Originally Posted By Faith A couple things- the textual report is long since it includes my entire 2 week trip. If you are only interested in the parts relevant to TDR, just read days 1-2, the first part of day 3, day 12 and the conclusion. If you read one day only, make it Day 12 because that was by far my favorite Disney day. If you are a fan of Cliffs Notes, then just jump right to the conclusion. Photos are arranged more thematically than chronologically, with TDR photos listed first. Halloween photos are listed the first of everything cause I thought they were the most fun. And... umm... please excuse the fact that the website itself is very rough. I'm aware that some links outside the context of this report are broken. However, if anything within this particular report or photo album don't work right, PLEASE let me know so I can correct them ASAP. Report: <a href="http://theatrefest.com/disney/tr.asp?ID=22" target="_blank">http://theatrefest.com/disney/ tr.asp?ID=22</a> Photos: <a href="http://theatrefest.com/disney/PhotoAlbum/PAViewAlbum.asp?id=49" target="_blank">http://theatrefest.com/disney/ PhotoAlbum/PAViewAlbum.asp?id=49</a> If you even take a quick look, it would make me very happy if you drop a quick note here to let me know.
Originally Posted By Goofys Apprentice Thanks for the great report! It definitely was interesting to read about the other parts of Japan too. You were very brave to put up with all the obstacles to traveling to such out of the way places. And Spoiler it was great that you had that one perfect Disney day when everything clicked. I know how that feels.
Originally Posted By Brandis Faith, Great report. As we are off to our first visit to Japan and Tokyo Disney in only a couple of days, also your "off Disney" experiences are very interesting to me. Could you provide a list of the different popcorn flavours that are available at TDL and where they are sold? Marc
Originally Posted By Faith >>Could you provide a list of the different popcorn flavours that are available at TDL and where they are sold?<< According to the guide I have.... 1. Curry- in front of Cafe Orleans and in front of Trading Post 2. Caramel- in front of Sweetheart Cafe, at the Popping Pod, at Toon Pop, and somewhere near Mark Twain (can't read those kanji) 3. Honey- in front of Castle Carousel and in front of Pooh's Honey Hunt 4. Salt- to the right of Parkside Wagon and in front of Chuck Wagon 5. Cream Soda- to the right of Image Works 6. Coconut- in front of Polynesian Terrace restaurant. I don't recall a listing in the TDS guide, but the Cappucino popcorn is along the way between the Hotel Mira Costa and JTTCOTE. I also seem to recall seeing Strawberry somewhere. The free Japanese guidebook is worth looking at because it also has better photos of foods and souvenirs than are in the English language one- It seems to be published more frequently (my Japanese ones have specific dates, such as 9/1-11, on them while my English one does not) Have a great time and I hope you'll report back!!!
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Strawberry popcorn at TDS is at the foot of the Ponte Vecchio near Columbus Circle. (wink) -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Duh, forgot to mention.... great report and pics Faith! I haven't been to TDR in 3 weeks! Yikes! Time to go soon! -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By Faith >>You were very brave to put up with all the obstacles to traveling to such out of the way places.<< Thanks so much! Sometimes, it's hard for me to get perspective and I feel like I took the easy way out by sitting in my Western hotel rooms and ordering room service. But then I think... no one else I know would even go to Tokyo by themselves, let alone the other cities I've been to. Anyway... I can't wait to go back!
Originally Posted By SuperDry Here's a neat game to play when sampling all of the various flavored popcorn at TDR: notice how some flavors have no particular taste, but only smell like what they claim to be, while others both taste and smell as advertised. For example, the "apple" flavored popcorn at TDS both smells and tastes like apple, but the cappucino popcorn only smells like cappucino and has no particular taste (other than popcorn).
Originally Posted By Brandis Thanks for the popcorn info! Even though I don't like popcorn that much, I just have to try some of those special flavours. Just finished your entire report and found it very interesting, especially the stories of your visits to those places off the beaten paths. I will be visiting Japan with a guided tour, but will also do some exploring on my own. I loved to do that in China as well and I guess it might be even a bit easier in Japan... Marc
Originally Posted By Faith >>I haven't been to TDR in 3 weeks! Yikes! Time to go soon!<< I feel your pain... except not so much considering it will probably be more like 2-3 years since I can go back. Thanks! >> For example, the "apple" flavored popcorn at TDS both smells and tastes like apple, but the cappucino popcorn only smells like cappucino and has no particular taste (other than popcorn).<< I think the cappuccino has a definite taste, although it's not a coffee taste. *shrug* >>It was worth the wait, Faith. << Thanks muchly!
Originally Posted By SuperDry What a great trip report. One thing you wrote especially struck me: <<< I felt that I should make an effort to be a good little tourist and see some noteworthy sites. On the other hand, the thought of sitting in my nice air-conditioned hotel room and finishing my book was much more tempting. (I had about 200 pages left, iirc) Eventually, I had an epiphany and decided that it was my vacation and I should do what I want to do, not what guidebooks or anyone else made me think I ought to do. I was reminded of the scene in the Disney theme park show, Fantasmic!, where Mickey says "This is MY dream" and then proceeds to create a happy ending by conquering all the villains that had turned his dream into a nightmare. In a similar manner, I felt I'd be happiest by taking control of my day and shaping it as I wished. >>> I can't tell you how many times I've run into this sort of dilemma, often with someone trying to cajole me to do something in the conventional tourist manner or evne according to their particular way of thinking. Some people, whether it be in person or in the form of a tourist book, just aren't happy unless they're insisting that you do things their way. One thing I've discovered about travel is there really is a wide variety of different things that people are aiming to get out of a vacation: some want to shop, some want to sightsee, some want to learn about history, some want to relax, some want to have fun, some want to do activities, or some combination of these, and what you end up doing varies dramatically depending on how you feel about these things. For example, I once saw a movie at the AMC theater at Ikspiari. More than one person got animated upon hearing this: "Why would you go half way around the world only to sit in a movie theater for 2 hours?" I had a very simple answer: "Because I wanted to." One person just had to follow up with "Well, I think it's stupid" to which I responded "Then I recommend that you not do it." The look on their face was priceless: it had apparently simply not occurred to them that someone might want to vacation differently than they.
Originally Posted By Faith >>Then I recommend that you not do it." << LOVE that response. I have to try to remember that. It's funny, because I'm so used to doing my own thing and not worrying so much what people think. But I've read so many guidebooks that give the message that in order to be a good traveler, you need to stay in small local bed and breakfasts, spend all day sightseeing, buy local crafts, experience the local cultures/foods etc. To some extent, I've aspired to be that kind of traveler but I think it's a function of what I've read moreso than what I want. Of course, these types of travel books generally consider it a waste of time to visit foreign Disney parks, so I'm already sinning in their eyes.
Originally Posted By Goofys Apprentice There's traveling, and there's vacationing. They're 2 different activities, but they overlap in a trip. My Kyoto trip will be more like traveling, and my Tokyo trip will be more like vacationing. And I reserve the right to also vacation in Kyoto.
Originally Posted By RCCRUISER >>I've read so many guidebooks that give the message that in order to be a good traveler, you need to stay in small local bed and breakfasts, spend all day sightseeing, buy local crafts, experience the local cultures/foods etc. To some extent, I've aspired to be that kind of traveler but I think it's a function of what I've read moreso than what I want. Of course, these types of travel books generally consider it a waste of time to visit foreign Disney parks, so I'm already sinning in their eyes. << Boy ain't that the truth Faith! after buying 4 travel books on Tokyo and Japan (i.e. Frommers etc.) you would think I would be prepared to do Tokyo Disney Resort. Nothing could have been further from the truth. The best information I found was what I found online from places like Laughingplace, Mousesavers and Mouseplanet. It took a lot of searching but I compiled enough information to make it through my stay. Simple things like Trip planning guides on what to do 1st, 2nd and 3rd, fasspass etc. to minimize standing in line. This would have been nice since we were only at the park for 3 days and 2 of those days were National Sports Day Oct. 10, 05. We were amazed that a Disney park could get that crowded with simple rides like space mountain at 1 hour 25 minute wait times! Is there a tour planning guide out there for TDR?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN There are many, but all in japanese. Just check any japanese book store. However, there is nothing ot there exclusively for TDR in english as far as I know... Maybe we should collaborate and print one!
Originally Posted By RCCRUISER Faith, that is NOT a bad idea for someone that has been there as much as you have. The pictures on you web sight are great BTW. Great Job! Maybe you could do an Unofficial guide to Tokyo Disney Resort?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Well...I kinda like the idea of Faith or even SuperDry taking on that endeavor. They seem more inclined to be effective at that. I am hindered by being non-english native speaker. But I'd be happy to provide observations and comments along the way. Maybe MagicalNezumi might be able to assist as well... We both are such busy folks.
Originally Posted By Faith I don't feel like I know nearly enough about TDR to put together anything remotely helpful enough. Thinking of another trip to Tokyo in March 2007 though.... Such a long way away... *sigh*
