For a family coming from Hawaii (but recently returned to live in Atlanta) visiting Tokyo was an incredible adventure.
Our twins were not quite two yet so we strapped them to ourselves, paid miles for a business upgrade on United and boarded the 9 hour flight in Honolulu to Tokyo.
Arriving in Tokyo was exceptionally smooth. We found people to be unfailingly polite, the spaces modern, and spotlessly clean. There was a gloved attendant to help us buy our tickets to Central station in downtown Tokyo.
Once we stepped out of the almost soundless train, it was deceptively similar at first glance to a major US city, the beautiful differences in culture unfolded like cherry blossoms. We loved how during the winter all of the locally owned cafes placed blankets on each chair so that patrons could still enjoy being outside. We marveled at the gardeners employed to carefully wrap the branches of the trees to protect them from a frost. All of the sidewalks, throughout the city of 35 million, had bumps on them as guides for the blind people, though we didn't see one blind person. In the subways even the way people moved was elegant and more akin to the movements of choreographed ballet.
But, after four days of Exploring Tokyo we can to our senses and realized that Tokyo Disney was close by and it was well nigh to hop on the train to see Mickey!
We did have to carry strollers up and down some long flights of stairs but it was very manageable. There is a separate Disney train for the last leg of the journey to park. This is where the magic starts.
As has been said before, this is a close replicate of Walt Disney World. Having grown up in Florida walking into Disney Tokyo was a bit like coming home, with a few exceptions.
There are a few differences worth mentioning...the focus on culture on art and culture (not just Japanese culture) is highly valued. The result was that the gift stores here are exceptional, with true artists drawing and painting, folding paper, sculpting and blowing glass to a much higher degree than WDW in Orlando or any of the other three parks we have visited. Definitely reserve time to see these artists in action and take home a keepsake. We have a portrait of the twins which we cherish made here.
Another fantastic difference is that everyone dresses up as Disney characters or animals of various sorts. They take the fun very seriously.
Even though the park was busy, it was not crowded, and the waits for lines, even the most popular was reasonable (maybe 25 minutes for the longest wait).
Waiting in the lines was a pleasure because the people were so polite and happy to be there.
Our twins loved the mid day parade. Its a must see.
Also, if you are from the west be aware that you will be amongst the very few westerners at the park, at least during the shoulder winter season. Amongst the thousands of fellow park goers, I don't remember seeing even one other western family. I've never experienced anything like it. Our blond hair blue eyed two year old girl was followed around by beautiful Japanese girls to take their pictures together.
Food was good and appropriately different foods, such as sushi were readily available.
Definitely go. It was a wonderful cultural experience, and like downtown Tokyo, not as similar to what we see at first glance.
Our twins were not quite two yet so we strapped them to ourselves, paid miles for a business upgrade on United and boarded the 9 hour flight in Honolulu to Tokyo.
Arriving in Tokyo was exceptionally smooth. We found people to be unfailingly polite, the spaces modern, and spotlessly clean. There was a gloved attendant to help us buy our tickets to Central station in downtown Tokyo.
Once we stepped out of the almost soundless train, it was deceptively similar at first glance to a major US city, the beautiful differences in culture unfolded like cherry blossoms. We loved how during the winter all of the locally owned cafes placed blankets on each chair so that patrons could still enjoy being outside. We marveled at the gardeners employed to carefully wrap the branches of the trees to protect them from a frost. All of the sidewalks, throughout the city of 35 million, had bumps on them as guides for the blind people, though we didn't see one blind person. In the subways even the way people moved was elegant and more akin to the movements of choreographed ballet.
But, after four days of Exploring Tokyo we can to our senses and realized that Tokyo Disney was close by and it was well nigh to hop on the train to see Mickey!
We did have to carry strollers up and down some long flights of stairs but it was very manageable. There is a separate Disney train for the last leg of the journey to park. This is where the magic starts.
As has been said before, this is a close replicate of Walt Disney World. Having grown up in Florida walking into Disney Tokyo was a bit like coming home, with a few exceptions.
There are a few differences worth mentioning...the focus on culture on art and culture (not just Japanese culture) is highly valued. The result was that the gift stores here are exceptional, with true artists drawing and painting, folding paper, sculpting and blowing glass to a much higher degree than WDW in Orlando or any of the other three parks we have visited. Definitely reserve time to see these artists in action and take home a keepsake. We have a portrait of the twins which we cherish made here.
Another fantastic difference is that everyone dresses up as Disney characters or animals of various sorts. They take the fun very seriously.
Even though the park was busy, it was not crowded, and the waits for lines, even the most popular was reasonable (maybe 25 minutes for the longest wait).
Waiting in the lines was a pleasure because the people were so polite and happy to be there.
Our twins loved the mid day parade. Its a must see.
Also, if you are from the west be aware that you will be amongst the very few westerners at the park, at least during the shoulder winter season. Amongst the thousands of fellow park goers, I don't remember seeing even one other western family. I've never experienced anything like it. Our blond hair blue eyed two year old girl was followed around by beautiful Japanese girls to take their pictures together.
Food was good and appropriately different foods, such as sushi were readily available.
Definitely go. It was a wonderful cultural experience, and like downtown Tokyo, not as similar to what we see at first glance.