Possible Japan Trip #2

[Haley R]

Dh and I were talking about how much we loved Japan. I knew I would like it but I seriously have been thinking about going back ever since the trip got over. We are wanting to start a family soon so it’s kind of now or never if we wanna go back. We started entertaining the idea of going back this year even in November. I’m not sure it’ll work out but it’s always fun to try planning a trip!

We would only stay in Tokyo this time for a week and no Disney parks. The parks were fun but we absolutely loved Tokyo. The whole city is so amazing and there are so many more things to do and see. We talked about just walking around with hardly any plan and just enjoying ourselves. I already messaged the Airbnb host to see her dates but I can see her availability is slim pickings for the rest of this year. She’s very popular!

I’m sure we’re probably crazy for even thinking this but you only live once right?

 

[AngelDisney]

It’s not crazy to want to visit Japan right away. DD felt so sad to leave and even thought about getting a job in Japan. Her friend is teaching English in Japan right now. That’s why. We would definitely return some day but not right away. I am a teacher and I only can go during the summer break. I already booked a Disney cruise for next summer to Northern Europe. So it will be a while before we return. My BFFs in HK go all the time. They are planning a trip to Osaka this September. This is their second trip this year to Japan. I really really want to join them. If possible and capable, go again soon and enjoy your time there. The experience wouldn’t be the same once you have kids. Have fun planning!

 

[Haley R]

It’s not crazy to want to visit Japan right away. DD felt so sad to leave and even thought about getting a job in Japan. Her friend is teaching English in Japan right now. That’s why. We would definitely return some day but not right away. I am a teacher and I only can go during the summer break. I already booked a Disney cruise for next summer to Northern Europe. So it will be a while before we return. My BFFs in HK go all the time. They are planning a trip to Osaka this September. This is their second trip this year to Japan. I really really want to join them. If possible and capable, go again soon and enjoy your time there. The experience wouldn’t be the same once you have kids. Have fun planning!

I would love teaching English over there but Dh is a software engineer and his job wouldn’t be quite as good over there lol. He just got a new job here that he’s pretty excited about.

I have to call and ask if there’s even any plane tickets available. We have enough points to fly business class again. I already messaged my Airbnb host and she told me she does have some dates open. Dh and I know we want to start a family very soon so that was kind of the thinking behind going this year

 

[indoshakespeare]

enjoy it while it lasts. my wife and i only have one vacation together before we had a baby...which was our honeymoon. travelling with kids will be VERY different..but just as fun.

 

[gelatoni fan]

Really? No Disney Parks? But there's new shows: Song of Mirage in TDS and Jamboree Mickey in TDL. A new ride in TDS: Soaring: Fantastic Flight. And the Christmas parade and Christmas harbor shows.

But I totally understand the feeling about Japan. Tokyo is my favorite vacation destination and even without Disney, there's plenty to do and see (although I don't think I would be going so frequently if not for TDR).

 

[Haley R]

enjoy it while it lasts. my wife and i only have one vacation together before we had a baby...which was our honeymoon. travelling with kids will be VERY different..but just as fun.

That’s kind of what I’m worried about. Everyone I’ve talked to has basically ended any traveling for years after having kids. I just don’t know if we should be spending the points to go somewhere else instead of back to japan right away.

 

[Haley R]

Really? No Disney Parks? But there's new shows: Song of Mirage in TDS and Jamboree Mickey in TDL. A new ride in TDS: Soaring: Fantastic Flight. And the Christmas parade and Christmas harbor shows.

But I totally understand the feeling about Japan. Tokyo is my favorite vacation destination and even without Disney, there's plenty to do and see (although I don't think I would be going so frequently if not for TDR).

Haha no, Dh has no desire to go back to TDR right away. I honestly wouldn’t mind going back for the Christmas stuff but we really want it to be more of a relaxing-walk through the park (literally) kind of trip. Our plan would be to go for just a week so I’m not sure if we would even have time for TDR

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

I have three kids and have been traveling with them since they were babies. My kids have been to 21 countries and they are 11, 14 and 15. Don't let babies stop you from traveling! Plus, it shapes them in ways that will amaze you, even when they are really young.

I loved Japan, too, but I recommend trying somewhere new! Italy is my favorite place in the whole world and it's a lot easier to get to. Iceland, Costa Rica, both very amazing places to visit.

 

[wongck]

We took nearly 24 hrs flight to get to WDW when my youngest was 2.5 years old.... so that he can enjoy WDW free LOL

 

[Haley R]

I have three kids and have been traveling with them since they were babies. My kids have been to 21 countries and they are 11, 14 and 15. Don't let babies stop you from traveling! Plus, it shapes them in ways that will amaze you, even when they are really young.

I loved Japan, too, but I recommend trying somewhere new! Italy is my favorite place in the whole world and it's a lot easier to get to. Iceland, Costa Rica, both very amazing places to visit.

The main issue is we would wanna go in November so it would have to be somewhere that’s easy to plan on such short notice. We would be using chase points to book flights. If we went to Europe it would be the UK. I’m just not sure if we could plan something on such short notice. We would only have one week. One thing we love most about japan is how safe it is. We walked around a lot at night without ever feeling unsafe. Are Iceland and Costa Rica pretty safe? Are they easy places to go without a big plan?

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

The main issue is we would wanna go in November so it would have to be somewhere that’s easy to plan on such short notice. We would be using chase points to book flights. If we went to Europe it would be the UK. I’m just not sure if we could plan something on such short notice. We would only have one week. One thing we love most about japan is how safe it is. We walked around a lot at night without ever feeling unsafe. Are Iceland and Costa Rica pretty safe? Are they easy places to go without a big plan?

Iceland is super safe, like Japan. Costa Rica has its spots that would not be considered safe, like downtown San Jose, but once you are out in say Tamarindo or La Fortuna, then it's fine. Both places could easily be planned with little or no notice. Iceland, you really just need a car rental and a place to stay and the rest can be done on the fly. Costa Rica would take a little more planning because you would want to visit the beach and likely the volcano for hot sprints, etc. But could still be done pretty simply once there.

 

[indoshakespeare]

In a way, travelling with babies and toddlers are easier than travelling with school age children. Babies and toddlers cant protest so you can go wherever you want. Once theyve grown up a bit, they will have wants and needs so you need to cater them a bit

For example, my 6 year old daughter doesnt like DisneySea and insists that we go to Disneyland only

 

[Haley R]

Iceland is super safe, like Japan. Costa Rica has its spots that would not be considered safe, like downtown San Jose, but once you are out in say Tamarindo or La Fortuna, then it's fine. Both places could easily be planned with little or no notice. Iceland, you really just need a car rental and a place to stay and the rest can be done on the fly. Costa Rica would take a little more planning because you would want to visit the beach and likely the volcano for hot sprints, etc. But could still be done pretty simply once there.

Okay thanks for the info! Dh and I have talked about it and right now we just aren’t sure. I’d like to go somewhere in November and I’m now leaning towards something new like Iceland. Another option for us could be a Disney cruise. They have last minute deals occasionally for Florida residents but we couldn’t use our chase points for that. I guess we could cash them out.

So now I need to figure out if we do go to Iceland what our plan would be and if we could get there using chase points

 

[Haley R]

In a way, travelling with babies and toddlers are easier than travelling with school age children. Babies and toddlers cant protest so you can go wherever you want. Once theyve grown up a bit, they will have wants and needs so you need to cater them a bit

For example, my 6 year old daughter doesnt like DisneySea and insists that we go to Disneyland only

That’s funny about your daughter lol. I’ve actually heard that from a couple people how it’s easier with little ones. I guess it’ll just depend how we feel after having the first one. Maybe we’ll feel okay with traveling right away

 

[wongck]

For example, my 6 year old daughter doesnt like DisneySea and insists that we go to Disneyland only

After my 6 year old went to WDW, he insisted on going to Disney every year.

 

[indoshakespeare]

That’s funny about your daughter lol. I’ve actually heard that from a couple people how it’s easier with little ones. I guess it’ll just depend how we feel after having the first one. Maybe we’ll feel okay with traveling right away

We're not Americans though so the argument "Tokyo Disneyland has the same rides as Disneyland or Magic Kingdom" doesnt apply to us. Tokyo Disneyland is our castle park.

 

[Haley R]

We're not Americans though so the argument "Tokyo Disneyland has the same rides as Disneyland or Magic Kingdom" doesnt apply to us. Tokyo Disneyland is our castle park.

That’s true, that makes sense. Dh and I actually liked Disneyland more than disneysea.

 

[gelatoni fan]

It took me a long time to decide which park I liked better but I have a lot more fun at Disneyland. I think I would appreciate DisneySea a lot more if I went to the other parks and cruise lines often enough to fully experience the S.E.A. story.

 

[LovesTimone]

Dh and I were talking about how much we loved Japan. I knew I would like it but I seriously have been thinking about going back ever since the trip got over. We are wanting to start a family soon so it’s kind of now or never if we wanna go back. We started entertaining the idea of going back this year even in November. I’m not sure it’ll work out but it’s always fun to try planning a trip!

We would only stay in Tokyo this time for a week and no Disney parks. The parks were fun but we absolutely loved Tokyo. The whole city is so amazing and there are so many more things to do and see. We talked about just walking around with hardly any plan and just enjoying ourselves. I already messaged the Airbnb host to see her dates but I can see her availability is slim pickings for the rest of this year. She’s very popular!

I’m sure we’re probably crazy for even thinking this but you only live once right?

I say go for it Haley.... if you can manage it then.... I would go for it...

 

[Haley R]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. We’ve decided we’re going to try a Disney cruise instead. They usually have some decent last minute Florida resident deals so that’s what we’re gonna try. We will absolutely be back to japan, most likely after the big land expansion is finished.