Tokyo: Disneyland

After my 1st day at the Tokyo Disney Resort, I knew I couldn't leave without riding Space Mountain or It's a Small World. So, I returned for a second day to visit the second park in the resort. This park is just like the Magic Kingdom and the Disneyland parks around the world with it's own twist for Tokyo.

Instead of Main Street U.S.A., this one has the World Bazar, which looks and feels like Main Street, only it's covered.

Some other quirks to Tokyo Disneyland? The Haunted Mansion is themed to Nightmare Before Christmas. I've never watched that movie, but Haunted Mansion definitely didn't disappoint.

As always, you can find the Disney mainstays like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and It's a Small World.

And, of course, the castle.

I couldn't leave without watching a parade or two, and although I tried to stay for the fireworks show, it was cancelled due to weather.

All in all, it was a fantastic couple of days.

Tokyo: Disney Sea

When I started my journey as a Disney Cast Member 7 years ago {really that long? ack!} I was most excited about free theme park admission. Sure, there are other perks, but I grew up going to Walt Disney World for every vacation, and it is a Bucket List item to visit every Disney Park in the world. Am I obsessed? Possibly.

So, you can imagine when I planned my trip to Tokyo that I planned some time at the Tokyo Disney Resort. This was hard for me. There is so much to do in Tokyo, and so many potential day trips, and I wanted to do all of them. To compromise this, I decided to buy a one-day ticket and to start at Tokyo Disney Sea {there are two parks, Tokyo Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney Sea, and like WDW, they require separate admission. There are not park-hopper passes}. I figured, Tokyo Disneyland is JUST like the Magic Kingdom, and if I was only going for one day, I would rather experience something new.

This park is like a cross between EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is home to 7 lands or "ports of call" which sort of resemble the World Showcase in EPCOT. Various rides can be found in their appropriate Port of Call {The Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania were in New York, for instance} and there were even a few imaginary ones. Mermaid's Lagoon was an underground respite from the sun, and Mysterious Island boasted attractions such as Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

I loved this park!

When you go to the Tokyo Disney Resort, you have to take a train from the city and then connect with the Disney Resort Line. You feel like you're in Disney right away with trains that look like this:

I was obviously smitten. The day kept getting better as I experience the magic of Tower of Terror, Indiana Jones, Minnie Mouse Ice Cream and Mermaid Lagoon.

And, I even ran into a few friends along the way!

Needless to say, I had so much fun that I had to extend my one-day ticket into a two-day ticket and go to Tokyo Disneyland the next day!

Disney World at Night

It's hard to believe it's been five years since I lived near and worked at Disney World. I miss it something fierce, too. I told my mom while were there that I was "homesick." If I didn't already have an amazing opportunity in August, I would have driven myself right over to the casting office and found myself a job. I'm not kidding.

One of my favorite parts of working there {aside from my actual job} was free access to the parks. I worked everywhere and often, after a shift, I and other cast members would run into the park for a quick ride or a favorite show. Sometimes, I'd go to EPCOT just to shop in the World Showcase, or the Magic Kingdom to get my very favorite Disney dessert {pineapple soft serve in pineapple juice. Heaven, y'all}. My roommates and I would run to Downtown Disney, or drive to Hollywood Studios to ride Tower of Terror or Rockin' Roller Coaster.

Most of all, though, I'd go watch the shows/fireworks at night. Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic!, the illuminated Castle or Geosphere. Nothing compares to Disney at night. Nothing.

{Mainstreet USA}

{Cinderella's Castle}

{Cinderella's Castle from Mainstreet}

I mean, how beautiful is that? Let's head to EPCOT, shall we? The World Showcase first, I think.

{Fountain in France}

{Italy}

{The American Adventure}

{Japan, a little blurry}

{Spaceship Earth}

Le sigh. I do love it here. I miss the warm breeze on my face. The excited munchkins just beside themselves, excited to meet their favorite character.

Have you been to Disney World?