Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> TDLFAN: ...my first language is spanish... << Amazing! Another reason why LP.com's boards are so good. This Tokyo Disneyland forum has several postings from you -- someone who grew up speaking Spanish -- before it's gotten as many messages from those whose primary language is that of one of the nations of the Far East. (And believe me, all the messages I've read under your LP.com name have never made me think they came from a person whose native language was anything other than English.) My first impression was that maybe you were an American, or an English-raised person, living in (or who's lived in) Asia, if not Japan, and therefore were a bit more interested in Disney's parks in Tokyo, and more likely to have the LP.com handle of "TDLFAN." Similarly, there's a few others who've written a lot of things about Disneyland-Anaheim and DCA who later surprised me when I read they were residents of the Orlando area. In some ways, when people are geographically far removed from something they're observing and interested in, they may be a bit more objective and less likely to be guilty of being too tough or too easy on something only because it's in their own backyard. I've sometimes wondered whether my perceptions of DCA and DisneySea would change if they switched places. Even though I'd prefer that the Disney parks in my neck of the woods outclass the others, I believe if DisneySea were in Anaheim and DCA were in Tokyo, I'd be no more impressed by the ocean-themed park if it were here, and no more underwhelmed by the California-themed park if it were there than the way I do feel about them as they, in fact, ended up location-wise.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Disneywatcher, I am flattered by your kind words. I grew up in Puerto Rico where English is considered a 2nd language (P.R. is a US commonwealth after all) and is heavily taught in schools early on, even though spanish is predominantly spoken there. My mom took me to WDW in the summer of 72 and i was struck by the magic of Disney. Blame my mother for damaging my head!! After my tenure as a CM at WDW, i became a Flight Attendant 16 yrs ago, and now my job affords me the ability to fly into Tokyo 3-5 times a month, and Paris & L.A. every now and then.. Because of my job, i have become quite familiar with ALL of the Disney parks around the world. As a matter of fact, i did DLP last week (the 20th) and went into LAX overnight on the 25th. Today i'll be at MGM at a pin trading event and then i am going to Tokyo this week and visit TDR on the 7th for 1/2 a day. The first time i visited TDL in 89, i was really not expecting much difference from WDW's MK specially since i worked there. But as soon a i went thru the turstyle, i just knew TDL was special, a cut above the rest; maybe it was the mystique of being in Japan, or maybe the extra helpful cast or unbelievable cleanliness and quality of it all. This was the park that moved me the most! therefore i chose "TDLFAN" as my handle name, as you put it. I am very overprotective of TDR because it's quality is unsurpassed and second to none in the Disney theme park division. That overprotectiveness has cause some discomfort to some here (something i don't aim to do on purpose) but that shows how much i love TDR. I would hope for everyone to have the experience of seeing TDR for the high quality resort it is, and i believe Marc and JoeInJpn have done a great job bringing that quality thru pictures in thier webpages and here on LP.com. As for TDS, i am holding my breath and dying of anticipation for my 1st visit in Oct. But enought about my history, and on with this thread.
Originally Posted By damon63 Funny the way different people react to the same things. TDL does nothing for me but DLP is far and away my favorite Disney park.
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoi It may be just a leaning toward an Eastern or Western preference. I must admit when news of TDL's opening filtered through in '83 I was virtually non-plussed and DID NOT consider it "canon"...as in, NOT a REAL Disney park because it was not in the US. I guess it was weird also because the TIME article had pics of kimono wearing Mickey and Minnie in front of the castle and I thought.....uuuuummmm, no. Over the years I guess TDL has suffered as the "invisible park" and perhaps not even many Americans are even aware that it even exists. I guess there may also be a bias against it and people may feel that "their" parks are better. Like, "how can a park that is NOT in the US be better than the original or the incredible sprawling complex in Orlando?" That is why it is refreshing to hear from people who visit all of them that TDL is SO WELL maintained and kept. Indeed it seems that TDL receives newer, more elaborate and much better deisgned attractions(hunny hunt?)than any other MK style parks around the world. I am VERY glad that my Odyssey will be culminating in Tokyo where not only will I see TDS with my own unbelieving eyes but will also see the BEST Disney has to offer with TDL there. I have heard their Splash is the most beautiful in the world and that their Tiki Room is MUCH better than the disrespectful new version at WDW. WOO HOO!!!!!!!!
Originally Posted By Mr D I thank you very much TDLFAN for your information, apparently TDS has much to offer and will be up front as the time goes on, and yes I agree very much about "piles of trash" at DL at least, when I was there last december I saw many places of neglect like full trash containers, spilled drinks and food left on the ground. I am going to be staying at WDW this upcoming dec. inside the park for 11 days with a side trip to IOA and I hope to see some pride in those that work in WDW and not to just get another paycheck who cares about these people attitude. If I had not spent nearly $7000 to book this trip for my family I would have cancelled it and gone to Tokyo instead to check out TDS, matter of fact and its sorta funny but I am closer to Tokyo than Orlando (Alaska) TDS will be set up next year and I am hoping that this park will forever be a tribute to Walt Disney and not E$ner.
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> TDLFAN: I grew up in Puerto Rico where English is considered a 2nd language....Because of my job, i have become quite familiar with ALL of the Disney parks around the world. << Thanks for answering other questions I was wondering about. The Florida-Spanish-speaking connection made me think: transplant from Cuba or elsewhere? You're access to many Disney parks throughout the world made me think: Disney employee or Disney-related contractor (especially when in another message you mentioned work-related business taking you shortly to Tokyo Disneyland, but not DisneySea)? Knowing your background is another reason the LP.com boards are so good. I would imagine you're one of the few posting to any of the Disney-related message forums on the Internet who has so much regular experience visiting the various Disney parks worldwide. Just as LP's Marc is important for giving us more insight about the parks in Tokyo, your observations have been very helpful in giving us greater awareness about all of the company's parks, from Asia to Europe. I have to admit when I thought you were possibly a citizen of Japan, I wasn't quite as sure about your objectivity. I thought you may have been a bit likelier to tout the parks in Tokyo out of local pride. Also knowing you're not a citizen of France gives me greater confidence about your comments regarding the Disney park there. Great to know someone like you is a regular contributor to these boards.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN What a nice thing to say Disneywatcher, thank you very much for your flattering comment. Deep down inside, my comments (good or bad) about any of the parks come from real love and admiration for them. I also think of the values that Walt spelled out for the parks and as much as i hate to say it, it pains me terribly when the guests don't get the quality show they paid for and deserve. I guess it is the CM in me still talking after all these years, because when i worked at WDW, we were prowd to be there and to exceed guests' expectations. That pride does exist still but not as much as it used to be. Again, this is a reason why i love TDR beyond words because those CM's do know how to make it happen and stick to their script. Even if their friendliness is fake, i much rather have a "fake" friendly CM than a rude one who just wants that check every Thrusday. Damon63, you say your favorite park is DLP while TDL does nothing for you. I too love several aspects of DLP much better than TDL, if that is possible. DLP's attraction are still the best versions of any of the parks, and so is the look of the park as a whole. But let's face it, DLP has much bigger problems that may or may not be due to their financial performance. As beautiful as the park is, and as wonderful as the rides are, this park suffers from a terrible state of neglect. If DLP was a child, i'd be on the phone complaining to Social Services!!! Furthermore, i feel their cast is not being well trained to perform to the standards that set Dsney ahead of the pack, and it show very clearly in the way they do things over there. That, and the kind of behaviours i have witnessed from some guests there just destroys this most excellent park for me. I grade the experience as a whole: rides, cleanliness, atmosphere, show/parade quality and CM excellence, and since i get overall excellence in a CONSTANT way at TDR, my expectations at DLR, WDW (a resort too big for it's own good) and DLP are based on that level. Maybe i should get a life and accept things the way they are, but as long as i dish up over $48 in paid admissions for a single day, i expect, deserve and demand the best experience possible.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN What a nice thing to say Disneywatcher, thank you very much for your flattering comment. Deep down inside, my comments (good or bad) about any of the parks come from real love and admiration for them. I also think of the values that Walt spelled out for the parks and as much as i hate to say it, it pains me terribly when the guests don't get the quality show they paid for and deserve. I guess it is the CM in me still talking after all these years, because when i worked at WDW, we were prowd to be there and to exceed guests' expectations. That pride does exist still but not as much as it used to be. Again, this is a reason why i love TDR beyond words because those CM's do know how to make it happen and stick to their script. Even if their friendliness is fake, i much rather have a "fake" friendly CM than a rude one who just wants that check every Thrusday. Damon63, you say your favorite park is DLP while TDL does nothing for you. I too love several aspects of DLP much better than TDL, if that is possible. DLP's attraction are still the best versions of any of the parks, and so is the look of the park as a whole. But let's face it, DLP has much bigger problems that may or may not be due to their financial performance. As beautiful as the park is, and as wonderful as the rides are, this park suffers from a terrible state of neglect. If DLP was a child, i'd be on the phone complaining to Social Services!!! Furthermore, i feel their cast is not being well trained to perform to the standards that set Dsney ahead of the pack, and it show very clearly in the way they do things over there. That, and the kind of behaviours i have witnessed from some guests there just destroys this most excellent park for me. I grade the experience as a whole: rides, cleanliness, atmosphere, show/parade quality and CM excellence, and since i get overall excellence in a CONSTANT way at TDR, my expectations at DLR, WDW (a resort too big for it's own good) and DLP are based on that level. Maybe i should get a life and accept things the way they are, but as long as i dish up over $48 in paid admissions for a single day, i expect, deserve and demand the best experience possible.
Originally Posted By damon63 TDLFAN - To each his own I guess. I'd probably guess that I'm just not as decerning as you in terms of cast members, cleanliness and presentation. Or perhaps I was just so wowed by DLP's steller attractions and less impressed by TDL's knock-offs, I don't know. This isn't to say that I didn't like TDL, it is a very beautiful and fun park. Until now I couldn't think of a reason to return when DL and WDW are so much closer and DLP is, in my opinion, an overall better park. Oh, and I'd take Paris any day over Tokyo
Originally Posted By TDLFAN damon63, I DO put emphasis on cleanliness and efficiency of the cast. Those are the principles that set Disney apart from the other companies running theme parks. The fact that guests have stopped being dicerning (specially at DLP) about cleanliness is what getting the other Disney parks trashed. That does bug me, as Walt built his Disneyland under the directive that his park would not be as dirty as the carnival style parks he had visited before. I guess i am very traditional but that's how i feel. As for Paris the city vs Tokyo the city, granted there are more impressive sights around Paris to enjoy, however unlike Tokyo, Paris is not that clean and i don't feel as safe as i do in Japan. Besides, i don't go to Japan for Tokyo as you can imagine by now... ;-)
Originally Posted By foolishmortal I've been to both parks and I prefer DLP to TDL because it is more emotive and richer in design. TDL is special not from a design point of view but from this innocence and 1970s kind of disney experience from the CMs and clean look. I mean it feels more like the real Disney to me although it spacially lacks heart, good thematic transitions and planning.( Haunted Mansion next to Dumbo, Snow White well across from Diamond Horseshoe, lame Tomorrowland, etc.) TDL has had good additions lately that make it better and will continue to improve, but in my twisted bias, I like DLP best .. Who asked me? no one..
Originally Posted By coral_barks See, I look at DisneySea, and then I look at Islands of Adventure, and I just laugh because of how thoroughly DS outclasses it. And then I cry because I am never going to see it (well, maybe; Glee Club might tour Japan in a couple years). But I've been meaning to ask, and maybe this has already been explained, but what is/are omiyage?
Originally Posted By disneywatcher >> coral_barks: ...but what is/are omiyage? << It's my understanding -- as described by LP's Marc -- that omiyage is a gift-giving tradition, or etiquette, in Japan in which a person is expected (even required) to purchase items and give them to friends and family members after traveling somewhere or during certain occasions. >> damon63: DLP is far and away my favorite Disney park....and I'd take Paris any day... << Once again, people are so unpredictable. I'd never have guessed your comments about Disneyland Paris and the French city it's located near would come from someone who's expressed such enthusiasm for DCA. This reminds me of another LP.com visitor who started a topic about Disneyland's castle needing to be replaced with something bigger and grander. That same writer on the Disneyland Expansion board also mentioned how much he or she liked DCA. I don't recall exactly how I tried to make a point about DCA several weeks ago on the LP.com Expansion board, but I remember mentioning something about whether there was much of a difference between Perris, California and Paris, France. All I can say that Paris, unlike Anaheim, doesn't allow any of its power lines to be strung up along its streets, fully visible (and so ugly) to everyone.
Originally Posted By schnebs Question for Marc or anybody else who's already been to TDS - I thought the Aquasphere was supposed to have some effect where water would run down the globe. Does the Aquasphere actually have that effect? It's hard to tell from any of the photos I've seen (no offense, Marc).
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler The reflectiveness (or high albedo of the AquaSphere you see in the pictures is due to the layer of water which covers its surface. The sphere's actual surface is not very reflective at all due to the fact that it's covered with minute grooves (which allow the water to cling to its surface). When standing near AquaSphere, one can see small waves of water running down it. The effect is lost in the close-up MPEGs I took (and didn't run). Marc p.s. Pictures will never do it justice, but I ran these because I think they're as good as I'll be able to get.
Originally Posted By WeirdOne Marc...a few comments from me. I loved the 38 page Around The Resort update. It took me 1 and a 1/2 hours to save all the pics. The Entrance PLaza photos were just well, I ran to my bathroom and nearly puked cause they were so good. Also, you think you could extend some of them videos, just when they get good they end. And what about some on ride videos? I hope I don't sound naggy, but I've only seen 11 short 2 sec to 1 minute 30 clips of rides, newstories, grand openings, etc. For DCA I had like well over 40 (Yes, I followed and saved DCA construction). Anyhow, I was going to just say: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! These are so excellent. I would hug you, but your 13 hours ahead ~-^. So Thank You Thank You Thank You. Cheers! The WeirdOne ~_^ P.S.-My name is WeirdOne (HI WEIRDONE!) and I have a problem. I am addicted to Marc's DisneySea photos and DisneySea itself (Well that's what we're here for, to continue our obsessions at laughingplace.com). Its TDS Anonymous ~_^ ^_^.
Originally Posted By damon63 >Once again, people are so unpredictable. I'd never have guessed your comments about Disneyland Paris and the French city it's located near would come from someone who's expressed such enthusiasm for DCA.< Why not? In many ways I find DCA to be much more "civilized" and far more adult in many ways than it's next door neighboor: less characters, food options that are light years ahead of what's at Disneyland, less congested streets (at least until now), fewer kiddie attractions which means fewer strollers (hallelujah!), adult beverages, a luxury hotel overlooking the grounds, and so on.
Originally Posted By DizzyWhirled My name is Dizzy, and I, too, am a DisneySeaholic. At first, I thought I could handle it, you know? Just one photo set a day, that's all. But it wasn't enough. I wanted more -- I NEEDED more. Been a long time since I felt a buzz like that. Been so long since any new Disney land could blot out the real world the way TDS does, and I keep wanting to escape, just escape. Now I crave the hard stuff. Like WeirdOne said, I need some major VIDEO, man -- not your snippets, I need a major hit. You've given me a taste, and now, see how I'm shakin'? Marc, dude -- pick a spot in the park, any place, I don't care. Switch that camera on and give us a slow pan, big and wide -- take it all the way, man, 360-degrees. Make all the details and the ambience come together for me, make it sweet. Show me how it all fits together. Cause I look at this stuff and it's like I'm lost sometimes -- I think I know my way around the place and then BAM, you show me some other mind-blowing shot, and I wanna relate. Could you make that happen for me? Dude, I'd take a map at this point, anything you got -- an official guide map. You KNOW what I need, man -- you're the one who did this to me! Now you gotta help me out. Cause I'd like to get off the ground -- you and me, dude, let's fly. Take that camera up into the sky -- show me what's it's like from the AIR. Whoa -- I know, a little extreme, and it's not like you haven't already hooked me up with some good stuff, but some aerial shots . . . better than a map! I just got out of bed and had to finish off the Lost Delta set first thing, and see, I know we're running out of ports of call -- and you can't hold out on me, man. Don't hold out on me!
Originally Posted By DizzyWhirled My name is Dizzy, and I, too, am a DisneySeaholic. At first, I thought I could handle it, you know? Just one photo set a day, that's all. But it wasn't enough. I wanted more -- I NEEDED more. Been a long time since I felt a buzz like that. Been so long since any new Disney land could blot out the real world the way TDS does, and I keep wanting to escape, just escape. Now I crave the hard stuff. Like WeirdOne said, I need some major VIDEO, man -- not your snippets, I need a major hit. You've given me a taste, and now, see how I'm shakin'? Marc, dude -- pick a spot in the park, any place, I don't care. Switch that camera on and give us a slow pan, big and wide -- take it all the way, man, 360-degrees. Make all the details and the ambience come together for me, make it sweet. Show me how it all fits together. Cause I look at this stuff and it's like I'm lost sometimes -- I think I know my way around the place and then BAM, you show me some other mind-blowing shot, and I wanna relate. Could you make that happen for me? Dude, I'd take a map at this point, anything you got -- an official guide map. You KNOW what I need, man -- you're the one who did this to me! Now you gotta help me out. Cause I'd like to get off the ground -- you and me, dude, let's fly. Take that camera up into the sky -- show me what's it's like from the AIR. Whoa -- I know, a little extreme, and it's not like you haven't already hooked me up with some good stuff, but some aerial shots . . . better than a map! I just got out of bed and had to finish off the Lost Delta set first thing, and see, I know we're running out of ports of call -- and you can't hold out on me, man. Don't hold out on me!
Originally Posted By Marc -DL Traveler OH MY GOD! WHAT HAVE I DONE!!! Guess it's too late... Now I have a responsibility. Here. Feed that addition - <a href="http://www.tokyoresort.com/fix.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.tokyoresort.com/fix .jpg</a> But careful, it's stuff from an upcoming MiraCosta tour, so it's pretty pure. The rig I use can do up to 15 second video clips. Not much, but long enough for 360s (good idea). The real question is - Are you sure you can handle it? Some friends run a chopper charter/tour company, so *I've* seen it from the air, but they're so worried about what OLC will think that they've asked me not to take pictures. But there's this official aerial shot Doobie ran in his Paul Pressler interview - <a href="http://www.laughingplace.com/ShowPic.asp?filename=http://www.laughingplace.com/lp/pressler1/tds-big.jpg&caption=An" target="_blank">http://www.laughingplace.com/S howPic.asp?filename=http://www.laughingplace.com/lp/pressler1/tds-big.jpg&caption=An</a>+overview+of+the+Tokyo+Disneyland+Resort+including+DisneySea+(c)+Disney&ID=503110 (Now *there's* a link!) Just promise me you'll take it easy. I don't want to hear you've been rushed to the emergency room! Marc
