Tokyo Disney on 2 Weeks’ Notice: Hightower Halloween Costume!

[simzac]

Wow, 34 pages, 500 posts, and you just finished day one at TDS. This is certainly one amazing trip report. Keep up the great work.

 

[A-T-G]

Wow! That is one heckuva update! I'm sooooo wanting to go to this park - thankyouthankyouthankyou for these pics!

 

[beatlesblonde]

I'm with everyone else, AMAZING update Carrie! I've now officially decided that DH and I are going there for our 5 year anniversary (we were debating between Tokyo or Paris, but your TR has made it an easier decision). If you can plan a trip like that in 2 weeks, I hope I can do as well with 4.5 years to plan

 

[DizneyDogs]

I love the "closed" sign on ToT. My fave ride in WDW. Well I've only been to WDW. No other Disney park.

I don't understand why they changed the story. I think the original story is excellent. I prefer it.

From what I have read the reason they had to change the story was because the Japanese are not familiar with the Twilight Zone television series.

 

[ChrisFL]

From what I have read the reason they had to change the story was because the Japanese are not familiar with the Twilight Zone television series.

Correct, it would be unrecognizable to them. It might have worked but I like the fact that Disney came up with a unique storyline for the Tokyo version, it just gives another reason to experience that one, instead of the same story in 4 different parks.

 

[Aburns8]

Love the update Carrie! Those parks have an amazing amount of detail! I love the TOT. And that character does have a Joe Rhode look to him. I should start saving my money to take a trip to Japan in about 5 years. That looks awesome! After reading your trip report so far I have decided that my husband and I need to go, on the off season of course!

 

[rockstargeisha]

I cannot wait to visit Tokyo Disney Sea. I absolutely adore the architecture and theming. Thank you for such detailed photos. The story about Duffy was really interesting.

 

[torsie24]

Awesome update! Thanks again Carrie.

I'm having to try and stop Jack from spending wedding savings on flights to Tokyo!

When you posted the first photos of the ToT gift shop I thought "that's like the Biltmore pool" and was excited when you agreed. I stayed there a couple of years ago and found it a really impressive building.

 

[kcampbell]

I didn't even get a chance to comment on your day at TDL. TDH- beautiful!! Personally, (from your pictures) I think it kicks the Grand's bootay! I seriously let out many expletives from your pictures of the FP line for Thunder. Wowsers! SCARY Fairy Godmother. Did the American FG call in sick? I have to agree about the Fireworks....something had to be sub-par.

TDS: A-frickin'-mazing! I truly can't get over all the elaborate detailing! Thanks for all the pics. It's funny- I remember chuckling at the Japanese tourists in Hawaii & WDW for stopping every 2 minutes to take a picture especially of "normal" things, but now I totally get it. If I were in Japan I'd take as many pics as possible too! I love the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge! What a gem you found (but I don't get the cocktail sauce on roast beef either). I can't wait to read more about your trip!

 

[lurkyloo]

All I can say is WOW.

After this update, I have a new desire to go to Tokyo. Wow! That place looks amazing. I hate that it might not have gone quite as well as you hoped (with the cold and rain and all!), but it looks like you got to see a lot of things! And what a fabulous view from your room!

Yeah, I don't know what my problem was—we were in TOKYO DISNEY fer cryin' out loud!

Wwwoooowww! I'm speechless! And yet here I am typing something...

Between your report and Jack Spence's TDL travelogue from a while back, I guess I need to put this destination on my bucket list. The detailing and over-the-top theming are just so unbelieveable.

Absolutely! In fact, I think I'm booting Disneyland Paris OFF my bucket list so there's room to go to Tokyo Disney again!

great update! I am getting even more excited for my Sept trip and thanks for posting all the menus too that has really helped since I am picky eater and it's hard to find many details on what they serve.

Yes! I am picky in that I don't like fruit and only eat certain vegetables, but Tokyo Disney was a haven for me. It's all meat and fried fish and starch!

a
m
a
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i
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That park looks incredible..and YOUR attention to detail is superb...I am enjoying everything about this report..thank you so much, again, for sharing!

Yay! So glad you like it! I try to edit the photos down, but it's so overwhelming that I just throw 'em all in—it's good to know you like detail!

Monorail wait times! Cool!

That running business is too funny! Sounds like being commando is definitely the thing to do - pack that fun in until it hurts!

Seriously. I actually kinda love it, cuz I always *want* to run at rope-drop in the US parks but am not allowed. In Tokyo, it's expected!

Even with the cold, rain, and crabby attitude...I am insanely jealous! So amazing.

You are totally gonna love it!

Once again, I'm amazed! All of the attention to detail and the theming in each area of your report are crazy! I love that DisneySea is a unique experience, not just a copy of the "other parks." I can't wait to Sea more! Okay, pretend you didn't sea that - somebody stop me!

Wow! Fantastic update-- I wanna go! Loved seeing their version of ToT. Interesting story about the Duffy phenom.

The crazy part is, *I* almost bought a Duffy, and I don't even like him! It must be something in the water.

What does the little Chandu (that Patrick might have purchased) do?

Ok. I love those ears. They may be tacky, but I do lol

I think it's a ring holder! Don't tell Patrick. He uses it to keep all our leftover Japanese coins. And I totally LOVED those ears. I just couldn't imagine myself actually wearing them, so I didn't get them.

Wow, 34 pages, 500 posts, and you just finished day one at TDS.

Don't remind me! I think we're only about halfway through the 3 weeks at this point!

Wow! That is one heckuva update! I'm sooooo wanting to go to this park - thankyouthankyouthankyou for these pics!

You gotta go! You gotta go!

I'm with everyone else, AMAZING update Carrie! I've now officially decided that DH and I are going there for our 5 year anniversary (we were debating between Tokyo or Paris, but your TR has made it an easier decision).

Hooray!! And if you ever start to change your mind, just ask PrincessShea to tell you about her trip to Disneyland Paris a few weeks ago....

Correct, it would be unrecognizable to them. It might have worked but I like the fact that Disney came up with a unique storyline for the Tokyo version, it just gives another reason to experience that one, instead of the same story in 4 different parks.

Yeah, I love that it's different, and I think it's much more creative and interesting a story than the original!

Love the update Carrie! Those parks have an amazing amount of detail! I love the TOT. And that character does have a Joe Rhode look to him. I should start saving my money to take a trip to Japan in about 5 years. That looks awesome! After reading your trip report so far I have decided that my husband and I need to go, on the off season of course!

Yes! Off season is the best! Saving is the hard part (for me, anyway) cuz it all feels so abstract and far-off, but I'll keep feeding you pictures to keep you inspired!

I cannot wait to visit Tokyo Disney Sea. I absolutely adore the architecture and theming.

I once spent a day just soaking in the theming on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland. It would take me a MONTH to do that at TDS!

When you posted the first photos of the ToT gift shop I thought "that's like the Biltmore pool" and was excited when you agreed. I stayed there a couple of years ago and found it a really impressive building.

That is so cool! We love the Biltmore—I liked staying there just to be able to swim in the pool. Good luck hanging on to your wedding savings!

I didn't even get a chance to comment on your day at TDL. TDH- beautiful!! Personally, (from your pictures) I think it kicks the Grand's bootay! I seriously let out many expletives from your pictures of the FP line for Thunder. Wowsers! SCARY Fairy Godmother. Did the American FG call in sick?

I wondered about that too! I mean, they import gorgeous American girls to play all the princesses—couldn't they find a matronly American woman to bring over too?

 

[Disneygrl36]

Another amazing update. I had read about DisneySea & always thought it looked over the top amazing & now I know that is true.

ABD must do a trip there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have never really wanted to go to Japan but this is really making me want to go. Imagineering genius with no holds barred money to back it up=unbelievable parks.

 

[ChrisFL]

TDS: A-frickin'-mazing! I truly can't get over all the elaborate detailing! Thanks for all the pics. It's funny- I remember chuckling at the Japanese tourists in Hawaii & WDW for stopping every 2 minutes to take a picture especially of "normal" things, but now I totally get it. If I were in Japan I'd take as many pics as possible too! I love the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge! What a gem you found (but I don't get the cocktail sauce on roast beef either). I can't wait to read more about your trip!

Definitely agree about the photos. I spent one day at DisneySea, sadly wasn't feeling well to go on the rides, but I took pictures.

Realize that I almost never ever take pictures anywhere I go....I took 400 that day in DisneySea ALONE!! And I still missed many of the details that Lurkyloo picked up on...

DisneySea is just one of a kind, IMO it's off the charts as far as theming goes, and it's just got so many incredible areas.

I agree 100% about the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. I went there mid-afternoon to sit with a drink and dessert and relax....on those huge, super comfortable leather couches....I nearly fell asleep I was sooo relaxed and happy!!!

Every Disney park should have a place like that, but hidden, or only for special people (meaning like D23 members or something)

 

[praisehisname]

Wow...way too much to comment on, but wow... I seriously want to go visit now, and I never had any desire before!

One thing that jumped out at me was the popcorn buckets--there seem to be many different designs, one was even from Halloween. Were they selling Halloween buckets while you were there, or can you bring your bucket back to be refilled?

 

[jsilvers]

Most of the queue is upstairs. It takes you to a set of industrial-looking elevators that will lower you miles down into the volcano to catch another ride further down into… the Center of the Earth!

The elevators are a stroke of genius. The theming is pitch-perfect Jules Verne, and although you're probably only going down a couple of stories, the sound design and lighting changes make you feel like you're really going down as many levels as the indicator shows.

Actually, the queue is DOWNSTAIRS. The elevators aren't descending at all - they're going up. Remember that when you leave the ride, you go down a set of stairs to get back where you started. Apparently the illusion worked!...

 

[simzac]

Actually, the queue is DOWNSTAIRS. The elevators aren't descending at all - they're going up. Remember that when you leave the ride, you go down a set of stairs to get back where you started. Apparently the illusion worked!...

Not trying to start an aurgument, but how does where you exit attraction affect where you board an attraction?

 

[jsilvers]

Not trying to start an aurgument, but how does where you exit attraction affect where you board an attraction?

For starters, because if you look around the corner from the front of the unload platform, you can see the back of the load platform.

Virtually every Disney ride that has a separate unload/load area (i.e., Buzz Lightyear, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Nemo, Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, etc.) has them in close proximity, although it isn't always possible to see between them, especially for indoor attractions (i.e., the Pirates boats pass through a low-ceilinged tunnel).

It would make very little sense to build a ride with lengthy backstage track that would serve no purpose other than to move ride vehicles to a different floor between the load/unload platforms. The one exception that occurs to me is the DHS version of the Tower of Terror, but it's a special case, since the attraction is primarily an elevator, and thus can move vertically...

 

[kcampbell]

Definitely agree about the photos. I spent one day at DisneySea, sadly wasn't feeling well to go on the rides, but I took pictures.

Realize that I almost never ever take pictures anywhere I go....I took 400 that day in DisneySea ALONE!! And I still missed many of the details that Lurkyloo picked up on...

DisneySea is just one of a kind, IMO it's off the charts as far as theming goes, and it's just got so many incredible areas.

I agree 100% about the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. I went there mid-afternoon to sit with a drink and dessert and relax....on those huge, super comfortable leather couches....I nearly fell asleep I was sooo relaxed and happy!!!

Every Disney park should have a place like that, but hidden, or only for special people (meaning like D23 members or something)

We never take pictures anywhere either it seems and then I get home and am like, "what was I thinking!". I've been to WDW so many times that I think I can't get into photo taking. But for TDS...I totally could and can understand taking 400 pics in a day!
Carrie- you and Patrick do get incredibly detailed shots and I find it inspiring!

That lounge looks relaxing enough to take a nap in (esp after an adult beverage! ) WDW did have the lounge in The Land (I think) open for APholders a few years ago which was nice and needs to happen again! It would really be great for every park to have a little "hideaway".

 

[disney_princess_85]

Wow, Mediterranean Harbor looks beautiful at night! That whole area, along with the MiraCosta, reminds me of Portofino Bay at Universal.

You should've bought the glass! I'm a sucker for themed glassware.

Awesome update, as usual. More please!

 

[lurkyloo]

ABD must do a trip there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes! In fact, I'm really surprised they don't have and Adventures By Disney trip already, because Tokyo is definitely a destination that many Americans would rather just buy a package tour to cuz the planning seems overwhelming. The only thing I can think of is that maybe they would have to charge soooo much money to be able to put you up that they think no one would sign up.

I agree 100% about the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. I went there mid-afternoon to sit with a drink and dessert and relax....on those huge, super comfortable leather couches....I nearly fell asleep I was sooo relaxed and happy!!!

Totally! I can't remember—did they have a fire in the fireplace? They should have...

Wow...way too much to comment on, but wow... I seriously want to go visit now, and I never had any desire before!

One thing that jumped out at me was the popcorn buckets--there seem to be many different designs, one was even from Halloween. Were they selling Halloween buckets while you were there, or can you bring your bucket back to be refilled?

Yes! I think I'll touch on that in Day 10 or maybe Day 9 at the end. So the deal with the popcorn buckets is that they do come in different designs and the designs change all the time. People collect them. Certain designs and flavors can only be purchased at certain popcorn carts. And you can refill them for about half the cost of the bucket (but it's still cheaper to just buy popcorn in a cardboard box). We saw lots of buckets from months and years ago that people keep bringing back to the park with them.

Actually, the queue is DOWNSTAIRS. The elevators aren't descending at all - they're going up. Remember that when you leave the ride, you go down a set of stairs to get back where you started. Apparently the illusion worked!...

You know, somebody on MiceChat just pointed this out to me, and I'm so excited that we were fooled! All of us—I mentioned it to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law yesterday and they hadn't figured it out either. I'm just thrilled to find a Disney illusion that still works on me! You get to know so much about the parks that a bit of the magic is lost...

Carrie- you and Patrick do get incredibly detailed shots and I find it inspiring!

Hey, thanks! Patrick loooooves his detail shots, whereas I'm always gesturing toward 270-degree panoramas and asking him "Can you take a picture of ALL of this?"


That lounge looks relaxing enough to take a nap in (esp after an adult beverage! ) WDW did have the lounge in The Land (I think) open for APholders a few years ago which was nice and needs to happen again! It would really be great for every park to have a little "hideaway".

Yes! I'm bummed we missed that. We had something sort of like that at Disneyland when the Disney Gallery was still in the space above New Orleans Square. I mean, it was the gallery and anyone could go in, but it was usually very quiet and uncrowded and you could just sit on the balcony and enjoy the view.

You should've bought the glass! I'm a sucker for themed glassware.

We thought about it, but I was pretty sure it would arrive home in a thousand million pieces!

 

[lurkyloo]

I have 400 pictures from our second day at Tokyo DisneySea (and that's *after* editing), so I'm going to break this day's report up into two installments.

Day 9 started with a bang, or at least with a "vroom-VROOOOM!" After I woke up to yer typical "Where the H am I?!" hotel-room freak out, my next thought was, "And what the H is that NOISE?!" It was bunch of guys on jet skis practicing in the lagoon.

After a good night's sleep, things looked much better. It was still cold and rainy out, but this time we were going to be bundled up, and the pressure to see and do it all was gone. The goal for Thursday was to collect FASTPASSes and check out areas and attractions in Tokyo DisneySea that we'd missed the day before. And take lots and lots of pictures…

We did start the day off in the big opening crowd, but it was much easier to do as a MiraCosta guest. They line you up in my favorite hall, the one leading from the lobby to the convention center, and about 15 minutes before park opening, you proceed down the stairs to Mira Costa's private entrance. Once inside, you can walk up to the rope-drop areas on either side of the lagoon and wait for the park to open. Then you have a head start to the FASTPASS machines for either Tower of Terror or Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I waited at the rope so Patrick could wander around taking more pictures.

Love the post pile effect!

Can you spot Gigantor?

This is where they hold you for rope drop on the Mysterious Island side of the lagoon