Lots to See at Tokyo DisneySea

A month ago, Katie and I decided that we wanted to make a return trip to Tokyo to visit both Disney parks; we decided that since we didn't have anything scheduled for Veteran's Day weekend, and I would just be getting back from another float, this would be a great time to make the trip north! When we were planning our trip, all of the tickets for DisneySea (the one park we REALLY wanted to revisit), was already sold out, so the only way we could get into the park is by staying at a Disney Resort Hotel. So we booked a one-night stay at the Disney Celebration Hotel, the exact same hotel that we stayed in last December, so we could guarantee entry into DisneySea. I then went to our closest convenience store and purchased two one-day passes to Tokyo Disneyland for Saturday, November 12, while Katie found us a nearby (off-resort) hotel for the other two nights of our trip. It was official, our trip was booked and we'd be running it back at Tokyo Disney Resort!

Flash forward to Thursday, November 10, Katie snuck out of work a few minutes early and I was waiting there to pick her up and head over to Nagasaki airport for our 4:20 pm flight. We grabbed some Starbucks coffee for our wait in the terminal and a couple of chu hais to enjoy on our flight, and then we were off. Nothing like a coffee to wake you up, and a chu hai to celebrate the weekend getaway!

Once we landed in Tokyo, our first stop was back to Devil Craft to enjoy some Chicago-style deep-dish pizza and beer. This is Katie and I's favorite pizza place in Tokyo; Katie enjoyed it so much the first time, she wanted to cry, so it was a MUST DO during this trip.

(Katie would like it known that she did, in fact, tear up the first time we ate at Devil Craft, but it was because they had a cider from Asheville, NC, and it reminded her of home. Not because she's some weird chick who cries in pubs.)

After eating a disgusting amount of food, we jumped on the train and headed to our hotel. (Don't get me wrong, the food was amazing. Katie and I just forget we are used to Japan-sized meals now and it hurts when you overstuff yourself with pizza and beer!)

Katie checked us into the Tokyo Disney Celebration Hotel Discover, and we called it an early night so we would be ready for a full day on Friday! Before tucking into bed for the night, Katie did snap some pictures of the cool wallpaper we didn't notice the first time around; the wallpaper is decorated with the different ride vehicles from around the Tokyo Disney Parks! The vehicles include Disneyland's train, the Jungle Cruise boat, DisneySea's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea watercraft, Journey to the Center of the Earth's mobiles, and Indiana Jones' trucks! Nice touch, Disney!

Katie and I got to DisneySea approximately one hour and 45 minutes prior to opening and the line outside of the entry gate was already huge. Fortunately, they opened the park a few minutes before 9:00 am and we were off!

Our first stop was at "Toy Story Mania!" and I absolutely smoked Katie in this 3D shoot-em arcade-style game. Katie says she doesn't care about the score- she just enjoys "playing." Yeah, whatever.

After Toy Story Mania we made our way over to the "Tower of Terror." I just want to add that the queues at DisneySea are remarkable. The storytelling and visual entertainment are spellbinding; I'm sure Katie and I appreciate it that much more since we can't understand what the rides actually say!

We were also shocked to learn that Tokyo Disney actually had more pins for sale! We were quick to snag some of them before moving on to more rides.

Before grabbing lunch, we made our way over to "Journey to the Center of the Earth," where we would ride it for the first of three times during the day. Katie confirmed that this is still her favorite ride of any of the Disney parks we've been to.

For lunch, we grabbed a Japanese take on Mexican food at Yucatan Base Camp Grill, where we enjoyed a delicious Mango Mixed Drink to liven up our afternoon. After lunch, we hit "Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull."

After waiting in line for 45 minutes and eventually riding the Indiana Jones ride, we headed over to Agrabah where we grabbed three curry-flavored popcorn buckets (no, you read that right, three) and two churros. The churros were pretty good, but the real winner is the curry popcorn which absolutely slaps. We each had one bucket and put the third in our backpack to share throughout the day.

If the American parks could take anything from Tokyo's parks, please make it the curry popcorn. Best. Snack. Ever.

Following our mid-afternoon snack, we fought the crowd waiting for spots for the Christmas parade to get in line for "Soarin'." This is definitely my favorite of the three "Soarin'" rides because of the final scene where we glide over downtown Tokyo.

Next, we headed to a show called "Big Band Beat - A Special Treat." I was fading quickly, so we grabbed some coffee to take into the show with us. I pounded mine down, but it didn't stop me from taking a short 15-minute nap during the show. Thankfully, I didn't snore and disrupt the show for the Japanese family sitting next to us. Katie did say the show was a surprise because it was totally in English.

After the show and regaining a little energy from my power nap, Katie and I decided to do some shopping. Tokyo Disneyland had six more pins that we decided to purchase during the day!

At the end of the day, instead of a traditional parade and fireworks show they had an awesome laser lights show that projected images onto the buildings on the waterfront; there was also a water parade with all of our favorite Disney characters on floats singing and dancing.

Katie and I didn't waste the last two hours sitting and waiting for the show, so we didn't get the best seats...That's one thing about the Japanese: they will sit and wait for the parades and shows for hours. The stores even sell small cushions and plastic mats for people to use during this waiting time. NEVER in the states would that fly!

We do have to admit: this show was well worth waiting for! Katie and I found an open area where we could watch the show and it was amazing! Check it out below:

After the laser lights show, we went around the park to snap a few pictures; like I've said before, this is easily the most beautiful amusement park I've ever been to, and I believe Katie would agree with that sentiment.

By 9 pm, they were ushering us out of the park. Now it's time to grab our bags from the luggage lockers and find our new hotel for the next two nights!

Follow along for more to come,

Bryan