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Like Disney properties in other countries, Tokyo Disney Resort owes its success to its ability to recreate the atmosphere of wonder and whimsy found in the animated worlds that serve as its inspiration. However, Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea have now achieved the ambition of countless holiday children’s movie villains by cancelling Christmas.
The decision comes shortly after the reopenings of the two Tokyo-named, Chiba Prefecture-located amusement parks, which ended months of closure following the coronavirus outbreak in Japan. Both parks began welcoming visitors again on July 1, but with several new rules such as admission number limits, requiring face masks, and asking guests not to scream on roller coasters. After newly assessing the situation, the parks remain open, but will be dramatically scaling back their events for the rest of the year, with Christmas just one of the seasonal celebrations that’s out.
In total, 10 events across the two parks have been cancelled, stretching into March of 2021 (the Japanese business year begins in the spring for most companies). The complete list of cancelled events is:
Tokyo Disneyland
● Disney Halloween (originally scheduled for September 11-Novemebr 1)
● Disney Christmas (November 10-December 25)
● Oshogatsu [New Year’s] Program (January 1-5)
● Beauty and the Beast Program (January 13-February 14)
Tokyo Disney Sea
● Duffy and Friends Sunny Fun (June 4-August 26)
● Disney Pirates Summer (July 1-September 2)
● Disney Halloween (September 11-November 1)
● Disney Christmas (November 10-December 25)
● New Year’s Program (January 1-5)
● Duffy and Friends New Program (January 1-March 25)
Tokyo Disney Resort hasn’t specified whether the cancellations are to reduce coronavirus transmission risks by not creating concentrated crowds of guests and performers, an economic necessity as capped admission makes large-scale events unfeasible, or some combination of the two. In addition, no comment has been made on whether the cancellations apply only to parades and shows, or whether visitors should expect to see a lack of seasonal decorations as well.
With a Disneyland date being one of Japanese couples’ favorite ways to celebrate Christmas, and also Halloween being the only time when guest cosplay is allowed in the parks, the loss of the special celebrations is a sad development.
Source: Tokyo Disney Resort via Otakomu
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© Japan Today
11 Comments
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Maheshwaran Shanmugam
Please close such things... for some more weeks..
its good for everyone and especially Childrens..
Jacek Adamczyk
As for Disneyland, why do they still charge the full price for a limited experience with some of the rides closed and not being able to greet with characters via a hug etc.
memoryfix
smartacus. No light displays at Christmas: Yeah. Well, children might get amazed and go “Wow”, and thus, either releasing and/or exposing themselves to the virus and....Well, you know. Don’t be so happy! It’s dangerous!
smartacus
That's a shame. If the parks are going to be open, then why cancel the events? If the virus is still with us at Christmas, I think people are going to want something to cheer them up. What else will be canceled? All the Christmas light displays around the country? No matter what some people may think of those light displays and Disney events, I think they add a sparkle and joy to winter nights. I wonder what sort of a Christmas it will be this year, especially if we can't fly in or out of Japan.
Do the hustle
This is only about economics not the virus.
Luis David Yanez
Yeah, because corona like Halloween and Christmas...
These measures makes absolutely no sense, but they just apply it to seem like they are doing something.
kyronstavic
Let's just declare martial law now to save everyone from worrying whether it's going to happen sometime down the track.
It's clear that we're supposed to be living in fear and cancelling everything that rings a bit of joy to life, Disney be damned!. Just make it official, shut down the economy and be done with it.
Kitchener Leslie
If they’re going to allow the same number of guests in anyway what is the point?
Kobe White Bar Owner
So USJ will follow suit shortly.
HAMBURGER
Shut it down for 6 more weeks. Not necessary during a nasty pandemic.