nutshell
Oh, Disney!
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2007
Just got back from a couple weeks in Tokyo. Trip included DW, DD18, DS15, and me. We did TDL on 1/6 while they were still doing the New Year’s greeting, and we did Sea on 1/7 hoping for lighter crowds.
TDL - 1/7/19. We were expecting heavy crowds as it was a Sunday and the last day of the New Year’s holiday in Japan. Crowds were surprisingly moderate and easy to manage! It was certainly busier the last two times we went (March 2016 and November 2014). Here’s how are day at TDL went.
7:20. Arrived at the Maihama welcome center. The center opens at 7:30, but Hilton doesn’t open its counter until 8am. This was a rough start because the park opened at 8am that day and this out me behind schedule. Once I checked in at 8am, I tried to buy tickets but was informed that the Hilton desk was cash only. Ugh! This meant I had to go to a ticket booth, putting me further behind.
Tip. We walked from Maihama to TDL. There was a CM on the bridge with a sign that directed us downstairs to a room where we could buy tickets, which we did. So glad I saw the CM because once we got to the gate there were very long lines at the ticket booths.
We did the following once we were in the parks (and discovered crowds weren’t bad at all):
Grabbed a FP for Monster’s.
Rode Pooh. Such a great ride!
Rode Star Tours. First time in the Death Star.
Did the Stitch Encounter. We’d never dine before and loved it. Very cute.
Found a spot for the New Year’s greating. We thought it was an actual parade, but it was just one float with Mickey and Minnie in kimonos. Still loved it.
Got FP for Big Thunder.
Did the lottery for shows, but stuck out. I’ve been to TDR several times now and have NEVER won the lottery. Any tips?
Rode Monster’s.
Ate snacks and lunch, which included seafood pizza and cotton candy churros. Also had the apple tea soda and the golden soda. All of it was delicious!
Rode Pirates.
Did Country Bears. I like the nostalgia factor, but it’s not the same in Japanese.
Rode Big Thunder.
Grabbed FP for Space.
Watched the Dreamin’ Up parade - the TDR 35th anniversary parade. Lots of fun (although we’re not fans of the characters’ costumes for this anniversary - too busy).
Tiki Room w/ Stitch. Love it. DS15 is a huge Stitch fan.
Rode Space.
Did some shopping and got candy and other treats to bring home to friends.
Went to Hilton for a short break. Also got dinner from the convenience store on the first floor. Decent food that’s way cheaper than park food (although the park food is reasonably priced, IMO).
Watched the Let’s Party Gras! show. Loved it.
Rode Space again.
Watched the Electrical Parade. Almost seems to be a hybrid of the old electrical parade and Paint the Night.
Jungle Cruise. Wish they would add the token to DLR.
More shopping at a World Bazaar. Stepped out and watched fireworks a bit then caught a few minutes of Celebrate!
We were cold and tired (it was about 35 degrees), so we went back and crashed from there.
It was a great time!
TDL - 1/7/19. We were expecting heavy crowds as it was a Sunday and the last day of the New Year’s holiday in Japan. Crowds were surprisingly moderate and easy to manage! It was certainly busier the last two times we went (March 2016 and November 2014). Here’s how are day at TDL went.
7:20. Arrived at the Maihama welcome center. The center opens at 7:30, but Hilton doesn’t open its counter until 8am. This was a rough start because the park opened at 8am that day and this out me behind schedule. Once I checked in at 8am, I tried to buy tickets but was informed that the Hilton desk was cash only. Ugh! This meant I had to go to a ticket booth, putting me further behind.
Tip. We walked from Maihama to TDL. There was a CM on the bridge with a sign that directed us downstairs to a room where we could buy tickets, which we did. So glad I saw the CM because once we got to the gate there were very long lines at the ticket booths.
We did the following once we were in the parks (and discovered crowds weren’t bad at all):
Grabbed a FP for Monster’s.
Rode Pooh. Such a great ride!
Rode Star Tours. First time in the Death Star.
Did the Stitch Encounter. We’d never dine before and loved it. Very cute.
Found a spot for the New Year’s greating. We thought it was an actual parade, but it was just one float with Mickey and Minnie in kimonos. Still loved it.
Got FP for Big Thunder.
Did the lottery for shows, but stuck out. I’ve been to TDR several times now and have NEVER won the lottery. Any tips?
Rode Monster’s.
Ate snacks and lunch, which included seafood pizza and cotton candy churros. Also had the apple tea soda and the golden soda. All of it was delicious!
Rode Pirates.
Did Country Bears. I like the nostalgia factor, but it’s not the same in Japanese.
Rode Big Thunder.
Grabbed FP for Space.
Watched the Dreamin’ Up parade - the TDR 35th anniversary parade. Lots of fun (although we’re not fans of the characters’ costumes for this anniversary - too busy).
Tiki Room w/ Stitch. Love it. DS15 is a huge Stitch fan.
Rode Space.
Did some shopping and got candy and other treats to bring home to friends.
Went to Hilton for a short break. Also got dinner from the convenience store on the first floor. Decent food that’s way cheaper than park food (although the park food is reasonably priced, IMO).
Watched the Let’s Party Gras! show. Loved it.
Rode Space again.
Watched the Electrical Parade. Almost seems to be a hybrid of the old electrical parade and Paint the Night.
Jungle Cruise. Wish they would add the token to DLR.
More shopping at a World Bazaar. Stepped out and watched fireworks a bit then caught a few minutes of Celebrate!
We were cold and tired (it was about 35 degrees), so we went back and crashed from there.
It was a great time!