Editor Pick
Mermaid Lagoon Interior
While the exterior of Mermaid Lagoon enchants, the interior appeals to the child in all of us. At the entrance of the pavilion, a statue of King Triton, riding his chariot, greets you. As you descend down the walkway, past dioramas of undersea dwellings, the view below of Mermaid Lagoon is that of an undersea playground. The open area is made to look as if you have submerged and are now part of the sea life below. The entire pavilion is covered and protected from weather. During the summer, take your time, as the air-conditioning will be a welcome respite from the humid and hot Tokyo weather.
Mermaid Lagoon Theatre, located at the back of the pavilion, is the home of the Under The Sea show, which I’ve reviewed separately. Head for the sunken ship façade and grab a seat (all are good) for a terrific show.
Ariel’s Playground features whimsical fish and critters from Ariel’s world. Climb the stairways and rope nets and cross the swinging bridges to explore every corner. Fish hang from the ceiling as if to swim past guests. Everything is brightly colored and maintained as if opening day was just yesterday. In this manner, Tokyo Disney Resort’s maintenance department’s efforts eclipse those of the other Disney resorts.
Many of the rides in Mermaid Lagoon remind me of the ones in Disney’s California Adventure’s Bugtown. For instance, Blowfish Balloon Race is the same ride as Flik’s Flyers. No matter, Blowfish Balloon Race is still an entertaining attraction for kids as they spin above the ground in hot air balloons. The balloons, of course, are blown-up blowfish.
The Whirlpool attraction, similar to Francis’ Ladybug Boogie in California, allows guests to spin in tea cup fashion around smaller turntables. The entrance to the attraction is flanked by two dolphins.
Jumping Jellyfish has a sister attraction in California as well, but with one difference. These vehicles have a solid bottom to them. Jellyfish canopies above act as parachutes as the vehicles bob up and down at a slow pace. While none of these attractions offer great thrills, they are creatively conceived and artistically entertaining.
Throughout Mermaid Lagoon, guests can find surprises like turtles spouting water; Ariel’s Grotto, complete with a statue of Prince Eric; and more. Take note of the signs pointing toward the restrooms. Be you a merman or a mermaid, you’ll get a kick out of them.
Toward the far right of the pavilion is the Sleepy Whale Shoppe. Inside the mouth of a huge whale you can find all sorts of Little Mermaid themed merchandise, including the popular Baby Mermaid line (think Sanrio meets Ariel).
Over and over, I hear our friends’ little girls who have visited Mermaid Lagoon say that they did not spend enough time there. If you have plenty of time to devote, do it. However, if you are traveling without kids, Mermaid Lagoon is worth a glance but you may want to spend more time elsewhere.
From journal Tokyo Disney Sea - Tour the Seven Ports of Call
Editor Pick
Mermaid Lagoon - Under The Sea
Running a close second for the most popular show in Tokyo Disney Sea is the Under the Sea show located in the Mermaid Lagoon Theatre. Probably one of the best hidden attractions, this 14-minute show is nestled way in the back of the Mermaid Lagoon pavilion. But its loyal fans know exactly how to get there and which seats sport the best view of the action.
Beware, we saw little Japanese grandmothers run at Mach Two, bowling over grown men, to reserve the best seats for their families. I stood back and allowed the stampede to pass me by before we selected seats toward the back of this circular theatre. In all honesty, not a single seat would be considered one with a bad view. The theatre is well designed for viewing.
The show, which can best be described as a puppet show that meets aerial (not to be mistaken with Ariel, ha ha…never mind), acrobatics. From the moment you enter Mermaid Lagoon, you are immersed in the illusion that you have submerged under the surface to dwell in an undersea paradise. This illusion continues in the Under the Sea show as Ariel “swims” through the sea. Ariel is suspended in midair by cables, allowing her to twist and tumble as if swimming above the audience’s heads.
A note of caution to younger viewers: Ursula, the ubiquitous Little Mermaid villain, overwhelms the audience with her size and garish appearance. Youngsters might be startled by the Ursula puppet performance.
A few tips: sit toward the ends of the rows to see the performers up close as they approach the stage, and suspend any sense of reality to fully enjoy this creative and entertaining show. You won’t be disappointed.
From journal Tokyo Disney Sea - Tour the Seven Ports of Call
Editor Pick
Mermaid Lagoon Exterior
I have to divide my review of Mermaid Lagoon into two sections, one devoted to the exterior of the area and one to the interior. The exterior of the pavilion is so exquisite that it deserves special mention. Almost the entire first level of Mermaid Lagoon is covered in small mosaic tiles. Like Galleria Disney in Mediterranean Harbor, each tile is adorned with an imprint of a Disney character or a related symbol of the sea. Look closely and you’ll see Flounder, Sebastian, Ariel, and other familiar characters from the film “The Little Mermaid.”
In the evening, Mermaid Lagoon transforms into a fairy-like image, complete with colored spots and fiber optic sparkling lights. I keep mentioning this because my husband forgot. Bring your tripod to take the most spectacular pictures of this area at night. My husband, determined to take a picture of the area despite the absence of a tripod, hopped behind a park bench and stabilized the camera on the backrest. As prepared the shot, Japanese visitors kept staring at him, wondering why this crazy American sat behind the bench and not directly on it.
Two attractions reside outside the Mermaid Lagoon pavilion, due to their size and noise level. Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster resembles Goofy’s Barnstormer at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, and Gadget’s Go Coaster at Disneyland. That is because all three use the same ride systems. Guests board two at a time in a 16-person coaster. Despite the tame surroundings, this coaster can be too fast for little ones so please check the height limit.
The other outdoor attraction at Mermaid Lagoon features Ariel’s seagull buddy, Scuttle. Scuttle’s Scooters seat two guests in sand crab vehicles. The ride picks up speed, and soon, guests are whizzing around and around the Scuttle centerpiece. The circular track rises and falls over hills and dips. After almost 2 minutes, my dizziness almost got the best of me, but I’m sure the kids with whom we rode truly enjoyed it.
Fortunately, for smaller guests, Mermaid Lagoon entertains on all levels. The exterior of the area so effectively attracts the eye that you have no choice but to explore the area. Note that on rainy days, umbrella lockers are found on the exterior right side of the pavilion by Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster. Dripping-wet umbrellas are not welcome in Mermaid Lagoon.
Keep an eye out for the whimsical no-smoking signs. Cigarette-wielding angel fish with a red slash through them are enough to convey the message. Where else but at a Disney theme park?
From journal Tokyo Disney Sea - Tour the Seven Ports of Call