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Melanie
03-05-2007, 09:41 PM
The Bounds Do Tokyo Disney

:mickey3: :sumo: :mickey3:


Cast of Characters -

Melanie (37) - that's me
James (37) - that's hubby
Josh (8) - oldest, loves Donald and thrill rides
Ryan (7) - youngest, loves Stitch and Goofy, and not too sure about those thrill rides yet


Pre-Trip thoughts:

Ever since finding out last spring we were moving to Okinawa, Japan, I’ve been more than ready to visit Tokyo Disney Resort, something I never imagined doing in my lifetime. We originally planned to make the trip this summer, but my husband’s earlier- than-expected orders to deploy (he leaves mid-April) means we got to go last week!

We wanted to stay at the resort, but the very expensive Disney hotels (Disney Ambassador and the gorgeous MiraCosta) were out of the question. There are six “official” Disney hotels, and included in those are a Sheraton and a Hilton. We considered both, but after doing our research, we went with the Sheraton. We are Starwood members, and the Sheraton came highly recommended by Nanci, the wonderful Magical Journeys leader. We got a great rate online of 18000 Japanese yen/night, which is about $155/night.

We planned for 5 nights, Sunday-Friday, with 3 days in the parks. Overall, we didn’t have much of a plan, and I admit, I didn’t do a lot of research beforehand. They don’t take priority seating for dining until the day of, so we didn’t make an advance arrangements. We also didn’t have any advance transportation arrangements made, as you buy your bus tickets to the resort at the airport. And park tickets were to be bought at the hotel.

So with only plane tickets and a hotel reservation, we were off!



Day One:

We left Okinawa at 8am on Sunday morning on a Pokemon plane (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2859390050048685994sbIsUM) (deemed “way cool” by my boys), and we arrived a few hours later at Haneda airport in Tokyo. Just before landing, we got a glimpse of Mt. Fuji (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2884058510048685994nhabdu). Easy as pie, we got our luggage and purchased bus tickets to our hotel. Before we knew it, we were on the bus headed for the resort, and about 20 minutes later, we could see Cinderella Castle and the volcano from Journey to the Center of the Earth. We made it! (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2056840950048685994VBSgHZ) After stops at the entrances of Disneyland and DisneySea, our hotel was next.

Our luggage was whisked away by the excellent bell staff at the Sheraton, and we walked around awhile to get our bearings. We then began to notice why the website advertised this hotel as being one of the top places to have a wedding in Tokyo. I think we saw no less than 6 wedding parties that day. With two chapels (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2060717700048685994YjahTj) and numerous reception rooms, it’s apparently a huge business.

Since we couldn’t check in until 3pm sharp and it was only about 11am, we went ahead and bought our park tickets. Prices are cheaper than in the States. We ended up purchasing 4 day tickets, and if I remember correctly, the total was around $435 for two adults and two children. After not being able to find something quick and easy for lunch at our hotel (our only gripe about the Sheraton), we decided to check out the monorail and head to Ikspiari, Tokyo Disney’s equivalent of Downtown Disney.

We made the quick walk to the monorail station, which is right across the street from the hotel, taking some pics (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2368007190048685994oUlePr) along the way. They run a shuttle, the Disney Resort Line (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2752365400048685994CXqzrW), back and forth to the monorail station, but we chose to walk most of the time. I believe the monorails are run by and must abide by the regulations of the city of Tokyo, so a small fee is charged to use the monorails.

The monorail has four stops. Bayside Station (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2677574160048685994TZpqBo) (our stop, which serviced the “official” hotels), DisneySea, Resort Gateway (Ikspiari and the Disney Ambassador Hotel) and Disneyland Park. We purchased our tickets from the handy kiosk (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2117421460048685994CFqwhP), and we were off on the way cool monorails (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2411883610048685994cdXJHB) with Mickey shaped windows and hand straps (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2338869960048685994DWFmBm). And they are huge (also having to do with the transportation regulations). Ryan was in heaven, as he loves the monorails! On our ride over to Ikspiari, we got a good look at DisneySea.

Once at Ikspiari (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2831347230048685994SMJQqO), we quickly found Planet Hollywood (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2167375610048685994xIpLgD) and had a good meal. It was nice to indulge in something distinctly American and familiar since we’d now been out of the States for 8 months. Our waitress spoke very good English, so no problems with the language barrier at all here.

After lunch we checked out the large Disney Store (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2445799130048685994KjetmR), and realized quickly we may have a problem with souvenirs. More on that later. We walked around the shops for another hour or so, then checked out the Disney Ambassador Hotel (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2013537480048685994Lpsijr), which is adjacent to Ikspiari. Nice hotel, great Disney theming, including Peter Pan and friends (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2482133500048685994sTUljU) on the ceiling in the lobby.

As 3pm approached, we headed back via monorail to the Sheraton to check in. This time, we got to check out Disneyland on our way back. All my boys wanted to go to the park that day (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2767219380048685994pakiTM), but we’d have to wait. I guess we are too used to having length-of-stay passes at other Disney parks.

Check-in went smoothly, again no problems with language. The Sheraton employees spoke very good English, and we tried to respond with our limited Japanese. We were upgraded to the Starwood Preferred floor, which meant access to the Lounge. Included was all the free soda, coffee, tea, snacks and beer we wanted, and a beautiful view of Tokyo Bay. Woohoo! A very nice surprise. We received a Park View room, which was perfect. Cinderella Castle (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2633897650048685994VOmTjz) was directly in front of us, and I loved waking up every morning and seeing it. We also could see parts of DisneySea (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2710946550048685994OPvXlL) as well.

Our room was fairly small, but I understand that’s the norm in Japan. It had two double beds, and that’s all that mattered. A very nice bathroom as well, which I had been told of, with superb amenities.

We got settled in our room, and then went to check out the Lounge. Spent an hour or so in there, with the boys in heaven with their favorite melon soda (which they will greatly miss when we leave Japan) and I with my beer. :beer: We took lots of pictures (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2761196030048685994SDTBNi) of the spectacular 11th floor view (http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2574998510048685994qkGwmv). After that we checked out the Disney Fantasy shop in the lobby and called it an early night. I think we were all in bed by 7:30pm, as we’d been up since 4am for our flight. Ryan and I were awoken around 8:30pm by the fireworks from Disneyland :fworks:, so we watched the show and went happily back to sleep. It had been a very nice first day.

Next Up:

Tokyo Disneyland Park

Carol
03-05-2007, 10:13 PM
Yay - You made it! :sumo:

It sounds like you're off to a great start. Your photos are great, Mel.

I cannot wait to see and hear more. :cool:

tron80
03-05-2007, 10:51 PM
Wow,Tokyo! I am currently planning to visit Japan in the next 3-4 years,I heard that the parks are very pretty,so I can't wait. Oh and please do tell us more.

mickeysworld
03-05-2007, 11:56 PM
Wow! What an exciting trip report Melanie! Love the pictures! Thank you so much for sharing. Your boys are very handsome!

ChipnDaleGal
03-06-2007, 05:59 AM
It is like a dream to read your report and see the pictures. I can only imagine how exciting it was to do all that in person. I have been looking forward to these reports for a long time Mel, and you did not disappoint!! Can't wait to read the next installment!! :mickey:

CanadianWDWFan
03-06-2007, 08:23 AM
WOW!!! What a cool trip. I want to get to other Disney parks, but I think that Tokyo is out of the question. Good for you for getting there!:thumbsup:

offwego
03-06-2007, 08:44 AM
I didn't get a chance to look at all your photos yet but just wanted to say I'm so glad your having a great time!! You and your family sure deserve it!!

faline
03-06-2007, 03:08 PM
For some reason, I'm not able to access your pictures right now (and I'm dying to see them!) so I'll try those again later.

Everything sounds wonderful! Can't wait to read more!

ChipDale
03-06-2007, 04:02 PM
Great start, Mel! :cool: I love your pictures! Can't wait to hear more! :thumbsup:

pdrlkr
03-06-2007, 04:42 PM
Thanks for the report and pics! :smickey:

sleepingbooty
03-06-2007, 05:25 PM
I'm so excited to read these reports! Thanks for linking to pictures, its all so different than WDW, I 'd have a hard time picturing it. Can't wait to read more.:thumbsup:

Christine
03-06-2007, 05:55 PM
Wow!! What an incredible experience for your family (both LIVING in Japan, and visiting Tokyo Disney!)

Everything looks impeccably clean! I can't wait to hear about the parks!

Beautiful pictures! I remember seeing some of your other trip posts...the boys have sure grown!!

Sunshine1010
03-06-2007, 06:21 PM
Why was it so empty?

Great pics. The kids looked as if they were having a great time!....that makes everything worth while.

....and, they seem to get along well

NotaGeek
03-06-2007, 07:29 PM
This is SO exciting. You get a award for the best trip reports!

This totally makes me 100% sure that I am doing Tokyo Disney for my birthday next year. I HAVE to go!

DisneyorBust
03-06-2007, 07:34 PM
Great first day! How hard was it to contain your boys excitement? I would have been going crazy! Thanks for sharing the day and the photos!:thumbsup:

Bethis26fan
03-06-2007, 07:39 PM
Sounds like a good start.

Melanie
03-06-2007, 08:00 PM
This totally makes me 100% sure that I am doing Tokyo Disney for my birthday next year. I HAVE to go!

Oooh, James will be back by then. I HAVE to meet you there! :mickey3:

faline
03-07-2007, 05:48 AM
I was finally able to access your pictures this morning! Wow!

J.C.&ALI'SMOM
03-07-2007, 11:49 AM
I'm in...:mickey: Thanks for allowing us to share in your vacation. I doubt I will have the opportunity to visit Tokyo Disney :(

BrerGnat
03-07-2007, 12:14 PM
Wow! I loved your pictures so far...can't wait to see some from inside the parks!

Can I ask...how are you enjoying Okinawa? Admittedly, one of my biggest fears with DH in the USMC is being stationed there...I hate isolation! But, the lure of Tokyo Disney makes it a bit more appealing, huh?

KylesMom
03-07-2007, 01:57 PM
WAY too cool, Mel! What an exciting first day - and you guys haven't even made it to the parks. I can't wait to read more!:mickey:

2Epcot
03-07-2007, 02:16 PM
Great trip report ... loved seeing the pictures too. Makes me excited about planning a trip there one day soon. :mickey:

T-Belle
03-08-2007, 09:47 AM
I'm loving this! Can't wait to read more!

Mickey'sGirl
03-08-2007, 12:39 PM
I am living vicariously through you Mel. How incredible! :thumbsup:

disneydrmr
03-08-2007, 03:32 PM
So, do the characters dress in kimonos and samaria outfits? Love your pictures! Thanks for sharing!

Piglet822
03-08-2007, 07:21 PM
Beautiful pics, Mel! And how exciting to have made it to Tokyo Disney. I'll be happy if I can make it to Disneyland next year :)

dtootsie42
03-10-2007, 10:45 PM
All I can say is WOW!!!!

dlpmikki
03-11-2007, 06:55 AM
Wonderful report Mel - I'm going on to read the rest of them now! :D

DisneyorBust
03-11-2007, 09:01 PM
Great start to your trip! Thanks for taking us along!:thumbsup:

pogo
03-12-2007, 02:53 PM
Thanks for sharing this with us Mel. Your pictures bring back so many memories for me. :cloud9: I think My. Fuji is one of the most special sights in the world.:thumbsup:

On to read Day 2. :D

Melanie
03-12-2007, 05:09 PM
I think My. Fuji is one of the most special sights in the world.:thumbsup:


Yes, I wish we could have gotten better pics of it. It was quite hazy the day we flew in.

And you can see it from certain places at the resort as well, but it was hazy all week.

ElenitaB
03-19-2007, 12:37 AM
Mel, I've been holding off on reading your reports for a special moment when I needed a lift! What a lift! Your pictures are amazing and bring us right there with you. Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us so that we can take a peak at someplace many of us won't get to visit.

P.S. Loved the Pokemon plane. I'll have to show DS tomorrow. We once saw a Pokemon VW bug and though it was pretty cool, but the plane far outshines that!

DizneyFreak2002
03-19-2007, 06:45 PM
Thanks for sharing your report.

Here we go again...
03-20-2007, 08:14 AM
Mel,
What a great report! I had to go check out the whole album... the photos are beautiful.
Now I have to sneek the rest of the reports in between work.
Thanks! :mickey:

DizNee143
03-21-2007, 12:20 PM
what a great first day in tokyo disney!! cant wait to read about your days in the actual park...and thats cool you got to watch the fireworks from your room...:mickey:

larrybob
03-22-2007, 07:41 AM
Great report! Love the pictures interspersed, thanks!

SgtTigger
03-27-2007, 08:29 PM
What a great way to end your first night.... Fireworks and then back to sleep.......



Off to tommorow..........






:cop: :tigger: