One Disney resort has yet to restore its Annual Passes post-COVID – and if some fans have it their way, it never will.
In the wake of COVID-19, Disney parks around the world overhauled their annual pass programs. Disneyland introduced the Magic Key system, while Walt Disney World launched the Incredi-Pass and other tiered options—both with blackout dates and limited availability. The changes reflected Disney’s shift toward managing crowd levels, prioritizing reservation systems, and increasing per-guest spending rather than encouraging unlimited repeat visits.
Tokyo Disney Resort took an even more drastic step. In 2020, the resort officially retired its annual pass program, citing the need to maintain a consistent guest experience amid high demand. Unlike other Disney resorts, Tokyo did not introduce a replacement system. Instead, it focused on date-specific tickets and limited-time offers. The decision disappointed many local fans but aligned with the park’s post-pandemic crowd management strategy.
Tokyo Disney Resort Considers Bringing Back Annual Pass
Recently, it seems like the resort’s owner, The Oriental Land Company, is rethinking this decision.
While exploring ways to boost attendance amid a recent economic downturn, the president of Oriental Land Company—the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort under license from Disney—hinted that the Annual Pass program could return in the future.
President Wataru Takahashi confirmed that OLC is exploring “how to encourage devoted fans to return” as part of a wider effort to reassess its approach to guest engagement. This follows a report that OLC is also considering slashing ticket prices for Tokyo Disney Resort.
This followed another acknowledgement from Yumiko Takano – chairperson and CEO of the Oriental Land Company – in 2023 that reintroducing Annual Passes was currently being “considered” as a part of Tokyo Disney Resort’s ticketing strategy in 2023.
Disney Locals Push Back Against Return of Tokyo’s Annual Pass
While plenty of fans worldwide have rooted for Disney’s pass systems to return to their pre-COVID states, Tokyo Disney Resort locals aren’t so convinced.
A recent report by a local news outlet sees several locals explain their argument for Tokyo Disney Resort not reviving the pass.
“To be honest, I don’t want Disney to bring back the Annual Pass,” one said (translated from Japanese). “It will only increase the number of annoying otakus, so I want them to stop.”
Another said, “With the current security situation at Disneyland without annual passes, what will happen if annual passes are reinstated?”
A common argument is that there were more issues with “etiquette” at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea when Annual Passes were an option and that the overall atmosphere improved once they were axed. Considering the crowding situation reported at both parks in recent years, some feel like encouraging locals to visit more often would only worsen the situation.
However, not everybody is anti-Annual Passes.
“People tend to think that Disney is always crowded, but in reality, it can be empty depending on the day,” one fan said. “That’s why I think it would be a good idea to revive it in the form of an Annual Pass that’s only available on weekdays … Furthermore, Annual Pass holders are less likely to feel the need to get their money’s worth, and many of them tend to be more relaxed, so I don’t get the impression that they are ruining the atmosphere in the park.”
Whether or not Tokyo Disney Resort restores its Annual Passes – or slashes ticket prices, as was recently suggested as a potential solution to declining attendance – it’s clear that reactions from its most loyal fans will be mixed.
Do you think Tokyo Disney Resort should bring back its Annual Pass?
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