Tokyo Disney
Sea Part I
Tokyo DisneySea is Disney newest
theme park, and is located in Maihama (near Shin-Urayasu where we live), about 30 minutes from Tokyo. Honestly,
the park is spectacular, and I've never seen anything in the theme park world to
rival it. I've been to all four Florida theme parks: Disney parks, Busch Gardens,
Sea World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and plenty of other, small
fare. But in all honesty, the DisneySea is unmatched. The park is themed around
"ports of the world" and shows just how far the Disney magic can go to
creating a whole new world. It costs 5500 yen for adult admission (about $46.75)
and it is worth every single dime. This is coming from the people who haven't
paid to get into a Disney park in five years. The pictures in the section cannot
begin to do justice to the attention to detail that has gone into making this a
spectacular park. The park is more show-focused, and does not rely on
death-defying roller-coasters. Instead, it provides shows, scenery, food and
attractions that create an incredibly balanced experience.
I'll add details about the park in
the captions of the pictures. Unfortunately some of the park's best features are
shows that cannot be photographed. It's that American sense of style and
entertainment mixed with the Japanese style of management, service and
precision. A MUST SEE!
As a short housekeeping note, I'll
just acknowledge that some of these imagines are obviously postcards. This is
due to the fact that a) Chris is the photographer in the family but hasn't
actually seen the park because when he's there, he's working and b) some of the
stuff is unphotographable from the areas guests have access to. Really guys,
this place is AMAZING, and I want to be able to show you what it's like.
This
is an artist's rendition of what the park looks like from overhead. In the lower
right-hand corner of this image, you'll see what looks like a circle with a
smaller blue circle in it. That's the entrance that features the enormous globe
fountain you'll see below. Past the globe you come through a main entry way and enter onto that big body of water directly in the center
of the park - the Mediterranean Harbor. Across the Harbor is the volcano that services as the
focal point of the park, much as the castle does in the Magic Kingdom.
Just
as you might expect, the grounds around the park are very well kept. There aren't
as many topiaries as there are at the Magic Kingdom, but it's still very nice.
After you get off the monorail (which is not free at either Japanese park - 200
additional yen per adult if you want to ride), you get to the ticket gates. This
bronze navigator/naval explorer was one of my favorite decorations just outside
the park
This
is the globe fountain of which I spoke. By comparing the size of the people
standing next to the sphere, you can see how large and impressive this thing
really is.
One of the things I really like about this park
is that they create tons and tons of photo opportunities for guests in the park.
It seems like there are characters everywhere you turn - I bet the parents love
this. The other thing I love is that there are cast members stationed at very
major photo point in the park, and they never fail to offer to take your party's
picture for you so everyone can be in it.
Just
past the globe is a spectacular facade that begins to make you believe you've
really left Japan. Instead, you begin to feel like you're in old Europe. In
DisneySea Part II, I'll get some pictures of that facade. But then you walk
through a short tunnel and on to the area called Mediterranean Harbor. This is
the Harbor at night.
From
across the Harbor, you have a fantastic view of the volcano. In front of the
volcano, you see what looks like a small village of buildings with domes. That's
Fortress Explorations. It's an interactive play station with experiments and
machines. There's also an authentic replica of a galleon used during the
"golden age of exploration." The Harbor also features Venetian gondola
rides that are operated by "authentic" gondoliers. The point of that
attraction is not only to see the park from the water, but also that the
gondoliers are very funny...if you speak Japanese...or so we're told. On the
right, you see one of the "atmosphere" shows. This is the Italian flag
show. It's basically winter-guard-style flag and sword twirling. Another great
atmosphere act in the Harbor are a pair of guys called the Buccaneers. They do a
sword fight/comedy sketch in a mixture of Spanish, English and Japanese. I swear
it's funnier than it sounds. So desu!
You
can head several places from the Harbor, but let's head to the obvious -
Mysterious Island, home of the volcano.
In case you were wondering, yes, the volcano
erupts. It's also home to a ride called Journey to the Center of the Earth, an
action ride that plummets you down the volcano.
Once
you enter Mysterious Island, you come to a lagoon with the volcano on one side
and a series of caverns on the other. The caverns contain the entrance to the
Journey to the Center of the Earth ride, bathrooms, and the 20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea ride. In the lower right of the picture to the left, you can see a
fantasy submarine. In the right photo is a look at what the 20,000 Leagues ride
is like. A car looking like your very own primitive diving vessel appears to be
suspended from a hook at the top. Each car seats six on benches. The car then
"submerges," and you go on an adventure that is probably very interesting
and exciting...if you understand the narration in Japanese. Otherwise, it's
still cool and you get the gist from the action.
Page
two of DisneySea
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