The Most Magical Kingdom of Them All: Tokyo Disneyland
One little thing I forgot to mention last time was that this visit marks the second time I’ve been at Tokyo Disney with TPR during some sort of “anniversary” event. This year it’s the . . .
. . . which I presume means this is the resort’s “35th anniversary.” Well, I was last here with TPR in 2013, and that was the 30th anniversary, so, let’s see, do the math . . . yep--35th anniversary.
Tokyo Disneyland is the best of Disney’s “Magic Kingdoms,” which immediately puts it in the top two of theme parks worldwide. It was modeled after the park in Florida, but there are some notable differences, such as:
1. There’s no Liberty Square, so the Haunted Mansion is located in Fantasyland (Splash Mountain, is located just behind the Mansion).
2. Their Winnie the Pooh dark ride is a big step up from other versions, thanks to a trackless ride system, full animatronics (not just statues and cutouts), and just a higher general level of fun. (People who hate that “silly old bear” love this ride.)
3. Space Mountain is a clone of the California version.
4. The International Bazaar, their “Main Street,” is enclosed under a canopy (a very nice feature in a country where it rains quite bit).
5. This is no knock against the customer service at the Florida park, but TDL reaches their level, then takes it a step or two higher.
Hurry up! The Monorail is almost here!
“The ring came off my pudding can! Take my penknife, my good man.”
I guarantee that you will be happy at least 35 times/day at Tokyo Disneyland. Most likely more.
Just in case you missed this earlier, it’s the “35 Happiest Celebration.”
Looks a lot like you’re in Florida here.
Hmm--appears to be a mite busy today.
This will siphon off some of that crowd.
The dude with the black pack on his chest looks worried. Maybe he’s allergic to bee stings.
Well, if you’re gonna have a lovely garden, you’re gonna need bees. Since we rode this first thing, the wait was fairly short.
“A story about Winnie the Pooh, and how, in his selfish lust for honey, he invoked Satan to raise a storm that nearly destroyed the 100 Acre Wood. I love that story!”
“I say, jolly fun shooting the rapids while standing on a bear butt, eh wot?”
“Oh, bother! I never should’ve drawn that pentagram in Eeyore’s blood.”
“Damn you, Pooh! You’ve doomed us all!"
Thus did the Gates of Hell open . . .
. . . and chaos was vomited forth!
Welcome to the Ninth Circle of Pooh Corner Gift Shop.
Dear USA: Please note how neatly the Japanese line up their strollers and learn from their example. Thank you.
Nearly time for our Space Mountain Fast Passes.
Note how close DisneySea is to Disneyland, even though the park’s entrances are so far apart.
Sorry, folks, but Coca Cola now owns the galaxy.
This door is for Pepsi drinkers. It leads to the icy vacuum of SPACE!
Making Space Coke is really high tech.
It is no less crowded now. Thought you should know.
Looks like the 999 Happy Haunts are doing a little sprucing up.
No more Fast Passes left, so the queue winds through here. But it’s a pretty fast-moving line.
“Have a drink. Our fresh spring water tastes likes bourbon and will appear once you sign over your soul!”
Hmm--I think this retaining wall needs some work. I’m surprised the homeowners association hasn’t fined them for this.
Aw, poor Fluffy!
That’s odd. I thought Fluffy ate Skimmer.
Such a cozy little room--from which there is no way out!
I want these light fixtures for my house.
According to the “Ghost Hunters” app on my phone, there are absolutely no ghosts here . . . OH MY GOD! Stupid app.
Hey, “Paul Tergyst”! Get it, guys? Come on, it’s funny! One more set of photos to come.
“Our Revels Now Are (Almost) Ended”: Day & Night Tokyo Disney Park Hopping
Tokyo Disney has a unique approach to park hopping. I’d signed up for four Disney days, which meant that I could visit one park for one day, the other park the next day, then hop between the two parks for the last two days. I don’t think any other multi-park Disney resort does this.
I like this system, as it spreads out the crowds over both parks and gives you a chance to explore them thoroughly. Then you can hit what you missed, and do other stuff multiple times on the park-hopping days. For example, you definitely must have more than one . . .
. . . Magic Kingdom Mickey Waffle per trip.
So, let’s spend our last two days in Japan hopping between Disneyland and DisneySea. Lots of photos to come, including one thing I’ve never done before, some relatively decent night photos, and the saddest photo in any Tokyo Disney trip report. I'll start with more Tokyo Disneyland, then finish up with DisneySea. But feel free to hop between the photos as you wish.
You know, I don’t think we need to consult this Monorail map anymore. After all, we already know how to get to . . . BAYSIDE STATION!
More Tokyo Disneyland? Why not?
We studied this map carefully. Never know when you might have to hike back through the jungle.
Hmm--remind me to dine here only on Saturdays. Then again, they don't say what sort of "chicken."
“I say, you chaps in the boat . . . is it Saturday? We’d hate to miss chicken night back at the dock.”
What? We have to go through a forbidden temple, just like in Florida? What an odd coincidence.
This is a lousy photo, but they have some cool projection work in the temple.
Trader Sam is offering 50% off coupons for giant-stag-beetle night at the Jungle Cruise dock. Sorry, but he’s all out of chicken-night coupons.
Tokyo Disneyland’s train has only one station. Because if it made multiple stops, the government taxes it as a “transportation" system, and they’d have to charge an extra fee. It starts in Adventureland . . .
. . . but leaves the jungle for Westernland.
You get some good views of Big Thunder.
Then you get to see some pink dinosaurs, which I guess is as good a transition as any to get back to the jungle.
Let’s check out TDL after dark. Well, this is more like twilight.
I suspect they’re waiting for some sort of parade. Just a hunch.
It’s the 35 Happiest Celebration? Who knew?
Many Japanese people like to dress alike and hang out at Tokyo Disney.
Here’s a more “traditional” group.
As the sun sets, the park lights up.
The castle at twilight. We’ll check it out again, later.
This mural was used as evidence in the Prince’s stalking trial.
May Mickey bestow his blessings upon thee.
I would not mess with these two. More TDL to come.
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