Tokyo Disney Sea - Tour the Seven Ports of Call

Overview

Tokyo Disney Sea (“TDS”), the second theme park at the Tokyo Disney Resort, is now the best Disney theme park in the world. I say this without having visited Disneyland Paris or Hong Kong Disneyland but considering that Disney’s Animal Kingdom had been my recent favorite, TDS must have something special in order to dethrone my former champion.

And indeed it has. The only attraction at TDS that is remotely similar to anything else in the Disney empire is Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull (essentially the same attraction as Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye in Disneyland but with different themes). Everything else in TDS is brand new, never replicated in any other Disney theme park.

And that goes for the restaurants, shops and entertainment. Instead of a traditional parade route, TDS features a large lagoon called Porto Paradiso, where boat floats sail on the lagoon for colorful, musical shows.

Owned by Oriental Land Company (“OLC”), the Tokyo Disney Resort contracts with the Walt Disney Company to design and install new attractions. The best part of this financing arrangement is that OLC understands better than Disney itself how if price is not an issue, one can truly build a theme park that surpasses any one's expectations. TDS is proof of this concept.

Divided into seven ports of call, TDS features Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon and the park’s centerpiece, Mysterious Island. Pay particular attention to the meticulous detail immersed in each port. You won’t be disappointed.

For youngsters, Mermaid Lagoon is a four-year old girl’s dream come true. Arabian Coast will appeal to the adventurer in all of us. Thrill seekers will enjoy Mysterious Island and Lost River Delta. While I was unable to preview the Raging Spirits roller coaster attraction which was recently added to Lost River Delta, I hear it’s a whopper of a ride.

At the time of our visit, TDS had not yet implemented an annual passholder program, which contributes to the congested conditions of Tokyo Disneyland. However now, TDS has an annual passholder program in place, which may mean crowds and traffic. But don’t let the crowds stop you from discovering one of the most magical places in Tokyo.

Quick Tips:

There are so many tips that it is nearly impossible to list them all here. But for starters:
1) Purchase the multi-day pass because if you are a true Disney enthusiast, you’ll need the extra days. For the average visitor, one day is fine because TDS does not feature that many attractions in comparison to the other Disney theme parks.
2) Dinner rolls are not included with your meal. They are a la carte and if you are accustomed to American meal accompaniments, this will take you by surprise.
3) Be prepared to walk. TDS is hilly and not at all the flat Disneyland or Magic Kingdom style of theme park.
4) Do not sit on any old wall. The Japanese do not appreciate if you plop your posterior on public spaces. Your seat belongs in a seat. Look for seating areas when waiting for shows. Ground seating is also available.
5) Bring a tripod. The nighttime photography opportunities are fabulous. The TDS attractions take on a whole new look when lit at night.
6) Stay in the Hotel Mira Costa if cost is not an issue. The opportunity to live in a theme park hotel where you can get an unobstructed view of the fireworks shows from your room, or simply descend a flight of stairs to ride a gondola is unsurpassed. Tuscan view rooms are generally cheaper than the Venice view rooms, which are cheaper than the park view rooms.
7) Keep a lookout for umbrella lockers. It is not good form to take a dripping wet umbrella into an attraction so TDS provides lockers for your umbrellas.

Best Way To Get Around:

Hands down, the most convenient way to get to TDS is by the Resort Line Monorail (see notes in Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay review). Taking the JR line to Maihama Station and transferring to the Disney Resort Line Monorail will help avoid car traffic, which can be taxing. The Tokyo Disney Resort parking garage is one of the largest we have ever seen.

Inside TDS, the Transit Steamer acts as a pseudo Disneyland Railroad (see notes in Transit Steamer review), stopping at Lost River Delta or Mediterranean Harbor. Otherwise, walking is the transportation mode of choice.

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Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel

Hotel | "Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay"

The Sheraton Grande, located on the Tokyo Disney Resort property, is considered one of the nicer hotels in the area. Price-wise, expect to pay over $269 per night. However, if you are a member of the Starwood Preferred Guest program, you can redeem points for this Category 4 resort.

On one side of the hotel, each room features a sweeping view of Tokyo Bay. On the other side, guests are treated to a bird's eye view of the Tokyo Disney Resort parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Sea. Fireworks shows are often a perk of a park-side room.

This resort features a spectacular pool area, complete with waterfalls and pool bar. Keep in mind, the pool's operation is seasonal and does not open until mid July.

One of the more unique features of the Sheraton Grande is a wedding chapel, accommodating both Shinto & Western ceremonies. The hotel's spectacular views are the perfect backdrop to a fairy tale wedding.

Another unique feature of the hotel is a traditional bath area. Housed in a separate building with a spa, the traditional bath features separate bathing areas for men and women. This area is also operated seasonally and was not open during our stay in late June/early July.

The rooms were very spacious and can easily hold 4 to 6 people. The hotel provided handy amenities including hairbands, compact hairbrushes, cotton swabs and cotton balls, all individually wrapped.

But the perks were the best. To get to the parks, one must purchase a pass to ride the Disney Resort Line Monorail, which is operated by the Japan Railways. However, the Sheraton gives guests free passes to the Resort Monorail, based on the number of nights booked. In addition, guests may take the busses to the monorail stations and also to the Maihama station, which takes you directly into Tokyo.

Note to Western travelers, if you take the busses for transportation, make sure you find the correct line to board the bus. Otherwise, a friendly hotel staff member will ask you to step in the back of the real line with all of the other Japanese guests giving you dirty looks. We found this out the hard way. No permanent damage done, however.

Decor is plain except there are some children's rooms which are whimsically decorated with large blocks and colorful props.

The hotel restaurants were pricey and did not tickle our fancies so we opted to find local eateries outside of the hotel. One thing I noticed was each evening, the restaurant on the lower level would fry up garlic. The smell would permeate the entire lower and upper lobbies. I love garlic but after a few days, the smell bothered me.

Overall, this is a clean & comfortable hotel which is convenient if your plans include scouring the Disney Resort. It is also conveniently located next to the Maihama station. I would stay at this hotel again and recommend it to friends.

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by AgedToPerfection on August 11, 2006

Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel
1-9 MAIHAMA Tokyo, Japan 279 0031
8147-3555555

Cafe Portofino

Restaurant

Did you know that there is a difference between Italian food found in the US and Italian food found in Japan? There is and the two types of Italian food are very different from each other. So starts my review of Café Portofino.

In true Disney form, this restaurant buffeteria hustles guests through the food line with trays, allowing guests to select their choices and pay at the end of the line. While at Disneyland a roll and butter are usually included in your meal, keep in mind that at Tokyo Disney Resort, everything, and I mean everything, is a la carte. This includes the roll and butter. Skip the roll and butter. You’ll be able to afford a loaf and a block of butter back in the US for the price that we were charged.

The spaghetti that I selected tasted unique. I am fairly well versed in Asian cuisine, considering my parents taught me how to eat fish heads at an early age, and the Japanese spaghetti did not quite meet my expectations. Without much garlic or spices, the spaghetti most closely resembled the Chef Boyardee canned delicacies found at grocery stores. But this is the way Japanese-Italian food should taste and is quite popular there.

A better choice for meals at Tokyo Disney Sea would be the vending carts or a full-service restaurant. If you are not pressed for time, try exploring Ikspiari, the entertainment complex outside of the parks that can be reached by the Tokyo Disney Resort Line monorail.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Cafe Portofino
Tokyo Disney Sea Tokyo, Japan

Popcorn Vendors

Restaurant

Disney theme parks are known for outdoor vending carts. After all, most kids will make a beeline for the churro or cotton candy carts at Disneyland. At Tokyo Disney Sea, you must try the popcorn from each port of call. I should note that the popcorn at the Tokyo Disney Resort is mostly fashioned after the Kettlecorn/Carmelcorn style of popcorn. You will not find the traditional buttered popcorn that is so prevalent at Disneyland or Walt Disney World.

Mediterranean Harbor features cappuccino-flavored popcorn. While we did not try this particular flavor, the smell was intriguing, and we think it would be worth a try the next time we visit.

American Waterfront popcorn carts sold strawberry-flavored popcorn. I didn’t realize that the Japanese equated strawberries with the US, but we bought some, figuring that since we are American, we’d better play the part. The strawberry popcorn reminded me of the Crunch Berries in Cap’n Crunch cereal. Since Crunch Berries rank high in my list of favorite cereals, I finished the popcorn quickly.

As we made our way around the park, we found coconut-flavored popcorn at Lost River Delta. This was my favorite treat of our trip. The uniqueness alone makes it a must-do. Of course, for those of you who do not like coconut, skip this. I, however, get a kick out of simply inhaling the coconut smell.

Finally, at Mermaid Lagoon, the ubiquitous sea-salt-flavor appeared again (see my review on Sea Salt Ice Cream). Makes sense: mermaids, ocean, sea salt. We skipped this popcorn for more adventurous discoveries, but if you are craving the traditional salted popcorn, here is where you can find it.

Later during our trip, we explored Tokyo Disneyland and noted that by the Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh attraction, popcorn vendors were selling honey-flavored popcorn. We had our fill of the snack by then and skipped it, but we’ll try it on our next trip.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Magellan's

Restaurant

Tokyo Disney Sea has only a few fine dining options. If Disneyland has the Blue Bayou, and Disney MGM Studios has the Brown Derby, then Tokyo Disney Sea beats them all with Magellan's.

Set inside Explorer's Landing, Magellan's entrance is in the Fortress Explorations part of the area. The grand entrance is located on the second floor of the restaurant, with an open area looking down into the dining room. In the center is a huge old world globe.

The ambiance is decidedly old-world exploration decor, complete with architectural ornamentation and a secret door. Ask to be seated in the secret chamber and your host will push a button to reveal a sliding library wall. Beyond it is another dining room.

Menus change periodically so by now, the fare must have rotated out. However, we had the prime rib, which was delicious. Complete with a berry sauce, this flavorful dish truly satisfied our appetites, which were subsisting on buffeteria and fast service food.

Other items on the menu were standard continental offerings like chicken and seafood Nowhere will you find traditional Japanese dishes, only European with reduction sauces. In addition, you can enjoy alcoholic beverages with your meal, if you are so inclined. Unlike Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea allows guests to imbibe.

The price range is high, but you're paying for an exceptional meal in the midst of theme park dining options. The atmosphere is spectacular ,and for a moment, you truly are transported to not only another place but another time.

To take some of this magic home with you, Magellan's offers souvenir glasses boasting Explorer Mickey. For the Disney enthusiast who has everything, you can bet this is a fairly difficult item to obtain. Pack one up and take one home with you.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Magellan's
Tokyo Disney Sea Tokyo, Japan

Mysterious Island Refreshment Station

Restaurant

The best dining deal in the park was at the Refreshment Station in Mysterious Island. What was even more difficult to believe was the line extending from the counter. Truly, this is the longest line in the entire park, and for good reason. This station sold giant gyozas.

A gyoza is a dumpling filled with pork, onion, garlic, and seasonings. Covered in a rice flour wrapping, the dumpling is steamed to perfection and usually measures about 2 inches.

Not these.

The giant gyozas at Tokyo Disney Sea are about the size of a hot dog. These tasty morsels are perfect handheld meals. Two of these gyozas filled me up for dinner and then some. Priced around $6 to $7, eating here is not only convenient for those under a time constraint, it's also easier on the wallet. Get there early to avoid the monumental line.

Word of warning, there is very limited available seating in this area as the Japanese enjoy their meals sitting down. The seating area in Mysterious Island featured only four tables.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mysterious Island Refreshment Station
Tokyo Disney Sea Tokyo, Japan

Sea Salt Ice Cream Outdoor Vendor

Restaurant

“Gross!” was my first reaction. My husband pointed to an outdoor vending cart that sold Sea Salt Ice Cream. What on earth could the Japanese see in ice cream flavored with salt? My husband, who certainly surprised me with his sudden willingness to try odd Asian food, bought a container.

Housed in a plastic iridescent seashell container with the Tokyo Disney Sea (“TDS”) logo was a small round tub, approximately an inch and a half tall. The sea-salt ice cream looked like nothing more than just plain vanilla ice cream.

But it was much more than just vanilla. My husband will tell you that it was refreshing, and he is looking forward to his next treat when we return to TDS, but I will tell you that the ice cream tasted as if someone did not mix the ice cream properly when they were making the batch. The first thing that my tongue could discern was salt, kind of like the first thing you taste when you eat a Sour Patch Kid gummy is overwhelming sourness. After the initial shock wears off, the smooth vanilla ice cream soothed my mouth with relief. I could only imagine how horrible it would be if I had a canker sore while eating this concoction.

I can only conclude that this treat is somewhat of an acquired taste. I take my hat off to my husband, who happily sat on the bench eating the ice cream all by himself. I think he has finally found something that he does not have to share with me.

As for whether we recommend this or not, my husband is standing behind me at this moment saying that he heartily recommends it. I somewhat recommend it, so we are averaging this out to recommend this to daring travelers.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mediterranean Harbor - Venetian Gondolas

Attraction

Who says this trip can’t be romantic? I was serenaded by a Japanese gondolier while gliding past a sunlit Portofino. Granted, there were 10 other people in the boat with me, all of whom were also being lavished this indulgent attention. Ah well, such is the Venetian Gondolas attraction in Mediterranean Harbor.

One quick note, this attraction will close early in preparation of the night time show on the Porto Paradiso lagoon. This is because the gondolas explore the main lagoon, where the performances usually occur. In addition, the vessels sail along Ponte Vecchio and back into the canals of Venice.

This 11 minute boat ride features talented gondoliers who will break into song. Each gondola is staffed with two gondoliers, both of whom must be trained to steer in the front and the back of the boat. Similar to the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes at Disneyland, these boats are not attached to any track, making the task of navigating the long vessels through open water difficult. Kudos to these Cast Members.

Of course, this attraction is not known for thrill but for scenery. Taking in the view of Mediterranean Harbor from the water allows guests to capture truly exquisite photographs of the area. Take the trip as close to dusk as possible to make the most of the sunset lighting on the buildings. If you time it just right, you could swear you really are in Italy.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

American Waterfront: Cape Cod

Attraction

Continuing on our journey through American Waterfront, we arrived in Hurricane Harbor, the name of the seafront village in the Cape Cod section.

The Cape Cod area does not feature any rides but does house Donald’s Boat Builders show in the Cape Cod Cook-Off building. This show is entertaining for youngsters and alternates between classic animated shorts and a live show featuring Donald Duck.

We chose to eat at Cape Cod Cook-Off one evening after having our fill of Asian food and Japanese style European food. We figured in Cape Cod, we could grab a simple, American classic: a burger. The food was average and left us hankering for a char-broiled double decker but it served its purpose. One strange encounter, however, was when we walked up to order at the cashier, we noticed an add-on to the burgers called Stewed Vegetables. What that turned out to be was a side of stewed vegetables to pile on top of the burger. We opted out and stuck to the traditional lettuce and tomato.

Facing Tokyo Bay, the Hurricane Harbor lighthouse is worth a trip for the photo opportunities. A bronze statue of Helmsman Mickey provides the perfect prop to ham it up while Japanese locals pass by, wondering why those crazy Americans are climbing on Mickey.

The only shopping venue in Cape Cod is Aunt Peg’s Village Store. An adorable, country-style store, Aunt Peg’s features cute Winnie The Pooh merchandise, themed especially for Cape Cod. He and his friends are dressed in striped shirts with straw hats. One can find terrific gifts for the Disney enthusiast, as these items are exclusive to Tokyo Disney Sea.

Overall, the American Waterfront is a nostalgic glimpse into two East Coast environs. With the arrival of the Tower of Terror attraction (fashioned after its predecessors at the Disney MGM Studios and Disney’s California Adventure), this E-ticket ride will provide a much-needed jolt of energy into an otherwise laid-back area.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Arabian Coast - Caravan Carousel

Attraction

If you haven’t ridden a double-decker carousel, then here is your chance to do so. In the Arabian Coast courtyard stands a beautiful domed building which houses the double-decker Caravan Carousel. Of course, the top floor boasts the best views of the area but riding on the lower floor requires less effort (think climbing stairs).

The carousel features some unique animals on which you can ride: elephants, camels, horses, griffins and blue Genies! While all of the guests riding Disneyland’s King Arthur’s Carousel can mount a white horse to prevent anyone from feeling excluded, the Caravan Carousel only has a few Genies, and only one which is the correct shade of blue featured in the animated film “Aladdin.”

In terms of thrill factor, this attraction rates rather low, for obvious reasons. If you are short on time, consider skipping this for another time because the saying, “you ride one carousel, you’ve ridden them all” kind of applies, despite the neat double-decker feature and special Genies.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Arabian Coast - Caravan Carousel
Tokyo, Japan

American Waterfront: New York

Attraction

American Waterfront is divided into two distinct districts: New York City (circa 1900) and Cape Cod. Reminiscent of the turn-of-the-century, New York features red brick buildings with elaborate facades. Shopping in New York is an event at McDuck’s Department store, where Scrooge McDuck has opened a retail establishment. Piles of gold coins rise to the roof and a statue of the proprietor sits atop a mound of money.

The imposing S.S. Columbia (which closely resembles the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach, California) is actually dry docked and serves as an area to explore rather than ride. It features the Teddy Roosevelt lounge and acts as a stage for a show, which is changed out from time to time.

The S. S. Columbia Dining Room is an elegant sit-down restaurant. We did not try this restaurant and opted for Magellan’s in Mysterious Island instead. However, the ambience of the Columbia’s restaurant, with its grand piano and chandeliers, evoke a truly elegant atmosphere.

We almost ate at the Sailing Day Buffet restaurant off to the left of the S.S. Columbia, but we felt that an all-you-can-eat meal would bog us down too much. However, if you are in the mood for some gluttony, this is the only restaurant in the park that will satisfy that craving.

Restaurant Sakura is housed inside a cannery-like building along the New York waterfront. This is where one can go for sushi and other Japanese dishes.

The New York Deli offers counter-service sandwiches and snacks, while down the street, the Broadway Theater provides full-scale stage entertainment. If your time is limited at Tokyo Disney Sea, you may want to skip this show in favor of other attractions.

Adjacent to the Broadway Theater is the Electric Railway depot. The short ride from the depot to the Port Discovery station is enough to give your feet a rest. The monorail style ride lasts approximately 3 minutes.

Giving your feet a rest should be a priority, considering how much walking this park demands of its visitors. Another option is the Big City Vehicles, similar to the ones you might find on Main Street USA at Disneyland or the Magic Kingdom. We rode the classic fire truck, complete with a brass bell at the rear of the vehicle. The fire truck picked us up from the station outside McDuck’s Department Store and dropped us off in front of Aunt Peg’s in Hurricane Harbor.

If you have time, explore this area, especially if you like the Tower of Terror free-fall types of attractions. If you are short on time, there are other areas in the park that are much more compelling. However, I enjoyed relaxing and taking it easy here.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

American Waterfront: New York
Tokyo, Japan

Arabian Coast - Sindbad's Seven Voyages

Attraction

Housed in the Arabian Coast section of Tokyo Disney Sea, Sindbad’s Seven Voyages is one of the main attractions in this section. It proves to be a great respite from the weather, as it is completely indoors and air-conditioned.

This attraction evokes memories of Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s a Small World, all rolled together. Boasting the highest number of Audio-Animatronic figures (topping at 163), Sindbad’s story starts with pictorial descriptions of how he squandered his inheritance and now embarks on a voyage to regain his wealth and stature.

Guests board boats similar to It’s a Small World vessels and cruise through scenes, accompanying Sindbad through his adventures. There are no flume drops like Pirates of the Caribbean, and the attraction flows at a relatively slow pace for a total of 7.5 minutes.

Beginning in the Port of Basrah, Sindbad buys a boat, finds a crew, and embarks on his voyage. On the way, he fights off an angry rukh (giant flying bird) that tries to protect her chicks from Sindbad’s hungry crew; a giant, green ogre that tries to protect his treasure from Sindbad’s greedy crew; a troop of warrior monkeys that try to kill Sindbad and his crew…you get the gist.

Lush colors and terrific effects make this ride a memorable one. Note the achievements of the Imagineers, who managed to design the rukh figure holding a member of Sindbad’s crew in her claws. The crewman, a completely separate figure, squirms as the mother bird dives to attack the rest of the crew. Another special effect to note is the crystal ball, which swirls and seems to spin in the soothsayer’s hand during a scene in the middle of the ride. There are so many complicated functions simultaneously operating in these figures that it is difficult not to marvel how these talented folks accomplished this.

While most of the characters in this attraction are cute and doll-like, some of them are larger than life and can scare. Some elements of the ride terrified the Japanese kids riding with us, causing some tears. As with any ride, you may want to evaluate if youngsters can handle some of the scenes, which might be frightening to them.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Arabian Coast - Sindbad's Seven Voyages
Tokyo, Japan

Lost River Delta

Attraction | "Lost River Delta - Mystic Rhythms"

Now, my husband and I diverge when it comes to our opinions of this show. He truly enjoyed Mystic Rhythms and continued to hum the songs a good hour after we left the show. I, on the other hand, felt that it was trying too hard to copy Cirque Du Soleil. Perhaps I’m being too hard on the show, considering that this is a theme park, after all. However, given the quality of entertainment that Tokyo Disney Resort provides to its guests, I expected a bit more storyline and less corniness. Still, I believe that Tokyo Disney Resort has the entertainment formula, as a whole, solved and leaves behind the other Disney theme parks in the dust.

Mystic Rhythms is located in Lost River Delta, inside an abandoned hangar. Incorporating water, air, and fire, this show features sophisticated aerial performers and rope climbers, all set in a tropical rain forest. I still cannot quite figure out the story, but it seemed to focus on the environment’s cyclical transition from one season to another.

Percussion and contemporary music fills the auditorium throughout the performance, with live performers perched in the scaffolding along the sides of the stage. The majority of the action takes place on the stage, so try to find seats toward the center. The covered seating area allows guests to take a break from the weather and take a load off of their feet. Unlike Magic Lamp Theatre, cushioned seats are absent from this venue.

If your time is precious, this show lasts a long 25 minutes. You may want to consider skipping it until you know you have time to devote to it. Note that the Cast Members strictly stop attendance 5 minutes prior to the show’s start. So if you want to see the show, get there early.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Lost River Delta
Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Crystal Skull Tokyo, Japan

Mermaid Lagoon

Attraction | "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?

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mermaid Lagoon
Tokyo, Japan

Mediterranean Harbor

Attraction | "Mediterranean Harbor - Fortress Explorations"

I have to hand it to Walt Disney Imagineering. When I first heard of the Fortress Explorations attraction, I thought, “Now, that’s not going to be too interesting.” Was I ever wrong. Kids and adults alike could spend hours searching through every nook and cranny in this rambling complex, which consists of the Fortress, Explorer’s Landing, and the Galleon docked at the front of the attraction.

Technically, Fortress Explorations is listed as a Mediterranean Harbor attraction, but you must access it once you cross over onto Mysterious Island. The most dramatic entrance is on the Mysterious Island side, closest to aqueduct that leads to Café Portofino. The Fortress front gate harkens directly from childhood memories of castles, moats and dragons. Speaking of dragons, check out the fountain in the Fortress courtyard.

As we climbed the stairs to explore the Fortress’ turrets, we came across “working” cannons. Pull the trigger and loud explosions, complete with kick, rock the cannons in mock simulation. On the roof of the Fortress, Leonardo Da Vinci seemingly has left his flying machine for some lucky guest to operate. Rooted firmly to the ground, the flying machine doesn’t actually fly, but guests can operate the wings and whirlygig rudder.

We uncovered more secrets throughout the complex, including a planetarium, a flat earth game featuring sailing ships, a pendulum, optical illusions, and more. As we descended to the waterfront, we found a playground by the docked Galleon. Guests can board the Galleon itself or opt to play in the spongy-floored playground. At the front of the complex, past the Galleon, is a prop of a funicular.

One word of caution. If you are in short supply of time, keep in mind that time passes very quickly when you play here. Explore when you have the time to devote.

Imagineers spared no detail, and for those in need of assistance in exploring this vast attraction, Cast Members provide maps of the complex so that no corner can remain unexplored. May you find a new world filled with wonder and imagination at Fortress Explorations. I did.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mediterranean Harbor
Fortress Explorations Tokyo, Japan

Lost River Delta

Attraction | "Lost River Delta - Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Crystal Skull "

There is only one attraction in Tokyo Disney Sea (“TDS”) that resembles an attraction at another Disney theme park. Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull has the same ride layout, the same vehicles, and almost the same storyline as Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye at Disneyland. The only difference is that the Disneyland version has an Asian theme and the TDS version has a Latin American theme.

This time, the artifact of power is not the eye of an idol but a crystal skull statue. Riders are cautioned not to look at the statue, or else they will be stricken with a curse. Of course, some idiot in the vehicle will look straight at the thing and you’re off to a rocky, high-speed adventure.

Vehicles pass through chambers of corpses, snakes, bugs, and darts. The Snake Room features Quetzalcoatl, the winged serpent. Unfortunately, when we rode the attraction, Quetzalcoatl had molted and lost all of its feathers. We are not sure if this is a permanent condition or if it will overcome its disease and grow the feathers back.

The queue area features elaborate Mayan carvings inside a huge multi-storey pyramid. Grander than its Disneyland cousin, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull is impressive in its presentation. However, the interactive elements along the queue area are not present in the TDS version.

We did notice an absence of the constant roar of the Disneyland vehicles. TDS’ vehicles use electric power rather than hydraulic, keeping the noise to a much quieter level.

If you have never experienced the Disneyland Indiana Jones attraction, this is a must. However, if you are short on time and have ridden the original, then skip this in favor of exploring other attractions.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Lost River Delta
Indiana Jones & the Temple of the Crystal Skull Tokyo, Japan

Arabian Coast - Aladdin's Magic Lamp Theatre

Attraction

If 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea is the most popular ride in Tokyo Disney Sea, then Aladdin’s Magic Lamp Theatre (“MLT”) captures the title of most popular show (although the Under The Sea show in Mermaid Lagoon runs a close second). A mixture of live action, 3-D film, and mechanical props, this 10-minute show covers the stage performance spectrum. Unfortunately, during the time of our visit, MLT did not provide English-speaking visitors translating headphones.

The pre-show area tells the story of a magician and his meek assistant who finds the magic lamp, with the Genie trapped inside. Our storyteller, a cobra in his woven basket, has unique personality, which is conveyed through his eyes. Upon closer look, his eyes are two projection screens, which show animated expressions. Imagineers created this cobra with projectors inside the snake’s head so that he could move and show expression simultaneously.

When our cobra host completed his story, the theatre doors opened and in we marched, taking a seat on plush chairs. A live magician and his assistant performed a few tricks, relying on slapstick and physical gags. The assistant finally grabs the key to the lamp and frees the captive Genie. Out pops the Genie, who spices up the show with antics and gags. Eventually, the meek assistant and Genie triumph over the pompous magician and lives happily ever after.

Despite the language barrier, we enjoyed this cute show and recommend it to adults and kids alike. When waiting to enter the building, take a peek at the wait sign that signals how long of a wait to expect. The little dial on the clock is in the shape of our friend, the cobra. Now, that’s Disney detail for you.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Arabian Coast - Aladdin's Magic Lamp Theatre
Tokyo, Japan

Mediterranean Harbor

Attraction | "Mediterranean Harbor - Il Postino"

I’ve highlighted the most popular ride (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), the most popular show (Aladdin’s Magic Lamp Theatre), but I’ve also got a review of the most popular store in Tokyo Disney Sea.

Yes, there is a most popular store, and it is not filled with cute dolls or edibles but with stationery. Il Postino, located in Mediterranean Harbor, sells paper products ranging from postcards to letter writing kits. Shaped like a small post office, Il Postino caters to the paper product-loving Japanese public. One can find all sorts of items made of paper at this crowded store.

Towards the front of the store is a wooden desk with a rubber stamp chained to it. Stamp your postcards with a unique Tokyo Disney Sea image before sending it to your friends. Or stamp your guide maps to add something extra special to your memories of the park.

A tip, do not visit this store during park closing. It seems everyone in the park will jam themselves into this little establishment. Try visiting it during the heat of the afternoon.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mediterranean Harbor
Fortress Explorations Tokyo, Japan

Mediterranean Harbor

Attraction | "Mediterranean Harbor Overview"

Like every Disney theme park, Tokyo Disney Sea (“TDS”) has the requisite retail and restaurant area in the form of Mediterranean Harbor. The anchor store, Emporio, serves as the equivalent to Main Street USA’s Emporium. One can find a mass of souvenirs, gifts, and last-minute treasures in Emporio. But another similarity to the US parks, the Emporio gets mighty busy at closing so do your shopping during the day.

Do not miss Galleria Disney, to the left of the TDS entrance. While the merchandise is pretty standard, the atmosphere will take your breath away. At first glance, the store’s walls seemed adorned simply with colorful mosaic tiles. But at closer look, you will notice that each small tile bears a Disney character’s face or some other small image. In addition, Disnified versions of famous paintings, such as Sunday In The Park With George, hang above the cash registers. It’s these details that make TDS spectacular.

After some serious shopping, we stopped by Gondolier’s Snacks for some refreshing gelato. Tantalizing flavors such as blood orange and grape stopped us in our tracks, and we had to try them. My husband consumed his blood-orange gelato in record time. I had to stop him with force in order to get a taste, which was tear-jerking sour, just the way my husband preferred. My grape gelato, with less discomfort, quenched my thirst, appeased my stomach, and refreshed my energy, all in one fell swoop.

While in Mediterranean Harbor, I learned about omiage, which means gift in Japanese. Guests spend a fortune on omiage to take back to their relatives and friends. Usually, omiage takes the form of sweets, cookies, or some other edible delicacy. Merchant of Venice Confections, along the left side of Mediterranean Harbor, is happy to oblige. Whimsical tins of individually wrapped cookies serve as the perfect souvenir gift to take to friends. We bought five tins, each adorably packaged so that the container will outlast the goodies inside. We also noticed the large figures of Goofy the Gondolier, ferrying Mickey and Minnie inside a prop gondola featured in the store window.

In the evenings, take time to stop and look at the lamp lights dotting the walkway around the lagoon. These beautiful clusters of four lamps around a larger light feature stained glass images of sea life. They create the perfect mood and lighting effect for a romantic stroll along Mediterranean Harbor.

As we left Tokyo Disney Sea in the evening, we swore that the next time we visit, we will stay at the Hotel Mira Costa, which is the hotel inside TDS. That way, the magic would linger all the way until we fell asleep and start again the next morning.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mediterranean Harbor
Fortress Explorations Tokyo, Japan

Mermaid Lagoon

Attraction | "Mermaid Lagoon - Under The Sea"

Sebastian Appears in the Under The Sea Show

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.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mermaid Lagoon
Tokyo, Japan

Mount Prometheus

Attraction

A note to pyros everywhere: Mount Prometheus (the centerpiece of Tokyo Disney Sea) is a man-made, working volcano, complete with loud sound effects and real heat-producing flames.

Walt Disney Imagineering set off to create an impressive icon for Tokyo Disney Sea and ended up with one of the largest rockwork projects they had ever created. Inside the mountain are burners that fire periodically into the air. Flames leap out of the volcano’s crater and guests feel the resulting surge of heat.

While I’m sure this is a welcome effect in the winter, where temperatures in Tokyo can dip below my comfort level, it’s not so entertaining in the summer heat and humidity. Still, the show impressed us, and I noticed that it stopped the guests around us dead in their tracks. The volcano can be heard from virtually every outdoor location in the park.

In the evening, themed lighting dramatically changes the look of Mount Prometheus. Bring a tripod to shoot the mountain and capture the image. Keep in mind that Mount Prometheus serves as a different backdrop in each port of call. Don’t forget to get a shot of it in Port Discovery, with its interesting rotating paddle sculpture in the foreground.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mount Prometheus
Tokyo, Japan

Mysterious Island

Attraction | "Mysterious Island - 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea"

Hands down the most popular attraction in Tokyo Disney Sea, this ride can sport waits of well over 2 hours on a crowded day. The queue for the FastPasses alone lasted over 10 minutes!

You can find the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction by looking for a strange, square, rivet-covered vehicle, suspended overhead by a crane. This vehicle is a preview of what riders embark. Guests descend a spiral walkway down to the loading area.

While we thoroughly enjoyed 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, one of the more frustrating elements was not so much the long lines, but the entirely English-free Japanese narration. I had no idea what was going on.

Never fear, my buddy with me had the skinny on the storyline. Similar to the Disneyland and Magic Kingdom attractions of old, this ride explores the undersea territory of sunken treasure, the requisite giant squid (who disables the vehicle with its tentacles), and instead of mermaids, Atlanteans. Apparently, after the giant squid attack, the vehicles stumble upon the sunken empire of Atlantis during the journey. The Atlanteans look like a cross between the traditional wide-eyed aliens of science fiction and Swamp Thing. Not particularly attractive, I first thought these critters were the bad guys. As it turns out, the Atlanteans save the riders and push the crippled vehicles to safety.

A note for small children, this ride is a little startling when the Atlanteans first appear. The Imagineers did a good job of incorporating themed music and special effects to make first sighting of the Atlanteans particularly dramatic.

A hint for special effects enthusiasts, when disembarking, note if the vehicle is wet from its undersea adventure. As you exit the ride, the walkway back up to the Mysterious Island area passes a giant water spout. If you time it properly, it should expel large amounts of water, spraying the guests with mist. On a hot day, this can be a welcome experience.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mysterious Island
Tokyo, Japan

Mysterious Island

Attraction | "Mysterious Island - Center of the Earth"

One thing about exploring Tokyo Disney Sea (“TDS”) is if you don’t speak Japanese, you will have a tough time figuring out the attractions’ story lines. However, Journey to the Center of the Earth was not as difficult to decipher. Guests take a ride down a terravator (an elevator that travels to the earth’s core), board drilling vehicles, and explore the mysterious caverns hidden below.

A major thrill ride, Journey to the Center of the Earth starts in the center of Mount Prometheus in Mysterious Island, propels you out of the volcano, and ends as you speed around the island’s perimeter. Perhaps one of the most innovative attractions in TDS, Journey to the Center of the Earth rapidly became my favorite attraction due to the combination of dark ride elements, fuzzy creatures, scary monsters, and high-speed fun.

Be prepared for some heat as you ride the terravator to get to the loading area. As the terravators travel toward the earth’s core, the temperature rises and the comfort level falls.

The vehicles resemble the old Rocket Rod vehicles, which briefly sped around Disneyland’s New Tomorrowland. The front seats have the best view due to a bar that obstructs the views of the rear seat passengers.

During the start of your ride, you pass a subterranean cavern filled with sparkling lights. Next, travel to the home of the moss-plucking skink and fluttering newt. Not exactly cuddly creatures but endearing nonetheless. Soon, you pass through a cavern filled with odd, translucent spheres, which turn out to be eggs. As you start to wonder what kind of creature would lay these eggs, the mother finds you by the nest and lunges. The mother, as it turns out, is a lava monster, one of the largest animated figures ever created. As soon as the mother attacks, your vehicle speeds up and blasts out of the volcano into the open air.

For crowded situations, Journey to the Center of the Earth has the FastPass system so you can get a ticket, which tells you when to return to the attraction and bypass most of the queue. The FastPass kiosks are located toward the left of the attractions’ entrance.

Note the main marquee when you approach the entrance. The letters glow and look like undulating lava streams.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mysterious Island
Tokyo, Japan

Port Discovery

Attraction | "Port Discovery - Aquatopia"

Before I start reviewing this fun attraction, I must interject a brief lesson of what crossed arms mean in Japan. While we could not speak Japanese and most of the Japanese cast members could not express the more complex explanations in English, when we were forbidden to do something, the cast members would raise their crossed arms in the form of an X. We saw this a lot at the Aquatopia.

The Aquatopia is an aquatic version of the popular Autopia at Disneyland or Grand Prix Raceway at the Magic Kingdom. While you might be fooled into thinking the water’s depth reaches 10 to 12 feet, in actuality, the water only skims the surface of the attraction’s floor.

There are two sides to this attraction, each side featuring different water elements and different pathways. Both are fun and the differences are subtle.

The Aquatopia has one of the most sophisticated ride systems imagined by the Imagineers. Utilizing sensors embedded in the ground, the vehicles follow electronic pulses that guide them through a maze of whirlpools, fountains, and waterfalls. Each vehicle is controlled by these sensors and not by the riders. The Pooh’s Hunny Hunt attraction at Tokyo Disneyland uses the same ride system, with even more impressive results.

At the back of each Aquatopia vehicle, perched on the top of a long vertical bar, sits a control signal receiver. The emitters, which were not visible to us, sent pulses to the vehicles and propelled them through the ride. A good friend of ours, who was the lead electrician during the installation of the ride, explained how the attraction operated. Apparently, if you take flash pictures, it disrupts the signals and causes the entire ride to shut down. This is why we saw so many crossed arms and frowning faces. Each of the three of us, armed with a camera, took pictures of each other while we glided through the water. Fortunately, we did not have to find out the hard way what it is like to be the cause of an attraction closure.

Our apologies to the Aquatopia cast members. We’ll behave on our next visit.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Port Discovery
Tokyo, Japan

Port Discovery

Attraction | "Port Discovery - Stormrider"

When you visit a theme park and you’re the only female, keep in mind that occasionally, what you want to do will be overridden by the geek gene residing in all men. The geek gene surfaced when we traipsed through Port Discovery and came upon Stormrider. My companions, both male, insisted that we take a gander at this unique motion simulator attraction, whose premise was to take guests on a weather research mission and ride through the center of a storm.

The geek gene seemed to be drawn to the scientific aspect of this attraction. A research facility that sought to understand how to dissipate a storm in mid-air sponsored the dangerous trip into the unknown. “COOL!” said the geeks.

We followed the story of a research team who flew a helicopter-like vehicle with us aboard toward a violent storm. When the timing was right, our scientists would launch a probe into the storm to dissolve it by dispatching a massive burst of energy. Sure, great theory until the probe catches a rogue gust of wind and hurtles toward us. I’ll leave the rest to your imagination, but I note that in addition to the screen showing us the view from the front of the helicopter, portholes along both sides of the cabin showed the side view of the outside. Surprisingly, while I cannot ride Star Tours or Body Wars in the other Disney theme parks, Stormrider did not cause the familiar feeling of nausea that I get when I ride a motion simulator.

When we had disembarked from our hair-raising journey, I saw the look in the guys’ eyes that said, “LET’S DO IT AGAIN!” I sat out the second round, opting to enjoy the scenery of Port Discovery.

In all fairness, my inner princess emerged when I saw Mermaid Lagoon and I dragged the guys with me to explore the under sea kingdom for a while. But that’s another story.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Port Discovery
Tokyo, Japan

Mermaid Lagoon

Attraction | "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.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Mermaid Lagoon
Tokyo, Japan

Transit Steamer

Attraction

In most Disney theme parks, there is a form of transportation that allows guests to get an overview of the park and transports them from one end to another. In Disneyland, it’s the Disneyland Railroad. In Tokyo Disney Sea, the Transit Steamer serves as the main transportation service.

Guests need to make sure they don’t get the two Transit Steamer lines confused. There is an express line that makes a nonstop round-trip journey around the entire park. Guests board at the dock in American Waterfront and travel around the waterways. Note that guests are not permitted to disembark anywhere along this route and the journey ends right where it starts, in American Waterfront. This line starts service 1 hour after park opening.

The other Transit Steamer line makes one stop in Mediterranean Harbor and one stop in Lost River Delta. It does not stop at the American Waterfront dock. The leg between Mediterranean Harbor and Lost River Delta lasts approximately 7 minutes, while the return trip back to Mediterranean Harbor lasts 6 minutes. Each boat accommodates about 49 guests.

After you have been walking for a while, the Transit Steamer is a welcome break as it gives a terrific overview of the entire park and allows you to make note of attractions you may have missed.

One note: the whistles on the Transit Steamers are shrill and a bit irritating. The ride operators will invariably sound the whistle as you travel through Mysterious Island, which is inside an enclosed caldera. Imagine the echo.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Transit Steamer
Tokyo, Japan

Aqua Sphere

Attraction | "Aquasphere"

While I mentioned that every Disney theme park has its icon, and I identified Mount Prometheus as Tokyo Disney Sea’s icon, some would argue that the park has two icons, and that I’ve forgotten the Aquasphere.

Nope, I haven’t forgotten it, but I’ve saved it for its own entry, because it truly is spectacular and jaw-droppingly impressive. Walt Disney Imagineering spent much time perfecting this fountain, and the effect is intentionally extraordinary.

As guests enter the turnstiles, they are greeted by an immense rotating globe which also happens to be a fountain. The globe seems to sit on churning white waters, as if a geyser is propping the sphere up for all to view. Upon closer look, water trickles down from the top of the globe and adheres to the sides of the sphere until it meets the fountain at the base.

Behind the Aquasphere sits the Hotel Mira Costa, the hotel set inside the park. The hotel changes its appearance depending on which area you are in. From the entrance, guests see the Tuscan side of the hotel. Inside the park, one can see the hotel in a Venetian setting. The center of the hotel is themed after Portofino.

Judging from the number of cameras that I saw, I would say that this is one of the most popular photo spots in Tokyo Disney Sea. So follow the crowds and grab your camera, because you will never see anything like this anywhere else in a Disney theme park. And I hope it stays that way, because Tokyo Disney Sea is truly one in a million.

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by AgedToPerfection on September 4, 2006

Aqua Sphere
Tokyo DisneySEA Tokyo, Japan

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