Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disney Resort

I’ve been putting off this post for the longest time, since Tokyo Disney Resort seemed like so much content to write about. If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, California or to the Magic Kingdom Park in Disney World, Florida, it’s pretty much the same thing except that all the characters in Tokyo Disney speak Japanese. I actually have an annual pass to Tokyo Disney Resort – a very generous present from Keiji and Arisa’s Ojii-chan. Since the kids don’t have to pay any admission yet and I have the pass, we can go anytime. So I don’t really have any good strategies on to make the most of every minute there. We go and there is no pressure to have to go on every single ride and see every show to “get my money’s worth”. At 5800 yen for a 1-day passport, if I go at least 8 times this year, it already makes the pass worth it. I didn’t think I’d make the trek out to Chiba on my own that many times in a year, but going with family and friends who also have the pass makes it much more worthwhile and fun. Since Ayaka has a pass we often bring Keiji, Arisa, Hina and Runa there with our packed lunches, watch the parades, ride a couple of rides, walk around and then go home. All the kids enjoy and even Arisa has fun now, especially since she just started walking by herself. The kids seem to have fun running around everywhere, as if they know they whole of Disneyland is a place just for them. But if I were to pay for a one day passport, I would try to squeeze in these places and rides which Keiji and Arisa now enjoy: (in no particular order) all around Toontown and inside the houses, the Small World ride, the carousel, the Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, the Swiss Family House, the Western River Railroad, watching the parades, and running around everywhere. To anyone going, go on a weekday if possible, and if you plan to eat at a restaurant, try to go later than noon to avoid the crowds. I haven’t tried many of the restaurants there – only the Crystal Palace buffet lunch at 2500 yen (children under 4 are free) which includes drinks and has a pretty food variety of dishes like mabo dofu, keema curry, hamburg, spaghetti, fish, fried potatoes, etc. The fried shrimp is surprisingly really good. If you spot Minnie-chan or Mickey-san walking around and want a picture with them you will have to RUN to them as quickly as you can and make sure you stand close by right in front of them as you wait for the person with them to finish posing. Be warned than even mothers are ruthless and have shoved our kids aside to desperately try to get that photo of their kid with Minnie or Mickey. But the staff members are nice (Minnie-chan and Mickey-san never walk outside unchaperoned) and they come to the rescue to make sure you get the next picture. Oh, and feel free to ask any of the street-sweepers for stickers. They all carry stickers of the Disney characters and will give you one or two if you ask.