Originally Posted by
mnbp
Sorry, I don't have experience purchasing tickets online via TDR's web site or from a convenience store, and can't speak to how will-call works. I've purchased tickets at HTB (cash only) and at the gate (cash or any major international credit card accepted). If you speak Japanese (even a little), go ahead and try will-call or convenience store, but if not, I suggest just purchasing tickets at the gate - that ALWAYS works (and is easy)! Just get to the theme park gate about 60-80 minutes in advance of park open time on the first day to purchase tickets and get towards the front of the queue for admission, unless you decide to get the after-6 the first day, in which case you'd want to get to the gate maybe 45 minutes in advance to buy the tickets and then join the after-6-entry queue. You'd be able to buy all the tickets you need with just one visit to the ticket booth.
Thanks again mnbp. Our first day of TDR is looking like it will be some time around mid-day, Thu 9/27. Imagine there would be long lines for tickets. The weather looks like all rain in Kyoto (sadly), so we'll be arriving at TDR earlier than expected. Actually, it would have been evening had we not omitted Kyoto due to rain. Some on the forums have advised against even an overnight in Kyoto just due to the sheer scope and scale of sites. I sure don't want to be stuck in the rain trying to get all over Kyoto to see my Top 5 or 6 sights.
We've got until late tomorrow night U.S. time (Sat) to decide whether or not to keep the Wed Kyoto night or cancel and use a Wed Tokyo Prince Sakura night we just booked on points as a placeholder--over in Shinigawa Station. Our first two nights in Tokyo will be at the IC Strings on the other side of Shinigawa Station, so shouldn't be too much of a hassle to switch hotels (yes though, I realize the Station is huge).
Glad the crowd expectations are low; except that Sat morning for 9/30 looks high! At least we'll be there for rope-drop on that day at whichever park we decide is our "park hopper" should we decide to buy the three day pass--vs. After 6pm for Thu, then individual tix for Fri and Sat.