Anyhoo! Since the NDA is still looming over my head with the first project just now wrapping up, and with Golden Week* giving us a breather, let’s talk about DisneySea! So for mother’s day my mum and I went to the Tokyo DisneySea Park and just...Wow. The $4 billion and the about 20 years of planning spent on that park surely shows through. Here are the seven areas plus the night show:
Mediterranean Harbor
I’d like to go to the Mediterranean in real life one day, but the Disney faux version was a joy to see and pretend I was actually there.Mysterious Island
This Jules Verne inspired area was well crafted and my favorite area of the whole park. It definitely rang true to Verne’s style of the Victorian era of exploration and the birth of science fiction in the vein of science crashes with raw nature. Upon entering explorers find themselves in the womb of a collapsed volcano creating an inward sea with the sister volcano looming over you giving warnings of a near eruption. Teal colored second story walkways over the inner sea and the various instruments of science mark the presence of human’s conquest over the island, but of course something can go wrong at any minute as two rides pit you through not only the consequences of reaching too far (or below as is the case in the sea ride) but also facing huge lava monsters about to eat you.Featuring three of Verne's novels: Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and The Mysterious Island. It was a relief that Brendan Fraser's mug could not be found anywhere from the Journey of the Center of the Earth remake. The only Disney movie reminder was the Disney 1954 film adaptaion of Captain Nemo's ship, the Nautilus.
Mermaid Lagoon
Had I been a little girl, the playground cove inside full of all things The Little Mermaid (rides, games, shows) would have been my ascend into heaven. Though that was then and this is now and today’s ascend into heaven would have to involve a world entirely of Star Wars with real Jedi training. …though I suppose I’m too old now to train as a Jedi.Inside they had a small play of the Little Mermaid in the style of the Lion King Broadway in terms of costume designs. Was really nifty to see and ended up being my mom’s favorite attraction.
The Arabian Coast
While not full of fun rides or interesting shows, this area is just fun to walk around and be immersed in an Arabic setting. Every angle within this area feels like a well thought out layout background for a movie and even at night the light has a romantic feel to it.Lost River Delta
Ah, but what would Disneyland be without Indiana Jones? Taking after the travel location of Central America, this area features the fun Indiana Jones ride (this one called “The Crystal Skull” though had no resemblance to the movie having been created before it) and a so-so roller coaster called Raging Spirits.Port of Discovery
Somewhere between “Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow,” “Steamboy,” and, well, Disney, this area resembles a rendition of what the future would be like from a 1920s artist. And what’s more exciting is the style of this port feels very reachable, as though in ten years this is what ports could look like. Featuring a Storm Chaser ride and some other small rides connected to science, one wonders if this is the result of Captain Nemo’s team of conquest…American Waterfront
Yay America! I was excited to get a faux taste of home, and then about five minutes in I was ready to go back to Mysterious Island. Why you might ask? Aside from enjoying the historic elements they had in one area, the big cruise ship and the Tokyo version of the Tower of Terror aren’t that fascinating. The best Tower of Terror ride is the one in Florida where it stays true to the Twilight Zone episode. The Tokyo version has nothing to do with the Twilight Zone and makes one question why some old rich white guy from the 1880s has an elevator in his home for the mad little African voodoo doll to kill him with. Crazy wooden voodoo doll that comes to life? Sure, I can believe that. Magical green killing smoke? Sure, I can believe that. An old mansion predating the use of modern technology having a modern, LARGE elevator? No.The Fire and Water Show
Ok. All I gotta say is: Japan. Can the closing show just be fireworks for them? No. They have to have some epic battle between two larger-than-life monsters (Fire Godzilla and the Water Maiden) that ends in some odd love courtship and then fireworks. That’s right. "Fireworks."*Golden Week = Japanese holiday. Not really a week, but three holidays put together. Makes up for not getting weekends.
