Help with beginning plans

[Haley R]

Dh and I just started thinking about taking a trip to Japan next year. We are thinking about sometime in May but it would be nice to see the 35th anniversary before that’s over. We are thinking about doing 10-14 days.

One of my main questions is if we should just focus on Tokyo Disneyland/DS or if we should try fitting Hong Kong and Shanghai in too? We would like to sight see quite a bit while in Japan because I’m not sure when/if we will be back again.

 

[Agent 86]

There is plenty to see and do in Japan for 10 to 14 days. If you want to make it a “one and done” trip to Japan, then I wouldn’t worry about also trying to get to Hong Kong and Shanghai. But, if you wanted to visit all three Asian parks, then you could probably do so in 14 days at a very hectic pace.

I’d personally do Tokyo and Osaka, with plenty of day trips from Osaka to various destinations by bullet train, including Kyoto, Nara, etc. If you’re going in May, it could be pretty busy, depending upon when Golden Week falls. You’ll probably want to avoid travelling to Japan during Golden Week.

 

[Haley R]

There is plenty to see and do in Japan for 10 to 14 days. If you want to make it a “one and done” trip to Japan, then I wouldn’t worry about also trying to get to Hong Kong and Shanghai. But, if you wanted to visit all three Asian parks, then you could probably do so in 14 days at a very hectic pace.

I’d personally do Tokyo and Osaka, with plenty of day trips from Osaka to various destinations by bullet train, including Kyoto, Nara, etc. If you’re going in May, it could be pretty busy, depending upon when Golden Week falls. You’ll probably want to avoid travelling to Japan during Golden Week.

Okay thanks! I think we’ll just stick with Japan then. We are pretty flexible on dates. I just chose May because it would be warmer and it’s dh’s birthday. I’ll probably start looking at calendars to see if I can find a time that isn’t as busy.

 

[Nomarian]

We did two weeks in Japan and did Tokyo and Osaka and found that 14 days was just enough time. You want to explore the cities around the parks as well as there is so much to see.

 

[Haley R]

We did two weeks in Japan and did Tokyo and Osaka and found that 14 days was just enough time. You want to explore the cities around the parks as well as there is so much to see.

DH has started planning activities and things outside of Disney and my job is to plan anything Disney related. We are going to do 14 days in Japan only. I found some decent places to stay on AirBnB. Is it worth it at all to stay at the Disney resort hotels or the ones on the monorail loop?

 

[wanderlust7]

DH has started planning activities and things outside of Disney and my job is to plan anything Disney related. We are going to do 14 days in Japan only. I found some decent places to stay on AirBnB. Is it worth it at all to stay at the Disney resort hotels or the ones on the monorail loop?

The Disney hotels are very nice, but pricier. Depends on your budget and how important the Disney theming is to you. The hotels on the monorail are very convenient and if you're not going during a busy time, it's possible to find a good rate if you keep watching. For example, our Sheraton Tokyo Bay Ocean Dreams room on a Monday night was about 15,000 yen (the Saturday and Sunday nights were more).

 

[Agent 86]

Is it worth it at all to stay at the Disney resort hotels or the ones on the monorail loop?

That depends upon how many days you're spending at Tokyo Disney Resort. If it was just one day, then it wouldn't be worth changing hotels.

But, if you're staying three to four days, I definitely think it is worth it to stay at a hotel on the monorail loop. The subway in Tokyo is great, but even staying in central Tokyo it could take you up to an hour of travelling time each way. As you need to arrive at least an hour before opening and probably stay for a while after closing (slowly walking to the exit from the back of the park or doing some shopping), that can make for very long and exhausting days!

I'm not sure if the official hotels are worth it - they're very expensive. But, you do get to enter the parks 15 minutes earlier.

 

[mel2014]

DH has started planning activities and things outside of Disney and my job is to plan anything Disney related. We are going to do 14 days in Japan only. I found some decent places to stay on AirBnB. Is it worth it at all to stay at the Disney resort hotels or the ones on the monorail loop?

We are going in November. After evaluating lots of options, we are staying that the Hotel MyStays Maihama. We are a family of four, which limited the options anyway (since some hotels just don't offer 4 person rooms), but I just couldn't stomach the price differential between the "official" monorail hotels, especially when you add in the price of a monorail pass. I looked at several Air BnB options in the area, but they require using public bus transportation to get to the parks.

The MyStays Maihama is walking distance to DisneySea (less than 10 minutes) and they have a shuttle to Disneyland in the mornings and evenings. Outside of those times, it's a 20 minute walk. They offer breakfast, but we are tentatively going to rely on the Lawson convenience store just down the street.

MyStays is in the process of renovating all of the rooms. You can see renderings of the renovated rooms on Travelocity (and it's eligible for use of Travelocity coupons, so we got 15% off).

 

[Haley R]

The Disney hotels are very nice, but pricier. Depends on your budget and how important the Disney theming is to you. The hotels on the monorail are very convenient and if you're not going during a busy time, it's possible to find a good rate if you keep watching. For example, our Sheraton Tokyo Bay Ocean Dreams room on a Monday night was about 15,000 yen (the Saturday and Sunday nights were more).

We haven’t decided when we want to go for sure. Dh would like to go in may for his bday but I would like to catch the 35th anniversary before it ends. I’ll have to look at the Sheraton to see pricing. Where did you book it through?

 

[Haley R]

That depends upon how many days you're spending at Tokyo Disney Resort. If it was just one day, then it wouldn't be worth changing hotels.

But, if you're staying three to four days, I definitely think it is worth it to stay at a hotel on the monorail loop. The subway in Tokyo is great, but even staying in central Tokyo it could take you up to an hour of travelling time each way. As you need to arrive at least an hour before opening and probably stay for a while after closing (slowly walking to the exit from the back of the park or doing some shopping), that can make for very long and exhausting days!

I'm not sure if the official hotels are worth it - they're very expensive. But, you do get to enter the parks 15 minutes earlier.

Right now I am planning at least 4 days in the parks so we would stay at a monorail resort for that entire time if that’s what we decide. The extra 15 minutes is kind of nice.

 

[Haley R]

We are going in November. After evaluating lots of options, we are staying that the Hotel MyStays Maihama. We are a family of four, which limited the options anyway (since some hotels just don't offer 4 person rooms), but I just couldn't stomach the price differential between the "official" monorail hotels, especially when you add in the price of a monorail pass. I looked at several Air BnB options in the area, but they require using public bus transportation to get to the parks.

The MyStays Maihama is walking distance to DisneySea (less than 10 minutes) and they have a shuttle to Disneyland in the mornings and evenings. Outside of those times, it's a 20 minute walk. They offer breakfast, but we are tentatively going to rely on the Lawson convenience store just down the street.

MyStays is in the process of renovating all of the rooms. You can see renderings of the renovated rooms on Travelocity (and it's eligible for use of Travelocity coupons, so we got 15% off).

How much is the monorail pass?

I’ll have to look at the MyStays resort to see if it’s something we are interested in. We are okay with walking if it saves us some trouble.

I think we will most likely stay with an Airbnb for the remainder of our trip when we aren’t doing Disney. There are some good ones that are close to the trains (idk if you call them trains or not).

 

[wanderlust7]

We haven’t decided when we want to go for sure. Dh would like to go in may for his bday but I would like to catch the 35th anniversary before it ends. I’ll have to look at the Sheraton to see pricing. Where did you book it through?

Our original reservation was with JTB (www.japanican.com). Their refundable rate was better at the time. Then less than a month before, the Sheraton direct rate dropped. It was close enough then that I decided to take the lower nonrefundable rate.

Monorail prices:
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/access/drl/index.html

There's a special monorail pin, if you're into that sort of thing. Have to jump through some hoops though (I didn't end up doing it):
https://tdrexplorer.com/exclusive-monorail-pin-from-tokyo-disney-resort/

 

[Haley R]

Our original reservation was with JTB (www.japanican.com). Their refundable rate was better at the time. Then less than a month before, the Sheraton direct rate dropped. It was close enough then that I decided to take the lower nonrefundable rate.

Monorail prices:
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/access/drl/index.html

There's a special monorail pin, if you're into that sort of thing. Have to jump through some hoops though (I didn't end up doing it):
https://tdrexplorer.com/exclusive-monorail-pin-from-tokyo-disney-resort/

It looks like the monorail passes don’t cost that much. A 4-day pass is only about $13 per adult.

I just started pin trading this year and really like it. The monorail pin sounds cool but also like a lot of work lol

 

[wanderlust7]

I just started pin trading this year and really like it. The monorail pin sounds cool but also like a lot of work lol

It is a lot of work! An easier special pin to get are from the games at Arabian Coast in DisneySea. 500 yen to play, the consolation prize is a special pin (the actual prizes are really cute, fairly big plushies).

Where else are you planning to go in Japan? Just want to get in my plug for the delivery services (takuhaibin), if you haven't come across the info already. And no, I don't get commission, LOL. I find it to be so convenient to use when moving around in Japan, super reliable, and fairly inexpensive (on the order of <$20 for the usual checked luggage size within Tokyo). Our last trip we sent the big luggage from our hotel in Tokyo to the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, while we took the small carry-on to Nikko for a couple days. My first trip with DH, we sent it from Tokyo to Kyoto while we went to Hakone and Mijayima. I can't imagine what it would be like if we had to shlep the big luggage with us.

If this is something you might want to use, you'll have to see if the Airbnbs can help you send it off and/or receive it. We had a vacation rental in Kyoto, they had someone nearby that could receive it (we then walked over to pick it up), but it had to be arranged in advance.

 

[Haley R]

It is a lot of work! An easier special pin to get are from the games at Arabian Coast in DisneySea. 500 yen to play, the consolation prize is a special pin (the actual prizes are really cute, fairly big plushies).

Where else are you planning to go in Japan? Just want to get in my plug for the delivery services (takuhaibin), if you haven't come across the info already. And no, I don't get commission, LOL. I find it to be so convenient to use when moving around in Japan, super reliable, and fairly inexpensive (on the order of <$20 for the usual checked luggage size within Tokyo). Our last trip we sent the big luggage from our hotel in Tokyo to the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, while we took the small carry-on to Nikko for a couple days. My first trip with DH, we sent it from Tokyo to Kyoto while we went to Hakone and Mijayima. I can't imagine what it would be like if we had to shlep the big luggage with us.

If this is something you might want to use, you'll have to see if the Airbnbs can help you send it off and/or receive it. We had a vacation rental in Kyoto, they had someone nearby that could receive it (we then walked over to pick it up), but it had to be arranged in advance.

I’ll have to check out those games to get a pin!

We aren’t completely decided where we want to go. We have a small list going of places I saw suggested on the DIS. Feel free to suggest anything! We like to be outside and hike or zip line.

So that service just basically takes care of your luggage? I’ve never heard of it.

ETA: I looked up the luggage service. Seems like a good deal. We may try that.

 

[wanderlust7]

ETA: I looked up the luggage service. Seems like a good deal. We may try that.

We aren’t completely decided where we want to go. We have a small list going of places I saw suggested on the DIS. Feel free to suggest anything! We like to be outside and hike or zip line.

My favorite places in Japan so far are Miyajima and Arashiyama. Miyajima is an island near Hiroshima. The torii gate there is the one Epcot is modeled on. We stayed one night and I loved seeing the torii gate at night. The reflection shimmers in the water and it's so serene to walk around when the day trippers are gone. Arashiyama is near Kyoto and has a bamboo forest. I found the little town really charming. Hakone is nice too, closer to Tokyo.

If you're open to a cultural experience and Japanese food (and budget allows), I'd highly recommend a stay in a ryokan. Sleep on a futon mattress on tatami (bamboo) flooring, wear a yukata robe, eat a multi-course, beautifully presented, keiseiki meal. Most have a communal onsen (hot springs), or try to find one with a reservable private one.

 

[Haley R]

My favorite places in Japan so far are Miyajima and Arashiyama. Miyajima is an island near Hiroshima. The torii gate there is the one Epcot is modeled on. We stayed one night and I loved seeing the torii gate at night. The reflection shimmers in the water and it's so serene to walk around when the day trippers are gone. Arashiyama is near Kyoto and has a bamboo forest. I found the little town really charming. Hakone is nice too, closer to Tokyo.

If you're open to a cultural experience and Japanese food (and budget allows), I'd highly recommend a stay in a ryokan. Sleep on a futon mattress on tatami (bamboo) flooring, wear a yukata robe, eat a multi-course, beautifully presented, keiseiki meal. Most have a communal onsen (hot springs), or try to find one with a reservable private one.

Sorry I forgot to respond to you! We most likely will stay at the Hilton during our Disney part of the trip. I’m happy with their prices and the rooms look nice with an ocean view.

How much is it to stay at a ryokan on average?

When we aren’t at Disney should we still stay in Tokyo or go to a smaller town nearby?

 

[wanderlust7]

Sorry I forgot to respond to you! We most likely will stay at the Hilton during our Disney part of the trip. I’m happy with their prices and the rooms look nice with an ocean view.

How much is it to stay at a ryokan on average?

When we aren’t at Disney should we still stay in Tokyo or go to a smaller town nearby?

Our ryokan last time in Nikko was 24,000 yen/night for the 2 adults (additional charge for our kids). It included a very full Japanese breakfast and the multi-course dinner. I think it's a mid-level one. There are some REALLY expensive, exclusive ones out there.

For your time in Tokyo, I'd stay in Tokyo. But if you have 2 weeks, you can do side trips as well as spend some time in Kyoto.

 

[Haley R]

Our ryokan last time in Nikko was 24,000 yen/night for the 2 adults (additional charge for our kids). It included a very full Japanese breakfast and the multi-course dinner. I think it's a mid-level one. There are some REALLY expensive, exclusive ones out there.

For your time in Tokyo, I'd stay in Tokyo. But if you have 2 weeks, you can do side trips as well as spend some time in Kyoto.

24,000 yen/night doesn't seem too bad to me. Can I ask which one you did? Would it be hard for us to do that in the middle of our trip since we would have to take all of our stuff back and forth?

I'm a really picky eater so do you think I would be okay at a ryokan?

Is Kyoto really a 3 hr + ride on the trains? That seems like a long ride for one day of sight seeing.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[wanderlust7]

24,000 yen/night doesn't seem too bad to me. Can I ask which one you did? Would it be hard for us to do that in the middle of our trip since we would have to take all of our stuff back and forth?

I'm a really picky eater so do you think I would be okay at a ryokan?

Is Kyoto really a 3 hr + ride on the trains? That seems like a long ride for one day of sight seeing.

Thanks for all of your help!

Oops, "a few days" in Kyoto would have been clearer. Yeah, a day trip would not be recommended. If you decide to go to Kyoto, you can look into flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka, or vice versa. It would save you the return trip on the Shinkansen (high speed train), which is a little pricey. Depends what flights are available where you are though.

The Nikko ryokan was this one:
www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g298182-d1081590-Reviews-Kozuchi_no_Yado_Tsurukame_Daikichi-Nikko_Tochigi_Prefecture_Kanto.html

Although for first time visitors, I'd recommend Hakone over Nikko. Sounds like the food will probably be an issue for you. It's very Japanese and usually there's no choice - no menu, just eat what they serve. The only choice I remember having was getting to pick which whole raw fish I wanted grilled for breakfast. In any case, you can scroll through the TA pictures and see. I have lots of pictures in my TR too:

travelswith2kids.wordpress.com/2017/10/06/day-5-part-2-tsurukame-daikichi/