こんにちは (Kon’nichiwa)! Once you set foot on Disney property in Japan, the air smells fresher, the views are magnificent, and the vibe is first-class! Both Disney Sea and Disneyland Tokyo are superb theme parks. However, if you are pressed for time, you may be wondering which park to see. In this article, I will be mentioning the unique aspects of each park and the differences between them that will help you determine which to visit. Let’s get started!
Tokyo DisneySea
1. Rides/Attractions
Disney Sea has a total of 34 rides/attractions. While some of these rides can be found in other Disney parks, they differentiate in language (all in Japanese) and theming. However, there are many rare rides in Disney Sea that cannot be found anywhere. For example, Aquatopia, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, Rapunzel’s Lantern festival, Peter Pan’s Neverland Adventure, Anna and Elsa’s Frozen journey, and Tinkerbell’s busy buggies are all unique Disney Sea attractions.
My personal favorite was Journey to the Center of the Earth because the coaster was remarkably decorated, with whimsical animatronics and stunning details. Rapunzel’s Lantern festival is also a gorgeously themed and emotional ride. It feels like you are a spectator in Rapunzel’s world, taking you through various scenes of the movie. Without a doubt, the rides of Disney Sea are special and beautifully designed.
2. Characters
The great perk of DisneySea is that there are Disney, Pixar and exclusive characters roaming throughout the park. You can meet Duffy and Shellie May which are some of the lovable Disney characters found mostly in Asia. When I visited the park, I got to see Mr. Incredible, and Abu from Aladdin. Other uncommon fun characters are the Aristocats, Baloo and his jungle monkeys, Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, and many more.
3. Lands
There are 8 lands found in DisneySea: Mediterranean Harbor, American Waterfront, Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Arabian Coast, Mermaid Lagoon, Mysterious Island and the newly added Fantasy Springs. For me, the most stunning in both immersion, food, and ambiance was Mermaid Lagoon. As a Little Mermaid fan, this was a nostalgic area because it really felt like I was in Atlantica, and the music playing transported me to my childhood; the space was colorful, vibrant and came alive, both on the inside and outside. The rest of the lands are incredibly true to their theme and the décor is on point! I can assure you that the lands in Disney Sea are fascinating!
4. Overall vibe
I would describe DisneySea as entrancing, ethereal and out of this world. The park is very different from any of the Disney parks worldwide. It is a magnanimous park, the rides are extremely detailed, cast members are kind, and the overall ambiance is delightful. Does this convince you to visit soon?
Tokyo Disneyland
1. Rides/Attractions
Tokyo Disneyland has a total of 39 rides/attractions. Most of the rides can be found in other Disney parks, but again they differentiate due to the language (all in Japanese). However, a special ride that I personally loved (and cried on) was Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast. This ride was stunning in all aspects; Beast’s castle is enormous and looks true to the original film’s castle. The ride’s queue and storyline are outstanding, the music is emotional for OG Disney fans, and the animatronics look incredibly detailed and life-like. Another great ride is Pooh’s Hunny hunt, with a swift ride track, intricate animatronics and an adventurous theme. Without a doubt, the rides of Disneyland Tokyo are designed to make you feel like a fairy-tale character and the adornments will leave you in awe.
2. Characters
Most of the characters seen in Tokyo Disneyland are characters you can meet in the US parks. For example, you can see many of the Disney Princesses, Mickey and his friends, the Disney Japanese characters like Duffy and Shellie May, and perhaps some obscure ones like Esmeralda, Fairy Godmother and others. The Pixar characters are also present in many of the parades.
3. Lands
There are 7 lands in Tokyo Disneyland but 6 of them are evident in other Disney parks. These are: World Bazaar, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Toontown. The only themed land slightly different from the others is the World Bazaar. In essence it is like Main Street U.S.A but with a glass-covered atrium. However, the lands are like the lands found in other Disney parks and the rides in each land are also well-known to Disney aficionados. With that being said, the building designs/architecture are much more detailed and flawless in appearance.
3. Overall vibe
Disneyland Tokyo was made for East Asian Disney fans to experience the magic by bringing a piece of Walt’s legacy into Asia. While Disneyland Tokyo resembles the US parks, I would still recommend a visit because of the incredibly well-themed lands, the intricately designed rides, the cheerful parades, and the compassion of cast members. It is still a special park, and it is worth a visit.
Which will you choose?
The time has come to choose which park you will visit while in Japan: Disney Sea or Tokyo Disneyland? Ultimately, the choice is yours. You can choose depending on rarity or recognition. Would you rather experience uniqueness or quintessential nostalgia? Dear reader, I leave the decision in your hands. Rest assured, whichever you choose, you will experience a world of magic, entertainment and adventure. After all, Disney is the place where dreams come true!
Featured Photo: Emily Murray.
Written by
Maria Mora
For as long as Maria can remember, there was always a Disney movie playing in her house. Whether it was The Little Mermaid, Dumbo, or Tarzan, she became enthralled with all things Disney. She has visited the Disney Parks over 100 times and on different continents! Her love of Disney goes hand in hand with her love of reading, which has motivated her through the years to become a zealous writer. She hopes that whatever she does helps her community. After all, with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, anything is possible!
