The cost of the tickets and bus transportation for all five of us was $240.00. A bit cheaper than tickets back in the states, but no park hopping. We would only be at Disneyland.
We left the house at 5:15am. Our bus left at 5:45. We actually didn’t leave until 6:10am as we had to wait for a few stranglers. Then we were off, and I went to sleep. Even though we are only 28 miles from Tokyo is takes 1 1/2 hours to get there because of the traffic, and since we left so early, the traffic wasn’t that bad. It still took 1 1/2 hours.
We got before the park open and hit the gates at 8:00am. There was already at least 1,000 people there, if not more.

After we had our bags searched there was a group of CM selling something. We went to check it out. They were selling lanyards that held tickets. These are similar to the lanyards for pins, but there is no pin trading here. Gabriel choose the skeleton mouse set and Molly picked out a Marie (the kitten from Aristocats-she is super popular here). The CMs gushed over Molly. She became super embarrassed and we very nearly ended our trip. It was a little too much attention for our little girl. She was upset for a bit, but then calmed down and we went to stand in line.

Standing line in was the theme of our trip.

Once we got into the park we head towards Main Street. Along the way we passed a huge line waiting to see Mickey. We choose not to stop. We only saw four characters the whole day. Also, Main street is covered. They call it the World’s Bizarre. It has a different feel than the Disneyparks in the states, a bit more subdued.

At this point we split up. Ryan went to Fantasyland to get fastpasses for Pooh Bear and the kids and I went to Buzz Lightyear. Once we were in Tommorrow land we saw a huge line. Thinking that was it, we head toward it. Nope, that was the Fastpass line. All the fastpasses in the park were gone by 10:00am. After some walking, we found the line which began by Cinderella’s Castle. We stood in line for two hours. After about an hour Ryan found us. When he approach the line he began looking for us. Some japanese noticed he was clearly looking for someone and pointed him on our direction. Not bad logic to assume the tall white guy is looking for the other white people. Ryan took Molly to get something to eat. She ended up not getting back before we got on to he ride. Once we got close tot he entrance we asked a CM where we could get a birthday button, since we never found the Townhall. Through a use of small words and pantomine, he got the jist of it and produced a birthday sticker which we wrote Gabe’s name on.

The sticker was great. Every CM that saw it made a big deal of carefully saying Happy Birthday to Gabe in English. You could tell they really enjoyed the opportunity to use their English skills. One CM just kept talking and talking and talking. It was cute. Gabe then had the chance to use his Arrigato (thank you) on the CMs.
Buzz was like the California version of the ride. Although it was a bit odd to hear Buzz and Zurg speaking Japanese.

After the ride we were met by Molly and Ryan. As it was now 10:00am we decided to have an early lunch since we hadn’t eaten breakfast. We ate at a place called the Queen of Hearts in Fantasyland. We chose this place as there is nothing like it back in the states. There are very few restaurants that have Priority seating here, and this wasn’t one of them, so we waited in line. The inside of this place is AMAZING. The theme is Alice and Wonderland and it is so over the top. The food was OK. For the most part the food was not as incredible as we have had at the parks in the US, but it was still tasty. Also, the portions were smaller than US portions, but hey, it is better for us.

They feature the Unbirthday cake here which we had decided to get Gabe as his Birthday cake. Well, when we odered it the CM noticed Gabe’s sticker. When she handed us the cake, the decorations were a bit different...it said HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Yipee! We had to get Molly a different dessert as the cake had oranges on it. She had a strawberry mousecake shaped like a heart.

I had the rotissure chicken and a sprite. Marec had the friend seafood (which feature a friend shrimp which still had eyeballs and a coke. Gabriel had the kids set (kids meal) with curry rice, meatball, creamed corn and shrimp, and a coke. Molly had just eaten so she had the mousecake and a HiC grape. In all it costs a 6,100.00 yen (about 60.00)
After lunch we went to ride the Merry-Go-Round, but then Molly really wanted to ride the teacups, so we switched. Then we waited in line. Ryan and Marec went to find a cup of coffee. We waited for about 30 minutes and then we rode. Molly, got scarred. I don’t know what was up with her, but she freaked out.

After the Tea Cups, we met up with the men and went to the Mickey Mouse Review. I think Molly and Gabe thought this was going to be “Mickey Magic” (Philarmagic). I told them, and then the CM told us it would be in Japanese. Molly’s answer, “Oh, I love Japanese.” So we went.

The preshow was made up of an 80s film telling the history of Mikey. Yes, it was in Japenese, but it wasn’t hard to get the meaning of the film. After the preshow, we went into the theater. The rest of the show was made up of animatronics singing classic Disney Tunes in Japanese. I’m telling you, there is nothing like Zip-id-i-do-da in Japanese! The kids LOVED IT! Quick note, the seats are made for Japanese people, they are small and sit close to the floor.

We then headed to Haunted Mansion which is in Fantasyland. The line was not bad. When we first went in the line Marec refused to join us. He said he would wait. Well, after about 30 minutes, we wrapped close to where he was, I explained that this was not the Tower of Terror. He has confused the two since he was little and since he has not gone one either he didn’t know. So, I reassured him this wasn’t a roller coaster thrill ride and he joined us. All told, the wait was about an hour. The lightening is a bit darker so it is a bit scarier and more seamless than other Haunted Mansions. The boys liked it. Molly did not.

After the mansion we went to Tom Sawyer’s Island. We needed to find a quiet place with less people. Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen. At this point I got something in my eye and had to go to the bathroom to fish out my contact. So the boys went ahead and Molly and I waited in line. While waiting, Pluto and Goofy came by. Molly was very excited. So, I got my eye fixed and we went to catch a raft. The wait was only about 10 minutes and then we met up with the boys on the island which was full of people. we walked around a bit, took in the scenery, watched the kids climb some ropes and then left.

We were planning on heading back to Fantasyland but we were thwarted by a parade. Parade watch in very serious business, NO standing and people will sit six rows deep. We were not getting there, so we ate.

We ate at the Golden Nugget Saloon. I bought three friend chicken baskets which included, 2 pieces of chicken, 8 french fries, and cole slaw. I also bought us some churros and coke. The food was yummy, greasy, but yummy! The churros were a bit bland, but not too bad.
Now, we were ready to see Pooh Bear!

We had a fast pass so there was minimal wait. All I can say about this ride is...”IT IS AWESOME!!!!!” You can’t see the track so you whiz around the pooh bear world in a hot pot, turning and spinning all around. Molly did not like the hufelump dream sequence. This ride puts the US versions to shame.

At this point we needed a break from people so we went out the the bus to rest for a bit. One the way out, Gabe, Marec and I went into the Emporium on Main Street. Wall to Wall people, it was insane. Gabe got a toy and Marec bought a shirt for his friend. We didn’t spend that much on souvenirs because we could get into the shops to shop. TOO MANY PEOPLE!

We had a 30 minute nap on the bus in the uncrowded quiet. It was good. At this point I noticed Molly’s legs were turning red. As it turns out she had rubbed up to a citrus tree and at some point ate something with orange in it. Fortunately she didn’t get too much of it. So the Benadryl waited until this morning as did her diarrhea.

Once we went back to the park we went to find popcorn. They had so many different kinds and you had to wait to get them. We got some plain salted, caramel, and Curry. Delish...
Now, time for the electric light parade. We found a spot, put down out blanket and sat. Ryan went to find us some burgers. He returned right as the parade started. Molly loved it. Gabe kept asking what time it was. Marec had quit talking to us earlier in the day.

Unfortunately the Fireworks were canceled due to wind and it was time to go. Our bus was leaving at 9:15. At this point Molly realized we were leaving and got upset as she missed some of her favorite rides. We promised next time she could ride them. next time, we are going on a Wednesday.

We returned to the base at 11:00pm. We were in bed by 12:00am.

This is the link to the pictures.
http://web.mac.com/teacher_cat/Site/Tokyo_Disneyland.html

So now you've been to 3 parks....which one is your favorite (if you eliminated lines at any of them)? 

Mynde - All it takes is faith and trust...and something I forgot...Dust...just a little bit of Pixie Dust 

I sort of have the same opinion as you.  My favorite park is DL in Anaheim.  It just seems so familiar, and so interesting every where you turn.  I think I was expecting to be blown away at Tokyo Disneyland, and it really didn't do that for me.  DisneySea, however was very cool.  I really enjoyed the Journey to the Center of the Earth, along with the Harrison Hightower story in Tower of Terror.  Plus the Sinbad ride is (for an animatronic boat ride) really neat --- complete with music by Disney legend Alan Menken....

I still can't get over the fact that all the fast passes were gone by 10am. Wow, fast pass isn't a secret there. Or do you think they don't give out as many?  Do they have a maximum capacity like the parks in the states do and close it down after it's reached?

Curry popcorn?? That doesn't sound to great, I would be afraid to try it.

Kristi