In 2001, Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー) became the second Disney park in Japan, 18 years after the first park, of Tokyo Disneyland. Situated in the Tokyo Disney Resort (東京ディズニーリゾート) in Tokyo Bay next to Tokyo Disneyland, the park is unique to Japan and does not exist anywhere else in the world. It is considered one of the most beautiful theme parks globally as it combines elements of what we have come to love from other Disney parks. If you would like to visit during your trip to Japan, you will need to buy a ticket, and this guide will help you.
DisneySea: A Unique Park and One of the Most Beautiful in the World
The park is visited by no less than 10 million people each year, making it one of Asia’s most visited attractions. However, it’s important to point out that it’s also become synonymous with high wait times for many attractions. It is not unusual at certain times of the year to wait more than 3 hours for some attractions. Disney’s main competitor, Universal Studios Japan, located in Osaka, has a similar problem. The Japanese are fanatical about theme parks, but long wait times are an unfortunate consequence of their popularity.
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The fast-pass system is one way of saving time and cutting the queues. To make use of this, go to your chosen ride and find the fast pass machines, scan your park entrance ticket, and you will be given a reserved time to return to that attraction.
DisneySea is divided into various “lands” of different themes and cultures from around the world. One minute you can explore the American “world” and the next you can find yourself in Italy. The surrounding buildings have been constructed to represent the various lands, and the styles work in perfect harmony with each other. The famous parade takes place around a huge lake in the centre of the park and is an exceptionally magical moment in Disney’s world. The entire performance features Mickey and Minnie along with a host of other Disney characters on each boat.
When you enter the park, you can’t miss the magnificent fountain with a water-covered planet above it. Beyond that, the world of Disney reveals itself, starting with the volcano, a key element of the park. Situated in the heart of DisneySea since the very beginning, this artificial volcano entertains the crowds throughout the day and ends with an eruption of fire. Inside the volcano, you will find several flagship attractions such as those dedicated to the works of French science fiction author Jules Verne.
DisneySea is unique and cannot be found anywhere else in the world which goes some way to explain it’s popularity. Those who love theme parks should certainly visit DisneySea on their trip to Japan. If you have to choose between DisneySea and Disneyland, consider that many of the attractions in Tokyo Disneyland are similar to those in other Disney parks around the world.
Throughout the day, you will be amazed by the animations and the beauty of DisneySea. On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance! At nightfall, the park is illuminated by lights and is a magnificent sight to end the day.
What Are The Main Attractions?
The downside of the park is the long wait times for some attractions. Many visitors are patient and generally aren’t put off by waiting between two to three hours for some of the major attractions. We would highly recommend using the fast-pass system (small tickets that allow you to skip the queues) whenever you have the chance. The system is handy in both Disney parks but especially at DisneySea.
There are several exceptional attractions at this unique park which should not be missed. Here is a list of some of the most important ones which you should check out during your visit:
- Toy Story Mania!: One of the most popular attractions, you will enter into the world of Toy Story and shoot targets with your toy gun to gain the best possible score.
- Soaring: Fantastic Flight: This attraction opened in 2019 and offer a unique journey flying through the air.
- Tower of Terror: A classic attraction that many will be familiar with, where you free-fall through the tower and get a fantastic view of the park. This attraction is a feature in several Disney parks around the world.
- 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Descend into the dark, troubled waters in your own submarine and discover a unique, underwater world.
- Journey To The Centre Of The Earth: This voyage of discovery to the centre of the earth features many surprises and travels at more than 70 kilometres per hour.
- Indiana Jones Adventure: The Temple Of The Crystal Skull: This attraction is dedicated to Indiana Jones and its special effects will certainly shake you up. It is situated inside a grand pyramid.
- Raging Spirits: If you like thrilling attractions, then this is for you. You will be taken through the roller coaster in a wagon which makes a loop through the magnificent scenery.
- Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage: It’s Sindbad’s version of “It’s a Small World”.
And of course, there are many other attractions and shows to enjoy throughout your visit, including the fantastic Little Mermaid show located in an underground theater of the park.
How To Buy Your DisneySea Ticket
There are various ways to buy your park entry ticket for DisneySea. You have the option of buying from one of the Disney Stores across Japan or directly from DisneySea at the park’s entrance. Buying the ticket in advance does not change the price of the ticket as prices are fixed. Tickets are only valid for the specified date. It should be noted that tickets for DisneySea do not allow you to enter Tokyo Disneyland and vice versa.
How to Buy Your DisneySea Ticket Online
There are various ways to buy your ticket online. Buying your tickets from an official seller such as Rakuten Travel Experiences is our recommended method of purchasing your DisneySea ticket. Ticket prices are identical to those at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea and you can also take advantage of discount codes which are regularly published on the site. Payments can be made in all currencies and in several different languages, and you receive your QR code immediately after payment which you scan on entry to the park. You can also choose to pay by PayPal. We recommend you to buy your ticket at least two days in advance if you decide to buy online.
You can buy also directly from the Tokyo Disneyland Resort website and present your e-ticket at the park gate, though the website doesn’t always work and doesn’t accept all bank cards.
Buying Your DisneySea Ticket In Person
It is possible to buy your ticket directly from the park when you arrive, as is the case for all the Disney parks. However, you should take into account that DisneySea is a very busy park with long wait times for certain attractions. Buying your ticket on the day means you might have to wait in line to make your purchase when you could otherwise be enjoying the park. For this r35.6267107eason, we strongly recommend buying your ticket in advance online from an official seller such as Rakuten Travel Experiences or from a Disney Store.
Opening Times and Ticket Prices
DisneySea is open every day. The opening times can change at certain times of the year, but generally, the park is open from 8 am until 10 pm daily. The ticket prices vary according to age and are as follows:
- Adults (over 18 years old): 8,200 JPY for the day ticket
- Adults (over 65 years old): 7,600 JPY for the day ticket
- Children (from 4 years to 11 years): 4,900 JPY for the day ticket
- Children (from 12 years to 17 years): 6,900 JPY for the day ticket
- The park is free for children under 3 years old.
How To Get To DisneySea
DisneySea is located in Tokyo Bay but be aware that this is not the same as the artificial island, Odaiba. To get to the park, you must first travel to Maihama Station (舞浜駅). From there, you can either take the Disney Monorail which stops at the Disney hotel or walk to the park entrance in around 15 minutes. The price of the monorail is 260 JPY and is not based on the length of the journey. You can use your IC Card (Pasmo, Suica or others) to pay if you wish.
