Previous to this resort overview, my ‘largest’ piece of commentary about Toy Story Lodge is that it’s completely hideous. When it opened, I joked that Toy Story Lodge jogged my memory of a youngsters’s hospital or maybe a colourful jail? My view was that the colourful, larger-than-life model of Walt Disney World’s Worth Resorts work a lot better for animated motion pictures.
I believed Toy Story Lodge was getting a cross from followers as a result of individuals love the flicks. A lot in the identical means that the entire Toy Story Lands are seemingly immune from criticism, regardless of being mediocre and much from the perfect variations of what they might be. (This isn’t to say that Toy Story Land is dangerous. It’s the other–the idea is so unbelievably good for a theme park that it’s disappointing there hasn’t been a giant price range model. Sorta like Dino-Rama and dinosaur lands–the idea is superior, the execution decidedly much less so.)
After staying at Toy Story Lodge, I might double down on my criticism. There have been issues that strengthened my preconceived notions–and who doesn’t like to dig in and cherry decide issues that affirm their priors?! As an alternative, I’m going to take what I hope is the upper street: admit that I used to be incorrect about Toy Story Lodge–it’s good, really.
Toy Story Lodge at Tokyo Disney Resort is a moderate-type resort with 595 visitor rooms–575 normal rooms and 20 superior rooms. The resort has streamlined amenities and companies to deliver visitors a brand new possibility between the prevailing deluxe and worth accommodations at Tokyo Disney Resort.
That is the primary non-Deluxe resort on-site at Tokyo Disney Resort, and is situated immediately throughout from Bayside Station, in between Hilton Tokyo Bay, Lodge Okura, and Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Lodge. It’s technically the primary and solely non-Deluxe Disney resort on the monorail loop anyplace on the earth.
Location is at all times necessary, and Toy Story Lodge is actually higher than Tokyo Disney Celebration Lodge (which is off-site and requires bus transportation to the parks), nevertheless it’s not so good as Lodge MiraCosta, Tokyo Disneyland Lodge, or Fantasy Springs Lodge, all of that are trying their respective lands and parks.
Talking of Fantasy Springs Lodge, the doorway and exit to this Peter Pan, Frozen and Tangled port of name at Tokyo DisneySea is correct subsequent to Bayside Station–throughout from Toy Story Lodge. So that you’d suppose that visitors of this resort would additionally be capable of use that entrance, particularly because it doesn’t go inside Fantasy Springs Lodge (just below).
You’d be incorrect. You nonetheless would possibly assume that, if Toy Story Lodge visitors couldn’t use the doorway, they may a minimum of exit. In spite of everything, who cares about that. You’ll as soon as once more be incorrect. Do you wish to understand how we all know?!
Making an attempt to exit, unsuccessfully, by way of Fantasy Springs whereas staying at Toy Story Lodge is among the extra irritating experiences we’ve had with Japan’s inflexible rule tradition shortly. Regardless of staying at a Disney-hotel and shopping for a Fantasy Springs Trip Bundle, we couldn’t exit by way of these gates. What would’ve been a 5-minute stroll grew to become a 30+ minute ordeal with a mile-plus stroll, monorail trip, and that very same 5-minute stroll on the again finish. However I digress.
From the second visitors arrive at Toy Story Lodge, nevertheless lengthy that takes and by no matter route and roadblocks they encounter, they’ll be greeted by a Forged Member verifying room keys on the pathway. Like Fantasy Springs Lodge, that is additionally on lockdown for some purpose (you possibly can freely enter and exit the nicest two accommodations at Tokyo Disney Resort).
After having access to the property, visitors will really feel like they’ve been shrunken and are welcomed as “honorary toys.” Because the story goes, Andy has assembled this toy resort in order that his toys have a spot to remain and play whereas he’s away at Cowboy Camp.
Exterior of the resort, there are outsized toy motion play figures of Toy Story buddies. Buzz Lightyear and Jessie are a part of Slinky Canine Park in entrance of the doorway, which is a enjoyable little play space. That is nice for picture ops and options outsized icons that might be proper at house on the Worth Resorts at Walt Disney World. Maybe extra precisely, in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, since among the characters are similar to that land.
The entrance facet can also be house to RC Racer Storage, which is the resort’s parking construction. Oddly sufficient, all the things on this parking storage remains to be common measurement, so don’t spend an excessive amount of time hanging on the market until you need the phantasm ruined. I do know you’ll’ve been tempted had I not talked about that.
Toy Story Lodge’s foyer is a colourful, toy-filled area. Company will discover slot vehicles racing on tracks overhead, an enormous Bo Peep sport board on the ceiling, puzzle items used to brighten the ground, colourful furnishings and extra.
Whereas the outside was largely what I anticipated (in all probability as a result of I’ve seen most of that in Toy Story Land), I’ve gotta admit that the foyer exceeded expectations. It’s clearly not the top of themed design, however there’s rather more depth, element, and dimensionality than I anticipated.
Not solely that, nevertheless it’s all intelligent and charming. You’re feeling compelled to spend time poring over the small print and exploring to see all the things; it appeals to the kids at coronary heart in us all, a lot in the identical means that Toy Story Land does.
The resort’s entrance desk has an oversize Lite Brite-style toy behind it. I had in some way by no means seen images of this, and was mesmerized by it in particular person.
It actually pops, punctuating the entire space and making a powerful first impression as you’re checking in. It’s good that there’s eye sweet on this space, as check-in might be excruciatingly sluggish.
Talking of which, check-in time for Toy Story Lodge is 3:00 pm, whereas check-out time is midday. You may retailer your baggage on the visitor companies desk within the foyer earlier than and after your check-in/out occasions.
We did exactly this. As talked about above, we had been doing the Trip Bundle throughout our keep right here, and since that is all bodily (somewhat than digital) that meant arriving to Toy Story Lodge earlier than rope dropping Tokyo Disneyland. We repeated this course of on checkout day, which was after we did Fantasy Springs.
Toy Story Lodge’s lone restaurant is Lotso Backyard Cafe. With an inside impressed by Lotso the pink teddy bear from Toy Story 3, this restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner. The colourful (and colossal) eating space options murals depicting Lotso elevating smiling vegetables and fruit. The seating space gives views of Tokyo Bay.
Lotso Backyard Cafe is a buffet and boy is it a great one. We did the buffets at Tokyo Disneyland Lodge, Hilton Tokyo Bay, and Toy Story Lodge all inside fast succession and, shockingly, this was the perfect. Means higher than it had any proper to be.
The buffet serves all the things from Japanese to Chinese language to American delicacies, with meats, noodles, curry, fish, salads, recent fruit, and extra. There’s additionally a ton of desserts, self-service beverage station, and extra. My solely criticism is that the espresso–all of it–was past disgusting.
Lotso Backyard Buffet is open for breakfast from 6:30 am to 10:30 am, after which for dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm. At this level, Lotso Backyard Cafe remains to be unique to Toy Story Lodge visitors. (We’re truthfully a bit disenchanted by this, as we’d actually love to return and check out dinner!)
When it comes to different visitor facilities, Toy Story Lodge additionally has a few reward outlets, considered one of which is extra precisely a comfort retailer (konbini) the place you should buy packaged meals and different sensible items. Foolish because it might sound, konbini are a key a part of the Japan expertise, so you should definitely make a cease at Lawson, 7-11, and Household Mart (all three).
The intense colours and theming proceed by way of the elevator areas and visitor corridors. The resort has two wings: one facet is themed to Buzz Lightyear and the opposite is themed to Woody’s Roundup.
Toy Mates Sq. is a backyard accessed from the foyer, that includes outsized toy motion figures of Woody, Bo Peep, and different Toy Story characters.
That is even higher than Slinky Canine Park exterior the entrance entrance, and is a quasi-playground. By that, I imply that it’s probably not a playground…however that doesn’t cease the entire households with young children from treating it like one.
Megatron’s favourite factor about this space was the grass. I’m trying ahead to taking her again when she would possibly wish to play conceal and search, tag, or the opposite video games different children had been enjoying. Everybody gave the impression to be having a ton of enjoyable.
The visitor rooms are impressed by Andy’s bed room from the primary Toy Story movie, that includes his iconic blue sky and puffy white cloud wallpaper.
There are additionally Woody’s Roundup impressed headboards, an outsized Mickey Mouse wristwatch hanging on one of many partitions, plus different toy-like fixtures and furnishings.
Normal Rooms that sleep as much as three visitors have two common beds and a trundle mattress. Superior Rooms for as much as 4 visitors have three common beds and a pull-down mattress. These are the 2 fundamental room varieties, with a numerous subcategories primarily based on the view.
The rooms are sufficiently spacious, however in all probability not for a celebration of 3-4. There’s a particular lack of cupboard space for baggage, and what you see within the far nook of the above picture (3 hangers) is admittedly about it by way of a closet. That is the largest sensible weak spot of those thematically-stellar visitor rooms.
The TV is framed to appear like an enormous Etch A Sketch, which is a intelligent thought. It additionally implies that this tv won’t ever be upgraded as expertise evolves. That’s a lesson we’ve discovered from numerous themed rooms at Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris.
It in all probability isn’t an enormous consideration right here. I’d hazard a guess that over half of the accommodations or Airbnbs we’ve stayed at in Japan are nonetheless rocking televisions from the primary half of the Heisei period.
There are additionally two (2) seating choices within the visitor rooms. One desk with one normal chair and in addition that blue seat under the desk. So if you happen to’re a celebration of two who needs to eat collectively in your room, however separated by a little bit of distance, you’re in luck.
Beneath the tv, the pull-down mattress is situated in what resembles Andy’s toy field. None of that is the top of themed design or luxuriousness, however you possibly can inform that thought was put into each element. Like Toy Story Land, it punches above its weight because of having coronary heart.
The lavatory is separated from remainder of the room by a sliding door.
The lavatory is then subdivided into three subareas, every of which is separated by doorways. To the left is a bathe room. The middle is a sink space with a mirror and counter area. To the precise is the bathroom room.
The showering room has each a normal bathe and a tub. The type of setup you see above is frequent of all of the Disney-branded accommodations at Tokyo Disney Resort, in addition to most Airbnbs and accommodations that aren’t a part of western chains.
On the counter in the primary space, you’ll discover with cotton swabs and hair ties, toothbrushes with paste, and hairbrushes. These should not as good because the amenity kits on the prime tier TDR resorts, however as with these, housekeeping will refill these as you employ them…or stash them in your baggage to take house, because the case could also be. (Our houseguests might or might not be supplied related amenity kits from previous stays at accommodations in Japan.)
As with each resort in Japan, the bathroom is the place these rooms shine. This can be a fully-loaded Japanese bidet, full with heated seats and a stream of heat water to do the soiled work so that you don’t should.
It’s just like the type of factor you’d see on Life of the Wealthy & Well-known or Cribs. (Or South Park, which was 100% proper about bidets. Critically, recover from any apprehensions you might need and take full benefit of this little pet. You’ll surprise how one can ever return to boring ole American bathrooms once more.)
Whether or not we predict Toy Story Lodge is best for you relies upon upon a couple of issues: 1) your price range, 2) why you’re visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, and three) with whom.
In the event you’re visiting with children, Toy Story Lodge is fascinating possibility for a similar purpose that the Worth Resorts at Walt Disney World are interesting. It has all of the subtlety of a big pig working heavy equipment. It’s shiny and daring, with coloration and characters in every single place. If your loved ones’s definition of “Disney” is getting into the world of their favourite motion pictures, look no additional.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re adults or making the pilgrimage to Japan since you’ve heard that Tokyo DisneySea is the perfect theme park on the earth…this simply isn’t it. For the entire very same causes.
Though there are particulars that talk to the child at coronary heart and Andy’s room model is admittedly intelligent, Toy Story Lodge is basically the antithesis of Tokyo DisneySea-style themed design. That is largely ornamental, with the perfect visuals reminding you of one thing else somewhat than transporting you to a special time or place.
So what are the options? In case your price range permits for them, Lodge MiraCosta and Tokyo Disneyland Lodge are unbeatable–two of the highest 5 Disney accommodations in your complete world–and price each penny. There’s a big hole between these two and the remainder of the Disney-hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort.
In case your price range doesn’t enable for these, it might be price contemplating Toy Story Lodge due to the worth level. After we stayed right here, it was by far the most affordable of the on-site Disney accommodations, considerably lower than even the Ambassador. When pressured to decide on amongst these two and Fantasy Springs Lodge, our resolution is probably going going to return all the way down to price–and we’d in all probability decide Toy Story Lodge.
You may additionally think about reserving the Hilton, Sheraton, and even one of many on-site Japanese accommodations that’s close to Bayside Station. As a lot as we thought Toy Story Lodge punched above its weight, we are going to fortunately take the Hilton Tokyo Bay for much less.
The Hilton Tokyo Bay is considered one of our favourite accommodations on the earth, and we’ve logged extra nights there this 12 months than anyplace else. It’s not practically as luxurious as Lodge MiraCosta, nevertheless it’s additionally a fraction of the fee. It executes on the entire fundamentals flawlessly (effectively, virtually–among the visitor rooms might use refreshes), and is only a very nice enterprise class resort. I’d take the Hilton over any Deluxe Resort at Walt Disney World. And though we don’t keep there as usually, we really feel the identical in regards to the Sheraton.
We now have Tokyo Disney Resort Lodge Evaluations & Rankings for the entire third get together properties at TDR. They might not be “Disney,” however we’ve by no means felt like that has been an obstacle to immersion. All the third get together on-site accommodations have Disney outlets, in-room TDR channels, exemplary service, gorgeous views of both the parks or Tokyo Bay (and Mt. Fuji on a transparent day), and are situated on the monorail loop.
Finally, our perspective on Toy Story Lodge is similar to how we view Pixar Place Lodge at Disneyland. Neither are prime of their class, as Toy Story Lodge is trounced by Lodge MiraCosta and that doesn’t maintain a candle to the Grand Californian. However it’s additionally pretty apparent that neither of those Pixar properties are pretending to be flagship accommodations within the first place, making it a somewhat ridiculous comparability!
Extra to the purpose, we’ve been listening to from a whole lot of Disney followers who completely adore Pixar Place Lodge and like it to the GCH. It’s simply extra whimsical and enjoyable to them–extra “Disney” than the luxurious and lavishly themed flagship. They don’t have any illusions about what every resort is or isn’t–they similar to the one with overt film and character references extra, warts and all.
We suspect it’s a really related story with Toy Story Lodge. The important thing distinction is that this isn’t a warts and all scenario. Toy Story Lodge is strictly what it aspires to be, and executes that idea on a excessive stage. Much better than we anticipated, in all honesty. Despite the fact that this isn’t our most well-liked model, Toy Story Lodge received us over. (Undecided what I’m going to do if these Pixar accommodations I’m ready to hate preserve stealing my coronary heart.)
Toy Story Lodge goes to be the popular possibility of a whole lot of households visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, particularly given the mixture of value level and placement on prime of the Disneyfied design. Even if you happen to’re a solo traveler or couple, it’d simply shock you. Toy Story Lodge has a means of chatting with your internal youngster, and profitable you over with its whimsy and reminders of bygone youth and innocence.
Planning a visit to Tokyo Disney Resort? For complete recommendation, the perfect place to begin is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Journey Planning Information! For extra specifics, our TDR Lodge Rankings & Evaluations web page covers lodging. Our Restaurant Evaluations element the place to dine & snack. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash submit. Our What to Pack for Disney submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent objects to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Seek the advice of our Final Information to Kyoto, Japan and Metropolis Information to Tokyo, Japan.
YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you consider the Toy Story Lodge? In the event you’ve been to Tokyo Disney Resort, what’s your favourite on-site resort? Planning on disregarding our recommendation and reserving it anyway? Assume it is a good addition to the Tokyo Disney Resort resort lineup, or do you additionally want it remained a demolished occasions corridor? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
