Photo TR: Adam's Return to Japan & 1st visit to Hong Kong

Oh Adam, you make it so difficult for me. We aren't planning to visit TDS and TDL until....2025. <sniff>
Reading through your trip there (and Bert's recent one too, I will admit) just makes it all the more
a - go - nizing a wait, until then. <sighs>

Still, it's very nice to see what's new (or in the process of, like Soaring was, for you) at both parks.

And the food - mmmmmm. All food in Japan is pretty special to us. And your photos/captions easily proved that.

Great report! It's clear Japan takes Easter very seriously with all that theming.

Adam, great photos and description of that makes TDS so special. It really is a park that surprises and delights from the moment you enter. It's so cool to read reviews from people who have gotten to visit more than a couple times and hear that the experience never wavers.

I don't think there's any such thing as a bad view at Tokyo DisneySea--such a beautiful, photogenic park.

Dang--now I have to go back and try one of those pork rolls.

Always nice to see some DisneySea. It's always nice to see anything out of Japan period, but Tokyo Disney especially.

Since you mentioned the old school Fastpass system, you saw the very last of it since Soaring's opening was also when the resort introduced its new Fastpass system. It's like California's system (where you can either use your phone to grab a time slot, or grab a reminder slip the old school way), but without the upcharge to use the mobile app. Unfortunately, the Tokyo Disney app is currently only available on Japanese app stores with no international releases. I'm hoping a version for international visitors makes its way to other app stores in the not too distant future, but for now, you have to have a Japanese account to use the app.

After our amazing day at Tokyo DisneySea, I was thrilled to be heading back to Tokyo Disneyland. While DisneySea is obviously the main draw for me to the Tokyo Disney Resort due to its totally unique experience, Tokyo Disneyland is without a doubt the best castle park (overall) I've been to... It manages to combine many of things I love about Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, while featuring some unique experiences (like Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Monsters Inc.), all presented with the warmth and care of the Tokyo Disney Cast Members. Just an amazing experience in every way.

As I mentioned in the last update, we were here just days before the start of Easter 2019 at the parks, so while park decor, food and merchandise was already set up for the season, the park's offerings were the regular experiences found when the park isn't celebrating a special event. This was a plus for us because we really wanted to see the park's new daytime parade Dreaming Up which wouldn't be running during the Easter celebration.

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I think Tokyo Disneyland's entrance experience is the strongest of any castle park around the world. You enter the World Bazaar through this structure and world outside the berm is behind you.

I've spent hours roaming World Bazaar and there's so much to love.

Obviously this was going to be our first stop...

Pooh's Hunny Hunt stands as one of the greatest Disney attractions ever, even after its innovative ride system has been used and updated for attractions around the world.

There is just much taking place in each room of the attraction...

The detail is overwhelming.

Just incredible.

The Heffalumps and Woozles scene is absolute perfection.

So much to take in!

A sweet ending...

Cute!

So much cute Pooh merch!

Where do you go after experiencing one of the best attractions on the planet? Great American Waffle Company, of course!

I didn't get to experience this bliss during my first visit to Tokyo Disneyland (I honestly don't know how I missed it considering how much food I tried last time around), but I wasn't going to miss it this time. And the wait (approximately two years and 45 minutes) was well worth it!

I love Tokyo's commitment to spontaneous entertainment throughout their parks. It adds energy to the quietest of corners throughout the lands.

Space Mountain wasn't open during our last visit, so I wasn't going to miss a chance to experience it this time around.

It took every ounce of me not to bring this giant Baymax plush back to Florida.

Baymax Easter Egg found.

While Star Tours itself is the same as its stateside counterparts, the show building and its extended queue are unique and gorgeous.

I am enamored by this building.

More random entertainment!

Of course our first Fastpasses for the day brought us back here.

it's a small world was also closed for refurbishment during our last visit. I was genuinely excited to experience this one during this trip.

In case Larry needed this...

Or this.

We had just seen Book of Mormon earlier this year so...

Attraction poster...

WHAT A GORGEOUS LOAD STATION!!!

I'm in love.

During its refurbishment, it's a small world received the character overlay that has come to most of these attractions (only Magic Kingdom's remains character free at this point). I was surprised to see a character as current as Moana already included.

Cinderella and Prince Charming...

Alice and the White Rabbit.

Merida and the triplets (as bears) from Brave...

Rapunzel from Tangled...

Pinocchio!

It was cute to see Hercules and Pegasus represented in the attraction. You don't find much related to this film in the any of the parks.

Lilo and Stitch...

Time for one of my favorite meals...

Pork Katsu Curry at Hungry Bear Restaurant. Just incredible.

And another favorite of mine...

The Enchanted Tiki Room: Stitch Presents Aloha e Komo Mai! is charming and unique.

To be totally honest, I wouldn't mind this version of the show finding its way to Florida...

Best Jungle Cruise is best.

I love all of the subtle gags in the queue.

Look at this beauty!

Hidden Mickey found!

I love these caution signs at the loading dock.

These need to be on t-shirts.

Ready to take a ride?

Our vessel for this Jungle Cruise...

(Continued)

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There's something that happens in this scene, only in the Tokyo Disneyland version and it is magical. And I won't spoil it.

Still funny, no matter where you are.

I love these added details found throughout the ride.

The fog effect is quite effective.

HIPPO JAWS!!!

Beautiful.

I might own two full sets of these totems now... I might.

Let's Party Gras! is a fun show in Adventureland.

I love how the classic architecture of Tomorrowland is still in place today at Tokyo Disneyland.

Thank you Fastpass!

This will be a delicious and refreshing experience!

The escape pod is actually a chicken exit! Amazing!

Similar yet different.

Esmeralda was roaming Fantasyland during our visit.

I now present to you... The backside... Of... CASTLE!

A look back towards World Bazaar from the Castle Forecourt.

I've always appreciated the darker paint scheme found on the castle brickwork here compared to the one found at the Magic Kingdom.

Beautiful.

Usatama!

Easter desserts with Easter souvenirs!

Delicious and adorable!

What do you do while you're waiting for the parade to come? Bakery picnic!

Dreaming Up replaced Happiness is Here in two ways, in that it actually was the replacement for the former parade, and that it is now my favorite daytime parade I've seen.

Alice in Wonderland is the inspiration for one of the grand floats in the parade.

Pinocchio inspires another...

The princesses get a beautiful float of their own.

Beauty and the Beast is quite fun.

I love how big Winnie the Pooh is in Japan.

Big Hero 6!

Mary Poppins and Peter Pan share a float, and it is one of the best in show.

Westernland is especially gorgeous at this time of day...

Who doesn't love Big Thunder Mountain?

What a view!

Easily the best version of Splash Mountain in existence.

I finally found Tony Solari!

Time for Dream Lights, the best nighttime parade in existence!

It is like the Main Street Electrical Parade but amped up and updated regularly with new floats.

Classic Disney nighttime parade iconography...

One of my favorites!

The Genie is incredible!

The new floats fit perfectly in the show, and keep the parade experience current for newer generations.

The finale of Dream Lights is absolutely breathtaking.

Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland was a special fireworks show honoring the 35th anniversary of Tokyo Disneyland. The Tiki Room segment was my favorite part of the experience.

There was no shortage of fire during the show.

Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek is just plain fun.

And adorable too!

On the way out I spotted something peculiar...

I hadn't seen the entrance to Club 33 in Tokyo Disneyland before this visit.

Stunning.

Sadly it was time to head out...

See ya...

Real soon.

^ I love this update, thanks so much for sharing!

Brings back some incredible memories - in particular of Pooh's Hunny Hunt, and the Mickey Waffle.

we didn't get to see Genie, although caught the parade 3 times - he was broken and being repaired all 3 times I was able to see (just bad timing, unfortunately), but the rest of that parade is stunning!

Even if the "adult Pete" sitting in Elliot's hands is kind of terrifying (I thought every time I saw it). . LOL

Great report! I really wish Magic Kingdom's it's a small world had the characters integrated into the ride. It'd make me ride it more.

Great report of TDL! It's so cool to see how the park looks slightly different throughout the year and the changes that have been made since we were there. A lot of details I missed/didn't notice, too!