it is not clear to those who have not been to Disney Resort for a while, the current Disney Resort is no longer a place where families can casually drop in and have fun, as it was in the past.
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When I spoke to Ms. A, a Disney fan in her 30s with two children who visits Disney Resort once or twice a year, I got a glimpse of how Disney has changed so much.
“First of all, in the past, you only had to pay for the ticket and a free fast pass, and there were no additional fees, and the ticket cost was around 5,000 to 6,000 yen. Even if you add up the ticket price, food and drink, and souvenirs, it was just over 10,000 yen per adult per day, so I think it was a theme park that you could enjoy very well. But now, in addition to the ticket price of 7,900 to 10,900 yen (price fluctuates), the system has become one where you can enjoy popular attractions using Disney Premier Access (DPA), which is paid, free Priority Pass, Standby Pass, and entry reception. At this point, it must be confusing for people who don’t usually go there.” (Mr. A)
DPA, which can shorten waiting times, costs 1,500 to 2,500 yen per person per attraction. For a family of four, it would cost 10,000 yen just to ride one attraction. People are forced to choose between enduring a few hours of waiting in silence or paying to buy time.