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This week’s B ME Bites Trivia Question:

Welcome to Edition #77 of B ME Bites!

Some childhood dreams quietly disappear into the background as life goes on.

Not because you stop wanting them, but because you stop believing they'll ever actually happen.

Disneyland was one of those dreams for me.

We spent three magical days at Tokyo Disney Resort celebrating Taasjia's 30th birthday, meeting some very special Disney characters, collecting more themed merchandise than any sensible adults probably should, and learning a few valuable lessons about the importance of doing your research before booking restaurants and rides 😄

(Reminder: B ME Bites is now landing in inboxes fortnightly - well mostly 😉 - while its sister newsletter, Effortlessly Organic Living, takes the opposite week.)

B ME Bites 77: Japan Adventures Part 14 – Disney Dreams Really Do Come True

Mickey Mouse, magical moments, and a strategic decision to choose ice cream over terror

There are some places in the world that live in your imagination for so long that you almost stop believing you'll ever actually see them.

This week was one of those moments.

We headed off to Tokyo Disney Resort for what would become one of the most emotional, magical, exhausting, joyful, and educational parts of our entire Japan adventure.

And yes... there were tears.

Tokyo Disney Resort – Where Grown Adults Cry At Castles

We got a slightly later start than usual before making our way from Sengawa to Tokyo Disney Resort using public transport.

When we arrived at Maihama Station, our first stop was the Tokyo Disney Resort Welcome Centre. One of the lovely Cast Members organised for our luggage to be sent directly to our hotel so we didn't have to drag it around ourselves.

Now that's my kind of magic.

With our bags taken care of, we headed to the Disneyland Hotel to check in for our two-night stay in a Tinker Bell Character Room.

Although our room wouldn't be ready until later, Disney allows guests to check in early, leave their luggage, collect their tickets and passes, and head straight into the parks. By the time you return, your luggage is waiting in your room for you.

Once checked in, it was finally time. We walked through the gates of Tokyo Disneyland.

One of the first things we noticed as we entered the park was the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. For anyone travelling with younger children (especially little ones who love princesses), this is something worth knowing about before you go.

The Boutique is a magical experience where children can be transformed into their favourite Disney princess, complete with costumes, hairstyling and all the special touches that make them feel like they’ve stepped into a fairy tale.

We weren't there for a makeover ourselves (although I think grown adults might secretly enjoy it too 😂), but seeing the little princesses walking around the park afterwards was so adorable.

Definitely something to research and plan ahead for if you have a child who would love that kind of experience, as I'm sure availability can be limited.

If Taasjia was within the age range, I totally would have booked it as a surprise birthday present for her.

Another little detail that we loved was discovering the Disneyland letterboxes. Yes, actual working letterboxes inside the park.

Guests can purchase postcards, write a message, pop them into the special Disney letterboxes and send them from Disneyland itself. There's something wonderfully magical about sending a postcard from the Happiest Place on Earth.

In a world of instant messages and social media updates, I thought it was a lovely touch and a unique souvenir for anyone who enjoys collecting special postmarks from their travels.

Our first stop was lunch at Crystal Palace Restaurant, where we were welcomed with a buffet spread and a cocktail on arrival.

Not a bad way to start.

After lunch, we wandered through the park, squeezing in a few rides with shorter wait times before our scheduled visit to Minnie's Style Studio.

One of the attractions we explored was Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall. Inside, you can wander through displays telling Cinderella's story, but the highlight for many visitors is getting the chance to sit on Cinderella's throne and try on the famous glass slipper.

Well... not actually try it on, but you can pose as though you're seeing whether your foot fits.

It was one of those simple little experiences that Disney does so well. We watched children and adults alike having fun recreating the moment from the movie and taking photos to remember it by.

Haven’t you wondered at some point whether you'd be the one the slipper fits? 😄

Another highlight was Goofy's Paint 'n' Play House. Not so much because of what was INSIDE the attraction, but what amazed me was what was OUTSIDE. Goofy’s garden was actually a real vegetable and herb garden! I loved it so much, I had take a video of it. You can watch it here:

As we were walking through the park, taking everything in, I suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion.

I realised that although Disneyland had absolutely been one of those childhood dreams, I'd quietly filed it away as something that would probably never happen.

It wasn't possible when I was a child, and somewhere along the way I'd stopped thinking about it.

Standing there at 50 years old, looking around at the castle, the music, the colours and the atmosphere, it hit me.

I was actually here.

I may have cried a teensy tiny bit.

Disneyland just feels different.

I've been to theme parks before, but this felt magical in a way that's difficult to explain until you're standing there experiencing it yourself.

After meeting Minnie Mouse, we headed to Beauty and the Beast's Enchanted Castle before collecting our Tinker Bell popcorn bucket filled with caramel popcorn.

Yes, adults can carry themed popcorn buckets too.

No judgement please. 🤣

From there we headed to Baymax's Happy Ride before hopping aboard the Disney Resort Monorail to make our way to dinner at Chef Mickey.

The monorail windows are shaped like Mickey Mouse heads. Even the transport is adorable.

Dinner was another buffet, but this one came with a very special guest.

Mickey Mouse himself.

And our table was the first one he visited.

After photos with Mickey and plenty of food, we returned to Disneyland to watch the fireworks and projection show over the castle.

It was spectacular. The perfect ending to our first Disney day.

At least we thought it was the perfect ending.

We turned our happily exhausted bodies back to the hotel and went in search of our room. The hotel was so beautiful and even though we were sure we would love our room just as much, when we opened the door and stepped in, we both looked around in delighted wonder.

It was so gorgeous.

So detailed.

We may have been two grown adults, but we were suddenly transported back in time to two little girls having a magical childhood experience together. Words can’t even do it justice.

And of course, we both had to take turns sleeping in the alcove bed, but I did give Taasjia first turn. 😜

Disneysea, Heatwaves and Three New Pairs of Ears

The next morning started with breakfast at Sherwood Garden Restaurant before we headed over to Disneysea.

Our lunch reservation was at Lookout Cookout, deep inside Fantasy Springs.

Unfortunately, this is where one of our biggest Disney lessons began.

The meal wasn't quite what we expected.

After the delicious food we'd enjoyed throughout the trip so far, we discovered that our lunch consisted largely of children's snack boxes.

Let's just say it wasn't exactly the culinary highlight of our Japan adventure.

Thankfully, things improved quickly.

We explored Fantasy Springs and enjoyed several rides. All of them were fantastic.

One of my favourite parts of Fantasy Springs wasn't actually a ride at all.

Scattered throughout the area are beautiful rock formations and waterfalls featuring Disney characters carved into the stone. Some are easy to spot, while others require a little more careful observation.

We found ourselves slowing down and taking our time as we explored, constantly looking for the next hidden character tucked away amongst the waterfalls and scenery.

The attention to detail throughout Fantasy Springs is incredible and makes the entire area feel like you've stepped inside a Disney storybook.

Meanwhile, Taasjia managed to acquire three pairs of ears in a single day.

Tinker Bell ears. Jasmine ears. Ariel ears. Plus an Ariel bag and a birthday badge.

I feel like Disney merchandise acquisition deserves to be recognised as an Olympic sport.

Unfortunately, the weather was incredibly hot. While we were both feeling the effects of the heat, Taasjia was definitely struggling the most.

The Disney staff were wonderful. When they saw how unwell she was becoming, they allowed us into our dinner reservation at Fantasy Springs Restaurant earlier than scheduled.

The buffet was amazing. Sadly, Taasjia wasn't feeling well enough to properly enjoy it.

The staff continued to look after us throughout the evening and even allowed us to exit through the opulent Fantasy Springs Hotel rather than making us walk all the way back through the park. Another Disney hotel that is absolutely gorgeous. Even though we were tired and not feeling well, we could still appreciate the beauty that surrounded us.

Small acts of kindness can make a huge difference when you're not feeling your best.

That night, after our disappointing lunch experience, we started researching the restaurants we'd booked for Taasjia's birthday the following day.

We discovered another problem.

Our dinner reservation was at a restaurant where neither of us liked the menu.

Oops.

We tried changing it.

We tried changing it a lot.

No luck.

Happy 30th Birthday, Taasjia!

The following day was a very special one. Taasjia's 30th birthday.

Disney absolutely loves birthdays.

Everywhere we went, people noticed her birthday badge and wished her a happy birthday.

The smile never left her face.

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we stored our luggage and headed back into Disneysea for one final day.

We explored areas we'd missed the previous day, took a harbour boat ride, rode Journey to the Centre of the Earth and hopped aboard the park's electric rail car.

Then came our scheduled ride on Tower of Terror. Or at least it was supposed to.

We walked over.

Looked at the ride description.

Looked at each other.

Said "Nope”…. and promptly replaced the experience with ice cream.

Excellent decision-making if you ask me. I have no idea how that ride ended up on the schedule. I’m blaming Taasjia though. It was her birthday, so I let her choose the rides. I love her infinitely……but not that much! 🤣

Later, we waited for the Venetian Gondolas to reopen after being temporarily suspended due to the heat.

Thankfully, they eventually reopened and the ride ended up being one of our favourites. Definitely worth the wait.

By late afternoon, Taasjia had seen everything she wanted to see and could tell my foot was causing me quite a bit of trouble.

That's when she suggested something that ended up creating one of the most memorable moments of the entire trip.

Instead of staying until closing time, we decided to leave early, collect our luggage and head back to Sengawa for dinner at our favourite Izakaya.

But first...

Disney magic struck one more time.

As we were leaving the park, Princess Ariel and Prince Eric happened to be greeting guests near the entrance.

They spotted Taasjia's birthday badge and stopped to wish her a happy birthday.

I was trying to film the interaction but was too far away.

One of the attendants actually made sure they waited until I reached them so I could capture the moment properly.

It was completely unexpected.

Completely magical.

And it only happened because we'd decided to leave early.

Disney magic made an extra special day, extra, extra special.

Back in Sengawa, Taasjia celebrated her birthday with all her favourite Izakaya foods.

When we returned to Ririko's parents' home later that evening, we discovered they had left a birthday cake and a beautiful handwritten note for Taasjia.

They were away travelling themselves but had organised everything in advance.

Such a thoughtful gesture.

What an incredible way to celebrate turning 30.

🌏 Travel Lessons So Far

🏰 Sometimes childhood dreams don't disappear
(they just wait patiently for the right moment to come true)

🔍 Research really does matter
(especially when booking rides and restaurants at Disney)

💧 Summer heat deserves respect
(even magical places are more enjoyable when you're well hydrated)

🎟️ Planning ahead can save hours
(and sometimes a little preparation makes all the difference)

✨ The smallest details often create the biggest memories
(from Disney letterboxes to hidden characters in waterfalls)

💖 And sometimes the best moments aren't planned at all
(like a birthday wish from Ariel and Eric on the way out of the park)

✨ Looking Ahead

The Disney magic may be over, but our Japan adventure is far from finished.

🚆 A change of scenery awaits
📸 New places to explore and memories to make
🎌 More discoveries that remind us why we fell in love with Japan

And as always... a few surprises we never saw coming.

In Case You Missed It: B ME HQ Weekly Recap

🌿 Effortlessly Organic Living – Edition #15

"Natural" on a food label sounds reassuring… but does it actually mean anything?

This one digs into what "natural" really means in the world of food labels, and why greenwashing is more common than you'd think.

📍 Read it here: Effortlessly Organic Living 15: What “Natural” Really Means on Food Labels

🌅 B ME Sunrise Bites – Day 87

Waking up at Tokyo Disneyland with sunrise on the agenda… let's just say the sky had its own itinerary.

📍 Watch here: Day 87 B ME Sunrise Bites– Woke Up in Disneyland, Sky Said "Not Today"

📺 Explore the full journey on the B ME Sunrise Bites YouTube Playlist
(Remember to hit subscribe!)

Resource Roundup

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