When I was attending university in Southern California, a classmate encouraged me to join her in working during the summer at Disneyland, where I was in attractions. After that first summer, I continued in a permanent part-time position and became a lead and trainer. Because I took Japanese for my foreign language requirement in secondary school and university, I was asked to train the Japanese executives for Tokyo Disneyland. As opposed to Disneyland (Anaheim) where structures, roads, etc., are based on a 5/8's scale, Tokyo Disneyland is full sized like Disneyworld. And because Tokyo Disneyland was the first foreign park, it is the only one owned by a "non-Disney" company - The Oriental Land Company, which is a subsidiary of the Keisei Electric Railway Company. When the Japanese built Tokyo Disneyland, they wanted to preserve and duplicate as much as possible the atmosphere of Anaheim Disneyland, with very minor exceptions. So it was quite interesting to see that they continue that philosophy, I was actually asked to transfer to Tokyo Disneyland and work with the staff there through at least the park's opening, but declined because of my pending plans for medical school. I retired early a few years ago and had planned to complete my two remaining bucket list items. Three days before my departure on a long-term visa stay to Japan in April 2020, the country closed her borders because of the pandemic. It was a huge disappointment, but after 10 months, I headed off to finish the second item on my bucket list by volunteering at an animal reserve in Africa. While in South Africa, Japan finally reopened her doors. Since Mid-February, and probably up through the next 3 years, I will be discovering as much about this country that is not easily discerned on a typical tourist visa. One thing I would like to point out, is my appreciation for the respect and open attitude to your experience in Japan. I have been visiting Japan nearly annually (except during the pandemic) since my grandfather first showed me this country. It has been a life-long fascination with her people, culture, scenic beauty, food, etc. It's actually very satisfying for me to see the wonderment in another persons eyes as they travel about.

They did it the way the rest of the Disney parks should be done. OLC knows what they are doing.

I have a friend in Orlando who was a Disney imaginer who was involved in building the Disney Tokyo park. He says it is his favourite park.

Recently visited Tokyo Disneyland and the wait for Beauty and the Beast was more than 3 hours. Paid for premier access and it was totally worth it! The ride is amazing!

This is the first time I've seen a different perspective and commentary about a first time visit to the park. I found it helpful for me as a nervous traveler. Everyone else has that very curated highlight reel of their visit and yours was refreshing. Thank you for sharing your experience.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

What a nice comment! Thank you!

BUCKET LIST…We love Japan and plan to go back when it’s not related to military travel, but Tokyo Disneyland is now officially on the list.(Also, the people walking around are so effortlessly cool and chic…I think it adds to the ambiance.) I felt like a toddler watching this. Thank you - arigato gozaimasu - for sharing this adventure!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Ohayo gozaimasu, Sara! YES you must go back just as tourists and enjoy all the things. And yeah all of these vlogs are gonna have the toddler energy because that’s exactly how I felt every single day of the trip!

@mkmallari2382

Жыл бұрын

Cool and chic…..my thoughts exactly when there!

Your really honest, down to earth way of showing us around is really appreciated. I love getting to experience the beauty and fun without it being spinned.

Magnificent! I respect your son’s privacy but how wonderful to experiment these moments together. It gives me joy! Thank you for sharing.

@tracyl5112

Жыл бұрын

Experience. Damn lol

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It was a fantastic trip.

Childhood nostalgia combined with Japanese culture and design perfection of Tokyo Disneyland = overwhelming.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

So perfectly said! Exactly!

Definitely in my bucket list! What a beautiful park! And so easy to get to from your hotel. Thanks for taking us on this journey!

WOW the landscaping is so beautiful there and the colors seem more vibrant. What a cool experience

@JenLefforge

9 ай бұрын

It really was so magical, Cathy!

the music you used behind the beauty and the beast footage was so magical i cried. i think this is my favorite video you've ever done ❤️

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Oh my goodness thank you so much, Linda!

This video was FABULOUS! I enjoyed every minute of it. It was so fun to see an international park through your eyes. I can't wait for Tokyo Disney Sea!

We were there a few days after you were. I am loving this vlog. Did you notice that families leave their strollers, hung with purchases, while they ride? No one steals there! Next time you go, try the Queen of Hearts restaurant (cafeteria). Aloha, Marlene (from Hawaii)

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

YES I have heard good things about that! Aloha, Marlene, and thank you for watching!

Oh thank you for doing BATB ride…I’m obsessed with BATB..I admit it…. Wish DLP did this ride…. This place looks so good.. Surprised by how many people are still wearing masks…. Love how those 2 tall Japanese girls with there white ears were everywhere you were lol.👍🇬🇧

ようこそ東京ディズニーランドへ!🏰

There’s an upstairs section inside the castle that is super awesome

I have to say if your doing a Disney or Universal park you need to do your research. I heard someone say they didn’t so I didn’t for Disneyland Paris. What a huge mistake. We missed so much. I want to go back in their off season and I have to do the one in Japan after watching several vloggers go there. The first time I saw a vlogger do Japan I had no desire to go there because they only showed close ups of their faces. They needed to show the park too but they didn’t at all. I’m so happy for you to get to go to Japan.

We’re going next month too, and gosh the people are so polite and kind. I can’t speak Japanese either, so I credit you sooo much for going on your own w/o a guide! Gangster!💪🤩

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

We used google translate a lot and found that most of the signs all over the country were in Japanese and English which helped for sure! I hope you have a fabulous trip!

OMG it took me like 2.5 days to finish watching as I kept having to pause and come back but this was so wonderful! I loved all of your reactions to the different attractions, your nostalgia to the old attraction/Disneyland connections, and of course, enjoyed the video footage. I grew up with TDL and so it all just made me smile. The funny thing is that I never, out of probably 25+ visits, ever stepped foot in the Polynesian Terrace so that was fun that you ate there and I finally saw inside :D Many years of wondering what it was like as the Jungle Cruise Boats sailed by. Thank you for this video, and all that you do!!!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Honestly, Krissy, I was so wowed by everything I wasn’t sure the footage would be good but I’m SO GLAD I was able to capture the magic even a little. ❤️

Gorgeous, so excited for you that you got to experience that. So interesting how many Japanese women were wearing long dresses at the park.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It was so much fun!

This made me so happy to watch! I lived in Japan as a middle schooler and didn’t take advantage of ANYTHING that I would jump at the chance to do today, like Tokyo Disneyland (I guess I thought I was too cool for fun?). I hope one day I get to go back and experience the magic!

This video had it all…mickey shaped food, beautiful gardens, lost suns hahaha. So glad you had an amazing day, thanks for sharing it!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

BWAHAHA LOVE THIS COMMENT!

ugh looks like an amazing park!!! also on a side note, i love that this was a mother/son trip! i'm in my late 20s and hope that i can have 1:1 adventures like this with my parents. i moved out a long time ago and find myself wanting to spend more time with them as i get older.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Oh I love that! And I’m sure they would love it too!

Thank you for the Tokyo diaries! I’m going next year for the first time with my family and I want to do it on my own ( no tours). It’s intimidating, but your videos will help me a lot! ❤

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Google translate is your best friend! It was SO helpful! You can do this!

@Buzpud

9 ай бұрын

Totally manageable! You’ll be ok. Hope you have a great trip. I’m planning my second one at the moment. Can’t wait. Japan is amazing to visit.

It’s so beautiful!! Listening to the music makes me feel so excited for you! Wait, no tipping in Japan? I didn’t know that! I love that I feel that I’m there with you, 👏👏👏

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I was confused enough by the yen conversion I was VERY happy I didn't have to figure out tip too!

I was so surprised to see how beautiful the floats were in the night-time parade! Thank you for walking through the covered Main Street and showing us how different (and smart) it is, taking into account the weather there. Can't wait for your video on DisneySea!!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It was STUNNING! Thank you so much for watching!

Oriental Land Company seems to do it the best. Beautiful park. I wish Disney could get it together like they do. I dream of visiting some day.

Their Small World and Tomorrowland entrance are SOOO beautiful! And the Beast’s castle. The whole park really does give Disneyland vibes for sure!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely magical.

So beautiful! Such a lovely park!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Truly the flowers and gardens were so gorgeous!

Oh my goodness, I really enjoyed this video! I really miss the (regular) nighttime parades at WDW. That parade was gorgeous. I love your Daisy hat! Do you think it's still available? XOXO Sharon

Definitely a bucket list trip. Japan doesn’t put the clock’s forward in the summer so that’s why it’s light early and gets dark earlier too.

I do the same exact thing when I walk through the castle! I touch Cinderella’s glass slipper with one finger as well!! 😄☺ I love this video so much, thank you!

Those floats were amazing. I wish Disneyland would bring back paint the night.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, we kind of watched as we walked (fine by me) and I was floored by it. Wish I could have used the music it was really good!

We are planning to go to Japan and found your Vlogs, they are really informative, thank you. My 8 year old daughter really enjoys your vlogs too, she says you are always super happy and excited 😊

@JenLefforge

10 ай бұрын

I love to hear it! Japan is such an amazing place and I feel so blessed to have been able to go. And hello to your daughter and thank you for the kind words!

Some say it is the best patk.

What a lovely video! Tokyo Disneyland seems truely magical :)

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It really was! So thankful for that time

I was also so so glad I did the Premier Access on March 30. It was Japanese spring break and the wait time was up to 3 hrs! I loved the parks in Tokyo so much. ❤

It’s so neat to see the differences from the US parks! Great video!

So glad to see you enjoying my home resort Jen! Hope you had LOTS of fun!!!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

THE BEST TIME

Jen - if you go into the courtyard of the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel you will see a small gazebo. That was where my partner got down on one knee and proposed to me.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Oh I love that so much!!❤️❤️❤️

Amazing!!!

So amazing!

Awesome video!!

I’m currently here now and now I will go, thank you

Looked like a great day!

SOOO looking forward to your Disney Sea vlog!

I loved seeing this through your eyes!

Bucket List for sure! 🎉🎉

That park looks awsome

I’d love a seated parade!!

Thank you for sharing your amazing and incredible experience with us! Wow!

I just love your vlogs, Jen! Love watching from your unique perspective. The walk through the castle with the music you chose, got me! Also, their It’s a Small World puts ours(Disney World’s) to SHAME!!! It’s so beautiful!💜 I’m so excited watching your excitement. So fun to watch!!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Awww thank you so much, Kendra!

beautiful park! really enjoy watching your video, thanks! also your filming was very smooth very good for my eyes to watch

Yay❤

This is so much fun to watch!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

I’m so glad!!!! Thank you!

Thank you for sharing your day! Looking forward to seeing your Tokyo Disney Sea video soon.

I really enjoyed this; your sense of wonder was palpable! I`m looking forward to Disney sea,I`ve seen limited videos of it but what I`ve seen looks amazing! Love from BC Canada.

I loved this so much. 😘❤️

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

You are not objective.

Love the video! We are hoping to go for our 25th anniversary so just a 1 1/2 to go! I picked going here over Aulani…I just love the parks and I want to immerse myself in the culture!

So beautiful! Really enjoyed this video-thanks for sharing!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Lisa!

This is soooo cool to see!!! Goals!! Also, love your hat! Sorry if I missed this somewhere, but do you mind sharing where it’s from?!

Wow, this is starting off amazingly!!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

thank you, Dawn! It was such an amazing trip.

You have a great voice. Love your comments

Can't wait I'm going in September haven't been since May 2019. I always move as quickly as I can to Pooh Honey Hut, now I'm it will be beauty and the beast as soon as it opens.

Oh that’s nice. Haven’t seen that on any other vlog: the nod to the original rainbow mine train paint pots on the outside of the mine train ride. Nostalgic. Thanks.

Great video, looks lovely! Having recently been to Disneyland Paris for the first time, I’ll say they have *the best* versions of Haunted Mansion and the Castle. Unfortunately Big Thunder was closed when we were there, but I’ll take your word for it :)

Such a great day! And so jealous you got to do pirates, it was down for refurb when I was there. And agreed on the pizza!! So freaking good. Thanks for bringing us along on your wonderful day!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It was so fun! Ready to go back!

Tokyo Disney looks amazing. The thing that I noticed was how calm and respectful of space the people are. I did not see one person try and rush the characters like you would see here if the characters were "free range". How crowded were the trains to the disney parks?

@JenLefforge

10 ай бұрын

Honestly, the entire country felt that way (well aside from rush hour in Tokyo;). There’s a beautiful energy there.

MY DREAM 😍enjoying your vlogs so much! So informative 💖We’re planning to go in October gonna take my baby but I’m sooo nervous travelling with my will be 11 month old then /: anyway saying hi 👋 from 🇨🇦 🥰

an amazing vlog-wonderful video, music on point, love your enthusiasm and excitement!! truly a disney soul! me too! now cannot wait to see Disney tokyo! just recently was able to go to disneyland paris for first time-curious as to which would be your favorite (although both are great of course!!) went to disneyland calif at 12 years old, and then disney world fla for honeymoon in 1976, and many times after with my children. always feel the magic!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Definitely preferred Tokyo to Paris!

I would love to hear more about the app and how it differs from wdw. Im visiting Tokyo this year too.

Loved it! My bucket list includes all of the Disney parks, but Japan is way up at the top of my list

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

It is so magical!

OH MY GOD JEN 🎠🫶🏻🏰🫶🏻🎠 to watch YOUR DiSNEY JAPAN ..DAY EXPERIENCE LOVE IT 🧚🏻‍♀️ LOVE IT 🧜🏻‍♀️ LOVE IT 🧚🏻‍♀️ GREAT VIDEO Thanks for sharing

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching, Lili!

Wow - this is the most I've seen in a vlog for Tokyo Disneyland ..... It looks beautiful. What would you say was your no.1 ride/experience there?

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Hmmm . . . between Disneyland and DisneySea it's tough to say! But definitely Beauty and the Beast at Disneyland.

I was lucky enough to be there during the 25th anniversary

Thanks for taking us along! Those parade floats were so pretty! I really miss the night time parade at WDW.

Wish the American parks were as clean and well maintained. Thanks, Jen, for a beautiful video. I doubt I’ll ever get to Japan but I’d certainly love to see this park especially since you said it reminds you of the way Disneyland and World used to be. I’d love to hear your overall thoughts and impressions when this series is over, especially what you wish the American parks would adopt over here.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

The parks in Japan are owned in part by the Japanese government and they give a large amount of money to the upkeep, design and staffing. They have HUGE budgets compared to the US parks and that's the difference.

@user-mm3ru8vo6q

Жыл бұрын

@@JenLefforge As far as I know, the Japanese government has made no investment in the TDLand TDS at all since they opened in 1983 and 2001 respectively, and the TDL and TDS are owned 100% by Oriental Land Co., Ltd.

What castle is that?? That castle is amazing! Love this :)

Omg, I lost it when I thought you said you lost your son and you weren't mad about it. Dying! 😂

I got a lump in my throat watching you walk into Tokyo Disneyland! How exciting!!! ❤ Beauty and the Beast looks A-MAZ-ING!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

I was thrilled we got to ride it twice because I was so overwhelmed the first time I think I missed a lot!

I have been looking forward to this! Everything is so familiar yet a new surprise! Do we know why they put the cover over the beginning of Main Street? I assume its weather related but its giving me Las Vegas strip or train station vibes? Small World was LOOKS BEAUTIFUL!

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Rain. They actually get A TON of it in Tokyo.

Wonderful video we hope to travel to Japan in the near future. How you keep you phone so stable for the videos? I’m so shaky when taking family videos😂

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

What iPhone do you have? The 14 has really great internal stabilization and also a lot of trial and error and practice 😂❤️

@Christina-hw3du

Жыл бұрын

@@JenLefforgeyou make it look so easy! I have a 12 pro currently.

The Beauty and the Beast ride looks Amaaaazing!!! Do you think there’s any chance we’ll get one here in the US?

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

I doubt it because I know it was crazy expensive to build but that would be amazing

@kcjd8659

Жыл бұрын

@@JenLefforge it does look soooo expensive! So gorgeous! Thank you for sharing-I had never seen anything on this park!

Oh thank god, my heart sank at first when it looked like she was gonna end up skipping Hunny Hunt and then it wasn’t until the end when they rode it lol

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Such a beautiful ride! Loved it.

Please tell me you did Disney Sea.... Probably the most unique Disney park ever. I was so impressed.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

YUP it's up next!

Quick note on converting Yen to U.S. Dollars for anyone who might see this. Just drop the last two zeros. It won't be perfect because the exchange rate fluctuates, but it will give you a good rough idea of what you're spending.

Can you buy Disney Premier Access for all the rides available at the same time? Or do you buy just 1 then wait to use it to buy another one?

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

One at a time but they were very easy to get

I notice the people are dressed a lot a like, many wearing white. They stand far apart from each other in line (thunder mountain). In the train station they all looked alike interesting!

Do they have the Disney ducks or the park cats?

I am big fan of Winnie the Pooh !

How do you understand what is said at Disneyland, do they have English translation anywhere in the Park? Also how many days would it take to see all of Disneyland?

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

All of the signage is also in English and some of the rides have English

Were you able to do all the rides on each park with just 2 days?

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

We did everything we really wanted to but certainly not every ride? I think two days for Disney Sea and one day for Disneyland if you have the time. That would also allow time for the shows which we missed.

The figures are lovely, but the movement of the vehicles gave me vertigo. (I have several conditions that could have caused it). I still love Beauty and the Beast and Tokyo Disney and DisneySea.

When you said getting the app situated… what does that mean? Like actually downloading it. because I remember hearing that Tokyo or maybe Shanghai park required you to have an Apple ID in Japan or something and there were certain requirements or something about paying online…again, maybe that’s china…it was so long ago. I hope there will be a quick guide for newbies to Disney in Tokyo recapping everything. Also, I think the wide walkways is a cultural thing to give people space and be respectful and not push and shove people

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

We had already downloaded it and as soon as we entered the park everything worked as expected that's all I meant. And there are SO MANY great youtube videos from people who go to Tokyo Disneyland frequently that as someone who only went once I don't really feel qualified but the info is definitely out there!

Disneyworlds Small World looks better because of guests complaints. They were really neglecting it and letting it go.

Umm…are those the lady mice from Cinderella walking through the park?!?!? 🤯

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

YUP. I know!

I wish prince Adam Wouldn’t be a Rare character in the parks

I was wondering how much you would be able to record. I remember a handful of months ago a lot of talk in the disney-verse about Tokyo Disney banning vlogging. I do need to stretch my disney boundaries beyond wdw

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

I read the guidelines very carefully and the rule is you cannot do anything that would interfere with another guests experience. I ALREADY do that when I vlog so no changes were needed to my usual MO at the other parks!!

When you said there were not many "Americans" in the park how are you determining that? I am Japanese American. I hear this quite often on travel videos from caucasian youtubers.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

Nothing to do with skin color. I was speaking of anyone I overheard speaking English with an American accent.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

In fact (and because clearly now I’m defensive lol) the two people I mentioned in line for our JR pass were Asian Americans.

@Gotoh1999

Жыл бұрын

I think you’re showing your lack of understanding that an American accent does not mean they are American either. You can be educated abroad and in int’l schools and acquire an “American” accent.

@JenLefforge

Жыл бұрын

@@Gotoh1999 thanks for watching!