Disney Omiyage

When preparing for your return from Japan, you'll find stores completely devoted to "omiyage."  The term, "omiyage" refers to a gift or souvenir you give to friends, family or co-workers when returning from a trip.  It is a thoughtful way of thanking those that helped to take care of your home while you were away, or a way of sharing your adventures with someone close.

The Japanese take souvenirs one step further with their beautiful gift wrap and boxes that conceal an exquisite bite of a dessert only made in the land of the rising sun.  Disneyland also offers its exclusive omiyage.  Whether it be on Main Street or the hotel gift shop, you'll be amazed at the wonderful treats that can be brought home to share with loved ones!

Many of the Disney characters are featured on the different kinds of packaging.  

Omiyage highlighted here are all food items.

Pretty cookies and biscuits are displayed in this pretty tin can.

Super cute Disney cookies!

Disney offers a variety of rice crackers that are available in various shapes and sizes.

Some of these treats are too cute to eat!

Who knew that you could buy Disney furikake ochazuke?

Finding Nemo tea complete with fish shaped salmon skin and nori

More Nemo items highlighting the new ride at Tokyo Sea.

 Donald Duck omiyage!

Delicious Winnie-The-Pooh honey cake can be found in a very special keepsake box.

It may be hard to believe, but there were many other gift items found in each store.

The variety of Disney omiyage is truly impressive!

Disney Parades!

As the gates open to the Magical Kingdom, and we hurry towards the first ride of the day, others choose to sit and wait for the first parade of the day.  Traveling so far to Tokyo Disneyland, it seemed strange that families would open their mats they brought from home and plop themselves down for a good 2-3 hour wait.  But after a few years, it became a natural scene as many Japanese people visit Disneyland just for the parades!

As you wait for a parade at Tokyo Disneyland, you must be aware of their audience rules.  There are no markings on the parade routes or sidewalks, but it is an unspoken standard that people in the first 5 rows (give or take a few) sit down on the ground.  There was one area where workers explained that people sit in the front rows, there are benches for the next level of viewers, then people in the back can stand.  This of course was all done in Japanese, but anyone can quickly observe that this is a common understanding.

Sitting down in the third row as the parade approaches us.

It's such a simple way of thinking that completely makes sense, yet it takes the entire audience to agree to this rule to make it successful.  And yes, it alleviates the stress of having to watch a parade when you're sitting among thousands of people.

The back rows also leave a walkway for people as they decide to stroll through the park and enjoy the rides instead of viewing the parade.  It may be out of the ordinary that I would take more photos of the audience than the parade itself, but it was an amazing sight to see people be so courteous and cordial to everyone around them.  This was far from anything we had experienced at Disney World, which happened to be our previous Disney experience.  This makes it easy to show up to the parade right before it begins and still be able to view all the beautiful floats and costumes.

Most of the parades at Tokyo Disneyland are found in Disney parks in the United States.  Here is one parade that can only be found at Tokyo Disneyland!

We also enjoyed the Tokyo Disneyland Electrical Parade.  Here we are, sitting in the third row!

Tokyo Disneyland also projects a show onto the castle each night, complete with fireworks.  We weren't aware of the show and walked up to the crowd right before the show began.  Some of the families in the back row saw our kids standing with my husband and I, and waved our kids to the front to sit with their family.  The Japanese people keep surprising me with their kindness wherever we travel to in Tokyo!  It's truly amazing how there is no end to their thoughtfulness.

Experience Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland offers many of the rides found at Disneyland in California.  The only difference would be that characters and workers speak in Japanese.  Disney songs are performed in English, but if you're hoping to catch a show, actors will all be speaking in Japanese.

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/attraction/lists/park:tdl

In the past, we've run (yes we literally run) for fast passes for Buzz Lightyear, Monsters Inc. or Pooh's Hunny Hut.  It will seem like you're walking into the park with thousands of people, but most of the families will veer off into stores or restaurants on Main Street.  The biggest surprise for us at Tokyo Disneyland is the line for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  Why is it a surprise?  Maybe because there's no line at all.  Each time we've visited the Tokyo Disneyland, we were able to walk straight to the front of the line.  Sometimes we even ride it again!

If you're hungry between rides, you can find many unique treats at Tokyo Disneyland.  

Everyone carries a popcorn bucket and snacks on flavored popcorn while waiting in line.  Our favorite was the soy sauce and butter!  We also tried the curry, honey and chocolate popcorn too!

If you'd rather have a cold, sweet treat, try these mochi covered ice cream balls.  

Do they remind you of the aliens from the Toy Story movies?

Cool down with a nice green tea!  Tokyo Disneyland in the summer can be very hot and humid!

You'll find much more wonderful surprises at the park!  We love Disney!

Disneyland Here We Come!

Now that you've settled into your hotel and walked through Ikspiari,you're ready for a full day at Tokyo Disneyland!  If you've ever visited Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida, you'll live the Disney experience on another level in Japan!

http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdl/

The first difference you'll find when visiting Tokyo Disneyland is the ticket price.

One day pass tickets include: 

Adults - $74.00

Children ages 12-17  - $64.00

Children 12 & under - $48.00

If the exchange rate favors the U.S. dollar, tickets will actually be cheaper!

We've only visited Tokyo Disneyland in the early part of June on a weekday.  We arrive at the gates before it opens.  In true Japanese fashion, everyone sits in orderly lines before they open in the morning.  If you stay at the Disneyland Hotel, which is located across from the front entrance, you receive early admission through a separate gate.

The Tokyo Disneyland Hotel

In the early part of June, Tokyo Disneyland continues its Easter celebration.  Yes, I said Easter.  

In 2017, Easter was celebrated from April 4th - June 14th.  There are Easter bunnies, eggs and floral displays found throughout the park.  All the Disney characters are dressed to follow the Easter theme.  They make no religious reference to the celebration, but focus only on the cute bunnies, flowers, eggs and other Easter decor.  The Japanese love anything kawaii!

 Even the train gates are decorated with Easter posters!

A greenhouse like rooftop covers Main Street as you pass through the gates.  You'll still see the familiar stores that are found in the United States.

As you walk further, the excitement builds and you'll see Cinderella's castle in the distance.

Let the magic begin!

Explore Ikspiari!

As you step off the train at Maihama station, you'll travel down the escalator and find yourself in the gateway to the Tokyo Disney Resort Area.  The music fills the air and you soon feel the nostalgia of Disneyland as you view the entrance to the park down below.  But wait!  There's an extra surprise for visitors as you veer to the left and see a very modern shopping mall ahead.

Ikspiari is home to over a 100 shops and restaurants.  The mall ads to the excitement of everything that Tokyo Disney Resort has to offer!

http://www.ikspiari.com/en/

We usually visit Ikspiari after checking into our hotel on our first day to the resort area.  During each trip, we found ourselves eating lunch or dinner at TGI Fridays.  Although we love Japanese food, it's always nice to find an American restaurant and fill up on a good hamburger or plate of nachos!  We were surprised to also find Kua Aina Burger there as we were starving after a long day at Disneyland.

 Be sure to find the stairs going below ground!  The basement features a food court and grocery store!  We were able to buy delicious pastries and snacks for the hotel there!

The mall features many Japanese stores.

 We also like going to the Gap store there, as you receive an extra discount with your foreign passport. 

 There's even a huge Disney Store that features the various Duffy Bears that are made after original Disney characters.

Ikspiari also houses a very modern movie theater.

When we checked it out, all movies were in Japanese.

Outdoor shopping and eating area at Ikspiari.

Outside view of Ikspiari from the Disney train!

If you love shopping like I do, finding a mall next door to Disneyland is an added bonus!

Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay

On our second trip to Tokyo Disneyland, we decided to stay near Tokyo Station and catch the train to Maihama.  We got up early and made the trek to the area in the station where we would catch the train to Tokyo Disneyland.  It was a long walk!  We knew we were headed in the right direction as all the people walking with us were dressed in their Disney gear.  Duffy Bear bags kept passing us up as we tried to keep up with the traffic!  We calculated about an hour of travel time with walking through Tokyo Station and riding to Uruyasu. 

Towards the end of the night, we left the park before the Electrical Light Parade to avoid the crowds of people riding the train back into the city.  We also knew that it would take an hour for our return trip to our hotel.  After this commute, we decided that we would stay in the Disney area on our next visit.

 https://www.okura-nikko.com/japan/urayasu/hotel-okura-tokyo-bay/

Somehow, we found ourselves back in Tokyo a year later.  What can I say, we just love this place!  I booked a room at the Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, which is just next door to the Hilton.  During check-in I realized that I had booked a smoking room.  I asked for a non-smoking room and all they had was a "Japanese Style" room.  So we were escorted to our new abode and found ourselves with another new and exciting Japanese adventure!

The first question was, "Where are the beds?"

Oh, there they are!  They're in the closet!  After the initial shock of our "Japanese style room," we realized that it was actually very comfortable.  Every night at around 6pm, someone came in and set up our beds.  After we left each day to the park, someone came in and put our beds back into the closet and moved the table and chairs to the center of the room.

The beds were very comfortable and the room was very spacious.

The bathroom was also nice and huge as it came with a shower and a bathtub, or furo.  

Some of the rooms in Tokyo are probably as big as the bathroom at the Hotel Okura.

We also had a teapot and refrigerator that were full of drinks and snacks that could be purchased from the hotel.  Each person also had a clean kimono each night to be worn as a nightgown.  This "Japanese Style Room" was our favorite in Japan!

Another benefit to staying at the Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay is it's location.  Bayside Station is directly across the street from the hotel.  

 The Disney train is the main source of transportation in the Tokyo Resort Area.  The train will take you to Tokyo Sea, Ikspiari (shopping mall), Mahaima Station and the Disneyland Park.

View of the Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay from Bayside Station.

After you exit Bayside station, there are different Disney buses that will take you to each hotel.  Although Hotel Okura is located across the street from the station, it may still seem like a far walk, especially after being at the park all day.

The train travels around in a circle and just like the buses, keep coming throughout the day.  You will only have about a 5 minute wait between each train and bus.

Experience the magic of Tokyo Disneyland while staying at the Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay!

We're off to Tokyo Disneyland!

Mention the name Disneyland, and kids jump for joy.  Mention the name, Tokyo Disneyland and it opens another world of Disney excitement!

 http://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/

Tokyo Disney Resort is located in Urayasu, Chiba.  There are two parks, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea.  Both theme parks are situated near Tokyo Bay and are surrounded by official Disney Resort Hotels: Sunroute Plaza Tokyo, Tokyo Bay Maihama, Hilton Tokyo Bay, Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay, and the Sheraton Grand Tokyo Bay Hotel.

There is also a Tokyo Disneyland Hotel which is just steps away from the entrance gates to

Tokyo Disneyland.  We hope to stay there one day!

The Disneyland Hotel

 

The Disney Ambassador Hotel is also connected to the park and Hotel Mira Costa is actually found within the Tokyo Disney Sea park.  The last three hotels are actual Disney hotels. 

On our first trip to the Tokyo Disney Resort Area we booked a room at the Hilton Tokyo Bay.  Again, I tried to select a hotel with a familiar name.  The website said that it was and "Official Disney Resort Hotel."  I didn't realize that we would have to take another train to the hotel once we got to the resort area.  We exited Maihama station and then walked to the Resort Gateway Station.  There, we jumped on the train and rode to Bayside Station which is located near the Hilton Tokyo Bay.

 You'll immediately know that you're in the right place when the train pulls up!

It's all Disney in the train!

Check out the cute Duffy Bear handles inside!

Riding the train around the resort area!  Try and get the seat in the very front!

  Boarding the train!

We loved staying at the Hilton Tokyo Bay.  It was nice having a place to return to in the afternoon after being at Disneyland all morning.  The hotel also offers several eating places and a convenience store that sells delicious bento, musubi and soba bowls.  That seemed to be the busiest place after the park closed at 10pm!

They did offer a "Happy Magic Room," for the kids, but there are no Disney characters in the room since it's not a Disney hotel.

There were 3 full beds for a family of 4 in the Happy Magic Room.

The best part of the hotel was the guest rooms.  They were huge compared to rooms we had in Tokyo.

After our stay at the Hilton, we easily caught the limousine bus to Haneda Airport.  It's always important to know the transportation options at your last hotel.  You have to get back to the airport!