Valentine’s Day Lookbook: Casual Galentine’s Day Outfits with Graphic Tees

Disney Style, Style

Happy Galentine’s Day & (early) Valentine’s Day!💖 Instead of dressing to the nines this year, I decided to put together a couple outfits built around fun graphic tees. I love outfits built around easy shirts because…

1. Most people already have an all-time favorite sitting in their closet, so it’s easy to recreate these looks!

2. You can either dress it up for a more polished look or go make plans for an all-day at-home movie marathon. No judgements here.😉

3. Graphic tee outfits are super easy to throw together. And with Valentine’s Day sneaking up on me this year, I gladly welcomed any uncomplicated, yet fun outfits.

Vintage Minnie shirt: Etsy, Blazer: Frame via Nordstrom Rack, Jeans: Levi’s, Shoes: Leith via Nordstrom Mask: Second Wind, Sunglasses: Karen Walker, Earrings: Bauble Bar, Bag: Loungefly

Play heart to get on Valentine’s Day!❤️ This vintage Minnie tee is comfy and so perfect for a polished, but casual Valentine’s Day look. To play off the hearts on the shirt and pull the whole look together, I wore a heart patterned velvet blazer. The velvet and embroidered hearts add texture and whimsy to an otherwise straightforward “t-shirt and jeans” outfit.

To complete this look, I found the perfect heart accessories. And to no one’s surprise they’re all Disney accessories.😂 To find the right mix that worked together, I kept color palette and scale in mind. I knew red, white, black, and light beige accessories would coordinate well with my vintage Minnie shirt and choosing only one larger scale statement accessory with other smaller accessories helps keep everything from looking too overwhelming. Because you are the star of the show, not your clothes — even if they are droolworthy.😜

I mean…it’s a Bernaise.💁🏻‍♀️
Shirt (gifted): Cakeworthy, Shorts (similar): Amazon, Scrunchie (similar): Amazon, Necklace: Stella and Haas

In honor or Galentine’s Day, I had to wear this amazing Bridesmaids shirt from Cakeworthy! Because ladies, I just don’t think we can do any better. It’s a Fritz Beenaise afterall!😆

I usually buy graphic tees that are slightly loose on me so I can get that perfect fitted slouch when I tuck them into pants and skirts (exhibit A shown above👆🏼). But for this shirt, I decided to go up a few sizes so I can comfortably lounge on the couch all day bingeing Bridesmaids and other gal pal movies! I paired it with fitted pink shorts (which is actually a bodysuit onsie!) for a playful loungewear feel. And for a little glam, I topped it off with a matching sparkly scrunchie.💖

I hope you like these easy and more casual Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day looks! I used to get caught up thinking all my lookbooks had to showcase extravagant ensembles and be a huge production. And honestly, it requires so much more energy I would probably stress about it more than I should’ve.😅 But I’ve finally come to realize that even my more casual looks are still worthy of documenting. Just because it’s not fancy, doesn’t mean it’s not worthy! Reminding myself of that is one small way I’m showing myself some self-love and grace.🥰

Are you celebrating Galentine’s Day or Valentine’s Day this year? Or maybe you’re going to shower yourself with some self-love. Either way, I hope you’re weekend is filled with snacks and rest.😆

ABW

Lunar New Year Lookbook

Disney Style, Style

Happy Lunar New Year!🧧🎉 Lunar New Year is a holiday my family has always looked forward to and celebrated. As kids, and even as young adults, we would head down to Chinatown and play all the carnival games lined up along Portsmouth Square. Coin tosses, balloon darts, water guns, but the golden goose—or in this case horse—was the roll-a-ball horse racing.

My mom loved collecting the huge golden horse trophies, so naturally we’d wait for the all the seats to clear out and my siblings and I would compete against each other so winning that horse trophy was a guarantee. I might have been a little embarrassed that we were so shameless about winning those horses, but looking back, it’s a Lunar New Year memory I’m really fond of.🥰

Dress: BlackMilk, Minnie bag: Shanghai Disneyland, Shoes: Aldo, Sunglasses: Fendi, Mulan necklace: Awe Inspired, Mask: iluvit

This year is obviously very different from previous years, but that won’t stop me from putting together a festive outfit. Even if it’s just to walk the dog or lounge at home. Like the past couple of years, I loved making them into Disney Style outfits, but what I didn’t expect was my new love for BlackMilk to take center stage!😱

A few months ago, BlackMilk released a holiday collection full of sparkle and merry motifs. But when I caught a glimpse of this red star dress, I immediate knew I needed it for Lunar New Year. Red and gold are always appropriate for Lunar New Year, but stars were such a perfect bonus!⭐️

I then knew I had to pair the dress with an accessory from Shanghai Disneyland. One of my favorites is this Minnie crossbody. If you look closely, you’ll notice her usual vintage hat is designed to look more like a Chinese courtier’s or official’s hat. And the addition of the gold coin motif on the brim is just too perfect. Pairing this Minnie bag with this dress was just a match made in heaven.

Shirt: Macy’s, Shorts: BlackMilk, Mulan necklace: Awe Inspired

But let’s be honest, most of us aren’t going anywhere fancy to celebrate Lunar New Year—myself included—so I also put together a fun loungewear outfit. I started off with this oversized t-shirt that I bought on sale last year. I love that Minnie is shown as a lion dancer because I LOVE LION DANCERS.🦁 They’re just huge, colorful, playful dogs and the music is always gets me so pumped!😂 It was just too good to pass up.

I was originally going to wear plain black bike shorts, but I remembered I had this Disney pair from BlackMilk and to my surprise, the color palette matched the colors of the t-shirt! I don’t wear these bike shorts too often, but I truly appreciate the side pocket to hold your phone (or maybe some extra snacks). They’re also made of performance fabrics so you can actually workout in them. Who doesn’t love a good double-duty apparel item.

I want to conclude this lookbook with a reminder that Lunar New Year is celebrated by many different communities. I think a lot of times, Lunar New Year is interchanged with Chinese New Year and although Chinese and Chinese Americans are probably the largest group to celebrate the holiday, they’re not the only ones that do.

So if you have a minute, definitely check out this page from the Asian Art Museum to learn more about how Lunar New Year is celebrated around the world! For me, I’ll be eating some Chinese take-out since a lavish banquet dinner with my extended family is out of the question this year. But however you decide to celebrate, I hope this Lunar New Year is a memorable one!

ABW

#MinnieStyle Lookbook for National Polka Dot Day

Disney Style, Style

Happy #NationalPolkaDotDay!🔴⚪️⚫️ Polka dots are pretty much synonymous with Minnie Mouse, so it’s no surprise that many Disney fans celebrate Minnie and her iconic style today. In past posts, I’ve talked about how I used to shy away from #MinnieStyle for the fear of coming off as too girly, which often reads as childish as an Asian American woman. But now that I’m older, I’ve become more comfortable with wearing girlier, feminine outfits that still feel like me.

And even though today is supposed to be all about dots, I’ve decided use today as a great opportunity to highlight #MinnieStyle altogether. So here are a few fun ways to #RockTheDots and honor Minnie’s timeless style!

When Eggie, a clothing brand by Asian American YouTuber Jenn Im, dropped their Disney collection, I fell in love with this blazer and skirt set. From afar it looks like an irregular pinstripe, but it’s actually Minnie’s signature!🤩 I adore how the subtle print makes a usually stuff blazer more playful. And since we adore a themed outfit, I paired the set with the Uniqlo x Ambush Minnie Mouse bag. It’s reminiscent of the Christopher Raeburn Mickey and Minnie bags, but it was much more affordable. To stay warm, I layered up with Eggie’s bodysuit from the same Disney collection, a pair of tights, and some chunky boots. And I couldn’t forget my favorite upcycled Gucci mask!

Another piece I immediately bought from the Uniqlo x Ambush Disney collection was this embroidered Minnie T-shirt dress. I practically live in this dress and should’ve bought two because it’s already getting pilly.😅 It’s basically a cute and comfy cotton mumu, so it’s obviously been my go-to quarantine uniform. To add a few dots into the mix, I wore Baublebar’s Minnie dangle earrings and a velvet dot scrunchie. And a #MinnieStyle outfit almost always calls for a bright red lip.💄 I’m loving how luxe this Pat McGrath lipstick feels!

Dress: Reformation, Minnie bag: Aldo, Bag strap: Parc Pack, Sunglasses: Gucci, Mask: iluvit

For the last outfit in this lookbook, we’re going full throttle with dots!🔴⚪️🔴⚪️ Thank goodness red dot dresses were trending in the last couple of years because now it’s fairly easy to find a #MinnieStyle dress that fits my style. This Reformation dress feels so Parisian and will really stand the test of time. But to level up on the dots, I decided to wear this fun (and obnoxious) Minnie bag with a Parc Pack red dot bag strap. When wearing dot on dot, I like to mix the size and proportions of the dot patterns so overall, it’s not too overwhelming.

What’s your favorite way to #RockTheDots or don #MinnieStyle? I’m glad over the years, I’ve come to embrace Minnie’s look. It’s a great reminder that I shouldn’t shy away from styles just because they don’t seem to fit me at face value. If anything, I can use my creativity to be inspired by those styles and put together outfits that still feel like me. So here’s to Minnie me!❤️😆

#CityDisneyStyle: 5 Easy DisneyBounds!

Disney Style, Style

I remember when I first stumbled upon the DisneyBound tumblr almost seven years ago.  I was immediately obsessed and scrolled through page after page of these creative and colorful outfits.  My first DisneyBound was a dapper Elsa for Dapper Day and I racked my brain for weeks leading up to my trip trying to put together the perfect “clever” outfit.😆  Looking back, it wasn’t even anything crazy!  I wore a light blue dress that had clear beads on the neckline, clear jelly pointed flats, a silver belt, and white gloves and clutch.  But putting together a DisneyBound doesn’t have to be a chore!

With the March Disneybound Challenge well underway, and with everyone practicing social distancing, I thought it would be great to do a round up of incredibly easy DisneyBounds!  And participating in the March DisneyBound challenge is a great way to keep the magic alive while you’re at home and the parks are closed.  So here are the outfit formulas for 5 super easy DisneyBound outfits!

1. Ballgown Belle from Beauty and the Beast

Outfit Formula: yellow dress + rose accessories

Belle’s yellow ballgown outfit is one of the easiest DisneyBounds out there.  Find any yellow dress, add a rose accessory, and you’re ready to dance with your Beast!🌹  To top it off, style your hair into a half-up topknot!  For shoes, there are a few options.  I opted to wear yellow shoes, but white would also be a fun option to mimic the petticoat under her dress.  A nude sandal would work just as well!

 

2. Benjamin Clawhauser from Zootopia

Outfit Formula: denim on denim + cheetah accessories

“Oh em goodness!” I love this DisneyBound because it’s basically an easy, polished weekend outfit.  A denim jumpsuit would also be great for this DisneyBound, but I decided to go with a Canadian tuxedo because it’s what I already had in my closet.👍  Add in a bunch of cheetah print accessories and your DisneyBound is complete!  And I’m sure Clawhauser would appreciate any donut accessories, like a bag charm or earrings.🍩

 

3. Gord from Ralph Breaks the Internet

Outfit Formula: brown sweater + black or brown pants + loafers or oxfords

Who knew that a bug-eyed assistant would wear one of the most timeless outfit combos; pants and a cozy sweater.  I decided to pair my brown mock neck sweater with black denim, but dark brown trousers would work just as well.  Add some polished shoes like loafers or oxfords and you have your Gord DisneyBound!  But to mimic his peculiar buggy face, I added white oval sunglasses and a pink hair accessory.

 

4. Audrey Ramirez from Atlantis

Outfit Formula: denim overalls + fiddler hat + black shoes

Probably the toughest female engineer is Disney animation is Audrey Ramirez.  Audrey can fix some of the most complicated machines, but putting together this DisneyBound is simpler than ever.  Start off with a medium blue denim overalls and throw a white shirt underneath.  Then wear a black or blue fiddler hat with black shoes or boots and you’re ready to explore The Lost Empire!🌊

 

Lizzie McGuire Movie Disneybound Trevi Fountain Italy

lizzie mcguire movie hilary duff trevi fountain5. Lizzie at Trevi Fountain from The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Outfit Formula: blue pinstripe shirt + chunky pendant necklace

If you have plans to visit Rome, definitely channel Lizzie McGuire and wear a pinstripe top to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain!💧  Lizzie’s style in The Lizzie McGuire Movie is definitely reminiscent of the early aughts.  But the blue and white pinstripe shirt she wears to the Trevi Fountain is a timeless pattern that you can easily find in stores, especially during spring!  Add a chunky pendant necklace and patiently wait for Paolo to whisk you away on an Italian adventure.🛵

I hope you found these easy DisneyBounds helpful!  DisneyBounding is what propelled me into this vast Disney communitiy, so I’m glad I was finally able to write a post about it.  It’s the perfect way to combine my love of Disney with fashion!  If you’d like to see more of my DisneyBounds, follow me on Pinterest or Instagram!

#CityDisneyStyle: 3 Tips to Finding the Perfect Dressy Disney Bag

Disney Style, Style

With the holidays upon us, so to are the numerous dressy parties and gatherings.  And adding a touch of Disney flair to your dressier outfits is a piece of cake with a Disney bag!👜  It’s just another way to bring Disney magic out of the parks and I love how it adds that unexpected touch of magic.✨

Here are some tips on choosing the right bag to compliment your dressy, festive outfit!

Tip 1: Find a bag that can be carried as a tophandle or clutch!  These kinds of bags tend to be dressier than a backpack, fannypack, or crossbody since they don’t obstruct your beautiful outfit that you worked so hard to put together!  Conversly, if you feel like your outfit looks too fancy and needs a little edge, try adding a more casual bag!

Tip 2: Try to veer away from bags that use more casual materials, such as canvas, and go for something that looks a little luxe, like faux leather or faux fur!  Hard case bags, like this Pixar tophandle ball, also tend to look dressier because it has structure.  And nice, quality hardware also help elevate the overall look of the bag.

Tip 3: A more “basic” Disney bag can easily pair with fun prints!  Because let’s face it, you probably have some fun prints in your closet and it can be hard to find that bag pairing.  I always have difficulty mixing prints and patterns, so my default is to carry a solid bag!  Preferably in black.🖤😆

Now that you have some tips on what Disney bags can complete your dressy outfits, go out and be your fanciest, festive Disney Style self!

 

 

#CityDisneyStyle: NYFW

Disney Style, Style

Disney Style New York NYFW H&MxMoschino gold sequin parka Forever 21 Mickey sweater Pixar purse

Snowy hair, don’t care.

For February’s #CityDisneyStyle post, I was originally planning to share how I style a Disney sweater multiple ways.  But when I found out I was able to get small peak of NYFW during my trip to New York, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to put together a Disney Style outfit that was a little more…extra than usual.😆  And speaking of extra, can we just take a minute to appreciate the hilarity of these “smoke” photos?!☁️🤣

So let’s jump right in and break down this outfit.  And we’ll start with the most obvious piece — this crazy H&MxMoschino gold sequin parka!  I’ve been meaning to break out this bad boy for the perfect occasion.  So when I was packing for New York, I knew it would be the item that I built my outfit around.  PLUS, it’s a padded parka that was perfect for the cold weather.

But what to wear that would simultaneously compliment, but not compete with the gloriousness of the jacket? 🤔  With Ilana‘s advice to wear a Mickey sweater, I knew this cropped Forever 21 sweater featuring a dazed Mickey would be perfect. I love that the graphic stands out from the jacket, but isn’t too busy to compete with it.  And the yellow stars were such a fun way to play up the shimmer of the jacket.

Disney Style NYFW Moschino H&M gold sequin jacket parka Mickey Forever 21 F21 Pixar bagFor pants and shoes, I wanted to wear more “basic” items.  But as I mentioned in last month’s #citydisneystyle post, I like to choose interesting basics to help keep my outfits from looking too boring.  Instead of just wearing any pair of black pants and shoes, I wore these wide leg, velvet burnout pants and chunky velvet sneakers.  The patterned pants are subtle enough to not overpower the outfit, but still add texture and interest.  And the platform soles on these Supergas help give the whole outfit a more street style vibe.👟

Disney Style New York NYFW H&MxMoschino gold sequin jacket Forever21 Mickey sweater Pixar ball purseAnd of course to complete the look, I chose a fun, graphic bag!  For the shows, I actually decided to carry my Cakeworthy Mickey hand bag, but I also like how my new Pixar hard case bag looks with this outfit too!  I especially like how the star plays off of Mickey’s dazed stars.  And the tophandle came handy since the parka is so puffy.  Have you ever tried throwing a bag strap over a puffy jacket before? Not. Easy.

And as a BONUS, here’s one other way I wore this crazy sequin parka with some Disney Style flair!  After picking up this black and gold Mickey bag from the Shanghai Disney store, I knew it would look amazing with my gold parka and a sleek black outfit.  And for an extra touch of Mickey, I wore these gold Mickey stud earrings I picked up from the parks a year ago.  It was the perfect outfit for a late night dinner out in New York and SO easy to put together!

Since I didn’t get to share the original #citydisneystyle outfit I wanted to post for February, keep an eye out for it next month!  I’m going to share the different ways I like to style a Minnie sweater!🐭🎀 And since February is already over, I promise you won’t need to wait long.😉

ABW

#CityDisneyStyle: Rock The Dots!

Disney Style, Style

dsc08653Happy National Polka Dot Day!  And say hello to the first #citydisneystyle post!🙌🏼  If you follow me on instagram, then you already know that this series is an idea I’ve been toying around with for the past month.  After getting all your great feedback, I’m finally pulling the trigger!

I hope that each month I can tell you more about how to put together a Disney Style outfit that suits your city life.  Instead of following one format, I’ve decided to focus on one topic each month. I’m planning to write up step by step guides, how to style one item multiple ways, and hopefully showing you how to easily transition at-home Disney loungewear clothes into a pulled-together errand outfit!🏃🏻‍♀️

This month, I decided to provide three tips on how to wear one of the most timeless prints around — Minnie polka dots!🔴⚪️⚫️🔴⚪️⚫️

dsc08665Tip 1: Choose interesting basics to pair with your dots.

I love a good pattern mix, but for easy city dressing, I usually pair a pattern or print back to interesting basics.  What do I mean by interesting basics?🤔 It sounds like such a contradiction, Alisa. Well, I’m talking about basic pieces with an unexpected point of interest.  Basics with an intriguing detail that makes them NOT so basic.

Notice in this outfit, that the points of interest in my black coat are the longer streamlined silhouette, slim collars, and distinct pocket details.  For my bag, the mixed metal buckle feels unexpected. And blue tinted aviators actually pick up on the blue in Donald’s hat. These kind of small details help to elevate your basics from literal “basic clothes” to stylish staples that stand the test of time.

dsc08659Tip 2: Mix different styles into your outfit.

Mixing different styles is something I often think about when putting together a #citydisneystyle outfit.  As much as I prefer to have a predictable life and schedule🙄, I try to go for an unexpected mix in my outfits.  And when it comes to styling Disney pieces, mixing fun and bright with more refined items easily transforms Disney clothes into city clothes.

Since I based this outfit on my flouncy Cath Kidston dot skirt, I decided to pair it with more structured items to get that nice mix of feminine and sleek.  Again, my black jacket instantly adds polish with its sharp silhouette and my earrings are minimalistic and streamlined. Both give a nice contrast to a flowy skirt and that contrast is what taps into that “je ne sais quoi” cool city girl mood.

dsc08697.jpgTip 3: Tuck it in!

It’s such a simple styling “hack,” but it has so much pay off.  For skirts or pants that sit at your waist, try to tuck in your top.  Not only does it help keep the shape of your outfit, but doing a French or half tuck will also help you channel that cool Parisian city vibe.  I mean, it’s called a French tuck for a reason!👩🏻‍🎨  Tucking your shirt in ever so slightly will instantly read as effortless and more polished.

Minnie dots are such a playful and timeless print to wear and I hope these three tips will help you wear them with confidence around the city!  Minnie may be girlie and sweet, but she’s also strong and independent. So to style an outfit that speaks to different sides of Minnie’s character was fun and meaningful for me.  And to share this outfit and these tips on National Polka Dot Day is just the icing on the cake!🎂

How do you like to wear your Minnie dots?  Let me know here or over on instagram!

A Holiday Outfit with Disney Flair

Disney Style, Style

DSC08525We’re a week out from Christmas, so trees, lights, and festive holiday outfits are in full swing!  In past years, I would wear the usual lace or sparkles, but this year, 🎶to save me from tears, I’ll give ‘fits some Disney style!🎶

What I’m trying to say with my horribly forced Christmas pun is that this year, I thought I would add some Disney flair into some of my holiday outfits.  I figured that would be a good way to help get me into the Christmas spirit, since I’m usually more of a Halloween ghoul.👻😆 I mourn the loss of fall weather and Halloween candy for a month.

DSC08534Since most of my Disney pieces are casual, I decided to pair a casual shirt with a satin, silky skirt to dress it up.  The mix of casual and dressy gives that cool, city girl vibe that I love.  But part of the fun in dressing for the holidays is also being a little kitschy.  Enter adorable Christmas light earrings!🎄  And since I have two ear piercings, I obviously had to capitalize on the opportunity and wear two pairs.😏  For this outfit, the green and gold pairs were the perfect accent colors.  BONUS: The earrings are less than $5 on Kmart right now!

DSC08543And even though I only intended to wear one piece of Disney apparel, I ended up wearing three.😅  Since the weather was gloomy, as it usually is during this time of year in San Francisco, I threw on my favorite oversized camel coat, which conveniently, features Mickey.  And to carry my essentials, I opted for my small Minnie Coach bag; also adding that perfect dash of Minnie style.🎀🐭❤️

DSC08527All in all, this was a perfect outfit for my afternoon work holiday party last week.  Dressy enough to be party appropriate, yet still laid back, fun, and festive!  And another bonus for ya…it’s an easy, comfortable, and cute outfit to wear for a visit to the Union Square tree!🙌🏼

I love that I was able to incorporate some Disney flair into my holiday outfit this year.  My usual holiday go-to’s are red, black, lace, or a dress of some sort, so it was fun to think out the box and incorporate some of my favorite mouses.🐭🎀🐭

What do you like to wear for holiday parties? Comment below what you’re going to wear for your holiday festivities or let me know over on instagram!

ABW

90 Years of Mickey, the True Original!

Disney Style, Musings, Style

San Francisco Disney Style Mickey Mouse True Original Levi's Golden Gate BridgeToday’s the day we’ve all been waiting for!  It’s Mickey’s 90th birthday! And you can bet I’m not just celebrating today.  I definitely celebrated alllll year long by buying into the many Mickey True Original collections that released throughout the year. 😆  Opening Ceremony, Forever 21, Cakeworthy, Vans, Target, and most recently H&MxMoschino and Levi’s — just to name a few.  So thank you, Mickey, for turning 90!  I have a closet full of amazing Disney Style pieces thanks to your birthday.  Unfortunately, my wallet doesn’t thank you so much.😅

A few months back, Disney Style asked me to share how I liked to style a classic Mickey tee and why I think Mickey is timeless.  For me, Mickey stands the test of time not only because his love for life, friends, and new adventures never goes out of style, but also because in everything he does or wears, he always makes it his own.  And that’s some life inspo I can get behind.

San Francisco Disney Style Mickey Mouse True Original Levi's Golden Gate BridgeThis is also why I loved all the Mickey True Original collections so much.  Each collection retained the brand’s DNA.  Forever 21’s collection was fun and spunky, Opening Ceremony was unconventional and funky, Rag & Bone was ultra cool.  Each brand that released a collaboration took Mickey as inspiration, but made the collection unapologetically their own.  And it inspires me to approach personal style in the same way.

San Francisco Disney Style Mickey Mouse True Original Levi's Golden Gate BridgeSo to take a page out of Mickey’s playbook, I KNEW I had to make this Disney Style Canadian tuxedo my own.  Obviously, I wanted everything from all the collections, but I knew I absolutely needed these Levi’s Mickey decal jeans and matching sherpa jacket for a few reasons.  It’s probably obvious by now that I’m a sucker for denim and an adorable classic Mickey.  But Levi’s was and still remains an integral part of San Francisco’s heritage.  The company was born and raised in San Francisco!  Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?😏

You might wonder why I’m sometimes overly aggressive about declaring San Francisco as my home. I can’t tell you the number of times someone has asked me “Where are you from?” and they don’t actually want to know what city.  Many POC and WOC can probably relate to this.  Sometimes, I keep telling them San Francisco until they ask me the actual question, “What race/ethnicity are you?”  Additionally, a good handful of people assume I wasn’t born here.  You would think at this point in our lives, someone wouldn’t be so shocked to learn that you were born here just like your own parents. 

San Francisco Disney Style Mickey Mouse True Original Levi's Golden Gate BridgeBut as a third generation San Franciscan and with Levi’s significant ties to SF, I obviously had to pair this denim set with a San Francisco, City by the Bay graphic tee.  The simple, yet strong font pairs nicely with the classic Mickey decals.  Laid back round sunglasses and practical, yet polished flats finish off this outfit and lend that perfect touch of city ease and California cool.  And of course, I added a little extra flair with a pin from the Disney Store’s new Mouseketeer collection!

DSC08389So here’s to you, Mickey!  Thank you for 90 years of laughter and magic!  You look good for your age, but I reckon it’s because you’re young at heart.  Just another life lesson that you’ve taught millions of people, including myself.  I can’t wait to see the countless number of amazing people you’ll inspire for another 90 years to come!  And of course, I know you’ll do that with your own unique flair. 😉

ABW

Tokyo Disney Resort Travel Guide: Tokyo Disneyland & Tokyo DisneySea

Musings, Travel

Tokyo disney resort disneyland disneysea style travel outfit mickey international

In 2016, I had the amazing opportunity to visit all 6 Disney parks within a year thanks to a close friend who encouraged me to do it with her.  And even though it’s been a quick (read “LONG”) minute, I’ve heard your cries on Instagram and am finally writing up reviews of each international park and hopefully answering your questions on accommodations, transportation, food, and more!  To kick it off, I’m starting with Tokyo Disney Resort!

japan tokyo disney resort mickey mouse disney style

Transporation

Transportation to the parks from on property and nearby hotels is easy and convenient.  Many hotels provide a shuttle that will either take you to the park or take to your closest monorail station. Disney-sanctioned hotels will even have the cute Mickey shuttle buses!

The monorail, unlike Disney World’s monorail, charges a fee.  But tickets are fairly cheap and if you know how many days you will be using the monorail, then you can buy multi-day passes which are a better value.  The monorail tickets can be bought at kiosks at the monorail station and they usually have cute seasonal Disney designs!

If traveling to the parks from Tokyo, you can take the metro (called the JR or Japan Railway).  It usually takes an hour to travel to the resort depending on where you are staying in the city and how many transfers you need to make.  But find the Keiyo Line or the Musashino Line, which both lead to Maihama Station.  Maihama Station lets you off at Ikspiari, which is like Downtown Disney or Disney Springs.  You can then board the resort monorail that takes you to the parks!

More info here: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tdr/access.html

tokyo disney resort celebration hotel alice in wonderland disney style japan

Where to Stay

I’ve stayed both on and off resort and depending on how you want to spend your time in Tokyo, that is how you should plan where to stay.  If you are planning on visiting the parks for three days, I would suggest finding a hotel “on property.”  And I say that with quotes because similar to other Disney resorts, there are hotels within the vicinity of the parks, but aren’t necessarily associated with Disney. And these are great for those looking for cheaper rooms! But if you only have one chance to visit, I would recommend the Celebration Hotel! It’s one of the more affordable Disney hotels if you’re able to split the costs with a few people. I LOVED it! There are so many cute decor details (like bread and butterfly decals outside the room doors) and our room had the Joey Chou Alice in Wonderland mural along the wall.  SO MANY PHOTO SPOTS!

If you plan on visiting the parks for only one or two days and seeing Tokyo the remainder of your stay, then I would suggest finding a place in the city.  Even better, if you can find a hotel or airbnb near the Keiyo or Musashino JR Lines, it will cut down the number of transfers you have to make and get you to the magic that much faster.😉

japan tokyo disneyland resort mickey mouse disney food eats style cape cod

Food

TDR food is on another level.  Most, if not all, things are adorably cute.  However, I will say some of the food tastes a little processed.  Whether that’s good or bad is a different question, but do not expect to find fresh sashimi.  It still is after all, a theme park.

One of the more famed restaurants that is unique to TDR is the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall.  It is a cafeteria style restaurant that surrounds diners with the intricacies of Wonderland.  The signature dish is the Queen of Hearts hamburger patty, which is a fun heart shaped patty topped with a cheese crown.  However, since beef isn’t a super common meat in Japan, unlike the US, don’t be surprised if it tastes more like meatloaf.

japan tokyo disneyland resort sea disney style food eats stitch lilo hawaii curry popcornSome of my favorite TDR foods include the Mickey hand bun (Disneyland, Toontown), chandu tailchandu tail (Disney Sea, Arabian Coast), and Mickey chicken nuggets (DL, Tomorrowland Terrace but I like getting them in DS at Cape Cod Cookoff in American Water).  Other TDR foods that guests love are the different flavored popcorn and the Mickey shaped churro!  PS: Disney Sea has wine at Cafe Portofino in the Mediterranean Harbor area.🍷 Gotta thank the Nakajima sisters (Ayano & Natsuki) for helping us tourists with that one!😉

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Merchandise

I feel like there really isn’t much to say here because I think most Disney fans know that TDR merch is THE BEST.  Everything they sell is so much better than any other Disney park.  But aside from the ears, sunglasses, and apparel, I also really love TDR’s snack souvenirs!

Japan loves little packaged snacks.  And at both TDR parks, you’ll find whole sections of stores devoted to snacks and candies.  Even better, many of the snacks are cased in souvenir tins or containers.  So after you’ve eaten everything, you still get a fun case or tin as a souvenir!  I personally like bringing back the snack souvenirs as gifts for friends and coworkers.  But I always buy some for myself because it reminds me of my childhood.  My family was frequently in SF’s Japantown.  Preschool, summer camp, basketball leagues, piano lessons…it was all in Japantown for us. So growing up, we loved going to the Japanese markets to pick out whatever snack we wanted as our afternoon treat.  And now seeing some of my favorite childhood snacks wrapped up in fun Disney packaging just makes the child in me scream with joy!

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People

Part of the reason why this one of my top Disney resorts is because of the people.  Guests and visitors are not only polite and nice, but they’re trustworthy.  Japan in general has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and it’s because everyone respects one another.  Not saying you should leave your stuff around willy nilly, but if for some reason you left something behind, you have a good chance of getting it back.  Granted, there’s probably not much crime or theft that happens in Disney parks, you just get that extra reassurance that your belongings won’t be lost forever.

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Natsuki (left) & Ayano (right) 💖

Not many people there speak English.  So if you’re not knowledgeable in Japanese, be ready to charade your way through a conversation.  There are English maps and most signs have English translations.  Worst case scenario, have your map handy and point to what you’re looking for.  And better yet, also have a Japanese map with you so the cast member can read it in their own language instead of having to try to guess what the English map says.  But at least know “hello” (kon’nichiwa) and “thank you” (arigato).

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Unique Rides/Attractions 

Tokyo Disneyland is pretty similar to Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. But they do have some rides and attractions that are unique to Tokyo! And of course, DisneySea is a completely different park, so everything they have can’t be found at any other Disney park. But if you only have a limited time, here’s what I would strongly suggest you try to ride in each park!

Disneyland park: Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride & Go Seek

DisneySea: Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage, Magic Lamp Theater, Aquatopia, Nemo & Friends SeaRider

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Overall Thoughts & Suggestions

TDR is by far one of my favorite Disney parks.  I love the mix of Japanese culture and Disney magic, but overall it’s just a well-rounded resort.  Fun rides, easy transportation, various hotels, instagrammable food, and of course amazing merch.  But what really captures my heart are all the small details in the park.  The soap in the bathrooms are dispensed as mickey shaped foam, ramen egg yolks are also mickey shaped, and one time we swore the camel statue in Arabian Coast smelled like actual camel poop smell. They’re THAT dedicated to details.

To fully experience the parks, I would suggest a three day stay.  However, two days will still allow you to enjoy most of what the parks offer.  And I would probably spend a little more time in DisneySea versus Disneyland.  Only because DisneySea is completely different from any other Disney park.

If you’ve been to TDR, let me know what you love most about it! Or if you have extra tips, leave them here to so others can learn more too! And stay tuned for the next international international Disney park travel guide!🐭✈️

ABW