Hi there,
writing to you guys straight from Tokyo after completing my visit to TDR. Now, this won't be a trip report because we've all read way too many of those, but just general observations and shooting off from the top of my head. I'd be more than happy to comment on any questions people surely have about the place.
So generally speaking:
* The resort itself is kept in amazing shape. To be fair the expectations were for nothing less considering all of Japan's amazing ability to preserve and maintain all aspects of their lives, from streets to metro stations, it's all tip-top here.
* I really can't put into words how amazing cast members here are. I will say this: Service in Japan is at Disney resort level most of the time. Now just imagine what a Disney resort is like in such a place. To say it's amazing would be doing a disservice to the service. Kudos to every cast member in TDR. They truly are the hardest group of workers I've ever encountered. Polite to a fault, gratious beyond possible description - they are the essence of "Disney magic".
Disneyland:
* OK so lets get this out of the way because I was caught off-guard at first but eventually grew to like this phenomenon: When the park opens, people run. Seriously, literally, run. It's awesome and I'm aware it's prohibited at all other resorts but it really adds a sense of fun and excitement to the day.
* Disneyland seems a bit outdated and honestly it looks kinda poor in some areas (namely Tomorrowland, Westernland). It's even worse in contrast to their detailed Toontown and Critter country and neighbour Disney Sea (more on that later).
* To say I dislike the covered Main Street (aka World Bazaar) is an understatement. It's hideous and looks like a tacky mall. Amazing what a simple change such as a roof can do to the theme.
* The amount of cast members simply greeting everyone during the first hour of operation (and doing NOTHING but that) is unheard of at any other park and truly adds a magical dimension. It really does make you feel like every single one of them is there just to make you feel right at home.
* Pooh's Hunny Hunt: Videos don't do this one justice. My jaw literally dropped when the cars split apart and started moving "randomly" through incredible show scenes.
*Splash Mountain: To all those that still find a way to justify TDO's mode of operation, I hope you all ride this one. Every effect, every AA, every scene seems as if it started operating just yesterday. This is what Disney should be and is obviously possible as shown in some resorts.
* Space Mountain: Ugh, why is it this park has Pooh, one of the most sophisticated rides I've ever ridden and still has an aging space mountain with no soundtrack and an almost shameless sponsoring by Coca Cola? I'm not against sponsors but talk about overdoing it.
Now, DisneySea:
* Look, I can try and talk about this place 'till my fingers bleed but no words do this place justice. Believe the rumors, legends, numerous descriptions, every raving trip report, every overdone compliment. This place is nothing short of perfect. Out of my 4 days, 2 and a half were spent here and I'm still not completely satisfied.
* Entertainment at it's finest - True, DisneySea needs a few more rides to it's roster - understandably so, this park is still relatively new - but the shows here more than make up for it. Mystic Rhythms, Under the Sea, Big Band Beat and Magic Lamp Theater are all amazing shows that not only fit the theme of the land, but are executed in entertaining and fresh ways. Legend of Mythica, the day "parade" is far and wide the best day time entertainment I've seen at a park, ever. Fantasmic! is technically superb but still looses slightly to it's American counterparts just because of the language barrier and the odd decision to semi-butch the original soundtrack. Hardly a complaint though, it's still wonderful.
* The theming here is a show and ride all on its own. I spent hours, quite literally, just looking at the small details, all the hidden paths and beats, gems and treasures that reward anyone that slows down enough to enjoy them. The only downside to this is that it shames Disneyland, making it look like some run-down carnival by comparission.
* Tower of Terror - Majorly different theme, but still awesome and has a chilling soundtrack to boot.
* Part of Port Discovery's loop music is RoE. Gotta say I really enjoyed it.
* My favorite themed lands would probably be Arabian Coast and American Waterfront for sheer size and detail. Really though, the rest come so close behind it's almost to hard to rank them all.
* Sinbad is a hidden gem and sadly one of Disney's and DisneySea's most underrated attractions. This, in my book, is this generations Small World-meets-PotC.
* TSMM is coming. The ride is supposedly identical but let me tell you - the exterior looks incredible and plusses the AA area.
So that's it for now off the top of my head.... Feel free to comment
writing to you guys straight from Tokyo after completing my visit to TDR. Now, this won't be a trip report because we've all read way too many of those, but just general observations and shooting off from the top of my head. I'd be more than happy to comment on any questions people surely have about the place.
So generally speaking:
* The resort itself is kept in amazing shape. To be fair the expectations were for nothing less considering all of Japan's amazing ability to preserve and maintain all aspects of their lives, from streets to metro stations, it's all tip-top here.
* I really can't put into words how amazing cast members here are. I will say this: Service in Japan is at Disney resort level most of the time. Now just imagine what a Disney resort is like in such a place. To say it's amazing would be doing a disservice to the service. Kudos to every cast member in TDR. They truly are the hardest group of workers I've ever encountered. Polite to a fault, gratious beyond possible description - they are the essence of "Disney magic".
Disneyland:
* OK so lets get this out of the way because I was caught off-guard at first but eventually grew to like this phenomenon: When the park opens, people run. Seriously, literally, run. It's awesome and I'm aware it's prohibited at all other resorts but it really adds a sense of fun and excitement to the day.
* Disneyland seems a bit outdated and honestly it looks kinda poor in some areas (namely Tomorrowland, Westernland). It's even worse in contrast to their detailed Toontown and Critter country and neighbour Disney Sea (more on that later).
* To say I dislike the covered Main Street (aka World Bazaar) is an understatement. It's hideous and looks like a tacky mall. Amazing what a simple change such as a roof can do to the theme.
* The amount of cast members simply greeting everyone during the first hour of operation (and doing NOTHING but that) is unheard of at any other park and truly adds a magical dimension. It really does make you feel like every single one of them is there just to make you feel right at home.
* Pooh's Hunny Hunt: Videos don't do this one justice. My jaw literally dropped when the cars split apart and started moving "randomly" through incredible show scenes.
*Splash Mountain: To all those that still find a way to justify TDO's mode of operation, I hope you all ride this one. Every effect, every AA, every scene seems as if it started operating just yesterday. This is what Disney should be and is obviously possible as shown in some resorts.
* Space Mountain: Ugh, why is it this park has Pooh, one of the most sophisticated rides I've ever ridden and still has an aging space mountain with no soundtrack and an almost shameless sponsoring by Coca Cola? I'm not against sponsors but talk about overdoing it.
Now, DisneySea:
* Look, I can try and talk about this place 'till my fingers bleed but no words do this place justice. Believe the rumors, legends, numerous descriptions, every raving trip report, every overdone compliment. This place is nothing short of perfect. Out of my 4 days, 2 and a half were spent here and I'm still not completely satisfied.
* Entertainment at it's finest - True, DisneySea needs a few more rides to it's roster - understandably so, this park is still relatively new - but the shows here more than make up for it. Mystic Rhythms, Under the Sea, Big Band Beat and Magic Lamp Theater are all amazing shows that not only fit the theme of the land, but are executed in entertaining and fresh ways. Legend of Mythica, the day "parade" is far and wide the best day time entertainment I've seen at a park, ever. Fantasmic! is technically superb but still looses slightly to it's American counterparts just because of the language barrier and the odd decision to semi-butch the original soundtrack. Hardly a complaint though, it's still wonderful.
* The theming here is a show and ride all on its own. I spent hours, quite literally, just looking at the small details, all the hidden paths and beats, gems and treasures that reward anyone that slows down enough to enjoy them. The only downside to this is that it shames Disneyland, making it look like some run-down carnival by comparission.
* Tower of Terror - Majorly different theme, but still awesome and has a chilling soundtrack to boot.
* Part of Port Discovery's loop music is RoE. Gotta say I really enjoyed it.
* My favorite themed lands would probably be Arabian Coast and American Waterfront for sheer size and detail. Really though, the rest come so close behind it's almost to hard to rank them all.
* Sinbad is a hidden gem and sadly one of Disney's and DisneySea's most underrated attractions. This, in my book, is this generations Small World-meets-PotC.
* TSMM is coming. The ride is supposedly identical but let me tell you - the exterior looks incredible and plusses the AA area.
So that's it for now off the top of my head.... Feel free to comment
