Family trip to Japan - Tokyo and ski adventure

[Flyfrequently]

So this Trip Report comes from my initial questions thread about travel to Japan. Whilst I’m going to add to that thread with answers to some questions for others travelling to Japan, this thread needs to have a beginning.

So this thread starts with waking up yesterday morning, early. 6am. With an 8.40am flight (first of two), we had to get our kids up. Anyone with a 15 yo son or a 17 yo daughter on holidays, knows how hard that was going to be. Whilst we’d packed the night before, there’s still putting in the final bits - toiletries, etc. Then packing our electronics after an overnight charge.

Off to the airport - with an 11 day trip, we’d found that parking at the airport was going to suit us. With 4 bags and 4 carry ons, we decided that parking at the airport was the best option. Only $209 using Park n Fly. We arrived and parked, an attendant was there and knew my name after scanning our licence plate. He advised us to drop the keys at the office and after getting a ticket for our car, we started the walk to the Virgin terminal.

Inside, we went through the Platinum check-in line and gave the CSA my card and our passports, as this was the first leg of our two flights today. This allowed him to process the boarding passes for our BNE/CNS flight. My kids love two things about me - my Platinum status gets us Ecomony X seats and access to the Lounge.

We then walked out of the terminal and joined the security line - hugging the RHS wall for the elite status and going through the normal rigmarole of taking off boots, belts and mobiles. My wife had the most trouble. Once we were all cleared, the short walk to the VA Lounge, having my boarding pass scanned and we were in.

After finding a table, my kids went to get breakfast - they loved it in the Lounge. It wasn’t long before we’d had seconds and our flight was called. Off to Gate 43, walking up the pod and to the status line. Straight on with the CSA and CM giving effusive thanks for the sleeve of 5 Ferraro Rocher chocolates that I gave them,

It was an uneventful flight to CNS and we even arrived early. Then a first for me, transitting from Domestic to International.

On board with you @QF WP
Love that your teenagers want to holiday with you

 

[QF WP]

On board with you @QF WP
Love that your teenagers want to holiday with you

We think it’s the last time. Miss QF WP is off to Uni next year and then her holidays won’t be the same as my son’s school holidays.

We’re paying, so that’s easy for them to have said yes. Although my son would probably like to be gaming with his friends….

 

[Quickstatus]

You mean you didn't line up at the entrance at 0500 to get the tickets for Frozen ride and Rapunzel Lantern ride?

 

[QF WP]

You mean you didn't line up at the entrance at 0500 to get the tickets for Frozen ride and Rapunzel Lantern ride?

Not a chance.

On our way back to hotel now. Hopefully some time to write up the rest of yesterdays adventures

 

[QF WP]

So we hopped aboard the “ferry” as we wanted to get to the other end of the park and work our way back. The line was less than 30 mins:



and we were heading under and through the bridge:



but not that way:



so some random shots from the trip:





The strangest photo today. These ducks were just lazing around in the sun:







then after 15 mins we pulled up at the destination:

 

[QF WP]

Okay, it was time to find a ride.

On the way, checked out the wait times for others.





Indiana Jones was already at 120 mins and we didn’t want to buy an Express Pass, so we kept going.

Didn’t look at what this was:





This one only had a 30 minute wait wait and it only ended up being 20.





My daughter and I went together, whilst Mrs QF WP and my son were in the one behind. Selfie time before we lowered the bar - I could only just fit my legs under it.





Then it was off to a moderate level rollercoaster…






We wanted to ease into the morning without putting our blood pressure up too much - we’re getting too old for gravity defying ones