Originally Posted By barboy2 ///Split your visit to Tokyo the city and TDR into two portions: stay on-site during your TDR portion...... Then, for your Tokyo portion, leave the resort and stay in town./// Not to belittle your advice but it's hard to believe that several have not done it that way. All things being "equal and normal" for a trip it just seems so damn obvious that that is the only logical approach, no matter what part of the globe one will visit, Disney or not. Under almost all circumstances if I were to do an LA/DL trip for several days I sure as heck wouldn't stay in Hollywood and commute down to Dl Resort for 2 or 3 days straight or conversely stay 'on property' and travel up to Magic Mountain one day and then get on the 5 and 101 to Universal the next day.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***All things being "equal and normal" for a trip it just seems so damn obvious that that is the only logical approach, no matter what part of the globe one will visit, Disney or not*** Only if you're familiar with the fact that "Tokyo" Disneyland and Disneyland "Paris" are not in fact in the cities...that's not as obvious as it may seem to us fans (I used to imagine that Disneyland Paris was somewhere within view of the Eiffel Tower, for example...it's just the picture that formed in my head). One could also be thrown off by the fact that a quick search reveals that Tokyo Disneyland is a mere 12 minutes from "Tokyo Station", making it sound as though the resort is only minutes from the heart of the city when in actuality it's quite a different story depending on transfers and where you wish to go (and the fact that Tokyo station is enormous with the Keiyo tracks being in a very remote part of the station). So I think the advice is sound, just because many of us are intimately familiar with the lay of the land doesn't mean everyone is.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I'll repeat that I stayed in a location that was pretty convenient to BOTH TDR and Tokyo. It can really be done. And when I visit DLP, I now stay in the city. Some folks (probably the same ones who take 90 minutes to get from Pop Century to Saratoga Springs using WDW transport) would likely balk at the HUGE 35-minute subway ride I 'endure' to do so, but I tend to like being in the city and all it offers too. Oh ... and since I don't have time right now for a long post and don't want to forget, one thing I have forgotten to mention is TDR doesn't clog up walkways with carts selling glow crap. Does make a difference.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>And when I visit DLP, I now stay in the city.<<< Now i would never do that, but I like to spend as little time in cities as possible. Then again, if I travelled 3000 miles to get there, then my perspective might be different. also to be fair, most European cities suck hotel wise for families of four. They are other run down dumps, or you need two seperate rooms. I'll stick with my villa on the golf course thanks - not long until I return! (though I must find a way to do some business in Japan and HK).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I'll repeat that I stayed in a location that was pretty convenient to BOTH TDR and Tokyo. It can really be done*** I don't remember if I asked you or not when we met, but how long was your shuttle bus ride from the hotel to TDR? Your location, a place I do like very much, is not particularly convenient to TDR if using trains...thus the fact you found a good (and excellently priced) hotel with a shuttle service was definitely a master stroke of planning on your part! Generally speaking, I think from your hotel area into Tokyo "proper" is somewhat convenient to the Western side (Shibuya where we enjoyed a long stroll and a surprisingly tasty pita pocket place, Shinjuku and other Western zones), but not all that convenient to other locales. Although it seems as though you worked things out very well, I would still say that SuperDry's advice, generally speaking, is good advice. Naturally, it depends on your price range (for the money, Spirit hit the jackpot as far as I'm concerned!).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Problem is, there is limited advice out there for people travelling as a family,. What I have often found is that four people travelling together in Japan (and it is a problem in some parts of Europe such as Italy too) either need to pony up a lot of money for a family room or get two rooms (since I rarely see my wife I want to at least snuggle on vacation). Solo and couple travellers have it much easier (e.g. priceline etc.). I wondered if maybe I should embarque on a new enterprise, writing for family travellers.
Originally Posted By Mr X I'll join ya, if you need a research assistant (Mrs X and Little X would be happy to fill out the "family" quota lol). It is certainly true that in Japan (I don't know much about the rest of Asia) the rooms are small and cramped, and particularly in the budget hotels which are referred to as "business hotels" and are really intended for only ONE occupant (even for one, it is spartan...for two, it is nearly impossible...for a family, forget it). There certainly ARE luxury rooms available, but it costs a pretty penny to say the least!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>There certainly ARE luxury rooms available, but it costs a pretty penny to say the least!<<< My point exactly. It was either a case of do it cheap with two rooms, or splash on luxury. For a family of four, the Disney hotels are not a bad price (though I suspect with real hunting we can do better elsewhere). But even Marriott, Holiday Inn and New Otani were a challenge to find family rooms. Like I say, this isn't unique to Toyko, this is a big problem in Europe too (and why I mainly stay at Marriott's and Holiday Inns, though Marroitt in Europe has few family rooms except the Vacation Club.
Originally Posted By Mr X New Otani? Really? I stayed there a while back, and it was absolutely the lap of luxury as far as I was concerned. Simply the classiest, most elegant hotel I've ever had the pleasure to stay in... And my room was more than adequate for a family (although I've learned that even at these places, the rooms do downsize considerably as you go down the ladder...at the time I was being very well treated by the OLC lol)...I had two large (bigger than twin, not quite queen sized) beds, a sofa, two cushy chairs, a desk with two chairs, and an amply apportioned bathroom. This was at the New Otani in Makuhari (near TDR, sort off), and I can say that from my experience that room would've been just fine for your whole family. Then again, I know that the rooms are tiered and it definitely depends on how much you pay for it (I had a sofa and semi "living room" sort of thing at the Brighton once too, but then the next year...not so much lol).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo This is going on ebookers and other sites. In fact ebookers, when you put in a room for 4 - it brought up one Japanese hotel, the Conrad, Hilton Tokyo, and Hilton Tokyo Bay and that was it.
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, that can't be right. I'm certain the Sheraton Tokyo Bay has decent sized accomodations. And as I mentioned the Brighton does too, for sure. Also hotel Emion near the Brighton is quite luxurious. Are you looking for something I'm not aware of, or just two large beds and a decent sized room?
Originally Posted By irishfan I'm actually in Tokyo at the moment. Spent the first two nights at the resort (two and a half days in the parks) and now staying on the 30th floor of a hotel in Shinjinku with amazing views of the city. Ended up splashing out and stayed at the Mira Costa. Although it was still ridiculously expensive, it's still cheaper at this time of year compared to other times.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Are you looking for something I'm not aware of, or just two large beds and a decent sized room?<<< Simply looking for a room with two large beds in a good location to get around the city (family friendly if pos). It could be a dubious deal thing though of the companies paying ebookers et al more.
Originally Posted By Mr X What does "family friendly" mean exactly, in terms of your expectations? (sorry, I'm not totally familiar with the term, if I understand it I might be able to locate some good places for you in future) As far as two large beds in a decent location, that's not so hard to come by in Japan imho...you have to search along different lines than the backpackers who flock to "business" hotels which are small but very cheap (and just peachy for a party of 1 who doesn't mind having to side-step their way to the bathroom)... The very notion that your search brought up only FOUR places though, in Tokyo or the surrounding regions, is downright ludicrous. I can think of more than ten places that can accommodate your needs in the city of Urayasu alone (not EVEN counting the three Disney hotels).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I'm actually in Tokyo at the moment. Spent the first two nights at the resort (two and a half days in the parks) and now staying on the 30th floor of a hotel in Shinjinku with amazing views of the city. Ended up splashing out and stayed at the Mira Costa. Although it was still ridiculously expensive, it's still cheaper at this time of year compared to other times*** How much longer are you in town? I think that WorldDisney did send me a warning, but I didn't realize you were around just this week! I wish I'd know you were at the Resort, I'm just a stones throw away from there and I'm famous for forcing devoted Disney fans out of the parks and into Ikspiari for an intrusive lunch lol).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Like I say, that is what came up when searching, on several occassions (unless maybe I am looking too far in advance - searched for Halloween week). Family friendly means kids welcome.
Originally Posted By Mr X I guess I don't really understand that part...are there certain high end places where kids are not welcomed (or discouraged or whatever, as is the case in some high end restaurants?). I've never heard of such a thing, but then again I travel in simple circles. As far as I know, kids are fine at any hotel in Japan.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>And when I visit DLP, I now stay in the city.<<< <<Now i would never do that, but I like to spend as little time in cities as possible. Then again, if I travelled 3000 miles to get there, then my perspective might be different. >> Well, I am not big on cities that are just ... well, cities. Paris wouldn't be one ... like NYC or Rome or San Francisco or London (a place you know a bit about). <<also to be fair, most European cities suck hotel wise for families of four. They are other run down dumps, or you need two seperate rooms. >> I'd say that about most cities in the world. It's one thing the USA excels in, although I've stayed in hotels in NYC, SF and Boston that were not going to fit more than two people. <<I'll stick with my villa on the golf course thanks - not long until I return! (though I must find a way to do some business in Japan and HK).>> I love that locale. And would have stayed there had there been transport options that were fine. But staying in a four-star hotel near a major transport hub, that I could walk to the Eiffel Tower and other sites easily to and all for about $115 a night made a lot of sense. I readily admit being a single traveler gives me a whole lot more flexibility than having three others.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ***I'll repeat that I stayed in a location that was pretty convenient to BOTH TDR and Tokyo. It can really be done*** <<I don't remember if I asked you or not when we met, but how long was your shuttle bus ride from the hotel to TDR?>> I'd say it averaged about 20-25 minutes. Pretty typical for say, an onsite WDW bus ... just a lot more comfortable. <<Your location, a place I do like very much, is not particularly convenient to TDR if using trains...thus the fact you found a good (and excellently priced) hotel with a shuttle service was definitely a master stroke of planning on your part!>> Well, I consider myself a master planner. But I also think sometimes people don't even think to look for options. I was ready to plunk down a bit over $190 a night for the New Otani because it is highly rated etc. But I still felt that was a lot, not by price, but because I wasn't hardly ever going to be there. Kind of like when people pay $400 to stay at the Poly or BW and use the room to sleep six hours, shower and change clothes when they could Priceline a very acceptable place for $40 a night in the WDW area. When I stay somewhere nice (as I just did in Las Vegas) I tend to spend a great deal of time at the place I am staying. Otherwise, it's just a waste of money. I didn't use the trains to TDR except maybe twice and it wasn't too bad either, although bus was definitely better. And the amount of dining, shopping and sightseeing just near the hotel was great. <<Generally speaking, I think from your hotel area into Tokyo "proper" is somewhat convenient to the Western side (Shibuya where we enjoyed a long stroll and a surprisingly tasty pita pocket place, Shinjuku and other Western zones), but not all that convenient to other locales.>> I dunno. I never felt that it was taking 'forever' to get anywhere ... and I am an 'impatient' Spirit (recall, I didn't wait longer than 35 minutes to see/ride anything in four days at TDR!) I guess put it this way, I'd stay there again in a heartbeat. <<Although it seems as though you worked things out very well, I would still say that SuperDry's advice, generally speaking, is good advice. Naturally, it depends on your price range (for the money, Spirit hit the jackpot as far as I'm concerned!).>> Alas, he didn't hit it in Vegas, so I doubt he'll be staying at the Mira Costa next time either!
