Vacation diary (Part 5)

On the new year's eve, we went back to the hotel early. We initially thought we might have a chance to get tickets to the new years countdown either at DisneySea or Disneyland, but nope, we weren't too lucky. Then we tried our luck at Disneyland hotel...whether any room was available for the new years eve, so that we could watch the new years countdown from the hotel window. Again, we were left disappointed. The hotel rooms remained to be fully booked. So, we had no choice but to check-in to our hotel as planned for the next two days, Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay is an equally excellent hotel. It's located not far from Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea. To get to the hotel, we just had to hop on the monorail and get down at the next station. Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay is just 2 minutes away from the monorail station. If you are too worn out to walk, you can always take their "Mickey shuttle" which leaves every 10~20 minutes.

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay

The entrance

We were quite delighted with the room at Sheraton. Though it may not have Mickeys or any Disneyland decorations, it was quite nice with its different kind of touch. The room looked spacious too.

Spacious room

Coffee maker, I love it!

Sya and ayah having fun with the mirrors...:)

It also had a nice balcony and since we were given the park view (nice surprise!!), we could see both the Disneyland and DisneySea from here.

View from the balcony

We had a peaceful new year's eve. We ate instant soba just before midnight to end the old year and enter the new year, celebrating it the Japanese way. As long as it's soba, it doesn't matter whether it's instant or fresh, it still fits in. ;)

Instant soba

We ate the toshikoshi soba while watching the famous Japanese Kouhaku utagassen

Beautiful night view from our balcony

Just before midnight, we sat facing the Disneyland and waited for the fireworks display.

Happy New year 2011!





Some videos of Tokyo Disneyland countdown parade from youtube

We were too tired to go to Disneyland at 2 am in the morning though it would be a great chance for us to take all the rides while most of the people were still asleep. We made the decision to sleep and try wake up as early as we could the next morning. I woke up at at 6am. Preparing for our trip to Disneyland as soon as possible. While waiting for Sya to wake up, I went to the balcony and savoring the new year morning just before the sunrise.

While staring at the sea, I realized the sky was beginning to get brighter and brighter....

So I brought along my camera, just in case I would be able to witness the first sun rise of the year 2011.

And to my delight, I was able to capture the first sunrise of the year!

It was one of the highlights of our trips. An unexpected surprise! I guess God must have had a better plan for me. I am very thankful. I don't actually feel bad that I didn't get to stay another night at the Tokyo Disneyland hotel. Gone was any feeling of disappointment that I had, the fact that I didn't get to join the countdown party at Disneyland or DisneySea. Would I give away this opportunity for the new year countdown parade at Disneyland? Definitely not! This was by far the most beautiful sunrise I have ever witnessed! The best experience ever!