So no one's posted here since Thursday??
Well, that's okay. If I can draw anyone's attention to this particular portal of the WDWMAGIC world during this time of chaos and eagerness and overeagerness and anxiety for putting up with the overeager, I'd like to do so by sharing my almost fresh thoughts on visiting TDR-a place we all should really be talking about.
Tokyo Disney is the gold standard of theme park engineering. The rides are mint. The OLC can do no wrong. That was my perception of the resort before I departed for Narita International Airport in Tokyo just over two weeks ago, for a trip that included four days in Disney. I'm careful to italicize the that instead of the was, for after years of following up on trip reports and fan discussion, then weeks of obsessing over reported wait times on Deepdisney as there's no stopping me once I've found my inner fanboy...when I finally experienced what all the fuss was about, there was a smile on my face. It didn't leave.
Tokyo Disney Resort is what you get when you blend the promise of class and quality on Disney's behalf, with the follow-up on that oath. That isn't exclusive to the sparkling quality of the rides that is often heard about (but not an exaggeration), but more to the point, the attitude of those around you. In some ways it's intangible, but there is indeed a greater sense of welcoming here than I've received at any Disney property worldwide. It's actually unbelievable sometimes; we noticed as we were leaving the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel that the valets continued to wave us goodbye even as our cab had practically left the driveway.
Every single--seriously--every single cast member waves to you as you're passing by, or at the very least as soon as you've made eye contact with them. Entering the parks is organized chaos; true, quite a few (but definitely not everyone) flat-out book it to their favorite attraction, but it never makes you feel dizzy. Moreover, we thought, that feeling of boundless freedom when you pass through the turnstile click at park opening should be characteristic of entering any Disney theme park. But I digress...all the while, cast members are out in full-force--multitudes, it seems like--wishing you (presumably) a magical day. They all look like they wouldn't rather be anywhere else, and I'm sure that isn't the case for all of them. They are the friendliest, most efficient, and most helpful theme park employees around....and almost none of them speak a word of English.
That's the lion's share of what makes TDR's customer service so unconventional. If budget isn't a concern, you all owe it to yourselves as fans of Disney or theme parks or Disney theme parks to take the trip you've always dreamed of. Tokyo Disneyland feels just familiar and just different enough to make it the perfect substitute for that yearly trip to WDW. Anything I've mentioned that isn't a cultural consistency with the rest of Japan is something Disney in America could learn from.
But there's so much else I want to talk about, and I can't possibly organize it all here and now. Thus...as opposed to a typical trip report (since I honestly don't have the energy to recount by-the-minute details of my trip), I'd prefer to keep this a discussion, Q&A style I guess. That is, if you have any questions regarding what to expect or what to prepare for or restaurants I'd recommend or ANYTHING really, I'd be delighted to respond while I periodically update with photos and thoughts on specific areas/attractions. That is, assuming anyone reads this...
With that said...konnichiwa, and welcome to Tokyo Disneyland!
Well, that's okay. If I can draw anyone's attention to this particular portal of the WDWMAGIC world during this time of chaos and eagerness and overeagerness and anxiety for putting up with the overeager, I'd like to do so by sharing my almost fresh thoughts on visiting TDR-a place we all should really be talking about.
Tokyo Disney is the gold standard of theme park engineering. The rides are mint. The OLC can do no wrong. That was my perception of the resort before I departed for Narita International Airport in Tokyo just over two weeks ago, for a trip that included four days in Disney. I'm careful to italicize the that instead of the was, for after years of following up on trip reports and fan discussion, then weeks of obsessing over reported wait times on Deepdisney as there's no stopping me once I've found my inner fanboy...when I finally experienced what all the fuss was about, there was a smile on my face. It didn't leave.
Tokyo Disney Resort is what you get when you blend the promise of class and quality on Disney's behalf, with the follow-up on that oath. That isn't exclusive to the sparkling quality of the rides that is often heard about (but not an exaggeration), but more to the point, the attitude of those around you. In some ways it's intangible, but there is indeed a greater sense of welcoming here than I've received at any Disney property worldwide. It's actually unbelievable sometimes; we noticed as we were leaving the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel that the valets continued to wave us goodbye even as our cab had practically left the driveway.
Every single--seriously--every single cast member waves to you as you're passing by, or at the very least as soon as you've made eye contact with them. Entering the parks is organized chaos; true, quite a few (but definitely not everyone) flat-out book it to their favorite attraction, but it never makes you feel dizzy. Moreover, we thought, that feeling of boundless freedom when you pass through the turnstile click at park opening should be characteristic of entering any Disney theme park. But I digress...all the while, cast members are out in full-force--multitudes, it seems like--wishing you (presumably) a magical day. They all look like they wouldn't rather be anywhere else, and I'm sure that isn't the case for all of them. They are the friendliest, most efficient, and most helpful theme park employees around....and almost none of them speak a word of English.
That's the lion's share of what makes TDR's customer service so unconventional. If budget isn't a concern, you all owe it to yourselves as fans of Disney or theme parks or Disney theme parks to take the trip you've always dreamed of. Tokyo Disneyland feels just familiar and just different enough to make it the perfect substitute for that yearly trip to WDW. Anything I've mentioned that isn't a cultural consistency with the rest of Japan is something Disney in America could learn from.
But there's so much else I want to talk about, and I can't possibly organize it all here and now. Thus...as opposed to a typical trip report (since I honestly don't have the energy to recount by-the-minute details of my trip), I'd prefer to keep this a discussion, Q&A style I guess. That is, if you have any questions regarding what to expect or what to prepare for or restaurants I'd recommend or ANYTHING really, I'd be delighted to respond while I periodically update with photos and thoughts on specific areas/attractions. That is, assuming anyone reads this...
With that said...konnichiwa, and welcome to Tokyo Disneyland!
. You'll also have to excuse some of my awkward angles...let's just say I'm no Tom Bricker. 
