Hard Rock Resorts All Inclusive Mexico & Dominican Republic-Ultimate Guide & Reviews
Want the latest travel news, deals and more? Sign-up for my newsletter!
Please enter a valid email address in the "Enter Email" field.
Share:
Hard Rock Resorts All Inclusive Mexico & Dominican Republic-Ultimate Guide & Reviews
How Hard Rock does it different, and 5 Reasons Why Hard Rock Makes a Great Vacation
1) Gourmet Food đž 2) Great Mixology đž 3) Beautiful Beaches đž 4) Pool Vibes for All đž 5) Rockstar Accommodations đž hard rock hotel punta cana, hard rock hotel riviera maya, The Hard Rock Hotels cover the above, but then they add in what Hard Rock considers some brand pillars:
Free-Spirited - Hard Rock guests just want to have fun, and no age requirement high or low to do so đ„ł
Unique - we deliver a one of a kind world class experience from the memorabilia to the musical influence the vibes are endless đ
Consistent - the destinations may change but the quality and standards are across the board, just choose the resort and destination that fits your personality đ
Hard Rock Resorts All-Inclusive
The allâinclusive Hard Rock Hotels of Mexico and the Dominican Republic are guaranteed to rock your world. With service that knows no limits, we took all the awesome of Rock & Roll and made it a vacation that has to be experienced to be believed. Live it up in stylish digs decked out with fully stocked liquor dispensers, hydro spa tubs, and wall-to-wall awesome. Sip limitless luxury from the top shelf, wine and dine like a boss, and feast on decadent views from Riviera Nayarit to Punta Cana.
Now Letâs Break it Down Even More with Each Hotel
Resort at a glance: Over 8 dining outlets, 7 bars and 2 lounges, indulgence comes standard. Relax at the legendary Rock SpaÂź or hit a few rounds on, not one, but two championship golf courses, while the kids chill at the Roxity Kids Clubâą. 32,000 square foot Rock SpaÂź â 36 rooms. Over 60,000 square feet of meeting and outdoor space to work with to ensure your event steals the show time after time.
More information: Two world class golf courses, designed by Davis Love III and Tiger Woods. Head to either the Sunlight Bar, Moonlight Bar, and Moonlight Lounge, equipped with Hard Rock's very own bowling alley, where youâll find all of your top-shelf favorites on deck. Get a taste for traditional Mexican flavors at Los Gallos, opt for exotic Brazilian at Ipanema, or enjoy a premium steak at Toro, with 8 phenomenal restaurants to choose from, satisfy each and every craving during your stay.
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya: A long resort style hotel with two dynamic sides; hacienda open to all ages and Heaven adults only. Newly remodeled pool and common areas and updated Heaven side with new swim up suites and new Heaven pool is sure to please all guests. Located 90 mins from the airport in a true resort experience surrounded by beautiful Beach areas and the Mexican jungle. Featuring lagoon style beach coves which boast green flags for water activities and wildlife where kids and adults can both see right from in the cove (đžthe fish love French fries đ). This is Vibe central from quiet escapes on the mini coves to relaxing pool areas to the main activity pool with live music and fun. This getaway combines the beat of every vacationerâs needs such as the spa, excursions, fun, nightlife, dancing, singing, romantic dinners, and much more! Perfect for couples, honeymoons, adventurous and active guests, families with smaller kids, and all ages looking for fun and relaxation. Music connects this resort for all ages as does a beautiful walk way to get across the hotel by Oceanside. ( Secret Insider Tip: new experiences add a lasting memory such as beach camping and tequila tastings)
Resort at a glance: Woodward, premier action sports experience in paradise, 6 sprawling pools, water park, private and protected white sand beach, 9 first class restaurants, 9 bars and lounges, championship golf. Water park features 3 attractions with over 20 slides, a snack bar, an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar and more. Roxity Kids Clubâą, splash parks. 91,556 square feet of meeting and event space, Club Heaven. Enjoy a reserved adults-only section of Hard Rock's naturally protected private beach, 3 adults-only pools, and the POSHÂź Beauty Salon & Boutique.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana: The true definition of something for everyone, called a cruise ship on land, the Vegas of the Caribbean. 1700+ room resort with 13 pools, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and activities for every age, and then some. You pick your suite here by if youâd rather be closer to day time action by the main pools and beach, or closer to night time fun and the boulevard - which boasts some of the best bars, restaurants, stores, casino, gaming areas and entertainment.
Resort at a glance: On 121 acres of beachfront, 23 top-shelf bars, 9 amazing restaurants, Casino restaurant, Monserrat Manor, which is not included as part of the all-inclusive offering. Features on-property championship golf, the legendary Rock SpaÂź, thrilling action at one of the Caribbeanâs largest casinos, endless nightlife at ORO Nightclub, and even fun for your little rock stars at the Kids Club. 60,000 square feet of event space.
More information: 13 amazing pools it takes you straight to the edge of opulence. The perfect way to chill, thereâs no shortage of awesomeness thanks to a lazy river, swim-up bars, a breathtaking beach, family-friendly and adults-only pools, and amazing kids-only waterslides â all with full food and drink service, live events, and yeah, all the luxury you can handle.
Hard Rock CancĂșn
Hard Rock CancĂșn: High Energy high rise perfect for that gorgeous beach vibe, views for days, infinity pool with views and live music, compact for experiencing all the hotel offers, close to shopping, nightlife and local attractions. Perfect for long weekends remember land at 10am on beach by noon! Ideal clientele is high energy adults, friends, couples, singles, and parents with teens. ( Secret Insider Tip: the cabanas on the beach and a romantic beach dinner are worth every đ”)
Resort at a glance: 601 luxury packed rooms, in-room service, top-shelf drinks, and free Wi-Fi, 4 stellar pools with 2 swim-up bars and 2 outdoor hydro spas, an on-site amphitheater and live entertainment, world-class shopping, and all taxes and gratuity included.
More information: A 12-story monument to all things awesome in the heart of the Hotel Zone, the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun takes the Caribbean to a whole new level of sophistication straight to the edge of opulence. That means access to unforgettable tours, live entertainment, and an amazing nightlife. Enjoy unparalleled dining at 6 restaurants and 5 bars, championship golf, the legendary Rock SpaÂź, and even Hard Rock Roxity Kids Clubâą for your young rock stars. Perfect for any event, this all-inclusive headliner boasts 29,272 square feet of meeting space for your next get-together and ultra-chic wedding inspirations for the ultimate display of romance and love.
Hard Rock Vallarta
Hard Rock Vallarta: this gem of a boutique style small hotel is located in one of the most classic and historic parts of the pacific Mexican side. Close to the airport and downtown Vallarta but also close to historic striding towns and cultural escapes. This hotel features beautiful golden sand and calm waters but also very service focused due to its size. Perfect for honeymoon couples wanting a place to be pampered and relax but enjoy the Hard Rock touches of music. The location makes it central to explore the pacific coast of Mexico and meet locals from fishing towns to surf towns explore away. Also perfect for adventure seekers and families who enjoy spending time together and connecting on vacation and showcasing history to their kids. ( Secret Insider Tip: Salyulita is a must visit and of course Hidden Beach)
Resort at a glance: 362-rooms, 6 restaurants, 5 amazing bars, access to world class golf courses, Roxity Kids Clubâą for your young rock stars, the Cavern Teens Club, and the legendary Rock SpaÂź. Enjoy amazing tours, live music, endless parties, and more in the heart of paradise. Take your meeting to the top of the charts with 24,132 square feet of meeting space, Flamingo Golf Course, an 18-hole, par 72-course only 15 minutes away from the hotel.
More information: Rock SpaÂź is the perfect way to cool with an aromatherapy massage or charge up with an antioxidant facial. With 13 treatment rooms for both individuals and couples alongside a setlist of top-rated WEâVE GOT THE REST treatments, thereâs no better way to indulge your inner diva. I hope these help give you some minor insight into these fabulous hotels!
Hard Rock Offers So Much More!
Destination weddings, groups, meetings, corporate incentive trips, there is so much more to experience with Hard Rock Resorts!
With Hard Rock's beautiful beachside locations, world-class dining and top-shelf cocktails, business at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels feels more like an indulgence than work. Learn more about how Hard Rock's properties can take your meetings to a whole new level of luxury and sophistication.
ALL-INCLUSIVE MEETINGS THAT ROCK
Planning a conference at one of the new all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico or the Dominican Republic couldnât be easier. You control the costs at your next meeting or incentives event and we do all the rest. Trade in the expense report hassles and constant up-charging for top-notch service and world-class amenities. Itâs the luxury you deserve without the nickel-and-diming.
WEâVE GOT YOU COVERED Medical insurance protection is now available for purchase. Weâll be here to take care of all the details so you can work hard and pause hard with ease of mind. Book your meeting, incentive trip, or group at one of the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico or the Dominican Republic starting April 1, 2022 through December 15, 2023 for travel until December 15, 2023, and purchase My Travel Assistance Basic medical insurance protection for $10 USD per person to cover up to 10 nights due to convalescence and medical expenses such as doctor, medication and hospitalization. Upgrade to My Travel Assistance Plus for an additional $20 per person for the entire trip.
Destination Weddings/Beach Weddings
Begin your happily ever after in the heart of paradise. Whether youâre searching for timeless elegance or something a little more edgy, Hard Rock's ultra-luxurious resorts have all the world class amenities you need to make your wedding dreams come true.
ALL-INCLUSIVE HARD ROCK HOTEL WEDDINGS
Your love is not shy; your wedding day shouldnât be either. Whether you are wedding planning, renewing your vows, or honeymooning, the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotels of Riviera Maya, Cancun, Vallarta, Los Cabos, and Punta Cana will help make it the day youâve always envisioned.
Get in touch with carlymccaslin
carlymccaslin
This agent was not found. Please look at the profile of another agent.
Back by popular demand! GUARANTEED to be your #1 RESOURCE for Hard Rock Resorts! Learn why Hard Rock Resorts are more than just a vacation! EVERYTHING YOU WANT TO KNOW - All restaurants, bars, nightlife options, golf courses, spa treatments, hotel services, room and resort features, facilities, entertainment, it's all here!
carlymccaslin
Hard Rock Resorts All Inclusive Mexico & Dominican Republic-Ultimate Guide & Reviews
NONE Travel Agent Near Me
Share :
This agent was not found. Please look at the profile of another agent.
An expert destination wedding travel agent near me with five star luxury travel packages with a luxury travel company, Vincent Vacations.
Want the latest travel news, deals and more? Sign-up for my newsletter!
Please enter a valid email address in the "Enter Email" field.
Want to stay in the loop? Follow carlymccaslin on all the socials!
My Areas of Expertise
Learn more about destinations, interests, and supplier partners for online travel agent carlymccaslin.
Lia planned my destination wedding in May to El Dorado Royale and it was the most amazing experience! -Haley McCarthy
3 week custom trip to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji
Lia went above and beyond planning a 3 week custom trip to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji for us. She even let us drive her car to Dallas when our OKC flight got cancelled at the last minute. Thank you. -Candace Adolphson Haggard
Disney Cruise for our Group! Amazing!
We just got back from our Disney Cruise through Vincent Vacations and had a blast! Lia walked through the details with me and answered all my questions! She prepared us for what we could expect so we were delightfully prepared for fun things like Pirate Night and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. We had a blast!! Thanks Lia! -Justin and Erin Cornell
Vincent Vacations is the best travel agency you can find. Lia Vincent has been planning our vacations for over ten years. I can't tell you how many times she has gone the extra mile to help my husband and me. One time we were headed to Europe. All flights were cancelled. Lia got on the phone and when a flight on a different airline opened up she got us booked. Lia even checked in us to make sure we made it. In Europe she researched and researched to find us perfect accommodations and restaurants. She and her staff learn about your likes and plans the perfect vacation. I don't know when she sleeps. She plans the best vacation for each client. Her clients are like family. If you want a top notch travel agent and vacation call Vincent Vacations. I can't tell you how many times I have referred her to other people. Thank you Vincent Vacations! You truly are the best! -Debbie Straughn
Destination Wedding Puerto Vallarta
We had an amazing experience with our destination wedding trip to Puerto Vallarta. We especially loved the resort with its great views and terrific food/service. It was the best trip we have ever been on! -Cary & Tiffany Hawkins
50+ Group Destination Wedding!
Lia Vincent and team booked and coordinated booking and travel for 53 guests and my husband and I for our destination wedding November in Montego Bay Jamaica! They were amazing to work with and helped us pick the best all-inclusive resort that was perfect for our group! I don't know what we would do without them! -Leah Flynn-Smalley
Are you thinking about booking a cruise or have just booked one and arenât sure what to expect? We know you may have questions about taking a vacation at sea which is why weâve created this guide. Weâll explain everything you need to know about sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line!
Take advantage of the best value at sea with Norwegianâs all-inclusive Free At Sea. This offer includes Free Airfare^, Free Unlimited Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining and more!
Savor up to 20 incredible culinary experiences with the freedom to dine when and where you choose.
Enjoy award-winning entertainment including Broadway musicals, dinner shows and themed parties.
Choose an accommodation to suit your style and budget including luxurious Suites in The Haven by NorwegianÂź, Balcony Staterooms with ever-changing views and stylish Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers.
Thanks to Norwegianâs award-winning fleet and highly personalized service, you can book with confidence knowing your cruise vacation will be incredible.
CRUISE MYTHS. BUSTED.
I'LL GET BORED ON THE SHIP
With so much to do on board, you'll have to book another cruise just to experience it all! We have a seemingly endless choice of activities such as go-karting, wine tastings, sports games, arcades, the spa, pools, Aqua parks, and so much more. Choose from multiple superb entertainment options each and every night including Broadway shows, comedy clubs, nightclubs, live bands, karaoke, kids and teen clubs, and multiple bars and lounges!
ITâS TOO EXPENSIVE
Experience the best value at sea with Norwegianâs Free At Sea promotion where you can take advantage of free offers. Enjoy Free Airfare^, Free Unlimited Open Bar, Free Specialty Dining, Free Excursions, Free WiFi, and Free 3rd and 4th Guests. Plus, with worldwide cruises of varying lengths and a wide range of staterooms, youâll find the vacation thatâs perfect for you and your budget.
IâLL GET SEASICK
Due to the shipâs size and the use of stabilizers when needed, you may not even feel that you are moving! However, if it is a concern, you can book a stateroom mid-ship where there is the least movement, and there are many medicinal and natural remedies available.
IâLL HAVE TO EAT WITH STRANGERS / EAT ON A SCHEDULE
We offer you the freedom and flexibility of dining when, where, and with whomever you want. With a variety of incredible restaurants â up to 20 dining venues â to please any palate, Feel Free to be a little epicurious and follow your mood, not a schedule.
THERE WILL BE TOO MANY PEOPLE
Our contemporary ships are designed for comfort and space, giving you plenty of room to roam at sea. From relaxing at the Mandara Spa and reclining poolside to strolling along The WaterfrontÂź on select ships and enjoying delicious room service on your own private balcony in your stateroom or Suite, finding your happy place on board is a breeze. Also, Suites in The Haven by NorwegianÂź offer exclusive access to a private courtyard with pool, and their own bar and restaurant on select ships.
Freestyle Cruising: Offers flexibility in dining times, seating arrangements, and attire, catering to a relaxed vacation atmosphere.
Wide Range of Destinations: Sails to diverse destinations including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Alaska, appealing to various traveler preferences.
Award-Winning Entertainment: Boasts Broadway shows, live music, comedy clubs, and more for top-tier onboard entertainment.
Accommodation Options: Provides a range of staterooms from luxurious Haven suites to studio cabins for solo travelers.
Comprehensive Dining Choices: Features numerous dining options, from fine dining to casual eateries, satisfying all tastes.
Innovative Ships: Norwegian's fleet includes some of the most modern and innovative ships in the industry, offering unique amenities like water parks and racetracks.
On February 1st, 2024, for the first time, Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres, opened their doors to guests. I was there first hand to witness this. When I say first hand, I was literally the first guest to check-in to the resort. Here’s how it all played out…..
I was with some of our sales team at a different resort in the destination. When I saw I would be checking out the day one of the most highly anticipated resorts would be opening, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity. I had our agency’s preferred transportation company in the destination, Amstar, pick me up early so I could hopefully be the first guest on property. I did travel to opening day of Secrets Moxche in 2022, and I was the 6th guest to check in. I had to beat my record and we did it!
Let me paint the picture for you.
We are pulling up to the resort and hanging out the window asking the security guards if anyone had arrived yet and then squealing.
When we got out of the transportation, we were met with a mariachi band, executive team, and so many more hotel employees. They played music, cheered, clapped…..it was like we were celebrities arriving for the Academy Awards.
We were invited to join for the ribbon cutting, which of course we said, yes. They passed out scissors with the resort engraved and all cut at the same time. We spent time with the social media team doing interviews of what we thought of the resort. We also did some great drone shots with the pool. We felt like real influencers. This was so eye opening on how much work goes into the Grand Opening day of a hotel. There were so many moving parts. The team did a great job.
Now was time to enjoy the resort. Let me tell you all about it. This is a large resort and they were supposed to open in December. They are doing a phase opening as there are a few things not quite open yet. The tune of this blog will be June. There will be 5 months without some things but there is still most things everyone will do especially for a resort that won't be at capacity right early on.
There were 3 amazing pools open. There is one more pool – the Jungle Pool – that will open by June. They are building a massive spa and gym. It’s going to be 2 stories. It sits in the back of the property. They are well underway but it will be June before guests can do hydrotherapy for example. They are offering massages and facials in some hotel rooms set up like spa cabins. We went and saw the set up and it’s a perfect set up in the meantime. The rooms even smell like you’re in the spa.
The resort will have a theatre by June 2024 as well as the popular Desires nightclub that you might have seen at other Secrets Resorts. Right now they are having nightly entertainment around the round bar. This will be the hub of people coming for a drink to hang out before dinner and sunset cocktails. It has a great atmosphere. The chairs were made by Mexican artists. Each of the chairs took 24 hours to make and were made in the state of Oaxaca. The pillows were also made by artisans. The attention to detail at this resort is impressive. When we stayed they did a casino night, DJ, live band and Cirque type show. Each night they change it up. The butlers send out the schedule but there is also an App you can find the information on.
Our room we enjoyed was so spoiling. They put us in a Preferred Club Oceanfront Master Swim Out Suite. This room is so spacious and has a double balcony that connects to a wrap around shared pool with other swimouts. It faced straight onto the beach and ocean. The sunrise view was perfection. There’s a living room and bedroom, half bath and then large bathroom. It is a very open concept so not super ideal for more modest friends traveling together but we made it work. One amazing perk that was such a pleasant surprise for February travel is the swim out pool is heated. I’ve experienced some ice cold swim out rooms and this was perfection. We were also spoiled by our butler, Frank. He was assigned to us. He would send us the daily activities via Whatsapp. He also did things like help us with extra pillows or when you forgot your key and were locked out of your room (the hike to the lobby would be long in this category) and we also drew a fun bubble bath. He asked us what time and was there on time with a special tea oil that made it smell so good.
The rooms are pretty easy to figure out and I all of them face into the resort or straight onto the beach or ocean. The inside of the junior suites are all the same as far as the layout. There are a very limited number of rooms with 2 beds so just keep that in mind. This resort is more geared toward couples. The Preferred Club rooms have a tub on the balcony in addition to a more desirable location. The swimout rooms do not have the tub though.
One big question I have seen is if the Preferred Club level rooms are worth the extra cost. This is the resort group’s version of Club Level or Concierge Level at other hotels. To be perfectly honest I don’t think it is worth the extra cost at a lot of the resort group’s hotels. This one is one you will want to spring for. Preferred Club gives you access to the top pool. It’s a gorgeous infinity pool with cushy pool chairs and waitstaff ready to bring you frozen cocktails or food while you lounge. Another big perk of Preferred Club is the special beach club which is only for these guests. There’s going to be a beach bar and restaurant for the beach club and I know it will be the popular spot with upgraded chairs and service. The beach bar and restaurant are still under construction but by the looks of it will be finished before June. The Bali beds are also up for reservation specifically for Preferred Club guests. They are located in the PC beach club. The way they do the reservations is with the pool concierge and you need to do bottle service. The prices range from $150 - $250 depending on what kind of bottle you want and then this gives you the Bali bed for the day. They are set up for 2 people.
How was the food? This is always a question with a new resort. We had such a great food experience. The Market Café had all the typical fresh omelets, chilaquiles, and French toast anyone would be looking for. I would also like to give a shout out about the bacon. It was so good. I think we experience such blah bacon at most all inclusives and I was like, “Wow it’s just like restaurants at home!”
The Grand Opening Day there were a total of 88 guests. They did not need all the restaurants open. They will all be open by the end of February 2024. We really enjoyed the Seaside Grill which is up by the pools with a great firepit for pre or post dinner hanging out. I had the Catch of the Day which was a Sea Bass. It had great flavor sitting on a yummy sweet potato mash. Another food shout out needs to go to the spinach dip appetizer. It comes with wonton chips and we all couldn’t stop talking about it. The other restaurant open for Grand Opening was El Patio. This is their Mexican restaurant and you also can get a really good filet. The filet was the favorite here as well as the corn soup. El Patio also has a Mezcal and Tequila cellar which can be used for private dinners. It has such a cool atmosphere.
One unique dining experience I was able to have with my co-worker Becky was at the Chef’s Table. This experience is at an additional cost but oh my goodness please do this if you have time. You are taken in the back to the kitchen where there is a special table with a window into the kitchen. This is a wine pairing meal and when you book they will go over the options of wine which will dictate the cost. The chef came out and explained about the food and a sommelier spoke of the Mexican wine he paired. The lava cake had a spice sauce with it that I am still thinking about. We all kept saying we couldn’t believe how good it was.
We loved the resort and are already planning a trip back. The resort is set on such a nice stretch of beach in Costa Mujeres. You can see the island of Isla Mujeres so it seems the island is blocking the sargassum. I know it’s mother nature but the resort had such perfect turquoise water and white sand beach that I know is what so many people are looking for.
We would love to help you plan your vacation to Secrets Playa Blanca
We took 3 kids under 12 to Japan for Thanksgiving 2023. I would like to start off with saying my kidâs are very use to travel. They are use to long flights so this wasnât a far fetched idea for my family. We did not do an escorted tour and explored on our own. Itâs very navigable but his blog is going to give you tips and tricks for traveling with your family to Japan!
Our family loves theme parks so of course we had to hit up Universal Studios in Osaka, Disneyland and DisneySea in Tokyo. Hereâs what I thought about the 3 parks:
Universal Studios Japan â Our hotel was in Kyoto and Universal Studios is in Osaka. This is such an easy train ride. There are trains leaving all the time from Kyoto so it was so easy. There is just 1 train change from the main train station in Kyoto and then the train takes you right to CityWalk. It couldnât be closer.
Make sure to not pick a local train and then it just takes about 30 minutes. I was so thankful for the Premiere Access pass you can purchase in advance. There are many different levels and we chose the top tier one that gave the most rides. They do it differently than in Florida or California. We had specific times we had to go to each ride. You are going to want to purchase this as early as you know what day you are doing Universal. The more the day fills up then the later the ride time slots will be. With the jet lag we were all waking up early so staying up late was rough. The lines can be intense so please just spend the money on this. We bought it on Klook as the Universal Studios App wasnât as US credit card friendly.
The kidâs really enjoyed the Minon Land and they even have banana flavored popcorn. The popcorn buckets in Japan at all the theme parks are so unique. They also have a single rider lines for some of the ones that are not included in Premiere Access such as the Flying Dinosaur. I think this one might be more intense than Velocicoaster in Orlando!
Tokyo DisneySea â Ok â let me start out by saying I had extreme jet lag on this day so my opinion of this park might be more negative than normal. This is the only park like this in all of the Disney parks. One thing that is different about the Asian parks is they are not owned by Disney.
Positives â The employees here are very nice and accommodating. You know how the employees in Orlando will give your kids a hard time for hanging on the railings, etc. I travel with 3 rowdy boys and it was not like this at all. Iâm not saying my kidâs should hang on the railings but Iâm so use to telling them to stop and then having the employees tell them give minutes later. It was just different. The employees donât all speak English. Some do but a lot of them it was very minimal.
It is so much less expensive! The YEN was not strong when I was there so that is part of this but the tickets were about $65 when I factor the exchange rate. I thought this was a pleasant surprise. The prices in the gift shops I found to be shockingly less. Example â they had unique Mickey ears. They averaged in cost to be about $15 USD instead of $40 in the USA. I found a pair of Belle inspired ears that Iâve never seen before.
The characters just mingle around. It was not uncommon to see fur characters walking around the park. Guests just walked up and got autographs and picture. There were a couple that you knew where they would be like Duffy who seems to be more popular than Mickey in Japan. I was in shock and then after some research realized he was kind of created in Japan. He originally was just âThe Disney Bearâ in 2002 at Walt Disney World. A couple years later he was brought to Tokyo DisneySea and they added a story for him to make sense with the location. People had Duffy swag like Iâve never seen swag before. It was neat.
Constructive Criticism â I always feel bad critiquing as I know this is just my perspective. I am a spoiled traveler so my annoyances might not even be noticed by other people. Itâs also just because itâs different than I am use to.
The lines at both Disney parks are insane. I was in everything. We arrived at the park early and the line for rope drop was intense. Everyone runs to the rides as the lines quickly went into hours long ques. Everyone told me to try the popcorn. The lines for the popcorn or any food was like 30+ minutes at every stand. I just donât have this level of patience for things like popcorn.
If you are bringing picky American kids consider yourself warned about the food. Their version of kid meals is not the same as ours. One person explained that a lot of Japanese kids eat Japanese curry like our kids eat mac & cheese. My kids would have fought someone for some chicken strips. The pizza was pretty gross with what it looked like pieces of hot dogs on soggy pizza. We can always find something and it was a challenge here. We ended up ordering Dominos delivery when we got back to the hotel.
There is a an app to try and buy a version of Genie +. Itâs not the same and you canât purchase anything without being in the park. I was still taking it all in when we walked in and by the time I went to see about it then the times were pushed all the way to the evening. The rides were way too long to wait so we did just a few and skipped a lot. When I say long, I mean like 3 hours long. One of the most popular rides is Soarinâ and itâs just like the one at home but they fly over Tokyo in it as well.
Disneyland Tokyo â I didnât cover this so this would be a good time to mention I did not stay at one of the official Disney hotels. I am normally a huge snob of this. It just was not possible. They only open up bookings in a close window and they sell out so fast. I was super disappointed. It worked out though. We chose Hilton Tokyo Bay. We were able to get a family suite with bunk beds. They offered free breakfast and it was right next to the Disney Toy Story hotel. We walked across the street for the monorail. The monorail does have a small fee. You can buy it per ride or a day pass.
We spent a half day here. I wish I would have had time to spend a full day here but it just didnât work in our schedule. The park is laid out very similarly to the other Disneylands. The entrance is all covered which would be so nice if the weather was bad.
I donât want to repeat the same information again as I have very similar feedback on Disneyland as I do DisneySea. The lines are long. The souvenirs are inexpensive. The food is weird. The employees are super nice.
One thing that is different is the parade customs here. Most people had little mini tarps and they laid them out on the ground. They did this well before the parade and this saved their spot. I saw people displaying a variety of Disney plushies to also save their spot. I was like, âoh wow! Is this for real?â and yes it was. They even sold these little tarps at the shops.
One thing that was a little different is Tom Sawyers Island, âCritter Countryâ and âWesternlandâ which is their version of Frontierland. It was not a popular area so the kids had full run of this without crowds. It was done so well. They also have canoe rides you can do.
Other than theme parks â
Yes we traveled around Japan and not just to the theme parks. Here are our favorite things we did.
Checking our luggage for the train â I was so glad they had this service. It was something I have never experienced before. At each of our hotels they were able to check our luggage to our next city. We were able to take the train without buying the extra luggage type ticket. We also didnât have to drag our bags through the train station. They do take 24 hours approximately so what we did is packed a small overnight bad and sent the luggage before we left. So for example, if we were going to Kyoto on Tuesday we sent out luggage when we left the hotel in Tokyo on Monday morning. We had our luggage in the hotel waiting for us when we got to the hotel in Kyoto the next day. It was only about $30 per bag. Best money we spent!
Ninja Training â In Kyoto we signed the kids up for a private ninja class. They rated this as their #1 thing they did while in Japan. The ninja master was so patient with the boys and he had their full attention. The studio was all tricked out with secret doors and walls. The boys were able to throw the ninja stars and blow darts. It was a little scary for me as mom but they were so into it. We came home with ninja costumes and they are still talking about this day.
Sumo Lunch â We did such a quick trip to Japan that I was trying to make all the things happen. We were not traveling during Sumo tournament season but this was a great taste. This lunch experience included 2 retired sumo wrestlers who were very entertaining. They did a match while we ate a traditional Japanese meal. They then invited the kids to dress up in a sumo costume and challenge the wrestlers. It was great fun. This is located in Tokyo and we were able to take the subway to the restaurant.
Private drivers â I am a big fan of hiring private drivers for touring days. This gives so much flexibility to be able to do exactly what you want to do. We could stay for as little or as long as we wanted. The private drivers had example itineraries or we could do our own list. This is something I recommend having us set up for you when you travel.
Shibuya Crossing â This was my 11 year oldâs request to see. We had a private driver in Tokyo and he was like, âof course!â This is the busiest intersection in the world or so they claim. We had so much fun crossing the street back and forth. The people of Japan are so polite that it was still just no big deal. I donât think this would be the case in other countries. I want to go back and grab a table at a restaurant and just watch this. It was captivating.
Bamboo Forrest â This was during our time in Kyoto. It was so neat and there were little cafes and restaurants. I wish we spent the whole day here and just enjoyed the atmosphere. I will say this place is so busy. If you want the Instagram picture without 100 people in the background you probably have to arrive very early. The kids loved running around the forest. Another awesome aspect of this trip is traveling in November the Japanese Maples were changing colors. It was gorgeous!
We would love to help you plan your family vacation to Japan. Thereâs so much to do. I think we could go back and stay so much longer with all new activities.