Best Tokyo DisneySea Attractions & Ride Guide
This guide to Tokyo DisneySea attractions contains reviews and ratings for every ride and show in the park, plus line-skipping recommendations. If you’re planning a trip to Japan, this is a great place to start when determining which attractions to do, when and how.
Unlike Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea is incredibly unique and unlike any theme park you’ve ever experienced. Tokyo DisneySea is Japan’s second gate to Tokyo Disneyland, with lands and attractions based on various ports of call, both real and imagined. (Speaking of TDL, see our Tokyo Disneyland Attraction Guide for more about that park.)
When used in conjunction with our 1-Day Tokyo DisneySea Itinerary, you should have a strong plan of attack, which is very important at Tokyo DisneySea, as lines can be very long. These Tokyo DisneySea ride ratings include headliners, smaller attractions, and shows. Besides Mermaid Lagoon’s kiddie rides, we don’t recommend skipping any attractions if you have the time to experience them all as pretty much everything in Tokyo DisneySea is varying degrees of awesome. But it’s very difficult to do it all in a single day, especially now that Fantasy Springs has opened.
Tokyo DisneySea is the best Disney theme park in the world. That was true even before Fantasy Springs. This is not just because of its stellar ride roster–which is now even better–but also because of its transportive sense of place, dining options, general ambiance, and the infectious attitudes of other guests and Cast Members. It’s difficult to fathom if you’ve never been, and this may seem like unattainable hype that the park could never live up to, but the whole of Tokyo DisneySea is so much more than the sum of its parts.
While originally envisioned as a more mature park to appeal to Japan’s aging population, Tokyo DisneySea has shifted its direction a bit since opening by adding attractions and characters based on Disney characters. Regardless of the recent change in direction, Tokyo DisneySea remains a decidedly adult park. It’s really a theme park unlike anything else Disney has to offer. There is still plenty to do for kids, but they’re more likely to prefer Tokyo Disneyland, as much of the brilliance of Tokyo DisneySea will be lost on them.
Because so much of Tokyo DisneySea is predicated on its ambiance and entertainment, in order to experience a good amount of what the park has to offer, you should expect to spend two full days in Tokyo DisneySea. We have found that even two days still only gives you a taste of the park–we usually do 3 days, but we’re Disney obsessives. Tokyo DisneySea is like a fine wine, and after the initial morning race to avoid the crowds, it’s a park that you really need to slow down to enjoy.
Before we dig into the Tokyo DisneySea ride guide, there are a few important updates that we need to bring to your attention. First, as noted above, Fantasy Springs is now open. This is the new $2 billion port-of-call themed to Peter Pan, Frozen, and Tangled. Fantasy Springs is now open-access and the rides DO offer standby lines as of 2025.
However, these attractions are incredibly popular and we highly recommend purchasing Premier Access. For other attractions, you’ll want to take advantage of Priority Pass. To that point, downloading the Tokyo Disney Resort app before your trip is a must.
Speaking of which, the spiritual successors to free FastPass are Premier Access and Priority Pass. See our Guide to (Free) Priority Pass & (Paid) Premier Access at Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea for eligible attractions, prices, and how to make these line-skipping ride-reservations.
Since this guide is written in English on a site catering to US Disney theme park enthusiasts, it assumes that you’re a Disney fan. If not, these recommendations might be extreme for you–you may be able to see all you care to see in a single day.
Top Tokyo DisneySea Attractions
Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage (10/10) – Slow moving boat ride featuring vignettes of Sindbad the Sailor’s adventures, featuring a cast of over 100 Audio Animatronics. I’ve gushed a lot over Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage already, so I’ll keep this succinct. Sindbad’s is a nice, long ride with a catchy song, lovable characters, and rarely lengthy lines.
We both consider it our favorite attraction at Tokyo DisneySea, with Chandu the tiger being one of our all-time favorite theme park characters. Do this whenever. Sindbad’s is entirely in Japanese, but the story is largely conveyed via scenery and song–it’s a masterpiece no matter what language you speak.
Dreams Take Flight (???/10) – This 25-minute stage show is set in an airplane factory in Lost River Delta. “Dreams Take Flight” showcases a day where Mickey Mouse and other Disney friends come together to build an airplane, featuring rhythmical songs and dances.
Before the factory opens, Pete, the manager, along with the artisans who take immense pride in building airplanes, gather to kick off their busy day. The Disney friends work together to complete the airplane as they overcome challenges along the way. When the artisans finish assembling the airplane, the venue fills with a sense of camaraderie, culminating in a grand finale to celebrate the airplane’s completion.
We’re looking forward to this stage show featuring a blend of scenery and performances that just opened in 2025. However, we have not yet seen it–hence the lack of a score. (All TDR montage shows are produced at a high level, so we’d be shocked if this falls below an 8/10.)
Journey to the Center of the Earth (10/10) – A hybrid dark ride and thrill ride, Journey to the Center of the Earth is Tokyo DisneySea’s flagship attraction. Starting with the approach that goes inside Mount Prometheus, Journey to the Center of the Earth is incredible.
Its queue is meticulously detailed, taking guests through a makeshift lab in a cavern where Nemo and his crew have been studying their excavations, before taking them on a terravator deep down beneath the surface of the earth. The attraction takes guests on excavators deeper below the earth, from a forest of mushrooms with cute little creatures, to a sea with a special effect that will make you jump from your seat. The climax is intense and spectacular.
Journey to the Center of the Earth is a great rope drop/park opening attraction that isn’t nearly as competitive as some of the alternatives. You can also purchase Premier Access for it. Journey to the Center of the Earth has minor dialogue in Japanese, but language is immaterial to understanding what’s going on.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (10/10) – A sea rover based dark ride into the depths of the sea. Unlike the old Walt Disney World version, you never enter any water in this version–it’s all an illusion. Guests board a ride vehicle called Neptune with room for about 6 people and go through a suspended dark ride. This is a great attraction that is brilliantly executed and suspends disbelief. In typical Tokyo DisneySea fashion, the scenes and effects are pretty spectacular and detailed. You won’t be able to see it all on one–or even four–rides through.
Guests can use lanterns to illuminate objects out the portholes make the experience engaging, and the various monsters and friendly creatures encountered along the way are cool. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is moderately popular, but it tends to be one of the last attractions to run out of free Priority Pass. Either do it in the morning after Journey to the Center of the Earth and Indiana Jones Adventure (skip if the posted wait is above 30 minutes) or wait until only it has Priority Pass availability remaining and get that for it. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is in Japanese, but the important storytelling is all visual.
Fortress Explorations (10/10) – A Tom Sawyer Island-like play area featuring 10 very memorable exhibits. It is EPCOT Center caliber “edutainment,” that not only showcased some still-impressive technologies from centuries ago, but also the revolutionary thinkers who devised the devices.
Kids (and even many adults!) will have fun exploring it and learning a thing or two. There is even a game you can play that includes a map, but that may require speaking Japanese (we have not tried to play it). Do Fortress Explorations whenever convenient, probably in mid-afternoon when lines are long for everything else. Signs are all in English.
Tower of Terror (10/10) -A free-fall thrill ride with an elaborate lead-in and excellent story. While Journey to the Center of the Earth is widely viewed as Tokyo DisneySea’s best attraction, we’d give Tower of Terror the nod over it. Unlike the US versions, this has no Twilight Zone tie-in. Instead, the New York City Preservation Society gives tours to the hotel previously owned by dubious explorer and collector of exotic artifacts, Harrison Hightower. The story centers on Hightower’s disappearance, which was supposedly caused by idol Shiriki Utundu.
The sheer number of artifacts, different pre-show rooms, and newspaper clippings means that you’ll need to experience this several times before seeing it all. This is one attraction where, we feel, it would have been nice to know Japanese, as that’s what the NYC Preservation Society guides speak in the pre-show. Like the other versions, the thrilling fall is the least important part of Tower of Terror. This is another Premier Access paid line-skipping attraction. That’s one option, or you can rope drop this side of the park and knock out Tower of Terror and Toy Story Mania at park opening.
Soaring Fantastic Flight (9/10) — A popular hang-glider simulator ride that offers a grandiose flight over some amazing locations around the globe. The giant screen combined with the swinging gliders and an epic score creates a really believable experience, making Soaring Fantastic Flight an absolute must-do for anyone who meets the 40″ height requirement and isn’t terribly afraid of heights.
Soaring Fantastic Flight’s ride component is similar to Soarin’ in Walt Disney World, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. The big difference here is the build-up to that: Soaring Fantastic Flight has an incredibly lavish queue and impressive new pre-show. The video also has one scene swapped out, and a new finale that ends over Tokyo Disney Resort. It’s worth seeing even if you’ve experienced Soarin’ elsewhere.
Soaring Fantastic Flight is incredibly popular, even 5 years after it opened. If you line up before park opening, this can be a good rope drop option. Otherwise, our best advice is racing here (you’ve gotta be fast!) as Believe! Sea of Dreams ends. Failing both of those options, pay for Premier Access or skip it. As great as this is, it’s still Soarin and if you have only one day to do TDS, you’ve gotta make tough decisions.
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull (10/10) – Hybrid thrill ride and dark ride aboard a transport vehicle through the Temple of the Crystal Skull (same ride system as Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland and Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom). The premise and track layout, along with many effects are very similar to the Disneyland version, but there are differences throughout. There are also two effects that totally make the experience.
Indiana Jones Adventure is the best Priority Pass attraction at Tokyo DisneySea, so we recommend using that on this attraction. Other alternatives are within the first hour or towards the end of the night. Indiana Jones Adventure is at the back of the park, so it doesn’t have a huge line first thing.
Indiana Jones Adventure is one of two attractions at Tokyo DisneySea with a Single Rider line. We highly recommend using it (if your party can handle being in a foreign country in Asia, you’ll be fine splitting apart for like 5 minutes) as it will cut wait times significantly. During one of our visits, we waited 5 minutes in the Single Rider line when the normal queue had a 150 minute posted wait. If you are unwilling to use Single Rider, do this immediately after Journey to the Center of the Earth, first thing in the morning.
Venetian Gondolas (9/10) – Venetian gondolas captained by two charismatic gondoliers from the Palazzo Canals to the lagoon in Mediterranean Harbor and back. The scenery and the romanticism of gondolas is the big draw, but the gondoliers can be a highlight, too. They sing, and some will even interact with the boat in English if you make an effort to engage them. This attraction is most fun at or shortly after sunset, but lines are shortest first thing in the morning. Due to its low capacity and popularity, its lines can get long as the day goes on.
DisneySea Electric Railway (8.5/10) – Relaxing and scenic elevated railway ride through the American Waterfront and a little bit of Port Discovery. The DisneySea Electric Railway is awesome in the same way that the TTA is awesome. This is the type of relaxing “ambiance” attraction I could envision myself riding over and over to do some sightseeing in the American Waterfront if I were a local with unlimited time. The views along the way are great, and you see parts of American Waterfront buildings you wouldn’t see otherwise. Do this whenever, the line should always be fairly short.
Toy Story Mania (8/10) – A 3D screen-based shooter game with Toy Story characters. This is the best version of Toy Story Mania, with a really cool queue and load area. It’s also the most popular version, with long lines throughout the day.
The attraction itself is a direct clone. If your time is limited, we highly recommend skipping Toy Story Mania. If you absolutely must do it, the best options are rope dropping it, buying Premier Access, or getting in line ~45 minutes before the park closes, which will be right around the time they cut the line. Either way, make sure you check out this area at night.
DisneySea Transit Steamer Line (8/10) – Relaxing, scenic boat ride with a couple of route options from Mediterranean Harbor to Lost River Delta or Cape Cod (round-trip). We recommend the latter. It’s a great way to slow down and see the park.
Aquatopia (7/10) – A self-guided water “car” ride that weaves around a path. Aquatopia uses the trackless ride system from Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and combines that with water, but there’s not really any substance to it. It’s mildly fun and pretty at night, but still nothing special. It’s still an enjoyable ride that’s often a walk-on at night. It’s fun, so do it. It’s just disappointing given the ride system utilized.
Nemo & Friends SeaRider (7/10) – This simulator attraction in Port Discovery is based upon Finding Nemo. It’s a cute attraction that follows Nemo and his friends around underwater, and there are some amusing effects, but it’s a pretty bland and predictable experience. Only a must-do for those with kids, or huge Pixar fans.
Believe! Sea of Dreams (8.5/10) – Nighttime spectacular where Disney friends remind dreamers to keep on believing and making their wishes come true. Believe! Sea of Dreams features large boats on Mediterranean Harbor, bright lasers, and pyrotechnics illuminating the night sky, as well as projection mapping that envelops the vast performance space of the harbor.
Believe! Sea of Dreams is presented nightly in the Mediterranean Harbor lagoon, and can be viewed from 360-degrees around the water. This nighttime spectacular has some great visuals, especially with characters (Peter Pan, Moana, Rapunzel, Little Mermaid, etc.) rising from their respective boats. We prefer watching this from an angle that faces the front of the park, as there are projections on Hotel MiraCosta that provide a lovely backdrop. Fortress Explorations is a good free option, as is the nearby bridge leading from American Waterfront.
Fantasy Springs Attractions
Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies (8/10) – This is a family-friendly attraction in Pixie Hollow, the fairy valley in Never Land where Tinker Bell lives. Guests board a Busy Buggy, a vehicle made by Tinker Bell, and explore the fairy valley and its changing seasons. In this fairy valley, everything from flowers and mushrooms to painting utensils and pieces of nibbled cheese is larger than life, creating the impression that guests have shrunk down to the size of a fairy and entered their world.
Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies punches above its weight. This is the simplest and most straightforward attraction in Fantasy Springs–it’s a kiddie ride that fills a role for families with small children, and doesn’t aspire to be anything more than that. And yet, it does.
The scenery are adorable, the motion of the vehicles is delightfully fun, and the whole thing just oozes whimsy. That’s to say nothing of the end, where you encounter a character who has already developed a cult following. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies and it is better than it has any right to be. It’s still firmly the #4 attraction–almost no one would rank it any higher–but it’s fantastic for what it is.
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival (8/10) – A romantic gondola tour with outdoor scenery and indoor show scenes that culminates in the annual Lantern Festival, where guests follow Rapunzel as she experiences her “best day ever” and meets Flynn Rider for the first time. Boats float towards the tower where Rapunzel lives, and find her gazing out of her lofty tower window, singing “When Will My Life Begin,” as Flynn Rider watches.
Rapunzel escapes from the tower and with Flynn Rider at her side, the two develop a strong bond as they visit various locations featured in the film. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider go on to sing “I See the Light,” and guests are enveloped by the glow of countless lanterns filling the night sky.
If anything, this is the opposite of Busy Buggies in the sense that Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival arguably under-delivers on its promise and potential. This has perhaps the biggest ‘wow’ moment in any Fantasy Springs attraction and a few other lovely scenes and effects, but it’s a bit on the short side and also more rudimentary.
It’s as if Imagineering started with the iconic Lantern Festival, nailed that, and decided i was good enough. To be sure, that scene is alone worth the price of admission, but the rest of the ride falls a bit flat–and is over too soon. Read our Review: Disney’s Most Romantic Ride Ever?! for more.
Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure (10/10) – Guests join the Lost Kids on an epic adventure to rescue John from Captain Hook and his band of pirates. When Peter Pan informs guests that John has been kidnapped by Captain Hook and his pirate crew, they board a boat and set off on an adventure. Tinker Bell then sprinkles fairy dust on the boat, allowing guests to soar into the sky.
During their journey, guests encounter beloved characters from the film. Guests will discover Captain Hook’s moored ship, the Jolly Roger, and look on as a battle with the pirates ensues. This is a 6-minute 3D motion-base-simulator-meets-dark ride attraction has guests boarding makeshift boat ride vehicles and wearing 3D goggles, and has a minimum height requirement of 102 cm (~40 inches).
Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is one of two “no notes” attractions in Fantasy Springs. On paper, this ride is very similar to Spider-Man or Transformers at Universal, which are iconic screen-based attractions that are also chaotic adventures. In actuality, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is much more like Avatar Flight of Passage. Like that, this adventure with Peter Pan offers battle and excitement, but also a majestic and well-paced attraction that takes its time to slow down and chew on the scenery.
The thrills are followed by a quiet and introspective moment, and a grand finale that’s stunning and takes your breath away. Do not miss Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, even if that means paying for Premier Access. For more, see our ride review: Disney’s New Peter Pan E-Ticket is an Avatar Flight Plus Spider-Man Adventure.
Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey (10/10) – Guests set out on a voyage by boat that leads them through the events of Frozen. This adventurous and heartwarming tale of two sisters features themes of true love, along with twists and turns (literal and figurative) along the way. Grand Pabbie draws guests into the world of Frozen as he tells the tale of Anna and Elsa to two young trolls, bringing the sisters’ childhood memories back to life with an iridescent light through his magic.
Guests then embark on a journey through the sisters’ memories, accompanied by well-known songs from the film. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey culminates in Elsa climbing North Mountain, where she creates an ice palace with her powers. During the ride’s climactic moments, Elsa attempts to save her sister from Hans in an act of true love.
This is totally different from Frozen Ever After at the other parks, and is the second of two perfect attractions in Fantasy Springs. In our view, this is the “perfecter” of the two, and is arguably the best ride in all of Tokyo DisneySea–maybe in all of the world. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey features jaw-dropping Audio Animatronics, gorgeous show scenes, and a few “how did they do that?!” moments and effects. We rarely recommend purchasing Premier Access, but it is absolutely worth it here. This is an absolute must-ride, and should be your #1 priority at Tokyo DisneySea. For more photos & commentary, see our ride review: Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey is One of Disney’s Best Rides Ever!
Tokyo DisneySea Attractions You Can Skip
Raging Spirits (4/10) – This is the “intense” thrill ride at Tokyo DisneySea, which has a 360-degree loop. It draws long waits, is incredibly short, and locks you in so tight that the experience really has no sensation. Almost identical in layout to the Indiana Jones coaster in Disneyland Paris, and only slightly better. Theming is good, and the exterior looks really cool at night. Single Rider is available and recommended, but even it moves slowly. The much better way to experience this attraction at night is by grabbing a beer and watching the mesmerizing for about 10 minutes. We’re not even kidding.
Caravan Carousel (7/10) – Double decker carousel. Proving that just about anything is better in Tokyo DisneySea, this takes the classic Disney carousel and kicks it up a notch, with an ornate look, and a second level. One of my fondest Tokyo DisneySea memories is being on the second level of this during sunset on the last night of our first trip to Tokyo. For what it is, it’s pretty cool.
Turtle Talk (7.5/10) – Kids interact with Crush from Finding Nemo in a screen-based attraction that mimics portholes out of the SS Columbia. Gains points for a much better presentation than the Epcot version (brilliantly integrated into the lower level of the SS Columbia), but loses points for being entirely in Japanese, meaning most English-speaking guests won’t get as much out of the experience.
The Magic Lamp Theater (6.5/10) – 3D show (plus pre-show) featuring the Genie interacting with a Cast Member performer. It’s an enjoyable, albeit bizarre 3D film with good effects and nice, organic interactions with the Cast Member. This show is entirely in Japanese, but an English close captioned device is available for it. You’ll definitely want that. Do this whenever.
Jasmine’s Flying Carpets (6.5/10) – Spinner ride a la Dumbo. Offers great views of the Arabian Coast and has a great lighting package. Definitely something to consider doing at night if time allows and the line is short.
Blowfish Balloon Race (3.5/10) – Mermaid Lagoon is full of kiddie rides, none of which are anything special and should only be done by those with small children. This one is a mildly-exciting spinner in King Triton’s Castle with hanging baskets. Skip it.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish (3/10) – Slow-moving up and down jellyfish ‘towers’ in King Triton’s Castle. Waste of time.
Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster (4/10) – Very short, unthemed kiddie coaster located outside in Mermaid Lagoon. Only do this if you have kids who can’t go on other Tokyo DisneySea attractions.
Scuttle’s Scooters (3/10) – Whirly kiddie ride that goes around on a circular track. Skip it.
The Whirlpool (3/10) – Same idea as the Mad Tea Party at Disneyland, without iconic status or any great views, located inside King Triton’s Castle. Don’t bother.
King Triton’s Concert/Mermaid Lagoon Theater (7/10) (Temporarily Unavailable) – Abstract puppet-based show based on the Little Mermaid. The puppets and presentation of the show are beautiful, but the pacing is poor, and the show literally just abruptly stops. The new version of this show opened a couple of years ago, and is moderate improvement over the old version of the show, but feels like it took a tech-first approach in many segments, and feels disjointed as a result.
This leaves out roaming atmospheric performers, seasonal entertainment, and character meet & greets, but it’s all of the significant, year-round attractions. If you have the time, try to do every attraction that isn’t one of the Mermaid Lagoon kiddie rides, as even the lesser attractions aren’t bad. If you have small children, you’ll probably even want to do the Mermaid Lagoon stuff!
Planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort? For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Tokyo Disneyland & DisneySea Trip Planning Guide! For more specifics, our TDR Hotel Rankings & Reviews page covers accommodations. Our Restaurant Reviews detail where to dine & snack. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money post. Our What to Pack for Disney post takes a unique look at clever items to take. Venturing elsewhere in Japan? Consult our Ultimate Guide to Kyoto, Japan and City Guide to Tokyo, Japan.
Your Thoughts
What other questions do you have about Tokyo DisneySea? If you’ve been, which attractions are your favorites? Which ones do you skip? Do you agree or disagree with our ratings? If you haven’t visited Tokyo DisneySea yet, which attractions are you most excited about? Hearing from you is half the fun, so please share your questions and thoughts in the comments!
My husband and I are going to Tokyo in 12 days and I told him I wanted to go to Tokyo Disney Sea – even though we just got back from a week at WDW. He thinks I’m crazy to go to a Disney park when in another country, he thinks we should experience the country – not more Disney! I insisted and he relented, however I am giving in to him by only spending 1 day there. I really appreciate your planning guides for the parks and will definitely use them. I am beyond excited!
BTW – He wouldn’t go to Disneyland Paris when we were in Paris two years ago and I still can’t get over it.
Hi! We will be travelling to Tokyo this Golden Week I know its a BAD timming? Can you advise us how to go about disney sea? Than you very much!
Hi there, your blog is simply wonderful – thank you.
Would you be so kind to have a quick look at my 2.5 day Disney Sea Itinerary ?
Its based on your Dining and attractions recommendations but would love you to take a quick look?
Please let me know
thanks Jewel
Is TDL and TDS wheelchair accessible? We were there in 2005 and would love to go back, but mom can’t walk long distances now (2 knee replacements since then). Also considering Shanghai Disney. Any info on that park?
No info on any of them, really. I would assume whatever the case was in 2005 is still the case. Sorry I don’t have more info!
Which other ride has single rider? Im going soon and not sure if i should buy express pass, get a fast pass or just use single rider lines
@melissa, you say that like it’s a bad thing! I committed it to memory so I could sing along. 🙂
Ugh, god, that song during the Sindbad ride was stuck in my head for over a week.
Taking my family to Tokyo. I’d never really thought about Tokyo Disneyland and now I’m intrigued. I grew up going to Disneyland, been only one week at Disneyworld parks. I’ve been on one week Disney cruise and 4 days at Aulani. Here we go TOKYO!!! December 2014
Great blog! You say the second showing of fantasmic at TDS is less crowded – what times is the first and second show?
Thanks!
Just came back from Tokyo and used your post as our guide – thanks for this, it was very helpful to narrow down the must-trys. Only had 1 day for each park so we prioritized those you rated high. As always, 1 day is not enough. We weren’t able to go to Toy Story in USA so it was a pleasant surprise to go on it, all of us including kids enjoyed tremendously! Didn’t enjoy that much A Table Is Waiting or 20,000 Leagues, but had fun on Journey & watching Legend of Mythica. Our favorites were Fantasmic & Indiana Jones as well as Toy Story.
This was a wonderful post and I really enjoyed reading it. I love your recent attraction guides for all of the parks. Thank you so much for providing them! I will be traveling overseas this coming fall and I plan to visit Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Paris. I’ll be there for work so I’ll need to plan well in advance to maximize my time in the parks. Your posts will be crucial in helping me navigate the parks on a short timeframe, until I can visit again for a longer duration. I can’t wait to continue reading!
No problem, hope they’re helpful. Stay tuned for the Disneyland Paris guide, (hopefully) coming later this week!
Your review is exactly the same with my experience haha. Really love it
For the new fireworks, Happiness on High, it is good. Japanese uses larger and more quality shells than the States… The soundtrack is cute… but it seems like OLC wants to save money for the parks. It is cancelled all the time even there is no wind …thats the reason that makes this fireworks show is unique to me… Ive heen to the park hundred times… and I could catch the fireworks less than 10 times… so each time I could see it… i was like… tomorrow should be my lucky day….
I’ve seen the launch site for the fireworks and, trust me, it’s not about saving money. If there is even a slight wind or any negative weather forecast, they cannot run the fireworks. We got luck and saw them three times in November, but before that we had not seen them at all.
As for the fireworks being higher quality than the US fireworks, the bursts themselves might be, but the show is much shorter and not nearly as much of an “attraction.” I’m betting that’s why they’re moving to a Disney Dreams-style show. Tokyo Disney guests should love that!
Thanks for the feedback! 🙂
I think this list is pretty spot-on. I would like to re-emphasize to anyone going soon to make “Legend of Mythica” a priority- It’s by far the best theme park show I’ve ever seen, and I am having a hard time picturing how they could possibly top it.
One recommendation I would make about the lotto shows is to double-check to make sure that the Lottery is being held that day. I didn’t think I’d be able to see the show, but for some reason they weren’t holding the lotto the day I was there, so I got to just walk in!
Little Mermaid was technically impressive but hilarious! For those who haven’t seen it, it’s like this, only slightly exaggerated:
“Wish I could be, Part of Your World…”
“No, Ariel!”
“You’re right, Sebastian!”
“UNDER THE SEAAAAAAAAAA…..”
I was really tired when we saw this, and for a second I thought I fell asleep without realizing it and missed part of the show. When it goes down for a redo, hopefully the pacing is substantially improved.
Or, they could just drop the pretense of a plot and have it be abstract. It could work well that way, too.
I’ve never been to Disney World or US Disneyland before, and Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea were the first Disney parks I’ve ever been. So I completely loved Mermaid Lagoon Theater. I thought it was very well done, and I actually prefer the “I shouldn’t have to change myself to be happy” idea than the “I have to change for the man I love”. Maybe people who are more used to watching Disney shows have a different view about it.
I’m sad to see that there’s a Fantasmic show in Disneysea. I went to Tokyo Disney parks knowing nothing about them (or about any other Disney park), so I didn’t stay there until the evening. Now Fantasmic is one of the shows I’m most excited to see in Disney World when I go there, and I could already have seen it in Disneysea if I did a little research before going there.
Nice list and nice photography! It is interesting to scan this list after seeing some of the other parks – it seems like a pretty full ride list.
I look forward to reading the trip planning article. It’s not on the agenda in the near future, but someday we’ll get over to Japan.
I’d love to see an outline of your touring plan (I’m piecing one together based on these reviews) but knowing how you spend your days when you’re there would be useful. Did you do a lot of cutting across the parks? Did you try to bang out the large attractions early then go back and soak up the atmosphere later in the day once you had gotten that out of the way? Eating at off times? How many days do you recommend DisneySea (is 2.5 ok? with 1.5 for Tokyo Disneyland?)
Having been to Tokyo DisneySea several times before I think your ratings for the most part are spot on…
The 9.5 seems a little high for Fantasmic based on this blog catering to US Disney theme park enthusiasts who would have seen the US versions of the same show. The technology is more advanced but it struggles because of the 360-degree nature of the show and viewing is restricted depending on where in the Park you happen to be standing or sitting. It also lacks the live performance scenes which the other two versions are loved for like Peter Pan and Captain Hook sword fight aboard the Sailing Ship Columbia.
10/10 for Fortress Explorations is a high score for what is essentially a walk through Attraction. And I’m not really sure how it would be viewed by American visitors to the Park. Also I feel Raging Spirits deserved higher then a 4/10. I agree it’s not worth the long waits but it has some nice theming and the Japanese Guests seem to enjoy the Coaster. I would have gone with a 6/10 personally. But with these few exceptions you have marked it exactly how I would have done. Good work.
I think you might be right on Fantasmic. I still think it’s better than the DHS version, but I do find myself missing some of the scenes in the Disneyland version. I don’t want to overuse the term, but I think Fantasmic is another TDS show that’s more about the pageantry than anything else. The vivid colors, the floats, etc., all make it seem like a surreal dream. Still, you’re right that it doesn’t feel as compelling as the Disneyland version. I’ll give some thought to bumping that score down to 9/10.
As for Fortress Explorations, this is where the ‘scores relative to the experience and target audience’ bit comes in. As far as play areas go (which is ultimately what this is), I can’t think of how Fortress Explorations might be improved. For me, personally, it’s not a 10/10 (it’s still pretty high), but if I were a kid, I’d absolutely love this place. I’ve caught some flak because of low scores I’ve given to attractions for kids (I’m sure my scores for the junk in Mermaid Lagoon won’t help), but this is definitely one instance of a play area for kids done so well that I think it qualifies as a great attraction.
I could see Raging Spirits being higher, but I’m going to leave it at 4/10.
Thanks for the feedback on this–since so little is written about Tokyo DisneySea, it’s good for readers to have opinions from others who have been there to help balance out how Sarah and I feel about the place! 🙂
We just got back from a 10 day stay at Tokyo Disneyland with the family. We spent 8 nights at the Tokyo Disneyland Hotel and 2 nights at the Mira Costa! Probably spent 3.5 days at Disney Sea. It was totally awesome and I completely agree with most of your scores. Sinbad was my favourite, 20,000 Leagues was my 7 year old son’s favourite, Journey to the Center of the Earth my 9 year old son’s favourite and Tower of Terror my husband’s favourite. Journey was absolutely incredible and we all had shaky legs afterwards! Big Band Beat I’d change to a 9, StormRider a 6.5 and Aquatopia an 8 (my kids loved it!). Legends of Mythica was the most amazing parade/show we’ve ever seen, we watched it three separate times, the floats were just so intricately decorated and the performance so spectacular!
A bit of an aside–we’re starting to plan our next Tokyo Disney Resort trip–but which hotel did you prefer, Tokyo Disneyland Hotel or Hotel MiraCosta? We’ve seen rooms in the MiraCosta and have been in both hotels, and I’m leaning towards booking the MiraCosta for the duration of the trip, but am also considering a split stay. Any thoughts?
Your scores seem fairly on the money, but I’m curious as to why your kids loved Aquatopia so much. Perhaps I’m missing something about it, and maybe it appeals to kids more than adults for some reason I’m not considering. I don’t want to be unfairly hard on it. Thanks!
I’d definitely go for a split stay. We loved experiencing the different feel and ambience of both. Really added to the enjoyment and our affection for the different hotel themes and parks. It sort of made it like two awesome holidays in one. Even the little things, the different toiletries, the different bedding & lamps, etc. We did TDH then MC (paid for partial Harbour view, was great), then back to TDH (we were upgraded to full park view for free). The split stay just worked that way for us because of availability in MC & our travel dates. The hotels made it really easy, moved our bags so they were in our room waiting when we got back from the parks. They were running a competition for guests who chose split stays to win a free night.
Not sure if you/your readers know, guests can only enter Disney Sea 20minutes early if you stay at Mira Costa (however you can enter Disneyland 15 minutes early if you stay at either hotel). Hotel guests queue really early for the hotel early entry lines, we saw people arriving three hours prior in low season. We queued about 60-80 minutes early and were happy with our position for the hilarious morning sprint. We also loved relaxing in the indoor pool at Mira Costa (it was January & freezing outside), such a special way to end the day.
Our young boys, 7 & 9, loved Aquatopia because it seemed crazy & random to them. Each time we seemed to go on a slightly different route which excited them. They squealed with delight and laughed the entire ride. They seemed to think we were going to crash into the waterfalls. It appealed most to our 7 year old. We went on three times in a row because it had no queue, where as the day before (public holiday) it had been absolutely packed!
A few extra points, (sorry if you already know this), we bought park hopper tickets (only available to hotel guests & we used them, but you probably don’t need them). We booked two character dining “shows” (available to book online in English one month prior if you book via Disney hotel website). These were way beyond any character dining we’ve ever experienced at Disneyland or DisneyWorld. We booked “Lilo’s Luau” and The “Diamond Horseshoe Round Up” (at Disneyland). The Diamond Horseshoe Round Up with Woody, Jessie and Bullseye and other great talent was an absolute must see! We couldn’t believe how good it was. Sort of like the ‘Legends of Mythica’ of character dining, if that makes sense.
I just got back a week ago after staying at MiraCosta (Harbor view), and would happily stay there again.
My original reservation was for the Disneyland Hotel, but when MC opened up I quickly switched.
The early park entry wasn’t a big consideration since Toy Story Mania wasn’t high on my list. Instead it was being able to wake up and see the park, and most especially open the window and *hear* the Mediterranean Harbor soundtrack, that made me pick MC.
FWIW I agree with your rating for Fortress Explorations. I easily spent a couple hours there roaming around. The Chamber of Planets was a stunning space, and hearing Leonardo at the beginning of the Leonardo Challenge announce, “Buon guorno, watashi wa Leonardo da Vinci!” was fun. This is an attraction that can captivate with beautiful theming and engages you for a while, different from a ride over in a few minutes.
I spent 2 days at each park, and in the end wish I’d had one more day for DisneySea.
Thanks for the thoughts on MiraCosta v. TDLH. Toy Story Mania doesn’t matter at all to us, so I’m thinking we’ll probably do the entire stay at MiraCosta. It’s such a tough decision, though!
Thank you for these reviews. I am going there in 3 weeks and this helps alot. I was planning on doing everything, even the kiddie rides so I am glad you posted this today, thanks!
Ok this place looks amazing. My wife and I are planning a trip late in the year. I’ll keep an eye on your trip posts to help with our planning. I’ve heard Tokyo Disney is insanely crowded all the time. What were the crowds like when you were there?
We took our first trip during one of the slowest times of the year, and wait times were long, but crowds were manageable.
We didn’t have as much scheduling latitude for our recent Christmas trip, and we went on two of the busiest days of the year (per our contacts there). Both parks were sold out on the weekend, and lines/crowds were insane. We still had a great time, as those parks manage crowds incredibly well, but I wouldn’t recommend what we did (the second time) to anyone going for their first time, or taking kids.
I’ll have a “Tips for Avoiding Crowds” article in the next few weeks.
Thanks for the reviews. Planning on heading out there to celebrate my 40th in a few years, and can’t wait! The more I see, the more I know it is definitely going to happen…
Awesome! If you have any particular questions, let me know. I may not go into full detail in the comments, but we’re writing our trip planning guides based upon common questions people have asked us.