Have you ever - been to Tokyo DisneySea, Tokyo

Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney park that is not directly owned by the Walts Disney. We were having a hard time deciding whether to go to Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea when we were in Tokyo. In the end, we decided to spend a day in Tokyo DisneySea and our take is that you can probably only find this in Japan and we were looking for some unique magical Disney experiences! Let's see what it has to offer.

We took a bus from Shinjuku Station (the Shinjuku Express Bus Terminal is right across the Shinjuku train station - south exit). It took us a while to find the place because we thought the bus terminal is within the train station but it's not. We bought a one-way ticket a day in advance for the next day for about 800 yen per trip. I don't think they offer round trips tickets and you can get the return ticket outside Disney sea when you are done with the day. We also stocked up a little snacks from Family Mart and yes snacks are allowed in the park as well as water. However, there are plenty of restaurants inside the park (even more than rides) so be sure to try out one or two to complete your Disney experience. 

The bus journey took about 50 minutes and we arrived at the park around 10a.m. in the morning and it was already swamped with people. And guess what, they are mostly Japanese and some even with school uniforms. Unlike the Disneyland in Paris, people there are all dressed up for the magical experiences and you can tell that some are regulars. Judging from the crowd when were arrived, many of them were already there before the park opening and you should actually be there before the park opening particularly those with the one-day pass. 

There are a few parks in Tokyo DisneySea and all have something to do with the sea as you can see above. You can visit the official website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/tds/map.html to download the map and start planning before hands to make the best use of the time in there. Having a map in hand when you are there at the park is essential so you know where to get your favourite popcorns and the showtimes etc. Speaking of this, here's a quick tip on making the best use of your time.

Tokyo Disneyland and Sea offer a FastPass system where you can secure a fast pass from the specific distribution places near the attraction that you would like to go and return to the attraction at the time specified in the fast pass. With that you can make sure you get to visit the attraction that you want and be able to skip the long queues. At times, you will still have to line up to get the fast pass and everybody will be rushing for the fast pass they want the moment the park opens, hence it is important that you do your planning and research properly. On a side note, I don't think anyone can rack up a bucket of fast passes unless you hire a fast pass runner so be selective and have fun!

Here are the Fastpass attractions at Tokyo Disney Sea:

1. Toy Story Mania!

2. Soaring: Fantastic Flight

3. Tower of Terror

4. Nemo & Friends SeaRider

5. Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull

6. Raging Spirits

7. The Magic Lamp Theatre

8. Mermaid Lagoon Theatre 

9. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

10. Journey To The Center of the Sourth

Mediterranean Harbor

One thing that draws DisneySea apart from all other Disneyland parks is that the parade is happening in the middle of the harbour with a boat parade! There are some reserved seats at the front row that can offer you the perfect view for the showtimes. No special catch you just have to head over to the lottery machine near the show place and try your luck to win the lottery ticket for the next show. There are a few special shows that offers reserved tickets by lottery such as It's Christmas time and Hello, New York! Be sure to check out the seasonal shows on the official website before you visit. 

Another thing you can find in Mediterranean Harbor is Venetian Gondolas where you can ride a gondola through the canal and the harbour! I was excited since I didn't get to ride a gondola when I was Venice and here's one to make up for it. And the bonus part is that the gondolier would actually sing for you, in Japanese of course while propelling the gondola. 

Mermaid Lagoon

I would say the rides such as the Ariel's playground in Mermaid Lagoon are mostly meant for kids and this is where you can meet Ariel character for a greeting session. We watched the famous "Under the sea" musical show in the Mermaid Lagoon Theatre and I absolutely loved it! 

Mysterious Island

Mysterious land is the home to the Captain Nemo and over here you can actually dive deep into the sea with submarines at the attraction - 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 6 people were allowed in one submarine with a front facing seats and another two at the sides which you can view the physical sets outside the submarine under the water with some effects of you navigating through the water. 

Arabian Coast

This is probably my favourite part in Disney Sea due to the influence from latest Aladdin movie starred by Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as well as Will smith! Disney never fails to disappoint and look at how all the small details bring the Agrabah marketplace and bazaar to live. It is as if you are there yourself in the movie. There is a two-level carousel here at the Caravan Carousell and you can watch a magic show here at The Magic Lamp Theatre. I was hoping to find Princess Jasmine here but there is only Jasmine's flying carpet but I will take it. 

American Waterfront 

American Waterfront is the most popular land among all. Here you can find the famously Tower of Terror (not for the weak hearted), which offers pretty much the same experience as Disneyland and the Toy Story Mania for Toy Story fanatic. Toy Story Mania was set out like a carnival with a couple of rides and carnival games available for guest of all ages.  

Also, there is a real size cruise ship - SS Columbia near the New York Harbor and it houses restaurants and bars for some luxurious dining experience. Pretty cool huh. 

Port Discovery

If you are a fan of Nemo here's where you should come. There is Aquatopia which offers some whirling ride with watercraft and the Marine life institute that hosts the Nemo & Friends SeaRiders - some sorta a simulator attraction where you can explore the marine life as Nemo and Dory.

Lost River Delta

Lost Delta River is for the adventurers as this is where the Indiana Jones Adventure and Raging Spirits located. There is a minimum height requirement for this two activities. Indian Jones Adventures was the highlight of my Disney Sea experience and it was totally worth the 2 hours wait in the line. It is sorta like a ride through the temple full of traps and the entire ride was short but so real! The details are second to none and this is why we all love Disney. 

Over here at the Lost Delta River you can also find Mickey & Friends Greeting trails for meeting your favourite Mickey, Minnie and Goofy! You know the drill because there is always a long queue for it. 

At every land within the park, you can find plenty of gift shops everywhere and snacks such as roast chicken and popcorn. Do not hold back if you see anything you like because some of things you can never find it anywhere else but here.

As every other Disneyland, there is a closing fireworks show- Fantasmic at Mediterranean Harbor and it is unique because it is a show on the water just like the parade. We left earlier before the park closed so we didn't manage to catch the show but here's what I can find from youtube if it helps.

Lastly, just want to say that I had a wonderful wonderful time in Tokyo DisneySea!