Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<Until a MAGICal webmaster catches wind of you posting with the defectors away from the mother country.>> Hey, I'm just looking for dual citizenship. Kinda like Lee.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Whew! Finally got through all the posts . Great reading so far (with the possible exception of the MAGICal reunion slash love fest ;->) and you have this single mom wondering she can come up with a scheme to get herself and her son to TDR. If I had any desire to tour Japan outside of Disney I'd be planning my trip right now, even if I had to save for 10 years. But as it is that's quite a long trip for just a Disney resort. Waiting to read more with baited breath.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We didn't spend the whole time at the parks. Only 6 days. Well, really more like 5 1/2. The rest of the time we were sightseeing.>> Whew!!! Had me worried for a minute. If I had a full two weeks there, I might have done five days (did four ... although went back one night to ride monorail, have dinner at DLH and shop) but had 11 days (and with flights it was more like 10). <<Tsukiji, Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima, Tokyo tower, etc. We weren't sure if or when we'd get back to Tokyo, so we made it a nice long trip. In hindsight, we could have stayed more in Tokyo for the sightseeing week, but truthfully we were more comfortable staying near the parks, as it was something we "knew".>> Got it. People like to feel safe near Mickey for some reason ;-) And I hope you do get back ... I KNOW I will!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<What exactly is there to talk about at WDW today?>> <<Well SOMEONE's gotta try to keep the sanity around that place. After all you defectors left, the burden fell squarely on my shoulders.>> Oh, you must be crumbling to your knees under that weight. To be fair, though, I didn't defect. I never felt comfortable there. The mood really is one of 'Disney can do no wrong' and the discussions often border on infantile. Everytime I do a bit of lurking, it reminds me of why I don't want to post there. <<Speaking of defectors... Not even a "hello" or "welcome aboard" from EE??? Me thinks he and I shall go round.>> He's likely busy clutching his plush while crying his eyes out listening to the RoE soundtrack ... very normal behavior for a young man! <<OK, now I LOVED TDR. I can't wait to go back, which I will later this year. I may even buy a TDS AP depending on my work in Asia, BUT ... tell me you didn't spend two weeks at Disney theme parks and not tour Tokyo and environs ... please ... That said, I'd love to stay at Mira Costa. It had a phenomenal look and feel (especially the hidden peek into the park you get by hanging out near the pool). Just hard to spend that much money for a room when I was out all the time ... and stayed at a Good Neighbor Hotel for about $60 (no, not a typo) a night. You just have to tell me you did stuff other than two weeks of theme parks. I have a friend who spent three weeks at the PPH at DLR a few summers ago and left Anaheim for parts of two days, I think (El Capitan and WDI were his stops) and I do admit to thinking he was a wee bit insane.>> <<Nah, we're nuts, but not THAT nuts. 5 1/2 days in the parks. Saw the country for the other week. Which we LOVED. Loved the people, loved the atmosphere, loved it all. Beautiful country. We want to return as much for the country and sights as we do for TDR. I've traveled plenty as you know... And nowhere else have I ever come across such nice and thoughtful people. Certainly a change from 60 years ago... But I care not why they've changed. Only that they have.>> I liked the people (even Mr. X), but I can't say they are the nicest I've experienced. I've never felt more welcomed than on my first trip to China in 2008 ... and people have been great in most places in Europe that I've been to as well. Also think folks in NYC are amongst the nicest, and that they get a bum wrap. ... Worst people: easily Florida. Now, come and give us your money, y'all! <<We swam in the pool in the Mira Costa. Which isn't included in the price when you have a room there. Yep. Cost us about $40 for the two girls to swim, and for my wife and I to be able to sit in there with them and watch them. Insane.>> Yes. That's what I found out. Of course, it wasn't swimming weather last month anyway ... likely why we were able to hang out alone by said pool at night and look into TDS. <<If only we could post pictures here, I could share the view we had from the room... Front row for the lagoon shows. And I've also got a few great pictures of exactly what you're talking about with the area of the park around the pool. Stunning.>> If you don't mind me asking (and even if you do), what was the nightly rate when you guys went?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<< So does not being able to quote. Or post pictures. Or have an avatar. >>> <<I'm able to quote, as you can see As for the lack of embedded pictures, avatars, animated GIF smilies, different colors and fonts for messages, and the like, THANK GOD! It makes this site so much more usable than many other message boards. My browser nearly locks up every time I wander over to Micechat because so many users put so much embedded crap in each message.>> Agreed. I HATE that stuff. The younger set may think it's way kewl, but it just gets in the way and messes with any computer that isn't either a.) a Mac (natch) or b.) brand new. If the whole point of a discussion board is to discuss, then these 'simple' tech-free boards are about the best there is. If you'd like to photoshop a giant Sorceror Mickey hat on Spidey and put him on top of SSE shooting webs of fire down, or just link to your WDW trip countdown or your kitty dressed as a Disney character for Halloween, then I suppose this isn't the best site for you.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Whew! Finally got through all the posts .>> So, I'm not the only one? ;-) <<Great reading so far (with the possible exception of the MAGICal reunion slash love fest ;->)>> It's like a PoW reunion ... can't blame folks for being happy that old whatshisname survived too! <<and you have this single mom wondering she can come up with a scheme to get herself and her son to TDR. If I had any desire to tour Japan outside of Disney I'd be planning my trip right now, even if I had to save for 10 years. But as it is that's quite a long trip for just a Disney resort.>> I wouldn't tell anyone to visit Japan just to see TDR. Yes, the parks are amazing. But so is the country. There's a people, a culture, a history ... so many things to see/do/experience. I wouldn't tell people who have never been to California to just go visit DLR ... or folks who have never been to Paris to just see DLP. Even Disney nuts. Hell, even our little banana republic (New State Motto: Yes Our Governor is a Criminal, You Gonna Do Something About It?) has a lot more to see/do than just WDW or theme parks (although far less than Anaheim, Hong Kong, Paris or Tokyo). And, at the risk of sounding like my old buddy TDLFAN, Tokyo isn't nearly as expensive for most people as they may think. I know I spent about a third of what I had expected to be the least expensive way to go ... and I didn't not eat and I didn't sleep in a closet ... etc. <<Waiting to read more with baited breath.>> Am debating what my Friday night plans will entail ... if I stay around, then you may see more here later tonight. Otherwise, I'll get some real stuff up this weekend. Thanks for reading!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>He's likely busy clutching his plush while crying his eyes out listening to the RoE soundtrack ... very normal behavior for a young man!<< He's FINALLY got it right! Only took 2 years...
Originally Posted By Mr X ***going to Roy's for dinner (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!)*** What and where is this "Roy's" place dude? Never heard of it, but it sounds Western and that's for me! (if it's roy's soys or roy's tentacle hutt or something like that, I'll skip it).
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<If you don't mind me asking (and even if you do), what was the nightly rate when you guys went?>> Geez, I don't remember. Seems like it was close to $700 a night. it was a ton. But we were operating under the "we may never get here again" guise, which certainly won't end up being the case.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb >>>I wouldn't tell anyone to visit Japan just to see TDR.<<< Oh I realize that. And it isn't even the price that keeps me away. It's a very long flight. And frankly Asia has not "called to me". There are other places I want to go first. I am actually planning a trip to Greece in a few years. At which time I may (or may not) take a side trip to DLP.
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<Agreed. I HATE that stuff. The younger set may think it's way kewl, but it just gets in the way and messes with any computer that isn't either a.) a Mac (natch) or b.) brand new. If the whole point of a discussion board is to discuss, then these 'simple' tech-free boards are about the best there is. If you'd like to photoshop a giant Sorceror Mickey hat on Spidey and put him on top of SSE shooting webs of fire down, or just link to your WDW trip countdown or your kitty dressed as a Disney character for Halloween, then I suppose this isn't the best site for you.>> You forgot to end your post with "AND GET OFF MY LAWN YOU YOUNG WHIPPER SNAPPER!!!
Originally Posted By buried20kleague What and where is this "Roy's" place dude? Never heard of it, but it sounds Western and that's for me! (if it's roy's soys or roy's tentacle hutt or something like that, I'll skip it).<< Roy's is in Roppongi hills. Up in a pretty tall building. The views are really great, and the food is as well. it's not really "western"... I think you'd class it as "pan asian fusion". Think seafood with a hawaiian and asian twist, mostly. Very expensive though, too. Google "Roy's Tokyo" and you'll find pics of the view (including breathtaking views of the tower!), food, etc... Along with reviews at trip advisor, etc. Not to mention Roy's website. Though it only covers the locations in the states, which isn't many. Hawaii (been there, it's great), Chicago, Cali, etc... If you DO go, I suggest ordering the canoe. it's basically an appetizer sampler, and it's very very good. That way you get a handful of different tastes and flavors. We've gone there before and just ordered canoes and had drinks and it was a wonderful meal. Or order one canoe for the table to start the meal, either way.
Originally Posted By SuperDry Ah yes, chef Roy Yamaguchi. I've eaten at the Roy's in Waikiki and it was outstanding.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< <<Wow - a 2-week stay at TDR? That's a long time for that resort!>> We didn't spend the whole time at the parks. Only 6 days. Well, really more like 5 1/2. The rest of the time we were sightseeing. Tsukiji, Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima, Tokyo tower, etc. We weren't sure if or when we'd get back to Tokyo, so we made it a nice long trip. In hindsight, we could have stayed more in Tokyo for the sightseeing week, but truthfully we were more comfortable staying near the parks, as it was something we "knew". >>> Glad to hear! I've done a visit to Tokyo every which way, and after my experience, here's what I recommend to others: Split your visit to Tokyo the city and TDR into two portions: stay on-site during your TDR potion and stay put (except perhaps to go one station down the Keiyo Line for food one night). Then, for your Tokyo portion, leave the resort and stay in town. Nobody so far as regretted taking this advice, and everyone that has ignored it wished they didn't after they got back. I say this for several reasons. In addition to saving time each day not having to commute on a bus (which unlike the WDW buses don't run continuously throughout the day, so you can't really go back to the room mid-day then go back in the evening), you have the benefit of a mid-day hotel room break. Also, there is something to be said about being on-site as far as being immersed in the whole thing. I did visit TDR once for a week and just stayed put at the resort, except for one afternoon when I ventured into Tokyo and it was the weirdest thing: I had actually forgotten I was in Japan! The resort has a totally different feel than the rest of the country, and if you stay off-site, you go through the transition between the two twice a day. For the same reason, I highly recommend AGAINST staying at the resort for the part of the trip when you're doing non-Disney things. Tokyo is such an incredible city, and you'll want to fully experience it by actually staying there, in addition to the obvious convenience factor.
Originally Posted By SuperDry That does bring up the issue of "how long should I plan to visit TDR?" for the first-time visitor. I would say that for the big Disney fan that really enjoys the parks and wants to see most of what's on offer, rather than just clicking off the top 5 E-tickets in each park, 5 nights/4 days is about the best answer. They normally state travel in the other direction (with one more day than night), but I put it this way so that you have four full days in the park, and don't use up parts of any of those days arriving and departing from the resort. Four days is enough time to see most attractions, see most shows/parades/entertainment, explore, and eat most meals in the parks. But even, there will be some things that you just don't happen to get to, and you won't have that much time to do things outside of the park. There are worthwhile things to do at the resort other than the parks. While most of the shopping at Ikspiari is unlikely to appeal to or meet the needs of foreign visitors, there are something like 50 restaurants. Some are just functional, everyday fare (for Japan, which in itself can be interesting). Others are rather nice higher-end restaurants that are very enjoyable. Another thing that I highly recommend if you have time is Cirque du Soleil's "Zed." It's new as of about 2 years ago, and TDR is the only place in the world you can see it. I think it's one of the better CdS productions I've seen (and I've seen at least 10), and much better than La Nouba (again, IMHO). Unfortunately, it kind of gets in the way of precious park time, so probably the best thing to do if you were staying 5 nights would be to arrive at the resort on the first day by mid-day, drop off your bags, then see an afternoon show of Zed. After the show, you could then dine at Ikspiari, then go back to your hotel and start your 4-day park ticket the next morning. You can drop off your bags and check in to any resort hotel (the 3 Disney hotels, plus the 5 Official hotels) at Ikspiari, saving a lot of hassle upon your resort arrival. I guess my point is that a 3-night stay at TDR is going to feel rushed and you won't get to see everything, yet a 7-10 day stay as some do at WDW is way too much time.
Originally Posted By Mr X I personally find it difficult to recommend four days at Tokyo Disney for most people (particularly people who are visiting on a first, or even more particularly "once in a lifetime" trip). IF it's a full two week trip with no long side trips (in other words, the other 10 days are dedicated to Tokyo and the nearby surroundings), then I'm cool with recommending four days. But any shorter, and I start to feel as though it's giving short shrift to the Japan experience to recommend spending so much time at Disney. NOT saying Disney isn't worth it, or doesn't require four days or so (it really does!), but it's a matter of priorities, and for me seeing the "real" Japan is a lot more important and very time consuming (there's so much to take in!). So for people who've already been to Disney parks elsewhere, I recommend spending the bulk of their time in Tokyo and exploring Japan and only 2-3 days at TDR maximum if they've got a tight schedule. See all the stuff you CAN'T see at any other Disney Resort (which means, obviously, spending lots of that time at DisneySea), but don't re-hash stuff that is available elsewhere in order to save time. It's a tough decision, but overall I think people overdo TDR more than under-do it...I still remember one person here who chimed in about her plans to "visit the Tokyo Disney Resort for 6 days, with an evening planned to go into the city"...ugh. That was her whole itinerary, too! Fly into Japan. Do Disney stuff. Go to Tokyo for an evening. Fly out. Also iirc it was her only trip to Japan too! (unlike some frequent visitors like SuperDry who might just make a "Disney trip", because they'd already experienced so much other stuff!)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>"visit the Tokyo Disney Resort for 6 days, with an evening planned to go into the city"...ugh<<< There are loads of folks where this is a case at disneyland Paris too. They may have been to DLP a dozen times but have never been to Paris. Mind you there are folks who have been to Orlando numerous times and have never been to KSC or IOA. But if going to TDL, you can be sure we will go to Disney for at least 4 days. I do not do commando visits, and I like to linger over meals too. so i am not going to kill myself over it. I am just going to make sure I allow plenty of time for our visit to take in both elements (though I suspect the Tokyo experince will be very different with kids in tow). But I need at least 2 if not 3 days at TDS I think. and although I always thought TDL looked like it sucked, I do need to do Dreamlights, Monsters Inc, Winnie the Pooh, the Polynesian Show, maybe the Golden Horseshoe Revue, as well as the other entertainment options. I want to try the Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and PotC to see how it differs (and the cultural reactions), as well as Splash Mountain (still a rare attraction for us, I have ridden it twice in Florida and once in California). the kids won't let us get away with skipping Bug Thunder. And I want to see if there are any special nuances in the park. Also we need to take time to explore the three official hotels and to see Zed. so in an ideal world, I would love a week at TDL (at least 5 days). Although I understand, except for TDS, the detailing is not present in the way we see it in anaheim or Paris? Our last trip to California was 5 dyas and we still did not do everything we wanted to. I am assuming Tokyo Disney would be similar? As for Tokyo, I was picturing another 5 days in the city, and then a 3 day side trip to Kyoto. We did think of doing the following: 2-3 days in Osaka to get over jetlag and check out USJ, then Kyoto and Nara for a few days, 5 days Toyko, and then fishish with a relaxing 5 day finale at TDL/TDS to finish the trip (or maybe a week leaving some cusion time if we wanted to go back into Tokyo).
