Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the May 06 article: Tokyo Disney Resort Cruiser at <a href="News-ID507110.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID507110.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Thanks Doobie and Leemac for the report! This particular cruiser bus has been retrofitted with a lot of items to make it more whimsical and entertaining, since it purpose is to spread the word about TDL 20th anniversary across Japan. The Cruiser, in their more customary look, made their debut at the park around the time when the TDL Line made its debut as well. These buses have been well received by guests. Their 40's retro look with a dash on Disney magic, may cause some to raise eyebrows and declare them ugly, but most guests appear to enjoy them, especially the Mickey inspired upholstery and hand straps found in it's interior. The busses come equipped with automatic announcement featuring Mickey's japanese voice, and also have video screens that play the TDR News Video to update guests about events and happenings around TDR. Everything about the Cruiser busses have been done with one purpose in mind besides transporting guests, and that would be to put a smile on anyone's face who ride them. I have ridden the Cruisers several times and *always* guests seem to get a kick about hearing Mickey's pa's and the video. They sure beat the clunky Disney Transports busses at DLP and WDW.
Originally Posted By fabdisbabe Aw, man! Tokyo beats us AGAIN! All we got at WDW for its 20th was Splash Mountain and SpectroMagic. We could have had BUSES! Fab
Originally Posted By KiNOO wow! even in the transportaions vehicules the Disney touch is still here! I LOVE the hidden mickeys!!! ... "sigh" (Thinking of oour poor yellows buses of DLRP.)
Originally Posted By leemac I should add that these vehicles don't transport as many guests as those at the other resorts. Those at the official hotels tend to use the Resort Liner (ditto for the MiraCosta). The most popular route is the Disney Ambassador to TDL, but even then many walk through the mall complex and the hotel is not huge.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi And many of those busses only transport you a total of 200 yards or less, especially from BaySide Station to the Official Hotels. Yes, some of the TDR Cruisers take guests to hotels "across the street" from the nearby Disney Resort Line monorail station. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Fab, TDL is already the best Disneyland-style park out there, and they don't need to give us an E-ticket for every anniversary they have. What we got instead was some great events for a whole year, the kind of shows we don't see at any of the other Disney parks in the USA and Paris anymore; the kind that you would love to have parading down MK's Main Street. The MK, of course could used all the fanfare they can get.
Originally Posted By tonyanton I have to say I've been to all 4 Disneyland style parks and would probably put TDL on the bottom of my list...which is not to say I didn't enjoy it. I just think the vast expanses of open spaces (which I know are there for a reason) didn't leave the place with a very magical feeling for me.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I agree with you there tonyanton. The wider than normal walkways and obvious similarities to DL and the MK do drag the quality at TDL. There will never be that magical intimate quality we all love and cherish at DL. I can live with the expanses of open air, but if it was to me, I would rebuild a new Castle, just to give this place a unique look, such as the case with beautiful Chateau at DLP. However, IMO, what makes TDL the best (for me) is the immaculate cleanliness, the lavishness of live shows and parades which I enjoy even more than your average E-ticket and gives the park a bonding feel with the audience. Last but not least, the CMs never cease to amaze nor disappoint me by the professional (if militant) way they run the place. They command respect from guests, which is something I feel has been lost in our parts of the World. Other than that, I will not deny TDL could have been an even much better park if some of the intimacy and lovelyness of the original DL had been injected here, but I won't blame OLC for that since they did not design the place. Others also seen to miss the point about TDL's ways of doing what they do and how OLC chooses to do it (and I am expressing an opinion based on my observations, NOT a fact). Like Fabdisbabe's sarcastic remark, which is well taken since it is true! But, at WDW, due to the much higher out of town visitors, they DO need to have those E-Tickets and high profile events such as the Millenium and 100 yrs. celebrations, things that are there to last over a long period of time to entice the foreignes to visit and give the non-casual guests a chance to experience these things. Over at TDL, the local fanbase is so much higher that, in order to continually give the local fans new and exciting experiences, the bulk of the dough is going towards great and well produced events such as the current 20th anniversary lineup, Ariel's SeaSide Treasures at TDS and other events planned throught next April. In other words, OLC doesn't need to go overboard filling TDL with new attractions, because the entertainment there is an ever-changing E-ticket experience. Of course, when they DO want to invest money on new rides, OLC goes all out and so do the Imagineers (witness Pooh's Hunny Hunt and the upcoming AstroBlaster which is rumoured to be a much more elaborate experience to the one found at WDW, we'll see about that!) It's not a secret that I *love* TDR in every respect, but I can be very harsh when commenting on their own slips!! Just ask MagicalNezumi or Mr. X, who happen to hang out with me at TDR often.. I see a piece of trash on the floor and I'll be the first one to point it out and ballistics! Hehehe...It's not a pretty sight when I throw a tamtrum at TDR!!!
Originally Posted By tonyanton Thanks for seeing my point of view TDLFAN...I thought maybe I would have gotten a not so nice comeback from you, as you love the place so much. I agree with you on the cleanliness and cast member attitude completely. I remember being totally floored by the sheer number of cast members working Space Mountain. Their must have been almost 6-8 between when I entered the queue to when I boarded...and they were all super friendly and into their jobs. Regarding the architecture, etc...I think they've come a long way....from Pooh to the Tea Party re-theme and the Queen of Hearts restaurant to Star Tours and some of the '90s developments in AL. I can't wait to see what they can do with the rest of their Tomorrowland. For me, the MK will always be my favourite, because it's the first one I ever went to...and has the best location of any Disney park. DL has the intimate, Walt quality which will never be replicated...and as a Disney fan from just about birth, this is something I just love, and I found the architecture, themeing, and technology at DLP just fantastic. I'd like to return to TDL and have more time to explore it, as well as TDS, which I haven't had a chance to see yet...it looks just awesome. I'll also make sure I'm better prepared to spend money on souvenirs!
Originally Posted By fabdisbabe Does anyone know whom OLC has chosen to design the third park yet? Fab
Originally Posted By MouseBear Salutations All, Very cool buses!!!! Thanks for sharing them, MouseBear
Originally Posted By alexsmom2005 I love this cruiser!!! That's makes me pretty good and I loved the Mickey-shaped.
Originally Posted By CaptainRedBowz As usual..the Japanese put out the Bucks .. and give their guests..something really cool !! (even if it's just to go to the monorail station,from your hotel !) The Art-Deco theme is really cool..and the drivers wear a neat uniform.."White jacket..dark slacks..and a pill-box hat !" (Think 30ies to 1940ies usher..) MERCHANDISE !!!!! Six-bucks will get you a die-cast Tyco model...bus pens ..desk clock..to a $150.00 model of it..(talk about "Detail" !!) They should have a few of these bus's running around WDW+ DL resort..they are Great !!
