Believe! Visiting Disney Sea in Tokyo

Welcome back to another update from my (mis-)adventures in Tokyo! This update will be a bit briefer since there’s a lot going on right now, but I still wanted to take the time to talk about my trip to Tokyo Disney Sea!

Built right next to Tokyo’s Disney Land, this aquatic-themed spin-off provides a (more adult focussed) trip through the different worlds of Disney. This includes classics like Arielle or Moana, but also other activities like a (pretty unsettling) Jaws-themed boat ride or a trip through Indiana Jones’ Temple of Doom. The amount of stuff to do (and buy, whoops) is pretty impressive and despite having bought some fast passes, we still managed to fill the whole day.

What personally impressed me the most though was the production value that the Imagineers put into these attractions. It’s amazing what they are capable of nowadays in terms of visual and sound design, combined with clever and larger-than-life animatronics, all put together by a cast of charming and enthusiastic staff playing their respective characters.

Finishing the day was a spectacular fireworks show that truly lived up to its’ reputation. A wide range of characters ride out on boats equipped with giant screens and lots of other moving parts, combined with a fireworks engine that is timed to a mashup of many popular Disney songs. Growing up with all these songs, I can’t deny I got a little emotional when my favorite pieces came on as the night sky lit up in an array of stunning colors.

While definetely a bit pricey, and probably pretty frustrating without spending extra on fast passes, it was a really fun day and a nice break from the turmoils of regular Japanese student life. But it’s the last month of the quarter, and starting in August I’ve got some exciting trips planned, so stay tuned for that!