Japan 2024 - Tokyo DisneySea (May 29)

Well, we aren’t sure what is going on but we are having trouble uploading photos. I guess text will have to do. (Lola is working on a work around to bring you photos!)

Today was another good park day.  We decided to go back to DisneySea after we saw the weather forecast was very favourable - +24*C and no rain.  It was a very comfortable park day.

We started with a buffet breakfast at Chef Mickey which is in our hotel.  We didn’t realize that our reservation at 7:30am was when the restaurant opened. We took a group photo and then got to our table so everyone could fill their plates with food.

Chef Mickey came by the table for “one photo” which ended up being more than one photo.

After breakfast, it was time to catch the bus to DisneySea. We arrived just before the park opened but were still able to skip the line with our “Happy Entry” tickets which were part of our hotel reservation.  We took some photos by the water.

First up was Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster - a good way to get T into ride mode.  

Next up was Jasmine’s Flying Carpets, where T did his best to make MBM and Lola nauseous.  He was 50% successful.

Then we made our way to Aquatopia, where you ride in little vehicles that tour around on the (ankle high) water.  It was neat but not very thrilling for those more experienced theme park riders.

Then, we made our way to Big Band Beat, taking the electric train to save our feet from about 1,000 steps.  The show was great - it was amazing to see Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy dance (with their big character shoes) to some big band music.  Plus, it was inside with comfortable seats and air conditioning.  (No photos during the show). Lola loved when mickey played the drums!

After the show, we wandered around some shops - most notable was McDuck’s Department Store where T says the store should be called “McDuffy’s” after all of the Duffy stuffed animals, one of which was B’s first purchase.  

We then had a short wait for our lunch order to be ready at Dockside Diner.  Everyone enjoyed their meals, well at least AA enjoyed his meal (pastrami sandwich on a croissant-like bun).

After lunch, we made our way over to Toy Story Mania to stand in the meandering line for 45 mins before seeing who could score the highest in all of the 3D shooting games.  AA won.

Then we got some ice cream and popsicles from the nearby ice cream stand and then sat in the shade to enjoy our refreshments.  Lola wants everyone to know that she found the rest spot.  We are all very thankful.

With a sugar boost, it was time to find a spot to watch the Fantasy Springs Special Greeting water show.  DD and the kids went to get some more refreshments (drinks this time).  We are all surprised by the kids choice of hot chocolate, but they claim it was all because of “science” (drinking something hot when you are hot makes you feel cold…).

After the water show, DD took us to the Fortress Explorations area to explore a medieval castle and see some cool things.  B liked the large pendulum that would knock over a metal peg every 5 mins.  B really liked astrology room where you could turn some large handles to make the planets orbit the sun.  DD really liked that room too but he also forked out some cash so the three of them could also drive some miniature ships in a water table.  MBM and Lola liked the ocular camera that could see outside the room.  AA liked the views from the castle walls.  

Next, we made our way to ride the two storey carousel in the “Aladdin” area.  Of course we rode on the top level.  It was questionable if DD was going to stay awake on the ride.

After spinning around in circles, we decided we should have supper so that we could get a spot for the evening water show.  Supper was at Casbah Food Court.  Everyone had curry with rice, of different varieties.  And the kids convinced AA to have a Lassie - some type of milky yogurt-like drink.  It was delicious.

We then made our way back to the main lagoon to find a seat for the evening water show (Believe! Sea of Dreams).  The kids were lucky to get a spot in front, near the railing when the people in front made way for them to squeeze in.  The show was really good even though AA also enjoyed watching all of the planes coming in to land at the nearby (Haneda) airport.

After the water show, it was time to go back to the hotel so that everyone could rest their sore feet, legs and backs.  But, of course, there was a short pitstop at one of the stores on the way out so 4 of the 6 travel buddies could by some new shirts.  Then, it was a short bus ride back to the hotel on the “retro bus”.

We have almost acclimated to the time change here but are still getting up pretty early, which makes it a bit easier to get to the parks (and by virtue, breakfast) early.

Tomorrow looks like another sunny day for Disneyland Park.  Good thing AA can go get some tickets from Guest Services in the hotel.

Japan 2024 - Tokyo DisneySea (May 28)

 Last night by chance, Lola got a breakfast reservation for the hotel near DisneySeas called Oceano.  When B heard in the morning she was literally jumping for joy. We all got up way before our alarms, still getting used to this 14 hour time difference. Even the kids were happy when they woke up this morning and played nicely on their iPads.

We headed down to potentially walk to breakfast but it was pouring ran.  we decided to wait for the bus which was a great decision.  We arrived and headed to the hotel to find the restaurant.  It was ocean themed with very neat rooms and atmosphere.  The food was similar but different from the day before. 

There were 3 buffet tables, American, salad, and Japanese traditional.  The miso soup, green bun things and the rice pudding were hits. T had 5 helpings of a creamy chicken dish with scrambled eggs, and B enjoyed here post dessert spaghetti and 3 meatballs. 

After breakfast we headed to DisneySeas. The line was long, and I was still raining, but we got to go through a really short line as we are staying at a Disney Resort Hotel.

We entered and looked at priority passes in the rain, and to our surprise, the new park Fantasy Springs was offering to go on the Tinkerbell ride. So Lola snatched up those tickets before they were gone.  This means they were having another soft opening of the new land and we were going to get access :)

This park is huge. We headed to the “center” of the park to the Center of the Earth Ride. At that point Turner decided he didn’t want to go, so DD and T stayed behind and waited.  The line was not too long, and the ride was pretty good.  There are 2 parts where you are outside, and a large drop which was short enough for MBMell to really enjoy it.  While Lola was in line she got 2 priority passes, so DD didn’T have to wait in line, and go by himself.  Of course B got to go again with DD. They both enjoyed it (B for the second time).

After that we headed to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  It was pretty neat how there was a spiral ramp all the way to the bottom to enter the ride,  The wait was pretty short.  We were in a submarine type car, where we saw lots of sea aliens.  To our surprise the rides stopped, and the lights turned on after an announcement.  Turns out we had to be evacuated.  They turned on all the lights in the ride, and cast members tethered onto the catwalk, to help us out of the pod. We climbed up an emergency ladder at the back of the pod, and headed outsides through a stairwell and out a difference side of the mountain than we entered.  The cast members were super calm, helpful and gave us priority passes for 1 ride of choice.

So we used that to go on Indian Jones Aventure.  We all enjoyed this ride, especially DD, AA and B as they missed it last time at Disneyland because it broke down just as they were at the front of the queue.

After the ride, we figured we should have some lunch and waited in line for Yucatan Base Camp Grill.  Lunch was pretty good and the wait was less than what was posted in the app, which was good because although the kids said they weren’t hungry, they were hungry. Lola enjoyed her first apple tea soda!

Next up was Nemo and Friends SeaRider. B was happy that we got in line when we did (which was likely right after the cutoff for the show before us, but she didn’t know that).  The ride was ok, not everyone’s favourite but it was a short wait.

B wanted to get a roller coaster ride under her belt so we decided to split up and four of us went to Raging Spirits to do a 360 loop roller coaster while T and MBM went to take some character photos.  B was pumped about the ride, always looking for a thrill.  Afterwards, we went to meet up with the character greeters.  As we saw MBM and T leaving the area, one of the characters (Rafiki from Lion King) was trying to take T with them back to their home.  Rafiki definitely knew who was the monkey out of T and MBM!

Next it was time to make our way to Fantasy Springs to ride the Tinkerbell ride.  The lineup queue had lots of objects and scenery that made you feel like you were a tiny fairy.  We were mistaken about the pass that we received - we thought it was a priority pass (meaning you skip the line) but in fact the pass was simply to get you into the line for the ride.  B and T were not very excited about all of the waiting, which ended up being about 90 mins.  The ride was not as good as expected though, at least that’s what most people thought. The visuals during the queue in the line were pretty amazing with the attention to detail and the use of buttons, chalk, crayons, crates and needles and thread.

After the Tinkerbell ride, we wandered around Fantasy Springs to check out all of the sights.  Everyone’s favourite was Arendelle (from the Frozen movies).  There were also some cool scenes from Peter Pan (Captain Hook’s ship), Rapunzel (her tower) and a lot of sculptures with different Disney characters.  AA’s favourite was Sorcerer Mickey.  

We needed to kill some more time before our pickup time for supper so decided to go back to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to finish the ride.  It was amusing how close we were to the end of the ride when we had to be evacuated (literally less than a minute remained).

Supper was at Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina - Lola and DD had chicken legs, AA had a vegetarian tortilla wrap and the others had a pork rice roll (bacon wrapped around rice).  

We took the electric train ride back to get closer to the entrance and a part of the park we hadn’t seen yet, America…

After supper, the gang decided to head back to the hotel since it was very windy and a little rainy.  After being disoriented from leaving the park from a different exit point than where they entered, everyone found their way to the bus stop and boarded the bus back to the hotel.

It was a bit of a challenge to keep the kids awake so they could take a shower but it was a success in the end.  DD went downstairs and got tickets for tomorrow’s park day and some snacks for the crew while the ladies figured out their plan for the next day and AA feel asleep on the bed.

It will be interesting to see how everyone feels tomorrow as their feet, legs and backs are tired and sore (*everyone = the adults…).