Is there an easier way to book the Tokyo Disney hotels?

[Gill H]

I am reading about having to create an account, translate your name into Japanese, try all kinds of different credit cards, wait for the exact right moment, and three minutes later they are sold out...!

If (and it’s a big if) budget stretches, we would love a night in a Disney hotel. Preferably Ambassadors - we know Miracosta is outside our budget, and Disneyland Hotel looks similar to the Orlando and DLP versions, whereas Ambassadors is different.

Are there UK travel agents who can book the hotel for you? Would prefer to pay in sterling.

Maybe Travel Counsellors?

I can’t believe they make it so hard for those outside Japan.

[Caroian]

I don't know about an "easier" way, but we didn't find the official way at all difficult. We used the official English language version of the Japanese Disney site here: reserve.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/hotel/list/

It was a case of entering dates and guests and then selecting the hotel, choose room type,
then sign up as a guest "outside Japan" and pay. No translation of name was required (in fact that only thing we booked which required this was the Pokemon Cafe!). We did choose to get up at 1am on the day of release to book (rooms are available on a room only basis exactly 5 months ahead of time). However we were travelling during the Japanese school spring break and it was very busy and we needed 3 particular nights to fit in with everything else we had booked. For January 5th though - the furthest date you can currently book - standard rooms are still available to book in the Ambassdor hotel right now, so they clearly don't sell out for all dates within minutes of release (if ever!) I think you get the best prices booking early, and obviously best availability.

Booking a "Vacation Package" also gets you an additional month head-start (you can book at 6 months) but I really don't think these packages work out great value.

[Ben1993]

They are available on hotels.com etc. too but I think it's only select dates, usually a couple months before instead of at the 6 month mark so wouldn't work out for peak dates.

[Gill H]

Thank you Caroian - did you pay in Yen? Wondering if our Halifax Clarity card would work?

[Caroian]

Yes, we paid in Yen. I can't remember which card we used, but presumably a fee free one and I do remember the exchange rate worked out at exactly what we were expecting (you can usually look up the current card rates in advance). We don't have a Clarity card, but can't see why it wouldn't work. (I usually have a back up card on hand when making foreign currency transactions online though - cards can sometimes be declined or blocked by the issuer, so always good to have a "Plan B")

[kk20]

Our halifax clarity worked for the disney tickets through the same website. It was charged in yen. Our clarity worked onsite and it all of Japan too (and ATMs)