Just got back from Tokyo Disney!

[Seltzer76]

My long planned trip finally arrived...and passed Big thanks to this forum for tips and ideas as I've planned this the past few years. I'm not gonna do a crazy long trip report, but I'm happy to answer any questions based on my recent trip and engage in any discussion about Tokyo Disney . In short, here were our plans:

Dates in Japan: Tues June 25 - Thursday July 4
8 nights Hilton Tokyo Bay in Happy Magic Suite (2 adults, 2 teens)
2 nights Miracosta Harbor View Room w/ Vacation Package (including Fantasy Springs Access)

Days 1 and 2: Tokyo Disney Sea
Days 3 and 4: Tokyo Disneyland
Days 5 and 6 (Sat/Sunday)
- Taxi to Tokyo Dome City for a Stardom Professional Wrestling Show
- Trains to Shibuya for typical tourist stuff
Day 7: Tokyo Disney Sea (last day before Vacation Package)
Day 8: VP Day 1: Tokyo Disneyland
Day 9: VP Day 2: Tokyo Disney Sea w/ Fantasy Springs Access
Day 10: VP Day 3: Tokyo Disney Sea (only spent the morning in the park shopping and eating and then flew out later that day).

Highlights: Um, everything! We got to see and do so much on this trip, even got to be at Disney Sea on the day a new Duffy Event started - that was quite an experience! Saw the Duffy and Friends show in Disney Sea, Saw the Diamond Horseshoe show in Disneyland. Rode each of the Fantasy Springs rides at least once. Rode everything we prioritized at least once. Saw Believe Sea of Dreams from our hotel room in Miracosta. So many things!

What I would have done differently:
- This was our first ever trip to Japan and I as sooo excited to see Disney Sea so we started with that first. In retrospect I think it would have been better for us to start in Disneyland....it's more familiar to us, less spread out...and we tended to like the food options better. We spent a lot of time the first day in Disney Sea trying to find something to eat...also it was hard to find Duffy...we found him on our second day though

- I would have incorporated a rest day...by the time our Fantasy Springs day came along I was just wrecked! In our itinerary our 'rest days' were Tokyo city days...so not that restful. But it was hard to take a break with so much to do! I was also kind of missing the WDW 'resort' experience on this trip...pool hours were limited (and cost extra)...and the hotels didn't feel like places you can just stay and relax...BUT I'm really not complaining, bc I went to JAPAN and it was awesome!

Once again, big thanks to this forum!

 

[aleh021]

I totally get what you mean with the WDW resort experience part of relaxing. We just got back our TDR trip, with stays at Miracosta & Toy Story Hotel.

Miracosta is gorgeous, 3rd time staying, but I totally get what you mean by the WDW resort experience of relaxing. It does feel like everyone is on the go go go and not to many areas to relax in. The rooms are great to stay in though and I know you can order things like massages and what not.

I think Disneyland Hotel and Ambassador Hotel have more areas to relax in comparison.

The pools are a luxury for sure with weird hours.

Still, this doesn't take away from the fact that I do think this is the best themed Disney resort out there and I do still get that Disney resort bubble feel as I do in WDW.

 

[Seltzer76]

I noticed Disneyland Hotel had more of a convenience store too. I was really missing that at Miracosta after getting used to it at the Hilton. Was so amazing to be IN the park though at Miracosta. What an experience!

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Were rides and shows in English as well?

 

[Flossbolna]

We actually did a day at the Hilton outdoor pool when we realized that they opened early. Usually it’s closed in June when we were there. And while we did miss out on some of the planned sightseeing, we loved our rest day! It was much needed!

 

[Seltzer76]

We actually did a day at the Hilton outdoor pool when we realized that they opened early. Usually it’s closed in June when we were there. And while we did miss out on some of the planned sightseeing, we loved our rest day! It was much needed!

Nice!

 

[Seltzer76]

Were rides and shows in English as well?

Pretty much none as far as I saw. Sometimes there will be English dialogue of song but mostly Japanese. Signs and Safety instructions are in Japanese and English though.

 

[Disneyhanna]

and we tended to like the food options better. We spent a lot of time the first day in Disney Sea trying to find something to eat

That was my biggest complaint about TDS! There were some good options but everything was SO far apart, I'd find something I was interested in but then it was a 15 minute walk on the opposite side of the park The layout of DL is so much better for snacking, nothing is ever too far away!

 

[aleh021]

Were rides and shows in English as well?

Only one show is totally and completely in English at Disneysea. Thats "Big Band Beat".

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I noticed Disneyland Hotel had more of a convenience store too. I was really missing that at Miracosta after getting used to it at the Hilton. Was so amazing to be IN the park though at Miracosta. What an experience!

We loved our one night at Miracosta, and it was totally worth it for the overall experience and happy entry into TDS, but the lack of a convenience store was a killer. If there's a next time, we'll be sure to stock up on snacks and drinks before checking in! Disneyland Hotel had a great one that we stopped in while scoping out the resort and the Hilton (where we spent most of our nights) had a Lawsons.

 

[Seltzer76]

Only one show is totally and completely in English at Disneysea. Thats "Big Band Beat".

And we missed this one. We never won the lottery. I really wanted to see Mickey play the drums.

 

[Agent 86]

And we missed this one. We never won the lottery. I really wanted to see Mickey play the drums.

For next time, in general, the first session of each of the theatre shows is "standby only" (i.e. you don't need to win the lottery to attend).

For Big Band Beat, I think the upper balcony for all sessions is "standby only".

This can vary on the day, but is a somewhat reliable general approach.

 

[Agent 86]

Saw the Diamond Horseshoe show in Disneyland

Did you find it hard to get tickets for this? We're considering going in the future, but it seems to be very popular given it only recently reopened after COVID.

 

[Agent 86]

also it was hard to find Duffy...we found him on our second day though

The Duffy toy or the Duffy character?

If the latter, was Duffy a roaming character or are you referring to the line-up meet and greet in Cape Cod?

 

[Dreams&wishes]

Pretty much none as far as I saw. Sometimes there will be English dialogue of song but mostly Japanese. Signs and Safety instructions are in Japanese and English though.

Did you find that that took away from the experience? When I went to DLP quite a few things were in both languages.

 

[Seltzer76]

Did you find it hard to get tickets for this? We're considering going in the future, but it seems to be very popular given it only recently reopened after COVID.

I was on the website on the exact time they went on sale. I think 1 month out 9 am Japan time.

 

[Seltzer76]

The Duffy toy or the Duffy character?

If the latter, was Duffy a roaming character or are you referring to the line-up meet and greet in Cape Cod?

Character…but he’s not in cape cod…Shellie Mae is there. Duffy meets in Lost River Delta, which we had trouble finding at first.

 

[Seltzer76]

Did you find that that took away from the experience? When I went to DLP quite a few things were in both languages.

I don’t think I’d personally want my first ever Disney experience to be in a language I didn’t know. But as a hard core Disney parks enthusiast who has been to the US parks a ton I appreciated the differences (and the similarities).

 

[Disneytrippin']

I have so many questions. I am completely unfamiliar with TDR but have watched some YouTube videos. I would really love to go but, don't know where to start. I have only ever been to Canada out of the country.

When is a good time of year to go. We generally go to Florida in November and we like that weather.
Which resort would you recommend? It would be adults only.
Where can I research TDR so we know how to navigate?
My SO has the food preference of a five-year-old and not adventurous so where are some safe places for him to eat. Again, think in meat and potatoes no veggies type food.
Who do you fly with and how can I best search flight deals?
I can navigate Disneyworld without a map and I am the planner. So, this is going to be completely new to me.

What can I expect if we only speak English? I am fully prepared to learn words like toilet,food and hotel.lol

TIA!

 

[Dreams&wishes]

How many days would you ideally spend there?