Thursday 26 November 2015

How to jump the queues at Tokyo DisneyLand and Tokyo DisneySea

A few weeks before embarking on our Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea adventure we bought an online ebook for $19.95 promising to reveal the secrets to jumping the queues. After reading the PDF I felt ripped off so I am going to do everyone a favour and just let you know now. My tips for getting more rides in your day at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disneysea.

1. Arrive before opening time. There will be huge queues to enter but they move quickly. It is best to be there at opening time to seek out the FAST PASS machines. The FAST PASS designates a one hour time slot for you to jump the queue. Once you have some FAST PASSES then fill in waiting time with musicals or theatre shows, live outdoor shows or meeting the cast.

2. Once you have arrived and hired a stroller (if you have toddlers) then run or walk to your favourite rides and line up at the FAST PASS machines. These look like huge ATMs near some rides. They are not everywhere. If you cannot see them, then ask a cast member.

3.Use the SINGLE RIDER system.Even if you are wanting to take a ride with a friend both of you can go in the single rider queue. You will be allocated a seat with a group of people that needs one more person to fill the ride. Just ride with these guys. Your friend will be close by in the next ride or the one after. At least you both don't have to stand in line for two hours. My partner and I did this at Temple of Dome and I felt really bad walking past a line of maybe a few hundred people long in less than 20 minutes.

4.If you pass a ride with no queue then get right in there. Don't hesitate. 5. If you are a couple with small children you may be able to switch at the exit with your spouse and the other child. Ask a staff member at the exit as they allowed us to do this at Monsters Inc. Please let me know your experiences so I can keep this post updated. Have a great time.

Saturday 3 January 2015

Skiing in Japan 2015


Skiing in Japan 2015

Available on Amazon



WHERE: Myoko Kogen, Akakura Kanko Resort & Akakura Onsen

ACCESS: Easy access by car direct to free car park next to chairlifts

ACCOMODATION: Most accommodation on the main street of Akakura is within walking distance of the chairlifts. We stayed in Hotel Moc across the road from the Akakura Kanko chairlift which has a huge green run, and a higher red run that joins with the lower green runs.

SKI HIRE: Myoko snow sports English speaking ski school ski hire ranges from $40 AUD per day upwards. MOC Hotel (Japanese speaking) ski hire was $22 for carving skis, poles and boots. Just tell the man your height weight and show size in cm. Circle if you are level I (beginner) II (intermediate) III (advanced). Powder high performance skis are more expensive. Yodel ski school from $35
skis, poles. Boots set.

PARKING: $10 per night at Akakura Kanko. Free parking during the day from 8am – 4pm

LIFT TICKETS: Half day Akakura Kanko $22pp 8.30am – 1pm Full day lift ticket both Akakura Kanko & Akakura Onsen $52. Kids under school age ride free. Most lifts open 8.30am and close 4pm. Black ungroomed runs may not open until 10am so expect a crowd of 30 at the start of the run at opening time.

LESSONS: Myoko snow sports lessons range from $120 pp per day (group lesson of 4) 10am – 12.30pm. Kids and adults. Kids includes lunch and pick up at 1.30pm. Yodel ski school instructors speak a little English.

BABYSITTING: $20 per hour at Myoko Snow Sports. Reservations needed.

FOOD: Japanese meals provided by Hotel Moc were great quality. Lunch from $8 pp and dinner from $15 pp. On the main street there is Indian $7, Burgers $10, Crepes $5, Pizza $14 & Japanese.

SKI KIT: Goggles available on slope from $60. Kids bob sled $15. Kids’ snow boots $27. We bought second hand adult ski pants $10 and jackets $10 & helmets $5 from “Hard Off” in Niigata City. New googles range from $35 upwards. Aeon shopping centres in Japan have affordable new kids ski clothes. Xebio sports sells a huge range of ski clothes from about November to February. Adult snow boots range from $30 - $120.

ONSEN we also stayed at a natural hot spring onsen called Akakura Sun Hotel. Dinner bed and breakfast for two adults and two toddlers $177.

We also went to the onsen at the Akakura Hotel. Very nice indoor and outdoor bathing pools surrounded by snow. Had a games room for kids and on site ski hire. $10 pp for a casual visit to the onsen.