Annual Pass Sales Are Probably Axed Forever at This Disney Resort

The pandemic altered the landscape of pretty much everything worldwide, and Disney’s theme parks were no exception.

Starting in early 2020, all of Disney’s parks around the world shut down temporarily as part of efforts to curb the virus’ spread. Disneyland Resort remained closed for over a year, while Walt Disney World reopened in July 2020 with strict capacity limits.

International parks like Shanghai Disneyland were among the first to reopen in May 2020 (although it later closed, reopened, and closed again on multiple occasions), followed by Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Resort in June.

When the latter reopened, however, things were extremely different. Capacity was lower, masks were mandatory, and social distancing announcements were the norm. Then, in October 2020, Tokyo Disney Resort doubled down on the changes by announcing the indefinite suspension of its Annual Passes.

What Happened to Tokyo Disney Resort’s Annual Passes?

Tokyo Disney Resort’s Annual Passport lottery—which had previously allowed Annual Passholders to bid for up to five visits to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea per month—was axed in December 2020.

Those with remaining months left on their pass were refunded the difference by Tokyo Disney Resort. However, they were also left pretty frustrated by the sudden lack of access to the parks, which left them with no option but to purchase a regular ticket every time they wanted to attend a Disney theme park.

While it was initially said that more information about the future of the Annual Pass would be announced before the end of March 2021, this day never came. In fact, over three years later, it still hasn’t come.

Meanwhile, other Disney Parks, such as Disneyland and Walt Disney World—both of which also temporarily paused their passes—have since introduced replacement systems, like Magic Key Passes. These alternatives grant some benefits akin to traditional annual passes, albeit with a few new limitations (we rue the day The Walt Disney Company came up with park reservations).

Will Its Annual Pass Ever Return?

The trajectory of Annual Passes at Tokyo Disney Resort is deeply intertwined with ongoing capacity limitations. Even as the threat of the pandemic recedes, the resort has decided to permanently lower capacity to try to enhance the guest experience. Yes, the resort still experiences intensely chaotic crowds (speaking from experience, you don’t know long lines until you’ve visited Tokyo Disneyland), but technically, there are fewer people inside the parks.

Sadly, we think the odds of Tokyo Disney Resort ever restoring its old Annual Pass system are extremely slim. These parks get busy, and other than (slightly) easing congestion, selling regular tickets is far more profitable than letting in the same local guests over and over again for a one-off payment.

That said, in August 2023, the Oriental Land Company (the resort’s owner) said that it hadn’t completely ruled it out. Yumiko Takano, chair and CEO of OLC, confirmed that reintroducing Annual Passes was being “considered” as part of Tokyo Disney Resort’s ticketing strategy.

Should they return, we can’t imagine that they won’t come bearing some kind of reservation or lottery system. Reservations have proven unpopular with U.S. guests, with Disney paying out millions due to a class-action lawsuit over not making enough slots available for those with a Dream Key (Disneyland Resort’s now-defunct pass that theoretically provided guests with the most availability) earlier this year.

But considering the surge of interest in Tokyo Disney Resort right now, we still think it’s unlikely. In June, Tokyo DisneySea debuted its new expansion, Fantasy Springs. This 140,000-square-meter land features areas inspired by Frozen (2013), Tangled (2010), and Peter Pan (1953).

This includes attractions such as Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey (Tokyo’s version of Frozen Ever After), Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, and Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies. These have proven popular enough to generate crowds outside the parks from as early as 2 a.m.

In 2027, Tokyo Disneyland will introduce a new, unique version of Space Mountain. The park’s former indoor roller coaster shuttered for demolition in July to make space for a more futuristic take on the iconic Disneyland Park ride. Elsewhere in Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters will also close on October 31 and will be replaced with a new attraction inspired by Wreck-It Ralph (2012).

Before that day comes, a new nighttime spectacular, Reach for the Stars, is also set to debut at Cinderella Castle on September 20.

Do you miss Disney’s old Annual Pass systems?