I have a vacation package, I have so many questions and am still super confused.

[Sunshineminnie]

HI all, as the title says, I have a vacation package and am super confused. If you can help at all, that would be great.

I am a solo traveler and will be at Disneyland on Saturday, Oct 19 and Disneysea Sunday, October 20. I know that the weekends are not ideal with crowd levels but that was my only free days. My goals is to ride as many unique rides as I can and soak in the culture. I don't need to go to shows or watch all of the parades. (maybe 1?) I will be staying at the ToyStory Hotel with the Fantasy Springs vacation package. They have actually switched my package so I am not really sure what I am getting.

So many questions. Please bear with me. I have read so many things and for some reason, just can't quite wrap my mind around everything.

The night before.

1. I haven't booked a hotel yet for the night before. I will be getting in late so just need a place to sleep and easily get to the parks. I don't need anything fancy. Ease of transportation and budget friendly are my priorities. Suggestions?

Saturday Morning

1. I am assuming that I will go over to the Toy Story hotel first thing in the morning to pick up my vacation package. Is this right?

2. Can I store my luggage with them?

3. How much time should I allow for checkin. I am good with early mornings. What is a good time to try to be at the hotel?

Saturday at Disneyland

1. How early to be lined up? Am I eligible for Happy Entry this day? Is it necessary to line up early when you have the package? (I don't mind, just checking)

2. RIDES - My package includes Beauty and the Beast at 13:00, Happy Ride w/ Baymax at 16:00 and eligible attractions. (this is where I am confused). Do I get to ride on each of the eligible attractions with the ticket 1 time (that would be amazing) or do I pick just one attraction to ride? Are the times I have scheduled good, or should I switch to a different time of the day? Would I be better off not riding Baymax and scheduling another Beauty and the Beast or eligible attraction instead?

3. FOOD - I am just a grab and go kind of gal, so don't need to sit down and eat, however, a break in the day may be nice. If I decide to do that, what is your favorite restaurant and do I need to make reservations/

4. Easist way to return to Toy Story Hotel? Is it within walking? I am directionally challenged and am always worried about getting lost.


Sunday at Disneysea

1. Is there happy entry? Suggestions for what time to line up. I have the breakfast buffet scheduled for 6:30. Can I checkout then and will they store my luggage?

2. RIDES - Scheduled is Soaring at 13:00. I love this ride but my all time favorite ride is the Tower of Terror. I would like to do both but am thinking that Soaring has much longer wait times so should stick with what I have????? I also have the eligible ticket thing. And I guess easy entry into the Fantasy Springs rides? I am not sure about this. Can you come and go from Fantasy Springs, or once you leave you're done?

3. What is your favorite restaurant here? Do I need reservations? Is there a good grab and go?

LEAVING

After I collect my luggage, I will need change hotels. My flight doesn't leave until 17:30. I am thinking of going to TeamLab borderless. Any other suggestions to spend the morning? (I will have already done all of the main touristy things in Tokyo).Any opinions? Also, being directionaly challenged, tired and broke by this point (ha ha) do you have a hotel suggestion?


LAST QUESTION

What is the one thing you would not want to miss if this were your only trip to Disneyland Tokyo?

Thank you to anyone that has any advice. Sorry this was so long, but I think the more I have researched, the more confused I have become!

 

[cinnamoroll]

JR-East Hotel Mets Shin-Kiba is a budget-friendly option for the night before. We used it as our home base in Tokyo and really liked the price tag and location. It's right by Shin-Kiba Station which is only 2 stations away from Maihama. Shin-Kiba also services multiple train lines if you want to explore elsewhere (i.e you only need to change trains once to get to TeamLab Borderless).

Train over to Maihama, switch to the TDR monorail, and get off at Bayside Station to pick up your VP from Toy Story Hotel. They'll keep your luggage on both check-in and check-out days. They even have separate lockers for electronics and valuables. I think you can pick up as early as 6:30am? Not 100% sure though.

Toy Story Hotel guests get happy entry to Land but not Sea. There are separate lines for guests with happy entry so you might as well make use of it to walk on 1 or 2 popular rides, secure priority passes to schedule more rides, and try your luck with entry requests for shows. Or you can just arrive shortly after the park opens and enter without waiting in line.

If you're gonna do happy entry you can walk on Baymax and change Baymax in your package to another ride. I think you save 400 yen hah. You'll get paper copies in your package for each attraction. Baymax ride is cute but it's super short and not worth the DPA cost imo.

 

[nono]

JR-East Hotel Mets Shin-Kiba is a budget-friendly option for the night before. We used it as our home base in Tokyo and really liked the price tag and location. It's right by Shin-Kiba Station which is only 2 stations away from Maihama. Shin-Kiba also services multiple train lines if you want to explore elsewhere (i.e you only need to change trains once to get to TeamLab Borderless).

Love the JR Hotel Mets brand! Haven't stayed at that location, but I can second the brand!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

JR-East Hotel Mets Shin-Kiba is a budget-friendly option for the night before. We used it as our home base in Tokyo and really liked the price tag and location. It's right by Shin-Kiba Station which is only 2 stations away from Maihama. Shin-Kiba also services multiple train lines if you want to explore elsewhere (i.e you only need to change trains once to get to TeamLab Borderless).

Train over to Maihama, switch to the TDR monorail, and get off at Bayside Station to pick up your VP from Toy Story Hotel. They'll keep your luggage on both check-in and check-out days. They even have separate lockers for electronics and valuables. I think you can pick up as early as 6:30am? Not 100% sure though.

Toy Story Hotel guests get happy entry to Land but not Sea. There are separate lines for guests with happy entry so you might as well make use of it to walk on 1 or 2 popular rides, secure priority passes to schedule more rides, and try your luck with entry requests for shows. Or you can just arrive shortly after the park opens and enter without waiting in line.

If you're gonna do happy entry you can walk on Baymax and change Baymax in your package to another ride. I think you save 400 yen hah. You'll get paper copies in your package for each attraction. Baymax ride is cute but it's super short and not worth the DPA cost imo.

Thank you so much! this is very helpful!

Love the JR Hotel Mets brand! Haven't stayed at that location, but I can second the brand!

Thank you!

 

[Kwami]

Toy Story Hotel guests get happy entry to Land but not Sea. There are separate lines for guests with happy entry so you might as well make use of it to walk on 1 or 2 popular rides, secure priority passes to schedule more rides, and try your luck with entry requests for shows. Or you can just arrive shortly after the park opens and enter without waiting in line.

But you don't get Happy Entry on the first day of a package, right? So, practically, there is no Happy Entry on a 3-day package unless you're staying at Miracosta or the new FS hotel.

 

[cinnamoroll]

But you don't get Happy Entry on the first day of a package, right? So, practically, there is no Happy Entry on a 3-day package unless you're staying at Miracosta or the new FS hotel.

Oh yes that’s right! Sorry OP!

 

[princesscinderella]

The night before.

1. I haven't booked a hotel yet for the night before. I will be getting in late so just need a place to sleep and easily get to the parks. I don't need anything fancy. Ease of transportation and budget friendly are my priorities. Suggestions?

I think any of the good neighbor hotels would work I think the Sheraton at TDL was pretty cheap when I had it booked as my back up

Saturday Morning

1. I am assuming that I will go over to the Toy Story hotel first thing in the morning to pick up my vacation package. Is this right?

Yes you pick up the package at the hotel, I brought a neck lanyard with the little plastic pouch which really helped keep all the tickets you get with the package organized. I would put all the ones for that day in there for quick access.

2. Can I store my luggage with them?

Yes you can or if you don’t stay the night before at a TDL hotel you can drop them off at the welcome center right when you get off at the Maihama train station. That way you don’t have to lug your luggage onto the monorail too.

3. How much time should I allow for checkin. I am good with early mornings. What is a good time to try to be at the hotel?

It took us about 1.5 hours to drop our luggage at the welcome center and then get over to miracosta to check in for our vacation package and then get back on the monorail to enter DL. We didn’t get into DL until about 10:30am but we weren’t rushing either.

Saturday at Disneyland

1. How early to be lined up? Am I eligible for Happy Entry this day? Is it necessary to line up early when you have the package? (I don't mind, just checking)

Since you already have BATB you could probably just get there a couple minutes after opening if you don’t want to wait in a long line. If you want to wait we saw people lined up at 6:30am outside TDS for an 8:30 am opening. I’m on vacation so that wasn’t in our plans, we did happy entry but walked up after the waiting was already in.

2. RIDES - My package includes Beauty and the Beast at 13:00, Happy Ride w/ Baymax at 16:00 and eligible attractions. (this is where I am confused). Do I get to ride on each of the eligible attractions with the ticket 1 time (that would be amazing) or do I pick just one attraction to ride? Are the times I have scheduled good, or should I switch to a different time of the day? Would I be better off not riding Baymax and scheduling another Beauty and the Beast or eligible attraction instead?

You only use each ride ticket once, the multiple attractions one is nice because you can use it at any time during that day but only on one ride that’s on the list of that ticket. Kind of like the multiple fatpass one Disney would issue when a ride would breakdown during your return time. I would do BATB twice if that’s an option over Baymax. Your times are good I think mid day is when everything is most crowded.

3. FOOD - I am just a grab and go kind of gal, so don't need to sit down and eat, however, a break in the day may be nice. If I decide to do that, what is your favorite restaurant and do I need to make reservations/

We enjoyed the queen of hearts banquet hall for a quick meal and a place to sit and relax, it’s decorated really fun too.

4. Easist way to return to Toy Story Hotel? Is it within walking? I am directionally challenged and am always worried about getting lost.

You can’t miss seeing the TS hotel when riding the monorail and there are only 4 stops on the monorail so if you miss it just ride the loop again. You are the next stop after Disneyland.

Sunday at Disneysea

1. Is there happy entry? Suggestions for what time to line up. I have the breakfast buffet scheduled for 6:30. Can I checkout then and will they store my luggage?

Yes they will store your luggage and you can checkout then. There’s also an option for them to deliver it to the welcome center to get picked up at the end of the day too so you don’t have to lug it on the monorail.

2. RIDES - Scheduled is Soaring at 13:00. I love this ride but my all time favorite ride is the Tower of Terror. I would like to do both but am thinking that Soaring has much longer wait times so should stick with what I have????? I also have the eligible ticket thing. And I guess easy entry into the Fantasy Springs rides? I am not sure about this. Can you come and go from Fantasy Springs, or once you leave you're done?

You can come in go from fantasy springs all day with the wristband, they will check your ticket each time too though so have it handy. Soarin got the longest ride both days we were there so I think it’s a better choice than ToT for the pass. If you love ToT waiting in the line to get some the story is not a bad thing as it’s different. We used our eligible ticket for Indy. It’s nice to only have the one timed ticket as getting around TDS is a lot more walking as it doesn’t have the central hub design.

3. What is your favorite restaurant here? Do I need reservations? Is there a good grab and go?

We enjoyed our lunch at the Columbia ship but that is a dining experience. There’s so many restaurants to choose from look on their website as they have great descriptions and pictures of all the meals. My family also thought the burgers at Snuggly duckling were decent. Mobile order in the morning for a time later in the day if you want to eat here. You can show your drink ticket however and walk into any of the restaurants to get a drink throughout your time with the vacation package.

LEAVING

After I collect my luggage, I will need change hotels. My flight doesn't leave until 17:30. I am thinking of going to TeamLab borderless. Any other suggestions to spend the morning? (I will have already done all of the main touristy things in Tokyo).Any opinions? Also, being directionaly challenged, tired and broke by this point (ha ha) do you have a hotel suggestion?

We stayed at the MONday Apart premium in Akihabara on our night before TDL and it was inexpensive and had a washer/dryer in the the room which was nice to clean some clothes for our last leg of the trip at TDL, but would be a good one night too before heading back home. It’s a no frills hotel but was very clean.

LAST QUESTION

What is the one thing you would not want to miss if this were your only trip to Disneyland Tokyo?

BATB was our favorite at DL and journey to the center of the earth at TDS as you can only ride them there. I wish I could understand Japanese to know what some of what was said in the preshows. The believe sea of dreams night show as incredible but I didn’t feel I needed the priority seating for it.

Thank you to anyone that has any advice. Sorry this was so long, but I think the more I have researched, the more confused I have become!

I was really stressing about not understanding the language or being able to read it either but most signage everywhere was also in English. The train stations were large but fairly easy to navigate. We only got on the wrong trains in Osaka as they weren’t labeled as well and certain trains would change into a different route while you are on it, or was an express and we didn’t realize it would bypass our stop. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[FriendsAndFood]

I think any of the good neighbor hotels would work I think the Sheraton at TDL was pretty cheap when I had it booked as my back up


Yes you pick up the package at the hotel, I brought a neck lanyard with the little plastic pouch which really helped keep all the tickets you get with the package organized. I would put all the ones for that day in there for quick access.

Yes you can or if you don’t stay the night before at a TDL hotel you can drop them off at the welcome center right when you get off at the Maihama train station. That way you don’t have to lug your luggage onto the monorail too.

It took us about 1.5 hours to drop our luggage at the welcome center and then get over to miracosta to check in for our vacation package and then get back on the monorail to enter DL. We didn’t get into DL until about 10:30am but we weren’t rushing either.

Since you already have BATB you could probably just get there a couple minutes after opening if you don’t want to wait in a long line. If you want to wait we saw people lined up at 6:30am outside TDS for an 8:30 am opening. I’m on vacation so that wasn’t in our plans, we did happy entry but walked up after the waiting was already in.

You only use each ride ticket once, the multiple attractions one is nice because you can use it at any time during that day but only on one ride that’s on the list of that ticket. Kind of like the multiple fatpass one Disney would issue when a ride would breakdown during your return time. I would do BATB twice if that’s an option over Baymax. Your times are good I think mid day is when everything is most crowded.

We enjoyed the queen of hearts banquet hall for a quick meal and a place to sit and relax, it’s decorated really fun too.

You can’t miss seeing the TS hotel when riding the monorail and there are only 4 stops on the monorail so if you miss it just ride the loop again. You are the next stop after Disneyland.

Yes they will store your luggage and you can checkout then. There’s also an option for them to deliver it to the welcome center to get picked up at the end of the day too so you don’t have to lug it on the monorail.

You can come in go from fantasy springs all day with the wristband, they will check your ticket each time too though so have it handy. Soarin got the longest ride both days we were there so I think it’s a better choice than ToT for the pass. If you love ToT waiting in the line to get some the story is not a bad thing as it’s different. We used our eligible ticket for Indy. It’s nice to only have the one timed ticket as getting around TDS is a lot more walking as it doesn’t have the central hub design.

We enjoyed our lunch at the Columbia ship but that is a dining experience. There’s so many restaurants to choose from look on their website as they have great descriptions and pictures of all the meals. My family also thought the burgers at Snuggly duckling were decent. Mobile order in the morning for a time later in the day if you want to eat here. You can show your drink ticket however and walk into any of the restaurants to get a drink throughout your time with the vacation package.

We stayed at the MONday Apart premium in Akihabara on our night before TDL and it was inexpensive and had a washer/dryer in the the room which was nice to clean some clothes for our last leg of the trip at TDL, but would be a good one night too before heading back home. It’s a no frills hotel but was very clean.

BATB was our favorite at DL and journey to the center of the earth at TDS as you can only ride them there. I wish I could understand Japanese to know what some of what was said in the preshows. The believe sea of dreams night show as incredible but I didn’t feel I needed the priority seating for it.


I was really stressing about not understanding the language or being able to read it either but most signage everywhere was also in English. The train stations were large but fairly easy to navigate. We only got on the wrong trains in Osaka as they weren’t labeled as well and certain trains would change into a different route while you are on it, or was an express and we didn’t realize it would bypass our stop. Have a wonderful trip!!

If you saw the parades, what did you think about them?

 

[princesscinderella]

If you saw the parades, what did you think about them?

We didn’t sit and watch the parades at DL but we did see them go by while waiting for rides as a lot of the lines are outside. They had a baymax float that would come out and soak everyone a few different times mid day. Later afternoon they the more traditional floats parade, the UP float was our favorite. The electrical parade at night the floats were spectacular. We did watch the believe sea of dreams show at Disney Sea and it was amazing and it’s almost a half hour long. If someone in your party can’t stand for that long in one place it may be worth it to get the premier access seated areas. We wanted to watch it again our second night but it was canceled due to high winds and rain. They never had a fireworks show the whole time we were there, it said suspended on the app.

 

[Flossbolna]

How late are you getting in the night before? Transport from the airport late at night appears to be an issue. Make sure you will be able to reach the hotel you book for your first night. Might be better to stay in an airport hotel and take the first Airport Limousine bus in the morning from the airport to your hotel b

There is a hotel directly in the Maihama train station which seems to get good reviews. Hotel Dream Gate Maihama. It’s literally next to the welcome center.

 

[Sunshineminnie]

Oh yes that’s right! Sorry OP!

No worries at all!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

I think any of the good neighbor hotels would work I think the Sheraton at TDL was pretty cheap when I had it booked as my back up


Yes you pick up the package at the hotel, I brought a neck lanyard with the little plastic pouch which really helped keep all the tickets you get with the package organized. I would put all the ones for that day in there for quick access.

Yes you can or if you don’t stay the night before at a TDL hotel you can drop them off at the welcome center right when you get off at the Maihama train station. That way you don’t have to lug your luggage onto the monorail too.

It took us about 1.5 hours to drop our luggage at the welcome center and then get over to miracosta to check in for our vacation package and then get back on the monorail to enter DL. We didn’t get into DL until about 10:30am but we weren’t rushing either.

Since you already have BATB you could probably just get there a couple minutes after opening if you don’t want to wait in a long line. If you want to wait we saw people lined up at 6:30am outside TDS for an 8:30 am opening. I’m on vacation so that wasn’t in our plans, we did happy entry but walked up after the waiting was already in.

You only use each ride ticket once, the multiple attractions one is nice because you can use it at any time during that day but only on one ride that’s on the list of that ticket. Kind of like the multiple fatpass one Disney would issue when a ride would breakdown during your return time. I would do BATB twice if that’s an option over Baymax. Your times are good I think mid day is when everything is most crowded.

We enjoyed the queen of hearts banquet hall for a quick meal and a place to sit and relax, it’s decorated really fun too.

You can’t miss seeing the TS hotel when riding the monorail and there are only 4 stops on the monorail so if you miss it just ride the loop again. You are the next stop after Disneyland.

Yes they will store your luggage and you can checkout then. There’s also an option for them to deliver it to the welcome center to get picked up at the end of the day too so you don’t have to lug it on the monorail.

You can come in go from fantasy springs all day with the wristband, they will check your ticket each time too though so have it handy. Soarin got the longest ride both days we were there so I think it’s a better choice than ToT for the pass. If you love ToT waiting in the line to get some the story is not a bad thing as it’s different. We used our eligible ticket for Indy. It’s nice to only have the one timed ticket as getting around TDS is a lot more walking as it doesn’t have the central hub design.

We enjoyed our lunch at the Columbia ship but that is a dining experience. There’s so many restaurants to choose from look on their website as they have great descriptions and pictures of all the meals. My family also thought the burgers at Snuggly duckling were decent. Mobile order in the morning for a time later in the day if you want to eat here. You can show your drink ticket however and walk into any of the restaurants to get a drink throughout your time with the vacation package.

We stayed at the MONday Apart premium in Akihabara on our night before TDL and it was inexpensive and had a washer/dryer in the the room which was nice to clean some clothes for our last leg of the trip at TDL, but would be a good one night too before heading back home. It’s a no frills hotel but was very clean.

BATB was our favorite at DL and journey to the center of the earth at TDS as you can only ride them there. I wish I could understand Japanese to know what some of what was said in the preshows. The believe sea of dreams night show as incredible but I didn’t feel I needed the priority seating for it.


I was really stressing about not understanding the language or being able to read it either but most signage everywhere was also in English. The train stations were large but fairly easy to navigate. We only got on the wrong trains in Osaka as they weren’t labeled as well and certain trains would change into a different route while you are on it, or was an express and we didn’t realize it would bypass our stop. Have a wonderful trip!!

Oh my goodness. Thank you SO MUCH for this. This is a great help and you have certainly lessened my confusion! I appreciate you!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

How late are you getting in the night before? Transport from the airport late at night appears to be an issue. Make sure you will be able to reach the hotel you book for your first night. Might be better to stay in an airport hotel and take the first Airport Limousine bus in the morning from the airport to your hotel b

There is a hotel directly in the Maihama train station which seems to get good reviews. Hotel Dream Gate Maihama. It’s literally next to the welcome center.

Thank you for this advice. I would be able to hop on an a train from 8-9 pm. I hope that's not too late.

 

[Sunshineminnie]

We didn’t sit and watch the parades at DL but we did see them go by while waiting for rides as a lot of the lines are outside. They had a baymax float that would come out and soak everyone a few different times mid day. Later afternoon they the more traditional floats parade, the UP float was our favorite. The electrical parade at night the floats were spectacular. We did watch the believe sea of dreams show at Disney Sea and it was amazing and it’s almost a half hour long. If someone in your party can’t stand for that long in one place it may be worth it to get the premier access seated areas. We wanted to watch it again our second night but it was canceled due to high winds and rain. They never had a fireworks show the whole time we were there, it said suspended on the app.

Thank you. I don't mind standing at all. Thank you for the advice!

 

[Sunshineminnie]

But you don't get Happy Entry on the first day of a package, right? So, practically, there is no Happy Entry on a 3-day package unless you're staying at Miracosta or the new FS hotel.

Thank you for clearing this up!

 

[morninglemon]

Question on this: You can't pick up the ticket package at the welcome center as well? What is the point of dropping off the luggage at the welcome center if you'll need to go to the TDR hotel anyway for the ticket pickup? Is it because the TDR hotels won't store luggage until checkin time? (I'll be staying at the Ambassador)

3. How much time should I allow for checkin. I am good with early mornings. What is a good time to try to be at the hotel?

It took us about 1.5 hours to drop our luggage at the welcome center and then get over to miracosta to check in for our vacation package and then get back on the monorail to enter DL. We didn’t get into DL until about 10:30am but we weren’t rushing either.

 

[cinnamoroll]

Question on this: You can't pick up the ticket package at the welcome center as well? What is the point of dropping off the luggage at the welcome center if you'll need to go to the TDR hotel anyway for the ticket pickup? Is it because the TDR hotels won't store luggage until checkin time? (I'll be staying at the Ambassador)

You have to pick up your package from your hotel (unless things changed since June). Makes sense to go straight to the hotel with your luggage- they do store it until check-in time. Not sure if all the hotels do this but at FSH they moved our suitcases to our rooms without us asking.

 

[Kwami]

Question on this: You can't pick up the ticket package at the welcome center as well? What is the point of dropping off the luggage at the welcome center if you'll need to go to the TDR hotel anyway for the ticket pickup? Is it because the TDR hotels won't store luggage until checkin time? (I'll be staying at the Ambassador)

You might want to leave your luggage at the welcome center to avoid bringing it onto the monorail. Especially if you have kids or a lot of luggage.

 

[morninglemon]

You might want to leave your luggage at the welcome center to avoid bringing it onto the monorail. Especially if you have kids or a lot of luggage.

I'm hoping to be able to go straight to the hotel and leave my luggage there (and that they would bring it to my room once it's ready!) so that I can check in, leave my bags and go straight into the park! I was worried that I'd have to drop off bags at the welcome center, and then after the park would need to go back to the welcome center, pick up bags and then go to the hotel.

You have to pick up your package from your hotel (unless things changed since June). Makes sense to go straight to the hotel with your luggage- they do store it until check-in time. Not sure if all the hotels do this but at FSH they moved our suitcases to our rooms without us asking.

 

[Kwami]

I'm hoping to be able to go straight to the hotel and leave my luggage there (and that they would bring it to my room once it's ready!) so that I can check in, leave my bags and go straight into the park! I was worried that I'd have to drop off bags at the welcome center, and then after the park would need to go back to the welcome center, pick up bags and then go to the hotel.

You don't have to drop them off at the welcome center. Just take them on the monorail to the hotel like I do.