At Tokyo Disneyland, I Found a New Collecting Obsession

We havetoo much Disney stuff . In our home , one entire room is specifically consecrated to Disney posters and memorabilia . In other rooms , we have shelves dedicated toStar WarsGalaxy ’s Edge , Robin Hood , Toy Story , and more . It ’s too much . And so , when in conclusion wee that pail list trip to Japan to visitTokyo DisneylandandTokyo DisneySeawe get laid we had to take it easy with the purchasing .

But then I saw it .

leave DisneySea’sIndiana Jonesride(which is just like the Disneyland ride , exceptCrystal Skullthemed ) , I noticed they were deal a petite , Matchbox - sized replica of the drive fomite . I had to have it . It was modest , themed to something I love , and hyper - specific . That was the tonality . This was n’t just someIndiana Jones - theme shirt , it was the drive vehicle fromthisride . I scooped it up .

Some of the new Disney ride vehicles we bought at Tokyo Disney.

Some of the new Disney ride vehicles we bought at Tokyo Disney.Image: io9

A few rides later on , I realized the amazingFrozenride I just exited also had a mini - ride fomite . And thePeter Panride . And at the end of the mean solar day , I was carrying eight newfangled drive vehicle in my rucksack . The next day , at Tokyo Disneyland , the buying continued , and by the end of our stumble , I ’d buy 12 fomite , at a price of about $ 15 apiece .

( On the top level , you ’ve make , from left to right wing , Haunted Mansion , Indiana JonesandBeauty and the Beast , FrozenandPeter Pan , and20,000 Leagues Under the SeaandJungle Cruise . On the bottom , you ’ve gotSoarin ’ , the stamping ground Monorail andAquatopia , Happy Ridewith Baymax , andToy StoryMania . )

The vehicles are made by a party called Tomica and they ’ve been teaming up with Disney since , according to Wiki , 2001 . So it ’s not like I ’m the first person to key out these . They ’ve been around for literal decades . But the size , exclusively , and specificity just spoke to me . Plus , because of their size of it , I bonk that I could reasonably easily find place for them to display in our very , very Walter Elias Disney - filled home .

Tokyo Disney Ride Vehicles

All the ride vehicles we bought. – io9

But I had to coiffe terminus ad quem . An important part of my buying was being selective . I was n’t bribe everything . I was buying vehicles for drive I actually rode and really liked . And while I sure as shooting bought a lot , in one of the stores at Tokyo Disneyland , there was a display with what seem to be every vehicle currently available . There were style more than 12 .

You may notice one far-famed drive vehicle that ’s not in there : the Starcruiser fromStar Tours . When I started bribe these , one of my first cerebration was , “ Is there one forStar Tours ? ” I then checked all around the drive and park but no , there was n’t . At least not now . I later found out there were out - of - photographic print vehicles forStar Toursthat , maybe , I ’d buy at a late escort .

But , that later date almost happened much sooner . Later on our Japan tripper , I find myself in a eccentric person mecca called Nakano Broadway . A few moment outside of Tokyo , this four - story mall is filled with all manner of geek ware and you could spend daytime getting lose in its stores . At one spot , I walked into a store and examine what I believed was theStar Toursride vehicle I was after . This one looked a small different , though , and had a signaling next to it that said something about “ 330 . ” I asked the employee for more information .

Tokyo Disney Ride Vehicles

All of the Tokyo Disney Ride Vehicles at the resort. – io9

twist out , this particular piece was n’t 330 yen , nor was it 3300 yen . It was 330,000 yen , the U.S. equivalent to about $ 2,300 . concord to a translation of the sign , it was some discontinued version of the vehicle and , intelligibly , very rare and valuable . “ Do you still want it ? ” she asked . The resolution , of course , was yes , but I could n’t give it , so I said “ No , give thanks you . ” She then took the sign and write on it , making it percipient what the piece cost .

That was the moment , though . In the two minutes before take in how expensive that slice was , but also be intimate it was going to be more expensive than the I in the park , I was quick . If it had been $ 200 or something , I would ’ve draw the gun trigger . I was on vacation ! I wantedStar Toursfor my collection ! Of course , I did n’t buy it , but I did realize I had formally added mini ride fomite to my foresighted list of collecting obsessions .

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