Like the title alludes to, we arrive into Haneda at 5AM and our hotel is in Ginza but we can’t check in before 3pm (we emailed to confirm this, they said it was a slight possibility the room could be ready sooner, but only guarantee would be if we pay for the prior night). We can drop our bags in advance of check-in, which we are planning to do. Then we are thinking to go to DisneySea for the day (using ‘day’ loosely).
As we see it
Pros: manufactured fun. One stop shop. Food, sights, wonder. You just show up. Doesn’t require much navigating/wayfinding once we reach the park (in comparison to being in and around Tokyo) Probably will have a good amount of English speakers/signage (not as much brain power required) We have a kid and Disney (at least in Florida and California) is already full of screaming kids so if he’s miserable he’ll fit right in? Probably a more stroller friendly location in Tokyo so he could sleep in his stroller for hours undisturbed …in theory …
DisneySea was lower on our list and we thought to skip it initially, so if we only survive a few hours, still way cheaper than going in US and we at least experienced it some.
Trying foods and seeing merchandise unique to DisneySea, maybe a ride or two, and then we can say we experienced it. Or maybe the excitement and adrenaline will carry us through?
Cons: jet lag. Misery. Shortchanging ourselves on this experience. I booked Teamlabs for the next morning at 10:30am so we will be on somewhat of a schedule the following day and can’t sleep in for unlimited hours.
We only have 8 days so I would love not to “waste” one. And either way we possibly can’t get into our room/bed until 3pm.
What am I not thinking about? Is my perspective totally off ? Shoot me straight. Except please no feedback about traveling to Japan with a kid b/c I already know ppl on this sub think it’s insane.
Any alternative suggestions on how to spend that day?
15 comments
Sounds like a bad plan to me. If the jetlag is bad, you’ll be tired and disoriented in an environment that demands attention every moment. I imagine this would be compounded for a child who has no control over the situation (like the ability to bail when they want, independently). Unless you’re Disney fanatics who visit all the different theme parks they can, I’d suggest otherwise taking it easy around Ginza for the day (it’s not all fancy designer shops, only really the main street is like that). Soak in the environment, eat some good food, and prime yourself for the rest of the trip. Holidays shouldn’t be hard work, IMO.
Depends if you get jet lag? I’m usually fine going but coming back is hard. Disney sea is a high pace as you want it to be. You don’t have to go on all the rides, the atmosphere is nice enough to sit back and watch the shows. Duffy might be a character your kid can relate to. If you can afford it, check it out.
There’s not much to do early morning other than parks and shrines
If you’re travelling from the US, this is a really bad idea. You and your family will be fairly zonked from the flight, including a lack of sleep as well as jet lag, and should plan an easy day.
If you want to check in to your hotel on arrival, tweak the booking to start the day before you arrive – lots of Australians do this when travelling to Europe to help manage jet lag issues that are comparable to US-Japan travel.
You can go to a place like Kaikatsu club for a shower and rest. There are several in Tokyo and the price is very reasonable
We actually did almost exactly this a few weeks ago. Arrived at Narita in the early afternoon and went to Disneyland. Stayed the night and did Disney Sea the next day. To be honest the rides in both parks that aren’t in any of the other ones are fantastic. Highly recommend the rides in the volcano. If you do Disneyland the Beauty and the Beast ride was awesome! I’m a dude and haven’t seen that movies in decades but it was awesome!
It’s definitely worth seeing atleast once. We actually ended up tacking on an extra day at the end of our trip to go back and do some of the things we missed. I wouldn’t worry to much about the stress of the park, it’s easy to get around with the app and people are very helpful and almost all speak some english. We don’t have kids so can’t speak to that.
We actually also stayed in Ginza. The subway ride to disney is actually pretty easily navigable. You can get both there with any of the IC cards. I think it was pretty inexpensive. If you stay for the fireworks or nighttime shows it can be very crowded getting back.
We are also getting in at 5. Travel agent suggested we book an extra day, the day we travel, then tell the hotel we are checking in very early the following morning. We get to check in, go up to our rooms, and just zonk out until after the morning rush.
I can chime in since I just got back from Japan and Disney Sea
We considered doing what you’re thinking. We had a flight that landed around 5-6am, we’d go to the hotel, drop off our bags, and head over to Disneysea.
We actually decided not to do it and do it the following day (Saturday vs Friday). It was very very crowded on a weekend.
If you’re familiar with the Disney parks in general, Disneysea is actually relatively small-ish, and we were able to do everything by around 4-5pm. We did buy a fast pass for Journey to Center because it was 120+ mins.
My point is, I think we could have actually done Disneysea that firts day of landing. it’ll keep you awake, and leave once you’re done. You won’t need to be there the entire time. Had we known that we would finish Disneysea so quickly, we would’ve bought an evening pass to Disneyland to see Beauty and the Beast
Honestly with a stroller-aged kid coming from the US, jet lagged and zonked at 5am? I’d book that extra night so you can check in right away. Give yourself time to chill. If you’re awake, explore around your hotel. But at least then you can chill if you need to!
I say this as someone who traveled with a 2.5 year old from the US to Japan. My kid unexpectedly threw up on me during the flight. We were all exhausted. I needed a shower. I would have hated not being able to check in some place.
If this is your only opportunity to go to DisneySea during your trip, then I guess… go for it, otherwise, I’d say this is a bad plan. This particular park is arguably the best Disney park in the world, so it’s worth going to if you at least mildly enjoy the Disney thing. You’re gonna be draggin’ though if you go into this with more than the intention to stroll casually. Theme park days are fucking exhausting.
Personally, I worked at WDW, so I like checking out the other resorts abroad when I get the chance, and I’m glad I dedicated time to seeing them.
Jetlag depends on where you’re coming from…we flew at 11:20 am and got there at 2:50 pm, barely slept on the plane, it was like being up 24 hours or so, but it was okay,. Came from Western Canada.
Sounds like you get to sleep on the plane travelling at night.
The jet lag on the way back home was worse then going there.
So different logistical stuff:
– there are luggage storage lockers at the airport
– most of the hotels when you get there will store your luggage until you can actually check in.
– at the airport there are luggage delivery services.
– I was just reading there are showers at the airport too, but at like ¥1050 for 30 mins per person, that’s pretty pricey, IMO.
Have fun, it’s an amazing city.
Whenever I’ve travelled from California, I literally need the rest of that first night to recoop at the hotel and sleep.
The thing to also consider, is that people will line up to enter the park 2-3 hours early. Fastpass no longer exists, so it would be crucial to be at the park earlier than it opens in order to have a fulfilled day.
On top of that, after arriving at the airport, it’s going to take you time to go through customs and all of those things, get your bags, etc.
This will be a very grueling day for you, but I wish you all the best.
Eeeeee I feel like no. I say this as a mom of a toddler who flew to japan from the US recently and as a huge Disney nerd. Definitely go to Tokyo Disney, but see if your hotel will potentially let you check in early… I needed to just lay down after that trip lollllll.
only providing input on the first part of your trip. Japanese lockers are very underrated, Instead of travelling to ginza, drop your bag then head to disney, you could rather head straight to disney and keep your big bags in the lockers. Saves you a lot of time. This works with wherever you first want to go to should you decide to change your plans. Lockers can be found all around.
If you did this going to Ginza and then back to Disney sounds a little crazy, adds a good hour or two to your trip. I imagine Disney might have somewhere you could pay to store your bags – not 100%, but worth checking
I was so tired and cranky when I arrived. I also got really motion sick on the plane and ended up dehydrated and feeling super sick. (The airport was hot, crowded, chaotic with no water filling stations that I saw, though we went to the other one). I was so grateful my husband planned it so we’d basically grab some food and go to straight to bed upon arrival. Train stations are also highly chaotic and confusing so getting to and from the hotel would be a beast. English really isn’t as common as we were led to believe. Honestly, navigating was the most stressful part of our trip and that was without children.
Figure 2 hours to get out of the airport, an hour to get to your hotel and check your bags in (8am) another 1-1.5 hours to get to Disney sea, stand in line to get in around 11am. These are conservative estimates if you’re great at navigating in a foreign language and a fast walker while exhausted. Map travel time expects you to walk Japanese fast and know exactly where you’re going which likely won’t be the case much of the time.
You may be better off strolling through the streets and exploring a little bit. It would be helpful to get to know what’s in the area you’re staying in, and Tokyo has so much to see in every corner. Less crowds, more chance to stop and rest or eat as needed. You can find a Starbucks and veg out for a bit. And less travel is better when you’re that tired.