Originally Posted By Jeff n Orange County OK Posting this up from the Sheraton in Guilin China. After a whirlwind 3 week trip in mainland China and a 1 night stay at HKDLR we found we have a 5 hour layover at Narita next week. After much begging United gave us a 24 hr layover and now we get to go to TDR!!! We have a room in Mira Costa and a short list of attractions to see, Arrive at 1:00 Thursday and Leave at 3:00pm next day. We are big Disney fans AP at DL and go to WDW every 5 yrs, also been to DLP once. Questions: Time is of the Essence, 1.Cab or Bus from Narita? If there is not much price or we can gain some park time I'll take a cab. Opinion? 2. SHOWS- I dont want to miss the Fantasmic of the east when I'm stuck in a kiddie show. Your opinion please. 3. PARKS - I'm mainly intersested in TDS but I've gotta ride Honey Hunt, and see MM revue, suggestions on how to work this? Thanks in advance for all your help, I promise a detailed trip report as well from this lurker. Shey Shey Jeff in Orange County
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<1.Cab or Bus from Narita? If there is not much price or we can gain some park time I'll take a cab. Opinion?>> DO NOT TAKE A CAB. Narita is _very_ far from TDR, and it would cost dearly. Take a limnousine bus instead. <<2. SHOWS- I dont want to miss the Fantasmic of the east when I'm stuck in a kiddie show. Your opinion please.>> I'll let the resident experts answer, as I haven't been to TDR since 2001. I will merely say that all shows at TDR are of a very high caliber. <<3. PARKS - I'm mainly intersested in TDS but I've gotta ride Honey Hunt, and see MM revue, suggestions on how to work this?>> See the other thread: <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/default.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-75376-P-1&Refresh=0505195233&C=1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/de fault.asp?WCI=MsgBoard&WCE=T-75376-P-1&Refresh=0505195233&C=1</a>
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>1.Cab or Bus from Narita? If there is not much price or we can gain some park time I'll take a cab. Opinion?<< DO NOT take a taxi. It will cost you way over a US$100 for a 40 minute ride (or much more if you hit traffic enroute to TDR). Take the Airport Limousine Bus to TDR... it's cheaper and you travel in confort. However keep in mind... it take aprox. 45 mins to arrive at TDR in good traffic conditions and I believe the bus will drop you off at the Miracosta. >>2. SHOWS- I dont want to miss the Fantasmic of the east when I'm stuck in a kiddie show. Your opinion please.<< There is no Fantasmic! show at TDR anywhere. TDL features the Electrical Parade Dreamlights (an updated MSEP) and TDS has "BraviSEAmo!" which is a lagoon show of waters and fire and have not been received well among american fans expecting another Fantasmic! So be cautious about what to choose here since you hardly have time for anything as it is. Also, not sure what you mean by "kiddy show". There are no such shows at TDS, and even those involving the characters are well done and are equally enjoyed by adults. The only Kiddy show I can think of it's at TDL...that "Super Duper Time" show at Plaza Gardens stage. It plays in the daytime only. >>3. PARKS - I'm mainly intersested in TDS but I've gotta ride Honey Hunt, and see MM revue, suggestions on how to work this?<< Hmmm... Are you arriving at TDR at 1pm or NRT Airport at 1pm?? Because as I said... it tales about 2 hrs to get off your flight, collect luggage and arrive at TDR with some luck. But anyways... I would check to see if the "After 3pm passport" is available for TDS and do TDS on the afternoon and evening you arrive. Or else, make a decision to buy the 2-day passport if available on the day of your visit..and do TDS the first night, then get up early the next morning and go to TDL before it opens. Once inside the park...*race* to Hunny Hunt and get in the stand by line.. but *YOU HAVE TO* get there early before the park opens and wait in line to enter the park, then enjoy whatever you can of TDL before it's time to head out to NRT Airport. Any more questions???
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Refer to this site for information on the Narita Airport Limousine Bus schedule and prices. <a href="http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/index.html" target="_blank">http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/ e/index.html</a>
Originally Posted By leemac Jeff that is going to be one heck of a pricey itinerary! If you want to park hop on either days you will need to buy 2 one day passes. No other way around it. In light of your scheduling I would suggest missing the TDR shows. They really won't have a hope in hell of seeing anything else otherwise. I'd also cab it but it will set you back. The limo bus has an really weird timetable and it can make stops at a lot of hotels before you arrive at the MiraCosta. I must admit I don't envy your layover. I'm sure it will leave you with envy that you didn't have enough time to see everything.
Originally Posted By T2YahJP You can use Airport Limousine Bus from Narita Airport to Tokyo Disney Resort area. The Bus leaves at the airport at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 17:00 everyday. It goes to Hotel Mira Costa, Ambassador Hotel and 5 official hotels. So 14:00 bus may be good for you and about 90 min ride takes you to TDR. One way ticket is 2400 Yen, about $21. You can buy a Limousine Bus ticket at counters located in the arrival lobbies at Narita Airport. The bus leave at Hotel Mira Costa, which convenient for you, are 9:02 or 10:37. A next bus leaves at 13:02 and it is too late. Park hour is from 8:00 to 22:00 for TDL and from 9:00 to 21:00 for TDS. The Spring Night Passport, 2900 Yen, guests can enter TDS from 17:00, and After 6 Passport, 2900 Yen, guests can enter TDL from 18:00.
Originally Posted By leemac I would add that you really need a Hunny Hunt Fastpass if you want to do it and that would require you being in line before TDL opens. Even on slow days the FPs run out shortly after park opening. I really would recommend you seeing TDS completely and skipping TDL. You will eat up valuable transit time between the too and need an additional 1 day's entry. TDL is really only an MK clone with a few different experiences.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I must admit I don't envy your layover. I'm sure it will leave you with envy that you didn't have enough time to see everything.<< Truer words could not be said. You need at least 3 days to fully enjoy all the virtues TDR has to offer. Hours at TDR is simply not worth it. >>In light of your scheduling I would suggest missing the TDR shows. They really won't have a hope in hell of seeing anything else otherwise.<< Far from the truth... The TDR shows have the best production values of any shows at any of the other parks...except for DLP's Lion King which is apar from what they do at TDR. Only people who enjoy undercooked productions such as the MK's "Cindy Surprise" or "Cinderellabration Minus the WOW factor" show, or even DCA's misguided "Al does the Improv" show could only say such things.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I would add that you really need a Hunny Hunt Fastpass if you want to do it and that would require you being in line before TDL opens. Even on slow days the FPs run out shortly after park opening.<< Not really Lee. The standby line for Hunny Hunt moves quickly if you go straight to the ride as soon as the park opens and in some instances...it will take longer to get a FP than to do the stand by line first thing in the morning. Also... on average, the Hunny Hunt FPs are available until about 11;45am to noontime, even on the busiest days. However, if you have a whole day at the park, it would be worth it to do the FP line and get a FP for whenever time the machine gives it to you.
Originally Posted By leemac Production values aside (and seeing as you love Minnine O Minnie and One Man's Dream II I can't see how that is flawless entertainment) you get better value for your buck on the rides in such a short stopover. Anyhow aren't Sail Away and Encore! on hiatus? Little Mermaid inside Mermaid Lagoon is the finest of the TDS shows and that has FP. See that one at least. BraviSEAmo! is a real bust. No Fantasmic! and I honestly wouldn't waste time waiting for it if you have such a short timeframe.
Originally Posted By leemac TDLFAN, I've seen Saturdays (like today) when they run out in an hour or two (with a line wrapped around the park). Weekends are chaos at TDL regardless of the season.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Production values aside (and seeing as you love Minnine O Minnie and One Man's Dream II I can't see how that is flawless entertainment)...<< I feel those two shows are more in line with what a "Disney park" show should be as opposed to artsy-fartsy improv and overdrawn braodway wannabe extravaganzas that fall flat. Isn't Snow at DL on hiatus as well??? >> ...you get better value for your buck on the rides in such a short stopover.<< I agree with that. >>Anyhow aren't Sail Away and Encore! on hiatus?<< Do ot know since I have not been to TDR since last April 17th. Have you seen my Universal Studios Japan's 5th anniversary pics yet Lee?? It reminds me of the way WDW used to celebrate their anniversaries... the TDR way.
Originally Posted By leemac Have never been and have no desire to go to USJ. Don't like either of the US ones too. I'm a Disney boy through and through. No other parks get my dollars. And you know that I, like the majority of LP-ers, love Aladdin.
Originally Posted By T2YahJP Hotel Mira Costa guests can enter TDS 30 minutes earlier than normal guests as a hotel guest's advantage. Attractions stat operation at 9:00 but you can get a fast pass ticket from 8:45. If you use this advantage, you can enjoy TDS about 100 minutes before the Limousine Bus leave Hotel Mira Costa at 10:37am. But it is a little hard schedule.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Don't like either of the US ones too.<< Don't blame you there, as their US parks are mediocre at the very best... but USJ is almost TDR quality and far much nicer than ...say.. the MK or MGM. Very clean, well staffed with great CMs, improved versions of their classic studio rides...cute parades/shows apar with TDR production values, and even a new Disney-like evening lagoon show called "Peter Pan's Neverland"!!! Peter Flies over the lagoon just like Tink does at DL... he hovers, does flybys... awesome! You should go try it for once.
Originally Posted By TokyoMack I have to add my two cents. I might behoove you to check out a nice service at Narita. There is a place inside the main ticketing area that will store your luggage. I say this, as it might make things a tad easier if you run your bags there, and maybe have a smaller piece to take to the resort with you. I cannot remember how much the service is, but my partner and I used it when we flew from Japan to China, as we were just going to pass through Narita again in a week. Check it out.
Originally Posted By TokyoMack Should have added this above. . .if you do it this way, you can simply shove your smaller bag into one of the coin op lockers at the park, instead of having to go directly to the hotel and drop your bags there. Go straight to the park, instead.
Originally Posted By TokyoMack Hey TDLFan. . .question for you. I was just checking out your albums and noticed something interesting from USJ. This new Land of Oz. . .is it replacing the Old West? If not, do you know where it's going? I think it's pretty interesting that they're opening this section just to house the 30 minute version of Wicked. Let me know what you know. . .
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hi TokyoMack, nice to "see" you around here again... The tip about checking luggage in storage at Narita Airport is a good one... here is the info on that: <a href="http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_06.html" target="_blank">http://www.narita-airport.jp/e n/guide/service/list/svc_06.html</a> OFF TOPIC now... In regards to USJ's new Land of Oz... All I know is that the entire Old West area is being changed into Oz. Even the map in the new guidebook shows the Old west blocked out in green with "coming soon: Land of Oz" written on it. The guidebook describes it as this.. >>>New Area Opening Summer 2006! Introducing the "Land of Oz". The Yellow Brick Road leads to the Emerald City, where you'll discover an amazing fantasy world. A "Witches" musical production, a new animal stage show featuring the residents of Oz, a rollicking band, Restaurant and shop are created with a magic you won't encounter anywhere else! Visit the amazing worls of the "Land of Oz", coming summer 2006.<<< Those are big claims and knowinghow USJ elevates the bar above Universal's stateside parks, I will be eager to see how great this new land will truly be. More on that on my Land of Oz thread here on LP's "Other Theme Parks" section as info becomes available. Glad you enjoyed those pics mate!
Originally Posted By leemac <<You should go try it for once.>> Never likely to happen. Can't stand industrial Osaka and don't have any real reason to visit, thank God.
