DisneySea

Tokyo boasts the only DisneySea in the world! At DisneySea you can sail around the World, visiting harbours and taking in rides and adventures from gondolas in Venice to pirate ships to a steam liner or travel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea with Captain Nemo!

DisneySea is sometimes said to be marketed at an older age group, as alcohol is available to purchase (not available at Disneyland) and there are more faster and adventurous rides such as Tower of Terror, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Raging Spirits and Indiana Jones. However, don’t let that deter you if you have younger kids. There are amazing rides for smaller children and it’s not really somewhere that people go to drink so the crowds are tame.

DisneySea is split up into seven different ports; Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery and American Waterfront.

The signs are generally in English and Japanese, so are the menus in restaurants. Many of the cast members speak English, however, if they don’t they will find someone for you. Parades, shows and dialogue in rides are generally in Japanese, however, we had no trouble figuring out what was happening. Not speaking Japanese was never an issue for us on our visits to DisneySea.

The DisneySea website has maps of the park to help you orientate and a list of attractions.

If you are planning to also see Disneyland, check out our full blog and for planning tips on the Disney parks including tickets, where to stay and access. For general planning and travel in Japan with family check out our planning pages.

Mediterranean Harbor

The first port on entering the park is the Mediterranean Harbor which is styled like an Italian port with canals and Venetian gondola rides.

Across the harbour the impressive volcano stands in the centre of the park, the volcano erupts periodically throughout the day and the heat from the volcano can be felt from the ground below. The Mediterranean harbour boasts water shows with boats, jet skis and fountains.

On the far side of the Mediterranean harbour is one of the boys favourite places, the Fortress Explorations, with a castle fortress and a galleon (pirate ship) to explore. The cannons on the ship ‘fire’ into the harbour. While inside the fortress is an amazing interactive planetarium, Michelangelo’s ‘flying machine’ and you can battle each other by sailing galleons on a water map.

Soaring Fantastic flight (must be 102cm to ride) is also found in the Mediterranean harbour as well as the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line which has stops at the American Waterfront and Lost River Delta. However, be aware that the transit steamer line does not always stop at all three ports, sometimes it will only go to one if shows are being set up or performed so just check with the attendant at the port.

Mysterious Island

Mysterious Island hides under the volcano in the centre of the park. You can join Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo and Journey To The Centre of the Earth on a thrilling roller coaster ride complete with a lava monster (over 117cm to ride) or explore Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Mermaid Lagoon

Visit the underwater world of Ariel and her friends at Ariel’s playground. This area is great for younger kids and is completely covered if the weather is not ideal.

Just outside Ariel’s playground is Flounders Flying Fish coaster, a fantastic smaller coaster (over 90cm to ride).

Arabian Coast

At the Arabian Coast you’ll find Aladdin and Genie with amazing scenes and character meet and greet opportunities. Ride a flying carpet or join Sindbad’s Storybook Adventure, a ride reminiscent of It’s A Small World in Disneyland.

Lost River Delta

Lost River Delta is home to Indiana Jones ride (over 117cm to ride) and the Raging Sprits Roller Coaster (over 117cm and under 195cm), the only loop the loop roller coaster in both parks. All the boys loved both these rides, even the 6yo enjoyed the Raging Spirits.

Port Discovery

Port Discovery has a futuristic theme and one of the younger kids favourite rides, Aquatopia, a trackless water ride which self navigates through a course, so you never neo where it is going to go. It is fairly slow and you won’t get wet but the younger kids loved it! Nemo and Friends Sea Rider (must be over 90cm to ride). The electric railway has a station here and runs to the American Waterfront and back.

American Waterfront

American waterfront is modelled on a 20th century waterfront port with part of the area modelled on New York, including a theatre and part modelled on a New England Fishing Village. It boasts the very impressive SS Columbia Steam liner to explore and dine in.

Take a ride on Old American style trucks called ‘Big City Vehicles’ through the streets of the town. The electric railway has a stop here as well as the Transit Steamer Line.

Here you will also find the Tower of Terror ride (must be over 102 cm) and the very popular Toy Mania ride.

Night time

DisneySea comes alive at night with lights and displays that look spectacular. The park is targeted at an older audience and in the evenings the queues for rides are often longer.

Parades

Like any Disney theme park, crowds queue for the parades long before they are due to come past. Tokyo DisneySea has shows on the Mediterranean harbour at the entrance (and exit) of the park.

The night show is complete with fireworks and the huge volcano lights up, joining in the action. For a full list of parades and shows, check out the official Disney site.

Tickets and access

For information about tickets, access and where to stay, check out our Disneyland and DisneySea planning blog.

More Information

Check out our full blog on Disneyland
Official Tokyo Disney page
Disney Hotels
Disney Tourist Blog