It's official...ABD is going to Japan!

[CaliKris]

@sayhello We went to Japan in mid-May and the weather was wonderful (70's and low 80's). In April, you may get lucky and see cherry blossoms. My only concern with April is it is the very first Japan trip and they may still be working out some kinks.

 

[DVC Doc]

Hi all! Recently returned from our trip to Japan and Tokyo Disney and it was AMAZING. I will be posting a video trip report soon. I just looked over the ABD and it looks really good but....WOW expensive. We did a somewhat short trip with 3 nights at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, 2 nights at Hotel Miracosta, and 2 nights at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo. We also did a day trip to Kyoto via Shinkansen through Viator.

I’ll be curious to see what ABD charges for the packages. My guess is they are the same ones you can buy through Tokyo Disney Resort and they are very pricey. I really think you will come out ahead booking on your own, but the big advantage with the package deal is the Fastpasses. For our visit in April on weekdays, the crowds were very reasonable and we would have barely needed them. For the summer and especially on weekends you are probably going to need those Fastpasses though! I believe you also get a nifty exclusive popcorn bucket!

Anyway, feel free to ask me any questions you may have about TDR or my (brief) experience in Japan. Also be sure to check out TDRExplorer for lots of tips; we met Chris several times on our trip and he is truly wonderful. As for us, we will be booking ABD China for 2019!

 

[sayhello]

@sayhello We went to Japan in mid-May and the weather was wonderful (70's and low 80's). In April, you may get lucky and see cherry blossoms. My only concern with April is it is the very first Japan trip and they may still be working out some kinks.

I know. I did the first re-ordered China trip, and there were definitely kinks. But there was something special about being first.

Sayhello

 

[AdamEfimoff]

The itinerary looks great, but the price is WAY too high for us! I can't justify that at all. Looks like I'll be making my own plans for our trip to Japan next year.

They are very nice hotels. I know not everyone can afford that. I do wish it was at Four Seasons Kyoto. Kyoto is becoming the 'it' city of the moment.

 

[ImprovGal]

They are very nice hotels. I know not everyone can afford that. I do wish it was at Four Seasons Kyoto. Kyoto is becoming the 'it' city of the moment.

Considering all if the activities scheduled from the Kyoto base, what amenities at the Four Seasons would improve the experience for you over the stay at the Hyatt?

 

[bearsgirl]

Hi all! Recently returned from our trip to Japan and Tokyo Disney and it was AMAZING. I will be posting a video trip report soon. I just looked over the ABD and it looks really good but....WOW expensive. We did a somewhat short trip with 3 nights at Tokyo Disneyland Hotel, 2 nights at Hotel Miracosta, and 2 nights at the Park Hyatt in Tokyo. We also did a day trip to Kyoto via Shinkansen through Viator.

I’ll be curious to see what ABD charges for the packages. My guess is they are the same ones you can buy through Tokyo Disney Resort and they are very pricey. I really think you will come out ahead booking on your own, but the big advantage with the package deal is the Fastpasses. For our visit in April on weekdays, the crowds were very reasonable and we would have barely needed them. For the summer and especially on weekends you are probably going to need those Fastpasses though! I believe you also get a nifty exclusive popcorn bucket!

Anyway, feel free to ask me any questions you may have about TDR or my (brief) experience in Japan. Also be sure to check out TDRExplorer for lots of tips; we met Chris several times on our trip and he is truly wonderful. As for us, we will be booking ABD China for 2019!

Can't wait to see your video trip report @DVC Doc. Your trip sounds more like what I was hoping Japan ABD would be--more Park time. TDR Explorer Chris has been my main research resource and it is cool that you met him on your trip. You weren't on the trip that he organized, were you?

 

[tgeorge]

Considering all if the activities scheduled from the Kyoto base, what amenities at the Four Seasons would improve the experience for you over the stay at the Hyatt?

I’d also like to hear your opinion on this. I love that so much is based out of Kyoto, but the Hyatt seems like a great hotel from what I could tell. Just wondering if there is something I’m missing. I know there is another tour I’ve looked at where Four Seasons Kyoto was the hotel. Maybe I just haven’t looked into it enough.

@sayhello good luck picking your dates. That’s a tough one. The October, for me, would have been my choice, but that’s obviously out of contention. I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any choice! It is bound to be amazing

 

[sayhello]

I’d also like to hear your opinion on this. I love that so much is based out of Kyoto, but the Hyatt seems like a great hotel from what I could tell. Just wondering if there is something I’m missing. I know there is another tour I’ve looked at where Four Seasons Kyoto was the hotel. Maybe I just haven’t looked into it enough.

I wouldn't read too much into this. He's never taken an ABD, and has, in the past, made lots of statements like this that he never comes back to explain. I think the Hyatt looks spectacular.

https://www.tripexpert.com/kyoto/hotels/four-seasons-hotel-kyoto-vs-hyatt-regency-kyoto

@sayhello good luck picking your dates. That’s a tough one. The October, for me, would have been my choice, but that’s obviously out of contention. I’m sure you can’t go wrong with any choice! It is bound to be amazing

Thanks! I do think I'm leaning towards April despite the jitters about "first departure" kinks, and the appeal of an ABD for my Birthday... We'll see what I choose come tomorrow! And yes, either date will be wonderful, I'm sure!!!

Sayhello

 

[tgeorge]

I wouldn't read too much into this. He's never taken an ABD, and has, in the past, made lots of statements like this that he never comes back to explain. I think the Hyatt looks spectacular.

https://www.tripexpert.com/kyoto/hotels/four-seasons-hotel-kyoto-vs-hyatt-regency-kyoto

Thanks! I do think I'm leaning towards April despite the jitters about "first departure" kinks, and the appeal of an ABD for my Birthday... We'll see what I choose come tomorrow! And yes, either date will be wonderful, I'm sure!!!

Sayhello

Thanks for the info. I did look at each hotel they had picked and they all seemed amazing to me. I’m sure they will not disappoint!

That’s exactly why I thought the October trip would be great( to spend my birthday in the parks after the ABD). You should definitely do it! Even if there are some hiccups along the way, it beats a day at work I think October 2020 for us will be a serious contender (it’s between Japan and Australia, so neither is a bad choice). Let us know how booking goes for you!

 

[Miss SD]

The Hyatt in Kyoto is a fantastic hotel. We stayed there a few years back, and the service is just incredible. Despite it being a pretty upscale hotel, it felt so relaxing. A really wonderful place to return to after a long day of sightseeing.

 

[CaliKris]

We stayed at the Hyatt in Kyoto in 2015. It is a very nice hotel with western style rooms and a very good breakfast buffet. It is located near the train station (which was nice or us) since we were traveling on our own. The service is great as well! It is a large hotel that can accommodate groups. It is not to the level of the Peninsula in Hong Kong or Shanghai, but I don't think you will be disappointed. As I recall, this hotel was quite pricey for the four of us (two rooms). I know people are shocked at the price of the Japan trip, but I think it is a good value for everything you are getting. I expect the prices to go up for 2020. I would jump on this trip if my family didn't want to see other places first. Japan is one of our favorite countries in the world and this itinerary looks fantastic!

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Considering all if the activities scheduled from the Kyoto base, what amenities at the Four Seasons would improve the experience for you over the stay at the Hyatt?

Pool!
I have never stayed at a hotel sans one! And better spa.
My feet get really sore from walking. A pool helps soften them for me. I seriously would have trouble sans one. I am very busy planning my next trip. So cannot spend too much time on this board. Its not a Disney trip I am planning however.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

The Hyatt in Kyoto is a fantastic hotel. We stayed there a few years back, and the service is just incredible. Despite it being a pretty upscale hotel, it felt so relaxing. A really wonderful place to return to after a long day of sightseeing.

I am not saying its a bad choice. For years the Hyatt was the only high end luxury western hotel in the city. But both Ritz Carlton/ Four Seasons have pools and spas. I am happy with the choice of hotel however for the route.

 

[helenk]

Well, I know I will be booking this for 2020 and will definitely do the 2 night 3- day add-on to Disneyland. The trip looks amazing. The trip to China looks nice too. I have been to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong but it would be fun to do the Disney parks in China again.

 

[tgeorge]

We stayed at the Hyatt in Kyoto in 2015. It is a very nice hotel with western style rooms and a very good breakfast buffet. It is located near the train station (which was nice or us) since we were traveling on our own. The service is great as well! It is a large hotel that can accommodate groups. It is not to the level of the Peninsula in Hong Kong or Shanghai, but I don't think you will be disappointed. As I recall, this hotel was quite pricey for the four of us (two rooms). I know people are shocked at the price of the Japan trip, but I think it is a good value for everything you are getting. I expect the prices to go up for 2020. I would jump on this trip if my family didn't want to see other places first. Japan is one of our favorite countries in the world and this itinerary looks fantastic!

Of course the prices will go up for 2020 ;-) That's probably the only sure thing we can count on!! At least I know where I have to set my benchmark at. LOL

 

[Cousin Orville]

Combining Tokyo, Kyoto, and taking the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima & Miyajima is pretty much what we were hoping to see in the itinerary. All the hotels seem great. I'm glad they're finishing up at the Peninsula. After HK and Shanghai, it will be cool to stay at a 3rd Peninsula. Plus it's a quick drive to TDR after the ABD. Several highly rated restaurants in there as well. Overall, it seems like a very strong effort on ABD's behalf.

 

[calypso726]

Combining Tokyo, Kyoto, and taking the Shinkansen down to Hiroshima & Miyajima is pretty much what we were hoping to see in the itinerary. All the hotels seem great. I'm glad they're finishing up at the Peninsula. After HK and Shanghai, it will be cool to stay at 3rd Peninsula. Plus it's a quick drive to TDR after the ABD. Several highly rated restaurants in there as well. Overall, it seems like a very strong effort on ABD's behalf.

I was thinking the same thing about the Peninsula. The itinerary looks outstanding. I told DH I wanted to do it first year out because it would likely only get more expensive and the itinerary could change. I love the itinerary. When I saw Taiko Drummers on there with a hands on demo I was stunned. The Matsuriza Taiko drummers at Epcot top my list of favorite experiences at Epcot. Well, the drummers and Food & Wine festival. This will likely be a highlight for me on the trip. It was the coolest most unexpected surprise to find on the itinerary. That, and the foodie stuff!

 

[Mathmagicland]

We are in for the April departure !

 

[sayhello]

I'm in for May!! Japan for my Birthday! Yay!!

Sayhello

 

[Mathmagicland]

I'm in for May!! Japan for my Birthday! Yay!!

Sayhello

Congrats! What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday!