Japan Trip Booked - Your Recommendations or Advice?

[Disney Analyst]

Just curious why the move from Shinjuku to Disney. Isn't about an hour train away or less? Or just wanting to be in the Disney bubble for a few days which certainly is understandable. I was just curious the distance and hassle between Shinjuku and TDL.

Yeah, I don’t want to have to travel in every day, would like to take advantage of HE, never stayed at a Disney hotel, and with this being a honeymoon trip, we just want the ease of it. MiraCosta is a bucket list thing, so trying for 2 nights there, and then 2 nights at toy story.

 

[BrianLo]

I’d do like one day from offsite, but if you are going for multiple, that’s a heck of a lot of transit time and very long days. Especially when there isn’t as much of a price discrepancy between the city and partner hotels (Disney ones aside).

Happy entry versus shinjuku literally would save you up to three hours of travel and pre-entry time at TDS.

 

[Disney Analyst]

I’d do like one day from offsite, but if you are going for multiple, that’s a heck of a lot of transit time and very long days. Especially when there isn’t as much of a price discrepancy between the city and partner hotels (Disney ones aside).

Happy entry versus shinjuku literally would save you up to three hours of travel and pre-entry time at TDS.

Exactly! We are doing 4 nights, 3 park days. Just makes sense to stay onsite. Maybe also do an evening ticket on arrival day!

 

[Disney Analyst]

@BrianLo - what did you do for data on your trip? e-sim?

 

[Kevin_W]

@BrianLo - what did you do for data on your trip? e-sim?

I'm not BrianLo, but I used a Wifi hotspot from GlocalMe. ~$7-8/day and we coudl al sue our phones with a single hotspot. ESim probably similar price for the whole family, but we have a lot of experience with the GlocalME and I like just turning it on when the airplane lands and having data.

 

[BrianLo]

@BrianLo - what did you do for data on your trip? e-sim?

Yup, I use Airlo.

I actually buy the global e sim that is valid for a year for 20Gb now and use it over multiple trips. Only makes sense if you’ll fit in multiple international trips.

There is a Japan specific one for cheaper and various lengths.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Yup, I use Airlo.

I actually buy the global e sim that is valid for a year for 20Gb now and use it over multiple trips. Only makes sense if you’ll fit in multiple international trips.

How was it at Tokyo Disney? Thinking of Airlo also.

 

[BrianLo]

How was it at Tokyo Disney? Thinking of Airlo also.

Perfect, really no issues and I was able to book the standby passes in the throngs of people on their phones. Mostly had 5G the entire time in any metro area and randomly would work in the ocean half the time.

It was probably on NTT docomo networks in Disneyland.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Perfect, really no issues and I was able to book the standby passes in the throngs of people on their phones. Mostly had 5G the entire time in any metro area and randomly would work in the ocean half the time.

It was probably on NTT docomo networks in Disneyland.

Amazing! Thank you

 

[Disney Analyst]

I did it! I somehow booked MiraCosta - Piazza View! It’s happening

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I did it! I somehow booked MiraCosta - Piazza View! It’s happening

We are going to need some pictures of this when you return.

 

[Disney Analyst]

We are going to need some pictures of this when you return.

Oh you better believe!

 

[Disney Analyst]

And Toy Story Hotel is booked! Our stay is all set.

 

[Giraffe1401]

I guess on that same thread, is there a QSR we should not miss? I want to do Hungry Bear for sure, for the curry.

As a local to TDR, I’d love to share a few QSR recommendations!
If you’re looking for great theming, I suggest Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall at TDL, and at DisneySea Snuggly Duckling, Arendelle castle and as you listed, Casbah food court are great choices.

The Arendelle castle restaurant is actually QSR, but the food has gotten mixed reviews.
So you can go in just for a drink or dessert, which is a nice way to check out the interior and soak in the atmosphere without committing to a full meal.

If you’re more focused on taste, I highly recommend Hungry bear restaurant and Captain Hook’s Galley.
Both are long time favorites among locals and have been around since the park opened. Especially I love the Hawaiian pizza from Captain Hook’s the most. It’s higly recommended and you really can’t go wrong with either.

 

[Giraffe1401]

Anyone have a favourite table service restaurant in either park that I should consider trying to book?

As for table service, I’ll skip Magellan’s, Teddy Roosevelt Lounge, and Ristorante di Canaletto since they’ve already been mentioned — but I highly recommend Hokusai in Tokyo Disneyland!

It offers Japanese cuisines and it’s a longtime favorite among locals thanks to its great food and reasonable prices. It was also recently renovated, so now you get to enjoy beautiful, upscale theming along with your meal. Located on the second floor of the World Bazaar, it offers a unique dining experience that really combines atmosphere, taste, and value. Plus, it’s usually not too hard to get a reservation, so it’s pretty easy to fit into your day.

 

[Kevin_W]

Perfect, really no issues and I was able to book the standby passes in the throngs of people on their phones. Mostly had 5G the entire time in any metro area and randomly would work in the ocean half the time.

It was probably on NTT docomo networks in Disneyland.

How did the Airlo work? You just download the app and install the esim on your phone. Then when back to the US do you have to do anything? (If it matters, I'm using a Samsung S24 on Total Wireless)

 

[BrianLo]

How did the Airlo work? You just download the app and install the esim on your phone. Then when back to the US do you have to do anything? (If it matters, I'm using a Samsung S24 on Total Wireless)

Yup, the app is just a storefront to buy esims, it doesn’t have much innate to do with the function. Once you purchase one, it generates a link in app to install the eSIM, which your phone does its thing for 60 seconds or so. Then within your settings you presumably have something like a cellular tab as on iPhone. You simply turn off your regular plan and turn on the e sim line. When you are back home you just need to turn back on your regular line and off the eSIM (or delete it if you are done with it).

I actually now prefer on iPhone to go into my home plan and leave the cell phone plan on, but turn off data roaming within that line and keep the eSIM on with data as well. It allows you to have two plans connected to cell towers (at least mine does). What this does is prevents the iMessage connectivity from getting screwy. I can still receive texts for free or phone calls can ring (and I don’t answer them) and then I can freely iMessage people back for free and if they are a text contact I’ll WhatsApp.

 

[Disney Analyst]

Yup, the app is just a storefront to buy esims, it doesn’t have much innate to do with the function. Once you purchase one, it generates a link in app to install the eSIM, which your phone does its thing for 60 seconds or so. Then within your settings you presumably have something like a cellular tab as on iPhone. You simply turn off your regular plan and turn on the e sim line. When you are back home you just need to turn back on your regular line and off the eSIM (or delete it if you are done with it).

I actually now prefer on iPhone to go into my home plan and leave the cell phone plan on, but turn off data roaming within that line and keep the eSIM on with data as well. It allows you to have two plans connected to cell towers (at least mine does). What this does is prevents the iMessage connectivity from getting screwy. I can still receive texts for free or phone calls can ring (and I don’t answer them) and then I can freely iMessage people back for free and if they are a text contact I’ll WhatsApp.



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Good advice!

This means we could still receive any 3D secure SMs codes that are sent if we use my partners Visa… as his Visa only sends texts, which is annoying!

 

[BrianLo]

Good advice!

This means we could still receive any 3D secure SMs codes that are sent if we use my partners Visa… as his Visa only sends texts, which is annoying!

Exactly, I most need it for two factor authentication. But sometimes iMessage gets screwy when your phone plan is off for any substantial window.