Hi all,
We were lucky enough to visit Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea multiple times pre-COVID and pre-parenthood.
We've now booked our first return trip for July 2023 and I have many questions given all the changes in the parks (and in our family structure) since our last visit in 2019.
1. Masks - I generally understand that locals still wear face masks most of the time - is that correct? If so, are young children also expected to wear face masks? And is it acceptable / common to remove face masks for photos?
2. Shows / Entertainment - I understand that pretty much every show is now "lottery" based (through the app). Do they still allow "standby" access? I can't remember the details, but I recall missing out the lottery (through the machines) for Big Band Beat and then waiting in some kind of "standby" line at a designated time and we were allowed access.
Our daughter would love to see Mickey and friends performing, but I know we've previously had very little luck when it comes to the lotteries.
It also appears that some previously free shows also now cost money. For example, I vaguely recall there being a free Duffy show at Cape Cod in DisneySea, but this now appears to be a paid ticketed show? Are the only "free" and "guaranteed" entry shows now the parades and fireworks?
3. Roaming characters - Are there still roaming characters or do they now only appear at the designated character meets? If there are still roaming characters, is it still possible to ask a cast member if particular characters will appear that day? My daughter would enjoy meeting some of the princesses if that's still possible.
4. Character meets - Do any of the designated character meets typically have shorter wait times, for example, the Mickey and Minnie character meets in Toon Town (Disneyland)? Previously, these have never been a priority, but I vaguely recall seeing wait times of 60+ minutes for the character meets in DisneySea. Again, my daughter would love to meet some of the costumed characters, but entertaining a toddler in a slow moving line for 60+ minutes would be impossible. I'm hoping that the Mickey and Minnie meets in Toon Town might be a bit quicker since they are there all day and are in their "standard" costumes?
5. Changing facilities - Any recommendations for changing facilities? Do they have gender neutral parent rooms or are their changing facilities in the men's toilets?
6. Other recommendations - Any other recommendations for visiting with a toddler? We know we have to dramatically change our expectations for what a trip to Disney entails, especially with the removal of the Fast Passes which will make it extra challenging to do any rides with wait times beyond 10 to 20 minutes.
7. Heat and humidity in July - I've been reading horror stories about the heat and humidity in Tokyo in July, however I'm not sure where the authors of those stories live. Have any Aussies (particularly those from Queensland) visited in July / August and, if so, was the heat and humidity any worse than an Aussie summer?
8. Hilton Tokyo Bay - Does anyone know how to identify the "Celebrio select" rooms which allow access to the Celebrio lounge in comparison to the regular "Celebrio" rooms? I can only seem to identify "Celebrio" rooms, not "Celebrio select" rooms?
9. Activities for toddlers in Japan - Any other recommendations for activities with toddlers in Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya? We'll aim to do the three big theme parks - Disney, Universal and Lego, but would appreciate any other recommendations.
Thanks in advance for any assistance!
We were lucky enough to visit Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea multiple times pre-COVID and pre-parenthood.
We've now booked our first return trip for July 2023 and I have many questions given all the changes in the parks (and in our family structure) since our last visit in 2019.
1. Masks - I generally understand that locals still wear face masks most of the time - is that correct? If so, are young children also expected to wear face masks? And is it acceptable / common to remove face masks for photos?
2. Shows / Entertainment - I understand that pretty much every show is now "lottery" based (through the app). Do they still allow "standby" access? I can't remember the details, but I recall missing out the lottery (through the machines) for Big Band Beat and then waiting in some kind of "standby" line at a designated time and we were allowed access.
Our daughter would love to see Mickey and friends performing, but I know we've previously had very little luck when it comes to the lotteries.
It also appears that some previously free shows also now cost money. For example, I vaguely recall there being a free Duffy show at Cape Cod in DisneySea, but this now appears to be a paid ticketed show? Are the only "free" and "guaranteed" entry shows now the parades and fireworks?
3. Roaming characters - Are there still roaming characters or do they now only appear at the designated character meets? If there are still roaming characters, is it still possible to ask a cast member if particular characters will appear that day? My daughter would enjoy meeting some of the princesses if that's still possible.
4. Character meets - Do any of the designated character meets typically have shorter wait times, for example, the Mickey and Minnie character meets in Toon Town (Disneyland)? Previously, these have never been a priority, but I vaguely recall seeing wait times of 60+ minutes for the character meets in DisneySea. Again, my daughter would love to meet some of the costumed characters, but entertaining a toddler in a slow moving line for 60+ minutes would be impossible. I'm hoping that the Mickey and Minnie meets in Toon Town might be a bit quicker since they are there all day and are in their "standard" costumes?
5. Changing facilities - Any recommendations for changing facilities? Do they have gender neutral parent rooms or are their changing facilities in the men's toilets?
6. Other recommendations - Any other recommendations for visiting with a toddler? We know we have to dramatically change our expectations for what a trip to Disney entails, especially with the removal of the Fast Passes which will make it extra challenging to do any rides with wait times beyond 10 to 20 minutes.
7. Heat and humidity in July - I've been reading horror stories about the heat and humidity in Tokyo in July, however I'm not sure where the authors of those stories live. Have any Aussies (particularly those from Queensland) visited in July / August and, if so, was the heat and humidity any worse than an Aussie summer?
8. Hilton Tokyo Bay - Does anyone know how to identify the "Celebrio select" rooms which allow access to the Celebrio lounge in comparison to the regular "Celebrio" rooms? I can only seem to identify "Celebrio" rooms, not "Celebrio select" rooms?
9. Activities for toddlers in Japan - Any other recommendations for activities with toddlers in Tokyo, Osaka or Nagoya? We'll aim to do the three big theme parks - Disney, Universal and Lego, but would appreciate any other recommendations.
Thanks in advance for any assistance!
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