Trip Report *COMPLETED* I've climbed the mountain, I've crossed the river, and I'm almost there!

Introduction

We've only been back from Japan since Saturday night but I am just itching to get started on this report! We had an absolutely AMAZING trip and I'm not ready to let it go, and writing my TR is one way for me to delay the inevitable return back to "the real world." This was the longest vacation I've ever taken, and like any long trip-or any new experience, for that matter-there were ups and downs, good moments and not-so-good moments. There were mistakes, mishaps, mountains, and monkeys. Yes, monkeys! There were surprises and there was DRAMMA!* There were things we will do differently next time we visit Japan, and believe me, we knew less than halfway through the trip that there WILL be a next time someday!

In case you missed the PTR, here it is: Bee's Big Birthday! There you can read about the cast, the general plans, and the reasons for planning this particular trip.

Now about the title: It's a reference to this song from The Princess and the Frog:

​

I have been kind of obsessed with this song lately and I found myself singing it in my head repeatedly during the trip. You'll see why soon!

So, if you're ready for a journey halfway around the world, thousands of photos, and Double Disney bookends, keep reading!

EDIT: The Tokyo Disney stuff starts here.

*I've mentioned it in previous TRs, but I like to spell "dramma" the Italian way because I'm an opera singer and what's more DRAMMAtic than Italian opera?? So please don't think I'm an idiot (for that reason anyway )!

 

[bee]

Day 18, cont.

The Mickey buses drop off on the first floor (below lobby level). We went inside and took the elevator up to the fourth floor. We also stopped to get a 7Up from the vending machine to have with some of our leftover Jim Beam.

Not our room, fortunately!

Upon a closer examination of the drink area, I discovered why the Sheraton was the perfect hotel for us!

They even had fancy drink stirrers for our drinks!

Clearly this hotel was made for us

We chilled in the room for about three hours before venturing out again.

Outside, a Mickey bus was just arriving!

On the monorail platform:

This time, we didn't get off at a park station, but instead got off at Resort Gateway Station to explore Ikspiari, a huge multistory mall where we hoped to find dinner.

Inside the mall:

We decided to try Guzman y Gomez, a Mexican chain from Australia, as we had read that they had some good veggie choices.

Veggie/bean burrito

Sauces and accompaniments

This guy looked down on us as we ate

Dinner was good and was a nice change from all the vegetable curries (as much as I like curry!).

We explored the mall a little and found a large Disney Store:

We also needed some more cash so we stopped at an ATM. Only, the first two ATMs we tried wouldn't read my US debit card so we had to wander to find one that would!

All the essentials in life

There is also a large grocery store in Ikspiari and we bought some (surprise) egg salad sandwiches for breakfast the next day in the room.

And another toilet photo I probably took for my brother?

Up next: Back to Disneyland

 

[bee]

Day 18, cont.

We rode the monorail to the Disneyland stop.

This light display would happen every once in awhile in World Bazaar and the song "Brand New Dream" would play as a little celebration of the 35th anniversary of the resort. This was really cute!

We were in search of a snack to share. We gazed longingly at the Waffle Company...but the line was still INSANE.

Oh good, a blurry castle photo

And another

A waffle cone...with beef and rice????

At last, something I can eat that DOESN'T have an enormous line!

We enjoyed this popcorn as well. My favorite was still the black pepper I'd had at DisneySea the day before.

Few FPs were available and most of the lines throughout the park were much longer than we were willing to wait in, so we went for something with a high capacity and a short wait:

402! Just like our room number at two hotels!

Oh GOOD, ANOTHER blurry castle photo

The Western River Railway is 100% ride and 0% transportation. There is only one stop and you have to get off at the end. It is more similar to the DLRR than the WDWRR.

Up next: We try for the dang waffle again

 

[bee]

Day 18, cont.

At this point we were cold, tired, and #done with lines and rides. We really, really, REALLY wanted a waffle from the Great American Waffle Company. Lucky for us, the line was LESS intimidating, aka NOT out the door for the first time that day.

Well if it were so easy why would I BUY one here???

Getting closer...

It was so much fun to watch this guy making waffles! He was dancing as he worked, clearly having a great time!

They seem to have perfected the waffle making system. He would pour the batter into one iron at a time and by the time he had poured and closed the last one, the first one would be ready so he could go through and take them all out.

Finally at the cashier!

There were no tables available inside, but by the time we got our waffle we had been thoroughly warmed from waiting on line inside.

Azuki and matcha ice cream (seasonal waffle)

This was SO. GOOD. The waffle was hot and fresh and all the accompaniments added distinct yet complementary flavors and textures.

Up next: A little shopping

 

[bee]

Day 18, cont.

After our waffle time, we headed toward the exit.

We caught the Brand New Dream mini-show again.

View of the Disneyland Hotel from the monorail platform:

On the monorail:

There was a Mickey bus waiting for us again!

#ShirleyStatus again!

Back at the Sheraton we checked out the gift shops on the second floor.

There was a cool multi-floor water feature in the lobby. I am hoping I got a better photo of it later in the trip because this doesn't really show it at all:

Here's hoping!

Back in the room we discovered the robes available for guests to wear in the room:

We were totally exhausted after two consecutive very long days and decided, for the sake of our own sanity, not to try to rope drop our last morning.

Day 18 Stats
Distance: 7.1 miles
Steps: 17786
Flights: 4

Up next: Our last full day

 

[bee]

Day 19: Friday, January 4

We slept in a bit and enjoyed breakfast in the room.

Various coffee accompaniments

I checked DisneySea wait times while we were still in the room.

We took our time getting ready and left the room around 9:30.

We walked to the monorail and soon we were on our way to DisneySea!

Turns out, when you're not in a rush, you can stop on the monorail platform for some stunning views of the park and the globe!

There was NO LINE for security or entry today, since we arrived so late.

Once inside the park, a CM approached me and showed me a laminated paper with the same question in about twelve languages: "Do you live in Japan?" I pointed to "No" and she asked (via multilingual paper) if I would be willing to do an online survey about my travel plans in Japan and I said yes. She gave me an envelope with survey instructions and told me (via the paper again) that as a thank you gift I could have this beautiful postcard:

I thanked her in Japanese and we continued on our way. I wish that every time I was stopped to do a survey in WDW or DL that I got an adorable postcard!!

We caught a brief moment of this parade.

On our way through the park we saw Pinocchio come out to greet guests:

And we enjoyed seeing the beautiful tulips again!

Up next: We discover a hidden world!

 

[bee]

Day 19, cont.

We took the path to Mermaid Lagoon and discovered that what we knew of Mermaid Lagoon (having experienced it two days prior) was only half of Mermaid Lagoon! There is a whole huge section of the land INSIDE King Triton's castle!!

We entered at ground level and then saw that the attractions were downstairs. It was kind of like entering The Land pavilion at Epcot.

Inside we saw even more attractions:

There were so many details EVERYWHERE.

Up next: Spinning!

 

[bee]

Day 19, cont.

The Whirlpool had a short wait so we got in the queue.

The Whirlpool is a Teacups type of attraction. Unfortunately our cup wouldn't spin at all! Like @ajrwdwgirl I am a fan of spinning fast so I was a little disappointed. Alas!

After the ride we exited Triton's castle, for now.

🕸

If this were WDW all these benches would be filled!

Up next: Arabian Coooo-oooo-oooooast

 

[bee]

Day 19, cont.

We decided to go to Arabian Coast again for a repeat of a ride we'd enjoyed on our first park day. On the way we passed a live band playing the Indiana Jones theme.

Back to Sindbad!

Up next: Snack time!

 

[amjt660]

It is fair to assume the space mountain FP machines were covered because that had sold out all the FP for the day

Enjoying the report of TDR
Bringing back good memories

Max

 

[bee]

It is fair to assume the space mountain FP machines were covered because that had sold out all the FP for the day

Just you wait...

 

[bee]

Day 19, cont.

More views from Arabian Coast:

And bathroom pics for the curious:

Back outside...

We took a look inside the Agrabah Marketplace (gift shop). I had asked my brother what kind of souvenir(s) he wanted from Japan and from Disney, and what he wanted from Disney was something with a TDR-specific character. I thought about getting him something with Chandu (the tiger from Sindbad) but decided to keep looking at other stores too.

BENCHES!

We were getting hungry so we found a snack kiosk in nearby Port Discovery. There was a line but it wasn't as bad as we had seen at other locations in the parks!

Potato churros! They were AMAZING! They were kind of like giant french fries, but with a fluffy texture inside.

Up next: We've made a huge mistake!

 

[bee]

Welp, I really had wanted to finish this report before today, because today M and I are flying to London to celebrate her 30th birthday (we couldn't go to Japan for my 30th and not go somewhere cool for hers!). No, we are not going to Disneyland Paris (although it was a brief consideration!). I'll be back next week and will try to get this wrapped up! And at some point I'll need to start a PTR for our triumphant return to our "home" Disney!

 

[PacNWTigger]

I hope you guys have a wonderful trip! Happy birthday to M!

 

[Tuvalu]

Have a Jolly Holiday!

 

[Swissmiss]

What a great place to enjoy M’s birthday - have fun (and I’m sure you could modify your TR title and bring in some of your London escapades here )

 

[MinnieM123]

OMG -- you guys are traveling again?! Oh GOOD! That means another way cool, bee TR is upcoming!

Have a great time and happy birthday trip to M!

 

[bee]

Thanks for the birthday wishes @PacNWTigger, @Tuvalu, @Swissmiss, and @MinnieM123!

I don’t think I will do a real TR as this trip has nothing to do with Disney but I will post a few pics. We had a good flight (7 hours is easy compared to 12-13 to Japan!) and made it to our hotel. Our room was ready at noon (!!!) and is gorgeous! We got a great deal through Marriott rewards and we have a refurbished room with access to the executive lounge for breakfast, snacks, and drinks.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Have fun in London and Happy Birthday to M!

 

[krisri18]

Have a lovely trip!! Happy Birthday M!

 

[bee]