Disneyland Tokyo, A Dream, Coming True

Disneyland Tokyo. We've always wanted to go there. When I first wrote Kintaholic circa 2006-2007, I envisioned myself being there. I wanted to go there so much that I created it as a setting for my two protagonists, where they are falling in love. Truth to tell I didn't really know which attractions to visit first. I just wanted to go there.

And finally, the dream became reality. Last year, my partner and I went to Disneyland with my best friend, Nina, and her husband, Non. From Maihama station, it was a short walk. You can see the castle and huge attractions from the distance. And the cute Mickey Mouse monorail! Too bad we didn't try that one. Maybe next time. Yes, I'm confident there will be a next time!

First stop: Pirates of the Caribbean! As you can see here, it's pretty empty. We didn't need to wait for a long time (usually, it might take hours) and we were in.

The special effects are grand and I am very impressed with the animated "people" and "animals" inside. They provide a glimpse of the life of pirates based on the movie. I find them hilarious and amusing.

There are at least three Jack Sparrows. I wish we were able to take some pictures. My only complain is that they narration is in Japanese. I wish they'd provide a translation. After this ride, the song "Yo Ho Ho Ho, A Pirate's Life for Me" kind of stuck in my mind.



Here you can see yours truly and my best friend, trying out the hats in a souvenir shop. The souvenirs are well made. If you're a kid or an adult, you're bound to find something interesting here. IIRC, I got the hat for my kid for 2,300 yen.

They're big on themes and all. Meaning, near Pirates of the Caribbean, you'll find pirate-related stuff. Near Pooh Hunny Hunt (my favorite ride!) you'll find items with characters from Winnie the Pooh. Near this ride, you can even smell honey! It made me hungry! If only they sold honey in jars. Honeyed drinks! I bet they'd be a hit.

I soon found out that the visitors love parades. Parades happen several times a day. During clear nights, they even shoot fireworks to complete the festivities. All parades feature Mickey Mouse. Mickey is very, very popular in Disneyland Tokyo. He is treated like a king and many are willing to queue for hours to shake his hand and take pictures with him.

If you're into watching parades, make sure you bring mats and umbrellas. Some prefer to sit near the roads where the parades go. Be sure to mark your sport in advance.

Here you can see Beauty and the Beast, two of my favorite Disney characters, on parade. I adore their outfits!

How should I book the tickets, one might ask, if I want to visit Disneyland/Disneysea Tokyo? Find the information here. PS: if you have enough time, I suggest that you book at least 2-day passport. That way, you will have enough time to explore both Disneyland and Disneysea.