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Thread: janell - Oct 31- Nov 7, 2008 - Tokyo Disneyland Resort

  1. #1
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
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    janell - Oct 31- Nov 7, 2008 - Tokyo Disneyland Resort

    Hi everyone, we just go home a few days ago and adjusting back to LA time. lol Wanted to start our TR. I hope you enjoy it.

    Flew out of LAX on United airlines, the flight took 11.5 hours. I did upgrade to Economy Plus for $50.00 each way for more leg room and I was very thankful for that. Even with the extra leg room its a long flight all cramped up. There is just never enough space to really relax in Economy seats. I now am looking into learning how to use your miles for seat upgrades to bus. class. I saw those seats and was very jealous. :-)

    They played four movies thought out the flight and some other tv show, I didnt know. We were served two warm lunch meals and snack of chips, cookies and something Ive forgotten. The only problem I had is they did the first meal around ,1:00pm once the plane was up and going. Then the other meal at 9:00pm(LA time) about an hour and half before landing. 8 hours with no meal, ended up making me sick. So next time I run pass Mc Donalds on the way to my termal, Im picking something up and putting it in a zip lock bag just incase they don't feed us for a long time. I understand why they did it this way, its so people can sleep. But it didnt help me on this trip.

    Another thing about the flight that bother me, was there were two
    young men, in their early 20's. Headed for Singapore to report for our
    mlitary. They were drinking a bit to much, in fact they got cut off
    in the last hour in half, so one guy brought his big bottle of
    something down from the over head compartment with out a flight
    attendance seeing it and started to drink that. Even though he was
    told he couldn't drink what he had brought with him. Anyways to what
    bothered me, wasn't the drinking, to each their own. These two guys
    who were pretty drunk, were seated at an exit seats. So if we had
    trouble, they were the ones to open the door and do what ever.
    Scared me. I wanted to say something to a flight attend, but really
    what could be done, they were so far gone, they weren't going to
    switch seats with someone else. And I was afraid they come after me.
    I could just see a flight mid-air. So I said nothing hoping it didn't
    matter. And in the end, we landed fine. But it has left me to wonder
    and will ask United their policy on drinking and sitting at an exit.
    I don't think you should be allowed to sit there and get drunk. A
    drink or two fine, its a long flight, but if you one to help people,
    you should be sober.

    So landing in Tokyo and going thought customs was a breeze. They
    gave us the two papers we need to fill out. So right off the plane,
    went thought customs. Then on to get your checked luggage, handed off the last paper and out to where you can meet up with people, grab a bus, your cell phone, what ever.

    Oh just for those of you who have allergy meds or other medication that is not allowed in Japan, here my story on that. I applied to bring my allergy meds and Vicodin (a narcotic) with me. Took some paper work and $100.00 to UPS it over night to Japan. (Fed-ex was more) Which was really two days. Well it was $50.00 for each package sent. I sent two, due to the voicodin is a narcotic and has to go to a special place. A week later I got my paper work back from Japan saying I could bring my meds with me. I carried this paper work with me at all times while in Japan and had no problems. No one ask me for it, even customs just took note of the fact I had it. It was easy. The only kicker to the whole thing is while submitting your paper work for approval, you have to have a copy of your plane reservations. So they lock you in to going before they approve your meds.

    We rented cell phones thought Soft Bank. Was really easy to pick up.
    They are right by exit C1. Gave them my paper work, they handed me the zippered pack that contained the phone, charger and some information on the phone and I was off to find my driver. I received my phone number two days before I got there (they give it out two days before) it was the same number when I got the phone, so that worked out perfectly. They don't guarantee the number.

    Tokyo Air porter (tokyoairporter.com)
    I then went to look for my driver. I had a privet driver pick me up, due to I thought I would be to late for the Limousine bus. Turns out I wasn't, but I have to say the privet car was nice after a long trip. Lugging luggage around, taking into the bathroom with you(I was by myself at this point of the trip). Having someone there with your name on a sign, grab your bags and go get the car was heaven. lol
    Nice driver, spock pretty good english, there were times we didn't know how to say something, but it all worked, even had some chit chat.

    Once we arrived at the Sheraton Grand Tokyo Bay, someone helped with my luggage as I checked in. The preson helping me spock perfectly good English, maybe even better then me. lol No problems there. Then I quickly bought my TDL ticket for the next day at a counter at the hotle. Then I was escorted to my room with my bags. I was asked if I had any questions, was as helpful as can be, very welcoming and friendly. Since I was so hungery and tired. I ordered room service, had a nice club sandwhich. I decided to wait till the next day before trying really Japanese food. Room service is costly so I wanted to make sure I would like it. But well worth it after the long day.

    I didn't sleep on the plane, once I ate, I went to sleep. It was about 7:30pm local time. Woke right up at 2:00am local time, which is about 11:00am LA time. Oh my body took a few days to get use to the time change. Weird thing, waking up at 2:00 am hungery because your body thinks it lunch time. lol Had a hard time sleeping so I just got up. Ate breakfast down stairs at the hotel at 6:30am. Buffet was really good, its pricey at $33.00 but there is no tipping involved.

    Left the hotel at 7:15 and got to TDL by monorail at 7:30, already a big line up, but not to bad. I was worrened by TDR fans on line that this day was going to be supper busy, so I was ready for it. It was Oct 31 and everyone was there for the last day of Halloween.

    Walking into the park is very different then walking into DL or MK. First off you think, wheres the train? Wheres the burm? :-) Well they couldn't do it that way due to some regulations Japan has, if there is public transerptation that is "X" amount long, they have to charge you. So the train at TDL is an accrual ride(more on that later).

    Pitchers say more then I could. I have about 8gb of photos and video, that I havent gotten to yet, but will. Im still trying to get use to LA time. I think its much harder getting back to LA time then it was getting on to Tokyo time. My theory is its because I dont have two spectacular parks to keep me up and going.

    I was just in aww, due to I had planned this trip in 2006 but never made it. And planed it again this time. So for awhile it was hard to believe I was really there. Knowing the day was going to be so busy, long lines and my husband wasn't with me. I decided it was shopping and photo day. With a few rides thrown in here and there. My husbands, not a shopping fan and I couldn't resist hitting the stores first thing. Plus it gave me some direction and time to get over the shock of just how beautiful this park really was.

    What can you say, the shopping was wonderful, due to its so different to what we have in the states. Cell phone charms are huge there. Its like the equlaiant to trading pins in the states. What I loved as I went though the shops was seeing what people buy due to their culture. How they use things different then from where I was from. Like little hand towels, you would carry in your pocket. I found these all over the place. And I later found out why(or at least I think so). Most restrooms I found had hand dryers, we all know they don't work that well. Half the time I dry them to a certain point and then use the inside of my pockets. lol Well thats where I saw a women using her little towel and the light went on in my head, so thats why there are little towel. So do as the natives do, I bought a towel and use it the rest of the trip and it was nice.

    Western River Rail Road line was short(and it wouldnt be a week later) so I jumped on. :-) I really enjoyed it.

    Fast Pass HHM for later in the day. I took advice given and saved my fast pass for the end of the day.

    Ate lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace, good burger and fries. (later on the trip found out they have good chicken nuggets. Found the great spot to watch the Halloween Parade. This spot was told to me by a fellow poster. Thank you for the info. It really is a good spot. The spot can be found by entering TLT and going outside where the parade will go by and there is seatting. You can only get to this spot from inside TLT.

    After the paraide, walked around ToonTown and TL taking photos and just seeing where paths lead me. It was nice and relaxing.

    About 2:30 pm I was getting tired so I headed back to the hotel, which was easy on the monorail. Oh I just bought a one day pass at this point, about $6.50 and it made my life easy, not going to the machines each time you wanted to board and I wasnt sure how often I would use the monorail with a day. Relaxed at the hotel for a few hours and then back into the park. Stopped by Cokes Corner, grab a hotdog. I was eating as cheap as I could because breakfast was so costly.

    I used my fast pass for HMH at this point. It was done up very nicely. I enjoy seeing the differences between TDL and DL. Then I went to see the Tiki Room, although it was in Japanese and had a bit of a different story line with Stitch in it, it was still very good and fun to see. Missing Countery Bears at DL I had to go see them in TDL. Brought back old memories. Cute show. Yes it was in Japanese, but I still knew what was going on.

    At this point I went back to TLT and found a spot to watch the electrical parade. At which time I received a phone call from my husband, so we chatted till the parade started. The electrical parade is so good. There are more floats then we have at DL. There is Nemo, Crush, Woody, Buzz, a boat looking float that has its a small world music coming from it and many more, Im forgetting at the moment.

    After the parade was over, I headed out of the park back to the hotel. At this point as we all know the shops were loaded with people gathering things to take home with them. I was happy to have done my shopping early.

    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

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  3. #2

    Thanks!

    Thanks Janell, I was so looking forward for your report!! Please post pics if you can later! Did you go to Disney Sea? I heard it's a lot of walking. Thanks again!!


  4. #3
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!

    Yeah I spent 3 days in each park. I will talk about seas more in my next few installments and have photos up. Right now due to this weekends fires in So Cal. my photos are on my desk top computer, which was taken apart in case we had to leave the house due to the fires. I hope to get more in the TR this week or weekend.

    If you had an questions you wanted to chat about, ask away.

    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  5. #4

    HI Janell,

    Thanks so much, I will wait for your other trip reports before asking questions, that way you won't repeat things on the report and my questions. Hope that is alright. Please be safe from the fires! Take your time, your safety comes first. I'm just glad you had a great trip!


  6. #5
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!
    Quote Originally Posted by ochibiyo View Post
    HI Janell,

    Thanks so much, I will wait for your other trip reports before asking questions, that way you won't repeat things on the report and my questions. Hope that is alright. Please be safe from the fires! Take your time, your safety comes first. I'm just glad you had a great trip!
    Oh thank you. We came out okay. Still putting things back together and waiting for my husband to put my computer back together.

    Do what you like. if you have a question at any time, ask. I don't mind at all. I love chatting about the trip. We had such a great time. Wish we were still there.
    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  7. #6
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!

    Sat Nov. 1 This day my DH was coming in from Taiwan in the late afternoon and I was checking out of the Sheraton Hotel. In the morning, I got all packed up and asked the bell desk to hold my luggage till the evening, when DH would be there. We would then leave both of or large luggage with the bell desk till we returned on Monday. Taking with us our small suite case we took on the plane with us.

    Check out was easy, they had an imprint of my credit card, all I did was look over the bill at the front desk, signed it and I was on my way. Today was my exploring the hotels and Ikspiara(their version of Down Town Disney). I once again got a one day Monorail pass. My first stop was Ikspiara and Ambassador Hotel. Got to Ikspiara a bit before 10:00am and was surprised you can't get far, no window shopping before the stores open. LOL They have area roped off and doors closed, so people were gathering. I did see what looked like a nice coffee shop, I didn't go in, so Im not completely sure. Once 10:00 am came, they dropped the rope's, open the doors and the people ran. Still funny to me to see this, because its just different then in the States. I wasn't sure where everyone was headed. I think they were selling ticket to something, because the people just ran passed the Disney Store which is were I was thinking they were headed. Thankfully not, because that was where I was headed.

    The Disney Store, once again Tokyo took my breath away. A shoppers Paradise. I grab my basket, yes they offer baskets for shopping, I love this. And hit the Christmas isle. lol It was the first day the Christmas merchandise was out. Did some shopping for friend and headed to the check out. I was there about an hour. There were not a ton of people in there, but you had to wait at times to see things. No problem though. The CM's here were just as wonderful as in the park. The lady helping me didn't speak English, no problem. When I had a question, she went to get someone to help. Very nice and friendly. Oh and a note to all you shoppers, the Disney Store does have items you wont find or at least I didn't find in other places of the resort. I hope they keep it that way. I miss the days when our Disney Stores in the states had different things then they did in the parks.

    I walked around Ikspiara a little, the stores seem really nice and had some cute things in them, but for me this was a Disney buying trip. With the two different holidays and the 25 anniversary, there was plenty to buy and it was pricey, so I had to save money and moved on before I found something I wanted. lol

    I walked to The Ambassador Hotel, which if I know my Tokyo Disney Trivial right, it was the first Disney hotel they built in Tokyo. From what I gathered and I could be very wrong, its quite a walk to the hotel from the monorail. I wouldn't want to do it after a long day in the parks. Once I got there, I though they hotel was cute, very early 1900's Hollywood, not my kind of decor, since Im from LA and Hollywood doesn't impress me. But very well and nicely done. I sat outside in a court yard somewhere, not sure where. lol and Had a cup of coffee and a pastry from Tully's. I enjoyed sitting there soaking it all in. Of course I hit the gift shop. You never know what you will find where. There are some Ambassador Hotel items, I forget what, I was too mesmerized with the Christmas items. :-)

    After spending a few hours at the Amastor hotel, I walked back to the monorail which meant I walked back thought Ikspiara. I hope there is a short way for hotel guest. Got on and went to the brand new Tokyo Disney Hotel. Its the same monorail stop as Disneyland itself. I had seen it the day before and just love how it looked. When I first got there, I sat in the court yard once again taking it all in. What a beautiful hotel. Then just wandered around. The bottom floor from what I got, had shops, one even a little store you can get food and drinks in. I grabbed a bottle of water. The gift shop too had all the same Christmas 25 ann stuff you see everywhere, but they had some DL Hotel items. One that to this day sticks out in my mind is a $40.00 baseball hat. Yes you read that right, needless to say it stayed there, even thought I would have loved a base ball hat from there. Very cute things, I hope they keep that going as the years goes on. I went up the grand stair case to the lobby and felt like I walked right into the the Grand Floirtian hotel. lol Its a bit different but the same feel to it. I didn't spend much time here, I know they have beautiful painting and things to see, I was just tired and wanted to go back to our hotel and wait for DH. So I left and did just that. The Sheraton has a huge lobby, lots of comfy chairs a little cafe with great cakes with fruit in them. I was in heaven. :-) I sat there munching on some good and wen thought my bag to see who I had gotten things for and marked them off my list.

    My husband came in later then we thought he would. I thought there was a 4:00pm bus from the airport and there wasn't so he was behind an hour. So I had more time to kill. Which was fine. Once he got there, we stored our luggage, ate dinner and then grab a Disney bus to the train station. We were going into Tokyo and Staying at Hotel Monerty Ginza. It was $145.00 night which was better then the $500.00 a night the Sheraton would have cost us that weekend. That weekend had a holiday on Monday for the locals, so theres where the room prices went up. I think it was about 8:00 pm when we got the train station, got our tickets, it was pretty easy, just know where you need to get off. We were going to Tokyo Station, so it was a piece of cake. There is a lot of talk about luggage on the trains, we both had a small rolling bag, that we took on the plane with us. I had a shoulder bag and my husband had a backpack. No problems. It was later in the evening on a Sat, but I still worried about it. Once at Tokyo Station, got a cab to our hotel. Check in was easy. Seemed like a nice area. Our room was small but very nice. King size bed, little table and chair, closet, and bathroom. Perfect for two. With my bad back I asked for more pillows and at first they were taken back and said they didn't have any. But they looked and more pillows ended up at our door. Too cute and very nice.

    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  8. #7

    It's nice to see a report from Tokyo -- they are so rare.

    Can you give us some background on your traveling party -- approx ages etc., where from?

    Prior Disney park experience, and what made you decide to go to Tokyo?

    Was this part of a larger trip to Japan or mostly focused on the 2 parks?


  9. #8
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!

    Im 31, grew up in So Cal, been an Aper since the first had them, before that, we went 4 times a year. Ive been to Disney Paris, in 1998, WDW 2003 & 2008.

    My husband is 34, grew up in Canada, before 2006, he has only been to Disneyland once. In 2006, he got his AP. Hes been to WDW once in 2208.

    Why Tokyo? For me, it was a dream. I would love to see all the Disney parks. I had heard all the wonderful things about Tokyo Disney, so when my husband had some work to do in Taiwan. We took some time off to see Tokyo.

    The focus of the Japan part of our trip was a lot of Disney, because I really wanted to spend time in the parks and my husband was working. Next time I would still like 4 days at the parks and then see more of Japan.

    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  10. #9

    Great report so far. Can't wait to read the rest of it and see your pictures.


  11. #10
    I have no title-I'm a commoner mad4mky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Off to see the Wizard

    I know this was posted months ago--but thank Janell.

    We are a family of 5 travelling to Tokyo in late May-early June for Disneyland--and the glory that is Tokyo itself.
    Everyone is very excited!

    Thank you for this report--!


  12. #11
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!
    Quote Originally Posted by mad4mky View Post
    I know this was posted months ago--but thank Janell.

    We are a family of 5 travelling to Tokyo in late May-early June for Disneyland--and the glory that is Tokyo itself.
    Everyone is very excited!

    Thank you for this report--!
    Your welcome. Im sorry I haven't finished the TR. I keep meaning too. If you have any questions just ask I would be happy to try and help.
    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  13. #12
    I have no title-I'm a commoner mad4mky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Off to see the Wizard
    Quote Originally Posted by janell View Post
    Your welcome. Im sorry I haven't finished the TR. I keep meaning too. If you have any questions just ask I would be happy to try and help.
    Thanks Janell---I will certainly ask if I have any questions. I appreciate your offer.

    So far, everything is booked--and we're all excited for the trip. I just feel that 5 days at the parks won't be enough time. My husband and girls keep telling me it will be fine...(but I have my doubts!).

    We're really looking forward to Tokyo itself, and have a great room booked in Shibuya for those days before we head to Disneyland.

  14. #13
    Happily Ever After with my Prince.
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    20 min from Disneyland!
    Quote Originally Posted by mad4mky View Post
    Thanks Janell---I will certainly ask if I have any questions. I appreciate your offer.

    So far, everything is booked--and we're all excited for the trip. I just feel that 5 days at the parks won't be enough time. My husband and girls keep telling me it will be fine...(but I have my doubts!).

    We're really looking forward to Tokyo itself, and have a great room booked in Shibuya for those days before we head to Disneyland.
    If you have the chance to go to either MK or DL when ever you want(we live close to DLR), I would spend one day at TDL. Then go spend two days at Seas. After that you can see where you want to spend your last two days in the park. I think 5 days will be perfict. Just take advantage of the fast passes at TDL. Thats the first thing I would do is grab on, get one for Poohs ride.

    You will love seas, it will take your breath away. Take time to sit in the different areas and take it all it. Time will fly by so if you sit a bit it slows down and you will remember more.

    Oh and the boats are a way of saving your feet to get you from the back of the park to the front. Use them, its a nice ride and you see different things and give your feet a break.
    First DLR Trip as a ticketed guest (no AP) Thanksgiving 2012
    Disneyland every NYE from 1985-2010
    WDW Nov 2003, May 2009, Aug/Sept 2010
    WDW Wedding May 2008 at WP/LS
    TDR Oct/Nov 2008 DLP 1998

  15. #14
    I have no title-I'm a commoner mad4mky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2001
    Location
    Off to see the Wizard
    Quote Originally Posted by janell View Post
    I think 5 days will be perfict. Just take advantage of the fast passes at TDL. Thats the first thing I would do is grab on, get one for Poohs ride.

    Oh and the boats are a way of saving your feet to get you from the back of the park to the front. Use them, its a nice ride and you see different things and give your feet a break.
    Great advice!

    We live near Stanford University--but get to Disneyland quite often (PAP's here--and oldest daughter lives in Los Angeles).
    We've been to WDW several times--and even Disneyland Paris. When we were at DL Paris--I felt I just didn't have enough time to enjoy the parks fully (and one of my reasons for the anxiety of thinking I won't have enough time at Tokyo Disney Resort parks). We were at DL Paris in the off-season--so the parks were empty--but I really wanted to slow down and soak up the atmosphere (just like you suggest for DisneySea)--but we were on a tight, quick schedule, and it wasn't going to happen (darn the Louvre! My husband, darn it...just had to see that place and he cut into my DL time! ).

    I appreciate the hint on giving our feet a rest. I have a daughter with Down syndrome--and I just know she'll really appreciate those boats!

  16. #15

    Fun to read about TDR. Disneyland and DisneySEA are my favorite parks in the world. It is a shame that alot of disneypark fans never get to see the most amazing themepark ever built, Tokyo DisneySEA.


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