Originally Posted By FerretAfros We had dinner at Restaurant Hokusai and enjoyed it, but we also made the mistake of not getting Priority Seating, so we had to wait a very long time for a table (about an hour downstairs, and another 30 minutes in the upstairs waiting room). By that point, it was late on our third day of intense visits, and we were ready to relax for a while so we didn't mind too much, other than the lack of seating downstairs Although more expensive than food outside of the park, we didn't think that the prices were unreasonable. I guess because we're used to the pricing schemes they use in the US parks, where table service meals start in the $20-30 ballpark and can easily be over $60 for signature dining, the ~$20 price range didn't bother us Was it the best Japanese food we had on the trip? Probably not, but it was still very good. Our meals also came with souvenir chop sticks, which was a fun way to remember our time and a very unique keepsake that you'd never get in the US. It was also fun to dine in a place that sort of felt like a secret location, similar to Club 33; I'm not used to Main Street having a 2nd story, so getting to explore upstairs was part of the experience for us Plus, we were starting to worry about the incoming typhoon and how it would impact our plans to hike Mt Fuji the next day (we ultimately cancelled that excursion), so it was fun to see all the artwork of giant waves crashing over the mountain! : )
Originally Posted By Mr X In all my years, this one and Sakura at DisneySea are the two restaurants I've never tried. I've always been curious, but then again it has always seemed like 'what's the point?', given the fact that we're in Japan and can eat Japanese food any time any place (for the same reason, I never accept any invitations to eat Japanese food in America - same 'what's the point?' vibe for me given that I live in Japan...if I were away for an extended period, that feeling would undoubtedly change since I adore Japanese food, but anyway...) But neat to read about anyway. Thanks!
Originally Posted By dagobert Thanks for another update. I love Japanese food, but I'm not sure if the food you get here in Europe in Japanese restaurants is the same you actually get in Japan. I guess they altered it a bit for our tastes.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros ^^I would guess it's a little different. The Japanese food you get in the US isn't quite the same as what you'd get in Japan (other than sushi, which is mostly the same), though it's the same basic ideas and ingredients You guys bring up an interesting point about TDR, and I think it's one of the big differences between it and other Disney resorts. When first built, TDL was intended to be a very American experience, unlike what you would find elsewhere in Japan; it sounds like this mindset is still fairly common among guests, who think it's strange to eat Japanese food there. In the US, we don't think it's odd to have American food in the parks, and DLP has French food (the new Ratatouille restaurant is quite popular) and HKDL has dim sum. It's just interesting that the Japanese guests see TDR as a place to experience different food types, since that's really not on the radar of most American guests at all
Originally Posted By Mr X When TDL opened, there were extremely limited options Western-wise. I think that's part of it. When I first came to Japan in the late 90's (God was it THAT long ago!?), we used to go into the park with the main priority of eating AMERICAN food. It was either TDL, or Hard Rock/Tony Roma's in Roppongi. Those were literally the only options, though of course it's a lot different these days. What was weird for me was going to Fuji-Q-Highland park way back then, and since it was an "amusement park", and TDL was my only point of reference, I assumed there would be burgers and cotton candy - instead there were octopus balls and yaki-udon for days, and not a hot dog in sight (which now that I think back is perfectly natural, TDL is the "special case"). For me, HKDL was the outlier. I thought it was weird to be eating Chinese food (or should I simply say "food" since I was in China lol) in Tomorrowland.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Those were literally the only options, though of course it's a lot different these days.<< I spent about a month in Japan in the late 90's, and a couple weeks there last summer and it was really striking to see the difference. It's still very Japanese without much foreign intrusion (probably more 'pure' than any other country I've visited) or English text, but it's a lot more open than it was during my first visit. Heck, many of the museums even had English text describing the exhibits, which never would have happened in the 90's (aside from the Peace Museum in Hiroshima, which has always had a distinctly-global outlook)
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 Wow, it's interesting to read about the change in Tokyo Disney since it opened, in terms of food offerings. It seems like everyone is in unison with eating Japanese food in Tokyo Disneyland. It's true that American food is served in the parks in The States, French Food in Disneyland Paris, etc. Why do I find it weird to eat Japanese food in Tokyo Disneyland? I feel the same way towards Universal Studios Singapore. I've been to Universal Studios Singapore a few times now, but I've never eaten any Singaporean food there. It's weird. I definitely won't mind having French food or American food in their respective parks. NEW BLOG POST!!! A review of Blue Bayou Restaurant in Tokyo Disneyland. One of my fondest memories of Disney Theme Parks was made in the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Read about it here. I hope that you guys will enjoy the read. Thanks for the support guys. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.honorablerat.com/food-review/2015/3/19/blue-bayou-restaurant">http://www.honorablerat.com/fo...staurant</a>
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 NEW BLOG POST!!! The Honorable Rat visits Tokyo Disneyland Hotel - Tinker Bell Room. Thanks for the support and I hope that you guys will enjoy this read. Arigatou!!! <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.honorablerat.com/trip-report/2015/3/24/tokyo-disneyland-hotel-tinker-bell-room-feb-2015">http://www.honorablerat.com/tr...feb-2015</a>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros The Blue Bayou at TDL looks really great. At DL, the quality isn't very good and they try to fit as many people in there as possible, which leads to a not-so-great experience. For such a high-profile location, I think they should stick to the high-end approach like TDL And the Tinkerbell room looks really interesting. It's a lot more themed than any of the US hotels (perhaps Art of Animation beats it), yet still includes a lot of more traditional/elegant features. It's an interesting combination, but appears to be well done. Are there a lot of rooms decorated in that style, or is it unique like a Presidential Suite?
Originally Posted By dagobert I wouldn't want to stay in the Tinkerbell room. In my opinion it looks cheap. Yes even at TDR some things can look cheap and this is definitely one of them. The Blue Bayou looks interesting, but not as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon in Paris. I'm pretty sure that the food at TDR is better than in Paris, but the setting just doesn't look as nice as its counterpart at DLP. By the way i loved how you incorporated your childhood in the article. Makes it very personal.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The Blue Bayou looks interesting, but not as beautiful as the Blue Lagoon in Paris<< I think that's probably because the Blue Bayou is set in New Orleans (both at DL and TDL) along with the beginning of the POTC ride, while in DLP the Blue Lagoon is already in the Caribbean. I think I also like the tropical look better (and the ride makes a lot more sense at DLP), but I understand why they're different It's interesting that TDL has a big tree in the middle of the dining area, since there isn't one at DL. I would assume that was done to hid a structural column and/or have branches to help obscure the ceiling from diners while they eat
Originally Posted By NGrey Thanks for sharing another review. I have to agree with dagobert. I don't really like the look of the new Character rooms and think they are too colorful and gaudy. Much classier than the Art of Animation resort for sure but still out of place in the Victorian themed TDH. Overall, I think the MiraCosta is still the best Disney hotel. Their soon to be opened renovated rooms look far more beautiful and opulent to me. Regarding the Blue Bayou, I agree that the TDL version seems to have a more relaxed and quiet ambiance than the one in DL. Also been to the Blue Lagoon and while that has a more well-themed setting, the food falls very short of TDL's Blue Bayou. My favorite dish is actually also the seafood gratin!
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>Also been to the Blue Lagoon and while that has a more well-themed setting, the food falls very short of TDL's Blue Bayou<<< I'm not surprised. The food at DLP is not considered to be among the best in Disney Parks.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>still out of place in the Victorian themed TDH. Overall, I think the MiraCosta is still the best Disney hotel. Their soon to be opened renovated rooms look far more beautiful and opulent to me. <<< I agree. These themed rooms shouldn't be in these luxury hotels, but I guess they are popular among guests.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I agree that I personally wouldn't pick the Tinkerbell room, but I think it's furthered the theming of the character-based rooms they've done before, and does it very nicely For me, I kind of like coming back to a room with a more generic theme. I like how most of WDW's hotels are based on an architectural style, rather than some sort of franchise/branding. That lets you leave the chaotic parks behind and return to a space that's a little more subdued, while still allowing it to be well themed. It's great to have something that's themed, but I'd personally rather it look like a real hotel room from a different place, rather than one filled with character fixtures
Originally Posted By NGrey <<but I'd personally rather it look like a real hotel room from a different place, rather than one filled with character fixtures>> Agreed. I don't mind character motifs as long as they are subtle and thematically appropriate (like the standard rooms at TDH). The issue with these Character rooms is that they take you into a completely different time and place instead of maintaining the Victorian theme. I would have no issue with these rooms if they were included in a new resort that was specifically themed to animation or Disney classics.
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 It did take a bit away from the Victorian theme. Actually, let me rephrases that. It took a lot from the Victorian theme. I much prefer the standard rooms, but Tokyo Disney is currently going crazy with trying to add in more character rooms. I feel that character rooms will be a better fit in the Ambassador Hotel. They add character rooms and raise the prices. Booyah!! People still come and they're almost always fully booked. OLC has a big smile on it's face. NEW BLOG POST!!! The Honorable Rat takes us shopping at Villa Donaldo Home Shop in Tokyo Disneysea. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.honorablerat.com/shopping/2015/3/28/villa-donaldo-home-shop">http://www.honorablerat.com/sh...ome-shop</a>
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 NEW BLOG POST!!! Boys and their toys. Honorable Rat explores the best toy store in Tokyo Disney Resort. Hope that you guys will enjoy the read. Thanks for the support. I truly appreciate it. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.honorablerat.com/shopping/2015/4/2/toy-station">http://www.honorablerat.com/sh...-station</a>
Originally Posted By vicenzo83 NEW BLOG POST!!! So far, Honorable Rat has done only one review on Character Dining and that dining experience was terrible. This time, we visit Horizon Bay Restaurant in Tokyo Disneysea to meet Mickey and his pals. How does this dining experience compare to Character Breakfast in Crystal Palace Restaurant? Thanks for the continuous support. I hope that you guys will enjoy this read. <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.honorablerat.com/food-review/2015/4/3/character-dining-at-horizon-bay-restaurant">http://www.honorablerat.com/fo...staurant</a>
