robbalvey Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 (edited) Update Index! Day One - Arrival & Tokyo Disneyland Day Two - KidZania Day Three - Tokyo DisneySEA! Day Four - Hanging out in Tokyo! Day Five - More random Tokyo & Tokyo Disneyland! Day Six & Seven - Tokyo Teleport, Making Gyoza, Tokyo DisneySEA! Day Eight - Yomiuriland! Day Nine - Tobu Zoo & Toshimaen! Day Ten - Yokohama Cosmoworld & Sea Paradise! Day Eleven - Hanging out in Tokyo & more DisneySEA! Day Twelve & Thirteen - Misaki Park & Adventureworld! Bonus Osaka earthquake! Day Fourteen - Universal Studios Japan! Day Fifteen - Washuzan Highland & New Reoma World! Day Sixteen - Hirakata Park! Day Seventeen - Nagashima Spaland Day Eighteen - Parque Espana! Day Nineteen - Legoland Japan! Day Twenty & Twenty One - Hamanako Pal Pal, Lagunasia, Tokyo Stuff, & Tokyo Disneyland! Day Twenty Two - Fuji-Q Highland! Day Twenty Three - Benyland & Lina World! Day Twenty Four - Tokyo DisneySEA first "official" day! Day Twenty Five - Tokyo Disneyland! Day Twenty Six - More Tokyo DisneySEA! REGISTER for our forum to leave a comment! Be sure to follow our Twitter and Instagram Stories for live updates from our trip! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ That's right! TPR is back in Japan because this country is awesome and we can't get enough of it! We will be live tweeting and posting to our Instagram Story during our visit to be sure to check there for up to date posts! Here's some of the updates we've posted so far! Day One - Arrival and Tokyo Disneyland! First of all, this.... WOW! I did it! Three different Disney Parks on three different continents in three days! lol (technically less but time zones weren’t in my favor!) Getting invited to the Paris Disney FanDaze event was most certainly a nice last minute surprise, and it allowed me to be able to do this! I just got back from Paris less than 12 hours ago and we are already off on our next adventure! Japan, here we come!!! One nice benefit of having loyalty status with Delta? A bowl of Cheerios for breakfast!!! (Seriously, LOVE this!!!) Am I the only one who can’t see a bowl of blueberries without thinking about Judy Hopps and her family’s farm? Almost to Japan! Only four hours left in the flight! Who thinks we should go straight to Tokyo Disneyland once we land? Just walked off the plane in Japan and these were the first two signs we saw! Just an example of the amazing Japanese efficiency... The plane landed at 2pm and we’re already on the bus to the hotel at 2:30. That includes going through Immigration, getting baggage, pee stop, through customs, buying bus tickets, boarding bus... Oh Japan! Once we’ve seen our first Taiko no Tatsujin machine we know we are officially in Japan! Here’s the Tokyo subway map. It’s not as difficult as it looks! Have Suica card will travel! I'm about to get on a train...I wonder where I'm going? [twitter] [/twitter] And this is why the Japanese will always kick ass in video games!!! [twitter] [/twitter] I am so happy right now!!! Watch below to see the replay of our "Tokyo Disneyland Dream Lights" parade footage! [fbvideonew] [/fbvideonew] Love the “Happy as a rainbow!” theme!!! I should also point out that I only came into the park for the last four hours of the evening and was only charged the equivalent of about $40 for the “after 6 passport!” What an amazing deal I love that 30 minutes after walking into the park I’ve already ran into one of our Japanese TPR friends! I am not here for the rides... ...I’m here for the popcorn!!! OMG! These two shirts are amazing! I love the Oswald one!!! Which one would you buy? I’ve always though it was cool that Tokyo Disneyland has Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin! Many people don’t realize it’s here and is always a nice surprise! This is an attraction I wish had made it to more parks. Normally we start our day at Tokyo Disneyland with these INCREDIBLE Mickey Mouse waffles... ...but since I’m only here in the evening, I’ll end my day with one! This is a MUST HAVE food here! The projection show in World Bazaar for the 35th Celebration is just magical! [twitter] [/twitter] 35th Celebration Chip n Dale anyone? They are soooo cute! These gift boxes are some of the most popular merchandise at Tokyo Disneyland! That “Chocolate Crunch” seriously flies off the shelf!!! If you stand here 15 minutes you will watch them re-stock the entire shelf at least once! Just ran into two more Japanese TPR fans! Great seeing you guys! Got to ride Pooh’s Hunny Hunt twice tonight right at park closing! This is still one of the most impressive Disney rides! I wonder if the locals still love it or if it is not as special for them anymore? I think it’s amazing!!! ear America - can we please have shelves and shelves full of Baymax merchandise, too? Thank you! So there is this weird "fruit theme" going on with some of the Tokyo Disneyland merchandise right now. At first I was all "This is really odd" but then as I kept seeing more of it, I kinda like it! What do you think? We had a great first day in Japan! Remember to keep up to date with our trip via our Twitter and Instagram story! Now, POST YOUR COMMENTS!!!! After all, we took the time to write this report, the least you can do is post something nice about it! Click HERE for Part Two of our Japan Trip! Edited July 16, 2018 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 There is nothing but "win" here! See you in about a week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coneyislandchris Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Living vicariously through you right now. <3 SOMEDAY we will get out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Great report! I'm going to need a bigger bag for souvenirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jynx242 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Awesome! I seriously and desperately need to get to Japan. Had friends bring us back the Rainbow Happiness shirts from their visit late last year. I love them. Looking forward to following along. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 yay! looks like y'all are having an amazing time. I'm old, and don't twitter, so been following along via the link on TPR front page, but it has been a little frustrating that I couldn't comment, since no twitter account . . now I can! LOL.. I ended up last night in a youTube hole watching vids about "Squishies". . I TOTALLY understand why KidTums is hooked, I wish I could smell that store, I'll bet it was incredible! great pics. . keep em coming! (and I absolutely love that Oswald B&W shirt, and would buy it on the spot) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EthanE2002 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 I still need to get there eventually! Tokyo Disney is one of my bucket list theme parks, and DisneySea alone just makes me wanna go! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Ooooo, this is way too much Tokyo Disney for my eyes! Great way to spend your arrival evening too, Robb, Elissa and Kristen! Looking forward to more of your visit there, and elsewhere in Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SixFlagsAstroworld Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Another Japan trip! Visiting Tokyo Disney is number 1 on my bucket list since it’s one of the best parks in the world. I never get tired of reading reports from Tokyo Disney! Have fun in Japan and looking forward to the next report! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted June 8, 2018 Author Share Posted June 8, 2018 Have fun in Japan and looking forward to the next report! Working on it now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted June 8, 2018 Author Share Posted June 8, 2018 (edited) REGISTER for our forum to leave a comment! Click HERE for an index of all our Japan 2018 Trip Updates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Day two - KidZania! If you've been reading any of our international trip reports over the past few years, you may remember that we have started taking Kristen to the "KidZania" educational theme parks. There is nothing like this in America (yet) even though people keep trying to tell us there are "similar" things, but really nothing like KidZania. In short, KidZania is an indoor theme park based around a fictional city with REAL companies teaching kids about future careers as an adult. Kids will use REAL equipment and go through the same motions as these jobs would in real life giving them some idea of career opportunities later on in life. There has been talks about bringing KidZania to the US (There was a failed example called Wanadoo City that didn't make it in the Miami area) and there are plans to open one in Dallas. Curious to see how that all goes. Be sure to follow our Twitter and Instagram Stories for live updates from our trip! Anyway, onto our day... [twitter] [/twitter] I want to live in a world where you get updates on the train from the characters of Animal Crossing! I love these little “mini escalators” you see all over Japan! This morning we are at KidZania! We’ve covered this park before and we love it! It’s a kid-based theme park all about learning different careers! It’s incredibly life-like and IMO the best “educational” attraction ever created! It’s “English Wednesday” at KidZania today! And not just for English speaking people living in Japan but also for Japanese kids to practice their English! School groups will come to KidZania on Wednesday’s to practice English! (Note how well behaved they are following the “stand on one side of the escalator” guideline they have here in Japan. [twitter] [/twitter] [twitter] [/twitter] Kristen’s first “job” is working as a bad-ass courier for the Black Cat delivery service! Black Cat is a REAL delivery service here in Japan. I love that they use actual companies. [twitter] [/twitter] Kids earn money for each job they complete. They open up a bank account and even get an ATM card! Then they can buy stuff in the shop at the end of the day! Her next job is working in a glasses shop! She will learn to make glasses and even cut the lenses and put them together! It’s all REAL equipment! Including cutting the lenses. Here are the glasses she made! lol And yes, she gets to keep them!! The variety of jobs at KidZania is amazing! Here’s kids working in a call center... repairing cars, working at a gas station... and these kids are legit making pencils! Yes, there is currently a kid wedding going on right now!!! “Science Lab” and “Fire Department” are two more activities kids can do here! There must be around 100 different “jobs” to choose from! Now Kristen is working for the bakery! They made and baked real croissants! We just ran into a Japanese TPR fan, Ryo working at KidZania! Thanks for saying hello to us! Kristen’s final job of the day is working in the “soap factory!” (She really wanted to do this one!) We’ve had an awesome day at KidZania! More We had such a great day at KidZania! Photos & video does not do justice how great this attraction is! Easily the most practical and entertaining of any “educational” attraction I’ve been to! The variety of "jobs" is just amazing. Everything you could imagine being in a real city from practical jobs like utility workers to fast food and even being a photographer or radio host! It's such a great learning experience. Side note - KidZania is located in a giant mall in Tokyo and when you arrive the mall is still closed... These shops are currently closed & it is amazing that some mall shops don’t have giant doors covering the front. It’s because they don’t have crime in Japan like in other countries. Can you imagine if GAP Kids in the US just had a small “please don’t come in here” barrier? Now, POST YOUR COMMENTS!!!! After all, we took the time to write this report, the least you can do is post something nice about it! Click HERE for Part Three of this report! Edited June 13, 2018 by robbalvey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeoplemoverMatt Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Great photos! I'm burning with jealousy but only for another week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Man, I wish there was a Kidzania around where I lived during my childhood. What a great way to learn about different jobs and skills involved, etc. I'm sure it helps some of the kids with their future career decisions. So, out of all that Kristen did there this time, which job/career was the most interesting to her? Making her want to do it again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 I'm loving all of these photos! I haven't lost my itch to get back to Japan since my trip last year and this definitely isn't helping (in a good way)! Hope you guys have an incredible trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BCTom Posted June 8, 2018 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is definitely one of Disney's underrated gems. Hunny Hunt still holds up as one of Disney's best. Reading this makes we want to go back to Japan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Just those first few hours at Disneyland were worth the entire trip! The waffles looked amazing, and I love the Oswald shirt! And I'm so jealous you visited Kidzania! I can't wait to take Jacob to one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blk_mamba Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 That first picture in front of three castles is awesome. I am beyond envious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Man, I wish there was a Kidzania around where I lived during my childhood.What a great way to learn about different jobs and skills involved, etc. I'm sure it helps some of the kids with their future career decisions. So, out of all that Kristen did there this time, which job/career was the most interesting to her? Making her want to do it again? KT says her favorite all time Kidzania Activity was the courier service job at the Dubai location. Her favorite in Japan was the eyeglasses. Honorable mention to the McDonalds job in Dubai. She especially liked the London location as everything was in English and everyone spoke English! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThemeParkJunkie51290 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 I'm just loving all the pictures! Great report, and I'm glad y'all had such a great time! It's nice to see a family that can go out and have a wonderful time together! Keep up the great work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfalcioni Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Seeing the variety of age groups at Kidzania makes me wonder if they have different levels of training for different ages? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharkTums Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Seeing the variety of age groups at Kidzania makes me wonder if they have different levels of training for different ages? At the Tokyo location there are suggested ages for each activity and the kids can get more or less out of them based on their ability. There are certainly activities that skew older or younger. At some other locations we’ve been to there were different jobs within some activities for younger or older kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert425 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 ^ that really is so cool. LOL, tho I think i'd get some odd looks if I went even just to check it out (way too old to participate). .but who knows, if we ever get them in Texas, maybe I could take my niece (she's 5). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Okay. I am officially putting 'Going to Japan' on my bucket list. Looks like you are all having a wonderful time there! So jealous!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waltrane Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 It all looks so amazing! I would definitely get that Oswald shirt!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Kane Posted June 9, 2018 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Day two - KidZania! If you've been reading any of our international trip reports over the past few years, you may remember that we have started taking Kristen to the "KidZania" educational theme parks. There is nothing like this in America (yet) even though people keep trying to tell us there are "similar" things, but really nothing like KidZania. In short, KidZania is an indoor theme park based around a fictional city with REAL companies teaching kids about future careers as an adult. Kids will use REAL equipment and go through the same motions as these jobs would in real life giving them some idea of career opportunities later on in life. There has been talks about bringing KidZania to the US (There was a failed example called Wanadoo City that didn't make it in the Miami area) and there are plans to open one in Dallas. Curious to see how that all goes. How can you & Elissa bear being ADULTS and not being able to take part in the FUN!?! I want to make my own eyeglasses and pilot a plane and become a special courier, etc!! Heck, some of my fellow baby boomer friends STILL haven't figured out "their future careers!" (As retirement time hovers for a generation that 'forgot to save for the future,' we'll need a SeniorZania!) Please keep us updated if KidZania ever successfully makes it to the States. It would, I suspect, take a great deal of organization here to keep such an operation smooth, fun and 'civilized.' Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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