A (2019) HalloXmas trip to Asia - Shanghai, Hong Kong, Tokyo! - COMPLETED 5/1!!!

[Lesley Wake]

I had free time, so I decided to wander around the World Bazaar.

The magic store, which had so much fun merchandise! I didn’t get any of it (and apparently didn’t take photos inside the store), but the window was cool!

(Oh and I also decided to stop at an ATM and get some cash, as I had used it all up previously. But I had some issues and it wouldn’t give any from my American account. I was defeated for a bit, and blamed the Japanese ATM, but after checking my email, realized it was my bank’s fault… ugh! I eventually did get some cash though, don’t remember if it was at Disney or the hotel ATM.)

Anyways, more wandering. Lots of Christmas treats for sale. I mentioned earlier, but there are lots and lots of packaged chocolate/candy sets available. I guess it’s traditional to bring hostess gifts, so these are an easy option! There were whole huge shops that sold only packaged candy/chocolates!

I (eventually) got this advent calendar (with chocolates, gummies, filled marshmallows; I ended up having to use my translation app to try to figure out all the flavors when I got home); reusable bag with “chocolate crunch” (with rice krispie crunchies); they had both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea Christmas motifs;

Things I didn’t get: plastic boot filled with lollipops, chocolate, crunchy snacks; chocolate house kit (almost got this one but didn’t due to size); tree filled with “chocolate crunch” (with rice krispie crunchies); pizza/pasta snacks (dried pasta…yeah that is weird); marshmallow and hot cocoa mix (again, the packaging was a bit big).

In one of the stores I loved the ceiling mural, with designs in the clouds (I rotated some of these so they may look weird aspect-wise). Oh and funny thing – I think this room was full of check-out counters. So I caught the CMs giggling at me for walking around just taking photos of the ceiling.

Coming up - Accidental characterpalooza​

 

[KEK1]

Cool band. I really hope all the streetmosphere comes back. Aww that advent calendar is ridiculously adorable!

 

[missjackiemcg]

Haha, one year you guys need to come out to LA for Christmas!

SOMEDAY I will get to Disneyland!!! At Christmas would be such an awesome bonus!!

Loving the streetmosphere, so much! Such an awesome way to add to the theme and overall experience. On the Jungle Cruise, is the schpiel still delivered by a Skipper?

 

[KathyM2]

I got the Beef Cone with Mashed Potatoes and Cheese. OMG, so good! I loved the cones at this spot (remember the purple potato one)!

This sounds a bit strange lol but handy for walking around with!! I love all the different snacks...would have to be there a long time to try them all!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Cool band. I really hope all the streetmosphere comes back. Aww that advent calendar is ridiculously adorable!

I know - streetmosphere is the defining attribute of Disney parks! They need to come back! I forgot to pull it out this year, but it's easily reusable!

SOMEDAY I will get to Disneyland!!! At Christmas would be such an awesome bonus!!

Loving the streetmosphere, so much! Such an awesome way to add to the theme and overall experience. On the Jungle Cruise, is the schpiel still delivered by a Skipper?

You definitely need to get out here! And Christmas is my favorite time!

The Jungle Cruise schpiel is delivered by a skipper, but it was all in Japanese, so I don't know if they used the same jokes or not!

This sounds a bit strange lol but handy for walking around with!! I love all the different snacks...would have to be there a long time to try them all!

It really was great! I had insane spreadsheets and pdfs that I had saved with all the photos and a checklist, lol!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Part 3 – Accidental Characterpalooza

Up to the front of the park. But while I was taking photos, I got photobombed, lol!

Honestly, I just started laughing when Gepetto ran up to me and posed!

Lot of other characters too, Chip & Dale, Clarice, I think Rapunzel and Flynn were hanging on the other side of the front. They don’t really do a traditional line for photos, instead characters just point to you and chose you to take a photo with!

I didn’t really care much about waiting in the group, but there was one person who I took a photo with – the Fairy Godmother! Honestly, her face was just so creepy, I had to! A lady saw me standing there so offered to take photos for me, which was very nice! The character was also very impressed I had been to all of the parks around the world!

I also caught a reunion between the godmother and cinderella’s mice! It was very cute!

Since I was at the front, I went ahead and continued taking photos. I was happy the floral mickey was back out (it had been under refurb for a while and only came out from behind construction walls a few weeks earlier).

Some Christmas banners. “Christmas stories for one and all! Christmas stories to warm your heart!”

“Clarabelle’s Tale of Christmas Giving. The stores were filled with so many delights… what to choose? But what fun, to search for the perfect gift for a dear friend.” “Daisy’s Tale of Christmas Cheer. The town bustled with shoppers as the carolers began. Soft at first, soon their voices soared with holiday spirit.” “Scrooge’s Tale of Christmas Kindness. All the gifts were wrapped and loaded. Now it was time to play Santa!” “Pluto’s Tale of Christmas Joy. The tree was up. The cookies were out. Perfect! So the eager helpers went houtside and readied their sleigh.”

I’d buy these tree toppers!

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

More shops. The Emporium. Mickey was busy doing accounting?

The toy shop

I did wander out to check out the Tomorrowland beat boxers. Cool group!

Window displays. I wish the glare wasn’t so bad, but it is always hard to get good window photos! (some of these are actually from later in the day when the glare wasn’t so bad, so ignore if it looks like weird lighting)

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Christmas decorations in the bazaar! Love them! (The previous year they didn’t have as many decorations since they had the 35th anniversary decorations instead.) Also, my photos were annoying because I guess

The Confectionary. Best garlands and interior decorations!

I adored this mural!

The sewing shop. I’m pretty sure they sold clothing in here. (and again – horrible glare during the day)

And I did run into the Bicycle Piano while I was taking photos.

And a stop for an ice cream snack. They had lots of hard ice cream flavors (basics like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate, but also matcha, strawberry cheese, peach, almond crunch, chocolate-nut vanilla), but I’m a soft serve girl! Plus how cute was that cookie!

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

I did some more wandering to check out the decorations in the center of the park.

And checked out the character statues, which I always love! (The area with benches are reserved viewing for people who get vacation packages)

More Christmas banners. I don’t think there was a particular order to read them in, but they went all the way around the Hub. The typical characters, plus also ones like Clarabelle, Scrooge.

Physical character to go with the banners.

More displays. I think they each had a storybook to tell their own stories.

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Tokyo has its own Snow White statues.

And of course, lunchtime! At Captain Hook’s Galley. The teriyaki chicken pizza. I don’t think this was a special Christmas option, and I can’t remember if they actually did have a Christmas dish that I just didn’t want due to flavors, because I’ve seen photos of their Christmas pizzas, which are cute with each slice like a Christmas tree. But I think I liked this version (and I probably just picked off elements I didn’t like).

A Christmas drink, the Sparkling Tapioca Drink, I think probably sparkling water with mixed berry tapioca bubbles? I don’t have any particular notes about it, so it wasn’t particularly disgusting or delicious, lol! I think there was an alcohol version in Tokyo Disneysea, but I don’t drink that much, so just got the nonalcoholic version here.

A Christmas option, Strawberry dessert with souvenir cup. I can only assume it was strawberry jello, with strawberry mousse and maybe some cake too? (So like a strawberry shortcake)

I ended up getting my food and sitting in Westernland for a front-row parade spot!

Coming up - Dreaming up!​

 

[missjackiemcg]

I wondered if you met her!!! Why in the world do they do everything else so amazing, and still let this mask out into the world!? It is seriously SO CREEPY!!

But I AM IN LOVE with your shirt!

 

[Lesley Wake]

I wondered if you met her!!! Why in the world do they do everything else so amazing, and still let this mask out into the world!? It is seriously SO CREEPY!!

But I AM IN LOVE with your shirt!

Yeah, it really is creepy! I guess they don't want to bring over an older Westerner CM? I know they bring over all the princesses and anyone else who is a face character.

I think I got it from Boxlunch! It is cute!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Part 4 – Dreaming up

I had a pretty great spot for Dreaming up, front row! Though I did end up right where some trees/buildings make it go from sun to shade, which made for some weird photo lighting occasionally, but it worked out ok! I just know it would be worth it because this parade is truly amazing!

The opening unit. Love the colors and energy!

I have a thing for hippos, lol!

Alice in wonderland. Goofy is a goofball!

So many great outfits!

… And the king!

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Pinocchio and my new friend, Gepetto!

Princesses

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Beauty and the Beast. Again, the dancers outfits were just spectacular!

Baymax

​

 

[Lesley Wake]

Winnie the pooh

And my favorite finale float!

And a bunch of random characters at the end

Again, my favorite (daytime) parade ever!

Coming up - Have a Bear(y) Christmas! ​

 

[KathyM2]

Yeah....creepy faces indeed!! Really strange. I wonder if the locals think they are creepy or are just used to seeing them like that? Hmmm

I loved the ice cream shop display!! So awesome!! And the parades!! I don't usually sit for parades but the ones there really look worth it!!

 

[missjackiemcg]

What an awesome parade!!! I loved the little King of Hearts and WOW, that Peter Pan float was amazing!! Jimmy liked the Baymax and Hiro float, too. He's jealous we don't have that at WDW, LOL.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Yeah....creepy faces indeed!! Really strange. I wonder if the locals think they are creepy or are just used to seeing them like that? Hmmm

I loved the ice cream shop display!! So awesome!! And the parades!! I don't usually sit for parades but the ones there really look worth it!!

The food displays at all the places are great, but the ice cream shop was one of my favorites!

And I agree about parades - I normally just pause to watch if they are passing, but this one was totally worth it!

What an awesome parade!!! I loved the little King of Hearts and WOW, that Peter Pan float was amazing!! Jimmy liked the Baymax and Hiro float, too. He's jealous we don't have that at WDW, LOL.

Yeah so many cool characters!

 

[Lesley Wake]

Part 5 – Bear-y Christmas

Since I was in the area, I made a visit to the Country Bears again. If you remember, a week earlier I got to see the summer vacation version. Now it was time for the Christmas version! I really wish they had these options in WDW!

Some decorations in the entrance lobby.

Love the Christmas stuff inside too!

​