From shooting out the side of a volcano, being ‘shrunk’ to the size of a fish, to getting thrown around a Jeep in an ancient Incan temple, or voyaging by boat with Sinbad the legendary sailor. Tokyo DisneySea rides are something else.
In fact, both Tokyo Disney Resort parks offer very different ride experiences than their American counterparts. Two of the biggest differences I noticed is incredible theming – even by Disney standards – and advanced ride technology. Whether it be trackless ride systems, unique special effects, or a huge amount of high quality Audio-Anamatronics, the technology helps make Tokyo Disney Resort rides truly one of a kind. And because Tokyo DisneySea is the only park of its kind in the world, there are several rides that totally unique.
The aim of this post is to give you an idea of what the rides are about and which attractions to prioritise. I’ve included a suggested one-day DisneySea ride itinerary at the end of the post but start planning your trip now with my Super Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Disney Resort. It has info on transport, accomodation, tickets and everything else you need to make your trip stress free!
Aquatopia (Port Discovery)
This attraction utilises the same trackless ride technology as Pooh’s Honey Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland. Here you board a retro-futuristic styled watercraft (think Tomorrowland) which moves around in seemingly random patterns. Twirling, reversing and spinning around whirlpools, fountains, and jets of water. There’s a wet course, where you get sprayed and squirted by hidden water jets, and a dry version which I think runs in the winter months or if the weather is bad. It’s a great way to cool down on a hot day, you do get fairly soaked.
VERDICT: Not a thrill ride by any stretch, but genuinely good fun and great on a hot Tokyo day. Recommend if the line isn’t too long. (Rating 3/5).
Nemo & Friends SeaRider (Port Discovery)
This is housed in the Marine Life Institute – from Finding Dory – which has developed a submersible made from an element that shrinks upon contact with electricity. Before the ride, you enter a foyer featuring a huge aquarium with model SeaRider inside. A cast member gives briefs you, shows a short video, then zaps the sub in the aquarium with electricity and IT SHRINKS IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES!!! The effect is incredibly well executed for a pre-show. From there you enter the ‘real’ SeaRider to begin your journey under water; expect to see plenty of your favourite Nemo characters through the massive front window and portholes as you move through the water like a real fish.
VERDICT: A slick, simulator-type ride. Get a fastpass for this as lines can be long. (Rating 4/5)
Raging Spirits (Lost River Delta)
This roller coaster with 360 loop is set around an archeological excavation gone wrong; on an ancient ceremonial site home to angry spirits who hijack the coaster. The best feature is actually the Grand Altar before the entrance. The fire burning through water effect is very cool, and part of what gives this attraction its character. The actual coaster itself is just…good. It’s fun, but very short and not that thrilling despite the 360 loop.
VERDICT: Worth a go using single rider, or if there’s a very short standby line, but definitely not worth a wait (Rating 3/5)
Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
(Lost River Delta)
The crown jewel of this port has to be the Aztec Temple of Indiana Jones Adventure, which you can see from almost every point in Lost River Delta. This ancient pyramid draws you into what I’d call the best of all the Tokyo DisneySea rides on this list. It also has one of the best themed lines, ending in the temple stucture where the ride is housed. Picture jewel coloured ancient frescoes, moss covered Incan stone carvings, and workstations with all sorts of relics.
The story follows Indi’s friend Paco, who runs unofficial temple tours. Naturally, the Crystal Skull – guardian of the Temple – does not approve, and its anger causes your jeep to go off track, flinging you around as it rumbles, jolts, and lunges through the elaborate temple. Featuring special effects and an appearance from Dr Jones himself, it’s thrilling from start to finish. In addition, the ride vehicles utilise awesome technology; the only way I can describe it is an open air motion-simulator ride, on the moving track of a dark ride, going extra fast.
VERDICT: Incredible ride WITH a Single Rider Line! Worth riding a few times. (Rating 5/5)
Caravan Carousel (Arabian Coast)
This is a two-story carousel housed under a huge domed roof in the Palace courtyard. Don’t expect the normal fairground horses, it ain’t Mary Poppins! Grab yourself a Genie, Camel, Elephant or Arabian Horse and get riding. I really enjoyed it, and the line generally isn’t long. Ride on the upper level and as you exit you’ll have an amazing view of the palace courtyard, the perfect photo opportunity.
VERDICT: If you’ve got time in the day, definitely worth a ride. You can’t go wrong with a merry-go-round! And this is one of a kind. (Rating 3/5)
Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage (Arabian Coast)
This is one of the BEST and most unique Tokyo DisneySea rides ever, definitely the most underrated. It may be named after Sinbad the sailor, but his loyal friend Chandu the tiger cub is the one that steals the show…and your heart. Sinbad is a 10-min indoor boat ride in the vain of ‘It’s a Small World’ but a MILLION times better. The audio-animatronics are phenomenal quality, and I’ve never seen so many animatronics in a single attraction. There must be over 50 throughout the ride, varying from little Chandu to a literal giant. It’s also the only ‘boat ride’ style attraction I’ve ever ridden that attempts to hide the tracks, actually making the water part of the theming, as if you’re in the ocean.
There are simple special effects that’ll have you wide eyed, and the music is awesome. The song is called “Compass of Your Heart” and despite being entirely in Japanese is incredibly catchy to non-Japanese speakers. That’s probably because it was written by Disney alum Alan Menken; you know, the guy behind the music for Aladdin and SO many other Disney movies?
VERDICT: Absolute must try! The most magical Tokyo DisneySea ride, with a beautiful message about friendship. Warning: You’ll want to take Chandu home with you, though I guess you can always settle for a delicious Chandu Tail snack. (Rating 5/5)
King Triton’s Concert at Mermaid Lagoon Theatre (Mermaid Lagoon)
Cirque du Soleil meets The Lion King musical. A high flying, acrobatic Ariel show – see what I did there? – with large puppet versions of favourites Sebastian and Flounder, plus amazing staging. The plot is an abridged version of the beginning of The Little Mermaid. King Triton holds a concert starring his youngest daughter, Ariel, which she misses while day dreaming in her cave of ‘thingamabobs’. The show is a 15-min extravaganza, featuring all the best songs from the film. The puppet characters come down the aisles, and you might get a wave from Ariel herself as she ‘swims’ above you. Plus, Sebastian sings ‘Under The Sea’, and that’s really all you need to know.
VERDICT: Check it out if you have time, I loved this show. Also a great break from a hot or rainy day. (Rating 4/5)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Mysterious Island)
A suspended dark ride with overhead track that uses a range of simple tricks to give the illusion you’re underwater. Boarding a mini sub called ‘Neptune’, each passenger has their own porthole and a real, joystick-operated spotlight (coz, you know, it’s dark 20k leagues under the sea). You can illuminate different details with this each time, making every ride unique. The vehicles are beautifully detailed, with sound FX and working gauges, and the effects are so realistic that you genuinely feel you’re descending deep into the ocean; though the water bubbles are actually in the double pane portholes. It’s narrated in Japanese, but easy to follow the story as you set off to find the lost city of Atlantis, encountering a ships graveyard, and creatures, along the way.
VERDICT: Good fun, but jump in the standby line at 15mins or less, or come back later in the evening when the line is short. (Rating 3/5)
Journey to the Centre of the Earth (Mysterious Island)
This ride is INCREDIBLE! Upon entry, fissures in the floor of the cavern spew volcanic steam – it is an active volcano after all – and the line features heavily detailed work stations. You’ll see lab equipment and artefacts, even Nero’s notebooks which contain stunning biological illustrations of animals and plants. Diagrams on the walls depict the journey ahead, then you reach the ‘Terravators’ which take you down to board the ride vehicles. The Terravator uses 4D effects to give the illusion you’re going deep below sea level; be sure to listen for the sound of dirt falling on top when it stops. Then it’s another small wait at the substation to board the ride vehicle and you’re away!
This is part dark ride-part thrill ride, and builds speed until it shoots out the side of Mount Prometheus! I felt airborne for a second, with the entirety of Tokyo DisneySea before me – lit up against a twilight sky – and no ride I’ve ever been on has made me feel quite so happily terrified.
VERDICT: Get a fastpass, or wait in a long line if need be, just do it! This is a totally unique and essential Tokyo DisneySea ride. (Rating 5/5)
Special Mentions (aka attractions I missed out on)
Venetian Gondalas (Mediterranean Habour)
That’s right, you can tick ‘gondola ride’ off your bucket list right here at DisneySea! You’ll see the gondoliers rowing and singing to happy guests along the smaller canals, and each boat looks to hold between 10-15 people. Apparently it’s magical to ride at sunset, but be aware lines get long for this one, so plan accordingly.
Big Band Beat (American Waterfront)
I’ve heard this show called the best at Tokyo DisneySea. It’s incredibly popular, a musical revue featuring top class musicians and performers, favourites such as Minnie and Daisy and – most importantly – Mickey plays drums in it. Attendance is decided by a lottery system. Simply put your ticket in the machine, select the amount of people in your party, and await the result. Every person in your party can try for tickets, and you can enter once per day. If you miss out, there’s also the option to line up for a non ticketed show. A must see, I was devastated not to win the lottery.
Toy Story Mania (American Waterfront)
Toy Story Mania is currently the hottest attraction at DisneySea. People rush straight here at opening time, so lines are huge and fastpasses sell out by mid morning. I missed out myself for this reason; see the itinerary at the end of this post for your best chance of securing a fastpass. The ride is housed in the Toyville Trolley Park which has a Coney Island vibe. There are versions of this ride at other parks in the world, but apparently even the line and load area theming at Tokyo DisneySea is next level. The ride itself is 3D and takes place under Andy’s bed, where you play a set of arcade-style games with a pull-the-string canon, all while being the size of a toy.
Tower of Terror (American Waterfront)
Although it’s another ride that is not unique to Tokyo, the DisneySea version of the free falling Tower of Terror has a different storyline than it’s American counterpart. The guy who owned the hotel collected artefacts from around the world, one of these stolen treasures – a tribal idol – had some kind of magic and zapped him, causing him to be throw down an elevator shaft and disappear. Now a preservation society runs tours of the hotel, but whatever happened to the owner? And what will happen when you take that fateful lift upwards?
Itinerary
You can read my one-day DisneySea rides itinerary here, to help maximise your day at the park with minimal wait times.
Have you been to Tokyo DisneySea? What was your favourite ride or attraction? Let me know below!
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