Resort Calendars Updated on JTCEnt.com

I've updated the event calendars for both Parks today. There's a lot of things going on with attraction maintenance, temporary shop closures and permanent closures. As always, just for informational purposes only, check the official site for the real deal, and please, no wagering. (wink)

Over at Tokyo Disneyland, Mickey Mouse Revue will be gone forever after the 25th along with two shops. A number of shops, restaurants and food carts will be closed for a short time from June to July or August. I've also added Park Hours information for November.

At Tokyo DisneySea, I've added new showtimes for all the shows including a couple that have returned to Lost River Delta. I also deleted an entry for the maintenance of "Leonardo's Challenge" which was posted last month. November Park Hours were also updated.

Official Site Updates (Apr 25 - May 1)

Casbah Food Court Curry Buffet
Through May, the Casbah Food Court in Arabian Coast will offer an all-you-can-eat selection of curries. For ¥2,300, the buffet course offers 7 curry flavors, rice or nan, tandoori chicken, other side dishes and soft drinks. Offer only available from 5pm to 8pm daily.

Horizon Bay Character Dining
Have a meal with your favorite Disney characters at Horizon Bay Restaurant in Port Discovery. With a purchase of a special course for ¥2,940, Guests can sit in the character greeting section of the restaurant. See the schedule below for times:

May 1st、6th-8th、11th-15th、18th-22nd、25th-29th
10:30am-7:00pm
May 2nd、4th-5th、9th-10th、16th-17th、23th-24th、30th-31st
10:00am-7:00pm
May 3rd
10:00am-8:00pm

Otomari Disney Screen Saver
(Disney Stay Screen Saver)
An original calendar screen saver (shown above) is available from the "Otomari Disney" vacation visit page. It features Mickey Mouse in his room getting ready to sleep. Screen savers are available for Windows and Mac users.

"Ho'ike at Tokyo Disneyland" Lineup Released
This year's lineup of performers for "Ho'ike at Tokyo Disneyland" at Plaza Terrace has been released. From May 7th to 31st, a different amateur group from around the country will perform a mini-show starting at 10:30pm each day. They will dance to Hawaiian and Disney music.

Magical Report: It's Showtime!
From January 19th to March 19th, Tokyo Disneyland hosted a series of amateur dance group shows as part of the Performers Dream Festival. Here is a report and pictures from one of the groups that did a show at the Lucky Nugget Stage: Salsa Brosita.

MiraCosta Book Cover Downloads
Downloads are available from the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta with the Spring Carnival theme and pictures of the Hotel. They can be printed out and made into book covers. So far, two designs have been released and one more is scheduled soon.

Start of Spring Menus at TDH
From May 1st to June 20th, the two restaurants and one lounge inside the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel are offering new selections for the beginning of spring. Sherwood Garden is specializing in ingredients popular in spring cuisine in both lunch and dinner courses. Canna has the "Pleasures of the Table" menu with a bottle of Pouilly-Fuisse Louis Jadot for ¥10,000. At Dreamer's Lounge, the ¥3,000 "Early Summer Afternoon Tea Set" has 25 items including finger sandwiches, scones, desserts and teas.

Mother's Day Recommendations
Tokyo DisneySea is a great place to take mother on Mother's Day. The page showcases popular shows, restaurants and photo spots for a memorable visit to Park.

Ambassador Style Campaign Update
More information is now available for the special menu campaign at Disney Ambassador Hotel. The current "season" is for Mickey Mouse and each eatery at the Hotel offers a unique menu item.

Minna no Taikendan
(Everyone's Words from Experience)
Visitors can submit their own stories online from previous Resort visits. This month's theme is "Rainy Day Fun!" Send in your memories and experiences from a wet yet fun day at the Parks. The deadline is Sunday, May 31st.

New Disney Fan (#203 - June 2009)

The newest issue of Disney Fan Magazine published by Kodansha was released on the April 22nd. It features Mike and Sully in front of the new attraction building at TDL. This month's issue (available for order from Amazon Japan) includes:

- Pictures of Monsters Inc. "Ride & Go Seek!" at TDL. Attraction-related merchandise, menus and campaigns.
- Guide for TDS's Spring Carnival. Special event-related merchandise, menus and campaigns.
- "Fun with Children at the Resort" information
- "Hot Hot Now!" introduces a new line of shirts and hats, some with a Westernland motif.
- There's a report on the "Disney Academy" for training new Cast Members.
- Small article on this year's Disney on Classic tour "Promise".
- Panasonic has a large advertising section featuring TDL.
- The "Disney Shin-Seiki" section is about Disney's Blu-ray Discs.
- The Sheet Music section has "We Rock" from the film "Camp Rock"
- "Disney Cafe Recipes" has a soy pulp and spinach donut in the shape of Mike Wazowski.
- "The Disney Store" prepares for Donald's Birthday with new merchandise.
- "Disney Fan Readers Selection: Disney's Best of Best" CD to be released on May 20th for ¥2,548.
- "My Tokyo Disney Resort" Issue #62 called "Tokyo Disney Resort New Attraction Guidebook"

Spring Carnival (2009) CD Released

On April 22nd, the CD for TDS's Spring Carnival was released at the Resort (April 29th nationwide). It has two tracks including a bonus track for "Fly to Your Heart" from the "Tinker Bell" soundtrack. Below is more detailed information and to the right is the Amazon Japan link in case you'd like a copy for yourself.

Label / Distributor:
Walt Disney Records / Avex Records (AVCW-12718)
Tracks:
1. Fairies Primavera
(23:44; Fly to Your Heart / It's Spring / Spring Fever (Presley) / "Spring" (Vivaldi) / Springtime Jump / Spring (The Season for Love) / The Carnival of Spring)
2. Fly to Your Heart
(3:12; from "Tinker Bell")
Price: ¥2,100

New Park Guide Designs (April)

From April 15th, both Parks unveiled new designs for the Guide Map and Today brochures. These are available free of charge for Guests at each Park with lots of information and show times. Guides are also available in English, Korean and Chinese.

Below are the Japanese guides for both Parks. The Guide Map is valid from April 15th to September 30th. The Today: Information and Entertainment guide is valid from April 22nd to 30th. While I enjoy the new design, I miss the Hidden Mickey's that used to be on the front of the TDS Guide Maps each time. Oh well.

Official Site Updates (Apr 18 - Apr 25)

Here's a list of recent updates on the official Japanese TDR website. As always, links are in Japanese.

Spring Carnival CD Released
Sold inside the Park one week before national release, this year's version features a new bonus track. The CD is available for sale at House of Greetings (TDL), Emporio (TDS), Bon Voyage and other locations around the Resort. Read our detailed report for this release.

Duffy Stories Wanted
Site visitors are encouraged to write their stories about Duffy and memories with the Disney Bear at the Park. From April 21st to July 31st, Guests can send in submissions via the online site. Selected entries will be posted on the site from late May to August.

Cape Cod Series Begins
To start the "Cape Cod Series", a the first in a series of Duffy costumes (pictured above) will go on sale from April 28th at Aunt Peg's Village Store. The costume set selling for ¥3,500 includes a hat, shirt, pants, apron, shoes and potted plant. A badge chain with a mini-Duffy in the new costume is also being sold for ¥1,300. New costumes in the series will go on sale on June 12th, July 17th, September 25th and November 27th.

Spring Carnival Wallpaper
Computer and mobile wallpaper can be downloaded featuring the Fairies in this year's Spring Carnival. Mac and PC versions available in 800x600 or 1024x768 sizes.

Watashi no Otomari Episode
(Anecdotes of My Stay)
Guests who have stayed at Disney-brand Hotels can submit short stories about their visit and recommended ideas. After sending in their anecodotes, they will be able to download a themed e-mail as a present.

TDS Spring Carnival Pics on Deep Disney

The team over at Deep Disney have pictures of the TDS Spring Carnival which began on April 22nd. The offer coverage of the show Fairies Primavera featuring Tinkerbell and her friends. You're also able to see pictures of merchandise and Park decorations. We'll have our coverage here after this weekend, when we catch the festivities twice!

NOTE: To access the Deep Disney site: click on the first RED link in the top left side of the page. The site is in Japanese only.

April 12th Trip Report

Had a chance to visit TDL on Easter Sunday, April 12th. It also happened to be the final weekend of the 25th Anniversary celebrations. It was a warm day and a Japanese friend of mine was able to save a space right in front of the gates. A little later, SuperDry and his friend came by and we spent some time together.

Once the gates opened, we confirmed that Monsters, Inc. was closed to general Guests but open to contest winners and other promotional event Guests. We made our way to Tomorrowland Hall and won lottery tickets for the first performance Dreams Within, the Castle stage show. We watched the show and at the end and noticed the lackluster reaction of the Guests. The show is not one of my favorites at all.

We rode a number of attractions, then had lunch at Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. I had the "hamburg" steak patty with rice and veggies. Later, SuperDry and I went to TDS to film The Legend of Mythica from the Roman Bridge and the foot of Mt. Prometheus. We got some pretty good angles of all the floats entering and leaving the harbor.

The picture posted above is of Bon Voyage and its wall poster sign. They were recently painted after years of being faded. They look quite nice! I left the Resort right after watching Mythica.

Attraction tally for today: Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain (twice), Big Thunder Mountain.

Show tally: Dreams Within, The Legend of Mythica

Restaurant tally: Captain Hook's Galley, Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall

New TDR Times (Vol 15. Apr-Jun 2009)

In the latest edition of Tokyo Disney Resort Times, Mike, Sully and Boo take center stage for the new attraction which opened on April 15th. Inside this issue there's event calendars for both TDL and TDS, "Magic Rally Campaign" showcasing the new Annual Passport designs and the re-screening of the Disney/Pixar film "Monsters, Inc" at Cinema Ikspiari. Also featured is information on TDS's "Spring Carnival", "Adult Wednesdays" Passports, and the official Disney Fairies website.

Issues of Tokyo Disney Resort Times are published quarterly and are available free of charge at Disney Store locations around Japan.

Official Site Updates (Apr 11 - Apr 17)

Here's a list of official TDR website updates. As always, links are in Japanese.

New Monsters, Inc. Commercial
A new television spot for the new attraction is available for viewing. NOTE: Adobe Flash Player required.

New Spring Carnival Commercial
A new TV commercial is also available for the upcoming TDS special event. NOTE: Adobe Flash Player required.

May 2009 Photo Calendar
Download the newest photo calendar wallpaper for your PC or Mac desktop.

Shashin de Meguru Tokyo Disney Resort
(Around TDR in Pictures)
The photo essay pages are updated with the new theme "Michi" (Paths). Click on the "Enter" button.

Dance Showcase Performers Wanted
As part of the Performance Dream Festival, TDS is hosting the Dance Showcase (pictured above) featuring amateur dance teams. Deadline for video submissions is Friday, May 29th. The shows run on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays between July 22nd and August 29th.

Fun Monsters, Inc. Downloads Available
Disney Ambassador Hotel has a campaign for the new attraction opening. Fun printouts of the characters are available for download as well as mobile phone wallpaper images.

Osusume Souvenir (TDL)
(Recommended Souvenirs)
Focusing on TDL menu items this time, Refreshment Corner is offering a Lilo & Stitch Lunch Box Set with course-ground sausage dog, french fries and soft drink for ¥1,460 (meal only for ¥830). Captain Hook's Galley has an Aristocats Lunch Box Set with a slice of chicken with mozarella and tomato pizza, small cream puff and choice of soft drink for ¥1,470 (meal only for ¥840). The popular Mickey Box Lunch Set at Huey, Louie and Dewey's Good Time Cafe now features a hot bologna sausage sandwich, french fries and soft drink for ¥1,680 (meal only for ¥700).

Osusume Souvenir (TDS)
(Recommended Souvenirs)
Over at TDS, Sebastian's Calypso Kitchen has a really cute Mermaid Lagoon Box Set Lunch that includes a prawn cutlet sandwich, french friends, strawberry mousse with jelly and a soft drink for ¥1,850 (meal only for ¥990). The Donald Duck Lunch Box Set sold at Cape Cod Cook-Off features a sesame sauce and fried egg burger, french friends, chocolate cake and soft drink for ¥1,950 (meal only for ¥990). The same Lilo & Stitch Lunch Box Set mentioned above is also available at Miguel's Eldorado Cantina with a chicken and cheese wrap, french fries, mango pudding and soft drink for ¥1,620 (meal only for ¥990).

Mickey to Tsukuru Saikou no Omoide 2 Days
(Two Days of Making the Best Memories with Mickey)
The Ambassador Hotel has a campaign from June 1st to July 16th where guests can buy a vacation package and spend a special time with Mickey. The package includes a one-night stay, special meet-and-greet with Mickey and original goods and menu options. Sales begin from Thursday, April 23 at 11:00am.

Gift Passports for Mom
For Mother's Day in May, special gift passports are being sold only online until May 17th and allow Guests to include a special message on the passport media. Special cocktails (alcholic and non-alcholic) will be sold May 1st through 10th. Themed merchandise for mothers is on sale at Figaro's Clothiers (TDS) and Town Center Fashions (TDL).

Official Site Updates (Apr 4 - Apr 10)

TDR TV Broadcast Schedule Updated
Service no Kamisama: Kokoro ga Tokusuru Shunkan
(Gods of Service: Heart-gaining Moments)
Tokyo TV Network will have a program focusing on Guest Services and enhancing the guest experience at the Resort. The show is scheduled for Sunday, April 13th from 8pm to 10pm local time.
Yume Ippai! Tokyo Disney Resort
(Full of Dreams! Tokyo Disney Resort)
This month's edition focuses on the new TDL Monsters, Inc. attraction and the upcoming TDS Spring Carnival special event. This edition's present is a Mickey photo stand (pictured here).
Tokyo Disney Resort Perfect Guide
General and updated information on TDL and TDS.

Ambassador Style Event Page Opens
Disney's Ambassador Hotel begins a series of special menus developed by famous chefs. Every three months, each Hotel restaurant will have either a special course, cocktail or bread dish themed to a character. Stage 1, from April 15th to June 30th, will feature Mickey Mouse, then Daisy Duck (July to Sep), Donald Duck (Oct to Dec) and Minnie Mouse (Jan to Mar 2010).

TDR Magical Report Page Updated (Links below)
Dream Art
On March 12, 2,500 Guests from around the country gathered at the TDL Parking Lot to make magical art. Wearing color colored and standing in formation, they were part of a group image and picture depicting the 25th Anniversary logo and the face of Mickey Mouse. Catch the video and download the pictures from that special day.
Saigo no Omoidezukuri
(Making of the Final Memories)
On March 20th and 21st, a group of children who had just recently been completed elementary school got treated to a special tour and other fun stuff like participating in a parade. They were able to store their memories in a "time capsule."

Hotel Miracosta Spring Carnival Menus
A new event page featuring special courses at the Hotel restaurants has just been opened. Oceano will also feature a special buffet menu. This is also part of the "Dining Voyage" campaign. A special download with the event theme will be available soon.

TDS Flower & Tree Guided Tours
From April 22nd to June 30th, TDS will offer the "DisneySea Academy: Flower & Tree Tours" for guests. Guests in groups of up to 12 can join for ¥2,500 each and be given a tour of the natural wonders the Park has during this season. The tour begins at Guest Relations, continues through Mediterranean Harbor, past Fortress Explorations to Cape Cod, Port Discovery and ends at Waterfront Park at American Waterfront.

TDS Spring Carnival Show Page Updated
More information about this year's updated show called Fairies Primavera staring Tinkerbell and her friends. It also gives information on the Fairies Greeting in the forests (jungles?) of Lost River Delta.

Discount TDR DVD's and CD's For Sale

Listed below are some official TDR items that I have received as gifts, but already have. I'm selling them at discount prices via PayPal to make extra space on my shelves! If you're interested in buying one or any of them, please email me at contact(at)jtcent(dot)com. Thanks!

Lilo and Stitch's Big Panic: Find Stitch! (CD)
Original Price: ¥2,000 (about US$20.00)
JTCEnt.com Price: ¥1,500 (about US$15.00)

Disney's Halloween 2007 (CD)
Original Price: ¥2,190 (about US$21.90)
JTCEnt.com Price: ¥1,700 (about US$17.00)

TDR Dreams of the 25th - Forever (3-CD Set)
Original Price: ¥4,285 (about US$42.85)
JTCEnt.com Price: ¥3,500 (about US$35.00)

Enjoy Tokyo Disney Resort Complete Official Guide (DVD)
Original Price: ¥2,980 (about US$29.80)
JTCEnt.com Price: ¥2,000 (about US$20.00)

Tokyo DisneySea 5th Anniversary: On to the Sea of Celebration (DVD)
Original Price: ¥2,800 (about US$28.00)
JTCEnt.com Price: ¥2,000 (about US$20.00)

Alain Littaye's Tribute to "Journey to the Center of the Earth" Attraction Designer

In the latest Disney and More blog post, Alain Littaye pays tribute to Tom "Thor" Thordarson and his artwork for the popular DisneySea attraction Journey to the Center of the Earth. He also had a hand in another Mysterious Island attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea during his time as a Director/Senior Concept Designer for WDI.

Thordarson's concept art for the attraction is on display at the site as well as a few comments from the artist himself. It also features pictures of his team exploring real caverns and models of what would become two of TDS's premiere attractions!

DisneySea & Port Disney Series at Blue Sky

Over at Blue Sky Disney, Honor Hunter started a great new series entitled What was Gotten Versus What Could Have Been about how the Port Disney project failed to take hold in Long Beach, California in the 1990's. Later parts will explain what eventually ended up at Tokyo DisneySea in 2001.

Honor considers TDS "the second best theme park in the world" and explains that had Port Disney become a reality, it could have been "the best Disney resort in the world." The post features lots of interesting behind-the-scenes stories and concept art from both projects. Also, read some of his older posts on TDR. It's definitely worth checking out for any Disney theme park fan!

Resort Calendars Updated on JTCEnt.com

I've updated the event calendars for both Parks today. Here are some of the latest additions and corrections. As always, please check the official sites for more information. Click on the park name to go to the Calendar pages.

For Tokyo DisneySea, Early Entry dates were added for May and June. Some restaurants are closing for maintenance in late autumn. Funderful Disney Fan Club members have their parties on certain days in July, August and September. Also, Disney's Halloween dates were updated with the new ending date of November 3rd.

For Tokyo Disneyland, Dad Stock at Tokyo Disneyland dates were added. Early Entry information was updated for hotel guests staying in June and July. October Park hours were added and Disney's Halloween ending date was changed to November 3rd.

TDR Attendance Reaches Record 27.2 Million

Oriental Land Company has released the latest attendance numbers for the year ending March 31st, 2009. The total number of guests visiting both Parks combined, Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, reached 27.2 million. This marks a 7.1% increase from last year and the largest number of visitors in the Resort's history. In FY1996, 17.5 million visited TDL alone for its 15th Anniversary events.

According to OLC, the surge is due to the popularity of the current 25th Anniversary celebrations. They are scheduled to end on April 14th. OLC does not publicly release numbers for each Park. For more information, check out the full press release.