Our Family Adventure Begins!
Hey there, fellow family traveling with kids enthusiasts! Buckle up as we take you through the whirlwind of our 1st day on a 16-day family adventure spanning Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Our squad consists of me, my wife, and our dynamic duo of toddlers. We have planned months for this trip and the day has finally arrived. It’s like a mini circus on the move!
Our day kicked off at 4 am and with the logistical challenge of packing for a small army – three suitcases, two backpacks, and two strollers, all strategically Tetris-ed into our trusty Toyota Prius. Shoutout to my sister for the lift to Oakland International Airport (OAK); she’s our unsung hero.
Southwest Airlines took us to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and let’s just say navigating security with two toddlers and their strollers is an art form we’re getting the hang of. Stay tuned for a future blog post on the intricacies of security checks around the globe – it’s an adventure in itself.The flight to Seattle was a quick two-hour affair. My son glued to his iPad, my daughter catching some Zs, and before we knew it, we were in Seattle, fetching our suitcases and transferring to a Delta flight.
Pro tip: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s international and domestic departures share the same security entrances, saving you from terminal-hopping madness. International departures are in S gate terminal. You’ll just take the quick airport tram after passing through security check to S Gates.
Right at the S gate terminal was the airport lounge. We used our Priority Pass and made a pit stop at the airport lounge, The Club SEA, to fueled up on breakfast, and then onto the next gate. If you don’t have a Priority Pass, get it now! We used it 4 times during this trip and it was great to have a place to eat and relax prior to our flight. Generally, children under 2 years old are free with a member. I have seen certain lounges go up to under 4 years old. Do check the Priority Pass app for the latest information on free entry for children. You can also obtain a Priority Pass for free through a travel credit card such as Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The 11-hour flight to Haneda wasn’t as daunting as it sounds. We had our secret weapon – an inflatable airplane bed for the little ones. Meals were had, naps were taken, and just like that, we touched down in Tokyo.
Haneda Airport’s Terminal 3 was our landing spot. Suitcases in tow, we hustled to catch the free shuttle to Terminal 2. Why Terminal 2? Well, the limousine bus to Disney Ambassador runs more frequently from there. And at $15 for the four of us, it was a budget-friendly breeze. Check out our previous blog on How to use the Airport Limousine Bus from Haneda Airport to Tokyo Disney Resort Area!
After a 35-minute ride, we checked into Disney Ambassador around 5 pm. But no time to rest – our grumbling stomachs led us to Ikspiari (イクスピアリ) mall next door. Ippudo won the dinner vote, Ippudo ramen is a popular Japanese ramen chain that originated in Hakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. They are known for their rich and creamy tonkotsu broth, made from pork bones that are simmered for over 20 hours. Their noodles are thin and straight, and they offer a variety of toppings, including chashu (braised pork belly), ajitsuke tamago (marinated soft-boiled egg), and kikurage (wood ear mushrooms). Even though Ippudo exist in the States, it seems to better in Japan.
With the long day of traveling tucked under our belts, we strolled back to our hotel and called it a night. Stay tuned for more tales from our 16 day trip – this is just the beginning of our epic family journey through Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan!
