Using Tokyo Disneyland Hotel As a Base?

[MLL415]

We are disembarking on a cruise in Tokyo on July 1st next summer and we are also new DVC members. I'm thinking of booking Tokyo Disneyland Hotel with DVC points as our base hotel for the 3-4 nights in Tokyo after the cruise. I've read that Tokyo Disneyland is easily accessible on the subway from Tokyo center so I'm assuming the reverse would be true too.

Has anyone done this and what was your experience? Thank you!

 

[gmi3804]

We finished a cruise in March and had a few unwieldy bags, so we just got a cab from the cruise port. They're all lined up on disembarkation day, and they'll guide you to one with no wait. Our fare was around $55 to Fantasy Springs Hotel, and the ride took about 20 minutes.

The walk to the train station from the cruise port was about 3-4 city blocks, which is fine if you don't have bags. We didn't want to have to deal with that, plus transferring, finding room for bags on the trains, etc.

 

[Kwami]

The train ride back to Tokyo Station on the JR Keiyo Line is about 15 minutes, but then you'll have a long walk to get to any other trains. Probably another 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind that you'll have to hold your luggage and possibly have to stand on these trains because they're just like any normal subway trains.

Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is fantastic, so if you're OK with those conditions, then go for it!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

You might want to understand a bit better how to book using DVC points, as it can be challenging. Most hotel bookings at TDR are only 4-5 months in advance, and there's no guarantee you'll get the room via points at that time. It depends completely on availability and the option to make the transaction with points. Also (and I don't mean to tell you something you might already know), you need to have the "right kind" of points to book - most resale contract points won't qualify for use at TDR. Just be sure you know for sure what you can use.

I'd recommend you perhaps book a Plan B on cash (like a TDR Hilton or Sheraton) that you can cancel if you do get the Disneyland Hotel booked. But if you don't, you have a backup and less anxiety a few months from your trip. Sounds like an amazing trip - hope it all works out as you're planning. The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is stunning!

 

[foodiddiedoo]

When my family went to Tokyo 12 years ago, we stayed our entire stay at TDH and took the train into Tokyo on the days we weren’t exploring Disneyland or Tokyo Disney Sea. It wasn’t that much effort and we enjoyed the hotel very much.

 

[Agent 86]

So, you're in Tokyo for 3-4 nights? How many days are you planning to spend at Disneyland and DisneySea?

If you're spending 3 days in the parks and only looking to travel into Tokyo one day, then staying at a Disney hotel would be fine.

But, if you're not visiting the parks or only visiting for one day, then just be aware that your commute times could be a little long. But, it really depends upon where you will be going in Tokyo.

 

[dunkindonut]

It's quite far especially if you use the train. If you're coming from like Shinjuku or something even that is quite a hike, like an hour one way. Car would be substantially faster but also much more expensive.

 

[indoshakespeare]

It's easy. Maihama station to Tokyo station is direct and takes 16 minutes. To go to popular areas in Tokyo, it usually only involves 1 change. To go to Shinjuku and Shibuya, you can change at Shin Kiba and take the Saikyo line. Takes around 45 minutes to go to Shinjuku.

However, it's better to change hotel and stay in Tokyo because hotel prices are cheaper and you don't have to ride back to Maihama after sightseeing.