Most times of the year, yes, they are...
The next 3 weeks or so is essentially, aside from January, the best time to go in terms of wait times.
Spring Break 2013 - TDR & Tokyo - Trip Report
- Thread starter AndyR
- Start date
Most times of the year, yes, they are...
The next 3 weeks or so is essentially, aside from January, the best time to go in terms of wait times.
DreamSweetsLove
Loves Mickey
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2010
This Spring break was particularly bad! I think will get worse as the year goes on though because of the anniversary events. Last year was another record breaking year for the resort and I think the anniversary will be another record breaker!
Spring break, Golden Week, weekends, large holidays definitely will be busy or at capacity. If you go in between events or during the weekdays (non holidays) it's not bad at all. Even during Halloween and Christmas there are days you can go that are not so busy. In Late Jan.-feb. the parks are pretty dead so it's the best time if you only care about attractions. The crowd calendar is a really good resource to check before coming.
For example today was not busy at all. We popped in after taking our time chatting over a late lunch at Disneyland Hotel and went in the park (TDL) around 2:30pm. We waited for the parade which was cancelled due to wind at 2:50pm. Had no FP's but did Pooh (20 minutes), Teacups (ten minutes), Haunted Mansion (walk on), Snow White (15 minutes), Philharmagic (walk on), Pirates (walk on). Timing is everything.
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
So its on to Day 4. This was to be our last day/morning in TDL as we were moving to the Four Seasons in Marunouchi for the final four nights of our trip.
Tuesday was our 2nd rainy morning and there were long lines at the monorail station as we headed over to TDS:
So we got in line and waited our turn to get up to the platform.....only to find that this was the line to buy tickets - sheesh - oh well, only 20mins wasted lol.
The 'hotel' entry crowd was a lot smaller this morning....I wonder why
Da girls. We'd come prepared with Gore-Tex jackets and waterproof boots:
We hopped on the monorail and found.....nobody driving.....I guess they're controlled from the rear?
At the TDS entry plaza we found the missing crowd. We noticed that nobody really had waterproof footwear, but everyone had an umbrella:
The sea of umbrellas headed to ToT & TSM:
But our target of the morning was Indy & Raging Spirits. We grabbed a FP for Indy and headed to RS. Once inside the Raging Spirits line, we loved the theming, notice the 'back' of the LCD panel:
With the poor light and using my waterproof P&S, it was hard to 'stop' the cars on the track:
Here's a car in the loop, which is pretty tight:
After scoring a front row seat for Raging Spirits, it was off to use our FPs for Indy. Sarah hams it up in the FP return line:
I don't know how much of the pre-ride line we missed by using FPs, but in DL the FP line merges with the Standby line before any of the cool pre-ride stuff happens (well room, collapsing ceiling room etc.).
So the first room we really see is the large cavern which was well themed:
Again we scored front row seats, with Sarah driving:
Then we headed over to Sinbad for a final voyage. At this point the sun came out and we took the opportunity of a short curry popcorn line to make a purchase:
From here we headed over to American Waterfront to the Duffy store. I'm still not sure what folks see in Duffy - sure he's a cute bear but......:
And with that, it was time to head back to the hotel, grab our bags and check out
Waiting for the cab to take us to central Tokyo:
Goodbye Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, we'll be back:
FWIW, we think our room was to the right of the top center room shown here (top floor):
Next up, Tokyo.....
Tuesday was our 2nd rainy morning and there were long lines at the monorail station as we headed over to TDS:
So we got in line and waited our turn to get up to the platform.....only to find that this was the line to buy tickets - sheesh - oh well, only 20mins wasted lol.
The 'hotel' entry crowd was a lot smaller this morning....I wonder why
Da girls. We'd come prepared with Gore-Tex jackets and waterproof boots:
We hopped on the monorail and found.....nobody driving.....I guess they're controlled from the rear?
At the TDS entry plaza we found the missing crowd. We noticed that nobody really had waterproof footwear, but everyone had an umbrella:
The sea of umbrellas headed to ToT & TSM:
But our target of the morning was Indy & Raging Spirits. We grabbed a FP for Indy and headed to RS. Once inside the Raging Spirits line, we loved the theming, notice the 'back' of the LCD panel:
With the poor light and using my waterproof P&S, it was hard to 'stop' the cars on the track:
Here's a car in the loop, which is pretty tight:
After scoring a front row seat for Raging Spirits, it was off to use our FPs for Indy. Sarah hams it up in the FP return line:
I don't know how much of the pre-ride line we missed by using FPs, but in DL the FP line merges with the Standby line before any of the cool pre-ride stuff happens (well room, collapsing ceiling room etc.).
So the first room we really see is the large cavern which was well themed:
Again we scored front row seats, with Sarah driving:
Then we headed over to Sinbad for a final voyage. At this point the sun came out and we took the opportunity of a short curry popcorn line to make a purchase:
From here we headed over to American Waterfront to the Duffy store. I'm still not sure what folks see in Duffy - sure he's a cute bear but......:
And with that, it was time to head back to the hotel, grab our bags and check out
Waiting for the cab to take us to central Tokyo:
Goodbye Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, we'll be back:
FWIW, we think our room was to the right of the top center room shown here (top floor):
Next up, Tokyo.....
DreamSweetsLove
Loves Mickey
- Joined
- Dec 14, 2010
Andy R, do they still give out the hotel badge pin for the kids at Marceline?
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
We were not offered one for our daughter, but did not ask either.
rgoble5972
Are we there yet?
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2001
I've really enjoyed your trip report and pictures thus far. Are you going to write up the rest of your trip as well? We're hoping to go to Japan next Spring so I'm currently devouring anything Japan-related I can get my hands on.
Thanks,
Thanks,
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
Yes. I'll start loading pics to my SmugMug account later today and then start writing. It'll include the trip we did to the Studio Ghibli Museum.
Tink rules
<font color=teal>The kids in my family sometimes t
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
Followed you on FB... great to see the extra pics... especially the TDL hotel... kind of like the grand minus the PJ's!
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
Tink rules
<font color=teal>The kids in my family sometimes t
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
Whoa... & I thought the phone in the bathroom at the grand was nice... 
Tink rules
<font color=teal>The kids in my family sometimes t
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
ohhh sorry... The Grand Floridian at WDW... 
Tink rules
<font color=teal>The kids in my family sometimes t
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
I've mad it to the Floridian and the Californian... but my only trip to Vegas involved a stop over from CA....
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
Day 4 - Off to Tokyo.....
But first.......the following link is to a set of photos taken in the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. Its just some of the artwork, themeing, and architectural touches.
The following is hanging in the Marceline Salon (Concierge area):
Here's the detail above one of the mirrors in our room:
Anyway....here's the link to the gallery: Click the pic:
But first.......the following link is to a set of photos taken in the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel. Its just some of the artwork, themeing, and architectural touches.
The following is hanging in the Marceline Salon (Concierge area):
Here's the detail above one of the mirrors in our room:
Anyway....here's the link to the gallery: Click the pic:
PrincessInOz
Thanks for my avatar, Mary Jo!
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2010
I love the detail of the mirror.
And from what I saw from your smugmug account, the hotel is very similar to the one in Hong Kong.
Where were the pictures of Walt taken from?
And from what I saw from your smugmug account, the hotel is very similar to the one in Hong Kong.
Where were the pictures of Walt taken from?
AndyR
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 31, 2007
The Marceline Salon.
greenkai3000
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2011
GREAT report and pictures. Glad you had a fun time. We are thinking about going to TDL next March or April ourselves.
May we ask a few questions please?
When you booked your trip, were Hotel, Special 4 day park hopper tickets, and public transportation all purchased as part of a package? or did you have to buy them separately? Did you do it all online, over the phone, or at the Resort?
How long was the line for the gyoza sausage buns at Disney Sea?
Thanks in advance.
May we ask a few questions please?
When you booked your trip, were Hotel, Special 4 day park hopper tickets, and public transportation all purchased as part of a package? or did you have to buy them separately? Did you do it all online, over the phone, or at the Resort?
How long was the line for the gyoza sausage buns at Disney Sea?
Thanks in advance.
Tink rules
<font color=teal>The kids in my family sometimes t
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
Very nice.
I would have guessed that it was either a mirror or a headboard. Either one I like it!
I would have guessed that it was either a mirror or a headboard. Either one I like it!
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