EMD trip report: Japan 2006, w/a teenage girl
Apr 30th, 2006, 03:35 PM
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Kim, be patient...the next day installment will have an extensive review of Mira Costa (definitely the #1 hotel I have stayed at in any Dinsey resort (and I've stayed in many of those) and also in the top 10 places I have stayed in the world.
And yes, we rode Raging Spirits, the new roller coaster w/the loop. I do not usually do loop coasters, but this one was exceptionally smooth and did not disorient me in any way, just pure fun. We rode it 7 times in the 2 days, just went right up and got on each time, no wait. That is the way to do it- go when there is no one at this park. As Celine said, maybe this our grace after the awful weather in Tokyo...
And yes, we rode Raging Spirits, the new roller coaster w/the loop. I do not usually do loop coasters, but this one was exceptionally smooth and did not disorient me in any way, just pure fun. We rode it 7 times in the 2 days, just went right up and got on each time, no wait. That is the way to do it- go when there is no one at this park. As Celine said, maybe this our grace after the awful weather in Tokyo...
Apr 30th, 2006, 03:40 PM
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oops, sorry, that is Disney obviously. I am finishing gardening and ordering take-out Asian dinner and am writing in btwn. those tasks. Plus unpacking and repacking to go trvel for work tomorrow!
But this is fun for me, to relive the trip. I had Celine write a "gratitude list" today of the top 25 things she enjoyed about the trip and 25 things she is thankful that I did to paln and orchestrate the trip (this is part of an attitude adjustment for her disrespectful behavior earlier today), and I will share her musings later in the report...
But this is fun for me, to relive the trip. I had Celine write a "gratitude list" today of the top 25 things she enjoyed about the trip and 25 things she is thankful that I did to paln and orchestrate the trip (this is part of an attitude adjustment for her disrespectful behavior earlier today), and I will share her musings later in the report...
Apr 30th, 2006, 04:09 PM
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EMD-
I'm really enjoying your report. Japan is high on my list of "new places to go".
My mother and I still travel often together even though I am an "old married woman" of 37.
I wouldn't change it for anything and I hope you and your daughter continue to do so as well.
BTW, had to laugh at the "attitude adjustment" you gave her-I can't wait to read that!
I'm really enjoying your report. Japan is high on my list of "new places to go".
My mother and I still travel often together even though I am an "old married woman" of 37.
I wouldn't change it for anything and I hope you and your daughter continue to do so as well.BTW, had to laugh at the "attitude adjustment" you gave her-I can't wait to read that!
May 1st, 2006, 02:21 AM
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BTW, I did not know that one takes ones shoes off and dons slippers in a museum, but we did at the Ota. One thing is that it is a bit hard to go up and down stairs w/those leater front-only slippers on, at least for me. This came up again later in the trip and caused a embarrassing accident.
May 1st, 2006, 05:50 AM
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Day 8, 4/14/06
(for Kim and any others interested in a fine hotel experience)
I am writing a lot and in detail about Disney Sea because there is little written on this board, or on the internet or in print for that matter, about this resort, and I know many people on this board plan or want to go there. Just two words of advice to those people: DO IT.
The Hotel Mira Costa is incredible. I expected it to be very nice and to have the convenience of being inside the park. I had no idea how phenomenal this hotel would be. No other Disney resorts have a hotel inside a park and a special entrance to the park from the hotel. There are no books at all on Tokyo Disney, and few reviews of this hotel on the web. I corresponded extensively by email w/a woman who wrote one of the few reviews online, as it is tricky booking this hotel for several reasons. You need to call on the day the reservations open for your stay and get the internatl. phone # correct, need to call when the reservation lines are open, need to get an English speaking agent, and need to understand the advantages/disadvantages of the diff. rm. types and locations relative to views of the park and nightly fireworks and shows on the huge lagoon at the front of the park.
After much consideration, I booked a rm. w/a side view of the entrance to the park and lagoon. This is one step down from the top rms. that have a direct view of the lagoon and have a balcony overlooking the park and shows on the lagoon. Our rm. was expensive, 42000 yen, and as I said this was our splurge. I am so glad I booked this rm. We were on the 4th fl. and had a great view of the entrance to the park and could people watch like crazy. We could see the entire Italian piazza and all the al fresco design just inside the entrance to the park, could see the pre-opening activites of the workers, and watch the throngs leaving the park at night. And we could see part of the lagoon and that very impressive Mt. Promethius. Our rm. was completely soundproof, we could hear nothing, not even the fireworks, w/the window closed, although the window could be opened a little for fresh air.
The lobby of the hotel is phenomenal. The Italian explorer theme is so well-done. There is a huge replica (like 40 ft. tall, 30 ft. wide) of a wooden Italian exploration ship on an intricate marble and wrought iron platform in the middle of the lobby. On the floor under the ship and all around the main area of the lobby is a compass in Italian marble, w/the primary directions marked in diff. colors of marble. The lobby is open above (like an atrium) to all floors of the hotel, and on the domed ceiling of it (5 floors high) is a beautiful Italian mural painting w/an exploration theme. There is stained glass in all the common area windows, except those overlooking the park.
Each of the hallways where the guest rms are have murals instead of traditional wallpaper on the walls, w/special Disney murals (scenes from Disney animation characters, very tastefully done, not garish at all). Our hall was the “Pinnochio” hall, and outside our door was a beautiful soft colored mural of Gepeto and Pinnochio. It seems to me that this hotel was designed for adults who enjoy detail, beauty, and quiet refinement. The soundproofing is so good that we never heard anything in the hallways from inside the rm.
The rm. was an extension of the theming of the hotel, all Italian bed linens,Italian marble in the very unusual bathrm., and the kind of European drapes, furniture, bedcovers, and carpet that you would see in a top of the line Four Seasons hotel (like the one in Philly). The rm. was as large as the one at the Westin, w/two double beds, and under one bed was a trundle that we did not need.
The bathrm. was very different. You enter it from the entrance hall to the rm, and go straight into the sink area behind a sliding door. The theming is evident here, and the great bath amenities are in boxes that have Disney characters dressed as Italian explorers, incredible detail, even on the bathroom cup and slippers. To one side of the sink and vanity area is another door and that is the “bathing rm.” It is a fully marble room, all walls and floor are marble, and the shower is not enclosed; it is just right there, on the marble wall, next to the tub. The tub is huge and deep and has a Japanese style stool and basin to wash oneself before getting in the bath. One the other side of the sink is the toilet rm., w/the bells and whistles toilet. I liked this “separate” bathrm. set up; it is really good for traveling w/kids.
The service was top notch from white gloved servers w/dandy classic cruise ship-type brass button uniforms everywhere in the hotel. There are like 20 of these servers just standing there by the check-in desk, waiting to help you. And when you call the desk, your wish appears in less than 3 min. every time (I did this 4 times).
We had breakfast in the Oceana rest. this morning, a full buffet, with more Japanese dishes than I have ever seen on a buffet, but also full American bfast also. We had a silly moment then- my daughter was eating a pancake shaped like Mickey Mouse and had set the plate aside. A very dapper Japanese waiter came over and said, in a very Japanese accent, “Are you going to eat the Mickey?” This sounded so silly to both of us that we had to bury the laughter so as not to offend him, and I just nodded “no”, but then he said, “So, can I take your Mickey?” and at that point Celine and I both lost it completely and almost fell on the floor laughing. Instead of being offended, he also started laughing and said, “We serious about our Mickey here and I not want to take your Mickey if you want the Mickey.” For the rest of the trip, anytime we got stressed or tense, one of us would say in a Japanese voice, “Do you want the Mickey?” and we both cracked up.
We spent the 2nd full day at the park from opening til closing, easily going back to the room twice for breaks. It was a little more crowded than Thurs. but not much, and we had no wait for any rides or shows. However by Fri. night the hotel was getting busier and the park was too, I assume w/locals escaping Tokyo who have yearly passes. One great gem we discovered that day was the Little Mermaid Lagoon area. We did not intend to even go there as we thought it was a kiddie area, but nothing could be farther from the truth. There is an incredible area that is themed to be an indoor underwater cave (and you walk down into it)- when you get in it the lights are really dim and all the rides and theming is in day glow colors of neon blues, corals, greens, pinks, yellows. Just amazing. There is a very good and well-done show “Under the Sea” in a theater there, using a lot of the great paper puppetry that Disney has been using the past 10 yrs or so (eg Lion King on Broadway) and flying sea animatronic sea creatures and kites. Wow. This show and the Encore show alone were worth the price of the admission. The rides in this indoor sea area are good too, esp. the Jellyfish that go up (very high) and down via hydrolics. This area gets my vote for best theming in the park, with the Mediteranian area, American waterfront, Jules Verne island, and Arabia close behind.
We were able to see all the areas of the park in a day and a half, ride all the rides (some many times) and go back to areas we liked a lot (although the entire park is great, and there are really no weak spots), and shop in many of the shops. Fri. night we saw the Bravisimo lazer and entertainment show on the lagoon, and then I had a 45 min. reflexology session in the hotel rm. (I asked for this even though it is not on their massage menu and they said “no problem”).
We were both really sad to leave here on Sat. a.m. We wished we had booked another night and gone to Disneyland (one stop on the monorail), as it we found out after getting there that it was the anniversary of the opening of the park (I forget what yr.) on Sunday. But Hakone and our first stay in a ryokan beckoned.
I have to say a big THANK YOU to KimJapan for prompting us to go to DisneySea. For those of you who don’t like amusement parks, this one is very atypical and unlike any other park. The theming, service, cleanliness, and entire experience is top notch. And we were surrounded by Japanese- there were very few gaijin in the park and hotel. English is not widely spoken at the hotel or resort but it isn’t a problem, you can get by. Definitely the #1 themed park I have ever been to, and I’ve been to all the Disney, Universal, and Sea World Parks in the U.S. (CA, Florida, TX.) For those of you who think it is ridiculous to go to a Disney amusement park while in Japan and see it as a waste of time, think again. These were the most relaxing and stress-free days of our trip (a big part of this was the lack of crowds) and helped us gear up for another 8 days of travel. And it was just so much fun.
(for Kim and any others interested in a fine hotel experience)
I am writing a lot and in detail about Disney Sea because there is little written on this board, or on the internet or in print for that matter, about this resort, and I know many people on this board plan or want to go there. Just two words of advice to those people: DO IT.
The Hotel Mira Costa is incredible. I expected it to be very nice and to have the convenience of being inside the park. I had no idea how phenomenal this hotel would be. No other Disney resorts have a hotel inside a park and a special entrance to the park from the hotel. There are no books at all on Tokyo Disney, and few reviews of this hotel on the web. I corresponded extensively by email w/a woman who wrote one of the few reviews online, as it is tricky booking this hotel for several reasons. You need to call on the day the reservations open for your stay and get the internatl. phone # correct, need to call when the reservation lines are open, need to get an English speaking agent, and need to understand the advantages/disadvantages of the diff. rm. types and locations relative to views of the park and nightly fireworks and shows on the huge lagoon at the front of the park.
After much consideration, I booked a rm. w/a side view of the entrance to the park and lagoon. This is one step down from the top rms. that have a direct view of the lagoon and have a balcony overlooking the park and shows on the lagoon. Our rm. was expensive, 42000 yen, and as I said this was our splurge. I am so glad I booked this rm. We were on the 4th fl. and had a great view of the entrance to the park and could people watch like crazy. We could see the entire Italian piazza and all the al fresco design just inside the entrance to the park, could see the pre-opening activites of the workers, and watch the throngs leaving the park at night. And we could see part of the lagoon and that very impressive Mt. Promethius. Our rm. was completely soundproof, we could hear nothing, not even the fireworks, w/the window closed, although the window could be opened a little for fresh air.
The lobby of the hotel is phenomenal. The Italian explorer theme is so well-done. There is a huge replica (like 40 ft. tall, 30 ft. wide) of a wooden Italian exploration ship on an intricate marble and wrought iron platform in the middle of the lobby. On the floor under the ship and all around the main area of the lobby is a compass in Italian marble, w/the primary directions marked in diff. colors of marble. The lobby is open above (like an atrium) to all floors of the hotel, and on the domed ceiling of it (5 floors high) is a beautiful Italian mural painting w/an exploration theme. There is stained glass in all the common area windows, except those overlooking the park.
Each of the hallways where the guest rms are have murals instead of traditional wallpaper on the walls, w/special Disney murals (scenes from Disney animation characters, very tastefully done, not garish at all). Our hall was the “Pinnochio” hall, and outside our door was a beautiful soft colored mural of Gepeto and Pinnochio. It seems to me that this hotel was designed for adults who enjoy detail, beauty, and quiet refinement. The soundproofing is so good that we never heard anything in the hallways from inside the rm.
The rm. was an extension of the theming of the hotel, all Italian bed linens,Italian marble in the very unusual bathrm., and the kind of European drapes, furniture, bedcovers, and carpet that you would see in a top of the line Four Seasons hotel (like the one in Philly). The rm. was as large as the one at the Westin, w/two double beds, and under one bed was a trundle that we did not need.
The bathrm. was very different. You enter it from the entrance hall to the rm, and go straight into the sink area behind a sliding door. The theming is evident here, and the great bath amenities are in boxes that have Disney characters dressed as Italian explorers, incredible detail, even on the bathroom cup and slippers. To one side of the sink and vanity area is another door and that is the “bathing rm.” It is a fully marble room, all walls and floor are marble, and the shower is not enclosed; it is just right there, on the marble wall, next to the tub. The tub is huge and deep and has a Japanese style stool and basin to wash oneself before getting in the bath. One the other side of the sink is the toilet rm., w/the bells and whistles toilet. I liked this “separate” bathrm. set up; it is really good for traveling w/kids.
The service was top notch from white gloved servers w/dandy classic cruise ship-type brass button uniforms everywhere in the hotel. There are like 20 of these servers just standing there by the check-in desk, waiting to help you. And when you call the desk, your wish appears in less than 3 min. every time (I did this 4 times).
We had breakfast in the Oceana rest. this morning, a full buffet, with more Japanese dishes than I have ever seen on a buffet, but also full American bfast also. We had a silly moment then- my daughter was eating a pancake shaped like Mickey Mouse and had set the plate aside. A very dapper Japanese waiter came over and said, in a very Japanese accent, “Are you going to eat the Mickey?” This sounded so silly to both of us that we had to bury the laughter so as not to offend him, and I just nodded “no”, but then he said, “So, can I take your Mickey?” and at that point Celine and I both lost it completely and almost fell on the floor laughing. Instead of being offended, he also started laughing and said, “We serious about our Mickey here and I not want to take your Mickey if you want the Mickey.” For the rest of the trip, anytime we got stressed or tense, one of us would say in a Japanese voice, “Do you want the Mickey?” and we both cracked up.
We spent the 2nd full day at the park from opening til closing, easily going back to the room twice for breaks. It was a little more crowded than Thurs. but not much, and we had no wait for any rides or shows. However by Fri. night the hotel was getting busier and the park was too, I assume w/locals escaping Tokyo who have yearly passes. One great gem we discovered that day was the Little Mermaid Lagoon area. We did not intend to even go there as we thought it was a kiddie area, but nothing could be farther from the truth. There is an incredible area that is themed to be an indoor underwater cave (and you walk down into it)- when you get in it the lights are really dim and all the rides and theming is in day glow colors of neon blues, corals, greens, pinks, yellows. Just amazing. There is a very good and well-done show “Under the Sea” in a theater there, using a lot of the great paper puppetry that Disney has been using the past 10 yrs or so (eg Lion King on Broadway) and flying sea animatronic sea creatures and kites. Wow. This show and the Encore show alone were worth the price of the admission. The rides in this indoor sea area are good too, esp. the Jellyfish that go up (very high) and down via hydrolics. This area gets my vote for best theming in the park, with the Mediteranian area, American waterfront, Jules Verne island, and Arabia close behind.
We were able to see all the areas of the park in a day and a half, ride all the rides (some many times) and go back to areas we liked a lot (although the entire park is great, and there are really no weak spots), and shop in many of the shops. Fri. night we saw the Bravisimo lazer and entertainment show on the lagoon, and then I had a 45 min. reflexology session in the hotel rm. (I asked for this even though it is not on their massage menu and they said “no problem”).
We were both really sad to leave here on Sat. a.m. We wished we had booked another night and gone to Disneyland (one stop on the monorail), as it we found out after getting there that it was the anniversary of the opening of the park (I forget what yr.) on Sunday. But Hakone and our first stay in a ryokan beckoned.
I have to say a big THANK YOU to KimJapan for prompting us to go to DisneySea. For those of you who don’t like amusement parks, this one is very atypical and unlike any other park. The theming, service, cleanliness, and entire experience is top notch. And we were surrounded by Japanese- there were very few gaijin in the park and hotel. English is not widely spoken at the hotel or resort but it isn’t a problem, you can get by. Definitely the #1 themed park I have ever been to, and I’ve been to all the Disney, Universal, and Sea World Parks in the U.S. (CA, Florida, TX.) For those of you who think it is ridiculous to go to a Disney amusement park while in Japan and see it as a waste of time, think again. These were the most relaxing and stress-free days of our trip (a big part of this was the lack of crowds) and helped us gear up for another 8 days of travel. And it was just so much fun.
May 1st, 2006, 07:43 AM
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emd - thanks for the trip report, I can't wait till you get to Kyoto.
According to my son, the photo booths - or that type of picture taking is called Picture Club.
I think the marshal arts with the sticks may be kendo. Evan - who is at the University of Hiroshima till August, was going to take that this semester, but took pingpong instead.
Asakusa - that's where we folded paper cranes too! Of course Evan's was the best, but at least mine was better than Gerard's. They all went in my scrap book.
According to my son, the photo booths - or that type of picture taking is called Picture Club.
I think the marshal arts with the sticks may be kendo. Evan - who is at the University of Hiroshima till August, was going to take that this semester, but took pingpong instead.
Asakusa - that's where we folded paper cranes too! Of course Evan's was the best, but at least mine was better than Gerard's. They all went in my scrap book.
May 1st, 2006, 07:48 AM
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I sympathize about the trials of a daughter (although I swear I was NEVER that difficult myself!)
Our trip with Evan was so great because he is sooooo low key. Every time I would pay for a train ticket or a ticket to a shrine or museum, he would look at me. He didn't expect ANYTHING. Everything, even the fact that he was able to share Japan with us was a bonus.
His girl cousin (who is his age) made me thank my lucky stars for him every week when I spoke to my sister-in-law over the phone.
I am guessing your trip with your son last year was much more like out trip with Evan. Thank heaven for easy going boys.
I can't wait to see what the attitude adjustment entails!
Our trip with Evan was so great because he is sooooo low key. Every time I would pay for a train ticket or a ticket to a shrine or museum, he would look at me. He didn't expect ANYTHING. Everything, even the fact that he was able to share Japan with us was a bonus.
His girl cousin (who is his age) made me thank my lucky stars for him every week when I spoke to my sister-in-law over the phone.
I am guessing your trip with your son last year was much more like out trip with Evan. Thank heaven for easy going boys.
I can't wait to see what the attitude adjustment entails!
May 1st, 2006, 08:34 AM
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She was in good spirits and behaved in a very civilized manner until we got to Kyoto. Then the nasty behavior started. She is 13 and moody, and I let her indulge some regarding that and give her some freedom to separate, but I do not tolerate disrespect in any form, anywhere or at any time. So we had some interesting discipline moments in some unusual places and in unusual ways the second week. More on that later.
May 1st, 2006, 02:25 PM
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Thank you emd! Your Mira Costa/Disney Sea report is exactly what I've been waiting for. I'm so glad you loved it! Next time, I think we'll try a night at the Mira Costa and the other 2 for free at the Hilton to balance out the cost.
Next time, I think we'll try a night at the Mira Costa and the other 2 for free at the Hilton to balance out the cost.
May 1st, 2006, 06:10 PM
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E- Btw, I too fly out of Dulles nn NH001. I love ANA. I had to laugh when you said the guy next to you played the videogame for 14 straight hours--I almost did the same (Las Vegas Gambling)! I must admit some of your entries had me howling inside. I too noticed that I looked like crap in the reflection from the video screen. Taking off in 3 weeks!
Curt
Curt
May 2nd, 2006, 01:21 AM
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emd, great report. too bad about the ame.
impressed with all your planning, plus your plan
s).
never thought about disneysea, but will consider it on my next trip. always saw the huge ferris wheel on my way into tokyo from the limo bus. that view told me i was getting close to town.
btw, if i want to go vegetarian in japan, i go for the best,.....natto. i guess that might have been a stretch for c. lol.
impressed with all your planning, plus your plan
s).never thought about disneysea, but will consider it on my next trip. always saw the huge ferris wheel on my way into tokyo from the limo bus. that view told me i was getting close to town.
btw, if i want to go vegetarian in japan, i go for the best,.....natto. i guess that might have been a stretch for c. lol.
May 2nd, 2006, 08:02 AM
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and k., I'd like to see one of those "mid-scream" photos of you that they do on the Indiana Jones ride at DS, at the point when you think the boulder is running over your group and you are going down the big descent. I wonder if you'd flash the peace sign, have your arms up and screaming wildly, or have your eyes completely squeezed shut in terror.
