Robb & Elissa in Asia - 2016!

[tanthonyamI wrote the book about donkeys!]

Good god how many people were at Universal?? It looked packed as hell. I noticed Universal has that coaster going over the entrance of the park. So I assume they did it before Cedar Point got the Gatekeeper idea?

[robbalveySite Admin]

Good god how many people were at Universal?? It looked packed as hell. I noticed Universal has that coaster going over the entrance of the park. So I assume they did it before Cedar Point got the Gatekeeper idea?

They did, yes. I want to say it opened a few years before Gatekeeper. And while the park was PACKED we had Express passes so our day was manageable. Expensive yet, but it certainly beat waiting in line!

[GaretAm I allowed to eat donkey during lent?]

Do you go through a broker to get the express pass that is Japanese only in advance? Or buy them at the park? I never used to have a problem but I've heard conflicting reports that since Harry Potter they could be sold out already and same with Flying Dinosaur 7 while other friends said it was fine. Considering asking the Japanese teacher at my school if we go next year to help me book but I normally don't like doing in advance since would hate to have a rainy day and miss out on Flying Dinosaur.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

^During busy times all of the express passes are sold out in advance. Even when we have gone during non-busy times at least one or two of the options are sold out in advance. If you have a connection to help you get them in advance, it's worth the money even just as an insurance policy.

[GaretAm I allowed to eat donkey during lent?]

Thanks, after I posted I decided to check the site to see what the new books would be like now minions is coming and was pleasantly surprised to see it now lists English travel agencies who are licensed to sell the express passes, that wasn't there before. Probably don't have the time off or finances right now but since it's only an hour flight for me I always keep an eye out in-case of a long weekend.

[robbalveySite Admin]

Continuing on from the Countdown Party, we were right back at Tokyo Disney the next morning! We did a little bit of park hopping around over the next two days (Mostly DisneySEA though), so I'll just include that all in this one final report...



While the rest of the world sleeps after an awesome New Years Eve, we are headed to Disneyland! Tokyo style!


In case you were wondering, or even if you didn't care, here's the Tokyo Disney Monorail map!


Walking into a park and seeing this never gets old!




Really impressed with how they've solved the "running" problem they used to have at park opening. Haven't seen it at all the past 4 days!

Just to show how everywhere you look in this park is a photo op, here's all 4 directions from where I'm standing!

Kristen from @OceanSprayInc shows Jack how to harvest cranberries! @WaltDisneyWorld #EpcotFoodFestival @WDWToday pic.twitter.com/UMnKfUdzS5

— Theme Park Review (@ThemeParkReview) September 26, 2015

Kristen is having fun collecting her crystals on her wand all over the park!




Kristen collected most of the Tokyo DisneySEA 15th Anniversary crystals on her wand already! They unlock when you visit crystal locations! When you unlock them all, you can then interact with Cast Members who also have wands!


Can you M-I-SEE it? If you can tell us what you can SEE-K-E-Y! And where!


2 weeks of traveling around Asia this is the first ECV I've seen. I applaud them for the lack of frivolous overuse of these! #NeverInAmerica




They have smoking "rooms" at Tokyo Disney! Love this! Put the smokers in one cancer box far away from the rest of us!


There are some super ominous clouds over Tower of Terror today!





We LOVE Aquatopia! We don't know why... but we do!!!




Both of these popcorn stands are across from each other and they are both delicious!

Kristen from @OceanSprayInc shows Jack how to harvest cranberries! @WaltDisneyWorld #EpcotFoodFestival @WDWToday pic.twitter.com/UMnKfUdzS5

— Theme Park Review (@ThemeParkReview) September 26, 2015

This pigeon is fearless!!! Probably because polite Japanese kids don't chase and kick them like the horrible American kids do!!!





Orlando's Twilight Zone theme is so dated! Out with Rod Serling and in with Shiriki Utundu!


Before a show starts, they announce to the audience to please remove headbands, don't kids on shoulders, keep cameras lower at eye height & lower any balloons down. Everyone complies without any complaint. Why can't they do this in America??? Is being courteous to the people around you really too much to ask???




One of the floats from the 15th Anniversary celebration! The characters look so good!


Hanno got this great photo of the rodents!


This has to be one of the best 1-2 combos you can hold FastPasses for!





Someone had set up a display of Duffy characters dressed as cast members!



I would also like to point out that whoever owns these dolls wasn't anywhere around. They just left them out for people to take pictures of and then will come back and collect them later. We are told people do this all the time and it's not an issue because people in Japan are not horrible and mean and won't steal them.


Yes, this is in a theme park!




The "Explorers Fortress" is amazing to walk around in. I always get lost, even with this map!


Who can tell me what this means?




Some of the merchandise featuring "The Wing of Wishes" for Tokyo DisneySEA 15th Anniversary.


You know you're in an awesome park when you have an erupting volcano in the middle of it!





Not only do you not see a gross overuse of ECV's in Japan, you also don't see many of those obnoxious double-wide strollers! #NeverInAmerica


They have "Duffy Photo Spots" around the park so you can feature the characters in your photos!




Stitch and Angel have come out to greet guests! Do we even have an Angel character at the US parks?



Kristen is very happy she got to see an Ocean Sunfish this trip!

WARNING! Lots of Duffy photos coming as we take a look around one of the Duffy stores!









This doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of all the Duffy merchandise!





If you live Japan and don't have something Duffy related on your person at all times, you're doing it wrong!





You know that giant boat you see in all the DisneySEA pics? Yes, you can go in it and explore!


When the sun goes down, Tokyo DisneySEA looks even more amazing!

Kristen from @OceanSprayInc shows Jack how to harvest cranberries! @WaltDisneyWorld #EpcotFoodFestival @WDWToday pic.twitter.com/UMnKfUdzS5

— Theme Park Review (@ThemeParkReview) September 26, 2015

Love this Tower of Terror sign!




When you purchase a bottled drink from a cart, your bottle is wiped off so your hand doesn't get wet. Amazing guest service! #NeverInAmerica



We were hoping by making the planets align it would make Trump disappear. Sorry world, no luck! We tried!


Because... Duffy!


Easily the best looking version of Toy Story Mania!


I AM GOING TO EAT YOU PEOPLE!!! OM NOM NOM!!!





Toy Story Mania is like crack for the Japanese. The FastPasses sell out almost instantly and 160 minutes is an average line!


These games are totally free and the Japanese play once and then let the next person waiting play. What a concept! #NeverInAmerica



Now that Kristen has collected all her wand crystals she can swap colors with Cast Members!



So we totally just ate Chandu's tail! Tastes like chicken!





Kristen loves 20,000 Leagues! She's ridden it like five times already this trip!



Not only are these toilets smarter than you, I've never walked into a public restroom in Japan that is disgusting. #NeverInAmerica


Look, getting pictures of a spontaneously exploding volcano with your iPhone is not the easiest thing to do, OK?





How about a few more night time photos of Tokyo DisneySEA?



Popcorn cheers!


Fire makes any roller coaster better!


Tokyo DisneySEA at night! There is no better looking theme park in the world!





Sindbad and Chandu say hello!


Sexiest Disney animatronic ever made?


High wind cancelled fireworks at Tokyo Disney. No one freaked out. No complaining. Just a polite understanding culture. #NeverInAmerica




Once Upon A Time is a seriously amazing show! Do not miss this!!!


Every Disney park should have Haunted Mansion Holiday!


Here's what Haunted Mansion Holiday could look like if we had it in Orlando...


Honey Popcorn is in our near future... YUM!




Saving the best ride Disney has ever made to end our night on!





Just a few of the many details you'll find in the Journey queue.




Now it's time to say goodbye! We will miss you Tokyo Disney! Best theme parks in the world! See you again in 2018!


Words to live by...

[gerstlaueringvarMUST BUY RMC MERCHANDISE!!!!]

I miss Japan.

*start sobbing*

*grab ice cream*

[ytterbiumanalystWhy do I still have a donkey title???]

With you on Haunted Mansion Holiday. That was probably my favourite ride at Disneyland.

[SharkTumsSite Admin]

This report made me so sad that we're not going back for 15 months!!!!!!!!

Seeing this report makes me wish WDW would figure out the logistics of a 5th gate and build a Journey clone.