USJ 25th Anniversary – Part 10 - Return From Japan

 

April 2, 2026

The night before, we had sorted and re-packed our suitcases for the trip home. We put the dirty clothes in one and the few remaining clean ones in the other. We also tried to even out the weight. We took ten books. Two were for the raffle at the party. Noriko ordered one. We gave another to one of our Japanese “kids.” We still had six, so we split them between our two suitcases.

Our sweet room support clerk, Setsuko Washio, had been off the previous two days, so we hadn’t seen her. However, she was supposed to be back on this day, so we left one out and signed it for her.

We savored one last breakfast and watched all the families preparing for their day in the park.

As we walked toward the elevator, I spotted Setsuko. She saw me about the same time and ran over to say hello. We talked for a couple of minutes while Larry went upstairs to pick up the book we had signed for her. When we gave it to her, she said, “Oh, thank you! I was going to ask where I could get a copy.” Sadly, we did not take a picture of her.

We spoke for a while longer, and then we returned to the room to complete our last preparations. We had to check out by 11:30, so we took the bags downstairs, checked out, and left our bags in the storage area. We would not be picked up until about 3:00 by the airport transportation company.

We took a last, long walk around CityWalk and over to the front of the park. We hadn’t planned to go into the park on this trip. Two years before, we had gone with friends and had seen all the new rides. We’d also checked to be sure our names were still on the windows above the candy store next to the main lagoon. They were.

Many of the original attractions (like E.T., Backdraft, T-2, Animal Actors Stage, the Western Stunt Show—in fact the whole Western area) were gone. The team windows, which had been on those buildings, were also gone. Larry’s major attractions—JAWS, WaterWorld, and Jurassic Park—as well as the rest of his area, were still intact. On that trip, Jurassic Park was closed for refurbishment, and we couldn’t get to the WaterWorld show, but we did ride on JAWS and saw his “footprints” on the beach of Amity Island.

This trip was about people. Our days were packed with visits with our Japanese “kids,” good friends, and teammates. I loved every minute of it!

We walked around the Universal Store once more, but we didn’t see anything else we needed to buy.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped at Starbucks. I didn’t need any more mugs. We already had two from Osaka (one from our original stay there and another from the 10^th anniversary trip in 2011), but I had seen a Japan mug with the sakura (cherry blossoms) on it. Since our return trips had all occurred in March, they had been in bloom for each trip. This one was no exception. Besides, I wanted another memento from this trip…

When we entered, we saw Lou Noy. We had met him and his family there on the morning of the party, too.

I had just bought my mug when Atsuko Sera stopped by. So, another mini-reunion.

Atsuko Sera, me, Lou

She had to catch a train, and Lou was waiting for his wife and daughter. Larry brought our cappuccinos just before they arrived. Lou said they were making one more pass at the stores to be sure they hadn’t missed a retail opportunity!

They were leaving at the same time we were, so we all walked back to the hotel and sat in the lobby. He said he thought he should read our book again and asked if he could buy one.

Larry got one out of his bag in the storage area and brought it over to us.

When it was close to time for our pick-up, we got our bags and made our way out to the front waiting area. Setsuko was working there, so we had a couple of minutes to spend with her before our car showed up. Lou’s arrived just ahead of ours.

We made good time getting to the airport, checked in, and then headed for our gate. When we got there, we were surprised to see George and Donna Johnson. Turned out, they were on the same flight. We had a wait since the plane didn’t leave until close to six, so we sat and talked.

Finally, it was time to board. The process went smoothly. We waved good-bye to the Johnsons since they were in a different area of the plane. Our flight ended in L.A., and they had a connecting flight to catch once we landed.

The trip home was uneventful. I watched a couple of movies, but then I plugged in my iPod and listened to music. I think I dozed for a while.

Since we were now headed east, we picked up the day we had lost on the way over and landed in the morning of the same day.

Customs was easy, and it didn’t take long to leave the airport. Chris (our driver) was there waiting for us.

On the way home, we told him all about our trip.

Once we got inside the house, Larry took the bag with our dirty laundry to the garage and started a load.

I took the other bag upstairs on the lift. Best investment we’ve made in the house in years.

I unloaded the toiletries and other items we would need but left the rest for the morning.

There wasn’t much to eat in the house since had tried to use up everything before we left. Larry got some fast food, and we had a small meal.

It wasn’t yet time to sleep, but the time change had caught up to us. We went to bed early.

April 3, 2026

This was Larry’s birthday, but we spent it unpacking and putting things away. Got most everything done.

I put on my new USJ 25^th Anniversary shirt, and Larry took a picture. I look like I’m frowning, but it was bright in the sunshine.

That evening was Flick Fellowship, where we meet with a group and discuss a movie. Since we had left the house clean before we left, and the cleaners had come on the 1^st, we didn’t have to do much except set out the extra chairs and get our food for the potluck meal. I also bought a small ice cream cake for Larry’s birthday. For this meeting, we had decided to show the DVD of a movie I loved, Rental Family. I had watched it again a couple of times on the plane and still loved it. So did the rest of the group.

But our day wasn’t quite over.

We had to drive to San Juan to pick up my cousins, Linda & David Salmon, who live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They had spent the previous week with their son and his family seeing Disneyland and Universal. That day was their Universal day, and they caught the Metro train from there to San Juan. They got in around eleven p.m.

Larry drove around while I waited for their train. It wasn’t a long wait.

We were so glad to see them.

They were tired from their busy week and day, and we hadn’t quite adjusted to the time change, so we all went to bed as soon as we got home.

April 4, 2026

Spent the day with the cousins catching up. Lots to talk about. They were about to undertake a foreign mission. Dave explained it to us. He is an attorney, so he would be helping expats deal with legal issues. Turns out, one of my dear high school friends had done exactly the same thing a couple of years earlier. I decided to call him, and I did.

As always, I loved hearing his voice and knowing he was well and happy. I asked if he would talk to Linda and David and answer their questions. Because he genuinely is one of the nice guys, he said he’d be glad to, so they went into the next room and talked with him for a while. Very grateful for terrific friends!

That night, I had made reservations at the Wind and Sea Restaurant for the four of us to celebrate Larry’s birthday together. We had a terrific meal (as always).

David, Linda, me and Larry. Happy birthday!

We didn’t cut his cake until the next day. They stayed a couple more days, including Easter Sunday. We always enjoy being with them.

Their visit was the perfect way to end a great trip.

USJ 25th Anniversary – Part 7 - The Reunion Party

 March 31, 2026

The day of the 25^th anniversary arrived at last!

After breakfast, we gathered up all the things we had to take with us and arrived at the Hotel Keihan Universal Tower, where the party would be held.

This is the same location where we’d held the delayed 20^th anniversary party two years before. Atsuko Sera did a terrific job of making the arrangements using basically the same information as the last party.

Signs were posted around the hotel showing the way.

We had to set up some things and get ready for registration. Atsuko, two of her friends, and I would be checking people in. She had already printed blank nametags and had them ready for attendees to add their names.

Larry was helping with the setup inside the room where we would meet and eat our lunch.

Atsuko also had two of her friends from the A/V team with her to set up the microphones and queue up a video she had brought to show.

Before long, other guests started to arrive. So many familiar faces! It was great to see them all again—Americans and Japanese.

We had agreed that I would give the opening remarks with Atsuko translating. I provided her with the text ahead of time.

Several people spoke, including Mike Davis, who was involved with USJ from the very beginning, and Dave Froelich, the A&E Director during construction. He shared a message from Dave Burkhart. Again, Arsuko translated. Also, Shinkawa-san spoke with Masa Suzuki translating. Funny moments!

Mike Davis sharing memories

Masa Suzuki translating for Shinkawa-san.

Some folks returned to Japan for the first time since we finished the park.

Sharon Kawamoto, David Streshinski (Stresh-san), returning for the first time.
With Ritzuko Oki Onishi (who still lives there).

Front: Returning team members Cecelia & Lou Noy.
Back row: Chie Yoshimi (Document Control) Ritzuko Oki Onish (translator),
David Streshinski (FDM Area 3).

George & Donna Johnson with Lou Noy

We enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch

And lots of great conversation

Me with “my girls” and Dote-san photobombing our picture

Noriko, Atsuko, and I handing out door prizes

Ann & Jim Kriss with Cecelia & Lou Noy

Ann & Jim had visited with friends, and their 90-year-old grandmother sent lots of lovely bags she had made with kimono fabric. Ann & Jim shared them with us.

Larry and I with Janet & Masa Suzuki and Dave & Joyce Froelich

Jim Kriss, Karen Chrepeck, and Terumi Igarashi

The team—united again

But the party wasn’t completely over. Next time: The party continues.

USJ 25th Anniversary – Part 6 - Meeting With More Friends and Family

 

March 30, 2026

After breakfast, I caught up on some email and prepared the gifts for the day.

Then we walked over to CityWalk to meet Maki and Yumi for lunch.

Maki was our head translator. I always thought she was the most beautiful girl on the project―and the single guys agreed. They practically fell over themselves trying to date her. However, she was from Kyoto, and her father was a famous artist. Kyoto is the old capital and the most traditional city in Japan.

Since most women were still entering into arranged marriages at the time, we assumed she would be, too. (And she was.)

She was an amazing translator, who could do simultaneous translations. (Very difficult in Japanese.)

Yuri was one of our other translators, and she still works for USJ. It was fun to see her again.

We had agreed to meet at Hard Rock Café, so we walked over at 11:30 for lunch.

We got there a little early and looked for Maki. We didn’t see her, so we took a table. Before long, we spotted her. I swear, this woman has a painting hidden somewhere in her attic! She hasn’t changed a bit since we first met her in 1998! For a woman with nearly grown children, she looks amazingly young.

What a joy to see her again!

Soon, Yuri joined us.

We gave them our gifts, and both of them loved what we had brought.

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and a great conversation, sharing lots of great memories. And many laughs.

Yuri had to get back to work, and we were sorry to see her go. Unfortunately, we forget to take pictures with her. ☹

We stayed with Maki for a while longer. Then we asked the waitress to take our photo.

Me with Larry and Maki

Then we walked over to the USJ Globe and took another photo.

Me with Larry and Maki

Maki had to leave, so we wandered around CityWalk for a bit and checked out the USJ Studio Store, making notes of things we might want to take back with us.

Back at the hotel, we rested and prepared for our dinner appointment.

Toshi Komiyama was to arrive that afternoon, and Ayumi was coming after work. She put in several hours, and left work around noon. Then she took the shinkansen from Nagoya to Osaka (about a 4-hour trip).

We met them for dinner in Lounge R in our hotel.

We had been given tickets for free drinks as one of the perks of staying on the top floor. (One for each of us for each day.) Since we don’t drink, we hadn’t used them. So, on this night, Toshi and Ayumi used them!

Ayumi liked her gifts very much. She wore the gold angel earrings I had given her when she visited us last. These were very precious to me, and they looked lovely on her. I was pleased to see her wearing them.

We had a nice, relaxed meal and caught up with both of them. Loved seeing Ayumi again. Toshi was staying in Osaka to attend the USJ reunion party with us, but Ayumi was leaving the next morning to return to Nagoya. She planned to go back to work the next afternoon.

After dinner, we walked through the lobby, and Toshi made friends with Minion Bob.

Toshi and his friend

So did we.

We sat and talked for a while longer, but they needed to go. So, we said good-bye for now, and they went on their way.

The next day was the big celebration party, so we put together all the things we had to take with us and got ready for bed. Such a wonderful day spent with people we love.