Okay, I'm still very tired after so much travel yesterday, and it is very good to be home, but I loved my time at TDR. I'm not one to do trip reports, but I'll leave some thoughts (maybe some pics later).
Immaculate: I think they do a pretty good of keeping the US parks clean, but TDR is like a whole new level. Really the whole country of Japan is very clean, but add the Disney touch to that and it is literally spotless. A CM came to wipe up a spilled soda within seconds...and it spilled on the GROUND. Amazing.
The Resort Liner is now approacing the station: How plush! The TDR monorail is so big and comfortable. I saw a CM moving from car to car cleaning the inside of the windows. It has upholstered seats (like the real subways in Japan) and so much room. It'll be hard to ride the WDW monorail after this!
Kingdom of Kingdoms: Tokyo
Disneyland has the best layout of all the parks. All the paths are so wide and open! Overall, it's the best "Magic Kingdom" style park, though I still prefer some aspects of the other ones, like Main Street USA. The World Bazaar is cool how it's all covered in, but lacks the charm of Main Street. Still, as a whole the park is excellent.
Greatest Theme Park in the World: This became our mantra. My sister, who is no theme park super-fan and had no idea what to expect, literally dropped her jaw upon emerging into Mediterranean Harbor. The place is huge and so amazing. The Hotel Miracosta is unbelievable and right in the park. Everything consistently impressed as we made our way through. Particularly...
Terravator Going Down (or is it up?): Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of the best Disney rides ever! The theme always appealed to me (the Jules Verne area is one of the main things that brought me here) but I didn't read much about the ride since I don't like to spoil things. Well, upon boarding I noticed the track and realized what we would be in store for. My sister was oblivious. Besides the amazing dark ride portion, when it takes off it is mind-blowing! We did it at least 6 times.
Stormrider Forever!: I also wanted to ride this attraction since it closes forever next month. I really liked it. It's like Soarin meets Star Tours with cool in-theater effects. It shows a little age in the film and lack of 3D, but I wish they'd just enhance it instead of making it Finding Nemo themed (has that ever worked?) I got a nifty postcard commemorating it's run and an unused fastpass, suitable for framing. "Stormrider Forever!"
Compass of Your Heart: The catchy tune form Sinbad's Storybook Adventure will be stuck in my head for a very long time. I love Chandu! What a wonderful ride and walk-on every time.
Under the Sea: The all indoors Mermaid Lagoon is very impressive! I only watched King Triton's Concerto here but it was a good show. The area is really amazing and fits in nicely with the Greatest Theme Park in the World.
R-E-S-C-U-E: I met the Rescuers. That is awesome! They really respect the classics over there and I like that. They really like the Aristocats too. Marie is exiled from the Magic Kingdom, but she thrives at TDL.
Wing of Wishes: The beautiful airship installation for the 15th anniversary celebration was a joy to behold, and all over the beautiful merchandise. The Year of Crystal Wishes was just kicking off on our trip and everyone was lined up many rows deep for the show. Honestly, the show was not that impressive and overly long, but had a catchy theme. I got a nice ceramic thing with the image on it that I think is a trivet, but I will hang on the wall. Which brings me to...
Please Take my Money: Merchandise. Where is it? It is different there in that most shops have the same things in them, despite the theme. There were no Nautilus themed items at Vulcania Gifts just the same 4 character t-shirts and 15th anniversary stuff. It was a little disappointing, though I liked what I got (the trivet and a key chain with Friday's date on it for the 33rd anniversary of TDL (only put in the stores that day; it was not there on Wednesday). I'd have bought more, but there wasn't much. I kinda wanted a popcorn bucket, but I didn't think it would fit in my luggage (and I'd have been right!). I could have spent a LOT of money in this department if they had the goods. The locals must get it all from somewhere!
Saving the Best for Themselves: The Kirin Apple Tea Soda was so good and I wanted to buy more of it. I never found it on the rest of my trip and finally found out why: It is exclusive to the Tokyo Disney Resort. Man, I'll miss it, but at least I had some every chance I got.
Anyway, it was a great trip. I was in Tokyo and Kyoto a bit too. I saw a bunch of temples - nothing too exciting.
Seriously, while it was all very wonderful and educational, it was TDR that stole the show for me. I guess that was to be expected, but so many people would look incredulous when I would say I was spending 3 days at Disney in Japan. Oh well, I don't regret it one bit! Thanks for all the help I got here with planning and all. I suppose it's back to the good ol' US Parks...for now.
Stormrider Forever!
JR railpass was worthwhile for us as we had a trip to hiroshima as well. 
