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^ We actually lucked out with seeing "Mystic Rhythms", because it had been down for maintenance, up to the Friday of the tour. Our staying an extra couple of nights at Disney, made it possible to see the show on it's return, that Saturday. So, it worked out for us, and it was a great show to see again. IMhO, I have found all of the shows in Disney Sea much preferable to repeat viewings than the shows at TDL. This one, Big Band Beat, even the Little Mermaid Show. All good enough to see again...and again, lol.

"Body And Soul" Billie Holiday

"Mystic Rhythms" at Disney Sea I had seen this show before, in the previous TPR visit (2011). But back then, we were just in time to grab seats, and ended up waaaay on the left of the stage, half way between the front and back rows. Needless to say, we missed a lot of things that went on on the left of the stage. So this time, David and I got great seats practically at the back of the theatre, but in the middle section, with a full view of the stage, the lighting, the musicians - everything LOL! Great seats, we felt. I also asked the cast members working there, if it was alright to take any photos of the production? The answer was "Yes, but please no LED light." So, I parked myself in the absolute back row, no one behind me at all, and used a kerchief I had to 'drape' over the view screen, kept the camera in a fixed position and snapped away when I felt like it. Most of the shots are blurry it's true, but other turned out not too bad. The story is one of nature working together. Earth, water, wind, fire. Reminds me of a rock band. Hmmm.... Some nice mini-Cirque du Soleil acrobatics through-out the show, and some great effects, including a diving pool under the main stage, that kept appearing and disappearing when not needed. David in the back of the theatre, Overhead lighting. Lots of stuff to climb, onstage. The musicians are housed in two raised "huts," one of which you can see on the left of the stage. The band was awesome! It begins.... Best - Final - Curtain - Ever! Cast bows. And acknowledging the musicians for the awesome soundscape.

In between a lot of photos... Here's the video of our INSANE Jungle Cruise Guide, rolling off his final spiel before we get to the unload dock. And this was only one - minute - of it. Awesome. [coastertube]http://www.themeparkreview.com/coastertube/play.php?vid=MVI_2759_hr8l[/coastertube] He loved doing it, we loved hearing it, we were all in love.......

That is what I would expect to pay but I'm going to hold off a few months before booking I have looked around, and found that lately I am in the same ball park figure, from Vancouver to Copenhagen, back from Helsinki. Approx $1200 Cdn. But I am planning to wait as well. A single ticket, on the aisle (for myself) is I hope not too hard to come up with, later on.

"The Sex is In The Heel" Billy Porter & Company Original cast cd - KINKY BOOTS Its awesome, and all by Cyndi Lauper!

So great to see the tour through your eyes and wit, Chuck. Thanks.

The woman in this photo looks like she isn't too happy you are taking the photo, at all, lol. Great stuff, Chuck. Are you doing the "Wierd Japan Tour" next spring? (curious) Uh - you talkin' to me?

Day 3 at TDLR ....Disney Sea in the Afternoon. And back to Disney Sea we went, after getting all of our Disneyland attraction-riding done! Spent most of the afternoon strolling around, took the steamer transit from the Mediterranean dock, which is a 1/2 circuit ride, unloading at the Lost River Delta dock. The dock at Cape Cod affords a "full circle tour" of the park. Really a wonderful way to see the entire park from the water, without stopping. Eventually, we made it to one of the afternoon showings of Mystic Rhythms, a really great show with water...and FIRE! This will be in my next posting..... So now we're back... where do we head first? But there's always time for a good photo, with someone you know. (o; David loved this ship. I always have, too. (DbM) Goofy doesn't get enough fan love. )o: Met this young Duffy Fan in line for beverages at the Base Camp Grill. Man, that's a lot of bears! This is the entrance to the Grill...and cocktails! We finally took a turn on the Flying Carpets. Really beautifully set and themed all around it. Kitty, kitty, kitty.... (DbM) Of course we couldn't miss another round with Sindbad. It's really a beautifully put together story and attraction....with banana smells! (DbM) Happy genie, out of jail, jamming with Sindbad. (DbM) Then there's this lovely scene, that leads into... (DbM) Happy Whale meet-up. (DbM) Part of the Finale. Loved how they did the fireworks, here. (DbM) And for those who wanted to know... The answer is C). These were the exit stairs from the Sindbad attraction. (DbM) Nice landscaping here. Now, you'd think with some of the money they make here, that this 'leak' would FINALLY be taken care of? (o; That's the back of Storm Rider show building, too. View From a Bridge - Lost River Delta Dock. And beyond!

Well, Scandinavia still awaits. And Japan visits are starting to come up, practically yearly now.

^ I'll miss his huge cowboy hat. And he almost yodelled his usual cars speil, lol.

Hmmm. ^ I have no idea about that, Dan. And you are right about it being a two station transport. Maybe they found a loophole? I know this sounds silly, but maybe because it's a back-and-forth kind oftransportation, and not a circular route...? Anybody know the reason for non-taxation? I'd be curious to know, myself. EDIT to add: And then there's the dock-to-dock route of the water transit boats, between Mediterranean Harbour and the Lost River Delta. I guess they'd be also subject to taxing, but don't seem to be.

Day 3 at TDLR - Disneyland in the Morning... So today we finally had our park options opened, being able to combine both parks into a day's visit, or lopside it and do it like we did: the morning spent at Tokyo Disneyland. And the rest of the day.... We actually left a good number of the main attractions on the "left side" of Disneyland, all of Adventure Land, and got all of them done before we headed over to Disney Sea. Pirates of the Caribbean still had Jack Sparrow hiding here and there in the ransacked town. And it was still as it always was and is: a really great attraction, after all these years! I always enjoy the Western Railroad, and as many of you know, it's not actually a full park circuit train. Seems the Japanese Gov't would tax the park if the train had more than one station, making it (sort of) public transport. Which is taxable. That's why the monorail is a separated ticketed thing - it's transportation with more than one station. Anyway, the Japanese still wanted a train ride, so Disney made it an attraction unto itself. With some really nice scenic spots, including an overview of Splash Mountain, completely around the Rivers of America and then...... (no spoilers) It was great to ride it again. Always a fave with me. Below the train station (it's elevated) is the loading dock for the Jungle Cruise, we then did that with an absolutely IN-SANE GUIDE who pretty much bantered non-stop, and about as Speedy Gonzales as humanly possible! I taped a minute of his banter as we came back into the dock area. Will post later. But this was IMhO as fun and crazy as the Jaws attraction at Universal Japan. Lots of Japanese - much drams - overcooked reactions. Really silly and fun. He was great. We didn't do the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (remember them?), as it was way too much (at the time in the building heat and humidity) to walk up and down for us. Seems the locals didn't visit it much either. Rarely a crowd in it, and no line up ever seen. So that was an easy pass. And finally took in the newly (to us) created attraction of the Tiki Birds....and Stitch. Now it wasn't really a bad show, with this Major Change. Buts till, I did miss the original program, in Japanese too. I mean, the original all built up to awakening the gods and causing lightning, wind, rain Big Weather. Not, its' just to 9eventually) reveal Stitch in the middle... and it's practically done. Eh. Will be passed next visit. So all of that done, a turkey leg on the go, and we headed over to that other park..... Breakfast done, and Mickey to wish us well on our 1st Park Hopper Day. Back-of-the-Castle view. Bet you don't see this shot too often... Look! Another 53! Sweet. On the train engine of the Western Railroad attraction. And - our jungle cruise vessel arrives. Hi Val! And this was our ever bantering, non-stop over-acting guide. Awesome! (DbM) Group meal. (DbM) Open air shower, with a great view! (DbM) I think this is where Stitch was hiding out. "In The Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room". (DbM) Side-view-of-the-Castle. There it is. As we were leaving TDL we ran into The Alveys! So we did a group shot with Robb being as.... 'animated' as he always is. And Elissa being sweet, as usual. I love everywhere Disney puts flowers. And shade, lol! And this was taken just after we arrived at TDS. More to come...

Well, one year off isn't too bad, hmm? Of course, I was two years behind, in posting this TR. Timing, huh? I decided to BUMP this TR of mine, written up just two years ago, on the first Scandi Tour TPR did...four years ago, lol! I am a bit better in timely TR posts, nowadays. Not everything in this TR will be in the 2014 tour. There's already two parks that have gone down for the count - Karolineland, and Sommerland Syd. But... It gives you an 'idea' of the tour ahead. What we enjoyed, (Thanks Robb & Elissa!) in 2009. They had it first! Grona Lund did...

Three-way tie. All Tokyo Disney Sea. Tower of Terror Journey to the Centre of The Earth Indiana Jones & The Crystal Skull

I am still in awe of "Chicago."

^ And I wandered around there, in....1972. And by the way - in 2011, me and Rosie found this is a Hanyashiki eatery. Hmm.... But - bumper cars?

Thanks for all the great updates, Peter! Can't wait for this to be built and running by the time "some of us" are there, next summer.

Holy Thoroughly Covered Tour, Batman! I mean, Robert! So much stuff you managed to catch during your wandering around. This is great. I'm in awe of how your pretty much covered the info. about whatever you were photographing. Even stuff you weren't too sure of, lol. Looking forward to more, arigato!

Along with what I've seen as awesome food there, Silver Dollar City is on my bucket list, now.

Before I start with our first Park Hopper Day at TDLR this coming week, I wanted to share a photo of an area of Tokyo Disney Sea, you may not know. Or you may know exactly where it is. But here are your choices, lol.... A) Exit stairs from The Terrace second floor restaurant, with balcony views of the park. B) Exit stairs from Jasmine's Magic Carpet Ride. C) Exit stairs from Sindbad's Fairytale Voyage. D) None of the above, damnit! It's ________________. Worth a guess, hmm? For a second I had to think what it was, that David had taken a photo of, heh heh.. So? Any ideas? I'll tell in next week's posting. (DbM)

I was more LMAO when this happened, when Playland (PNE) went into PR overdrive about "2 new rides" at the park for 2013.... Then it turned out to be two children's rides: The carnival style Teacups, that only rotate in one ring, but the kids can still spin 'em. The Balloon Explorers, which is basically and up-and-down tower ride, but way more family friendly. And i like to ride it, as it does have a bit of an overview of the park, from a different direction. Still, more of a WTF than a shock.

I hope this hasn't been asked before but.... If the TPR Wierd Japan Tour doesn't happen next year, would there be the chance, that it might be put into the 2015 tours lineup? Possibly? Maybe? EDIT to add: I know you've already said that a Mexico Spring Break tour could happen in 2015. But Wierd Japan does sound interesting, after all the other great Japan Tours you'be taken us on... Planning in advance, I yam.

Selva Magica was a really nice park, and the management was fantastic to/with us. And before the year ends - Happy 25th Anniversary Selva Magica! And that was my first time on a SkyCoaster! The cost was sooooo reasonable (ours at home is at least $20 vs. $5 w/cpn at Magica's!) I had to finally try one out. And, for myself, it was okay. Keep up with the great report Gary! You're almost done, LOL!

I was shocked that this hotel was part of the Holiday Inn chain! Gor-geous. The lobby alone was worth the price of just walking into the place, LOL! And the rooms were amazing, too!