Tokyo Disneyland Budget

[Toad]

I am hoping to go to Tokyo Disneyland sometime in 2005. I will be travelling with other adults, but paying for just me. What kind of budget for a decent trip to Japan (including a few days at Disneyland) is reasonable? My airfare will either be directly from Toronto, or I may stop over with family for a few days in Los Angeles - if this can save me a few bucks. Any thoughts??

 

[DocRafiki]

Whatever you come up with, add about $5K, cuz I'm coming with you!

If I were coming up with a budget, I'd want to know some basic points. How long is the group going to be over there? Are you sharing hotel rooms with other people in the group? Just staying in Tokyo, or going to other cities?

 

[Toad]

good point DocRafiki

The plan is 3 adults - one couple and me (their faithful companion). We always like to try to share one room but I understand rooms are bit smaller in Japan so we may need two rooms or a suite (we had two small adjoining rooms in London and a small aprtment in Paris a few years ago. It worked out well, but was expensive.

Since I know it is going to be a "once-in-a-lifetime BIG trip, I'd say at least three weeks with one week at Disneyland. The other two weeks would involve some moving around.

 

[Winka]

Even without DOcRafiki going, I might want to add an extra 5K/pp...esp. if this is a once-in-a lifetime trip.

Things have changed so much in recent years and I haven't been to Japan in several years but I do recall there were some seasons when I was paying around $800 for a RT coach fare(out of NYC) and other seasons, $1600 and over. Check with your TA if you're at all flexible about when you travel.

SHinkansen was about $100(???) one way(bet Osaka and Tokyo).

Have you considered a ryokan (kind of a traditional Japanese lodging) especially if you are travelling to places outside the city center especially Kyoto/Nara area. That will save money and might be an interesting experience.

Buses are incredibly reliable, subways too...taxis, surprisingly expensive even in the lesser cities.

I'm not sure if you're interested in a daily budget or a total budget including airfare...just thinking off the top of my head about how I've spent my money there...and I'm "frugal".

 

[Toad]

At this point I am thinking in very round figures as we are just starting the discussions about going. I figured I should have a general amount for airfare, three weeks of accomodations - really I'm interested in more traditional lodgings although my travelling companions are 5star fans - basic sightseeing, food, a few purchases (keepsakes, memorablia type things - i.e. things I can't get regularly at home). I recently spent two weeks in Italy and that was almost $5k (Canadian!). Will aiming for $8K be a luxury trip or a basic trip - or something in between?

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I was all set to go earlier this year, I was in Tokyo for business and I had decided to extend my stay for just the weekend, but the start of the war and SARS concerns brought me home early.

For work I stayed (and dined often) at the ANA Tokyo Hotel - GREAT place, they have a bus that goes to TDL (20 min ride). I looked at staying on property and actually had a room booked for TD, I think because oit was a weekend it was considered peak (their schedule is REALLY weird) THe website has alot of info including pricing and hotel information, so that should help you in your planning and pricing. I want to say that the room pricing was around $480 USD per night. The flight pricing was ridiculously expensive, because I was flying on 1 days notice I was "forced" to book first class- company policy was biz class which would've been fine, but they were out so they let me go primo which was awesome. I will try to dig up some info from my expense reports and translate the yen to $$ to give you a better feel for pricing. I am actually hoping to get out there for work again this year, and will absolutely try to get there. My friend's GF went and she loved the Disney Sea (newer of the 2 parks)area. I think this past year was bad too because it was the 20th anniversary of the TDL and 1st anniv of TDS.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I looked at my old expense report...I flew into Narita Airport, took the Airport Limosine Service (shuttle bus) to the ANA Tokyo for $25 (3,000 yen). The Corporate rate for the ANA (a very nice hotel btw) was $190/night. The rooms are very small, but nice. There is a mall/office building right at the hotel, and it is about 15-20 min. from TDL via hotel bus. There is also some indoor skiing thing right near by and I was totally shocked to see a Costco there too.

Since the peak season varies at TDL (compared to WDW-which is peak by the month) TDL is peak on the weekends, but I know on short notice when I was there it was almost impossible to get a room. The TDL website will have all of that info, as well as the on/offsite hotels and phone numbers, they all have someon that speaks english too to assist you with your reservations/information requests. You just have to call during their business day to reach the guest relations people.

 

[Toad]

Thanks for the extra info ToyStoryFan. I'll share that with my companions.

They really want to stay on-site at TDL for the week we are there and from the website it looks like the cheapest is around $350 US/night. I think I might budget $2500 for accommodation which is approx 1/3 share (plus a bit extra) of a 15 night trip.

I am also going to look into a couple of tour groups. I usually like to book my trips separately (air, hotel. etc.) and travel independantly but there may be some benefit to going with a tour group since language and custom may be an issue.