Tokyo Disney Resort Houkoku
Special Guest Trip Report
TDLFAN's Visit to Tokyo Disney Resort
November 9th-11th 2006
(Posted 12/14/06)
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Well... it took a little while but I finally got to put up the photos I took while on vacation at TDR earlier in November, alongside my G-Fan. Not much new to add to what has already been said here...
TDL went a bit below expectations in regards to this year's holiday offerings. No new castle xmas show which to me is sacrilegious. Instead, we got a small affair but lovely Castle Lighting ceremony. The parade was probably the longest Xmas parade ever presented at TDL, but it was also short on surprises... No show mode, only a handful of new floats, but plenty of wonderful costuming that would sink the budget at other Disney parks hand down. The parade had a WDW feel with a similarly styled medley of xmas songs... however, the parade loop was newly recorded and featured different styles for every float in the show. A cd of that new xmas music is avail for sale. Most interesting is the hawaiian take on xmas tunes during the Stitch and Lilo float. Of course.. while recycling the regular floats of the daytime parade for the xmas procession has never been done before at TDL (to the best of my recollection), the re-dressing of the floats for xmas was effective and well done for the most part. Yet, I would have preferred a totally new parade with new music in it as has been the case in many years past.
Also on this photo album... you get to enjoy some few of my favorite moments from regular shows..One man's dream 2, Minnie O Minnie, Mickey Mouse Revue. You also get to take the Happiest Cruise that ever sailed, all decked out for Xmas. Finally... hardly any other park does Xmas decor better than TDL (even though DLP and DL are gaining on TDL's turf), and here is photographic proof that the icing on the cake can be found around TDL's hub, with wonderful photo areas, ranging from Dumbo to Peter Pan, to Beauty and the Beast..
Finally... Dreamlights. A lovely new Xmas overlay and slightly altered floats transform the nightly parade into an electric Xmas this year. Again, the work on the floats was not overly elaborate but effective enough to give something new to the regular guests.
All in all... It was a slightly subdued but still wonderful Christmas event at TDL, and the merchandise did not disappoint me.
View TDLFAN's TDR Trip Photo Album
Over at TDS... G-Fan and I got to enjoy the super-fabulous xmas version of Big Band Beat, but due to strict photographic prohibitions inside the Broadway Theater, I was not able to capture images for you. But let me tell you... it is here where the TDR Rockettes from TDL's greatly missed Xmas Castle show do their thing this year... alongside Mickey and Minnie wearing their finest holiday attires...all capped off with an indoor snowshower over the audience. This Xmas version of BBB rocked! (as does the regular show) and is NOT to be missed if you go there.
We also got to enjoy the xmas version of "Over the Waves"..a show that I still feel lacks when compared to previous efforts and one that needs some improvements. The Xmas version of the show was seamlessly added to the regular version and the flow is not lost at all. It redeems the show because the Xmas version does bring a little soul to this otherwise lackluster production. See some photos from this xmas version in the TDS album.
Finally, G-Fan and I greatly enjoyed this year's version of Candlelight Reflections on Mediterranean Harbor. The characters are sporting colorful new outfits, as opposed to the all-gold colors used the last few years. The big barges on the show were redesigned to look like clusters of elegant chandeliers, with mirror balls to add to the sparkle as they move about the waters on the lagoon. There also appeared to be more pyro on this year's production. All in all.. a very simply, yet solemn and elegant presentation to cap the night off at TDS. Even better is the value that we guests get when they also play "BraviSEAmo!" at a special time in the early evening. Mediterranean Harbor, with it's lovely Xmas decorations, shops and eateries, and two different major lagoon shows (3 is you count the Christmas Fantasy in the Sky fireworks as well), make this area the "MUST BE AT" spot for the evening... You can't find that much value in entertainment and enjoyment in a single area at any other Disney park, with EPCOT's World Showcase being a close 2nd during the holidays, as you do here in Mediterranean Harbor in the evening hours of Xmas time. Check out the photos and get a feel for a it, I hope.
View TDLFAN's TDR Trip Photo Album
During our 3rd day day, we had to endure a rainy day all day long, but gave us the chance to enjoy the Rainy Day Parade. The 4th day, G-Fan and I escaped into the city and visited some favorite spots.. Odayba, Venus Fort Mall, Shibuya (where one of the best Disney Stores is located at) and G-Fan had his yearly photo with Godzilla in Hibiya. I have included a few shots from that as well.
Go to this link and then choose the album of your choice.. Note, I also have a new Legend of Mythica album on display, as these photos were taken from Lido Isle, probably the most popular spot to watch this show. There is so much eye candy and extravagance during Mythica to fill 3 disney parks, and the photos still miss a lot of the action during the show. An amazing "must see" production for anyone visiting TDS. In conclusion, my USJ xmas album is still up and so is HKDL's Halloween which will be taken down shortly to make room for HKDL Xmas and DLP Xmas albums before the end of the year. Hope you enjoy. here is the link!! Just choose the album you'd like to see.
All Text By: TDLFAN. [Report re-printed with permission.]
Guest Website: http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumList?u=4334673
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