Spencer Lloyd 
We previously reported that the Ikspiari shopping complex will make its grand reopen on June 1st. We also noted that some stores would have different operating hours, and it seems that one of the most popular stops will be missing. But only for the first day, that is. The Disney Store at Ikspiari will open … Read more
While Universal Studios Japan quietly extended the halt on ticket sales through June 8th this week, a special notice was issued to holders of Annual Passes today, informing them that their pass validity was extended by 107 days, according to Twitter users. This could possibly correlate to a reopening date around June 15th. Universal Studios … Read more
While Tokyo Disney Resort still largely remains closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus, it seems we’ve got the first real good news in a long, long time. Ikspiari, the shopping center at Tokyo Disney Resort similar to Disney Springs or Downtown Disney, is reopening on June 1st! Closed since February 29th, Ikspiari … Read more
The State of Emergency for COVID-19, first implemented in Tokyo on April 8th and across Japan a week later, has officially come to an end nationwide. The last prefectures – Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba (home of Tokyo Disney Resort), Saitama, and Hokkaido, were finally released from the full state of emergency. With this, Japan has officially … Read more
Way back in November, it was announced that Oriental Land would implement increased security measures across Tokyo Disney Resort ahead of the now-delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympics. These included metal detectors, x-ray machines, and increased security patrols. Shortly after, a trial set of metal detectors appeared at the north entrance of Tokyo DisneySea. This trial lasted … Read more
With the lifting of emergency declarations across Japan comes the eventual question – How do theme parks reopen safely? US theme parks are facing the same question right now, with Universal Studios Orlando leading the charge on June 5th. It seems that the East Japan and West Japan Amusement Park Associations along with supporting companies … Read more
The Tokyo Disney Resort app features a nifty feature that allows visitors in the park (with a Japanese address) to shop for goods from within the park. Even through the extended COVID-19 closure, this feature has just been inactive. But as Tokyo Disney Resort seemingly is ramping up operations once more, this feature will be … Read more
In an effort to support the Tokyo Disney Resort during its extended closure, however long it may last, the Oriental Land Company secured a ¥200 billion, or about $1.858 billion, line of credit through Japanese megabank Mizuho this month. According to NHK (in Japanese), Oriental Land signed a contract with Mizuho Bank on May 15th to … Read more
With the state of emergency called off in Osaka and surrounding prefectures, Universal Studios Japan, closed alongside Tokyo Disney Resort since February 29th, will be allowed to reopen as soon as they desire, according to Osaka governor Hirofumi Yoshimura. The Kansai area, consisting of Osaka, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures, had its state of emergency called … Read more
The Tokyo Disney Resort official app is notorious for several reasons. Most notably for the fact that it’s only available in Japan in Japanese, yet is almost essential for visitors due to digital FastPass’ introduction last July. However, it seems the winds of change are in the air, as an update pushed to iOS devices … Read more
We haven’t seen a whole lot of good news out of Tokyo Disney Resort since it closed on February 29th. But it seems that there’s a light appearing at the end of the tunnel! The Tokyo Disney Resort has pushed an update to its map on the official app, the first in months. And in … Read more
In the past couple of weeks, Hong Kong Disneyland has been making preparations for reopening. Temperature screening tents and social distancing markers similar to those seen at Shanghai Disneyland were installed recently. But now, it appears Hong Kong Disneyland is imminently set to be the second Disney park to reopen! According to user HKDL of … Read more
Can there ever really be too many Disney Loungefly backpacks? Well, that depends on if you actually buy them. If that’s right up your wheelhouse, you might like the new Minnie Mouse sequined Loungefly mini-backpack now available on shopDisney! There’s two sparkly choices for your choosing pleasure – one full-size and one wristlet, if a … Read more
It’s one thing to visit Tokyo Disney Resort during the day amidst the COVID-19 extended closure. But visiting at night is a separate beast entirely, particularly with the eerie silence from no area music or Guests around. But sometimes you put on a brave face (and a mask) for the sake of curiosity. Let’s explore … Read more
We’re getting closer and closer to summer! And what’s the first holiday that comes to mind in the summer? No, it’s not Flag Day. That’s right, the Fourth of July! And if you’re looking to add a bit of premium patriotic flare to your summer ensemble, why not these new Mickey & Minnie Mouse Americana … Read more
Ah shopDisney, both our best friend and worst enemy in these times. If you’re a pin collector or trader like a lot of us are, though, you’ll probably still grit your teeth and pull through for releases like this! Today, shopDisney dropped several new character-centric pins, featuring beloved Disney characters from films like Alice in Wonderland, Hercules, … Read more