Tokyo Disneyland Winter Trip Report – Part 2
Out of Shadowland debuted last summer, and one of our priorities for the trip was to see it for the first time. It replaced Mystic Rhythms, an excellent and high-energy show that felt something like Disney’s take on Cirque du Soleil.
Unfortunately, Out of Shadowland did not live up to its predecessor’s legacy. The show was not bad, it just wasn’t great. It was decidedly mediocre. There were a couple of really cool scenes (and being in one of the front few rows really enhances one of them), but the pace was slow and the show lacked any punch.
My biggest issue with Out of Shadowland was that each scene built up a little, but quickly fizzled out before doing anything with the (little) momentum developed. There was not much of a crescendo–much less a climax–within each scene. It was sort of like blowing up a balloon halfway, only to release the air slowly. By contrast, each scene in Mystic Rhythms blew up the balloon so intensely that it popped, and then feverishly started blowing up another.
Out of Shadowland wouldn’t bother me much if I knew there’d be a replacement in a couple of years. I am totally fine with ambitious concepts–and this is one–that fall flat rather than taking no creative risks at all, and the show is not bad, it’s just not nearly as good as what came before.
That’s sort of what worries me. Since we’ve been going to Tokyo DisneySea, each show that has been replaced has been replaced by an inferior successor (in this case), something roughly akin to its predecessor (the Mermaid show), or nothing at all (Legend of Mythica). This makes me really worried about what will replace A Table is Waiting, another favorite of mine…
At this point, maybe 45 minutes before sunset, the sky was starting to look good.
Everyone else in the group wanted to catch A Table is Waiting, but I figured I should wander around and take some photos…
I bounced back and forth between Cape Cod and the rest of American Waterfront, stopping multiple times at the platform that overlooks A Table is Waiting so I could catch bits of the show.
Over the course of both days, I think I took less than 10 photos in Port Discovery. Even though I find this area moderately photogenic, the construction walls around SeaRider made it difficult.
Throughout our days in Tokyo DisneySea, I was entranced by these flowers. This is over by where the Soarin’ construction is occurring, and this area always has nice flowers, but I was shocked that they were maintaining the flower beds in such cold weather. Granted, I know literally nothing about gardening, but I’m assuming freezing temperatures kill flowers.
The Venetian Gondolas on Mediterranean Harbor are always a favorite photo subject of mine. I usually wave with one hand while taking the photo, which gets the attention of the crew and passengers. The scene itself is so gorgeous that it’s hard to take a bad photo, but having everyone look at the camera is a nice touch, I think.
Even though it is not a fully-fledged land, I probably spend more time photographing Cape Cod than any other port in Tokyo DisneySea.
You can’t tell from this series of photos, but I have dozens more from the same sunset that I just haven’t edited yet.
More of the gondolas. I loved the way the light and shadows gave this scene depth.
Here’s a fun fact about Hotel MiraCosta (I swore I’ve mentioned this elsewhere on the blog, but I can’t find it now, so excuse me if I’m repeating myself): the painted facade is an art technique known as trompe-l’Å“il. When I saw this during our first visit, I assumed it was used because Tokyo DisneySea’s budget dried up.
To the contrary, effective trompe-l’Å“il is more expensive than dimensional details, and is just one of many ways the Imagineers crammed lavish detail and authenticity into Tokyo DisneySea. Have I mentioned that this park amazes me? 😉
The sunset fizzled out towards the end as clouds disappeared, but I’m still pleased with what I got. Plus, it’s hard to be disappointed about wandering around Tokyo DisneySea. There are times when I’d actually prefer to just absorb its atmosphere by myself. It’s almost like a heightened sensory experience.
After sunset, I met back up with the group, and we headed to Tower of Terror once again to experience Shadow of Shiriki. What I did not expect was a stunning dusk view out over Tokyo DisneySea.
As soon as we got off the attraction, we all raced up to the top of the S.S. Columbia to take in that view. With the wind coming off of the ocean, it was freezing up there, but that view made it worthwhile.
With the sky being incredibly clear (you could make out the outline of Mt. Fuji even at night!) and Tokyo DisneySea closing at 7 p.m. that night, I decided to break off from the group again for some night photos.
I don’t have anything particularly illuminating to say about any of these photos (I think the only thing going through my mind as I took them was: “BRRR BRRR BRRR BRRR…HOW DOES 30 DEGREES FEEL THIS COLD?!”), I’ll just present them without commentary…
Everyone else was heading to dinner at Ikspiari about 40 minutes after Tokyo DisneySea closed, and though I wanted to stick around until the bitter end, I didn’t mind having an excuse to go inside where there would be heat. Plus, how could I pass up the prospect of getting lost in Ikspiari again?!
…Of course, sitting here in the warmth of home, I’m Monday-morning quarterbacking myself. How could you not be the last person out of Tokyo DisneySea?! That’s a betrayal of your most deeply-held convictions.
It turned out that our Japanese friends were better at navigating Ikspiari than us. They led us to a Japanese restaurant we had never considered on one of the upper floors (we’ve learned from mall dining in Japan that, usually, higher floor equals higher price), as we’re normally basement dwellers when it comes to eating. We had some excellent sushi there, and the restaurant was reasonably priced. We told ourselves that we’d head back later in the trip…
And that concludes our first full day at Tokyo DisneySea. While the weather was colder than ideal, it honestly was not too bad (even then, I’d take intense cold over intense heat and humidity any day), and the low crowds were an perfectly acceptable trade-off. We want to end this trip report by thanking you all for the incredibly warm response to the first installment of this trip report. It was especially cool to hear from so many people who have either already been to Tokyo Disney Resort or are planning on going in the future. If you either have been or are planning to go, this time we would love to hear from you what you enjoy or what intrigues you most about Tokyo DisneySea. Since some people use these trip reports as quasi planning guides, I’m sure that will be both interesting and helpful to other readers. Thanks!
Completely agree with you about the being ok with cold weather given the plus of low crowds and clear skies at the resort in January. We’ve been to TDR twice now, the second time in January and we were blown away by the wonderful weather (sure it was cold but it was clear with no rain and no horrid overcast skies) and how low the crowds were! I’d gladly go in January again.
Can you recommend any other food places to eat at Ikspiari? One of my daughters is a vegetarian and don’t see a lot of options that she would like in the park.
Great report Tom. My wife and I have been reading your blog for a while now, but never thought to “check-in” to thank you for posting all of this, to keep you motivated in your typing. At least not until my wife read your request to do that in part 1. Keep it up. Your readers in Phoenix thank you.
I come for the Disney but stay for the puns.
No one should stay for that reason. 😉
What was the sushi restaurant that you went to at the end?
I’m so in agreement with you in regards to Out of Shadowland! Mystic Rhythmns was just one of those wow shows and it’s been replaced by something very meh! In addition (and this is very silly cos it’s Japan!) but I liked that Mystic Rhymns did rely on Japanese narration and the movement told the story! We were actually warned when we walked in the show was not in English, which I thought weird as we hadn’t expected it to be, but we didn’t expect to need to understand it – though I think it would have probably improved the show if we could have!
Speaking of the cold in Tokyo that time of year, on our first night at Tokyo Disneyland (23 Jan) we didn’t dress for the weather and my husband lost his gloves and at the end of taking all our night photos his hands almost wouldn’t move they were so stiff from cold! However after that we just dressed for the weather (and made sure we had gloves) and it wasn’t too bad. That night was the coldest I’ve ever been I think though (we are from Australia and don’t see anywhere near as cold winters)
It’s interesting that you were warned of that–especially for Mystic Rhythms! We’ve been asked if we speak English, but it’s only ever to give us the slips of paper that explain attraction plots in English (such a nice touch).
I had never thought about it before, but now I need to see a projection show (or fantasmic-style) with Duffy slaying Maleficent’s dragon form. Based on what I’ve read (my first trip to TDR is tentatively being planned for May 2018) I’m sort of surprised this doesn’t exist at TDR already.
*drums fingers impatiently for next instalment*
Thanks for writing. I do enjoy your trip reports. I’m excited to read about the new Epcot festival that you visited after this trip.
For some perspective on how little Shadow of Shiriki info is available outside of Japanese, I didn’t realize until that TDR Explorer post dropped that I’d seen it before! I first visited Tokyo Disney Resort last year in early February and had no idea that the version of the attraction was different than usual, even as a regular reader of TDR Explorer and your site. Even knowing about it this time around (I was there in late January), I don’t think I’d have known it was a “special” version based on anything in the park itself. Anyway, it’s a fantastic attraction, I absolutely agree with you any time you talk about Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, old vs. new Big Band Beat was a draw for me, while my husband enjoyed the new one, but slightly preferred the old one, and I’ve been enjoying this trip report very much.
The .jp Tokyo Disney Resort official site had info on it last year, but it translated poorly; I’m not sure if there’s a similar site this year or not. I’m actually surprised they don’t promote this version more. Perhaps they don’t want to dissuade older audiences or their normal target demos, so the advertising is very targeted? I dunno…
Good points all around, and now that you mention it, I do recall reading something on the official site but feeling a bit lost in translation.
Love this. Thanks for doing it. I’m so excited for my first trip this year!
I have always wanted to go to TDR. When I first started to read the blog I thought that i really should be thinking about going. Just the first two installments of this trip report have now created the NEED for me to go. Now I have to find a way to send you part of the bill for causing this issue!
You’re welcome to send the bill. Now us actually *paying* it is a different story… 😉
Hey Tom! Your reports are getting me pumped for my trip next week!! Do you happen to remember the name of that sushi place in Ikspiari?
We save all of our receipts, and I’m guessing it’s on that, but we aren’t at home right now. Message one of us early next week and we should be able to get you the info.
Great trip report, as always. I am planning for a trip to TDR in the next few years and wondering if TDR + Hong Kong and/or Shanghai Disneyland is better time spent or if it makes for a more enjoyable trip to do TDR and explore non-Disney Japan for another week. I fear that doing all three Asia Disney parks in one 7-10 day period may dull the details of the parks and leave this Disney parks commando burned out and missing the enjoyment of experiencing new Disney parks. Thoughts?
I wouldn’t do all 3 in a 10 day trip. I’d balance Disney and non-Disney elements. That’s just me, though.
Japan is amazing Michelle. Definitely worth leaving Hong Kong and Shanghai for another trip to do some non-Disney things.
Beautiful photos…especially those of the gondolas. I agree…they present a perfect setting for what I believe is the perfect Disney Park. The picture where everyone is looking at you is a lot of fun…I can picture you waving like a goofy American while snapping that shot! I think we have similar tastes when it comes to absorbing the ambience at DisneySea. It is the Number Two attraction in the entire park and I’ve broken off from our group many times just to take it all in. Definitely a feast for the senses and “pixie dust” overload is how I described my first visit! Without a doubt, the Number One attraction is Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage of course! The story, characters (#teamchandu) and music always leave me completely satisfied and generate a good amount of goose bumps! Alan Menken hit a “grand slam with two outs in the bottom of the 9th, down by 3, game 7 of the World Series” with Compass of Your Heart…in my opinion! Regarding transportation at DisneySea, yes, it is outstanding and convenient! I love the electric railway and transit steamer because they get you from one point of the park to another relatively quickly and provide incredible views, especially the railway. They are both a wonderful way to relax and enjoy the incredible ambience. We are so looking forward to our visit in June!
Compass of Your Heart is my favorite Menken song, which is really saying something given his body of work. The way that song breathes life into the attraction and sticks with you for days after riding is just something else.
Enjoy your next trip!
Thanks for the post and especially for the pictures. I’m fascinated by TDS.
I love reading the report, it makes me feel like I am back there. Even though my trip was only in July, it feels way too long ago. I agree with most of what you said except about sinbad and raging spirits. I have the exact opposite opinion as you do on those. To any readers going to TDR, I highly recommend going in Raging Spirits at night (its easy with a fast pass, one of the last fast pass lines to run out in my experience) and deciding for yourself. I truly loved that ride and went on it every day I went to Disney Sea. I love your photo with the shadows, indeed they add depth and that is a frame I havent seen shot before. Big Band Beat was so incredible, I agree it probably doesnt need newness to be exceptional. Idk if it works for others but I had the best fastpass show lotto luck when trying for the first show of the day. Just an anecdotal tip. Looking forward to the next installment.
You’re right about Raging Spirits typically being an “easy” FastPass. Thanks for sharing your opinion on Raging Spirits–not everything is for everyone, and it’s nice to have a diversity of opinions on a blog that otherwise has a fairly singular voice. 🙂
These Tokyo trip reports are great- thank you for doing them!
Would you suggest using a travel agent to book a TDR trip? I’m super confident in my Disneyland/Disney World trip planning skills, not so sure about parks in other countries…
I think it’s pretty unlikely that you’re going to find a travel agent who will book a TDR trip in the first place. Since the park is not owned by Disney, there is no commission for travel agents, meaning they would probably charge you a fee for booking the trip.
Even if you could reach such an arrangement with them, few probably have firsthand experience booking/planning. I think you’d be far better off reading the resources here and planning yourself.
Thanks for doing these excellent trip reports. Having visited Tokyo Disney for the first time last Thanksgiving, this trip report is essentially staving off my Tokyo withdrawals.
We didn’t get to catch Out of Shadowland. We lost the lottery for that or Big Band Beat every day of our four day visit so we ended up doing standby for Big Band Beat on our last day as it seemed like the better of the two.
I can definitely empathize with being lost in Ikspiari. It may as well be a maze attraction.
The lottery for Out of Shadowland is no more, and our Japanese friends indicated that it was fairly short-lived (as far as lottos for new shows go). I guess the attraction has not been especially popular after its initial ‘new-ness’ surge.
Ah. That would make sense. The day that we tried to get it was a holiday (Labour Thanksgiving) so that could explain how we would lose the lotto. Overall, we weren’t particularly upset to have missed Shadowland but decided it was worth waiting in Standby to see BBB.