The Bounds Do Tokyo Disney - Day 3, Part 1

[Melanie]

The Bounds Do Tokyo Disney

Cast of Characters -

Melanie (37) - that's me
James (37) - that's hubby
Josh (8) - oldest, loves Donald and thrill rides
Ryan (7) - youngest, loves Stitch and Goofy, and not too sure about those thrill rides yet


Be warned: This report is very long (I’m sorry!) and I’m going to be using words like beautiful, gorgeous and breathtaking a lot. It's hard to not go into a lot of detail about this park.

Day Three, Part One:

Our third day was DisneySea day. Yes, the mecca for many Disney fans! And I’ll always be thankful for having the opportunity to visit this incredible theme park. Wow, it’s really amazing to see what can be done when you give the Imagineers free rein and big budgets to work their magic.

DisneySea didn’t open until 10am this Tuesday morning, so being morning people, we had a lot of time this morning to explore. The logical choice was the Disney MiraCosta hotel, which much like the Grand Californian at California Adventure, is built within DisneySea park.

We took the monorail over to the DisneySea station, and used the convenient walkway from the station over to the hotel. There were already folks lining up to enter DisneySea at 8am – two hours before park opening! We enter the lobby and wow, we were blown away. The Italian/European theme is gorgeous! Each themed port in DisneySea is represented around the atrium, which is the centerpiece of the lobby. The domed ceiling is a highlight. Stunning!

We checked out the hotel gift shop and got a kick out of Minnie Lisa. We were hungry for a good breakfast, and chose the BellaVista Lounge, located just off the lobby area. Again, didn’t do any research, but we didn’t think we could go wrong here. We were escorted to the furthest table away from the entrance, which ended up being window front with a stunning view of Mediterranean Harbor in the park. Wow, wow, wow! Our first glimpse of the park was all we thought it would be, and more. And what an extra special treat it was to see it empty.

Tearing ourselves away from the beautiful scenery, we filled our plates at the delicious buffet, where they had their own take on Mickey pancakes. We gobbled up the fresh fruit, as it’s so expensive here in Okinawa, and we don’t get as much as we should. Service was outstanding, and this meal was a highlight of our trip. We highly recommend the BellaVista Lounge.

Tummies full, we explored the hotel a bit more, checking out the grand entrance driveway leading to the beautiful fountain out front. Disney really went all out for this one, and my understanding is that this hotel alone cost as much to build as the entire Disneyland California Adventure expansion. Amazing!

As it was close to 9:30am, time to get in yet another long line to enter the park. It was actually warming up a bit, so we took off some layers while we were waiting in line. That little bit of warmth from the sun was a good feeling! While waiting in line, I went and got an English version of the park map, which they were happy to give at the ticket counters. At Disneyland, we picked it up at Guest Services.

I’ll explain here a bit about this park. There are seven themed ports of call. The already mentioned Mediterranean Harbor, the American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast and Mysterious Island. DisneySea is in the midst of celebrating it’s 5th anniversary, so there are banners and lots of merchandise around the park reflecting this.

You enter into the DisneySea Plaza and then under a walkway (part of the MiraCosta Hotel) into Mediterranean Harbor. The characters are out around the Plaza area, so James takes off to get us Journey to the Center of the Earth FPs, while we get some autographs and pictures. Funny Chipmunk story here – we go to see Dale and Ryan has him sign his book and he signs “Chip”. We all look at each other with “huh?” looks. We then go to Chip and he signs “Chip” as well. Seriously, I think they sign so few autographs and it was so early in the morning, he forgot which Chipmunk he was that day.

Next we moved on into Mediterranean Harbor and to meet back up with James. You can’t help to stop and take it all in once you enter this area. I’ve heard over and over and over again what a beautiful park this is, but it is really breathtakingly stunning in person. Pictures just don’t do it justice. The detail, use of colors and theming is out of this world! We would find this to be true in all the themed ports in the park.

We find James and he’s got a new purchase on his head. After looking all day yesterday for a hat, and finding nothing but the trucker-style ones, he finally found a very nice DisneySea one from McDuck’s Department Store, which sits right off Mediterranean Harbor at the entrance to American Waterfront. He was gushing like a excited child about how cool Mysterious Island was, so we head straight over there. The idea is that Captain Nemo has created this area as a base for his underwater and earthly explorations. Indeed, it’s way cool! In the water was the Nautilus from the 20K Leagues rides at WDW and Disneyland, and hoisted above was the Neptune, the vehicle for DisneySea’s version of the ride.

We first do 20K Leagues Under the Sea by entering the circular outdoor queue down into the ride area. Fantastic indoor queue area, with lots to look at. We entered our ride vehicles, which seated 6 - two to a window, not knowing what to expect. I think the boys were a little taken back since it was dark and the fear of the unknown. Narration was in Japanese, so we were a little lost in what the mission was supposed to be, but we got the gist of it. I really felt like we were underwater - the effects are that good. The submersion was fun! A huge squid is the highlight of the journey, and there were little alien guys towards the end of the ride that were very cute. Overall, just incredibly superior to the original versions of 20K, but what can you expect after all the years of advancements?

It was already time for our Journey FPs at that point, even though the standby line was already an hour. FPs would be the way to go! The cave queue was cool, and soon we were in a Tower of Terror like elevator on our way down to the loading area. The boys were both being very brave and even James and I were a little apprehensive. I hate not knowing what’s going to happen. Josh and I rode together in the middle, and Ryan and James rode behind us in the cool vehicles (which seat 8) that actually have shovels on the front, you know, to get you down to the core of the earth. The journey begins as kind of a leisurely trip where you encounter crystal caverns, and some weird lands and creatures, but then you take a wrong turn and find yourself face to face with a huge monster. At that point, the vehicle takes off very, very quickly and shoots you out of the volcano, with a fun drop along the way. Before you know it, the ride is over, and my only complaint is how short it is.

Well, it scared Ryan to death, and he was really crying. I have to say that the quick takeoff surprised us all, but what a cool ride! We got him cheered up fairly quickly with promises of ice cream and headed off to the Lost River Delta area. Woohoo – the land of Indiana Jones. Our boys have just recently began watching the Indy movies, and they were disappointed Temple of the Crystal Skull was closed during our visit, but all the reason to go back. We sure felt like we were in Indy territory though. Incredible theming! The other highlight of this port is Raging Spirits, a roller coaster with a loop which speeds through an excavation site. Standby times were long of course, so we grabbed FPs and moved over to the next land, Arabian Coast.

[Melanie]

How beautiful this area was! You really feel like you are in the middle of Agrabah, as the port is themed after my favorite Disney film, Aladdin. One of the main attractions in this area was also closed, Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage, so after moseying around the shops a bit (the Genie is huge here!) we lined up for The Magic Lamp Theater, a 3D show about an evil magician who with his apprentice finds the magic lamp with the Genie from Aladdin. We notice on the park guide that English translation is available so we inform a CM and she guides us to the back of the pre-show area and gives us all handheld devices with subtitles. The pre-show and main show are both translated for us. I have to say that trying to read the text and watch what was going on was a little difficult, and took away from the show, but at least we got translation. It was fun, nonetheless.

Alas, no Aladdin sightings for me though, unless you count this.

Next we move on to Mermaid Lagoon, another port based on a popular Disney movie, The Little Mermaid. This was a really pretty area with all the pastel coloring and feelings of being under the sea. First stop, Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster, equivilant to Goofy’s Barnstormer and Gadget’s Go Coaster. The wait was only 25 minutes. We encounter this funny no smoking sign along the way. Fun ride!

We then fill up Josh’s popcorn container with our first “strange” popcorn flavor of the trip. I forgot to mention that the previous night at Disneyland, Josh got a Buzz Lightyear popcorn container for 1100 yen (about $10) and you could bring it back for refills for 400 yen (about $3.50). Ryan was waiting to find the exact container he wanted since they only had one specific design at each popcorn stand. This time we got sea salt flavored and it was pretty good.

After the snack and bathroom break, we head back for our FP at Raging Spirits. Oops – Ryan isn’t tall enough. Hadn’t even crossed our minds, but sure enough, he was still a couple inches too short, and Josh just met the requirement. Ryan took the news very well, especially when he was given a special front of the line pass for when he returns and is tall enough to ride. The CM we dealt with here was incredible! She spoke English well enough to relay the information to Ryan and make sure he understood. They placed a wristband on Josh indicating he was tall enough. Off he and James went to enjoy the ride, and when they excitedly exited (Josh really loves the coasters), Josh and I got to use the other two FPs. I have to say that I was very impressed that Josh was checked at least two more times for his wristband indicating he was tall enough to ride. We got loaded and pulled out of the station, and stopped. Hmmmm. We sat and sat and sat, and realized that the entire ride had stopped. There were no less than four cars on the track at the time, none in the loop, but some very high up. I’m not one to usually get claustrophobic, but I had to talk myself out of a little panic attack with the shoulder bars over me. It just wasn’t that comfortable. They were really bulky, with lots of padding. Josh did fine.

They were explaining what was going on over the loud speakers, and a CM even came over to our cars with an explanation, but we couldn’t understand. But after only about 10 minutes or so, they got us all off (I was really glad when the restraints came up) and escorted us down around the coaster and back up some steps to the loading area. We all got a super FP to use at any attraction (except Tower of Terror) that day at DisneySea. I let Josh think about what attraction he wanted to use it on.

Heading back through the Lost River Delta area over towards Port Discovery, we ran into The Three Caballeros. Donald really liked Josh’s hat. We also ran into Chip ‘n Dale in their Mexican outfits. Too cute and I knew my Chip ‘n Dale loving pals would love all the interesting costumes we were seeing them in!

On to Port Discovery, the port all about weather, where Josh wanted to use his FP on StormRider. Ryan has a history with thunderstorms, and he announced he wouldn’t be going on this attraction, so he and James went off to ride Aquatopia. StormRider is a simulator where your flying laboratory enters the eye of a typhoon, encountering winds and rain along the way. The pre-show area had English subtitles on the TV screens, so we could follow the storyline very well. It was a cool attraction, and we even got a little wet, but not anything I really cared to repeat. We met back up with James and Ryan, saw brainy Chip 'n Dale, and headed over to the American Waterfront. It was well into the afternoon by now, and it was time for a meal.

To be continued…..

[Bethis26fan]

Sounds like a great day so far. I can't wait to hear more. I also love the pictures of chip & dale

[Christine]

Wow! This all just is too much for words!!!

The grout between the pave stones even looks like it gets cleaned!!! Everything is so immaculate, so colorful, so well themed...

Man, and I have to go to stinkin' old WDW in FL next week ...

Really, though, will it be hard to do the older parks in the US after seeing this beautiful Disney utopia??

[Melanie]

Really, though, will it be hard to do the older parks in the US after seeing this beautiful Disney utopia??

Hard? Never!

[faline]

Wow! I'm really enjoying your reports and pictures!

[Carol]

Does James know you put that photo up? Knowing how smitten you are with Aladdin - that photo just cracks me up.

Off to read Part Two ...

[KylesMom]

Absolutely incredible so far, Melanie! Thanks for reporting all the details and the pictures - WOW!

[offwego]

Wow just fantastic an amazing collection of photos and some pretty amazing memories no doubt.

Thank you so much for sharing with us.

[murphy1]

Wow, Mel! That is honestly one of the best reports I have ever read! I have been looking forward to hearing about your trip. Thanks so much!

Shari

(One of these days I will get just to Disneyland, but I guess having over 125 trip to WDW isn't too bad )

[Mickey'sGirl]

Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues are two of DS8's favourite books (and the first 2 chapter books we ever read). He would love these rides! What an incredible park! I'm off to read part 2.

[Melanie]

Does James know you put that photo up?

Oh yeah, he's loving it. That was his idea to try those hats on.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues are two of DS8's favourite books (and the first 2 chapter books we ever read). He would love these rides! What an incredible park! I'm off to read part 2.

Jennifer, that whole area is really the coolest. Again, the theming is incredible!

[Ian]

WOW! I'm so unbelieveably, incredibly, totally, completely, absolutely jealous.

[Jen0610]

WOW! I'm so unbelieveably, incredibly, totally, completely, absolutely jealous.

Color me pea green.....I'm that jealous. Thank you soooo much for sharing these sights with us. Can't wait to read about the rest of your trip and see these pictures.

[disneydrmr]

Wow! I wanna go! Your pictures are wonderful! And it's so neat to see chip and dale in so many different outfits! Thanks!

[ChipnDaleGal]

Does James know you put that photo up? Knowing how smitten you are with Aladdin - that photo just cracks me up.

I spit a little diet Dr Pepper on my computer moniter when I saw that picture of James in Aladdin's hat!! He looks very cute as an Arabian Marine!!

Mel, that was so much fun to read. What an astounding park. Thanks for all the details with your words and your pictures!

[sleepingbooty]

I'm loving your reports! I'd never even heard of DisneySea until this

[Mufasa]

Melanie,

I'm so glad that you and the boys had an opportunity to visit the Tokyo Disney Resort (and it's my sincere hope that everyone will be able to visit the parks in Tokyo at least once in their lifetime)- it's truly something that has to be seen to be believed.

For example, when you walk into Tokyo DisneySea and first view the Mediterranean Harbor area of the park, you have to pause and realize that the buildings that line the harbor waterfront that you're looking at are actually the rear of the MiraCosta hotel (yes, those balconies on the buildings are the room balconies of those lucky folks who have snagged a park view room.)

The illusion is very convincing and at first glance you can't believe that you're looking at a hotel.

It's quite a different level of immersion in the park compared to the Grand Californian at Disney's California Adventure where the theming of the MiraCosta completely blends the hotel into the environment of the park (and then you also realize just how massive in scale the MiraCosta hotel is).

[Melanie]

For example, when you walk into Tokyo DisneySea and first view the Mediterranean Harbor area of the park, you have to pause and realize that the buildings that line the harbor waterfront that you're looking at are actually the rear of the MiraCosta hotel (yes, those balconies on the buildings are the room balconies of those lucky folks who have snagged a park view room.)

Exactly! Those were the folks I was so jealous of when waiting in the cold for BraviSEAmo!
And in that picture you highlighted, you can see the wide glass window, which is the BellaVista Lounge where we ate breakfast that morning.
You're right, it's something that needs to be seen to be believed and fully appreciated.

[dlpmikki]

Mel, thank you so much for sharing your trip. It is wonderful