Travel Tuesdays #5: Tokyo DisneySea

Tokyo DisneySea

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Tokyo DisneySea is probably my favorite Disney theme park. They've got beer & decent Mexican food, sold! Seriously though, it's a well thought out park and beautifully decorated.

DisneySea is located in Urayasu, Chiba-ken, just outside of Tokyo. It's easy to get to by car or train. It's part of 3 parks/malls, Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea and Ikspiari, similar to California Adventure, Disneyland and Downtown Disney in California. Admission is reasonable for Japan at 7,400円 for adults, 6,400円 teens and 4,800円 for kids.

DisneySea was originally going to be built in Long Beach, California with the Queen Mary as it's center piece. However, when EuroDisney started to have financial difficulties the plan was put on hold. Instead, the Japanese group took the idea and built DisneySea. It opened in 2001 and I first went in 2004.

Entering the park you're greeted by a giant globe of the earth spinning on top of water and a recently added steampunk looking, Disney galleon. I was politely told here, "No selfie sticks in the park please".

From there it's thought the gates and into the Mediterranean Harbor. The visuals from this point really offer some cool views, the volcano Prometheus directly ahead of you and the Venetian style hotel to your left and behind you. You really feel like you've entered into a different land.

Form here the park is a giant circle you can either go left to the American Waterfront or right to the Mysterious Island. I have a soft spot for the American Waterfront, probably because it's familiar, but we always end up going towards the Mysterious Island first.

The rides start in Mysterious Island. There is the Journey To The Center Of The Earth roller coaster and the 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea ride. The latter is a nice little, simulated undersea ride into the world of Captain Nemo. Nice for the kids. I've never been on the Journey ride, because as you can imagine, lines are long and days are short, even with a fast pass.

Continuing on you pass by Mermaid Lagoon & Arabian Coast. The Mermaid Lagoon is a great place for smaller children. Half of it is indoors in a large, underground space filled with rides, games and water spouts. Arabian Coast is the place you just pass by. Nothing special there.

Form here you turn left as you are at the back of the park and entering the Lost River Delta, a Central & South American themed area. Here we always stop for beers and lunch, Mexican! You might wonder why I'm so excited about Mexican food, well because up until about 2 years ago getting Mexican in Tokyo was very hard. Also, who doesn't like Mexican?? The place is called List De Platos and for Japan, it's pretty good.

In the Lost River Delta there are several rides including the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of The Crystal Skull. It's identical to the Disneyland ride Indiana Jones Adventure Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Another ride is the Steamship that can take you back to the front of the park, the Mediterranean Harbor.

Moving on you wind around into Port Discovery, which we never really stop in. It doesn't have the pull of the other areas and you can tell because there aren't many people in the lines or visiting the attractions here. At least there weren't when we were there.

Ahead is my favorite area, the American Waterfront. I like it because there is a real cruise liner parked there, The Columbia. Inside it's beautifully decorated with wood work and tile. You can rest here in a bar/lounge, eat in the restaurant, or lounge outside on the deck and have a drink. Not only is it gorgeous on the inside, but the outside offers fantastic views of the harbor.

Apparently there are characters dressed from the time period of the ship's launch that walk the ship and are much sought after by Japanese for selfies. One such character came out while we were resting and suddenly people swarmed her to have their picture taken with her. She was gracious and granted everyone their selfie.

Past the Columbia is the Tower of Terror, just like the one that use to be at California Adventure until they changed it to The Guardians of The Galaxy ride. The whole area is based on the Roaring 20's from America.

The last area as you wind back up near the entrance is a Venetian like area with gondola's that will take you around it's canals while the rower sings to you in Italian. This was very cool and I'd recommend it for adults.

And that concludes our quick tour of DisneySea. If you happen to be in Tokyo and have some time and money It's definitely a place to visit. American's will notice similarities with the California parks while still being different enough to be it's own, unique, fun park.

New Travel Tuesdays #6: Yosemite Valley in Yosemite Park, California.

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