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Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Mel
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby Mel » Wed Apr 05, 2017 12:03 pm

The Duffy love is quite something to see in Japan.  Were the huge crowds there just due to the new addition to the Duffy family and the Easter merch or is it Golden Week?  We found the crowds insane on weekends, but almost tolerable during the week - on both of our trips to Japan.
The Big Trip: DL, WDW and Disney cruise 2016

KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:44 pm

Day 17 – 04 April 2017. Tokyo Disneyland
It is our last day in Japan today and the weather outside is perfect. Not a cloud in the sky and the promise of warm (relatively speaking) temperatures.  The first thing I needed to do however was go downstairs and buy tickets for the airport bus this evening.  We are flying out of Haneda for the first time as Qantas previously used Narita.  That means a later departure and longer in the park – Yay!  We went to breakfast and then headed straight over to Disneyland.
 
If anything, it is even busier here this week, but the crowd is different – now that spring break is here, it is mainly families with young kids, whereas last week was high schoolers who we coming to the parks on their last week of school.  We weren’t planning on riding anything today – rather we wanted to check out the Easter events.  First up, Disneyland was hosting a giant egg hunt, with character eggs hidden throughout the park.  They had also created a new character call Usatama which is an egg with arms and legs (yes, we bought the fluffy).
 
We spent all morning going around the park taking photos and looking for eggs before getting a spot for the new Easter Parade called “Ustanama on the Run” – I don’t think I could ever describe this parade – it is unlike anything I have seen before.  It was totally nuts and a lot of fun – I need to watch it on youtube again I think.
 
After the parade, we headed to Coke Corner for a cheese dog, fries and drink, before making our exit from the park.  We weren’t finished yet though, as we headed to Bon Voyage for last minute gifts.  But eventually it was time to leave for good, so we hopped on the monorail one last time for the ride back to the hotel. Another quick visit to the hotel Disney store and we returned to our room to get changed for the bus to the airport.  We checked out of our room and took our luggage to the bell desk where it was tagged for the bus.  And right on time, the bus came and took us to the airport – another great Disney holiday was over.
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:46 pm

Hi Mel - it wasn't golden week but it was spring break this week and last week it was high schoolers attending during their last week of school.

But while the crowds were busy - it was still manageable and orderly.
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

Mel
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby Mel » Thu Apr 06, 2017 11:22 am

Orderly?  Even around the characters?  We found that overall the Japanese people were very respectful and courteous, (except when it came to personal space on public transport) until a Disney character materialised.  Then it was a free for all!!!  The only exceptions were the lines for Duffy where they had a castmember helper.  We were lucky that we were pretty much the only anglo people in the parks and one the second trip, Jared's blonde hair was like a beacon to all the characters and they all made a bee line for us. Otherwise, the characters just got mobbed.  Mind you, it's been seven years (!!!! - time for another visit) since we were last there so things may have changed in that time.

Spring break - that explains the crowds.  I googled Golden Week after I read your post and see that it's at the END of April, not the beginning.  On our second trip, we were there the first week of May and the crowds were pretty good probably because it was just after Golden Week :)
The Big Trip: DL, WDW and Disney cruise 2016

KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Thu Apr 06, 2017 2:17 pm

LOL. The character mob hasn't changed at all. You described it perfectly! Characters with lines are great but the free for all mobs are crazy!
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Thu Apr 06, 2017 3:53 pm

So where to next Keith?  :-)


Greg
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KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Fri Apr 07, 2017 9:08 am

I think our next trip will be the Club Cruise in September 2018. That gives us plenty time to start saving!
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Sat Apr 08, 2017 11:33 am

Thought of another question...

Did you take money with you, convert it when you got there or use ATMs?


Greg
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KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Sat Apr 08, 2017 12:21 pm

We took most of it with us but used credit card for purchases at the Disney resorts. We did have to take out more cash from ATM in Japan but we budgeted perfectly for Shanghai.
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Sat Apr 08, 2017 12:34 pm

Did you happen to notice if there were many ATM's in Shanghai?


Greg
Chiang Mai Pickleball Club Play Pickleball in paradise

KeithS
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby KeithS » Sat Apr 08, 2017 3:08 pm

Did you happen to notice if there were many ATM's in Shanghai?
Truth be told - no I didn't notice all that many at all.  I'm sure they were around but we didn't need them and our American friends just converted US dollars at the hotel when they ran low.
Keith

Trip history:
DLR: 2005, 06, 09, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18
DLRP: 2006
HKDL: 2006 (Mar & Sept), 11 (Apr & Dec), 14, 19
SDR: 2017
TDR: 2008, 10, 17
WDW: 2006, 13 (Mar & Sept), 16, 19
DCL: 2013, 15 (Alaska & Hawaii), 18
Aulani: 2015

calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Sun Apr 09, 2017 1:28 pm

I guess there must be a few around, HSBC at the very least.

I just ask because I don't know how acceptable Thai baht is in other places I'm trying to keep the number of conversion steps down. AUD to THB to USD to RMB seems excessive.


Greg
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TwoKingsburys
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby TwoKingsburys » Mon Apr 10, 2017 6:25 am

Hello from Keith and Della's American friends!  We did not use an ATM in Shanghai and only used a credit card on Disney property.  We were told from Opening Crew Cast Members that the ATM's on Disney property were safe to use.  I can picture one on the way back to the restrooms across from the Lego store in Disney Town.  LOL  Have fun!
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calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:15 am

Hi and thinks for the ATM info.

Quick, while he's not here, any stories you can tell about Keith and Della in Shanghai that he didn't reveal? :-)


Greg
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calisota
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Re: Keith and Della's Shanghai/Tokyo Trip 2017

Postby calisota » Tue Apr 11, 2017 5:30 pm

Got another question.

How did you get your tickets for the Shanghai Park? Online before you left, at the Hotel, ticket booth at the Park entrance?


Greg
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