Travel: Japan - Tokyo & Disneyland

[Vevey]

scoobydoo:

Vevey:

[quote=\"N3SKiasu\"]Hi, if you have been to other Disneyland like HK and having time constraints then just visit Disney Sea, my family (with teenages) enjoyed better at Disney Sea. It has Gondola rides, Boat rides, and usual sweet disney slower rides and little mermaid performance, different from the usual DL. We don't like thrill rides either, but Centre to the Earth and Indiana Jones are just nice, short with a bit of excitement so we can take it. The night parade is on the boat instead of the usual on the road in DL. But the firework is the same firework from disneyland side, just view it from Disney Sea. Not sure if you are going now, take note of short day, sky turn dark at 5 plus.

Still ok to take the Disneyland rides after 5pm?
How much shld we bundle up for the night? We last minute planned to tag along w DH's biz trip to Tokyo next Mon, so i am thinking of bringing the kids (4 & 8yo) to Disneyland myself. I brought DS1 to HK Disneyland myself when he was 5yo so I tot should be do-able in Tokyo too?

I found Tokyo Disney/Disney Sea very assesible for families with kids. If you're staying in one of the partner hotels, there are regular shuttle bus pick ups from the hotel to the resort and vice-versa. When we last there 3 yrs ago in Oct, it got pretty cold once the sun went down, but it was hot in the day, but I guess it'll be a lot colder now if you're going next week.[/quote]Yes, staying in the resort after DH concluded his biz, will b my back-up plan if going to & fro disney on my own w the 2 kids can't work out. It will b ard 10-17 degrees next week.

May I trouble u to help me w the itinerary planning at:
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=28418

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[ksme]

Have pm you.

[Vevey]

ksme:

Have pm you.

Thanks!!

[scoobydoo]

Vevey:

Last minute decided to tag along w DH's biz trip to Tokyo w 2 boys (4 & 8yo) NEXT Mon night, so urgently need some expert advice on itinerary, accommodation, day tours(?) while i gather up the warm clothings & start some packing. Tried, but really no time to sieve thru the 68 pgs of Japan thread. :?:


Day 1 - Tue
7.30a.m.: Arrive Narita airport. Take limousine bus to hotel (mostly New Otani or Sheraton, DH's office yet to confirm) to offload luggage.

Where can we go nearby until DH's biz dinner at the hotel?

Day 2 - Wed
Initially, I planned to bring the kids to Disneyland on my own by train since DH will b bz w work whole day. However, I understand sun set is 4.30pm, so i m concerned w e kids roaming the park in the dark (& colder night). Valid or i worry too much?

My alternative for the day will be:
1) Kidzania at LaLaPort
2) Tokyo Dome
3) Railway Museum
4) Fuji-Q at Kawaguchi-ko (too far?)
Which is/are better & more do-able between 9am-4pm? My initention is 4 them to enjoy themselves (I can relax too!) rather than me lugging them ard trying to shop/take in scenery. I really need to zoom in onto the selected so as to b more familiar w the route etc.

Day 3 - Thurs
Need to change to cheaper accommodation for 3 nights. Any recommendations?

My thoughts is: since most hotels r ex anyway, so if we r unable to go Disneyland on Wed, we can book resort accommodation for 1N & cover Disneyland (Dsney Seas as well?) for Day 3 & 4.

If Disneyland already covered on Wed, then we might just 1 2 shop at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku-Omotesando (esp Kiddy Land) and Odaiba.

Day 4 - Fri
Either still at Disney or can go to Nikko (would u recommend it as day trip or over-nighter? R we too late to catch autumn colours?)

Day 5 - Sat
??
Day 6- Sun
??
Evening flight home from Narita.

My major concern is the ex accommodation. Tried the B Hotel recommended in Japan thread but only hv vacancy on weekdays. I will b trying last minute deals etc but shld i book some local land tour (together w accommodation?) for rest of the trip?
Is there complimentary baby cot in Japan hotels? DS2 is ok to z in 1 whenever we travel.

Thanks for any advice & tips!

1 day for Tokyo Disney is defintely not enough, you'll need at least 2 days and since you are there, you might as well do DisneySea.
For the hotel, last time we stayed at the Sunroute Plaza, if I remember correctly, it's the closest to Disney, but not the most expensive. Check out their website as sometimes they have special offers that are good deals.

[Song22]

Vevey:

Last minute decided to tag along w DH's biz trip to Tokyo w 2 boys (4 & 8yo) NEXT Mon night, so urgently need some expert advice on itinerary, accommodation, day tours(?) while i gather up the warm clothings & start some packing. Tried, but really no time to sieve thru the 68 pgs of Japan thread. :?:


Day 1 - Tue
7.30a.m.: Arrive Narita airport. Take limousine bus to hotel (mostly New Otani or Sheraton, DH's office yet to confirm) to offload luggage.

Where can we go nearby until DH's biz dinner at the hotel?

Day 2 - Wed
Initially, I planned to bring the kids to Disneyland on my own by train since DH will b bz w work whole day. However, I understand sun set is 4.30pm, so i m concerned w e kids roaming the park in the dark (& colder night). Valid or i worry too much?

My alternative for the day will be:
1) Kidzania at LaLaPort
2) Tokyo Dome
3) Railway Museum
4) Fuji-Q at Kawaguchi-ko (too far?)
Which is/are better & more do-able between 9am-4pm? My initention is 4 them to enjoy themselves (I can relax too!) rather than me lugging them ard trying to shop/take in scenery. I really need to zoom in onto the selected so as to b more familiar w the route etc.

Day 3 - Thurs
Need to change to cheaper accommodation for 3 nights. Any recommendations?

My thoughts is: since most hotels r ex anyway, so if we r unable to go Disneyland on Wed, we can book resort accommodation for 1N & cover Disneyland (Dsney Seas as well?) for Day 3 & 4.

If Disneyland already covered on Wed, then we might just 1 2 shop at Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku-Omotesando (esp Kiddy Land) and Odaiba.

Day 4 - Fri
Either still at Disney or can go to Nikko (would u recommend it as day trip or over-nighter? R we too late to catch autumn colours?)

Day 5 - Sat
??
Day 6- Sun
??
Evening flight home from Narita.

My major concern is the ex accommodation. Tried the B Hotel recommended in Japan thread but only hv vacancy on weekdays. I will b trying last minute deals etc but shld i book some local land tour (together w accommodation?) for rest of the trip?
Is there complimentary baby cot in Japan hotels? DS2 is ok to z in 1 whenever we travel.

Thanks for any advice & tips!

Hi! Just some of my experience, my family went there this october:
My kids (age 9 & 10) enjoyed disneysea more as they have been to disneyland many times. Do avoid weekends and try to go early as disneyland / sea is not as nice in the dark.
Also, I find that kiddyland is a disappointment, like a smaller version of Toy R us, except that it is much more expensive...
My kids are Japanese comic fans hence they love the pokemon centre. If your kids like Doramon, they have newly open a Doramon Muesum which is very very popular, we didn't manage to go as we didn't book a week in advance (I think you can book from the internet) - we regretted!
Hope this helps, cheers.

[mckenzy]

Hi Vevey… some thoughts…


Without another adult to help with 2 boys in tow… i suggest you take it easy… if this is your first time and you are unfamiliar with the country and the language, the last thing you want to do is get hopelessly lost.

i would aim for a maximum of 2 attractions in a day. daytime, hit an outdoor area, evening hit an indoor one with nearby access to a train station.

i would also lower expectations of trying to experience ‘everything’…

we’re leaving on our 3rd trip tomorrow evening… this time without the kiddos… not that easy to plan as well…

food can find almost anywhere… if your boys can eat rice or noodles, no issues here…

we set aside S$300 per day for all meals for 2Adults and 2 kids

breakfast eat from bakery, lunch a simple affair, dinner slightly extravagant (bbq or something like that)

hotel, cannot really run away from the pricing… on average for your family be prepared for S$200 - S$300 for a decent room… if sleep is important to you, avoid business hotels… you won’t get much…

for the weekend, get out of Tokyo and head to Hakone to stay at a ryokan and get yourself into an onsen… you won’t regret it.

Disney is easily 2 days… also forget about going on weekends… its already packed on weekdays…

things that appeal to my family:

1. 100yen shops - you will satisfy shopping cravings and the kids can get themselves some cheap stuff to occupy their mind…

2. Parks… we love the parks… good colours at this time of the year… pack some snacks and sandwiches/bentos and just hangout on the grass…

3. Museum… preferbly the Science museum…

4. Tokyo Sealife park… and well thought-through concept… easily half a day, 2 stops from Disney

5. skip shinjuku, ginza, harajuku, shibuya and basically all the crowded places… losing your directions in places like that is not funny at all…

thats all i can think of for now…

you need to indicate more of your preferences before we can help further…

hope this helps for now…

[yqyq]

You may try Hotel Edoya at shibuya, similar to ryokan and onsen available.


But we booked BlueWave Inn at Asakusa at the cost of around S$597 for triple sharing for 4d3n in Dec.

Me too need help for my Dec journey, hopefully can extract here all the necessary info and guides

[mckenzy]

I can only find Hotel Edoya around Akihabara... we're staying around Shibuya this round but don't recall it being one of the choices in that area though...


http://www.hoteledoya.com/

[sorry sidetrack]

yqyq:

You may try Hotel Edoya at shibuya, similar to ryokan and onsen available.

But we booked BlueWave Inn at Asakusa at the cost of around S$597 for triple sharing for 4d3n in Dec.

Me too need help for my Dec journey, hopefully can extract here all the necessary info and guides

[MMM]

I recalled that before we go to Tokyo.


We planned the route and used some online train guide to help us ascertain the fastest mrt route from one place to another and without having to pay extra (eg. travelling on same color). I recalled the fares are color coded or there are 2 systems. You might want to check it out.

[Vevey]

mckenzy:

Hi Vevey.... some thoughts...


Without another adult to help with 2 boys in tow... i suggest you take it easy... if this is your first time and you are unfamiliar with the country and the language, the last thing you want to do is get hopelessly lost.

i would aim for a maximum of 2 attractions in a day. daytime, hit an outdoor area, evening hit an indoor one with nearby access to a train station.

i would also lower expectations of trying to experience 'everything'...

we're leaving on our 3rd trip tomorrow evening... this time without the kiddos... not that easy to plan as well...

food can find almost anywhere.. if your boys can eat rice or noodles, no issues here...

we set aside S$300 per day for all meals for 2Adults and 2 kids

breakfast eat from bakery, lunch a simple affair, dinner slightly extravagant (bbq or something like that)

hotel, cannot really run away from the pricing... on average for your family be prepared for S$200 - S$300 for a decent room... if sleep is important to you, avoid business hotels... you won't get much...

for the weekend, get out of Tokyo and head to Hakone to stay at a ryokan and get yourself into an onsen... you won't regret it.

Disney is easily 2 days... also forget about going on weekends... its already packed on weekdays..

things that appeal to my family:

1. 100yen shops - you will satisfy shopping cravings and the kids can get themselves some cheap stuff to occupy their mind..

2. Parks... we love the parks... good colours at this time of the year.. pack some snacks and sandwiches/bentos and just hangout on the grass...

3. Museum... preferbly the Science museum...

4. Tokyo Sealife park... and well thought-through concept... easily half a day, 2 stops from Disney

5. skip shinjuku, ginza, harajuku, shibuya and basically all the crowded places... losing your directions in places like that is not funny at all...

thats all i can think of for now...

you need to indicate more of your preferences before we can help further...

hope this helps for now...

http://lifesg.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/tokyo-2009/

Thanks 4 the sound advice & suggestions!

I don't like crowds, window shopping (always shop w shopping list) & loves nature, open spaces (not too tiring though ) & relaxing hol (as much as possible, w 2 noisy boys ard).

Skimmed the blog. I'm a fan of Japan Hour too!
Really put me to shame. Months of (your?) planning vs my <1wk. :oops:

But if i don't go now (sch hol), who knows when? So decided to take the bull by its horns & make a decent, enjoyable hol out of it.

Hopefully, will hv the time to plan for proper trips in future.

Hakone looks really good! Always been wanting 2 try an oriental hot spring bath after New Zealand's polynnesian spa a decade ago. & all the fault of Japan Hour! :evil: