BLOGGING WITH INTEGRITY: Why I blog and my Pledge.

Hi Disney Guys and Gals!

 I'm relatively new to the blogging scene. I've had various personal blogs in the past but have never had a Disney blog before. In fact, up until the past year or so, I've never really had a strong reason for wanting to take on a Disney blog.

Y'see, I spent a year in Japan from Late summer 2009 til Late summer 2010 and it literally changed my life. In more ways than one! One way it altered my life was the way in which I enjoyed and understood Disney. Of course, like many children of the 80's, I grew up with a rich diet of Disney movies, toys, cartoons etc. And, the yearly visit to Disneyland. In this case, Disneyland Resort Paris (then Euro Disney!)

However, as I grew older, I kind of lost my passion for Disney. I still loved the movies and enjoyed visiting the parks immensely.. I guess I just kinda lost my enthusiasm for Disney. Sad but true.

So, when I went to Japan and found out that I would be living a mere 20 minutes away from Tokyo Disney Resort, I quickly realised that it would be utterly amazing if I could visit. Not just once, but if I bought an Annual Pass.. wow, I could go as many times as I liked! The few months before my year abroad began were spent planning what I'd do at TDR and, of course, saving up for the rather expensive AP! It was during this time that I began to realise that TDR is quite amazing, actually! I visited the Official Site in both English and Japanese. I realised that the Japanese site offered a lot more interesting information about the Resort. It was then that I came to value my language ability!

I then moved to Japan and finally the day arrived when I could visit TDR for the first time (it rained heavily and we could only ride indoor rides, not that it "dampened" my enthusiasm one bit!!) and attempt to make my AP at long last! Well, let me be quite honest, it was very, very difficult to make the AP! And I would know, I've made an AP at Disneyland Resort Paris, without knowing any French at all, and it was still easier than making the TDR AP! Y'see, TDR isn't really geared towards foreign Guests and therefore the forms were entirely in Japanese and the staff spoke very little English at the AP booth. I mean, sure, the majority of CM's can speak good enough English and they provide an English Guide Map.. But, let me tell you in all honesty, you can enjoy so much more of the Resort if you understand Japanese. For example, only a handful of the Attractions have English language options and the shows have none at all (though the show "Big Band Beat" is in English as the Performers are American)

My year spent visiting TDR was amazing. I saw each season and the different Events that followed. I shopped, laughed, explored and made friends.. it was truly an unforgettable experience.
However, many of the foreign visitors to TDR don't speak Japanese and therefore their experience, though undoubtedly amazing, is sadly limited due to TDR's lack of English support beyond the bare neccessities.

Therefore, I made this blog to help spread the Disney In Japan Love! Integrity to me is blogging about TDR as accurately and honestly as possible and including as many interesting articles about TDR and, indeed, all Disney in Japan. I will use alot of material taken from the Official TDR site and Official Japanese Disney Site, but this is so I can convey the news, information and excitement to non-speakers of Japanese as accurately and in as interesting way as possible.

My pledge of Integrity:

• I will write about Japanese Disney in an accurate and honest manner at all times.
• I will always give credit and link back to the Official sites I use and make no claim to owning their information.
• I will translate and convey information as accurately and honestly as I can. However, my Japanese is not perfect. Therefore, when I am unsure, I will not include the information in my blog.
• I will post regularly about topics that will help readers enjoy Japanese Disney.
• I will listen to advice and suggestions from fellow Bloggers and Readers and take the appropriate action.
• I will try to help with information regarding TDR for non-Japanese visitors to the park by offering my help with any vacation/day visit queries when required.
• I will have fun posting about a topic very, very close to my heart.

I hope you will enjoy my blog.

Thank you for visiting!