Japan has a lot of amusement and theme parks, including world top picks; Disney and Universal Studios.
Late last year, we booked a 10-day trip to Japan. My siblings and I were so eager to plan our itinerary, atop it was to visit Disney Resort (DisneySea) and Universal Studios. Chiefly because DisneySea can only be found in Japan, and of course Universal Studios to visit Harry Potter.
Whether you're planning to see Universal Studios, Disneyland, or DisneySea - below are few tips on how you'll enjoy the said parks.
1. If you're only staying around Osaka, make a trip to Universal Studios.
You can purchase tickets in advance so you can skip the queues. And study how you'll be commuting to and from USJ.
You can purchase tickets in advance so you can skip the queues. And study how you'll be commuting to and from USJ.
Our Osaka airbnb is located in Shinsaibashi which is also close to Dotonbori. Yay!
Fare: Y390 (travel time 18 minutes)
Osakanamba (Hanshinnanba Line) 8 mins to --- Nishikujo Station --- then proceed to JR Sakurajima Line (Yumesaki Line) 5 mins to --- Universal City Station
2. A trip to Tokyo? Visit either Disneyland or DisneySea, or both.
Having visited Disneyland in Hong Kong, and with only three days to spare in Tokyo, my family and I decided to just visit DisneySea, not to mention it's the only DisneySea in the world.
Disneyland or DisneySea? Well, DisneySea has more distinct mature flavor.
Tickets can also be purchased online, or in any Disney Store within Tokyo (there's one along Shibuya).
Tokyo airbnb is located in Shinagawa, roughly 5 minutes walk to Gotanda Station. (Highly recommend this airbnb, not to mention Sho (host) is very accommodating.
Fare: Y650 (travel time 1h5m)
Gotanda Station (JR Yamanote Line) 16 mins to --- TokyoStation (JR Keiyo Line Rapid) 14 mins to --- Maihama Station *South Exit* --- 237m / 5-6 mins walk --- Resort-Gateway Station (Disney Resort Line) 9 mins to --- Tokyo Disney Sea Station
3. Plan your theme park trip early, or purchase a two-day pass if you can! We spent a day in each park, both were fun yet truly exhausting. Wish we had extra day to fully enjoy, and ride everything!
4. Wear something you're comfortable, and weather appropriate. Always check for weather updates.
5. To save time: Study the park's map, its show schedule, and plan an itinerary, or prioritize which area you really want to see first.
Fast / express pass can be purchase, although in DisneySea, you can grab two free express pass, all you need is your ticket card.
6. Outside food are not prohibited. Bring fluids to keep you hydrated!
7. Enjoy, take lots of photos, and ride everything you can!
Recommended rides (in no particular order):
Universal Studios Japan (USJ)
- Upon entering, we head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (if you see people running right, they're probably heading to HP haha). The staff welcomed us, and invited us, which we gladly accepted. Since we went there early, we were accommodated quickly *no waiting time yay*, our first ride... Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. One of the best moment of my life! IT WAS AWESOME AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE! It's a 4K3D thrilling ride that takes you travelling through the Hogwarts Castle. Imagine riding a broomstick with Harry Potter, Hermione, Ron, etc., and a face to face with Dementors and the Golden Snitch! It was magical! So there, imagine getting out of that ride, our first USJ ride! Floating, feeling like getting injected with Nalbuphine (anesthesia). Anyway, there's nothing to worry if waiting time is around 144 minutes, while you queued, talking portraits, holograms, and everything in the Hogwarts Castle will keep you entertained aka Hogwarts Castle Walk.
- The Flying Dinosaur - queued 230 minutes under the scorching sun for this (not complaining though, ride was definitely worth it! We were suspended as if we were being held (face-down / in a prone position) by a Pteranodon.
DisneySea
- Journey to the Center of the Earth - a must when you visit DisneySea! Unlike Disneylands, DisneySea will tingle you. The journey was beautiful! The ride begins through a cavern of colourful glowing crystals, then you'll be entering a forest with bizarre looking insects, and monsters, and ends up being forced out of the volcano.
- Tower of Terror - line starts at the Hotel Hightower, then will be ushered to the elevator, and at the storage room, I was 70% scared at those moment feeling like Shiriki Utundu will show beside me. The story were beautiful although cursed. The drop sequence were thrilling!
In conclusion, both parks were unique, and truly worth a visit. So, if your itinerary screams Osaka and Tokyo, please do visit both parks! I wished we have an extra day so we can experience everything. First half of the day, we rode park's best attraction, attended park's amazing shows, and the remaining half were spent taking photos of every wall of the park. Everything's picturesque! Haha
See you again (VERY) soon, Japan!
Universal Studios Japan USJ, Osaka
DisneySea, Tokyo, Japan
June 2017
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