Tokyo Disney Land - this is LOVE

This might be my last big Disney weekebnd with both parks (although I will be back to Land in 2 weeks) but this was my last trip with Josh, and so it was a bit sad - we shall have to do DisneyLand Paris once we move to Europe in 2 more months - and of course, we will both be in Florida, but seperately. It was just nice to get some photos of him and I - our last few big trips are behind us and this is probably the last one together!
I find Disney incredibly romantic personally - a little manufactured - but fairy tale like, and thats what I like. Our great friends Sophie and Russ got engaged the night before at Tokyo Disney Sea, so we went to take photos of them and their ring, and Sophie snapped a few of Josh and I in our matching navy V necks! When she said "Do something romantic!", he proceeded to put his hand on my head, and this is the photo that resulted! I love how we are in front of Cinderellas Castle, and I love how it is decorated for "Happiness Year", or the 30th Anniversary since the Park opened. There were special balloons everywhere, and I got so many special limited edition 30th year sovineers too. It was a wonderful trip - possibly the best I have had all year and definitely, while it might not be so Japanese, the park has its own Japanese feel to it - the way the characters are idolised, to the matching outfits, to their obsession with Duffy and keychains on their bags - this place is somewhere special to me. Because really, Disney is the same all over the world - and thats why its so wonderful!

Tokyo Disney Sea - Tomorrow Land

One of my favourite areas - and the new ride is here too! Star Tours just opened at Tokyo Disney less than 2 weeks ago (which is coincidentally why Sam and I will go again in 2 weeks). It was packed, but we managed to get a fast pass and ride it all together once. Sophie went to grab fast passes while we were in the line - and they let her right back in the line - and she came bearing Honey Popcorn from near the Winnie the Pooh ride! So, thankfully the line didnt get too boring!

Tokyo Disney Land - Frontier Land

I really regret not being able to ride Thunder Mountain - but we simply just ran out of time! I love that Wild West area though - its a cross between rustic - and super clean, wide Japanese street! It is so classic Disney that I just love it! And everytime we walked by the Country Store, I was reminded of Josh and Julianne in Davey Crockett hats!

Tokyo Disney Land - The Tiki Room

The areas around Tokyo Disney Land arent the most distinct - and there is an area around the Louisiana/ New Orleans section which fades into the Hawaii Tiki area. And this is where we found Baloo. The woman working with him seemed excited that we actually knew who he was - and even more - what movie he was from (aparently the Japanese patrons just dont care!) but we had to have our photo and it turned out super cute in our matching outfits!

Tokyo Disney Land - Toontown

I am at Tokyo Disney Sea a lot more often than Tokyo Disney Land, so I was really excited to get to do both parks in one weekend! We chose to do Disney Land on the Sundayin hopes that we could get it all done in the morning, before we headed home in the afternoon. I actually hadnt been to Tokyo Disney Land since the summer when we went with David and Julianne for my birthday! I also discovered that I had never been to ToonTown! I remember going in Hong Kong, and in Orlando too, but when I was a littl kid. I guess it is full of little kids rides, but it also is where you go to meet all the characters! I didnt want to wait in line, so instead made everyone walk through the area, and we took photos in front of all the houses. My favourite was Chip and Dales Tree House. I think it looks like its Josh and my new house instead! We climbed all through the houses, and took lots of funny pictures, like these lamp post ones. People thought we were hillarious (and we certainly are!) but I took a lot of pictures of the funny postboxes and the corn potage popcorn they have there! (We certainly didnt try the corn potage popcorn either!) I think my favourite photo from the whole trip is the one with me driving Goofys car! I look delighted, while everyone else looks like were crashing and its a pretty funny photo - with my pretty funny friends!

The night view from the Hilton

We said goodbye to Tokyo Disney Sea (maybe for the last time while we live here) and headed back to our hotel. The Hilton was in Shinjuku, right next to Shinjuku Park, and from the 35th floor, its a pretty nice view. We were lucky enough to have Executive Lounge access, so we went up a few floors and had a quick drink when we got in, before headed to bed (still relatively late) because we had another early morning at Disney on the Sunday!

Tokyo Disney Sea - The entrance

Right outside the main entrance to Tokyo Disney Sea is a large, Aqua Globe. They often decorate it for certain holidays. This year, is the 30th anniversary of the sister park, Tokyo Disney Land opening. Its a big deal - and makes me feel pretty old - as it was pretty new when I first lived in Japan in 1990 and went there! Its called the "Happiness Year", so theyve decorated a lot of the parks, and have special activities and shows, which are related to the 30 year anniversary, and of course a lot of special souvineers you can buy. So this time, in front of the Aqua Globe, there was a light up Mickey and Minne!