It's VERY possible that something isn't included or different in some way, its just that when they put the link to DU i assumed they did it on purpose and that they might know the difference in price, which is why I asked. I assumed there was something different.
Tokyo Disneyland is not owned by Disney. The Oriental Land Company leases Disney's intellectual properties from them. I assume there were logistical issues doing a TDLR add-on, as they offered it the first year ABD went to Japan (2019) but have not offered it since (and it wasn't due to lack of interest, as over half of the people on my trip added it on, as did most of the people I know who did the Japan ABD that year).
China ABD was one of the most amazing trips we've ever taken (pre-Covid and pre-current tensions), and I would recommend the opportunity to anyone. But we agree, and added on time in the beginning for HK Disney and on the end for Shanghai Disney - absolutely wanted more time in those parks than was offered. The ABD portion of the Disney parks was nice, but not nearly enough - although Club 33 access at the Shanghai park was something we could not have done without ABD for that trip!
We are watching and waiting for the itineraries for the recrafted Treasure ship (number 7 for DCL) to see what their Asian ports will be. Viking Cruise has a new one (i think-- or at least new to me!) from Shanghai to Hong Kong-- so maybe pre and post nights in the Disney parks is a possibility for us in 2025. We saw Hong Kong Disneyland in 2008 as part of our China ABD-- beautifully landscaped! So much has been added since, so I'd love to see it again. As for Shanghai Disneyland, Pirates was absolutely amazing!!
So maybe if they gave you more time in each park (& its location to explore the city) and just price it accordingly.
I totally agree with you. The China ABD was an AMAZING trip! The thought of going to China just to see the parks, and not spending the time to see this amazing country (which I only planned to visit once, also) is really just incomprehensible to me! But everyone has their own interests and priorities!
It will be interesting to see where the Treasure goes. Not sure how interested I'll be in going there, but you never know!
It would be ideal for someone mostly interested in just seeing the parks. But it would only be ideal if you had time to sleep in between all the travel. One of the things (besides the astronomical price) that makes the around-the-world trip unappealing to me is the break-neck pace. I'd be exhausted in no time. But if they treated it like a regular ABD, go to a destination, see what's there, get a couple of good nights' sleep, fly to another location, rinse and repeat, it could be a fabulous trip. It would be a long trip - at least 25 days (12 Parks, so 12 days there minimum). 6 locations, so a minimum of 5 days' travel between them, plus at least one day (MINIMUM) at each location to see the local sights, so anther 6 days. Plus arrival day and departure day. It *could* be done.
