Any Chance for an ABD in Japan?

[PoohBelle]

I am hoping to visit the Tokyo parks within the next couple years and would want to visit some other parts of the country while I am over there. I was sort of surprised that I didn't see an ABD for Japan on the website as it would seem to me that this would appeal to international guest with similar plans.

Does anyone know how Disney determines their ABD destinations and if they would add more destinations, like Japan, in the future?

 

[jsilvers]

This is entirely speculation on my part - but given that ABD hadn't even been dreamed of at the time that Disney entered into the 1979 licensing agreement with the Oriental Land Company to create Tokyo Disneyland, it's possible that Disney now doesn't have the rights to use its name in Japan for another tourism-related activity.

 

[sayhello]

I am hoping to visit the Tokyo parks within the next couple years and would want to visit some other parts of the country while I am over there. I was sort of surprised that I didn't see an ABD for Japan on the website as it would seem to me that this would appeal to international guest with similar plans.

Does anyone know how Disney determines their ABD destinations and if they would add more destinations, like Japan, in the future?

From what I've heard over the years, ABD just felt that they could not offer the value for what they'd have to charge for the trip. But I'll be curious to see what happens. I was told by the guy I was talking to at Thomson Family Adventures that they were adding a trip to Japan in 2017. ABD may take the hint that they need to step up and do that. But you could always book with Thomson.

This is entirely speculation on my part - but given that ABD hadn't even been dreamed of at the time that Disney entered into the 1979 licensing agreement with the Oriental Land Company to create Tokyo Disneyland, it's possible that Disney now doesn't have the rights to use its name in Japan for another tourism-related activity.

That's always possible. I know they had a LOT of issues working out the special DLP Add-on we did on my London/Paris ABD, because Disney doesn't own the place, and ABD had to do a lot of negotiating to set it up.

Sayhello

 

[bearsgirl]

I am also interested in doing Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. I think Kevin Klose was working on the possibility of putting together a DIS-exclusive China ABD for 2017 which would hopefully include trips to Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland. I would add on days pre- or post-trip to do the Tokyo Parks and Japan on my own, as they are not included in ABD.

 

[acndis]

Nat Geo has a family trip to Japan that looks amazing! That is high on our 'in the future' list. We are doing Peru and Australia before that, though.

 

[Bobo912]

Tauck has 2 Japan itineraries - one land based, one small ship cruise. Abercrombie & Kent has a Japan trip. And National Geographic has four Japan tours, one of which is a family trip.

 

[calypso726]

Well that would just throw a monkey wrench into my vacation plans over the next few years. I am sure many have suggested a Japan itinerary on surveys from both ABD and DCL. I've heard the same thing Sayhello has, with regards to not being able to offer enough value for the price they will need to charge If they do announce it I can say it will shoot straight up to our top 5 list of next ABD trips which currently include BSM, China, South Africa, Italy, Germany.

 

[PoohBelle]

Thanks everyone. I didn't realize some of the parks aren't owned by Disney. That is really interesting

 

[disneyphx]

We went to Japan in Nov 2014 and just loved it. We did it ourselves because my husband was going to a conference. We had 3 days in Kyoto (I organized a private guide) and 3 and a half days in Tokyo - 3 days at the parks and half a day getting a glimpse of Tokyo.
The TDR Explorer blog has lots of great info.
I would be interested in an ABD Japan if it meant some VIP park treatment. Especially for parades and shows - we never managed to win a lottery, and the parade waits were crazy long.
The other Japan trips mentioned look great but we would be retracing a lot of what we did.
We hope to go back soon!

 

[aggiedog]

We are seriously looking into Inside Japan tours for next summer. Our daughters are requesting a trip to Japan for graduation. Inside Japan does a range of tours, from luxury seemingly ABD style to DIY guidance.

 

[bearsgirl]

Have you come across any tours that help you navigate Toyko Disneyland Resort? I have checked into their VIP Tours and they are only for a few hours and not offered in English.

 

[tgeorge]

Japan would definitely go to the top of my list...even above China, SE Asia and Italy. Although, Australia will probably still hold the number 1 slot

 

[Bobo912]

We are seriously looking into Inside Japan tours for next summer. Our daughters are requesting a trip to Japan for graduation. Inside Japan does a range of tours, from luxury seemingly ABD style to DIY guidance.

Haven't heard of them before, but looks very interesting. Are you planning for 2016 or 2017? I'm seriously considering Japan for a future trip, quite possibly 2017. If you decide to use Inside Japan, I would love to hear your feedback.

 

[aggiedog]

Summer of 2017. We lived in Japan for 2 years pre-kids. I'm fairly confident navigating there, but we'll have 4 kids and my parents, and possibly my friend and his family. For that large of a group, I want someone to arrange transportation, lodging, and some tours just to keep my stress level down.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I was working on a Japan itinerary with Inside Japan tours and our agent mentioned that Tokyo Disneyland does not like working with travel agents or companies and we would most likely have to book that portion of the tour on our own, though they would provide our transportation there and then back to the airport.

 

[bearsgirl]

I was working on a Japan itinerary with Inside Japan tours and our agent mentioned that Tokyo Disneyland does not like working with travel agents or companies and we would most likely have to book that portion of the tour on our own, though they would provide our transportation there and then back to the airport.

Very interesting! Thank you for that insight.

 

[sayhello]

I was working on a Japan itinerary with Inside Japan tours and our agent mentioned that Tokyo Disneyland does not like working with travel agents or companies and we would most likely have to book that portion of the tour on our own, though they would provide our transportation there and then back to the airport.

That's interesting. I wonder why that is?

Sayhello

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

It's very easy to visit the Tokyo Disney parks on your own.

 

[sayhello]

It's very easy to visit the Tokyo Disney parks on your own.

It's probably pretty easy to visit most if not all of the Disney Parks on your own, but that doesn't stop people from wanting a VIP Experience for it. I know I really loved visiting DLP as a part of an ABD, and getting the VIP treatment. (I did a DIS Exclusive England & France trip that included DLP actually as a part of the ABD. If I had the choice to do Tokyo Disneyland on my own or as a part of an ABD, I'd absolutely choose to do it as part of an ABD).

Sayhello

 

[bearsgirl]

It's probably pretty easy to visit most if not all of the Disney Parks on your own, but that doesn't stop people from wanting a VIP Experience for it. I know I really loved visiting DLP as a part of an ABD, and getting the VIP treatment. (I did a DIS Exclusive England & France trip that included DLP actually as a part of the ABD. If I had the choice to do Tokyo Disneyland on my own or as a part of an ABD, I'd absolutely choose to do it as part of an ABD).

Sayhello

I just re-listened to the DIS Podcast with Pete, Kevin and John reviewing that DIS Exclusive trip to London, Paris and DLP. It sounded fantastic! Glad you got to experience it, Sayhello!