Trips for Tokyo Disney Resort?

[Geneva]

My husband and I just booked our long-awaited trip to Tokyo for Feb. 3rd-11th next year and are wondering if anyone here has been there and has any tips. We're staying at the Hilton Tokyo Bay and are planning on spending four days in the parks, two on each side of the trip, with 2-3 days left over to use in Tokyo or for a possible day trip to something more rural.

Is there anything we should make sure to not miss? How much should we plan on spending each day for average food? Also, and this is very important, does anyone know if our iPhones will work there if we put them in airplane mode? I know they won't work for calls, but I'm hoping we can still use apps on them, since we're hoping to find a Japanese translation app to use.

I know this forum doesn't get a lot of use, but I'm hoping some of you might have some tips or ideas for us. Thanks!

[currence]

No Toyko tips, that's still on my bucket list.

General Aps should work, but only if they do not require internet access. My kid has an "angry bird" phone that is my old phone that no longer has cell service but is still able to play the game/watch previously downloaded movies.

You may be able to find an Ap that downloads its entire dictionary into the phone but since those take up more space I'm guessing more will be internet based. I would play around with it here before you leave. If it works in airplane mode in the US, it should work in airplane mode anywhere. Once they are in airplane mode the phone won't know/care where it is so changing its location shouldn't matter.

[oregontraveler]

My only trip there was in '96. So I don't think I can give you any current relative advice. I do remember reading a TR,
either here or MiceAge. It mentioned some odd restrictions on the use of multi-day passes. You had to go to TDL on one day, then over to DisneySea the next. Then back to TDL and so on. You couldn't go to the same park on back to back days.

Overall, I really enjoyed my one day visit to TDL. I arrived with my host family around noon and we stayed until park closing to see the nighttime parade & fireworks. I loved the Japanese soundtracks for the attractions, the CM's are super friendly. I imagine you won't see too many Westerners there. Hopefully, you will be able to use your cell phones for App's. But a small dictionary/phrase book will come in handy too. It is a nice gesture to at least speak a few words of the native language.

What I remember of the park layout. Main Street is called the World Bazzar and is covered. The castle is more like Cindy's castle, real tall. Western-land instead of Frontierland. They had the Country Bears there, which we didn't go on, but Splash is there & Fantasyland and Toontown too. Tomorrowland was kind of a 70's ish all white theme. They had Space Mtn. and Captain EO. Plus an outdoor stage amphitheater.

Have fun, I hoep to read about it when you get back.

[Iceman]

My husband and I just booked our long-awaited trip to Tokyo for Feb. 3rd-11th next year and are wondering if anyone here has been there and has any tips. We're staying at the Hilton Tokyo Bay ... Is there anything we should make sure to not miss? How much should we plan on spending each day for average food?

Congrats! I really love the TDR even though it's been several years since my last visit. I have also stayed at the Hilton and just want you to know first of all that it's just a standard Hilton. No Disney flair or magic, and very standard accommodations. It's not bad, just nothing more than your run-of-the-mill U.S. Hilton.

As for what not to miss, that's a tough one. The whole resort is great, especially for a true Disney fan. No single experience stands out in my memory, but the overall experience of TDS is definitely notable. We loved all of our meals at the entire resort, from snacks to sit-downs.

And that brings me to your last question. It is as impossible to answer as if you had asked it about DLR or WDW. What you spend on food will totally depend on your eating habits and tastes. You could easily get away for less than $100 a day for the two of you if you penny-pinch and just enjoy snacking. You could just as easily spend $1,000 a day if you have nicer meals, alcohol, etc. It's really up to you!

[Geneva]

Thanks for the info, guys. I should've mentioned that I studied Japanese for several years in high school, and again through Pimsleur off and on through the years, so I have a general grasp of the language, although I'm better at speaking than at reading and writing it. I'm sure we'll be fine, language-wise.

I read a review of the Hilton somewhere online that said they much preferred it to the Hotel MirraCosta at DisneySea because it was actually easier to get to and from, which seems strange, but I guess we'll find out. At any rate it was much less expensive, and still on the monorail line, so it seemed worth it. We don't need no fancy hotel anyways.

I was mainly trying to get an idea of things not to miss off-property, like in Tokyo itself. Obviously we'll be trying to see every attraction in both parks while we're there, if possible. Since we're going in February, I'm guessing a few things will be closed down for refurbishment. I can't wait to see all of the similarities and differences between the rides there and the ones at our parks here.

So excited!

[Iceman]

I read a review of the Hilton somewhere online that said they much preferred it to the Hotel MirraCosta at DisneySea because it was actually easier to get to and from, which seems strange, but I guess we'll find out. At any rate it was much less expensive, and still on the monorail line, so it seemed worth it. We don't need no fancy hotel anyways.

I've stayed at the Hilton and the Sheraton. It sounds like you've got the right attitude: the Hilton is less expensive, still relatively convenient, and basically a place to sleep and shower. That being said, the MiraCosta is absolutely amazing. Of course I haven't stayed there yet, but simply walking through the lobby, restaurants, and other common areas is a treat. And it is literally at the gate to DisneySea, so I don't see how the monorail hotels around Tokyo Bay could be more convenient, at least to that park! In any event, whenever my next trip to Tokyo is, I won't even consider hotels other than the MiraCosta, it really is that impressive.