Tokyo Disney Land/Sea
#16
Join Date: Dec 2004
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First I wouldn't suggest to anyone who is visiting Japan to use their precious time and money and spend three different days at Tokyo Disney to begin with. As you allude to, there are a million other things one can do then see Disney characters while visiting Japan.
Well it is Japan, overcrowding is going to be expected if you are traveling to one of the largest Metropolitan areas in the entire world during special days at the park.
As for the English part, I would venture to say as much as 98-99% or so of their customer base is probably Japanese people, there's a reason why both parks are profitable parks, and its because of that base, yes it is a American company, but they exported it to Japan to get Japanese people into Disney.
If you like roller coasters then there's nothing like riding some of the worlds tallest and fastest coasters at Fuji Q Highland theme park. Nothing cool like riding a coaster with a clear and fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.
Well it is Japan, overcrowding is going to be expected if you are traveling to one of the largest Metropolitan areas in the entire world during special days at the park.
As for the English part, I would venture to say as much as 98-99% or so of their customer base is probably Japanese people, there's a reason why both parks are profitable parks, and its because of that base, yes it is a American company, but they exported it to Japan to get Japanese people into Disney.
If you like roller coasters then there's nothing like riding some of the worlds tallest and fastest coasters at Fuji Q Highland theme park. Nothing cool like riding a coaster with a clear and fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.
#17
Join Date: May 2000
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As you allude to, there are a million other things one can do then see Disney characters while visiting Japan.
yes it is a American company, but they exported it to Japan to get Japanese people into Disney.
#18
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
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Actually that's one of the reasons that Disney fans like to go to Tokyo Disney: it's the only Disney resort worldwide that the American company has 0% ownership of and doesn't manage itself. It's owned and managed by a Japanese company under license. So, the service and maintenance standards are so much higher than elsewhere not just because it's in Japan and caters to Japanese guests, but because it's owned by a Japanese company and managed by Japanese managers. There's a different feel to the place as a result.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2006
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My cousin works at Disneyland, it was a requirement for her employment to pass an English proficiency test. She says all frontline staff must pass this test. They may be shy speaking it but for sure they can understand it.
#20
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
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Pretty much every student in Japan is required to pass a series of English examinations and proficiency tests. Has been that way for many years.
If communicating in English is so important then take a notebook and pen and present your requests succinctly in clear, legible writing.
#21
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Need an excuse to call my cousin, this was as good as any.
She said that her test was verbal, given by an American HR woman for basic English conversation. She said the test was super easy and basic.
In her opinion, many of the people who work there can speak and understand however they are shy or intimidated. Especially if the visitor's English accent is a little different than the English they were taught, they second guess themselves.
She said that her test was verbal, given by an American HR woman for basic English conversation. She said the test was super easy and basic.
In her opinion, many of the people who work there can speak and understand however they are shy or intimidated. Especially if the visitor's English accent is a little different than the English they were taught, they second guess themselves.
#22
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
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Originally Posted by Peter Cook
... and so I became a miner instead. A coal miner. I managed to get through the mining exams—they’re not very rigorous. They only ask one question. They say ‘Who are you?’, and I got 75% for that.
#23
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A fine idea. But Ryochan's is in Shibuya, up on the hill with the hourly hotels, I believe, so need to hit the countryside.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
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It's not a very material distinction because a license agreement gives the licensor much more power than they have as a shareholder; Disney can dictate exactly how they want the characters and themes to be used because of the license agreement, not because they own stock. (Try buying stock in a company and then telling management what to do; they will politely laugh you out of the room. Cf. the last Goldman Sachs AGM.) If you think that Disney takes a hands-off approach to any of its theme parks, you are mistaken. They are very active in monitoring and controlling what Orient Land does with the franchise, just as they do with the other franchised and Disney-owned parks.
#25
Join Date: Jun 2008
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As others have pointed out, although all the Japanese staff undoubtably has some English skills due to mandatory reqs in junior high and high school, they may be either too shy or not confident enough to use it. Also, due to the distribution of guests that come to Tokyo Disneyland, I doubt that the staff usually uses any English on any given day anyway.
#26
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,633
For some reason that I can't really fathom, the staff at McD and Starbucks do actually communicate about orders with each other in a warped form of English.
#28
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,405
Strategies for minimising wait times?
I know there are a few veterans who knock around this forum who have PLENTY of experience at these parks.
Next month I'm going on my first family trip with papa, grandad and a 2 and a half year old. We will avoid the weekends/holidays.
First question: There's a spike in hotel prices around the 28th March (even more so than the expected peak around the 20th March Bank holiday). Does anyone have any comments on why this might be?
Second question: Maximising Fastpass.
I thought a stratagem might be to head for the Hunny Hunt ride as soon as the doors open and wait in line there whilst MrLapLap goes to the Fastpass machine for Monsters Inc with our entry passes.
Is this feasible? The assumption is that a. MrLapLap won't need to wait much more than 20 minutes to get the FPass, and that b. he will be able to rejoin us in the HHunt queue. Or would it be better if I get the passes as it might be more palatable to those in line at HHunt to allow a 'mommy smash' through a line to reunite with her sprog?
Waiting in line has been an understood part of the experience for me - I've some wonderful memories of spending that time with sweet strangers and adorable families - but I don't think LapInfant will be quite so happy to shuffle around for extended periods (although I know she's going to LOVE the rides, enough to make the queuing worthwhile). I'm keen to reduce her frustration as much as possible.
Next month I'm going on my first family trip with papa, grandad and a 2 and a half year old. We will avoid the weekends/holidays.
First question: There's a spike in hotel prices around the 28th March (even more so than the expected peak around the 20th March Bank holiday). Does anyone have any comments on why this might be?
Second question: Maximising Fastpass.
I thought a stratagem might be to head for the Hunny Hunt ride as soon as the doors open and wait in line there whilst MrLapLap goes to the Fastpass machine for Monsters Inc with our entry passes.
Is this feasible? The assumption is that a. MrLapLap won't need to wait much more than 20 minutes to get the FPass, and that b. he will be able to rejoin us in the HHunt queue. Or would it be better if I get the passes as it might be more palatable to those in line at HHunt to allow a 'mommy smash' through a line to reunite with her sprog?
Waiting in line has been an understood part of the experience for me - I've some wonderful memories of spending that time with sweet strangers and adorable families - but I don't think LapInfant will be quite so happy to shuffle around for extended periods (although I know she's going to LOVE the rides, enough to make the queuing worthwhile). I'm keen to reduce her frustration as much as possible.
#30
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
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I know there are a few veterans who knock around this forum who have PLENTY of experience at these parks.
Next month I'm going on my first family trip with papa, grandad and a 2 and a half year old. We will avoid the weekends/holidays.
First question: There's a spike in hotel prices around the 28th March (even more so than the expected peak around the 20th March Bank holiday). Does anyone have any comments on why this might be?
Next month I'm going on my first family trip with papa, grandad and a 2 and a half year old. We will avoid the weekends/holidays.
First question: There's a spike in hotel prices around the 28th March (even more so than the expected peak around the 20th March Bank holiday). Does anyone have any comments on why this might be?
It's the end of the school year and all the children have vacation until the first week of April. I would suppose it is a mini-peak also there could be some collateral action from the cherry blossoms. IMO