Tokyo Disneyland Resort

[Jake S]

Thanks! Do you happen to know if this is the case for USJ as well? Hoping to ride Flying Dinosaur and I know if that ride were in UO we would have to stash everything.

They have a very organized locker system at Universal, particularly for Flying Dinosaur. If I recall correctly, they provide you with a ticket or some such thing. There’s a similar, much less organized system, for Hollywood Dream.

 

[BatCom]

Huge news just announced that OLC is getting into the cruise industry with Disney cruises permanently based in Japan.

The model is similar to TDR where OLC will own and operate a cruise line under license from TWDC.

The first ship is planned to be 340 meters long with 1,250 cabins accommodating approximately 4,000 guests (very similar to the Dream, Wish and Fantasy). Planning to start operation FY 2028.

Here's the full English press release

 

[Jerroddragon]

So now we will see what a Disney cruise with money and care is?

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

Huge news just announced that OLC is getting into the cruise industry with Disney cruises permanently based in Japan.

The model is similar to TDR where OLC will own and operate a cruise line under license from TWDC.

The first ship is planned to be 340 meters long with 1,250 cabins accommodating approximately 4,000 guests (very similar to the Dream, Wish and Fantasy). Planning to start operation FY 2028.

Here's the full English press release

I really don't know how much demand there is for 9 Disney Cruises, but best wishes to OLC.

 

[mccgavin]

I really don't know how much demand there is for 9 Disney Cruises, but best wishes to OLC.

This is designed to serve a new market, so I imagine it will be successful.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

OG Space Mountain permanently closed:

 

[saint.piss]

 

[UNIrd]

Okay. They got me with the Black Panther doll. It's cute. And hey, it's just an overlay! I thought it was permanent when I first saw the announcement (and also... a fever dream).

 

[Freak]

Imagine joking about this when Disney bought Marvel back in 2007/08 only for it to become a reality 18 years later.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I was open to this idea....but then its mostly alien characters

Anyway I'm not against them adding Marvel characters that fit...like Miss Marvel, Captain America,Black Widow....but at least from the pictures looks like GOTG as a big focus and besides Peter none live on earth so...whatever

 

[BatCom]

There's a trending article in Yahoo! News Japan about the decrease in young people going to TDR. A lot of it mirrors the discussions going on about declining attendance and price increases at the American Disney parks.

The article notes that attendance among 18-39 year olds is down nearly 10% since pre-pandemic, and that attendance of guests 40+ years old is steadily increasing.

The article attributes the change in guest demographics mostly to higher ticket prices, but also the abolishment of the annual pass system and the decrease in entertainment offerings. It also notes that OLC is making record profit amid higher guest spending, even though attendance is lower than pre-pandemic.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/527914a705efd7e547e2bd56af0e607d7cf17b93

 

[Mad Dog]

There's a trending article in Yahoo! News Japan about the decrease in young people going to TDR. A lot of it mirrors the discussions going on about declining attendance and price increases at the American Disney parks.

The article notes that attendance among 18-39 year olds is down nearly 10% since pre-pandemic, and that attendance of guests 40+ years old is steadily increasing.

The article attributes the change in guest demographics mostly to higher ticket prices, but also the abolishment of the annual pass system and the decrease in entertainment offerings. It also notes that OLC is making record profit amid higher guest spending, even though attendance is lower than pre-pandemic.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/527914a705efd7e547e2bd56af0e607d7cf17b93

Interesting. Does Japan have the demographic issue that USA and other western countries are facing, namely a declining birthrate, which ultimately translates into a declining youth population?....One reason all those regional USA coaster parks are facing a bleak future, since there will be less teenagers and early twentysomething coaster fans, which is the bulk of their attendance.

 

[SkiBum]

Interesting. Does Japan have the demographic issue that USA and other western countries are facing, namely a declining birthrate, which ultimately translates into a declining youth population?....One reason all those regional USA coaster parks are facing a bleak future, since there will be less teenagers and early twentysomething coaster fans, which is the bulk of their attendance.

It has for a while unless something changed. Japan's fertility rate was at an all-time low last year. It is just something that they haven't figure out and thus, just like the USA, England, France, and some other countries, Japan is getting older on average.

 

[Mad Dog]

It has for a while unless something changed. Japan's fertility rate was at an all-time low last year. It is just something that they haven't figure out and thus, just like the USA, England, France, and some other countries, Japan is getting older on average.

Yeah, that's what I thought I had previously read. Theme parks need to adjust to a different demographic that will continue to trend a bit older as time goes by.

 

[SkiBum]

Yeah, that's what I thought I had previously read. Theme parks need to adjust to a different demographic that will continue to trend a bit older as time goes by.

This applies to many areas and I'm not as certain about Japan but the other part of that formula is that the younger generation does not have as much discretionary income. Particularly in the US and where the areas of higher birth rates are found. The parks are going to face some headwinds as the baby boomers stop attending (for lack of a better way to say it).

 

[Jamesh22]

This applies to many areas and I'm not as certain about Japan but the other part of that formula is that the younger generation does not have as much discretionary income. Particularly in the US and where the areas of higher birth rates are found. The parks are going to face some headwinds as the baby boomers stop attending (for lack of a better way to say it).

True, but the younger generation (makes me feel old just saying that) also seem more likely to spend big on experiences rather than big ticket purchases. Look at events like oogie boogie bash at DLR for instance.

Interesting. Does Japan have the demographic issue that USA and other western countries are facing, namely a declining birthrate, which ultimately translates into a declining youth population?....One reason all those regional USA coaster parks are facing a bleak future, since there will be less teenagers and early twentysomething coaster fans, which is the bulk of their attendance.

Just to echo @SkiBum Japan and South Korea are particularly bad demographic wise. Japan has not been friendly to non Japanese migrants too which certainly hasn't helped them with their aging problem.

 

[Jake S]

Japan has not been friendly to non Japanese migrants too which certainly hasn't helped them with their aging problem.

Thankfully we’re super chill and friendly to immigrants in the United States.

 

[quinnmac000]

There's a trending article in Yahoo! News Japan about the decrease in young people going to TDR. A lot of it mirrors the discussions going on about declining attendance and price increases at the American Disney parks.

The article notes that attendance among 18-39 year olds is down nearly 10% since pre-pandemic, and that attendance of guests 40+ years old is steadily increasing.

The article attributes the change in guest demographics mostly to higher ticket prices, but also the abolishment of the annual pass system and the decrease in entertainment offerings. It also notes that OLC is making record profit amid higher guest spending, even though attendance is lower than pre-pandemic.

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/527914a705efd7e547e2bd56af0e607d7cf17b93

Arguably, I would say part of the issue is TDR is attracting more so couples and girl's day groups rather than singles.

The article misses the societal issues and focusing entirely on economics which is part but not fully. The article misses one of the biggest societal reasons for 18-39 not going. The reason why this is important is people are dating less in Japan which is effecting the marriage rate and things like Disney which targets couples heavily in Japan.

For those in established relationship they probably make it an overnight trip which is why you are seeing higher guest spending and the guests being in their forties when their incomes are on the rise in their careers. Just as a note, the average Japanese person makes the equivalent of 32, 000 USD a year with their salaries reaching the top level in their 50s. So for a lot of people staying at the miracosta/fantasy springs is roughly 2/3rds to 1 full month of pay if you do the vacation package. The argument then comes for a lot of japanese is why would i spend money on that when you can stay at a really nice ryokan for the same price in Hakone or Izu.

But the lack of annual passes definitely is hurting it compared to USJ who have influencers who purposely go weekly buy merch to do unboxing on youtube.

 

[Sneakman]

take this with a massive grain of salt, but the wdwmagic TDL people are saying that Disney Burbank could possibly be in a position to be about to force OLC’s hand to retheme/replace splash. Rumors involve them apparently threatening liscensing revoking in multiple forms from burbank, which would be crazy if true. Once again, MASSIVE grain of salt.

 

[Jake S]

That would absolutely shock me.