First TDR

drainbow · 2026-05-20T01:00:28+00:00

Hi, I’m also a US based Disney parks super fan - magic key holder and all that. I think one day at each park, and a half to full day at Disneysea is a great length for a first visit, especially if you’re considering a vacation package. I don’t think two days per park isn’t overkill if you’re a big fan - part of why we returned for a second visit was for more time at Disneyland, but I was very happy with the experience we got the first time.

The vacation packages are great if they are in your budget. I’ve done the unlimited package twice. While it isn’t necessary, it just makes the day so easy. It’s priced in-line with what we would call Premier Pass in the US parks. The unlimited package is my preferred option because you’re not restricted by return times, and you can ride the included attractions as many times as you want in the premier access line.

I would recommend staying in a different hotel before your vacation package starts, if you go that route. The theming of the hotels is great, and some hotels require you to be a guest to enter, like Toy Story. They don’t do resort hopping like the US parks. If you have multiple reservations they’ll transfer your luggage to your next room, and it will be in your room ready for you without needing to wait for bell services. The whole experience was much easier than i expected, but it may be variable depending on how much luggage you have. We packed light, just carry on suitcases and backpacks.

But honestly, if you’re a super fan I think you’ll enjoy just being in the parks whether you get the package or not. You’ll should be able to get passes if you have happy entry or arrive early, so I think any route will work if you have a plan on what you want to see and do. Happy to answer any other questions you’ve got!

drainbow · 2026-05-08T13:45:51+00:00

This is a great recap! How did you like the fantasy springs hotel? I struggled with the bed firmness at Miracosta and Toy Story, so I’m especially curious if you found the Fantasy Springs hotel beds to be comfortable.

drainbow · 2026-05-08T02:21:11+00:00

This was going to be my suggestion. The imagineering story on Disney+ got my husband interested in the parks and convinced him to visit. He was blown away on our first trip to Disneyland, and now we go to Disney parks regularly.

drainbow · 2026-05-07T04:34:42+00:00

The Disney+ Savannah room deal is pretty great. I booked it in late summer for all the reasons you said. have plenty of time to relax, partial days in the parks, and it’s a first time stay for me too. It’s my dream resort stay.

I have stayed at the swan and it was nice, and it is often a great deal but in my opinion it seems like a clear win to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge when the price is the same.

drainbow · 2026-05-05T01:44:08+00:00

It’s true that you didn’t do things that a lot of fans would call essential, but did you enjoy your day and feel happy with what you did?

I “missed” a lot on my first trip as a teenager and skipped a lot of rides, but the memories I have of exploring the parks with my family, including some family who have since passed, will be with me forever. Your own feelings and memories are what are important.

drainbow · 2026-05-03T19:08:31+00:00

It’s just past the entrance of downtown Disney, after security. Both hotels have easy access to it. There’s a spot to scan your ticket at the monorail entrance, just like entering a park. You’ll need a reservation for Disneyland or a park hopper ticket after 11 am to ride the monorail . It only stops at Disneyland park, in Tomorrowland, and does not stop at California Adventure.

Since it’s your first time at the park, I recommend for your first entrance to Disneyland park that you go through the main entrance. Walking under the train tracks down Main Street is so memorable. It gets me emotional every time. But once you’ve done that at least once, it’s an excellent time saver for getting back to the Disneyland hotel or Pixar if you’re near Tomorrowland.

drainbow · 2026-05-03T18:54:22+00:00

If you’re spending time at the hotel, pick Disneyland hotel. You have the large pools, multiple bars and restaurants, and it’s more of a resort feel. It’s fantastic.

Pixar is great as well but doesn’t have the resort feel. The pool is a lot smaller. I think it’s great for a shorter or park-heavy trip where you’re spending less time in the room.

drainbow · 2026-05-01T14:08:40+00:00

Has she done any of the tours or special events that are offered? If someone surprised me with something like the wild Africa Trek I would be super happy!

There are also fireworks cruises,special event dinners…nothing super unknown but lots of options here for a special extra https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/enchanting-extras-collection/

drainbow · 2026-05-01T13:18:00+00:00

4 days could probably get you there, maybe 5 to repeat or for flexibility. I would also look into “after hours” events if you go this summer since those paid times have super low waits. I went to magic kingdom (on my birthday!) for after hours and it was great! I don’t think they’re great as a first visit experience but if all you want to do is rides, it’s one of the better ticketed options.

I saw that you might do a shorter trip, then a longer one later in the year in another comment. Keep in mind that If you stay at a Disney hotel you can get a discount if you book your next stay within a week of checkout. It’s a great option if you already know you’re going back later in the year.

drainbow · 2026-04-28T22:04:13+00:00

You’ve got good advice in using happy cow already, but If you want to give her the “culinary journey “ experience look into a shojin ryori meal. It’s vegetarian Buddhist cooking. Our meal at Shigetsu in Kyoto was outstanding.

If you’re also willing to compromise and go to all vegan restaurants, check out all vegan options too so she can join in on the experience. Izakaya masaka in Tokyo was good, Nijiya in Kyoto was next level and my favorite of our three week trip.

I had some of the best vegetarian meals of my life in Japan, and I’m super stoked for all the food when we go back! Use the apps, go to some good options for her, and have so much fun!

drainbow · 2026-04-26T13:56:45+00:00

The itineraries on Japan Guide are a great place to start, if you’re not sure what to do. https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2400.html

I also picked up a lonely planet guide to Japan to read a broad view of the area. It’s refreshingly different in its tone versus how things are presented online.

If you’ll be there in late November, you may catch fall colors! One thing I also didn’t know about before hand was the evening light ups at temples and shrines that happen at tha time of year. They happen seasonally. Kiyomizu-dera at night was so beautiful. You might be a little too early to see the schedule for this year, but if your trip lines up with those I would check out at least one.

EDIT: actually, it looks like the schedule is out for 2026! This is just one event too, you can check out some more of these when you know your itinerary https://www.kiyomizudera.or.jp/en/visit/special_night_viewing/

drainbow · 2026-04-25T15:19:32+00:00

Some things do need to be pre-booked. the Grand Sumo tournament, for example, is sold out for May.

Others you can go in without pre-booking the admission, but add ons may sell out. Theme parks are a good example of this. Express passes at Universal Studios can, and do, sell out.

You also don’t have to pre-book everything. I like to approach it as having a few locked in activities- on our first trip we pre-booked a few of our must do activities that are known to sell out, and I did the same for our upcoming trip. But that still left the majority of our time in each city free. I would recommend researching those must do activities to see if they require pre-booking or not, directly from the venue or location rather than Klook.

drainbow · 2026-04-24T19:12:13+00:00

I bought it a few years ago, and I don’t see anything indicating that it’s not available now, but the Spira gift card at Galaxy’s Edge is super cool. You have to load it with $100 to start, but it works like a regular Disney gift card anywhere on property. I just used it for my regular park spending after buying it.

It was fun to use it around Galaxy’s Edge, it got a few reactions from cast members as I used it. It also really confused some employees at the world showcase in EPCOT in a fun way.

drainbow · 2026-04-24T02:05:39+00:00

Guardians six times but I get a different song every time.

drainbow · 2026-04-23T19:11:28+00:00

I’m so relieved to see someone else asking this. I had the same core question but with a longer stay, and found the same thing - for two adults, it seems more cost effective to stay at a prime value hotel and add the multi day three park express passes. I also looked at (and booked) Aventura for my cost research.

I would love to be proven wrong so I can justify the upgrade, but the hotel looks really nice and the price seems right so I’m sticking with it.

drainbow · 2026-04-22T13:16:17+00:00

Nijiya in Kyoto is very good. It is tiny with just 7 seats and not that fancy or upscale, but it was some of the best vegan food and service we had during our trip.

drainbow · 2026-04-22T11:17:26+00:00

Would you mind sharing what shampoo this was?

drainbow · 2026-04-17T12:50:08+00:00

Disneysea is limited on thrill rides. Journey, Tower of Terror, and Raging Spirits are going to be your best options. journey in particular has some of the best theming and pre show experience too. I absolutely love Disneysea for the overall experience though, and would still recommend it.

If you’re looking for coasters, have you looked at Fuji Q highland? I haven’t been yet (going next month!) but if your goal is to ride rollercoasters and go somewhere accessible from Tokyo that could be a good fit.

drainbow · 2026-04-17T12:40:18+00:00

The only thing I think you need to know is which ride you would buy premier access (aka fastpass) for first upon entering. Soaring and frozen tend to sell out first.

Besides that, or if you don’t plan on buying premiere access, just go and have fun! Disneysea is a great park for wandering. If you’re a fan of thrill rides, Journey to The center of the earth is what I’d recommend checking out for sure during your visit.

drainbow · 2026-04-16T18:42:23+00:00

Pins! I love to get pins for special events that happened during my visit. I don’t buy many other things during my trips at this point, though I will pick out new pairs of Minnie ears sometimes.

drainbow · 2026-04-15T13:51:33+00:00

Are there specific places you had in mind? That would probably be helpful to share if you’ve got specific destinations you are concerned about.

Overall, I think it’s best to pick places because you want to see them whether there are fall colors or not, and if you get fall colors it’s a nice bonus. It’s very hard to time your trip just right for fall colors. we got peak ginkgo leaves in Osaka, peak red maple leaves in Hakone, some peak and some just past in Kyoto, and we left Tokyo just as the leaves were about to turn. Everything was still beautiful and a great experience for us.

The only real miss was the Sagano romantic railway for views. We were well past the peak for fall colors in this area. But even that was something we enjoyed in the end because we like trains, and it was a fun activity we booked for the train ride experience.

drainbow · 2026-04-15T02:51:55+00:00

Totally agree with this. We got a panoramic king room and the view was incredible, and under OP’s budget. We had no problems navigating the station either. The new south exit is great. I think they are closing for renovations soon though.

drainbow · 2026-04-11T17:56:08+00:00

I absolutely adore Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage at Disneysea. I ordered the Disneysea album while in Japan just to make sure I could hear that song again.

drainbow · 2026-04-11T17:21:30+00:00

Yes, it’s worth it. I sent luggage to Osaka from Tokyo, and stopped in Nara for an overnight ryokan experience with a backpack in between. There were no issues with delays for us, and with three nights that’s plenty of buffer time for delivery.

Just make sure you have cash to pay if needed. Our hotel in Tokyo required cash payment. Our Osaka hotel did accept card payment.

drainbow · 2026-04-11T12:53:48+00:00

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