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not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:15 am
by Gerard
Just a few thoughts in my post holiday depression (I supose there is always Disneyland in September)

The period between Spring break and Golden Week seems Ideal to visit the parks, still busy on weekends, but on weekdays everything in DisneySea was a walk on, weather cool but not too cold.

Fastpass is your friend. if you get one for a headiner (monsters Inc, Pooh) first thing you can pick up another about a hour after. Always make sure you have a fastpass in your pocket at al times eg before using a fastpass.... get another.

on weekend the line up before the gates open begin about 2 hours before, if you start your wait at 1 hour before you will be about half way down the line (just pass the ticket windows)

the maintainence and upkeep of the attactions is noticeably superior to the american parks

Sheraton Grand Tokyo bay is a great hotel to stay at, the monorail station is just out front and there is a great free computer centre in the lobby

if flying Jetstar be aware of bagage limits, I was two kgs above the 20kg limit leaving and returning , it cost $20 on the way and $51 on the way back.

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 11:12 am
by churros
Great feedback and we console with your Disney Blues - we've all been there!

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 3:16 pm
by KeithS
Welcome back Gerard, and thanks for the update/tips.

I wish I knew about the Sheraton computer centre - that would have saved me a lot of yen - the Hilton lobby internet access cost top $$

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 4:46 pm
by Mel
Thanks for your thoughts Gerard, I agree with all of them, especially the 'always have a fastpass' one :)

A couple of questions, I hope somebody can help me with;

Where is the Hilton in regard to the monorail station?

With the baggage allowance, is it alright to combine a couple of allowances into one or two bags? Eg, since we'll have at least three seats, can we combine the 60kgs into two bags?

I can't wait to go back to Tokyo, I'm dreaming about it almost every night!

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 8:13 pm
by Gerard
the hilton is about 2 hotels up from the bayside station (about 5 to 10 mins walk)

not sure how the bagage thing works but it seemed like it was on per bag

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Mon May 04, 2009 9:19 pm
by KeithS
Where is the Hilton in regard to the monorail station?
Hey Mel - this picture will give you an idea. It is taken from our room. You can see the path (with the red brickwork) leading out of the hotel to the road, and the station right across the road. It is the closest hotel to Bayside Station.

Image

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:43 am
by mushu mama
Commiserations Gerard... I hate that post-Disney slump :cry:

Its exactly one year since I left for the US.... can't believe its been that long already. :shock:

Kieth, you guys had almost the exact view that we had.... minus the monorail... you must have almost had the same room number by the look of it. :)

Lisa. :cat:

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:21 am
by KeithS
Kieth, you guys had almost the exact view that we had
It was a great view - although a few others in our party had higher rooms and their views were awesome too!

And Mel - Gerard is right, the Sheraton is slightly closer to Bayside than the Hilton, but as you can see, the walk is not too great - just 5 minutes.

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:23 am
by sandie
Mel they weighed all our bags and as long as we were under our total allowed we were fine. On the way back our almost 60 kilos was spread over 4 bags.

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 9:28 am
by KeithS
With the baggage allowance, is it alright to combine a couple of allowances into one or two bags? Eg, since we'll have at least three seats, can we combine the 60kgs into two bags?
Hey Mel - in regard to this, I'd check with your airline. There are OH&S limits imposed on baggage handlers and they did enact a work to rule strike last year where they refused to handle bags over 20kg (it was when we were in Tokyo - so that got us scared!)

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:28 am
by ajp
Of all the cars I would expect to see in a hotel carpark in Tokyo, a Kombi isn't one of them, nor would a Beetle be either ...

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 10:42 am
by KeithS
a Kombi isn't one of them
Hey - I never noticed that before - and even funnier, it looks exactly like the Kombi's in the TV show Lost! Same colour and everything!

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 12:44 pm
by Mel
Thanks for all the info guys :) and the photo Keith.
I'll check with the airline before we go.. if we go to Japan. Could still be going to Anaheim. I could live with either though :)

Re: not so live from Tokyo

Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 5:22 pm
by sandie
If you (or anyone else) goes to Japan - especially with the kids and knowing from experience that there will be times you split up - hire a mobile. I got ours (one each) from rentafone japan. Each one cost $35US and had enough credit for at least one longish callback to Australia each night, numerous emails to home (about 20 a day) place calls amongst ourselves.

Made life easy - Hey Gerard I heard you left me 16 gigs of photos at work today!

Sandie