...yet another TDR trip report...

[GUYNYC]

I’m back. And have finally had a minute to get all my pictures and things together. So, there are so many trip reports out there, I thought I’d do mine a little different. I’ll make a few observations, put up my itinerary and link my photos…

First off, thanks to everyone on this board for the helpful hints and posts. I learned so much and was prepared and really felt that I did everything that I wanted to do, and got the most out of my trip. I will say that I was constantly on the go.

Any specific questions, just ask…here we go…

Sunday, May 10—Depart NYC for NRT. 14 hours later….
Monday, May 11 (Disneyland Hotel)—Arrive. 2 hours at TDL.
Tuesday, May 12 (Disneyland Hotel)—Full day at TDL.
Wednesday, May 13 (MiraCosta Hotel)—Train to/from Nikko. View the temples and shrines. Eve at TDL.
Thursday, May 14 (Sheraton Grande Hotel)—Full day at TDS.
Friday, May 15 (Universal Port Hotel)—Train to Osaka. Umeda Bldg, aquarium, Universal Studios Japan and Osaka/Dotonbori area.
Saturday, May 16 (Sheraton Grande Hotel)—Universal Studios Japan. Train to Tokyo. TDS at night.
Sunday, May 17 (Sheraton Grande Hotel)—Tokyo.
Monday, May 18 (Sheraton Grande Hotel)—Mt. Fuji. Evening at TDS.
Tuesday, May 19 (Sheraton Grande Hotel)—Full day at TDL.
Wednesday, May 20—Morning at TDS. Depart NRT for NYC early evening.

First off, I’ve been to Tokyo before. And I had done most of the tourist things already. I’d been to both Parks but only for one day…so that’s why I went back—so that I could leisurely enjoy them again.

Of course the Parks are beautiful. TDS is magnificent and breath-taking. Both Parks are fantastically themed and I really had to look to burst the magic bubble by seeing something that took me out of the fantasy.

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is just beautiful and service is first rate. I couldn’t have carried my bags, even if I had wanted to—I might have offended someone if I had. I had a view of the Parks, and be warned, they play Disney music about two hours before the Parks open, constantly throughout the day and again for about two hours after the Parks close—and you can hear it from your room. So there really wasn’t any chance to escape Disney when staying there.

The MiraCosta was nice. Very elegant, a bit more stuffy. Rooms not as new. Staff was wonderful and very attentive. The manager checked up on my health (making sure that I didn’t have any flu symptoms) while I was standing in line for early morning entry—it was actually a little creepy that they had tracked me down. Happened again at the Sheraton Grande a few days later, again.

Be prepared for the stampede when the Parks open. I didn’t really grasp that concept and found myself having to run just to stay alive.

And as advised… Get there early. People start lining up about an hour before the Parks open. You’ll even see a few there before that—sitting, waiting patiently.

The Parks were not that busy…but it was best to eat at off hours or endure long lines. At one point in the early afternoon I counted more than seventy people in line for the foodcart in Mysterious Island at TDS (I believe it was for the sausage bun).

I played the FastPass game at both Parks and got to ride everything I wanted several times. I also made use of the Early Entry for DisneySea and the special entrances from the two Disney Hotels that I stayed at.

FastPass for the really popular rides were gone by noon or early afternoon.

As for the parades—they start sitting hours before. I prefer to stand, as I’m tall, so I’d wait till just about ten minutes before showtime, and then pick my spot and that seemed to work out nicely—without the wait.

I was able to ride Pooh three times in a row at night (about an hour before closing) without more than a five minute wait.

Curry popcorn is awful—but the maple churro rocks!

The Parks are so clean and well maintained.

The fireworks I thought were just so so. And they’re not over the castle—they’re actually between the two Parks so the show happens simultaneously from both.

They love those cookie tins and cellphone charms.

There were tons of school kids on class trips having a blast running everywhere, while dressed in their uniforms. Don’t know why we don’t get class trips to the Disney Parks.

I was amazed at just how many cast members the Parks employed. At one point I saw 5 people cleaning a popcorn cart at TDS. They are so efficient there. And very polite. And the customer service was so good. At times, I was overwhelmed by it.

I enjoyed seeing characters that I don’t regularly see at the Stateside Parks…like Thumper, all 7 Dwarfs, the Pigs, Brer Rabbit, the Fairy Godmother (with mask), Bianca and Bernard, Panchito and Jose and Pocahontas and Meeko.

Really enjoyed Journey to the Center of the Earth at TDS. And was amazed at the details of Mermaid Lagoon. Actually, amazed at all the detailing of TDS. TDL too. (TDL, has to be the crown jewel of the Parks--I'd rank Disneyland in Anaheim a close 2nd, though).

The aquarium in Osaka was fantastic. Got to see the whale sharks. The Umeda Sky Bldg was just an observation tower. The building is very cool though. Its observation area is called a Floating Garden—so naturally I thought it was going to be something like a park on the 40something floor. But all it was was a bare observation deck. The Dotonbori area in Osaka was very Blade Runner with all its neon, 3D signage, pachinko parlors, restaurants and shops.

Universal Studios Japan was just so so. As warned, it was very similar to Florida. The nighttime parade was fun to watch, but a rip off of Disney, I thought. I don’t recommend USJ unless you want to go to just cross it off your list.

Gotta love the spraying toilets with their heated seats in the hotels. Oh and the full on shower rooms! The electric hand dryers/blowers in the Parks-- are so much more efficient then what we have over here in the States.

Nikko was interesting with its old shrines and temples. However, after about an hour, I was done with culture. The train takes about 1 1/2 hours from Tokyo.

The weather was perfect. I had a couple of overcast mornings and one evening where it just poured (but luckily it didn’t affect my plans). However, it does get very windy there and the fireworks and BraviSEAmo at TDS were cancelled often.

I booked Gray Line for a trip to Mt Fuji and Lake Ashi. Really though the highlight was getting pictures with Mt. Fuji in the background at the first rest stop. After that, you’re either in the bus, or too close. Luckily had a perfectly clear day for pictures.

Got to see an act of Kabuki at the Kabuki-Za Theater in the Ginza area. No idea what the show was about, but culturally fulfilling.

However, I have to say the coolest part of my trip was riding the train into Tokyo during rush hour. Oh…..my…..gawd…… And I’m from New York and used to the crammed 4 or 5 train during rush hour. But nothing prepared me for this. It was incredible and hard to breathe even. You truly can’t move…not even your feet. But wow, what an experience! Even more astonishing was just how civilized and polite everyone was during this.

And the people there I thought were just so accepting and polite and helpful. What a wonderful country.

Enjoy the photos (there’s a lot of them).

Kodakgallery.com: Slideshow

Kodakgallery.com: Slideshow

Kodakgallery.com: Slideshow

Kodakgallery.com: Slideshow

[daragez]

nice share!...enjoyed reading it!...thanks!...

[TDRFAN25]

love the iternary and pictures. The pictures make me miss Japan so much. i can't wait for my future trip back to Asia in 2012.

[mikeland]

Amazing, amazing, amazing. Loved the photos, especially the hotels ones.

[bigglesworth003]

Originally Posted by GUYNYC

Curry popcorn is awful—but the maple churro rocks!

......

However, I have to say the coolest part of my trip was riding the train into Tokyo during rush hour. Oh…..my…..gawd…… And I’m from New York and used to the crammed 4 or 5 train during rush hour. But nothing prepared me for this. It was incredible and hard to breathe even. You truly can’t move…not even your feet. But wow, what an experience! Even more astonishing was just how civilized and polite everyone was during this.

And the people there I thought were just so accepting and polite and helpful. What a wonderful country.

Great Report!!

Although I loved Curry Popcorn! and yes the Maple Churro rocks!

Agree with all your other thoughts, I had on my last night my Rush hour Train, I was walking down the stairs to platform and couldn't see it! people side to side and end to end! got on the second train couldn't more at all! loved it! its amazing how full a train can be with all their phones and not one goes off! they are all so polite and obey the instructions to have it on silent and refrain from answering!

Truly a great people, as you said so accepting and polite!

Great Report!

[TDLFAN]

Originally Posted by GUYNYC

Any specific questions, just ask…

How many times did you use the toilet a day?

Of course the Parks are beautiful. TDS is magnificent and breath-taking. Both Parks are fantastically themed and I really had to look to burst the magic bubble by seeing something that took me out of the fantasy.

Can you post this in the WDW section please? So that we can teach the uneducated and the apologists?

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is just beautiful and service is first rate. I couldn’t have carried my bags, even if I had wanted to—I might have offended someone if I had.

Nice compliment to the hotel staff. They are the best.

The MiraCosta was nice. Very elegant, a bit more stuffy. Rooms not as new.

Well, it's a totally different style of accomodation and theme...so yes, it is stuffy for the right reasons. No trailer park here.

Staff was wonderful and very attentive. The manager checked up on my health (making sure that I didn’t have any flu symptoms) while I was standing in line for early morning entry—it was actually a little creepy that they had tracked me down. Happened again at the Sheraton Grande a few days later, again.

Yes, they were watching you...maybe because you are from.. NYC?

Curry popcorn is awful—but the maple churro rocks!

I do not care much for churros but the popcorn choices are decent and the curry one is quite popular. You should have tried the black pepper and capuccino flavors.

The Parks are so clean and well maintained.

Something I can not say for WDW and DLP. Can you post this in those sections?

The fireworks I thought were just so so.

Didn't I tell you this?

They love those cookie tins and cellphone charms.

Nothing wrong with that.

I was amazed at just how many cast members the Parks employed. At one point I saw 5 people cleaning a popcorn cart at TDS. They are so efficient there. And very polite. And the customer service was so good. At times, I was overwhelmed by it.

Again.. reason why I rant about WDW and how they brag about being the biggest and brightest when they are indeed 2nd rate when compared to Tokyo's magnificent service.

Really enjoyed Journey to the Center of the Earth at TDS. And was amazed at the details of Mermaid Lagoon. Actually, amazed at all the detailing of TDS. TDL too. (TDL, has to be the crown jewel of the Parks--I'd rank Disneyland in Anaheim a close 2nd, though).

AGREED AGREED AGREED!!!! (Sorry Californians... but your Disneylandia does come a close 2nd IMHO as well) Again, please go to the WDW section and post this. I feel so bad for those FL fans.. they haven't got a clue how badly Disney short-changes them at premium prices.

Universal Studios Japan was just so so. As warned, it was very similar to Florida. The nighttime parade was fun to watch, but a rip off of Disney, I thought. I don’t recommend USJ unless you want to go to just cross it off your list.

I disagree here. USJ is the best of the Universal parks, period. The orlando one, while similar, is not as detailed nor well maintained as the Osaka property. Even the quality of the shows and the staffing is of much higher caliber. If you do not recommend USJ, then you did not enjoy at leisure. I suspect you only gave this park a few hours of your time and did not care to really immerse yourself in it like you did at TDR.
May I suggest you go back and take your time, and look around because when it comes to theming.. this is the Universal park to beat... right up there with Islands of Adventure.

The electric hand dryers/blowers in the Parks-- are so much more efficient then what we have over here in the States.

Well, I would say everything in Japan is much more efficient over the poor craftmanship of the USA. That includes work ethics.

What a wonderful country.

Yes, Japan rules and should be the superpower of the Earth.

[GUYNYC]

TDLFAN, You are partially right with regards to USJ. I did feel a bit rushed as there was a lot I wanted to do. I think my issue with USJ is a lot of things were closed (shops, foodcarts etc-not attractions). I think that was because it was a slow time of the year? From a staffing point, incredible... and cleanliness A+... it was comparable to Disney there in Japan--must be because they expect a higher degree of service over there (don't know). So no complaints there. I think I was just hoping that they would have a few more differences between the other Universal Parks. It is by far the best Universal property IMHO. Perhaps the fact that ET was closed and most of Land of Oz was too and they have a lot of empty (avail) space in SF and NY areas, it just felt not fully developed (does that make sense?) Either the money wasn't fully invested or it was a slow period--i don't know how to exactly describe it--other than I felt it was lacking. Of course it could be that the Universal properties don't carry the same magic as Disney and to be sandwiched in between Disney Parks wasn't fair. Of course I would visit it again when there's something new there, and perhaps it wasn't fair for me to not reco it in my haste of a visit.

Perhaps what keeps me entertained with the Disney Parks is that they are packed with stuff. DL in Anaheim is probably the most packed because of the little space. But everywhere you turn there's a shop or foodcart, attraction or something there. Very few empty structures. I noticed that what TDS did right was they built the whole Park and left plenty of avail space to add new things. But they went the extra mile and themed everything. Sure there isn't a lot in the Cape Cod area, but it sure is nice to stroll along that waterfront there and just soak in the atmosphere. Same with Med Harbor. Not alot happening in those back alleys, but sure is beautiful and relaxing--maybe that was the point and there is never a plan to add into those spaces, but they are there if they wanted to add something. And this was the right move in my opinion rather than just leave things empty and dark and without theme.

Now that I said that, perhaps that's what USJ was trying to do as well.

And in regards to that toilet....luckily no more than normal--but at least the experience was that much more enjoyable.

[TDLFAN]

Your complaints about USJ are legit if indeed there were lots of closures due to being the "slow season" for japanese. However, I still feel this park has a lot going when it's in full swing. I like how they perform special events and parades/show for the halloween/Xmas/Valentines seasons.. with every year being different from before (as opposed to seeing the same old stuff year after year at our Disney parks..and even TDR is becoming guilty of that). You also have to understand this is not a "resort" type place. It's a themed park standing alone with a shopping complex next to it. Osaka, not being the most popular destination, also IMHO.. does not add much bling to the lure that should be USJ.
As for ET being closed.. sadly, it just closed permanently and a replacement has not been announced yet. Also, the Land of OZ suffers from a lack of entertainment. This used to be the old west section of the park, re-dressed now as Oz... "Wicked" performs there and it is a very good show.. but there are 'dark' time for that show. The area also suffers from having a huge restaurant that is only opened during busy periods. I can see why you were not all that into USJ.. but it really is a nice park. Xmas in particular is great and USJ has the best Xmas tree of ANY theme park in the World.

[aimster]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

How many times did you use the toilet a day?
AGREED AGREED AGREED!!!! (Sorry Californians... but your Disneylandia does come a close 2nd IMHO as well) Again, please go to the WDW section and post this. I feel so bad for those FL fans.. they haven't got a clue how badly Disney short-changes them at premium prices.

Don't need to tell me. I've never even been to TDR and I like it better than WDW. Right now, I really don't even have plans to visit WDW unless I go for free on my birthday (and that depends on the BF because I do not want to go alone again... but if he doesn't want to go, I'm not going either).

[TDLFAN]

A BF who does not like to go to WDW with the GF needs to GO! BTW.. TDR is one of the most visited places in Japan for dating couples.. and it is also well known as the "Curse". Seems like many young couples who date at TDR, break up shortly after that... very sad.

[Experiment 626]

Originally Posted by TDLFAN

A BF who does not like to go to WDW with the GF needs to GO! BTW.. TDR is one of the most visited places in Japan for dating couples.. and it is also well known as the "Curse". Seems like many young couples who date at TDR, break up shortly after that... very sad.

I have that curse after my gf's meet my parents!

[DonDuck]

Wow, looks like you covered a lot with your pics (I really enjoyed them, BTW). Thanks for sharing!

[Disney Liz]

What an amazingly thorough TR! It was an awesome treat with all those wonderful sideshows you had to offer. Thank you for sharing because I totally enjoyed it and felt I got a taste of everything without even being there. I loved it.

[jagass]

Thanks for sharing this...

[DisneySea_Fan]

Whaaaa?!? you don't like the curry popcorn! Personnaly I loved it. Anyway I loved the picts, all of them are great!