Editor Pick
Disney - Japanese Style
- October 24, 2008
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Poole Party from everywhere, Virginia
The call of Disneyland was not enough to conquer fatigue and get us out of the house before 9am. We took the train to Hatchobori station, from where we switched from the Metro to the JR line and took a train to Mahaima station – Disneyland and Disneysea resort and their own Disney Metro line going from one attraction to the next. I was surprised at how little guidance there was to the Disney Metro – in English. Perhaps there were signs everywhere in English. I realized here too that Tokyo Disney is geared towards many locals rather than tourists from outside Japan. There was so little advertising or signage that even though our map showed and our friend had given us directions, we asked again and doubted the route until we saw the towers of Disney’s castle on the horizon.
It was snowing when we showed up at the gates of Disneyland so it was relatively uncrowded. Still it didn’t stop the queues from forming by the popular rides like Space Mountain. Having visited Disneyland only once before, and without three children of varying ages, I spent much of the first day just wandering around relatively aimlessly, and overwhelmed by the number of rides, things to see, do and eat, as well as the fact that the snow – cold and melting made sitting outside less of a pleasure and more of a chore. Though there were Disney staff wandering around constantly cleaning up. With a two and a half year old in tow, we were more concerned about balancing the amount of time indoors and outdoors to make sure we stayed warm.
By the middle of the day, we figured out fast pass, a free service that allows you to reserve a spot on the ride during a one hour window later in the day.
Lines for food – from traditional fast food to churros and fried chicken legs
Due to inclement weather, coronation and parade celebration ceremonies were cancelled, but the rain and cold had us all ready to hit the gift stores for final shopping. Note – everyone saves shopping for last, so if you don’t want crowds, do the shopping early.
Stroller parking outside the various rides, neatly lined up, with no belongings ‘borrowed’.
The hardest part about leaving Disneyland was the knowledge that I was not going to be traveling on the trains for about an hour instead of staying at the Disneyland resort hotel. Next time, I am going to be staying at the hotel for easy and early access to Disneyland, to get to the Space Mountain ride before the line reaches 130 minute wait. Just a note that many of the rides do not allow children under three, so if your child is not yet three, but ready mentally and physically for the ride, you might want to fudge the age of your child give or take six months.
Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo Disney Land is a fun place, great for families! I had a blast and would love to go back! The lines, of course, were long and most of everything was expensive, but that's Disney for you! I would recommend to use your fast pass for the roller coasters and eat before you come! Be sure to check for the times of the parades because it gets so crowded and if you get caught in a large crowd it can be almost impossible to see!
From journal Tokyo--The Place to Feel Special!