A Trip to Tokyo Disney Resort

It was the longest plane flight I’d ever experienced: 14 hours in the air from Newark, NJ to Tokyo, Japan (specifically, the New Tokyo Narita International Airport east of Tokyo). As Tokyo Disney Resort is located between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Vickie and I boarded a convenient bus that transported us straight to our destination. One of our first impressions of Japan was that the buses were right on schedule, and they didn’t stick around long at their stops!

We were lucky to meet Jeff and Melissa before boarding the bus; they’re with the Air Force stationed at Okinawa and answered many of my questions about Japan. Such as: is there really no tipping in Japan? Answer: Correct, the Japanese accept no tips; they feel they’re well paid for rendering service and accept no extra money. We tested this practice later and it’s true! Our servers and hotel staff actually refused our tips! (One exception: the taxi drivers did take our tips, but they seemed genuinely surprised that we offered!)

I was at Tokyo Disney to find and verify Hidden Mickeys. One of my first visions was of the magnificent domed ceiling over the lobby of the Hotel MiraCosta. Seven of the eight murals in the dome have subtle Hidden Mickeys. Here’s one:

Tokyo Disney Resort

The next morning, when I was served my cappuccino, I knew I’d feel right at home at Tokyo Disney!

Tokyo Disney Resort

Later the first morning, we met up with Disney friends Masayo, Mamoru, and Nozomi and her 10 month old daughter. In the photo from left to right are Masayo, me and Mamoru in Fantasyland, Tokyo Disneyland.

Tokyo Disney Resort

Vickie and I were lucky that Masayo and Mamoru could join us for the first two days of our park visits. Masayo was incredibly helpful as a translator for our Hidden Mickeys research. She taught me how to say “Hidden Mickey” (“Kakure Mickey”) for my last three days there, so I could continue to interact with the Cast Members, although many of them understood the term “Hidden Mickey” well enough! I found many amazing Hidden Mickeys at Tokyo Disney, like this side profile Mickey on the snake along the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, Tokyo Disneyland:

Tokyo Disney Resort

Tokyo Disney was a wonderful experience for Vickie and me, and I have more to report later. The Japanese really enjoy the Disney parks and the Disney characters. I’m told the parks here are crowded almost every day of the year. Two more impressions of Japan: it’s clean! The Japanese seem compulsive about keeping their surroundings presentable. Also, when you press the “doors close” button on the elevators (at least in our hotel), they really close, and right away!

blue line

Read more about Steve’s Hidden Mickey finds on AllEars.net

Steve maintains a Catalog of Hidden Mickeys on the Hidden Mickeys Guide.

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Steve Barrett is a doctor and Disney nut whose favorite Walt Disney World memory is strolling through the Magic Kingdom with his young son on his shoulders. Not surprisingly, his favorite spot in the World is anywhere there's a Hidden Mickey. He suggests that all visitors take some time to chat with cast members, especially when looking for Hidden Mickeys, as they can enrich your Disney experience and make it even more magical.

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4 Replies to “A Trip to Tokyo Disney Resort”

  1. Our family was stationed in Japan for four years. We would visit Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea every year. My children love it. They especially love the Sea salt ice cream.

  2. very cool! I hope to hear more about your trip!! Love the Hidden Mickey in the ceiling painting!!!

  3. So glad you are blogging about Disneyland Japan, it’s a park I long to visit. Lucky you! Will you be checking out Disney Sea as well?
    I am working on Hubby taking me for our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

  4. Looking forward to reading more about your adventure. Tokyo Disney and Disney Sea are both destinations I hope to be fortunate enough to visit someday. Until then, I’ll live vicariously thru trip reports such as yours!