Mention the word "Japan" and what's the first thought that comes to your mind?
Super clean. Yummy food. Cuteness overload merchandise (Kawaii ~~~~~). Polite and thoughtful service level beyond words. Amazing infrastructure which put other countries to shame. Yes - that's how much I LOVE Japan.
Our last trip to Tokyo was in 2007 during our couple days - how I missed those carefree days where you don't need to worry about having a little rascal with you. Just book your air ticket, pack your luggage and off you go!
We were supposed to visit Osaka and Kyoto subsequently in 2011. However, we received devastating news of the tsunami one week before our departure. So, we decided to change our holiday destination on a short notice. Luckily, the airline and hotels were understanding of the situation and only charged us a minimal sum for cancellation.
And so, we consoled ourselves we will definitely make our way to Japan eventually. Then came the news that we are expecting a new addition to our family, followed by this first-time mum's anxiety of travelling with a little human. The thought of packing (I think I will need to bring the entire house with me!) puts me off. And then, and then, and then, and then......
Fast forward to 2017 when this Mummy felt more comfortable travelling with a pre-schooler. Actually, my wish is to bring her to Disney Florida before she starts her learning journey in the primary school. However, both the flying distance and budget made this wish almost impossible to achieve. So we had to make do with a trip to Disneyland in Tokyo. I made the promise to my princess that she will meet her favourite princess. So the planning (and the saving up for the trip) started.....
However, we were dealt a nasty blow when the princess contracted the chickenpox virus two weeks before our departure date. Goodness me! We were denied our chance in 2011 by the tsunami and now it seems like the chickenpox virus is threatening our chance to Japan again. It was a race against time to get the princess to recover for the trip. Luckily, she managed to obtain doctor's clearance to fly! Phew ~~~~~~~
And FINALLY we can go to Japan! After 11 years!!!! After so many setbacks and hiccups.....
Departure Day
Singapore Changi Airport
Tokyo Haneda International Airport
Disney Ambassador Hotel
Ikipiari Mall - Dinner at Rainforest Café
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| Hi everyone! It's 5.30am! |
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We arrived at the airport way ahead of time
Sleepy but excited! |
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| The super excited girl |
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| Light breakfast before flight |
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| AWS are ready to go! |
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| Koi pond in Terminal 3 Departure Hall |
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| My "boss" |
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| Oh man... This used to be my favourite in London.... |
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| YES! |
Both of us were exhausted when we boarded the plane as we were packing till the wee hours. The early departure time (8am! Yes to us it's early) did little to help. The princess on the other hand went to bed early the night before and woke up fully charged for the day. She was chatting animatedly and posing for photos enthusiastically at the airport.
With Daddy snoozing the moment he fastened his seat belt and Mummy staring blankly into a twilight zone, the princess on the other hand just couldn't contain her excitement. Thank goodness for the inflight entertainment on the A350 that kept the princess occupied for most of the flight.
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| In the waiting area |
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| She cannot travel without these 2 "friends" |
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| Found a new "toy" - Daddy's neck pillow |
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| Boarding the plane |
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| Ready for take off! |
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| The sleepy big dragon vs the energetic little dragon |
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| Favourable cabin lighting for selfie |
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| Happy with the inflight children amenity |
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The princess was sooooooo hungry before the meal service.
So Mummy had to ask the crew nicely for her meal
to be served first. |
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| Wow~~~~~ so many goodies |
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| So yummy! |
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| Slurping my soba after finishing her main course |
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My Japanese meal selection
Check out the missing soba! |
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| Doing some colouring after lunch |
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| The cute Star Wars figurine |
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| Spotted Mount Fuji on our approach to Tokyo! |
After 6 hours, we finally touched down at Tokyo Haneda Airport! The princess did well, considering this is her longest flight time so far.
After collecting our luggage, we took the airport limousine bus to our chosen Disney resort. The departure time for buses and trains is VERY punctual. So please try to be at pickup point or train platform at least 5 minutes before departure.
Upon boarding the bus, the princess couldn't beat the sleepy monster anymore and slept throughout the journey.
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Arrival at Haneda airport
Still so energetic ~~~~ |
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| Mr & Mrs Tan |
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While waiting for us to collect our luggage, she took
her notebook and started doodling |
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Then she complained of hunger again!
Once again, she amazed us with her appetite |
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| Our bus is here! |
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| Disneyland, here we come! |
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| Taken on the bus. Just before everyone zzzzz |
After about 45 minutes or so, we finally reached Disney Ambassador Hotel - our first hotel stay for our trip!
There are 3 Disney hotels at Disney resort - Tokyo Disneyland Hotel (nearest to Disneyland), Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta (In DisneySea) and Disney Ambassador Hotel (in between Disneyland and DisneySea).
Disney Ambassador Hotel is the only hotel to offer breakfast with Chef Mickey and it's exclusive for hotel guests only. We reckon we may not get the chance to get up close and personal with characters anywhere else. So what better way than to have breakfast with them?
Booking this hotel was a little challenging. Though the official website
Disney Ambassador Hotel is in English (phew!), you need to create a Disney account before making any booking.
There will be a deposit fee required to guarantee the booking. This deposit will form part of any amendments (date or room type) or cancellation fees. In other words, no free cancellation! So please be very sure of your itinerary before making any booking. The balance amount will be collected from you upon check in.
On the online booking page, there is a online reservation privilege option. This is where you can make a reservation at certain restaurants especially those with character dining. So I used this option to reserve our breakfast with Chef Mickey for the following day.
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| The hotel ceiling |
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| See who greeted us at the entrance |
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The corner to keep the little ones occupied
while waiting to check in |
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The front desk
Very efficient! |
After completing the check in paperwork, we were told to take a seat at the lobby area and wait for our names to be called. After waiting for 5 minutes or so, a cheerful lady called out my name and ushered us towards the elevator while pushing the cart with all our luggage.
Upon entering the elevator, we can hear Mickey Mouse's voice! So happy though we have no idea what he was saying in Japanese. We tried asking the lady who was escorting us to our room but she only spoke very basic English.
The princess made a dash into the room the moment the door was opened. The day(s) that she has been looking forward to has finally arrived!
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Room key access
It's ours to keep as souvenirs! |
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| Anticipation awaits ~~~~~ |
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| Our cosy room for 2 nights |
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| Wall motifs |
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A thoughtful gesture goes a long way
Stool for the little ones to access the wash basin |
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Mirror Mirror on the wall ~~~`
Who's the fairest of them all?? |
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If you look carefully, there's mickey on four corners
of the mirror |
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| Amenities |
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I love this separate shower room!
A door meaning no more wet floor!
The princess on the other hand had her eyes
on the bathtub! |
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| Daddy, Mummy and Princess |
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| PJs are provided too! |
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| Bedroom slippers for everyone! |
To be honest, we were wowed by the hospitality and thoughtfulness of this Disney hotel. It's the tiny and kind gestures they have in store for guests that left us speechless. And if you take a closer look, there were Mickey Mouse motifs everywhere! On the floor carpet, ceiling, walls, mirrors, curtains and so on..... We were so carried away and busy taking photos that we lost track of time.
We planned to visit DisneySea, making use of the "After 6pm" passport. Tickets were discounted if you enter the park after 6pm. However, with our over excitement in seeing our room, we were behind schedule and feeling hungry! So we decided to forgo our DisneySea plans and enjoy our dinner at the Ikspiari Mall nearby.
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| Yeah! Going for dinner! |
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Her first time in cold climate
and she loves it! |
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Our hotel night view
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The Ikspiari Shopping Mall is conveniently located next to Disney Ambassador Hotel. There are many retails shops, restaurants, a supermarket and even a movie theatre!
We had our dinner at Rainforest Café to let the princess have a different dining experience. Don't be mistaken by the name - it's not a place to sip coffee in a café. It's a restaurant in a manmade rainforest setting with "animals". At certain intervals, there will be "rain" and "thunder" with the "animals" moving and making noises. Kids will love it if they like animals. The princess was not too excited about it as she commented it's "too dark". She did however commented that the food was yummy!
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| Ikspiari Shopping Mall |
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| The outdoor area of the mall |
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She was getting grouchy as she's hungry
Waiting time was about 40mins |
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| At the bar counter |
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| Almost there ~~~~~~ |
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| The beautiful aquarium |
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Kids were given activity sheet while waiting
for food to be served |
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| First meal in Japan! |
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| Our drinks! |
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The super hungry girl who ate too fast and
complained of tummy ache |
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Buffalo wings
With wedges and crackers |
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Daddy's meal
Seafood pasta |
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My meal
Chicken with seafood |
After dinner, we made a quick stop at the 24hr convenience store located in the hotel lobby - one of the many reasons why we chose this hotel too. Somehow, I feel more "secured" knowing a supermart or convenience store is just a stone's throw away - just in case you feel hungry in the middle of the night, you can just swing by and buy some food.
As we were checking out very early on Day 3 for our flight to Kansai, I had to book our limousine transport with the Guest Services counter to secure our seats, By now, the princess was complaining of a severe tummy ache and couldn't walk. So I had to ask Daddy to bring her back to the room first.
And this is the sight that greeted me when I went back to the room.
According to Daddy, a visit to the toilet took away all her pain and the doting dad gave in to her request for a bubble bath.
Well..... at least she's smiling now. Isn't that worth so much more?
Looking forward to our day at Disneyland tomorrow!
Japan Trip 2018 - Day 2 --->
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