(Day 15) Painting the Roses Red

Dearest, magical-est, dream-like Disneyland. I know some people who I consider “Disney snobs” – people who don’t like Disney and, coincidentally, have never even been to a park to judge for themselves. I don’t understand those people. What’s not to like? When you walk through those park gates, you are completely consumed by the fun landmarks, attractions, and wall-to-wall Disney paraphernalia. Yeah, the latter isn’t so cool, but they aren’t forcing me to buy. Anyway, for the kid in everyone, you should go at least once per life. Today is my day (not my first, but I’ll pretend.)

Because this is Disney and the clock is ticking, we were awake at the ungodly hour of 5:30 AM on a Saturday. We wanted to catch the 6:30 AM train and Mayuko needs a little encouraging in the morning to achieve this goal. I left the house ahead of her and she caught up…urg…too early. And it’s raining! Worst.



The ride was a long one, the train nearly empty. After arriving at Tokyo station, it was another long walk to the next train line. While those around were chirping in little groups, Mayuko and I might have looked like the walking dead. Finally, we arrived in Maihama.



The swarms of people, so early, made me cranky (sorry Mayuko!)



The lines at the gates were starting to really grow and this just made me even crankier as once they were open, we were still stuck in line for 10 mintues while all the Fast Passes were getting taken. Noooo!





The rain was really gushing down by this point. Wet, hot, and crowds of people. Needless to say, I should not have worn my Gucci shoes. Why are they all here?!? It’s nearly a typhoon! At least the Christmas decorations were pretty.



We ran first to the Monsters Inc. ride and stood in a ridiculously long line in the pouring rain to get a Fast Pass. By the time we got there, we got Fast Passes for late into the afternoon. Geeze! As always when I first step into Disney, I have a strong urge to go ride something....anything. The line up for ‘Honey I Shrunk the Audience!’ (known as ‘Micro Adventure!’ in Japan), was quite short, so we headed there first.







I used a little earpiece so I could at least hear Rick Moranis in English. The whole film was very antiquated…and awesome! And kind of lame.

Next up was across the walkway at Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.





Yeah…not much to say about that. It was kind of a whatever ride. Next up was lunch. Can’t go wrong with food! We decided that the Hungry Bear Restaurant, or whatever it was called, sounded good because, frankly, I wanted tonkatsu. I was feeling like a hungry bear.




Oh! It was ‘Hungry Bear’. I have such a good memory.





The rain was kind of on and off throughout the morning and early afternoon. All the shops were selling these ridiculous-looking ponchos that I might have actually considered had they not been Disney-related, and hence, expensive. It didn’t seem so bad…





The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a classic. Prior to Johnny Depp, the ride was already great! Now, well…it’s good, but I wonder how many times you hear “Dead men tell no tales” before the end of the ride? Like…far too many. But I love the ride anyway. Next time I go I want to eat at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, which is actually in the ride:





So the weather didn’t seem so bad when we headed into Pirates, but it seemed to have taken a turn for the worse by the time we got out. It was here that I welcomed my second Japanese typhoon experience. The roadways cleared out snap-quick as people ran for cover.





Just as quick as it started, it was over. People poured back out onto the streets and continued as if nothing ever happened. I had hoped that some of them would have left, but no dice.













After our post-typhoon wanderings, we decided to take a chance on Splash Mountain – the line was long and we had Fast Passes for the Haunted Mansion that expired in an hour. I figured it wouldn’t take so long so we got in line and waited. And waited. And then waited some more. And more. Once we got to the front of the line, it was only seven minutes until our Haunted Mansion passes expired. I hoped that Splash Mountain was only six mintues.

We hot-footed it straight over to the mansion – full-on running! Honestly, not a second to spare. Giri-giri~!







Even the Haunted Mansion get’s do’ed-up for Christmas. Yay!




These pictures just ooze Christmas spirit.


Some ghost pals.



The only reason I could actually take any photos at all on this ride was because we got stuck on it…like, it stopped completely. This actually tends to happen to me quite a bit on this ride, but I don’t mind. More ghostly stories for later!

My favourite Disney movie is ‘Alice in Wonderland’ – always has, always will. That’s why when I saw this restaurant, I squealed with glee:







Best ever. I want to eat here for dinner. But first, a snacku. I’d seen some girls eating these ‘Nightmare Before Christmas’ cookies and I wanted to procure one for my own tummy. My search brought me here to the sweetest smelling café in all of Disneyland:




Nightmare?? These treats look more like a lovely dream to me.





As you can see from the picture above, the peoples began reserving their spot for the parade quite early. I wasn’t too keen on wasting my precious Disney-themed minutes sitting on concrete, so we headed to a café for a Mayuko-requested treat. Ps – check out that lady in the picture below, giving me the death-stare. Creepy!




Water design drawn on cement. I’m impressed.



Parade time!












My favourite was the dancing donut girl.

Next up, Star Tours. It was a good idea, in theory. What could be so harmless with a Star Wars simulation?





BLECH! We got so ill. What’s so great about a shaky little room, lurching about for 3 minutes? This is not a ride. It’s a certifiable nauseation machine.







Okay, we’re done with Tomorrowland now. Yeesh. One of my biggest gripes of the day (and trust me, there was more than one), was that ‘It’s a Small World’ was closed for refurbishment. What a tragedy. This was my favourite ride as a child and now I won’t find out if it is just as good, 20 years on. *cry cry cry*









There is nothing more magical than a Disney park at night. The people clear out, the lights go on, and…it’s beauteous.



Dinner came around and I headed straight for the Queen of Hearts.







Oh it was so lovely inside! It was also about 9-bazillion degrees inside so we left. Saddest dinner story of the day, by far. I want to eat in there! Grr. Also, their selections were a bit lacking. I think they sold a giant shank of ham. Random.

We headed down the road to the restaurant beside Splash Mountain, Grandma Sara’s. Omerice and a tiny wiener, here we come!







It was a cool underground tavern-type joint. Also, it was beside Splash Mountain, so we went to ride it…again.




There we are, third row back! Let’s zoom in for a closer look…


That poor little boy behind me never stood a chance.

From there, we just starting attacking the rides left, right, and center. The park was ours for the taking. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt was next.





After Snow White, Peter Pan, and Pinocchio, we planted ourselves for the nighttime fireworks show. Pretty things in store!








How nice!

We traipsed through the park one last time and Mayuko was kind enough to let me at Splash Mountain one more time… YAYYYYY!







After a turbulent day of weather, crowds, and badditudes, we stumbled silently towards the exit of this happiest space.





I love you Mayuko! I’m happy I had such a wonderful, normal, emotion-filled day. We really felt the cultural clashes today, but I think in the end we were all the stronger for it…maybe more appreciative and sensitive, too. Hooray for friends in other countries! What a wonderful world.

And thus concludes my daily Japanese adventures. Tomorrow is my last blog as I get the heck out of Dodge, so it will be brief…but is also essential. You don’t have to read it…but I’ll appreciate it you do! Goodnight for the last time in 2009, dear Tokyo!