Originally Posted By 962 This is my first post here. I apologize if this has been discussed before. I looking for help on another Disney Parks forum and someone there told me that LP was better for TDL Resort information. I have not had an easy time finding information about Japan, Tokyo, or TDL in English. I have the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides guidebooks that only have a little bit of information about TDL. I have also written to the tourism bureau of Japan (Los Angeles branch) and they sent me what they could, which was mostly maps and subway schedule that will be helpful once I'm there, but aren't much use in the planning stage. I've read a couple of really great trip reports online that have helped much more than the books I paid $30 each for ever will. I just have a few questions that hopefully you folks can help me with. One thing that came up a lot in trip reports that I read was that a lot of theme parks in Japan are designed for Japanese people, who are shorter on average than the typical westerner. Will a 6'1 guy (average build) "fit in" at TDL and TDS? I know I'm probably out of luck at some of the local parks, but I haven't read much about it at TDL Resort. We're planning to make the trip in June of 2007. Is June going to be bad as far as crowds and the weather is? I know it might be rainy, but will the heat and humidity be as bad as it is in July or August? Will the rain cause the cancellation of any shows? Currently, I am anticipating getting the 3 day park hopper. I have been to WDW twice and worked at DL for 4 years so I figure one day at TDL will be sufficient. I'm thinking of arriving early in the morning on the first day and having my luggage sent to the hotel (I understand this can be done at the Welcome Center near the train station). However, the more I think about it, the more tempted I am to just stay at a TDL hotel the night before and just going to the parks the second day of my trip. This adds an additional day at a pricey hotel to my bill but my thinking was that it would be better to start the TDL part of our trip this way rather than getting up early in the morning, fighting early morning rush hour on the trains with all our luggage, etc. My original plan was to splurge a little and stay at the MiraCosta hotel, but the more I read, the more I hear people saying that the Tokyo Bay Hilton is better. They say it is cheaper, has bigger rooms, and a nicer view. The major amenity I would miss out on would be the ability to have purchases made in the parks delivered to the hotel. By the way, does anyone know if there is package express (delivery to the front gate) at TDL? Also, would it be difficult arranging delivery to either the hotel or front gate for English speakers? Also, I was wondering if there was anyplace to keep luggage after you check out of your room (such as with a bellman). Since tipping is not customary there I was thinking that perhaps they might charge for something like that. Thanks in advance for any advice. I like to help as I am helped so if anyone else planning a trip to Japan has any questions please feel free to ask. I know how hard it is to get information.
Originally Posted By 962 Oh, forgot to ask: is it as competitive for dining reservations there as it can be here (especially at WDW)? Do I really need to decide where I want to eat 6 months in advance? thanks again.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Sorry I can't really help you with most of your questions, but I know that you will have no problem fitting into the rides in TDS. I'm also 6'1", and I was there about two months ago, and the thought never really crossed my mind. You will have to hunch over on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, but it is nothing too bad. You could still see without hunching over, but you will feel like you're missing out on some things. I haven't been to TDL since I was quite a bit shorter, so I can't really help you, but I would say that their rides are mostly about the same size as their American counterparts.
Originally Posted By SuperDry First, welcome to LP! <<< Will a 6'1 guy (average build) "fit in" at TDL and TDS? >>> I'm 6'0" and I can ride all of the attractions. Some attractions with lap bars will be tight and take a bit of extra time to get in and out of, but you should be able to squeeze into everything. The greeter CM at an attraction may warn you that it will be tight, or in some cases take you aside to measure you (for example, Raging Spirits at TDS has a 6'4" maximum height), but you should be fine. June is the rainy season. Be prepared for lots of rain, and when it's not raining, it may be hot and humid. <<< By the way, does anyone know if there is package express (delivery to the front gate) at TDL? Also, would it be difficult arranging delivery to either the hotel or front gate for English speakers? >>> I'm not aware of a front gate delivery option. As far as delivery to a room at the Ambassador or MiraCosta, language will not be a problem - just show your room key and gesture wildly and they'll get the picture . <<< Also, I was wondering if there was anyplace to keep luggage after you check out of your room (such as with a bellman). Since tipping is not customary there I was thinking that perhaps they might charge for something like that. >>> The bellman (which more often than not is actually a bellwoman) will check your bags at the bell desk (or retrieve them from your room with a cart if you desire) and store them free of charge. No tipping required or expected (or perhaps accepted even if offered) even for this extra service. Much has been written already about the Hilton vs. MiraCosta, which apparently you've already found. Just speaking about the view, I don't know how you could beat a Harbor-view (or even Venice-view) room at the MiraCosta. Whether that view is worth twice the price of the Hilton is in the eye of the beholder.
Originally Posted By TDR_Fan I agree. The view from the Hilton cannot even compare to the view from the MiraCosta. Not only can you watch the lagoon shows, you can also hear relaxing music pour in from the park if you open the window. Seeing the volcano erupt from time to time is also fantastic. Location truly is the biggest advantage of the MiraCosta, and it takes less than one minute to get from your room to the hotel. Worth every penny!
Originally Posted By Faith I'd agree that the MiraCosta is amazingly special, as well as with the fact that you need to decide if it's worth paying 2-3 times a night more for that special magic. I've done it once, with a perfect Porto Paradiso view... seeing them rehearse the water show in the morning... just wonderful. But now I'm more apt to stay at the Sheraton or Hilton (I somewhat prefer the Sheraton) where I've been able to find terrific rates- both lovely hotels, wonderful service, and very convenient. But if money was no object, I'd stay at the MiraCosta. I'm sure you'll have an amazing time wherever you end up staying. BTW, in case you want to read another trip report... mine are at: <a href="http://theatrefest.com/disney/parks.asp?park=TDR" target="_blank">http://theatrefest.com/disney/ parks.asp?park=TDR</a> *sob* It's been a whole year since I've been to TDR!
Originally Posted By 962 Thanks for all the advice. Faith, I'm reading your trip report right after this post. I have found trip reports from theme park enthutiasts and people in coaster clubs to be much more help that any other source. Even when not at amusement parks, they're better reads than most anything else I've gotten ahold of about Japan. The professionally written books seem to be great if you want to spend your whole trip at museums, shrines, and hot springs (or bars in the case of Lonely Planet). I understand why they don't offer one, but it would be nice if TDL offered free planning DVDs like the US parks do. I would even be willing to pay for the shipping, but again I can see why they wouldn't offer one internationally. I'm planning a side trip to Osaka for Universal just because they still have the ET Adventure there and there even less info about that. Still, you guys have sold me on the MiraCosta. I heard June would be hot and humid (although not as bad as July or August), but we picked that time to go since it was their "value" season so we might as well take advantage of it. I've survived WDW in August/September so I'll give Japan in June a shot. I'm more worried about the humidity than the heat really. Hopefully when I'm there language won't be a problem. I can speak some basic Chinese so maybe I can use that when English fails. But beyond weather and language my biggest worry is coming to love TDL so much that DL can't compare with it. Then again people told be that would happen after I went to WDW and it didn't so we'll see. Thanks again for all the advice and if there's anything else that might help please post.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I was in Tokyo in June (only for a couple days), but it really wasn't that hot or humid when I was there. One day it was overcast and pretty comfortable (when I was in TDS), and the other days were sunny and warm, but not hot. But, this was after coming from Hong Kong, where I don't think could have been any hotter or more humid, so it may have just been perception. I would say that if you can handle WDW when its hot and gross, you should be fine. And the crowds were practically non-existant, which was great!
Originally Posted By 962 That's a good point Ferret. I was in Taiwan 2 years ago when they had a huge tourism promotion where most government institutions were free for anyone with a foreign passport. I went in July and it was pretty hot and humid, but actually a little better than WDW. Japan is about 10 degrees F cooler than Taiwan so that eases my fears about the weather a little. Plus you have a great point about the lighter crowds Faith- I've been reading your trip reports and they are great. I have to try a Mister Donut. May I ask, how do you find out what musicals are playing in Japan and are they performed in Japanese? BTW, I hate the LeFou segment in B&B as well.
Originally Posted By Faith >>Faith- I've been reading your trip reports and they are great. I have to try a Mister Donut. May I ask, how do you find out what musicals are playing in Japan and are they performed in Japanese? BTW, I hate the LeFou segment in B&B as well.<< Thanks for the compliment! Yeah, the shows I've seen in Japan are performed in Japanese (although I'm told that next spring, my favorite German show, Elisabeth, will be performed in German...) There's a couple main sites that have the list of shows playing in Tokyo... Toho theatre: <a href="http://www.toho.co.jp/stage/" target="_blank">http://www.toho.co.jp/stage/</a> (with links on the bottom to their theatres in Osaka and Fukuoka) I prefer them because they have live orchestras, although it seems to be harder to get tickets. Shiki theatre: <a href="http://www.shiki.gr.jp/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.shiki.gr.jp/index.h tml</a> They have theatres all over Japan. There's also an English version, although I'm not sure it's as accurate. Their claim that you can order online from the US didn't seem to work out for me, and they never answered my email about it. (to their credit, Toho did answer an email I'd sent to them asking about the show I wanted to see) I'm a theatre freak, so it was worth it for me to pay for a 3rd party service that actually got the tickets for me, once I did the research and told them what I want. It was really hot and humid when I was in Japan a year ago, especially in Kyushu, but it wasn't so bad. Mostly, I just kept feeling like I wanted to take a shower and change into something fresh-- which wasn't so much a problem at TDR, since I didn't have to be as presentable there as if I was going out. Plus, I wasn't lugging suitcases through the park.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN They would not allow you to haul luggage thru the park. I have seen guests stopped and asked to leave their roller bags in the lockers before entering the park. I wish the had a similar policy at WDW.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Believe it or not.. YES. That seems to be trend now a days at WDW particularly.
Originally Posted By Faith Why would you even want to roll a bag around a theme park?!? When I made my comment, it never even occurred to me that people might actually take luggage to the park with them.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Pin traders bringing their entire inventory of Pins into the parks, and people bringing in their food (to avoid spending in the parks) seem to be the main reasons why. I have also seen some parents brings clean dry clothing for their brats after they spend an entire evening jumping around in the floor level fountains around the parks. Just to name a few reasons why some folks are rolling roller bags thru the parks all day long.
