Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >That shop {Rushin River Outfitters) was terrific in 2001. They had all kinds of outdoor goods AND stuff themed to GRR and the california wilderness...I'll check it out next week and report back!< <<Please say hi to my brother Dave - a lead in all of those stores since they opened. He's most often in Outfitters, but roams around supervising the others as well. Tell him you know this crazy Dallas Disney nut who says he's related!>> Do you owe him any money?
Originally Posted By danyoung HE owes ME more than he can ever repay (believe it or not, in my family I'm the responsible one!).
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara Kevin Yee's book on Tokyo DisneySea is now available--got my copy from Amazon a few days ago. I think Kevin's done a really good job writing a general book for first-time English-speaking travelers.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones While I have nothing against Kevin Yee, you don't need a book to plan a great visit to TDS or TDL. All the information you need is on the Internet for free, and really isn't hard to get. All you have to do is post a thread where TDR is being talked about and those of us who tout that OLC does Disney better than Disney will come out of the woodwork and plan your whole damn trip for you if you want.
Originally Posted By Malin I think before anyone decides to bash Kevin's book, it may be a good idea to read it first. I remember a lot of people including myself was rather critical about this book when it was first mention. But people soon changed there minds when they actually got around to reading the book. The book may attract huge interest or it may not sell a single edition, but atleast he's trying to offer something that no one else has bothered to do. Yeah you can find out a lot of information online, but its nice to have an option of instead of trying to find the information, having it all available in a hand held book, that you can take away with you. Good Luck with the book Kevin.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I was one of those who was very critical in advance, however as Malin says, upon reading it I changed my mind. Kevin also took many of my suggestions and incorporated them into the book and I'm sure others who proofread and edited it can make the same statement. It is unique at the moment and I'm one of those old fashioned folks who likes to read books.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones I'm not bashing the book or saying that it's bad. What I am saying is that the information is already out there on the Internet. And even if you buy his book, it's smart not to get all your info from a single source, so despite the fact that you purchased the book, you still need to do more research.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'm not bashing the book or saying that it's bad. What I am saying is that the information is already out there on the Internet. >>> These days, isn't that true of most books that aren't fiction?
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I think the book is fairly all inclusive. Most people are not as obssesive as we are. The information in the book will be more than sufficient for 90% of the people who travel to the Tokyo Disney Resort. A number of us who post here and on MiceChat helped Kevin with the book, adding many details that, as a first-time visitor, he missed. And that's only to be expected. Considering he only visited once, he absorbed a remarkable amount. I have been to the Tokyo Disney Resort a dozen times, usually for five to six days at a shot, and he still found a few things I didn't know.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones While I certainly believe in doing a good amount of research on such an extravagant vacation, I also don't want my hand held the entire way. Visiting Japan is really, really easy in the realm of world travel, especially for English speakers. The hardest part is actually getting to the money to pay for it! I have always disliked things such as Tour Guide Mike, RideMax, and other Disney guidebooks/tools that you pay a fee for. You really, really don't need them, I say. Despite the fact that I like Kevin Yee on a personal level, I can't change my opinion on these types of books/tools because of that.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Having looked at his sales pitch for the book I am struck by one thing. "Language and cultural differences no longer form an insurmountable hurdle." Language and cultural differences are NOT an insurmountable hurdle. For one thing, almost every single sign at TDR is in English as well as Japanese. Major stations, including Narita, Tokyo Station, and Maihama are surprisingly easy to navigate. As for cultural differences, the Japanese aren't going to chop your head off if you say the wrong thing or don't bow deeply enough or something. The fact that you even make any effort at all is enough for most Japanese people who deal with tourists. I'm disappointed that he's trying to overhype how "impossible" it is to visit Tokyo to sell his book. Even Frommer's reassures its readers that visiting Japan is relatively simple.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara It's a matter of perception: many people FEEL that the language and signage will be an insurmountable obstacle. They feel that way about France, so imagine how intimidating Japan must seem. We know better, but many first time visitors do not.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones Many of these Disney guidebooks play on people's fear of the unknown. Kevin Yee is telling them that yes, it is an insurmountable obstacle, when he should be telling them it's really not a big deal. He's using those fears to sell his book. I hope that would-be visitors to TDR find forums such as this with people willing and ready to dispense information about the wonderful resort in Japan because of their love for the best Disney quality entertainment a Japanese tourism corporation has to offer.
Originally Posted By SpokkerJones No matter how prepared you think you are there is no substitute for experience. You can buy every guidebook there is, but nothing will stop you from second guessing yourself and feeling that sense of intimidation from visiting a new place. And yet there is something exciting about venturing into the unknown, as least what's unknown to you. Your heart skipping a beat every so often at what mistakes you might make, and the sense of accomplishment of finally doing it, and the relief that comes with realizing it wasn't such a big deal after all. People are such wusses when it comes to vacationing, as an acquaintance told me. People talk about spoilers in movies and yet they spoil their vacations for themselves by virtually planning every damn step they take.
Originally Posted By Malin <<< I'm not bashing the book or saying that it's bad. What I am saying is that the information is already out there on the Internet. >>> You could say that about any guide book out there. I'm sure all of us here have gotten by without using Kevin Yee's book but it still doesn't mean some wouldn't find it useful. For a lot of people planning your holiday is all part of the fun and there is nothing wrong with having your days planned out. I'm heading off to WDW in November and even though I have been before, and WDW is covered quite well by sites like LaughingPlace online, its still not stopped me from buying a Birnbaum's book to WDW. While I'm not the sort of person to plan minute to minute I do like to plan some stuff out in advance like tickets to shows and reservations, as I'm sure first time visitors to the TDR would like to do too!
Originally Posted By danyoung >A number of us who post here and on MiceChat helped Kevin with the book, adding many details that, as a first-time visitor, he missed.< When Kevin first released info about this book, I was concerned. Kevin is proud of his desire to visit a new place with no advanced knowledge at all. He did it with Disney cruise ships, and he did it again with Tokyo Disney. I seriously questioned whether he was the right person to write a book telling others how to do it right. But with the added information provided by you, Mara, as well as others, I'm feeling a little better about the value of the book. Hope it does well, Kevin!
Originally Posted By X-san Kevin was very receptive to corrections (in terms of factual stuff), and I think that Mrs. X helped him a lot with some of his Japanese language suggestions, but the book is very much HIS voice and HIS suggestions. As such, I think it works very nicely. Not that he is the end-all-be-all of TDR guidebook writers, but his "first timer" account reads pretty well and I think he did a good job. Just my opinion, of course.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I have been to the Tokyo Disney Resort a dozen times, usually for five to six days at a shot, and he still found a few things I didn't know./// Something like that neither surprises nor impresses me in the slightest because it happens often--- actually I would expect it. quick example---- I don't watch football, I don't like football nor have I ever played on a team as a kid but just a week ago I pointed something out about NFL players to a loose buddy of mine who played 5 seasons with the Oakland Raiders ending in I think '03 and he was surprised that someone like me would come up with something he never noticed or thought about. Things like that happen all the time.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I have always disliked things such as Tour Guide Mike, RideMax, and other Disney guidebooks/tools that you pay a fee for. You really, really don't need them, I say./// I'm sure you and I don't need them nor many on these boards but talking with several over the years who have 'toured' WDW and Dl Anaheim ..... GOOD GOD do they need help in the worst way. These ignorant folk show up missing superheadliner attractions that they didn't even know existed and pay the most money for the least experiences.
Originally Posted By barboy ///While I certainly believe in doing a good amount of research on such an extravagant vacation, I also don't want my hand held the entire way./// You and I are on the same page. I show up with a basic working knowledge of the place and the rest is for me to discover. I don't care for a well scripted vacation knowing all the details ahead of time as there should be some surprises--- good surprises hopefully.
