Tokyo Disney. Language issues?

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

I'll have to check into the program. I've seen it on info-mericials. I kind of get mad when people visit Disneyland and speak in other languages. I guess it's mean for me to get mad because they have the right to visit Disneyland and when I thought of me going to Tokyo and not knowing their language I was horrified! I thought "Oh my gosh! I'm going to be one of those annoying tourists that can't speak the language of everybody else!"

Check your local library before going out and spending any money.

[LittleImagineer]

Okay, sure will! Thanks! They probably have a ton of books on languages

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

Ask them for DVDs and CDs so you can hear it and repeat the phrase until you memorize it.

[CaliforniaAdventurer]

http://micechat.com/forums/tokyo-disney-resort/107724-new-planning-website-english.html

http://micechat.com/forums/tokyo-disney-resort/90249-how-much-japanese-do-you-need-able-speak.html

http://micechat.com/forums/tokyo-travel-planning/76330-cant-speak-japanese.html

[Janell]

We didn't speak Japanese but knew a few phrase, like thank you.

There was only a few time where the language barrier was present in our trip. I was trying to order a drink with no ice, I was able to do it once, but never again. I gave up. Why was I ordering a drink with no ice? I was very thirsty while there and their drinks are smaller the in the states. On the days I was alone, I didn't want to loose my table(waiting for a parade) to go and get water.

The other time, we didn't understand in Seas at some Curry place that there was a walk up window for food and a sit down buffet. But we found someone who would walk with us to the sign outside for the buffet, we pointed to it and were walked to it. If I was thinking I would have taken a photo of the sign and shown the CM when we asked about it. But we found it and all was good.

The only other time where language was a big thing was when we first went on Center of the Earth. Being my husband and I are tall we hit our knees on the ride and couldn't sit comfortably. Wanting to do it again, because its a cool ride. We asked a CM if we could sit in front(by pointing to it) and then gesturing that we were tall and hit our knees. The CM gave a smile and got us on board the next car. Very nice. We went on it about three times in a row and saw the same CM so it wasn't a big deal to ask for the front again, they knew.

Oh and be ware of Space Mt if your tall. They my look like DL cars, but they are just a bit smaller. lol

We stayed at the Sheraton, no language problems there. I would say a lot if not all the employees there spoke some if not good english.

We toured Tokyo city two days and found a good mix of people who knew some english. Never a problem. Same thing with the air port, people knew english enough that you could get buy.

Japanese are very much into be in polite. So I would learn phrase that allows you to be polite. If you try a little, it will go along way. Even though I have to say all the Japanese people we ran into, were all very very nice.

I forget the name of the site I used. But it was free and would give you phrase that were easy to understand and I downloaded it to my iPhone and took it with me. Im sure you can google and find some sites. If I think of or find the name I'll post it.

[lighttragic]

I speak very little japanese, but at TDL I had no problem getting around. I even lost my knitcap by space mountain. I went to guest relations and spoke to a CM with little english they ended up finding my hat and even washing it too. But I ran into alot of CM;s who had spent time in america some from seattle... and they were excited to speak english. But overall as long as you hold up numbers signs at the attractions you will be fine. Just remember most attractions dont allow flash photograhy...
Remember these key phrases not sure if its spelled right
Omeezu Kudesai (water please)
Arigato Koheizamas (Thank you Very much)
Seemasen. shasin wo totte kuremasuka( I believe that means excuse me will you take my picture)

The basics arent that hard to pick up and you will be fine. Have fun!

[Parisi]

Originally Posted by LittleImagineer

I would like to visit Tokyo Disney but I only speak English. I'm a little scared that this could be an obstacle. Would I be able to effectively communicate with people and CM's? Would I be able to read signs and menus? I would greatly appreciate any information. Thanks!

I speak very basic Japanese (although I can read it much better) and I was able to sucessfully navigate in and around Tokyo and TDS. Most of, if not all the menus are in Japanese with english right under it. I had an experience with a CM when I wanted to ride Raging Spirits. I was going to go on the ride and a nice CM put his arms up in an X form to alert me to stop. In his broken english he pointed to the ride requirement sign and specifically to the section on how big you could be to ride the ride. I am a "Husky" person, but by no means fat, but they felt I was not going to be able to securely lock the shoulder restraints, so I had to wait for an english speaking CM. When he arrived he walked me to the ride, had me get on and test the shoulder restraint. When I was able to lock it with no problems, he told me to just stay on the ride and enjoy (I was shocked he did this, since it was at least an hr wait). Anyway, when the ride ended and I got back to the station, he was still waiting for me. He asked how I enjoyed the ride and walked me to the ride exit, which again I thought was really cool and not necessary.

So, if you do not speak any japanese... Dont worry. I mean they will help as best they can, and if you are having a hard time communicating, just try to remember some basic phrases:

You: Sumimasen. Eigo ga dekimasu ka.
CM: Iie, dekimasen.
You: Eigo ga dekiru kata, imasu ka?
CM: Shooshoo o-machi kudasai.

You: Excuse me. Do you speak English?
CM: No, I don't.
You: Is there anyone who can speak English?
CM: Just a moment, please.

Pick up a pocket japanese phrase book, so that you can look up different phrases if you need to communicate.

Whatever you do, do not let the language barrier stop you from visiting this gorgeous country and an insanely nice Disney park.

[Emmanuel_4]

English is fine

[Aunt Bee]

We just went to Tokyo and to Tokyo Disney Resort in June (2009).

None of us speak Japanese. We had no problems getting around the city of Tokyo---or going out to Tokyo Disney Resort via the JL Trains. Once at the resort--they spoke English at our hotel, the Welcome Ctr and at the Guest Relations at both DisneySEA and Disneyland.

You will have NO problem at either park. Most announcements are in both Japanese and English at the attractions and in the shows. Some shows are in all Japanese, but I found that it didn't distract from how lovely they were. Big Band Beat at TDS--was all in English.

When you are getting on an attraction, showing the number of people in your party with your fingers is all that is needed. We did learn to say '5' in Japanese though, just by listening to the CM's--"go" = "5".

I was concerned about the language barrier myself--but really--it wasn't a big deal--except for asking a question at the Shinjuku Train Station--when the clerk said they didn't speak English. But, someone walking by did, and stopped to help.
Don't waste your money on a Rosetta Stone program--unless you really want to learn the language. You don't need to speak the Japanese language to get around Tokyo Disney Resort.

[Kittiekyo]

We tried Rosetta Stone and it really didn't work for us.. Instead I learned quite a bit of Japanese over the internet.. There is even a game for the Nitendo DS that I use called My Japanese Coach and it really helps with the basics. One thing my friend noticed when she went to Japan for a week is that most people just wandering wont try to speak English to you til you try to speak Japanese to them, but I am sure Disneyland/sea will be easier ^-^ I hope you enjoy your trip!

[Keenan]

I'd have to agree with all the posters thus far, no Japanese is required, however learn a few key phrases to enhance the experience.

One comment that I didn't see posted was that the Magic Lamp Theatre at Disneysea has some pretty cool technology for English speakers (and perhaps other languages?). A CM came up and starting speaking Japanese. When we returned her questions with blank faces she gave each of us these little 5 inch LCD screens. The screens displayed the translation of the show and kept up quite well. It was sort of like watching a live show with subtitles. Pretty cool.

Don't miss DisneySea, it might be my favorite Disney property of them all. Enjoy!

[LittleImagineer]

Oh my goodness! Thanks for all the information! I was looking at micechat a few days ago and there were pics of signs in TDL and all the signs were in English and then had Japanese under the English. The signs were the signs for restraunts and those types of places. Would I be able to read the signs for ride names and everything? It's good to know that other people who can't speak Japanese have been there and made it out just fine. I'll save all these little phrases you guys posted in Japanese and I'll go check out some websites =]

[LittleImagineer]

Also, how will I know what row to sit in when I tell the CM how many people are in my group? Will they hold up their fingers or point or something?

[RSoxNo1]

On the Tokyo Disneyland website I saw that the hotel rooms started in the 28000-33000 Yen range. Do they offer discounts akin to the stay 4 nights, get 3 nights free that they offer in the states?

[izaneybraney]

Last summer I visited the Tokyo Disney Resort with a friend, both of us spoke NO Japanese whatsoever. We found if you are aware of your surroundings and very polite, which everyone was, then you can make do just fine. I'm not saying doing try and learn everything, but even though I knew nothing, TDR is one of my favorite Disney Reorts and its my goal to go back!