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“Welcome one and all to a world where Imagination and Adventure set sail. Tokyo DisneySea is dedicated to the spirit of exploration that lives in each of us. Here we chart a course for Adventure, Romance, Discovery and Fun and journey to exotic and fanciful Ports of Call. May Tokyo DisneySea inspire the hearts and minds of all of us who share the water planet, Earth.” Michael Eisner on September 4, 2001
Tokyo DisneySea is often thought of as being Disney’s absolute best theme park. The theming is very unique and beautifully done. Instead of having different lands, DisneySea has Ports of Call which transport guests to various seasides, both mythical and factual, in the past, present, and future.
DisneySea is the only place at the Tokyo Disney Resort where guests can purchase Duffy the Disney Bear merchandise. Duffy and his friends are incredibly popular there and a large number of shops in DisneySea are devoted to them. It is very typical for guests to carrying around their favourite Duffy (or ten favourite) and do photoshoots with their plush. There are even specific Duffy photo locations around the park. We didn’t have a Duffy so we used Chip n Dale.
Tokyo DisneySea is very difficult to do in a single day. The park is humongous and was significantly more crowded than Tokyo Disneyland the week we were there (I’m talking 10 minute wait for all the Disneyland attractions and 3+ hour waits for DisneySea attractions.) It also isn’t set up in the hub and spoke design like Tokyo Disneyland, making it more difficult to navigate with a lot more walking. If possible, do at least two days at Tokyo DisneySea and still be prepared to do most attractions only once.
Mediterranean Harbor
“Enjoy the ambience of a romantic Southern European port town with lots of shops and restaurants.”
Tokyo DisneySea’s entrance port is huge! There are two park entrances (north and south) into the DisneySea Plaza which then opens up into the rest of Mediterranean Harbor and there is a lot going on here. The popular new attraction Soaring: Fantastic Flight which opened last summer had probably the longest lines I’ve ever seen in a Disney park. This ride is similar to the other Soarings found in DCA, Epcot, and Shanghai Disneyland, but with some updated scenes (and not just the ending scene.) Soaring: Fantastic Flight offers FastPass.
Other attractions in Mediterranean Harbor include the Venetian Gondolas (and a private ride in one is apparently included in the Tokyo Disney wedding package) and the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line. These boats have multiple stops around the park, but double check the queues before getting in line—some boats stop in different locations whereas others just go in a circle. The Fortress Explorations is a walkthrough attraction guests can either explore on their own or follow the Leonardo Challenge, which uses clues on a map handed out by cast members. The Fortress is part of the fictional Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA.)
There are multiple restaurants around Mediterranean Harbor. The quick service dining locations include: Cafe Portofino, Gondolier Snacks, Zambini Brothers’ Ristorante, Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery, and Refrescos. Table service restaurants include: Magellan’s, Magellan’s Lounge, and Ristorante di Canaletto. Magellan’s and Ristorante di Canaletto require advance dining reservations.
Mysterious Island
“Discover the secrets deep within the Earth and under the sea at Captain Nemo’s hidden base.”
There is a Jules Verne themed port here! Mysterious Island is home to two attractions which both offer FastPass: 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. You can probably guess the theming of each of these attractions from the names. 20, 000 Leagues is more family-friendly and Journey to the Center of the Earth is a thrill ride.
There are also two quick service restaurants here: Vulcania Restaurant and Nautilus Galley. Nearby is the Refreshment Station which is a snack kiosk.
Mermaid Lagoon
“The world of Ariel, the little mermaid, and her aquatic friends is filled with fun for Guests of all ages.”
Mermaid Lagoon is such a unique port because the majority of it is located inside and underground. All the attractions here are aimed at families with young children. Outside are the attractions: Scuttle’s Scooters and Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster. Located inside are: Ariel’s Playground, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Blowfish Balloon Race, and The Whirlpool. Inside there is also the Mermaid Lagoon Theater which offers FastPass and Ariel’s Greeting Grotto where guests can meet Ariel. Nearby is Sebastian’s Calypso Kitchen, a quick service restaurant.
Arabian Coast
“Experience the world of The Arabian Nights filled with magic and mystery”
Arabian Coast is my favourite port in DisneySea. It is absolutely gorgeous and you really do feel like you’re wandering the streets of Agrabah. There is a marketplace area and a large, open square. In the marketplace are Jasmine’s Flying Carpets and Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage. This boat ride features music by Alan Menken and the adorable tiger cub Chandu. Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage is my favourite ride in DisneySea. Also in the marketplace is Abu’s Bazaar, a shop filled with boardwalk type games guests can play for an addition fee, similar to The Jungle Carnival in Tokyo Disneyland. Nearby is the quick service restaurant Sultan’s Oasis and the snack kiosk Open Sesame.
In the large town square is a beautiful two-level carrousel called the Caravan Carousel. Nearby is the Magic Lamp Theater which offers FastPass and features a magic show with both live performers and a 3D screen. The Casbah Food Court is a quick service restaurant here.
Lost River Delta
“Deep within the remote Central American jungles, the ruins of an ancient civilization await you.”
A land with very similar theming to Adventureland, Lost River Delta is home to two E-ticket attractions: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull and Raging Spirits (which is the same roller coaster track as Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril in Disneyland Paris.) Both attractions offer FastPass. Another dock for the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line is in Lost River Delta.
The Hanger Stage features the show Song of Mirage which offers the lottery seating system (lottery is located in the Biglietteria which is at the corner of Mediterranean Harbor and American Waterfront.) There are two meet and greet locations in Lost River Delta: Saludos Amigos Greeting Dock and Mickey & Friends Greeting Trails.
Three quick service restaurants in Lost River Delta are Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina, Yucatan Base Camp Grill, and Lost River Cookhouse. Expedition Eats and Tropical Al’s are snack kiosks.
Port Discovery
“Visit the futuristic marina located across the horizons of time.”
Port Discover was another of my favourite ports, mostly because they played Atlantis: The Lost Empire music here. Not that Atlantis is one of my favourite Disney films, but I love the music. The main attraction here is the Nemo & Friends SeaRider. This simulator ride is very similar to Star Tours and even has randomized scenes so make sure to see it more than once. The SeaRider offers FastPass. Aquatopia, the water version of Autopia, has a “Get Wet” mode during the summer months and sprays guests with water—a lot of water. The DisneySea Electric Railway has a station in Port Discovery.
Horizon Bay Restaurant and Bayside Takeout are two quick service restaurants here and Seaside Snacks and Breezeway Bites are snack kiosks.
American Waterfront
“You’ll find both the excitement of the big city and the charms of a New England fishing village in this vibrant themed port.”
The American Waterfront is another very large port. It has multiple areas including the streets of New York, Toyville Trolley Park, and Cape Cod.
The New York area is home to the E-ticket attraction Tower of Terror. Unlike Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Walt Disney Studio Park, this one does not have a Twilight Zone or Hollywood theme. This hotel is the Hightower Hotel and was built by Harrison Hightower III to store his collection of artifacts. It has a similar theme to Mystic Manor in Hong Kong Disneyland is also part of SEA. Tower of Terror offers FastPass.
Nearby is Turtle Talk (which is only in Japanese), a DisneySea Electric Railway station, and the Big City Vehicles. There are two shows here. Hello, New York is at the Dockside Stage and Big Band Beat is at the Broadway Music Theatre. Big Band Beat has lottery system seating available.
The S. S. Columbia is a recreation of a steam-powered ocean liner. There are two table service restaurants aboard the ship: the S.S. Columbia Dining Room which requires advanced dining reservations and the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. Also in the New York area is the table service Restaurant Sakura which requires advanced reservations. The quick service locations here are: New York Deli, Dockside Diner, Hudson River Harvest, and the Liberty Landing Diner. Snack kiosks in the New York area are: Delancey Catering, Barnacle Bill’s, and Papadakis Fresh Fruit.
The Toyville Trolley Park is a small Toy Story themed area with a few shops and the popular Toy Story Mania. This attraction offers FastPass and these are snatched up very quickly.
Cape Cod is Duffy central. The Village Greeting Place is a Duffy and friends meet and greet. There are two quick service restaurants here (both are Duffy themed): Cape Cod Cook-off and Cape Cod Confections. High Tide Treats is a snack kiosk. The only attraction here is a DisneySea Transit Steamer Line dock.
Other Tokyo Disney Resort posts:
Quick Guide to Tokyo Disneyland
A Look at Tokyo Disney Resort Merchandise
Check out these other Quick Guides to the Disney Parks!
Amazing! It is on my bucket list. I had no idea that DisneySea was that large!
i would LOVE to go to Tokyo Disney Sea!
So amazing.
I want to visit Tokyo Disney soooo bad afternoon reading this!
This is at the top of my Disney Bucket list!
Very cool, I’d love to go someday!