Blog ブログ

We'd like to introduce our series "Things to do in Tokyo with your little ones" where we highlight unique Tokyo experiences suitable for families. In our first post we're highlighting our trip to Tokyo DisneySea!

Disney needs no introduction

The Disney brand was founded over 100 years ago and has become one of the largest media conglomerates. With roots in beloved animations (Coco loves Minnie Mouse) Disney really interacts with it fans by providing one of a kind experiences at their theme parks. In the states we mostly know them by Disneyland, Disney World, California Adventure, and Animal Kingdom. These parks spare no expense in offering unforgettable rides, shows, and attractions. 

Disney's Asian presence 

Disneyland's exist in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. As far as the Tokyo Disneyland goes, there are a lot of familiarities to the Anaheim park. On our last trip to Tokyo, we enjoyed the half day (night admission between 5-9pm) into Tokyo Disneyland.

 

The Tokyo park is right near the ocean so you get some fantastic sunsets! It can also get cold so bundle up! We mainly went for the night admission for Coco to experience her first electric parade. Then show did not disappoint her.

The most notable difference in Tokyo Disneyland is the food offerings. Here we enjoyed some House curry rice dishes, yum! Considering the yen to USD conversion (about 150 yen to 1 USD when we went), the meal was quite affordable too!

DisneySea: the aquatic equivalent to California Adventure

However this post isn't to highlight Disneyland. Rather we want to shed light on a lesser known park called DisneySea. Just as California adventure sits near Disneyland in Anaheim, DisneySea is located in the Tokyo Disney resort and is connected to Disneyland via monorail. DisneySea opened in 2001 and is ninth park Disney opened. DisneySea hosts around 12 million visitors a year and is the seventh most visited them park in the world. 

You are greeted in this courtyard with a giant globe fountain. The path leads you to a narrow passage through some tastefully European-esque architecture. After passing through this gateway you enter into Mediterranean Harbor with the main lake of the park. Across the lake you can see the towering Mysterious Island Volcano.  

We spent the day walking around the park and exploring the different lands. We were looking for kid or baby friendly rides and areas. First we checked out Toyville Trolley park, and it featured a ride with Toy Story (2 hour wait!) and the American Water front. 

We wrapped around through the Port of Discovery, Lost River Delta, and ended at the Arabian Coast. The Arabian coast features an Aladdin themed city that was very immersive. Middle east architecture brought the vibrant market place of Agrabah alive, especially the curry market! Coco rode the merry-go-round in Agrabah; the perfect ride with a short wait time for the little ones. 

After our lunch stop, we did a short walk over to the Mermaid Lagoon. This land was very unique as the main attraction is an inside dome that takes you "under the sea". This dome is very immersive!

Inside, the music from the Little Mermaid gets new twists and accompanies you during your time hanging out. This dome is PERFECT for kids 5 and under. Each ride is designed for little ones. There is a small play area for kids 2 and under, and then there is a larger play area for kids under 10 to climb and explore through Ariel's castle. This is a must visit for anyone with kids traveling to DisneySea!

After spending your day and are getting ready to leave, make sure to check out "Believe! Sea of Dreams" show located in the Mediterranean Harbor. For this Coco's was on Dad's shoulders so we could not snap any pics, but it is a must see event! The production quality is as you would expect from a Disney show. Lots of lights and music to enjoy. 

Last note: If you take the train and you have a stroller, you may want to consider leaving the park well before closing. There is 1 gate entrance for everyone to leave from. Riding the metro during rush hour is a big no no with strollers! If you can we advise to not get stuck (like we did!) in the exodus traffic. Lines for the elevators will be long and concerns for fitting in crowded trains may extend your commute home significantly.

We hope you enjoyed our first installment of Things to do in Tokyo with your little ones. Have you already been to DisneySea? What was your experience? We'd love to hear about it!