Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Can't stand industrial Osaka and don't have any real reason to visit, thank God.<< You can't stand Orlando either and yet, you land here as often as hurricanes if not more often... But it's too bad you feel you have no reason to go, especially now that some people around Osaka have called USJ's new "Peter Pan's Neverland" lagoon show as USJ's Fantasmic! That is quite a compliment and worthy of some attention. Don't you think? I mean... no one has ever said that about "BraviSEAmo!" Of course... I will be the judge of that on May 21st.
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ I'm not a theme park fan per se so don't visit any non-Disney parks at all. At least Orlando has WDW. Osaka is just a plain ugly place.
Originally Posted By SuperDry I have to agree about Osaka - it's probably the one city in Japan that I didn't enjoy visiting. I thought it was depressing. But I do want to go to USJ sometime.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN I agree Osaka ain't all that, but there are some sights to be enjoyed.. The Osaka Castle, the Bay Front area where the Aquarium is... etc etc. But you do need to go past Osaka and go over to Kyoto or Nara. As for putting down Universal just because it happens to be in Osaka... well, I think that's a bit unfair. And SuperDry... if you have been to USF, you pretty much can say you have been to the Osaka park, however, there are some differences and much improved park qualities... What they learned from IOA, they applied here, plus add a dash of TDR's cleanliness and CM attributes and voila! You have what I feel is the best Universal park out there.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Time is of the Essence, 1.Cab or Bus from Narita? If there is not much price or we can gain some park time I'll take a cab. Opinion? >>> I think the answers so far have not offered a total answer to the question. I have taken both the Friendly Airport Limousine Bus and a taxi from the airport to the Mira Costa, so let me offer a direct comparison. Both will have the same traffic issues on the highway. The bus takes maybe 10-15 minutes longer than a taxi to the Mira Costa, as that hotel is usually the last stop. But the key point if time is of the essence is that this 10-15 minutes is in addition to the time you have to wait at the airport for the next scheduled bus departure. You say that you arrive at 1pm - I assume that this is your flight's scheduled arrival time. It could easily take you an hour to get through immigration and customs, meaning you might get to the arrivals hall around 2pm. The busses leave at 2:10pm and 3:10pm. If you make it in time to catch the 2:10pm bus, then that would be the best option. But if you miss it, and have to wait for an additional hour, then that's where your "time is of the essence" judgement comes into play. The bus is about $20/person, and a taxi is about $174. You didn't say how many people you have in your group. Do the math and figure out how much an extra hour is worth to you.
Originally Posted By Jeff n Orange County lol -You guys are great. In Hong Kong and heading to HKDL mini park today. Narita tomorrow. (travel Agent is trying to get us 1 more day in Japan, woke me up at 4:00 am here -ouch!) I'll keep u posted. And Profuse thanks to all Jeff
Originally Posted By Jeff n Orange County Well I did get 1 extra day in Japan and boy o boy did I need it! The bus worked perfect and the parks were fantastic. I'm too jet lagged right now but I will GUSH about all 3 parks soon in a trip report, I promise. Thanks so much for the advice! Jeff
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Glad you had a good time, concidering the weather in Tokyo this week was less than wonderful... But we'll hold you to that promise!!
