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

[CaliforniaGirl09]

If you figure this out, let me know. I've gotten some toughies before (Noma, Brooklyn Fare, French Laundry), but this is on a different level.

I know. I've been dying to go since seeing the movie and reading about it. The kids both want to go, but I told them no way--2 is hard enough! We may try the easier to get into other location if I can't find someone who speaks Japanese to try for me. Apparently, it's harder to get a reservation is you speak English

 

[distravel]

Just booked the September 29 date for Japan after a four hour hold. I was told that the October trip is still waiting for a group to purchase. The agent offered to add me for a waitlist for the October trip in case it is opened to everyone. The September trip has 26 confirmed and will max out at 40. The agent did not take my credit card number because there are no double rooms left so she needs management to convert my reservation( currently a triple) to a double room.

There are no more spots for the Disneyland add on and they have started a waitlist for that. I will look into booking either the same package or hotel by myself since it seems like you can purchase the same add on. Any hints on booking TDR rooms would be appreciated.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Tokyo seems a bit more sparse which may be intentional - there is just so much to do that it may be easier to have time for people to do what they want or else they'd need a lot more time there. The things they chose are iconic and while I'm a little surprised they aren't taking people to the top of the metropolitan building or Tokyo Tower (silly though it is) and stopping by Tsukiji they just aren't going to be must dos for a lot of people. Not everyone is going to want to wander Shinjuku or their garden, go to Golden Gai or spend a lot of time (and money) in Akihabara. I think they chose well - Meiji-jingu and Asakusa/sensoji absolutely ARE cultural must dos in a way the other dozen or so places just aren't.

What sort of things are you interested in..? Are you just adults or are there kiddos in tow? Do you like futuristic stuff, food stuff, museums or are a foodie? Do you like Ghibli? Watch anime? Like trains?

Thanks for your thoughts re Tokyo -I have been curious about both the free time in Tokyo plus no Ghibli, since Disney was distributor for some of those movies in the US. However, your comments make perfect sense As to why the open afternoons. People will likely appreciate the flexibility for time to see what they want.

For us, DS is a huge anime and manga fan, So we will be looking for anime things plus trying to book The Ghibli studio tour when it opens up. I think that is likely to take up most of our free time in Tokyo but will need to start researching. I also found a manga museum in Kyoto that we are likely to go to on our pre- AbD day there.

 

[sayhello]

Thanks for your thoughts re Tokyo -I have been curious about both the free time in Tokyo plus no Ghibli, since Disney was distributor for some of those movies in the US. However, your comments make perfect sense As to why the open afternoons. People will likely appreciate the flexibility for time to see what they want.

For us, DS is a huge anime and manga fan, So we will be looking for anime things plus trying to book The Ghibli studio tour when it opens up. I think that is likely to take up most of our free time in Tokyo but will need to start researching. I also found a manga museum in Kyoto that we are likely to go to on our pre- AbD day there.

I'd love to know what you find out. I'm a big Anime fan myself, but the process around getting tickets to the Ghibli museum is a bit of a turnoff. If there's other things like that in Japan, I'd be interested in checking them out, too!

Sayhello

 

[AquaDame]

I was told that the October trip is still waiting for a group to purchase. The agent offered to add me for a waitlist for the October trip in case it is opened to everyone.

The group I had suspected has indeed placed a hold on that date - WDWradio. Maybe if they don't fill the entire trip then they will open it up but I'm not sure when that would be.

 

[wanderlust7]

There are no more spots for the Disneyland add on and they have started a waitlist for that. I will look into booking either the same package or hotel by myself since it seems like you can purchase the same add on. Any hints on booking TDR rooms would be appreciated.

Was curious and looked at the TDR packages. They have one with 2 "A" Fastpasses and 6 "D" ones. ABD comes with 3 "A" and 12 "D". Price through TDR for 2 people at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel in a Beauty and the Beast room (one of the pricier rooms there I believe), random weekdays in June came out to 250,000 yen or $2292 total. So almost half off ABD, but less FP, no transportation, and if ABD price is for weekends, that would change the calculation as well.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Was curious and looked at the TDR packages. They have one with 2 "A" Fastpasses and 6 "D" ones. ABD comes with 3 "A" and 12 "D". Price through TDR for 2 people at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel in a Beauty and the Beast room (one of the pricier rooms there I believe), random weekdays in June came out to 250,000 yen or $2292 total. So almost half off ABD, but less FP, no transportation, and if ABD price is for weekends, that would change the calculation as well.

The AbD packages all start on a Sunday & end on the following week Wednesday, so the TDR extensions will be Wednesday night for the one night option and Wednesday/Thursday for the two night option. The AbD extension also includes breakfast buffet each morning, a drink coupon and a resort monorail pass for the duration of the stay. I have not Priced TDR so don’t know how much those add to the overall value

 

[Mathmagicland]

I'd love to know what you find out. I'm a big Anime fan myself, but the process around getting tickets to the Ghibli museum is a bit of a turnoff. If there's other things like that in Japan, I'd be interested in checking them out, too!

Sayhello

I will definitely share what we find.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Was curious and looked at the TDR packages. They have one with 2 "A" Fastpasses and 6 "D" ones. ABD comes with 3 "A" and 12 "D". Price through TDR for 2 people at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel in a Beauty and the Beast room (one of the pricier rooms there I believe), random weekdays in June came out to 250,000 yen or $2292 total. So almost half off ABD, but less FP, no transportation, and if ABD price is for weekends, that would change the calculation as well.

This is pretty much what I found, too. That's a pretty huge premium, but the extra Fastpasses are nice. I have no idea what a car costs to Tokyo Disney and then to the airport. Even at $200 each way that's only $200 a person. I guess I have to figure out how much the guarantee is worth.

@Mathmagicland The packages on Tokyo Disney site include most if not all of that as well. I don't remember on the drink coupon, but monorail transportation and restaurant breakfast are definitely included. You can actually reserve your dining times as you make the reservation (I went through the process as far as I could without paying).

 

[distravel]

Was curious and looked at the TDR packages. They have one with 2 "A" Fastpasses and 6 "D" ones. ABD comes with 3 "A" and 12 "D". Price through TDR for 2 people at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel in a Beauty and the Beast room (one of the pricier rooms there I believe), random weekdays in June came out to 250,000 yen or $2292 total. So almost half off ABD, but less FP, no transportation, and if ABD price is for weekends, that would change the calculation as well.

Thanks for the information. Will have to check out the TDR website.

 

[distravel]

The group I had suspected has indeed placed a hold on that date - WDWradio. Maybe if they don't fill the entire trip then they will open it up but I'm not sure when that would be.

Thanks for the inside scoop. I'm surprised the ABD Vacationistas are not given this information. Looking forward to meeting some Disboarders on the September 29 trip.

 

[sayhello]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

Sayhello

 

[CaliKris]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

Sayhello

That's unbelievable, but I can still believe it. People have been waiting for an ABD to Japan for a long time. I hope they add more dates to accommodate more people rather than increasing the maximum number of guests on a trip.

 

[Theta]

If the Japan adventures are sold out, would the price have continually gone up all day or does the price stay the same on opening day?

 

[tgeorge]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

Sayhello

So, what you're telling me, is I'm not going to be any better off next year if we pick Japan?

I agree with CaliKris, there has been so much desire for this trip that I believe it.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

Sayhello

Wow!

 

[bearsgirl]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

Sayhello

Is there current info on fb and where can I find?

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

I'm seeing reports on fb that the Japan trips are all sold out...

That is crazy! Sold out before even releasing to the public? I believe the value is there for this trip. Hotels are amazing and itinerary is superb.

I wonder how many guests are on our departure.

I am very glad that we are booked, paid our deposit and returned the signed travel agreement!

 

[Mathmagicland]

Re sold out - it does not show any waitlisted dates on the AbD website except the October group which has shown that from the start. With the river cruises, when the 2019 dates were released, the website was updated overnight to show which cabin categories were waitlisted. So not sure if truly every Japan tour is already fully booked...

 

[sayhello]

That's unbelievable, but I can still believe it. People have been waiting for an ABD to Japan for a long time. I hope they add more dates to accommodate more people rather than increasing the maximum number of guests on a trip.

I hope you're right! More people would not be good.

If the Japan adventures are sold out, would the price have continually gone up all day or does the price stay the same on opening day?

I was wondering that same thing!

So, what you're telling me, is I'm not going to be any better off next year if we pick Japan?

I agree with CaliKris, there has been so much desire for this trip that I believe it.

No, you may be fine. This year is the frenzy for those of us who have been waiting for a Japan trip for years. Next year shouldn't be quite as frenetic. The same thing happened (only not quite as crazy) when they introduced the Scotland trip.

Is there current info on fb and where can I find?

I'll PM you when I get home later.

That is crazy! Sold out before even releasing to the public? I believe the value is there for this trip. Hotels are amazing and itinerary is superb.

I wonder how many guests are on our departure.

I am very glad that we are booked, paid our deposit and returned the signed travel agreement!

I'm very glad, too!

Re sold out - it does not show any waitlisted dates on the AbD website except the October group which has shown that from the start. With the river cruises, when the 2019 dates were released, the website was updated overnight to show which cabin categories were waitlisted. So not sure if truly every Japan tour is already fully booked...

They were still booking until 11pm last night. It's possible the website just hasn't gotten updated yet. The Vacationista I talked to, based on response prior to yesterday, fully expected it to sell out before it opened to the general public.

Sayhello