KimEB's: Tokyo Disney

Not even a full twelve hours after returning back to my house after leaving Nikko, we were on the road again toward Tokyo Disneyland. I also invited my friend Megan to meet up too. I was really excited to hang out here, mainly because I thought the rides would be fabulous. And, who doesn't need a little magic in their lives sometimes. Here are Ruth, me, Mom, and Megan with the Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland..."I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date! No time to say hello. Goodbye. I'm late! I'm late! I'm late!"

Megan and I at the entrance to Disneyland. For those of you who don't remember, I randomly met Megan last year when her and her boyfriend were seated next to me at Thanksgiving dinner at the New Sanno. Being two young teachers and alone here in Japan (her boyfriend lives in Virginia), we decided to start hanging out. We discovered that we got along really well, so we ended up traveling to Thailand together for spring break. We had a great time and I'm very glad to be friends.

Here's a window display that I thought was super cute. Minnie icing her cake...

Here we are riding the Cars ride...or should I say driving it. It was a mini go cart racetrack. Needless to say, they didn't go very fast, but we had fun anyway.

I had to put on my "race face". Maybe some of you remember it from high school.

It was interesting that in Japan, the princesses were not so popular. None of them were walking around taking pictures with little girls dressed up as them. In fact, I didn't see one little girl dressed as a princess. The big hits were Mickey and Minnie and other characters, such as the ones from Alice in Wonderland and Jungle Book. Here I am getting ready to eat some lunch.

In the line to pick up our food, we spotted this super fan. She was dressed head to toe in Mickey gear and she had this crazy bag with all the stuffed animals attached to it. She also had a friend with a similar bag, and I have to say I saw several Mouse fanatics there that day.

This was the entrance to the Haunted Mansion. I was kind of disappointed in the rides. I thought they would be bigger and better, but most were just silly. I still had a great time, but am ready for some real roller coasters!

I'm just monkeying around with a character from the Jungle Book.

So, maybe it's like this in America, but here there were hundreds of strollers lined up outside of the rides. They were filled with souvenirs, electronics, valuables, etc. And, no one bothered them. This is pretty much how all of Japan is...not just Disney.

So, Megan and I did a tour of the castle. Inside, there was an interesting collection of Cinderella figurines and such. I just didn't understand why they were all so hideous and horrifying. Really?! What are they trying to do, scare the kids? Here's the first one.

And another one...she's not the only one surprised and horrified at the same time!

Here I am sitting on my throne at the top of the princess' castle. I think I look like a natural...ready to rule my kingdom.

So the big thing at Tokyo Disney were these popcorn carts. They were all over the park and all had different flavored popcorn. Ones that we saw were chocolate, caramel, curry, and soy sauce. You had to travel around to find the kind you like and buy the big bucket to hang around your neck. If you look in later pictures of me and Megan, you will see our popcorn buckets. Mine was filled with my favorite flavor...curry!

Everyone here had Mouse Fever. It was actually really cute. The men and women all dressed up in hats, wearing buckets, and with other Disney gear too. I thought this girls hair was especially cute. She even had a Minnie Mouse bow in the front!

All over were hats like these. This is a couple, a man and woman. And yes, they are grown. It is a different world over here. The couples were all dressed to match in the Mickey attire. It was super cute to walk around and see the enthusiasm from everyone including the adults!

Mom and company sat still long enough to catch the light parade. I only saw this one...Prince Charming...too bad he only exists in Disneyland. I'm still holding out and hoping to meet mine.