A Double Dose of Disney!

How many of us remember the Disney theme song...

'When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are.....'?  

Initially, I had thought I would leave DisneyLand and DisneySea for 'Team Lewis' to conquer on their own, but I couldn't resist....no show without 'Jenny Lost in Japan Tours'! 

Dress Code.......casual!?!?

Last year I remember writing that I never imagined I would visit the Tokyo Disney Worlds ever, let alone five times. I possibly have one more visit left in me for the Thompson Clan next month, but no more!! After the earthquake both venues were temporarily closed and there have been some minor changes due to power restrictions..... they had no impact on our visits. Each day the weather was perfect, not too hot but not cool, so there was no stopping us. We did DisneyLand first and then, because it was such a huge success, we did DisneySea one week later.

Arriving at DisneySea on the special Mickey Skyrail is always a winner!

 As soon as you get through the gates it's all happening! Like everything in Japan, it's sensory overload!

Both Disneys have themed areas......DisneySea has seven 'ports of call' and DisneyLand also has seven, which includes the four 'traditional' lands. Each area has different rides and each area looks very authentic. Surprisingly, food is reasonably priced and there is really not much junk food, everyone walks around with a popcorn bucket around their neck. The initial purchase costs 1400 yen and then refills are 500 yen. You can get some really weird flavours but we stuck to the plain one, although caramel is pretty nice. Curry, black pepper, soy sauce, cappucino, coconut, honey......it's your choice!!!

This is on the River Cruise in Adventureland......they are not real!!

How cute is this guy.......he is on the Amazon in Adventureland.

Amy enjoys the Castle Carousel in Fantasyland.

Tomorrowland....while Henry was inside, Amy waited patiently with R2D2.

Waiting to see a 3D movie.

Tokyo DisneySea is the most expensive theme park ever built, estimated to have cost over $4 billion (U.S). It and Tokyo Disneyland are the only Disney Parks in the world not owned by the Walt Disney Company. Tokyo DisneySea was the fastest theme park in the world to reach the 10 million guests milestone, doing it in 307 days from its grand opening in September, 2001.

Markham about to take  on the Splash Mountain ride!

Yee ha!! Markham in the front, Henry and Nanny behind him!

Last year my preferred park was DisneySea but now, after these two visits, I'm not sure. So many variables can alter your opinion ..... crowds, weather and behaviour of people on the tour, to name a few! I think, maybe, the rides were a bit more exciting at Disneyland. We had such an exciting day at DisneyLand and came away on a real high, so the next week it was always going to be a hard act to follow. 

The Teacup Ride was a bit tame for Henry but it was a ride!!!

Henry went on 24 rides at DisneyLand and then on as many as his height would allow at DisneySea. He was a real 'ride junkie' and was happy to queue for 30 minutes or more just to get a go. He wasn't the only ride junkie though, the tour company CEO was highly committed to testing all tour activities for suitability!! 

Amy went on her share of rides and particularly enjoyed Ariel's Garden, with its very toddler friendly rides, and Ariel's Playground, with water squirting from turtles, fish and the floor. Both kids were saturated by the time we left that 'port of call'. 

The attention to detail in every area of the parks is awesome. The shows at both Disneys are fantastic and we saw many of these...Little Mermaid, Mystic Rhythms, Magic Lamp theatre etc etc. The entry fee of 6,200 yen (about $75 AUD) per person at each park is really good value.

Of course, no visit is complete without a popcorn bucket hanging around your neck and a set of Mickey or Minnie Mouse ears!!

The Laser Show has been cancelled due to power restrictions!

The parks are open from 10.00am-10.00pm and we stayed from opening time until about 8-8.30pm. They were very long days and by the time it came to travelling the one and a half hours home on the train we were all exhausted, Henry in particular. At the end of a long day, walking the 800 metres between platforms through Tokyo Station with a 'dead weight' in your arms was hard, travelling on a train with standing room only was no easier but finally, 'yes!' a seat. 

Farewell to Tokyo DisneyLand

Out for the count after DisneySea!

A memorable two days!!  Well done 'Team Lewis' (and nanny)!