Would you go and where would you stay??

[Melora]

Jeff (the hubby) wants to go to Japan this summer to participate in a training seminar for the style of Karate that he holds a black belt in. We had talked about this a few months ago and he said that it would make a good family trip as well.

I REALLY want to go to Japan (its about an 8 day trip) and was looking forward to it. Then last night he said he didnt think it would be good to bring the family (apparantly none of the other teachers are bringing theirs) because the training runs about 8 hours a day and its located in a small town without much to do. (I would have my 3 year old with me as well as the 3 older kids). He said because I don't speak Japanese it would hard for me to get around, its not like Tokyo, and there simply would not be enough to keep everyone busy for 6 days (2 days are travel). While I agree that I would be alone in country where I do not know enough of the language to communicate, and that it really is just a small village setting with no shopping etc, I felt really bad and kind of mad that suddenly I can't go.

SOOOOOOOOooooooo (ok I know my quick explanations ALWAYS turn into novels) I asked him if it was OK if I took the kids and went somewhere really fun while he was gone.

He said whatever I wanted to do was fine. So of course I think Disneyworld! We have annual passes so there isnt an issue of having to pay for that part of the trip and I guess I could try to get a good deal on airfare, now I need help to decide if its really too crowded to go the last week of July.. (and hot and humid too!)

Also should I get a moderate resort and stuff all 5 of us into a room or go a little better and get a 1 bedroom at one of the other places? I really don't think I would like the all stars because Im afraid it would just be too noisy etc. (We have always stayed at Old Key West..its so relaxing!)

Any advice would be appreciated.... (or if anyone has a better idea of a week vacation for me and 4 kids!)

 

[DoeWDW]

If I were sitting at home with 4 kids while DH was in Japan, I'd be spending my days wondering how he's doing and focused on when he'd be back. I think if I took the kids to Disney World I could feel like he's enjoying his trip and I could focus on making great memories with the kids at the World. I say go!

Since the youngest is 3, you could stay at Port Orleans Riverside and use one of the trundle beds to fit 5 in the room. If you splurge on a deluxe resort, the Beach Club has rooms with 2 beds and a daybed - my petite daughter slept very comfortably on the daybed when she was 8 or 9.

Best wishes with whatever you decide!

 

[Rajah]

I don't know, I'd still want to go to Japan.

But maybe you could go spend a lot of time in the Japan pavilion at Epcot instead?

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I would want to go to Japan to experience it, but I don't think I would go under those circumstances. With 4 kids I would want help with them in a foreign city, so I say go to WDW and have a blast, then you can focus on having fun and he can focus and not worry about you.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I'd look into it a little more before giving up. How far is it to Tokyo/TokyoDisney? Is it commutable by train to Tokyo Disney, they have a stop that takes you right there. I was there last year on business, but had to come back to the US quickly when the war started etc. I never made it to TDL, but I think I will have the opportunity to go back.

As far as the not speaking Japanese part, it may be true in the smaller villages, but if you go to the city you will be able to manage.

One thing I would not recommend is renting a car...they don't have street names out there it is all done by city block/sector - kind of like your tax bill identifier.

If you still can't go, I'd head to WDW for some fun.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Are there any relatives that you would trust to watch the kids so you can go to Japan with your husband? With four kids you probably don't have much time alone together. This might be a great opportunity for both of you. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa can bring the kids to WDW. That way everyone is happy!

 

[isyne4u]

Take the kids to WDW. Then have him take you to Tokyo for your anniversary, birthday, or just because he owes you one!!

Go have fun!
tara

 

[Melora]

I was talking to Jeff about it again this morning and he showed me on the map that where he is going. It is on one of the smaller islands in Southern Japan. There is no ability to take a train anywhere. He got the schedule this morning via email and it is 5-8 hours of training and seminars a day.

I would definately be on my own most of the time and with a little kid, just walking and enjoying the small town would not be too fun for him..or the 9 year old for that matter.

Unfortunately there is no relative that I could leave the kids with.

I was talking to Emily this morning about it and as I was reminding her that we were going to go and then Jeff thought it wasnt a good idea she started really scowling..I mentioned WDW and she just lit up and said "I thought you were going to tell me that you and the boys were going but we (her and her sister) were going to have to go dads house in seattle."

Then she started jumpng around and saying what great idea it was!

Guess we'll be going! Now I just have to prepare myself for the heat!! (and crowds!)

and decide where to stay!

 

[lilboo]

It's a shame you will be missing Japan...even the countryside is worthwhile in my opinion. What is the name of the town...it can't be so obscure that they'd have foreigners from all over the world convene there, can it? Is he flying into Osaka?

WDW will be fun though, depending on the age of the kids, they'll probably have a better time there too.

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by Melora
So of course I think Disneyworld! We have annual passes so there isnt an issue of having to pay

Ha ha! My first reaction to this was... you nitwit! Disney World isn't in Japan! It's DisneyLAND over there! Then I saw you really DID mean WDW.

Heck, if you can afford to fly the entire family to Japan, why don't you just go to Tokyo with the kids and have him meet you over there afterwards? No way would WDW suffice after I had my heart set on Japan.

 

[Melora]

The town is Naha on Okinawa. It's where one of the karate masters has his dojo. Just beautiful! And they do Kata right on the beach. Jeff says that smaller towns, especially in Okinawa are not as open to outsiders (there have been several bad incidents with US military men over there ) and even though he says no one would be mean to me, they aren't as open to helping outsiders as they are in Tokyo. I was looking at pictures of where it is and it is GORGEOUS but it is a very small area with little to do for days on end with little kids.

I did think about flying there and then having him meet me in Tokyo. He would be going with a group from his Dojo so they would get discounted group rates for airfare (I think) so he would have to fly with them to and from. But I may be wrong. I may run that thought by him. But now WDW is sounding pretty good... Just me and the kids!

 

[*Fantasia*]

This is your chance to experience Japan. I say go to Tokyo and visit Disneyland there. Then meet with him later at where he is at. OR have your husband meet you in Tokyo so he can go to Disneyland there too. I say go to Japan and experience the other side of the "World."

 

[Stepharoonie!]

Now, why does Lost In Translation come to mind???

 

[my3kids]

I've been to Japan, both the larger cities and the small, remote towns. My fondest memories and best experiences were in the isolated areas. The interaction with the people, experiencing their culture was an experience of a lifetime.

Get a pocket English to Japanese dictionary and go abroad.

 

[hydster]

When I was in High School my drill team won an opportunity to compete for the World Drill competition in Tokyo and it only cost my parents about $250.00 total for airfare and everything else. It was a great deal and I was really excited to go. I was 18 young and I admit maybe bored easily but on the flight over and back I thought I would go absolutely insane! The time change was hard for me at 18..I cant imagine dragging 4 kids with me on as long of a flight as that one would be especially with one of them being 3 (unless your 3 year old is really really really good about flying for that many hours) but the time change messed us up at 18. It was a great experience and one that I would in time like my children to experience (or something like it) but I dont know if I would want to be all alone in a country where I didnt speak the language with 4 kids all by myself all day long. We got on the wrong train in Tokyo and ended up in the middle of a small village area *have no idea of where or the name or anything* but it was really hard because the people there didnt speak English at all and trying to figure out how to get back to Tokyo was scary (not because they were mean or anything just the language barrier) and I doubt if I could have handled that with kids by myself. I think I'd tell hubby to take you there another time when the kids are older and just go to WDW. We stay in POR with our 3 kids and use the trundle and it is fine.

JMHO
HEidi