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I recently returned from a trip to Japan, which means a trip to both Disney Tokyo parks. What exactly is DisneySea? Join me as I provide you with information regarding this magnificent theme park.
DisneySea
DisneySea, officially known as Tokyo DisneySea, is a theme park in the Tokyo Disney Resort in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is owned and operated by the Oriental Land Company under license from The Walt Disney Company. DisneySea opened on September 4, 2001, quickly becoming a popular destination for locals and tourists.
Unlike traditional Disney parks, DisneySea is not based on fairytales or animated films. Instead, it offers a distinct concept centered around exploration and adventure. The shows and attractions are based on myths and legends of the sea. DisneySea is divided into seven themed areas, each with its unique atmosphere.
DisneySea combines the magic of Disney with immersive storytelling and incredible attention to detail. It offers a diverse range of attractions, entertainment options, and dining experiences, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The attention to detail makes this particular theme park one of its kind compared to any other Disney Park around the world!
Themed Areas
The attention to detail in DisneySea’s theming is exceptional. Each park area transports you to a different world, from the Mediterranean Harbor’s waterfront charm to the captivating Arabian Coast. The park’s ambiance is beautiful, creating a sense of wonder and adventure.
There are seven themed lands at DisneySea. Mediterranean Harbor is at the park’s entrance, featuring a beautiful waterfront with Venetian gondolas and the iconic Mount Prometheus volcano. Mysterious Island is a steampunk-inspired land. Mermaid Lagoon takes guests under the sea with Ariel and her friends into an enchanting underwater world.
Guests visiting The Arabian Coast will experience the charm of Arabian tales as if they have just stepped into Jasmine and Aladdin’s world. Lost River Delta is the land of ancient ruins, thrilling rides, and exotic landscapes.
Port Discovery takes in the wonders of technology and futuristic inventions in this bustling sci-fi-themed port area. In contrast, the American Waterfront feels like one is stepping back to early 20th-century America on the 4th of July, with classic architecture and a full-size SS Columbia ship.
Attractions
DisneySea offers a diverse range of attractions catering to all age groups. From thrilling rides like “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “Tower of Terror” to family-friendly experiences such as “Toy Story Midway Mania!” and “Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage,” there’s something for everyone. The unique concepts and immersive storytelling make the attractions even more enjoyable.
There are over 25 attractions at DisneySea. Here is a sample of the well-known attractions in each land.
Mediterranean Harbor places guests in the middle of Venice, Italy, complete with a Venetian Gondola serene boat ride through the harbor and the highly popular Soaring: Fantastic Flight. Mysterious Island is home to the thrill ride Journey to the Center of the Earth, where guests board a unique vehicle and embark on a thrilling adventure through the Earth’s core. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage dives into the ocean’s depths on this submarine ride.
Mermaid Lagoon, Ariel’s Playground is a dream come true for children, with its play area featuring slides, climbing structures, and water play. Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster is a gentle roller coaster suitable for younger visitors. The Arabian Coast is home to Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage, a boat ride through scenes from the “Sinbad” story, filled with animatronics and music. The Caravan Carousel is a two-story traditional carousel with Arabian-inspired theming.
More Attractions
Lost River Delta is home to not one, but two, Indiana Jones rides: Temple of the Crystal Skull and Raging Spirits is a high-speed roller coaster with twists, turns, and a backward section. Port Discovery is home to two attractions. Aquatopia boards guests on a unique watercraft and glides through a maze of waterways. Nemo & Friends SeaRider: takes guests and Nemo’s friends on a journey into the deep sea in this motion-simulated attraction.
Lastly, in the American Waterfront, one would never expect Tower of Terror to be part of this land. In this area, guests will also find Toy Story Mania, a replica of the Disneyland Resort, and Walt Disney World rides.
These are just a selection of attractions at DisneySea. In a future article in my Japan series, I will focus on my top 10 attractions at Disney Sea and why they were my personal favorites, ones to notice, and what part of the day is best to enjoy the attractions.
Entertainment
The live shows and entertainment at DisneySea are top-notch. “Believe! Sea of Dream’s Nighttime Spectacular” features water screens, fireworks, and beloved Disney characters. “Big Band Beat” delivers a lively musical performance, while the water parade, “Let’s Celebrate with Colors,” is a grand spectacle combining floats and music to celebrate Tokyo Disney’s 40th Anniversary.
Arguably, Tokyo Disney Resort has some of the best live entertainment ranging from an over-the-top swinging jazz show to seasonal entertainment in which Mickey Mouse hoses down guests. If you are a parade and live entertainment fan, you have no shortage of options.
Believe! Sea of Dreams’ Nighttime Spectacular transforms Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranean Harbor with large boats flanked with high-definition screens gliding dynamically over the water’s surface, bright lasers and searchlights illuminating the night sky, and, for the first time in its history at the Tokyo parks, projection mapping on the walls of Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta.
The water spectacular follows Peter Pan and Wendy as they set sail on a golden pirate ship to visit the “Sea of Dreams” and meet the “wishing stars” that are their Disney friends. The show primarily focuses on characters from modern Disney and Pixar films, including Moana, Miguel from Coco, Rapunzel from Tangled, and Elsa from Frozen. The performance occurs in the Mediterranean Harbor once each night and is about thirty minutes long.
“Big Band Beat”
“Big Band Beat” is a popular musical show at Tokyo DisneySea that combines energetic music, live performances, and a vibrant atmosphere. The show occurs in the Broadway Music Theatre, located in the American Waterfront area of DisneySea. The show celebrates the spirit and style of the significant band era, including swing, jazz, and big band classics, featuring a live jazz orchestra, talented singers, and dancers, which include Mickey and his friends.
The stage design reflects the grandeur of a classic Broadway theater, immersing the audience in a glamorous atmosphere reminiscent of the golden age of jazz.
“Big Band Beat” runs for approximately 30 minutes. The show is in Japanese, but the music and performances do not detract from the spectacle. It is performed multiple times throughout the day, and showtimes are listed in the park’s entertainment schedule on the Tokyo Disneyland app. “Big Band Beat” uses a free ticket lottery system to guarantee entry. I will explain more about this process in my Tokyo Disneyland planning guide.
“Let’s Celebrate with Colors”
“Let’s Celebrate with Colors” is a show that occurs on the Mediterranean Harbor during the day. Wearing colorful outfits, Mickey Mouse and his Disney friends including the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto), Duffy, and ShellieMay appear on a boat to greet the guests.
At the same time, the Tokyo Disney Resort’s 40th-anniversary theme song plays. The show is about 10 minutes long and will run from April 15, 2023 to March 31, 2024. Although the characters on the barge speak in Japanese, the highly catchy theme song is entirely sung in English.
Dining
DisneySea offers various dining options, from quick service to fine dining experiences. The themed restaurants are immersive, adding to the overall experience. Whether looking for a quick bite or a memorable meal, you’ll find plenty of choices at DisneySea.
However, one concern for many overseas guests is what to expect from food offerings at the Tokyo Disney theme parks. Keep in mind that while the park’s food focus is on local tastes, guests can find food choices that are comfort foods from back home, such as in the United States. Burgers, fried chicken, fried rice, fries, and chicken nuggets are options.
There are plenty of options for those who want to try something different such as shrimp pizza. All menu items are displayed as plastic food near the front of the restaurant to help guests make their choice. It’s also a great way to see what the food will look like when guests order.
Seasonal menu items are rotated yearly. The 40th Anniversary-themed foods and souvenir sets are currently available. Each restaurant, quick service, and table service usually offer entrées, desserts, and drinks. The “Souvenir Set” includes merchandise only available by purchasing that food offering. The food displays will show what is available. For example, many desserts came with a collectible ceramic 40th Anniversary cup and saucer.
Quick Service
Quick Service restaurants sell burgers, fries, and pizza. Other locations also serve more than fast food, such as curry, Japanese udon, and seafood. Popular quick-service locations include Sebastian’s Calypso Kitchen, located in the Mediterranean Harbor, and offers seafood-based dishes and sandwiches. Casbah Food Court offers curry and rice, whereas Vulcania offers Chinese dishes such as fried rice and Dim sum.
Table Service
Table service restaurants range from ¥3000 (USD 20) per plate to ¥8000 (USD 55) per plate. These restaurants usually require reservations. Disney Hotel guests may book their reservations online ahead of time. For non-Disney Hotel guests, they can book a table in the park for that specific day.
Magellan’s, located in the Mediterranean Harbor, is a trendy signature restaurant offering fine dining and European-inspired cuisine. The S.S. Columbia Dining Room offers meat and fish dishes. The only Character Dining experience featuring Mickey Mouse can be found at Chef Mickey’s at the Disney Ambassador Hotel.
The Tokyo Disney Resort caters primarily to local Japanese guests; therefore, it is essential to remember that all menus on the Tokyo Disney app are in Japanese. Google Translate is very helpful when looking at menus.
If you are on social media, you cannot miss the photos on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook that feature photogenic snacks. Eating snacks alone during park visits can be sufficient, as we learned and will focus on another article! We also found the prices of these Instagram-worthy snacks not to cost very much. For example, a box of popcorn costs ¥400! (USD 3)
Ticket Pricing
The pricing at DisneySea can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of ticket, the age of the guest, and any additional add-ons or vacation hotel packages. Guests should check the official Tokyo Disney Resort website for the most up-to-date pricing information. It was just announced that prices would change beginning in October. Here’s an overview of the general pricing structure:
Admission Tickets: One-Day Passport: The standard admission ticket allows entry to DisneySea or Tokyo Disneyland for one day. The pricing varies based on the guest’s age (adult, junior, or child) and whether it is a weekday or weekend/holiday visit. Currently, only single-day tickets are offered for purchase, and no park hopper offerings exist. Additionally, Annual Passes have not been brought back since the pandemic.
There are currently four different passes available for purchase. These include a Fixed Date Time Passport (From 10:30 AM), Early Evening Passport (From 3 PM on Weekends/Holidays), Weeknight Passport (From 5 PM on Weekdays excl. Holidays), and 1-Day Passport (for Guests with Disabilities).
A one-day pass costs Adults (18 & over) ￥7,900~¥9,400, ($55-$65) Junior (Ages 12-17) ￥6,600~¥7,800, ($46-$54) Child (Ages 4-11) ￥4,700~¥5,600 ($32-$39). Early Evening Passport (From 3 PM on Weekends/Holidays) Adult (18 & over) ¥6,500~¥7,400, ($45-$51) Junior (Ages 12-17) ¥5,300~¥6,200 ($37-$43) and Child (Ages 4-11) ¥3,800~¥4,400. ($26-$30). Remarkably, a massive difference in park prices in US Disney parks!
Two theme parks make up Tokyo Disneyland. My next article will focus on Tokyo Disneyland’s lands, attractions, and food offerings. I will also share a planning guide to visiting Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in my Tokyo Disney series. It is a different world planning a trip to these specific parks than Disneyland and Disney World. Lastly, I will also be including a planning guide for visiting Japan, including Kyoto and Tokyo. Please make sure to share this article with a friend who will be traveling to Tokyo Disney soon!
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