Well, I am excited about my upcoming journey to Japan. My DW and I, who LOVE to travel, are ready to embark on our first adventure across the Pacific.
Background:
My dream as a Disney Fanatic has always been to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort, particularly DisneySea. So, as I've been researching times to visit on DisBoards and on other Disney oriented forums, I determined that a visit in Mid-April, between Spring Break and Golden Week would be good, even though it would be right over the 30th Anniversary Day for Tokyo Disneyland.
Accomodations:
The plan was to use my Disney Vacation Club points for a 6 or 7 night stay at either the Hotel MiraCosta or the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel (or both)... Now, most times, folks will tell you that using DVC points for this would be a terrible use of points. However, based on the price of the rooms and amount of points used, it actually is a very good use of points, as that time in April is a 'low points season' for use at TDR.
Well, 6 months ahead of our arrival date, I called DVC Member Services, gave them the required information and let them work their magic. Booking through DVC MS for TDR is a bit different, as they are not privy to the available rooms so it will take about 24 hours.
I wanted arrival on Saturday, April 13 and departure on Saturday, April 20 at Hotel Miracosta but would be open to Sunday to Sunday. Well, the next day, I received an email from DVC saying that my accommodations were booked at MiraCosta for Sunday, April 14 to Saturday, April 20. Wanting one additional night, I looked to see if the Disneyland Hotel was booked for Saturday, April 20 and got a room there...
So... Hotels out of the way. Staying at MiraCosta 4/14 - 4/20 and the DLH 4/20-4/21.
Flights:
Now living in Atlanta and being pretty savvy with finding great airfares, I set my budget for airfare from ATL at $1,200 R/T, inclusive of all taxes. Now, that was a fairly optimistic fare, seeing as most ATL-TYO fares are around $1,700... But, you never know. I would keep looking every day. I even debated booking a R/T out of LAX and would get to LA 'somehow'... However, about a week ago, I noticed I could get ATL-TYO on Delta (stop in LAX each way) for under $1,200 R/T. I jumped at it... The problem? I would have to arrive to Haneda Airport on Saturday, April 13 at 10:30 PM (2230) and depart from Haneda on Monday morning, April 22 at Midnight. Not a huge problem in order to stay below my budget for airfare. I booked the R/T for $1,170 (same itinerary is now $1,700)... However, I also decided to book a room at the Haneda Excel Tokyu Hotel for that night to avoid traveling after the long flying day and so that we can take the early AM Limousine Bus to MiraCosta. I was able to score the Airport Hotel room for $225. Considering I came in under budget for airfare and am paying no other hotel expenses, I would make that deal.
The Plan:
As of right now, I'm still working an itinerary together. My hope is that the special Park Hopper passes will be available to Disney Resort guests and that we will do the park Monday through Thursday (4 days).
Since we will have some time on Sunday 4/14, I think we can venture into Tokyo. I also planned some Tokyo touring Friday, Saturday 4/19 and 4/20.
I am so looking forward o this journey and hope to keep updating this report as we get closer!
Background:
My dream as a Disney Fanatic has always been to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort, particularly DisneySea. So, as I've been researching times to visit on DisBoards and on other Disney oriented forums, I determined that a visit in Mid-April, between Spring Break and Golden Week would be good, even though it would be right over the 30th Anniversary Day for Tokyo Disneyland.
Accomodations:
The plan was to use my Disney Vacation Club points for a 6 or 7 night stay at either the Hotel MiraCosta or the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel (or both)... Now, most times, folks will tell you that using DVC points for this would be a terrible use of points. However, based on the price of the rooms and amount of points used, it actually is a very good use of points, as that time in April is a 'low points season' for use at TDR.
Well, 6 months ahead of our arrival date, I called DVC Member Services, gave them the required information and let them work their magic. Booking through DVC MS for TDR is a bit different, as they are not privy to the available rooms so it will take about 24 hours.
I wanted arrival on Saturday, April 13 and departure on Saturday, April 20 at Hotel Miracosta but would be open to Sunday to Sunday. Well, the next day, I received an email from DVC saying that my accommodations were booked at MiraCosta for Sunday, April 14 to Saturday, April 20. Wanting one additional night, I looked to see if the Disneyland Hotel was booked for Saturday, April 20 and got a room there...
So... Hotels out of the way. Staying at MiraCosta 4/14 - 4/20 and the DLH 4/20-4/21.
Flights:
Now living in Atlanta and being pretty savvy with finding great airfares, I set my budget for airfare from ATL at $1,200 R/T, inclusive of all taxes. Now, that was a fairly optimistic fare, seeing as most ATL-TYO fares are around $1,700... But, you never know. I would keep looking every day. I even debated booking a R/T out of LAX and would get to LA 'somehow'... However, about a week ago, I noticed I could get ATL-TYO on Delta (stop in LAX each way) for under $1,200 R/T. I jumped at it... The problem? I would have to arrive to Haneda Airport on Saturday, April 13 at 10:30 PM (2230) and depart from Haneda on Monday morning, April 22 at Midnight. Not a huge problem in order to stay below my budget for airfare. I booked the R/T for $1,170 (same itinerary is now $1,700)... However, I also decided to book a room at the Haneda Excel Tokyu Hotel for that night to avoid traveling after the long flying day and so that we can take the early AM Limousine Bus to MiraCosta. I was able to score the Airport Hotel room for $225. Considering I came in under budget for airfare and am paying no other hotel expenses, I would make that deal.
The Plan:
As of right now, I'm still working an itinerary together. My hope is that the special Park Hopper passes will be available to Disney Resort guests and that we will do the park Monday through Thursday (4 days).
Since we will have some time on Sunday 4/14, I think we can venture into Tokyo. I also planned some Tokyo touring Friday, Saturday 4/19 and 4/20.
I am so looking forward o this journey and hope to keep updating this report as we get closer!
