Disney Toyko Short trip lots o pics "Updated" 4-18

[tinkgurl]

Wow, I'm loving your TR. I've never been to Japan, so it's great to see what the Disney parks look like over there!

I had to laugh at your pic of you -"I stick out a little, huh?" You are like the only one with blonde hair in the entire pic!

 

[jess20k]

I am loving your trip report! I cannot wait to read more.

 

[DisneyDaddio]

Wow, that stained glass looks amazing.

 

[Katieinwonderland]

Subscribing!!! I started reading a TR (maybe the same one as you?) that was never finished and always hoped someone would do a more thorough report with a ton of pics - so I was so excited to see yours! DH and I have mentioned that we could go to Tokyo with our new DVC points, and the hotel looks gorgeous!

 

[podsnel]

I subbed- really, this is SOOOO fascinating, and you are doing such a wonderful job with all the details! I really, really want to visit Japan, Hong Kong, and many other Asian countries- the language thing is extremely intimidating to me, because it is so very, very different. I know one day I'll get over it, though- so your TR is really inspirational in that respect! Looking forward to more-

 

[lasob]

Thanks again to all the comments. At the end of the TR I will sum up things about the trip that might be helpful to anyone who might be planning a trip.

So we were in line for the Monsters Inc Ride and Go Seek. We had no idea of what the ride was... but we figured ( and hoped ) it would be like the Toy Story Mania ride. We asked the woman who was at the entrance to the line, but ... no English. Now the only trepidation we had was that it was going to be a lame ride and did we want to waste the 40 minutes or so.

We entered the building after about 20 minutes outside and we saw this.

Sorry about the focus, but it is the only picture I have. So this told us nothing. About 15 minutes later we were sitting in a vehicle like the ones on the Nemo ride at DW and a flashlight attached to a cord is sitting in a holder ready to be used. Cool, we think... only there is no LED readout for us to see our score. No problem we think. This is Japan... perhaps there will be a running score projected directly to our eyeballs or something... at the very least a total score at the end of the ride for us to boast about. Well no such luck. When the ride started we didn't really understand what we were to do. We spun into a room and paused and we waved our lights around hoping to point at something that would get us points. Sorry.... Ok what if we point to things with this light and cool things will pop out or do silly things. Nope... As best we could figure out by rides end, you were supposed to just FIND different characters with the light and be happy with that. We weren't, but of course we are not 5 years old. So we sadly exited this ride and held out hope that the genius imagineers at Tokyo Disney would be able to give us back the 40 minutes we spent waiting for this ride.


We went from there to Micro Adventure.... which is of course...... ...hands ..... anyone..... Yes Honey I Shrunk the Audience. We discovered that the back rows had headphones to hear the original soundtrack in English. We sat down next to a couple from Austraila and we treated our ears to some English with an accent. During the show I couldn't help but slip off the headphones from time to time to hear how deep Rick Moranis' voice is in Japanese. The show, of course, is identical.

My son hit the single rider line at Space Mountain, which took only a total of about 20 minutes and we decided to head out. It was about 4:30 and we wanted to check into our room and spend the rest of the evening at the other park.

Here are a couple of shots as we left.


First a close up of the castle:

Then a parting shot of the park from the monorail station.

Finally, the inside of the monorail.

Next, We enter a park that is unlike any other Disney property I have ever visited.

 

[lasob]

So, we made our way to the front desk and we were given keys to our room. I have already posted pictures of the room and our wonderful view. When I booked through DVC I was told that all rooms were with this view. The room was nice, but the bed was a little hard.

It was now dark so my son and I left our cameras in the room and headed out. So to be completely honest, all pictures included here were actually taken the next day.

The weather was mild and a bit cloudy and the entrance to the Disney Sea park is literally down a flight of stairs from the lobby. As you walk out into the park you see this:

Remember the photos are from the next day and it poured all morning.

So we made our way around the side of the mountain, and even with the map it was a bit complicated to figure out where to go and how to get there. We first walked through the base of the mountain and arrived at:

This basically a roller coaster ala Space Mountain, where you board Jules Verne's travel device and head into the bowels of the earth. It moves very fast in a spiral pattern, and you view all sorts of weird creatures that sometimes scream at you or spray their toxic Co2. Towards the end of the ride you travel very fast up a steep incline and then down a decent drop, and then outside momentarily. It is a fun fairly fast ride. Here is a picture of where you come out and then right back in again.

We waited about 20 minutes for the ride.

We then took a steam boat to the back of the park. This park seems much bigger than the other and is laid out in such a way that it is hard to get from one part to another because of water and land obstacles. After walking around there for two days, it was still confusing.

In the back of the park we rode the Indy ride . It was very similar to the DL one except it seemed louder. There was hardly any wait at all, maybe 10 minutes. We wandered around for a little while, shopping and looking at a lot of the very different scenery.( Lots more photos in the next post). I really looking forward to getting a Disney Tokyo T-shirt. I looked in many different shops and was disappointed that ; Number 1, there were very few adult T-shirts that included the Tokyo logo. and Number 2 The adult XL shirts were rare and the ones that they did have were not made for an American my size.

Anyway, we passed an outdoor show, where guys and gals were singing and dancing... all American pop songs... in English... We watched for a minute and then went to find some food. It was about 7:30 and we walked to the end of the American Harbor and saw this:

Inside was a fancy sit down TS that was expensive. But upstairs there was a small bar cafe. The TS place was called S.S. Colombia Dining room and the place we ate was called The Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. We waited about 5 minutes. I had a grilled fish sandwich and my son had some kind of
calzone-like stuffed thing. The food was good and not too expensive.

After dinner we wandered around the area, and got ice cream, until the park closed at 9 I believe. We returned to the room for a good night sleep.


Next, We hit the park early and have to get umbrellas.

 

[cmp1111]

Wow, that looks like a cool place!

 

[supersuperwendy]

I'm still loving your TR!

more more more!

 

[PrincessShea]

Awesome TR so far Going to DisneySea is one of my dreams. I can't wait to read more of your advice because I have casually researched hoping to go in 2011 or 12 and the info out there is sparse.

 

[lasob]

Been a bit busy.... Here are a couple of photos my son sent of the hotel.


First another shot of the front... a little closer.

And then one taken in the lobby looking up at some the rooms. Our room was down a long hall.

Our second day is still coming up.

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Very nice report! Looks like you enjoyed yourself, despite the language barrier (I guess they don't get too many English speakers?). The park looks beautiful. Can't wait for more.

 

[lasob]

Whew, sorry for the delay, but I got way busier than I thought I would. I am a retired teacher and have subbed a lot recently.

So my son and I woke to a very gray raining day. We had brought raincoats, so we figured we would be alright. The plan was to hit the park until about noon and then check our luggage with concierge and go back in until about 3p.m. We made our way into the park and stopped at a little cafe inside just inside the park. We got a small breakfast of pastries and juice. As we sat watching the torrent of rain we realized that we would need umbrellas.
AHA! a Tokyo Disney souvenir!!!

We ate and made our way to the row of gift shops and found nice, sturdy, light blue umbrellas for less than ten dollars. We were stoked. (which is, of course, better than being soaked.) With new umbrellas, we headed off to explore the park in the rain.

Here are a few photos of the park in the rain. First heading towards the USA main street type area.

Then the other direction towards the middle eastern area.

As we were walking, we ducked into an area that represents Venice while my son rolled up his jeans a little. So I took a few pictures.

And then facing out towards the mountain. This is a great view.

Next, we ride the glass enclosed train to stay dry and some photos of the most unusual yet interesting part of the park.

 

[tinkgurl]

Wow, everything looks so neat!

 

[lasob]

We arrived at the USA themed area and boarded this train that has seats facing out either side, not forward, and you look out floor-to-ceiling panes of glass. An excellent ride on a rainy day like today. It takes you from the USA area to the back center of the park. The Indiana Jones ride is there.

Here are a couple of shots through wet glass on our ride.

We rode Indiana Jones again. The lines were quick as the park was not crowded. Partly the rain and I think also it was early on a Wed. morning.

Now this park is called Disney Sea for a reason. There is a lot of water. Some normal looking lakes or rivers and others that are just not.

Some examples:

This is a lagoon I guess with some weird water vessels that are just for show.

This is outside a ride called:

A weather simulator ride that my son rode because I have issues with rides that mess with your inner ear and eyes. I rode Star Tours once and it was not pretty. And closing the eyes doesn't always work. I love roller coasters, but not ride simulators.
Here is the entrance and my son waiting in line. He's in the yellow and blue jacket with the new umbrella. I waited outside under cover and snapped some photos while I waited.( about 25 minuted total) His review of the ride was that it was great, but I would have not liked it.

I took a few pictures of this bizarre water ride. Essentially, you sit in this vehicle and it travels on a track of sorts and it takes you right up to waterfalls and spins you and... I don't know... is kinda dumb... Here is a shot of it.

You can see the bottom of the "lagoon". The water is only about four or five inches deep.

Next is an area where the water actually moves in and out like a tide. You can see the train we rode above. And there is a restaurant to the left.
The design is sort of futuristic and yet old fashioned.

We headed back to Journey to the Center of the Earth roller coaster. My son wanted to ride it again. Part of the coaster is outside and I didn't want to get too much wetter.

Next, Our last few hours in Tokyo Disney.

 

[tinkgurl]

That water ride does look weird!

 

[heaven2dc]

Tokyo Disney is definitely an interesting place to visit! I've seen pics before of the 2 parks and I love all the interesting detail and color (the color seems much more vivid from what I've seen compared to WDW & DL). The hotel was beautiful and interesting at the same time. How strange that there wasn't an English interpreter there. Thanks for sharing - can't wait to see more!

 

[cmp1111]

Wow, what an interesting place! Thanks for sharing these.

 

[Señor DonDuck]

Wow, simply beautiful. Great pictures!

 

[lasob]

So... sorry for the delay, I went out of town and expected to finish on the road. But I was in Las Vegas and internet is crazy expensive there.. So here comes the end of the trip report.

So we wandered around for a little while longer and I took these pictures.

Here is a close up of the menu of the restaurant near the Stormrider.

We did not eat there.

Next are these popcorn stands that are all over the park and are very popular. They sell these buckets with a strap and people put them around their neck.

And they sell the popcorn is some unusual flavors, like.....

They had about ten different flavors scattered around the park. We had none as we are not huge popcorn fans. But they were popular.