Tokyo Disneyland

TOKYO DISNEYLAND. From Tokyo Station, take JR Keiyo Line or JR Musashino Line (about 15 minutes) get off at JR Maihama Station (South Exit). Entrance fee is at 5,800 yen for a day's passport of fun and entertainment!

I was surprised to see a big crowd of visitors flocking to the resort as soon as it opens at 0900 on a Monday morning.

As soon as we entered the park, we saw an escorted Mickey Mouse and immediately kept our camera ready for a pose, but he only obliged to take photos with the kids so we ended up like paparazzis running after him! Then came all the other Disney characters who were more accommodating.

-------------------------------------------------Mickey Mouse

The next star we followed was Donald Duck! but unlike Mickey, he was not escorted so we got a chance to stay close to him.

----------------------------------------------Donald Duck

So much on Mickey's superstar status, there is an official house in the resort if you want to have a photo with him. Posted on the gate of the house says " queuing time from this point: 1 hour and 30 minutes." Yes, you have to stand and queue outside the house for one and a half hour to get a photo with Mickey Mouse.

-----------------------------------------------Mickey's House

When you finally get inside his house, first you will pass through the living room, music room, kitchen, laundry and finally Mickey's room. Only 5 groups can enter the room and you have to wait again for your turn.
-----------------------------------------'Official' Photo with Mickey Mouse

If you are on a short trip to Japan and wish to explore the rides inside the resort, it is advisable to purchase a fast pass since practically all rides, shows and meet and greet sessions have long queue which takes about an hour on the average each.

The usual Disney parade took off at 2:30 in the afternoon, and again if you wish to get a good view of the parade, you have to sit under the scorching heat at least an hour earlier before the parade otherwise there wont be any place to sit.
----------------------------------------------------Disney Parade

Since we only had a day to explore the park, we were only able to enjoy one ride, which was the space mountain in tomorrowland. It was just a 2-minute ride after an hour of queuing. Don't worry, at the end of every queue, there is an advised of how long you have to be in the line so its up to you whether to go on or not.

Tokyo Disneyland is divided into 7 themed lands namely Westernland, tomorrowland, Toontown, Fantasyland, Adventureland, Cricker Country and World Bazaar. The park is quite big and has plenty of rides compared to Hong Kong Disneyland and Paris Disneyland plus has more visitors, so it is advisable to allot at least two days for the resort. As with the other Disneyland Resorts, there are also Disney hotels near it.

For more information visit their website http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/. Enjoy!

They Call It Autumn-Winter (part 3-Paris)

________________________________________
EURO TOUR NEXT STOP:

PARIS, FRANCE

"Amazing Race?"

Nah, this is not my version of Lovers in Paris. Ours was actually like an Amazing Race. We were in Paris only for 2 days. We got to Paris via Air France. We flew at 10am and arrived after almost 2 hours. We checked in at Perfect Hostel, in a private triple room at 75euro a night after a train ride where we saw Paris "not at its best". Vandalism was everywhere. I don't know if it was part of their expression being known to be artistic or just plain rage. Whatever it is, i didn't find it nice. Unlike our first two stops, Paris was more diverse. Much like London (the first European city I've visited). But like in Germany, to speak to them was a challenge! Not much speaks English. They speak only French. But anyway, we managed....

Walking from our hostel to the nearest tube station, Anvers....





After a short subway ride, we reached The Louvre Museum at about 3pm... ----------------------------------------------------------------The Louvre Museum
General Admission was 9 euro each....

Of course, a visit to Paris is never complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower. After having dinner in one of the Restos in front of the Louvre Museum, where we ate pasta at 6.50 euro each plus a slice of pizza, we passed by to a souvenir shop then headed to the Eiffel Tower by train at 1.50euro each. But due to slight rain and windy night, we decided to leave...

-------------------------------------------------------Morning shot of the Eiffel Tower.

---------------------------------------------------------Eiffel Tower day and night.

So the next day, we came back to see the Eiffel Tower then rushed back to the hotel to check out and left our luggage in the train station for 9euro and proceeded to Disneyland Park Paris!

It was a long train ride to Disneyland Paris. The train was old and the view was n't very pleasing to the eye, either. Then you'll see a huge castle like building and you knew it would be time to get off the train! Entrance to the park was 49 euro each.

----------------------------------------------------------------Disneyland Parc Paris!

My second visit to Disneyland Resort still left me disappointed, for again I didn't get to fulfill my dream of getting a souvenir photo with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck!
**************************

“They call it Autumn-Winter”

Strolling along the streets full of yellow orange leaves scattered on the ground, a very cool breeze kisses the skin, or pearly white snow showers the ground, yes this is what they call autumn winter. Now, after soooo long, on an autumn winter day, Ive been there....

*************************

Travel Information:

Tour date: 21-26 November 2008, Autumn-early winter

Clothing: Thermal Jackets, winter coats. boots.

Currency: euro (1 EUR = 5.19208 AED/ 1 EUR = 1.41366 USD/1 EUR = 66.6034 PHP

Visa: I applied for Schengen Visa at the German Embassy since Germany is our point of entry. There is an interview for Filipino citizens when applying for Schengen visa for the first time, unless if you have already travelled to any EU member state as in my case. Waiting period took 12-14 days. In addition to the usual requirements, you also have to submit a valid travel insurance.

Links: http://www.paris-tourism.com;%20www.emirates.com;www.disneylandparis.com;www.booking.com/

Hong Kong! Hong Kong!

_____________________________________________
NAIA Terminal 3. Cebu Pacific flight to Hong Kong departed from NAIA terminal 3. There is a terminal fee of PHP750 per passenger and PHP1620 departure tax for international flight, so better include this in your budget on top of the airline ticket.

Day 1: Tsim Sha Tsui (TST)
We met my sister's former classmate in College at Mc Donalds in Tsim Sha Tsui, and she brought us to Peking Garden Restaurant where she made a reservation for lunch. It was a fine dining resto that offers authenic chinese cuisine. Then, at 4pm, she drove and came with us to Disneyland Resort. Lucky that there was a promotion on that day for annual pass holders that they can bring 1 friend free for the whole day pass at the Resort so my sister and I enjoyed the resort for free courtesy of Liway.

True to what I have heard from friends who had been to Hong Kong Disneyland, it is more for kids under 12. There were not much rides for adults and it was quite small too. Despite the many negative reviews about this resort, I'd say that I still enjoyed seeing Disneyland, the stay at Hollywood Hotel was part of the fun too.

There is a hotel shuttle service every10 minutes to and from the hotel and disneyland resort park. While checked in at the Hollywood Hotel, you may also visit and eat at Disneyland Hotel.

Twin room garden view ( actually I didn't see any view of the garden!) was hkd 1320 nett without breakfast, with two double beds enough for 4 pax at the same rate. I booked it directly with the hotel website.

Shower gel, soaps, shampoos, dental kit, mugs, lift, bench, etc. you will see mickey mouse everywhere!
DAY 2: Storm signal no. 8 hoisted
The day we left Hollywood Hotel in Disneyland, there was an advisory that says, its signal no. 3 that day but there was no rain yet so we took pictures here and there. By the time we reached Kowloon, the rain started pouring heavily. We crossed the street and luckily, the City View Hotel where I had a reservation for two nights was just across. We explored nathan road that afternoon in search for dinner. Although there were too many food stalls nearby, we ended up buying food at seven 11 and ate dinner in the room because the menu in the small restaurants were all written in chinese and we hardly find someone that speaks english, too. Storm signal no. 8 was advised, by 6pm, public transport were shut down, malls have closed. We were locked inside our hotel room with nothing to do, so i decided to get an internet connection for hkd100 and ordered room service.

Day 3: Victoria Peak.

We called the Hong kong Tourist hotline to ask if it was safe to go out. We called twice and got two opposing answers! So we ended up deciding for ourselves. We then proceeded to The Victoria Peak and then at The promenade, avenue of stars.

View from Victoria Peak 

Day 4: Ocean Park

All the scary rides I could think of was in front of me. Since there was only my sister and I together at the Ocean Park, I had no choice but to accompany her and try whatever there is to try. Knowing her, I knew I'm up for the test of my life! The challenge: The Mine Train. This time, closing my eyes didn't do the trick! It was more scary when eyes are closed. There was butterfly in my stomach. It drops and turns rapidly. But before I could start praying, we were already at the end point. Alas! it wasn't so scary at all! It lasted only 2 minutes or so. ( that was the only ride i tried though...hehehe. all the other rides, my sister experienced alone. Brave birthday girl! )

The Cable Car. We moved from the Highlands to the Lowlands which was on the other side of the mountain. We took the Cable car to transfer. Ughhh, I swear I would never ride a cable car again! Yes, i have overcome the roller coaster but comes another frightening experience. It was 15 to 20 minutes of hair raising, horrifying, death defying, worst thing to experience for me! Below us was the ocean, just one wrong move and I'd be dead! As they say, the cable car is one of the tourist attractions in Ocean Park, so I would not get into details as each one of us has our own fears. Mine just happened to be this.

Tour Date: September 21-25, 2008

How's the weather: first day was so humid and hot, next day there was a storm!

Useful Links: http://www.discoverhongkong.com/; http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/; http://www.cebupacificair.com/