Trip Report The Solo Circle Tour of Asia - CONCLUDED!

To all who come to this happy thread, welcome.

Whew! So I just recently completed a super-frantic, super-awesome solo tour of the great Asian theme parks! Why solo? In order to travel fast, light, and to my own interests. Perfect for cramming so much wonder into two weeks!

This trip took me to Hong Kong and Japan. And to which parks?

Ocean Park
Hong Kong Disneyland
Universal Studios Japan
Tokyo Disneyland
Plus the absurdly jaw-dropping Tokyo DisneySea!!!

And since so much of Asia’s appeal extends beyond theme parks, I dedicated an equal amount of time to exploring many fascinating cities: Hong Kong, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo

Most trip reports start by introducing the travelers. In this case it’s just me (migrating over from the Imagineer boards):

This past winter, I broke up with my longtime girlfriend, in part because while in France we learned that she detests international travel. I love it, and that trip rekindled a long-dormant bug. So too did an impromptu side-trip to Disneyland Paris during a snowstorm, my first Disney park beyond California. That visit got me looking to Asia...

I’m a Disneyland Passholder. I’ve never been to Walt Disney World (I know, I know) nor Shanghai Disneyland. (Those can be future trips.) I generally visit Disneyland once a month, usually with zero planning. Sometimes I pop in to do a single ride and leave. Disneyland locals are a strange breed. Which means until recently I’ve never even stayed in a Disney hotel! So there’s plenty of new-to-me goodness in this trip report.

This’ll be a very in-depth report – unless everyone wants me to skip ahead to just the Disney parks – full of photographs, park observations, and hopefully advice for anyone who’s ever considered a trip to the other East Coast. It’ll be fun!

Up next: Days 1 & 2, because with time zones that’s how long it takes to fly to Hong Kong and get settled in.

 

[D Hulk]

Discovering the Finer Details of American Waterfront and Mediterranean Harbor

Even my route back to American Waterfront is chosen for exploration. Slowly passing through Fortress Explorations, again soaking that in, I saunter across the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. I make it a special point to linger inside every Italian villa atop this Old World crossing. In little niches I find carved marble friezes, bleached statuary, careful brickwork. They totally didn’t need to do this! These villas don’t house shops, rides or eateries. They’re just there, like so many of DisneySea’s best things, existing just because. The effect? Every acre of DisneySea feels like an E-ticket. That really affects a visitor’s mental state, creating a low-level euphoria at all times.

There’s an A-ticket live show occurring in Columbus Circle in front of McDuck’s. This isn’t something listed on any map or show schedule. It’s simply two 1920s flappers doing a high-kicking show for their pinstriped pimp. I’m in no rush today! I pause on hand-carved alabaster steps and enjoy this performance for a good decent while.

Following this, I return to my original plan – aimlessly lingering in American Waterfront to no end. So I wander through the New York Deli, down dead-end alleys, into Toyville Trolley Park, across the piers. Each stop reveals more goodness previously unseen. Toyville especially, such a blur from my previous Happy 15, is an Easter egg trove. It’s more than Toy Story Mania. It’s a carnivalesque mini-land! There’s a cutout photo op with Hamm and Bullseye. A little games-of-chance stand. A Toybox Playhouse for live shows, perfectly situated in view of Mania’s hours-long switchback queue. None of these are on the map. Again, they’re just niceties. What a park! (I love the area’s nods to Pixar’s shorts, like Presto or Tin Toy.)

Now for all my lollygagging, there are indeed two nearby headliners which keep me lingering: Big Band Beats, and the Venetian Gondolas. These are actually tricky to schedule. Big Bands Beats particularly since it’s the resort’s premiere live show, considered on a par with Journey or Mania. Even with a 2,000 person theater and half a dozen daily show times, demand outstrips capacity.

At long last I discover DisneySea’s show lottery center. It’s across the canals in Mediterranean Harbor, near the gondolas. So I go in, try my luck…nothing! Honestly, has any DisneySea trip report included a successful lottery attempt?!

So, how about those Venetian Gondolas? Welp, they’re temporarily closed because there’s an upcoming harbor show. Seems intermittent 30-minute windows are the only times when you can effectively do these. I’m sticking nearby until then!

Hanging around, let’s wander the shops of Mediterranean Harbor. It’s the entry land, shops are plentiful, and each has a unique personality and décor. Often, it’s as simple as plugging classic Disney characters into a familiar Italian motif. Villa Donaldo’s centerpiece – done with a combined statue and mural – shows Donald serenading Daisy a-la Romeo. Venetian Carnival Market features Gondolier Goofy. Famous Renaissance paintings (which embarrassingly I cannot I.D.) now star Ducks and Mice. Oh, and speaking of cool details? Where most Disney Parks’ backstage doors say “Cast members only,” in DisneySea it’s always setting-appropriate, e.g. “Gondoliers only” or “Villagers only.”

Though the gondolas are sleeping now, let’s explore Venice. Here’s another unique mini-land, the Venetian canals just off the main drag. Gondolas aside, there’s nothing back here to draw guests. Just a quiet Medici ambiance. It’s an overlooked pocket sandwiched between a MiraCosta wing and the Broadway Musical Theater backstage. Bless them for making this! I don’t want to say it’s just like the real Venice – I don’t think theme parks should do mindless copying. DisneySea is above that. Even when recalling a real world locale, they add a layer of romantic magical realism atop it. It’s transporting in its own right, and here I get that same savoir faire sensation I got staying in MiraCosta.

More details! There’s a storefront for a (non-existent) candle shop; in its window are wax sculptures of famous Italian originals. Waterspouts resemble medieval fish. The standard drinking fountain is made from Roman aqueducts. Carved faces adorn archways. Even the boilerplate Duffy photo plank fits the setting, part of an amateur artist’s easel setup.

The gondolas won’t be starting anytime soon. I can hear the Villains World harbor show in all its bombastic glory, and I can see the gondolier cast members loitering in a shaded dock enjoying cigarettes (how Italian!). With my Tower of Terror Fastpass coming online, I stroll in that direction – admiring Waterfront details like a bootlegger’s jalopy. Before riding, I get a fresh Tower FastPass.

The Tower’s drop remains shockingly underwhelming – DisneySea altogether has some fairly tame thrills, even for Disney. Still, the Tower’s wholly worth revisiting for those extensive queue details. Each elevator loading spot has its own theme. Could be the storeroom for Merovingian antiquities, or Mesoamerican totems, or something else which I never saw. There is so, so much to see!

From the Tower’s top pre-drop, I see the harbor show wrapping up. Hence I rush back towards the Venetian Gondolas! This ride obviously has its fandom, because the queue is actively filling up even though it hasn’t reopened yet. Thank goodness every DisneySea queue is overflowing with visual delights. Watching the other gondolas load is a ton of fun too, because the gondoliers are jocular and genial like Jungle Cruise skippers, entertaining despite the language barrier.

The Venetian Gondolas are interesting. They’re exactly what you’re imagining: Just a simple gondola cruise around the canals. The gondoliers do all the punting. There’s no elaborate Disney backstory, no hidden animatronic show scenes. In many regards, it’s the same gondola experience you’d find in Venice Italy, or Venice California, or The Venetian in Las Vegas. It’s a languid boat ride through settings you’ve already seen, highlighted by the gondolier’s songs echoing under the Bridge of Sighs.

What makes this ride special, really, is that it’s in DisneySea. Is that a copout? I don’t think so. It’s like how I described Cape Cod, where the frantic theme park pace slows to a crawl and lets you admire the same sights in a unique new way. It’s like that slow, meandering cruise on the Mark Twain. Endless overstimulating bombardment recedes into the distance, and for a precious quarter hour you’re enjoying a relaxed pace akin to a river raft journey or a nature hike or lounging in a swimming pool.

I’ve talked a lot about DisneySea’s amazing decorative texture, but it has incredible functional texture too. You could visit DisneySea for two straight weeks, I assume, and have a wholly distinct day each time. That’s perfect for a local’s park, for a place as crawling with Passholders as my own Disneyland. Basically every theme park that’s opened since 1955 has attempted to duplicate Disneyland’s rich essence, and here for the first time I think is a park which succeeds wholeheartedly at that!

Up next: Shows, Shows, Shows!

 

[D Hulk]

We visited in late May 2014. We spent one day at TDR and one day at TDS. It was a whirlwind two days, but we had other parts of Japan we wanted to visit. We have a one year old now with plans of adding to that number. So, I don't think we will get back for about 10 years. I want my kids to experience the resort and the Japanese culture, but I want to make sure they are at an age where they will appreciate it more because that is a big trip to take!

Congrats on the one-year-old! From your avatar, you're an adorable family!

I actually more or less lived in Japan from 6 months until a-year-and-a-half-old. I have no memories of that, but Japan still feels like home when I return as an adult.

 

[D Hulk]

Showtime at DisneySea

I’m in such a “devil may care” mood upon exiting the Venetian Gondolas that I head straight for a bar. Gotta relax NOW! So I cross back through American Waterfront to the S.S. Columbia, to the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge. Nearing noon, there isn’t the same long Lounge line as that previous night, so I’m quickly seated at the bar.

This dark, woodsy lounge is a full restaurant, but I’m simply interested in a drink. I opt for an Old Fashioned. It’s good (despite the plastic cup – really, Tokyo?!) and the bartender is professional. He lacks that warmth of the better American bartenders, like Steve in DCA’s Carthay Circle Lounge, which I think is a fair one-to-one comparison. Of course there’s the language barrier. Still, I’m curious if any DisneySea locals are regulars here just as I am at the DCA bar.

I don’t linger here long, since I noticed on the way over that an early showing of Big Band Beats is letting standby guests into the balcony are. My timing is perfection, as I reach the Broadway Musical Theater just as the doors open, but also just in time that I manage to get inside. Groups who arrived even a minute later were turned away. Wow, whatever goes on inside this theater must be completely off-the-hook insane!

The theater itself is insane. Like everything in DisneySea. On every available surface are exquisite hand painted murals, all telling a historical story of the Hudson River. Fine velvet curtains, elaborate chandeliers, you’d think it’s an actual Broadway musical palace. Consider that DCA’s Hyperion Theater opened the same year, with the same basic purpose – to stage Broadway-level live shows. The 2001 DCA venue feels cheaply-made in the details (which often don’t exist at all), which is the starkest contrast between the parks’ investment strategies. I’d say DisneySea’s generous moneymen made the better call.

As the lights go down, I’m anxious for a show to match the venue. Big Band Beats for me remained just a reputation. I didn’t even know the premise.

It’s not another condensed cartoon recapitulation, that’s a gigantic plus right off the bat. Nope, instead Big Band Beats is, well, big band beats. It’s a Broadway musical revue, the type you wouldn’t simply see on Broadway, but specifically on Broadway during the American Waterfront era. I love that synchronicity! On stage is a complete live jazz orchestra (!) and a full complement of professional dancers (!!), all clad in their Jazz Age best. They run through a dozen or so American musical standards, always with extraordinary energy and production values to match. The details slip away as I write this a month later, but that energy remains.

And because Disney nerds riot in the streets, Stravinsky-style, if Disney-branded elements are absent…Big Band Beats includes Disney-branded elements. Specifically, the Fab Five take a big part in the band’s beats. Costumed characters – those felt big-heads from the meet ‘n’ greets – they dance and sing with the humans. It’s all a bit of spectacle, really. For the show’s climax, costume Mickey plays a drum solo. It would be an ovation-worthy drum solo with a human, then factor in the drummer is wearing that lumbering Mouse outfit! I’ve worn such costumes before – had to dress as Smokey Bear as firefighter – and this performer had some genuine talent!

Dang, that show was excellent!

Exiting the theater, I get a really good glimpse of DisneySea’s famous crowds. It’s noontime Friday, and the bodies are piling up. I was very careful to visit on off-season weekdays, so I can only imagine what peak days are like here. (Universal Studios Japan the coming Monday would give me a good taste of overcrowding.)

Now, my actual touring plan saw me grabbing a final Journey FastPass, followed by a lunch. But let’s continue enjoying DisneySea’s shows for now, and let’s metaphorically travel up the river to Lost River Delta for Out of Shadowland.

Actually, with my nitwit memory, I only now realize I watched that one on Wednesday! That day’s recap seemed overstuffed even without a 30 minute stage show. Oh well, let’s pretend it was today, and travel now into the Hangar Stage.

Out of Shadowland premiered last year, replacing the long-running Mystic Rhythms. Many fans have lamented this loss, like I have with DCA’s Aladdin. Not knowing Mystic Rhythms, I can’t opine. It’s a lovely show in its own right, Shadowland is, telling a wholly original story, a sort of Shinto-lite environmentalist fable about an imaginative young Girl Scout getting lost in the woods and freeing the forest spirits from a tyrannical bird-fire-demon-thing. The show’s in Japanese, that’s merely what I got from the visuals. It’s like something Studio Ghibli might do. There’s lots of spoken dialogue, where I just zone out and admire the sets, but there’s also lots of original songs (all kinda New Agey) belted out by a talented cast. Some of the acrobatics involved in creating the bizarre forest creatures are interesting too, especially the Giant Claw-style evil bird.

The stage dressing is done 100% with projections. This gives them the freedom to organically shift the forest’s feel to fit the dramatic tone. From sun-dappled dust specks to a raging forest fire, there’s plenty of wild imagery. It’s a cool approach, though it loses the tactility of physical sets. Out of Shadowland doesn’t feel like a show they’d actually perform in Lost River Delta’s setting, which for a DisneySea show actually makes it an outlier.

King Triton’s Concert in Mermaid Lagoon, meanwhile, is exactly the sort of live show hidden mermaid kingdoms watch in real life. Remember the first five minutes of The Little Mermaid, where Ariel is a no-show at her father’s concert? Yeah, that’s the same show we’re now gathered to watch. Of course they stretch it out to 20 minutes with Ariel as the lead, and with musical numbers for “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” several of the film’s faves. It comes dangerously close to being a movie retelling. Thankfully, they never complicate things by bringing in Ursula or Eric, though speaking as a paying merman opera-lover I’m not sure why Ariel is so quick to sing to me about her land-.

The theater-in-the-round setting is what really distinguishes this production. Ariel “swims” overhead on wires. Puppeteers enter via the aisles to play Flounder and Sebastian. Screens and animatronics in the walls round out the cast. It’s a unique setup, and it gives Mermaid Lagoon a little more meat on its kiddie land bones.

Magic Lamp Theater was closed for upkeep, so that covers DisneySea’s major shows. There’s a good variety across the board, and the park’s entertainment department never fails to go all-out. Big Band Beats is in the stratosphere! It’s an excellent show, perfect for its land, and different from standard theme park entertainment. The others are all good too, just another wonderful texture to a park which overflows with excellence.

(Apologies to photo fans. I took no mid-show pics. Promise the next update will make up for it!)

Up next: DisneySea’s Loose Ends

 

[MinnieM123]

Out of Shadowland premiered last year, replacing the long-running Mystic Rhythms. Many fans have lamented this loss, like I have with DCA’s Aladdin. Not knowing Mystic Rhythms, I can’t opine. It’s a lovely show in its own right, Shadowland is, telling a wholly original story, a sort of Shinto-lite environmentalist fable about an imaginative young Girl Scout getting lost in the woods and freeing the forest spirits from a tyrannical bird-fire-demon-thing. The show’s in Japanese, that’s merely what I got from the visuals. It’s like something Studio Ghibli might do. There’s lots of spoken dialogue, where I just zone out and admire the sets, but there’s also lots of original songs (all kinda New Agey) belted out by a talented cast. Some of the acrobatics involved in creating the bizarre forest creatures are interesting too, especially the Giant Claw-style evil bird.

I had to smile when I read that (due to the language barrier, during parts of the show), you could still use that time to zone out and admire the sets. I'm thinking this must have been a great show, when you couldn't understand any of the dialogue, but could enjoy the colorful, interesting sets and still think it's a fun show!

 

[D Hulk]

DisneySea Miscellanea

With one exception to come, I’ve now done all of DisneySea’s available attractions. It’s midday.

Well, the third day ticket is a “Park Hopper.” I could…Nope! I’m staying here.

Many of DisneySea’s best rides, I’ll still be revisiting: Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, Indiana Jones Adventure, Tower of Terror. There’s no need to follow my steps chronologically. How about just random details and food and such as I find it?

Alright then, let’s backtrack! Back to lunch. This time, I chose the Casbah Food Court in Arabian Coast. The ordering counters are in a bazaar alleyway, a see-through thatch roof hiding protective glass. For my feast – ordering from display windows, a very Japanese nicety – I get a spicy curry with naan bread and a Coke. The custard was…a flan?!

There are several dining halls, including the Sultan’s palace and the impoverished hovels. I pick the palace, seated under elaborate bronze lanterns near a Jafar statue. (A Jafar costumed character is later seen skulking outside.) The food is expectedly tasty, but what stands out about this meal is the performance!

I think he was the magician from Magic Lamp Theater, making himself useful while that attraction underwent maintenance. No matter, unexpectedly he entered the dining hall with a flourish on live trumpets. Then using a rope, a stuffed Duffy, and guests’ yens, he roamed the room doing all manner of impressive close-up magic tricks. It’s a shame I never got a good pic of him. And whatever inspired this magician to come entertain us, kudos! Again you’ve outdone yourself, DisneySea. Unexpected live entertainment awaits at any moment!

Apparently, the resort’s custodial staff even does percussive dances with their brooms, which sadly I never saw.

Afterwards, I wander. I check my phone’s newsfeed. It’s all Hurricane Irma updates, specifically stories about Disney World closing for a few days. Boy did that make me feel guilty! All the other current trip reports are Irma-centric. And here I am enjoying a perfect Disney day in Japan.

If it’s any consolation, this was the day (one of them at least) when a North Korean missile flew over Japan. Not that I’d’ve know it from the locals. “Keep calm and carry on” was their attitude. My friends in the U.S. were less relaxed. It must’ve been morning back home, because over the next few hours I was bombarded with endless text messages asking about my safety. Ah, guys, appreciated!

During all this, I’m wandering DisneySea’s leeward lands seeking out details. There aren’t nearly as many shops or restaurants back here. New to me in Lost River Delta were assorted festive Mexican alcoves in various buildings. Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina served Mexican rice molded into Donald’s head, which was cute. Mostly, I discovered how multi-leveled this land is, with a river level one floor below hiding extra restaurant seating and even an entire Saludos Amigos meet ‘n’ greet.

On the river’s opposite bank, the Expedition Eats restaurant in the foot of the Mayan pyramid is a trove of unique details. The pyramid walls are themselves hyper-detailed. And the eating patio is set above an archeological dig, where you’ll find an exposed Olmec head (Xtapolapocetl), ruined pottery, even a charming human skeleton. Japanese guests were actively throwing their coins at him! Get that skeleton!

Roaming the land was Goofy’s son Max dressed as a Mexican. That’s…weird. And that Mulan cast member right next to him is even m- Oh wait, that’s a guest!

Poking around Mermaid Lagoon’s indoor crannies, there’s the Sleepy Whale Shoppe. It’s a whole store set inside the open mouth of a friendly whale, complete with ribcage ceiling. This is super charming! The land’s other shops are cute enough, from Mermaid Treasures to Mermaid Souvenirs. The former is Ariel’s knickknack grotto. The latter had a static prop of fish spitting water. The land’s big restaurant, Sebastian’s Calypso Kitchen, was awash with screaming toddlers and I mostly steered clear of there.

Eventually my Tower of Terror FastPass would draw me back to American Waterfront. After dropping in (heh), I go check out that one remaining undone attraction, which was…drumroll please…

Turtle Talk with Crush!

In Japanese!!!

The line was short enough, and I was curious. How on earth will they justify placing this in the hull of a 1912 American cruise ship?! With surprising elegance! The hull’s interior queue features framed newspapers – in every necessary language – describing a “Hydrophone” which lets mankind talk with fishkind. The preshow slideshow even inserts Crush hilariously into historical photographs. And turtles live well over 100 years, so Crush was alive in 1912.

The show itself, in Japanese, well, I was happy to sit down. The local audience was doubtlessly engaged, and I even learned by rote how to say "Duuuuuuuuude" in Japanese. A sneaky cast member clearly wanted to put me on the spot as a Crush interviewee, but luckily a nearby parent used her child to protect me. The kid's question was better than mine might've been anyway.

I admire how this attraction’s typical window screen is justified in DisneySea. We’re looking out from a cruise ship straight into the ocean. In DCA, this is just a thing placed in the Animation building. Here, it’s an extension of its land, and it’s all the more imaginatively engaging as a result. Hail DisneySea!

Post-Crush, I go right back up to Arabian Coast, stopping for assorted rides along the way. Though I have a dinner planned, I continue to snack. So it’s back to the Sultan’s Oasis, because its menu has more to offer than just the tasty Chandy Tail. It has these fried caramel dough balls in sweet milk soft serve. The balls were a little hard and dry, but I love that subtle sweet milk flavor. And as I take my final bite, Mt. Prometheus erupts in perfect synch! Well then, the volcano calls, and it’s time to go do one final amazing thing…

Up next: DisneySea’s Grand Finale!

 

[Suchomimus]

DisneySea Miscellanea

With one exception to come, I’ve now done all of DisneySea’s available attractions. It’s midday.

Well, the third day ticket is a “Park Hopper.” I could…Nope! I’m staying here.

Many of DisneySea’s best rides, I’ll still be revisiting: Journey to the Center of the Earth, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, Indiana Jones Adventure, Tower of Terror. There’s no need to follow my steps chronologically. How about just random details and food and such as I find it?

Alright then, let’s backtrack! Back to lunch. This time, I chose the Casbah Food Court in Arabian Coast. The ordering counters are in a bazaar alleyway, a see-through thatch roof hiding protective glass. For my feast – ordering from display windows, a very Japanese nicety – I get a spicy curry with naan bread and a Coke. The custard was…a flan?!

There are several dining halls, including the Sultan’s palace and the impoverished hovels. I pick the palace, seated under elaborate bronze lanterns near a Jafar statue. (A Jafar costumed character is later seen skulking outside.) The food is expectedly tasty, but what stands out about this meal is the performance!

I think he was the magician from Magic Lamp Theater, making himself useful while that attraction underwent maintenance. No matter, unexpectedly he entered the dining hall with a flourish on live trumpets. Then using a rope, a stuffed Duffy, and guests’ yens, he roamed the room doing all manner of impressive close-up magic tricks. It’s a shame I never got a good pic of him. And whatever inspired this magician to come entertain us, kudos! Again you’ve outdone yourself, DisneySea. Unexpected live entertainment awaits at any moment!

Apparently, the resort’s custodial staff even does percussive dances with their brooms, which sadly I never saw.

Afterwards, I wander. I check my phone’s newsfeed. It’s all Hurricane Irma updates, specifically stories about Disney World closing for a few days. Boy did that make me feel guilty! All the other current trip reports are Irma-centric. And here I am enjoying a perfect Disney day in Japan.

If it’s any consolation, this was the day (one of them at least) when a North Korean missile flew over Japan. Not that I’d’ve know it from the locals. “Keep calm and carry on” was their attitude. My friends in the U.S. were less relaxed. It must’ve been morning back home, because over the next few hours I was bombarded with endless text messages asking about my safety. Ah, guys, appreciated!

During all this, I’m wandering DisneySea’s leeward lands seeking out details. There aren’t nearly as many shops or restaurants back here. New to me in Lost River Delta were assorted festive Mexican alcoves in various buildings. Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina served Mexican rice molded into Donald’s head, which was cute. Mostly, I discovered how multi-leveled this land is, with a river level one floor below hiding extra restaurant seating and even an entire Saludos Amigos meet ‘n’ greet.

On the river’s opposite bank, the Expedition Eats restaurant in the foot of the Mayan pyramid is a trove of unique details. The pyramid walls are themselves hyper-detailed. And the eating patio is set above an archeological dig, where you’ll find an exposed Olmec head (Xtapolapocetl), ruined pottery, even a charming human skeleton. Japanese guests were actively throwing their coins at him! Get that skeleton!

Roaming the land was Goofy’s son Max dressed as a Mexican. That’s…weird. And that Mulan cast member right next to him is even m- Oh wait, that’s a guest!

Poking around Mermaid Lagoon’s indoor crannies, there’s the Sleepy Whale Shoppe. It’s a whole store set inside the open mouth of a friendly whale, complete with ribcage ceiling. This is super charming! The land’s other shops are cute enough, from Mermaid Treasures to Mermaid Souvenirs. The former is Ariel’s knickknack grotto. The latter had a static prop of fish spitting water. The land’s big restaurant, Sebastian’s Calypso Kitchen, was awash with screaming toddlers and I mostly steered clear of there.

Eventually my Tower of Terror FastPass would draw me back to American Waterfront. After dropping in (heh), I go check out that one remaining undone attraction, which was…drumroll please…

Turtle Talk with Crush!

In Japanese!!!

The line was short enough, and I was curious. How on earth will they justify placing this in the hull of a 1912 American cruise ship?! With surprising elegance! The hull’s interior queue features framed newspapers – in every necessary language – describing a “Hydrophone” which lets mankind talk with fishkind. The preshow slideshow even inserts Crush hilariously into historical photographs. And turtles live well over 100 years, so Crush was alive in 1912.

The show itself, in Japanese, well, I was happy to sit down. The local audience was doubtlessly engaged, and I even learned by rote how to say "Duuuuuuuuude" in Japanese. A sneaky cast member clearly wanted to put me on the spot as a Crush interviewee, but luckily a nearby parent used her child to protect me. The kid's question was better than mine might've been anyway.

I admire how this attraction’s typical window screen is justified in DisneySea. We’re looking out from a cruise ship straight into the ocean. In DCA, this is just a thing placed in the Animation building. Here, it’s an extension of its land, and it’s all the more imaginatively engaging as a result. Hail DisneySea!

Post-Crush, I go right back up to Arabian Coast, stopping for assorted rides along the way. Though I have a dinner planned, I continue to snack. So it’s back to the Sultan’s Oasis, because its menu has more to offer than just the tasty Chandy Tail. It has these fried caramel dough balls in sweet milk soft serve. The balls were a little hard and dry, but I love that subtle sweet milk flavor. And as I take my final bite, Mt. Prometheus erupts in perfect synch! Well then, the volcano calls, and it’s time to go do one final amazing thing…

Up next: DisneySea’s Grand Finale!

Phew! For a moment I thought you were going to show the worst of DisneySEA; even though it does have its flaws like any other park.

 

[D Hulk]

Phew! For a moment I thought you were going to show the worst of DisneySEA; even though it does have its flaws like any other park.

Listing out DisneySea's flaws?! What sort of monster would do such a thing?!

It does has flaws, as you say, but they mostly fade into the horizon against everything DisneySea does right. Biggest flaw: Not every ride is Journey to the Center of the Earth.

 

[Suchomimus]

Listing out DisneySea's flaws?! What sort of monster would do such a thing?!

It does has flaws, as you say, but they mostly fade into the horizon against everything DisneySea does right. Biggest flaw: Not every ride is Journey to the Center of the Earth.

I’d like to see you create your own DisneySEA here on WDWMagic, and I don’t mean DisneySKY (though I wouldn’t mind seeing an improved version).

 

[D Hulk]

I’d like to see you create your own DisneySEA here on WDWMagic, and I don’t mean DisneySKY (though I wouldn’t mind seeing an improved version).

Ooh, now there's a challenge!

I'm curious about what exactly you mean by my "own DisneySEA." Is that any park designed at their level of quality? Is it another Disney ocean park, but with entirely original ports-of-call? (Which could go in Hong Kong's seaside 2nd gate expansion location.) Or something else?

 

[Suchomimus]

Ooh, now there's a challenge!

I'm curious about what exactly you mean by my "own DisneySEA." Is that any park designed at their level of quality? Is it another Disney ocean park, but with entirely original ports-of-call? (Which could go in Hong Kong's seaside 2nd gate expansion location.) Or something else?

The second option but with the quality that Tokyo DisneySEA is known for whilst learning from the park’s mistakes

 

[D Hulk]

The second option but with the quality that Tokyo DisneySEA is known for whilst learning from the park’s mistakes

Hmm...You've really got me brainstorming right now! (Apologies to trip report readers, this thread is temporarily an Imagineering thread.)

Various port-of-call options for Hong Kong DisneySea (HKDS):

* Beautiful romantic entry city like Mediterranean Harbor, maybe like Monaco, or Victorian London, or Istanbul, or...

*Cartoon kiddie land like Mermaid Lagoon (with a fresher IP) based on Finding Nemo. This covers the Australian continent.

*Other cartoon IP land like Arabian Coast, inspired by Polynesian culture and Moana.

*Since HKDL has no Pirates of the Caribbean, let's do an entire Caribbean pirate land!

*Resurrect the old Discovery Bay ideas from Disneyland for a steampunk San Francisco version of American Waterfront.

*Maybe something inspired by Disney's cult Atlantis: The Lost Empire?

*An ancient Greek land. Or an African land up the Congo River (Indiana Jones?). Or...

No Glacier Bay since HKDL is getting that Frozen land.

And since Hong Kong is uniquely situated with a dock for the Disney Cruise Lines, let's do a world's first and allow in-park cruise ship docking!

 

[krisri18]

*Maybe something inspired by Disney's cult Atlantis: The Lost Empire?

This. Absolutely this!

 

[Suchomimus]

No Glacier Bay since HKDL is getting that Frozen land.

Even if GB could’ve been redone so that there wouldn’t be that many Arendelle-land comparisons or have an alternate use for Frozen in the first place, I still don’t think that you would’ve added Glacier Bay in the first place because of Discovery Bay.

 

[Suchomimus]

*An ancient Greek land. Or an African land up the Congo River (Indiana Jones?).

 

[Suchomimus]

*Resurrect the old Discovery Bay ideas from Disneyland for a steampunk San Francisco version of American Waterfront.

Hey that’s what DisneyManOne did.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tomorrowland

Heading southeast from the Partners Statue, we find ourselves walking towards a rustic entryway that rivals that of Frontierland's on the adjacent side of the Hub. Rather than finding a castle, log-fortress, or Polynesian-inspired bamboo bridge, we find a truly odd sight: a collection of buildings typical of San Francisco from 1860 to 1880 (around the time of said city's heyday) jammed and broken into a collection of desert rockwork typical of the fanciful Bryce Canyon in Utah. Even stranger, clocks of varying sizes and styles appear amid the rocks, cracked and broken yet still working, some with their hands wildly spinning clockwise, others spinning counterclockwise. An overhead archway reads "Tomorrowland," signaling the next portion of our journey to begin. (The archway should look like the one that marks Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland Railroad Station.)

Crossing a bridge built from scrap metal and old ship pieces, we step back in time to a world that truly never existed. We have just stepped into a seaside port of the California Gold Rush as it appeared just a few decades shy of two centuries ago, the bustling port town of San Francisco to be exact. Despite the historic recreation of "the Paris of the West," several key factors make Tomorrowland into a realm of pure fantasy; steampunk structures and architecture protrude among the historic; an intimidating volcano pierces the horizon; gold and bronze spires kiss the clouds; a true sense of adventure fills our hearts. This is the Gold Rush that never was. This is purely and wholly a realm of discovery. Tomorrowland is a seamless combination of fantasy, history, magic, and science fiction, a lasting tribute and testament to the age of inventors, dreamers, and philosophers. Despite the evident setting of Gold Rush-era San Francisco, the overall "copper" feel of Tomorrowland hints at an unreal time when the past, future, and present coexist side-by-side, each unable to pinpoint which one is different from the other. This is a realm in which the likes of Jules Verne or H.G. Wells would like to call home.

Stepping into this retro-futuristic town, the Victorian-era architecture of Gold Rush San Francisco begins to take shape, a perfect rival to the distinctly rugged Frontierland on the opposing side of the park. Hand-painted facades and miniscule details immerse us into the surroundings of a steampunk fan's dreams, starting with mechanical animals and statuettes composed of gears, cogs, and pipes appearing throughout the planters and walkways. Along the shoreline, steam-powered rowboats and miniature sternwheelers rest near docks that have long-since been smashed and sunken into the murky waters. Strangely, a mechanical shark fin can be seen floating by from time to time, as can a mechanical crocodile of the steampunk variety. Again, this park is all about the details, and Discovery Bay is certainly no exception.

One of the docks (which isn't smashed) leads us to the loading area for Aquatopia, a retro-futuristic spin on the classic bumper boats. Occasionally, the steampunk sea creatures will popup from the waters and attempt to get in the way of the fun, but they always back down...literally. Like its source material, Aquatopia is controlled via wifi, meaning no underwater track is involved.

Continuing down the path, a massive zeppelin-like contraption sits within an opened-garage facing the lagoon, this airship being the majestic Hyperion. It seems only fitting that the Hyperion is home to not just Cafe Hyperion, a quick refreshment stop and coffee bar, but also one of the most popular attractions in Disney history: Soarin', which is housed within a large glass aviary filled with bizarre flight-based contraptions seeming to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself.

Disneyland Maine's take on this masterpiece of a ride will borrow heavily from the version coming soon to Tokyo DisneySea. Here in Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, his assistant sneaks us aboard the great inventor's flying machine, only to quickly discover that is far faster and more efficient than we might have thought. In a mere matter of seconds, passengers are transported forward in time, soaring over the sweeping plains of Africa to the majestic spires of the Golden Gate Bridge, and so on so forth.

Not too far from the Hyperion is the station for the Tomorrowland PeopleMover, a nonstop transportation system. As with the other PeopleMovers that have graced Disney parks, the Tomorrowland PeopleMover travels on a grand circle tour of Tomorrowland, allowing sneak peeks and glimpses at the many attractions and adventures ahead, all from the safety of a glass-enclosed vehicles. da Vinci's, a gift shop themed to and presumably belonging to the world's greatest thinkers sells the wares of said thinkers, including wacky inventions that would serve no real purpose in modern-day life other than being a gimmick. Also near the PeopleMover station rest the tracks of the Disneyland Railroad as they head south. The railroad itself makes its fourth stop here at the Tomorrowland Junction, a rustic center of trade still utilized by miners sending their glimmering fortunes back home.

Heading northwest, the path takes us towards Fantasy Bay back over in Fantasyland. A collection of shops and eateries line our path in Discovery Lane, a small marketplace of unique trinkets and baubles, as well as baked goods, unique dishes, and candy; lots and lots of candy. The window displays lining the Fisherman's Wharf-esque shops are rather odd and reminiscent of the long-lost vision of the future as presented by many a 19th century futurist. Many of the buildings themselves appear to be covered in Captain Nemo-designed inventions and machinery, all working in strenuous harmony for the good of the city. Francisco Tonsorial Parlour is an old-fashioned barbershop featuring straight razor shaves, soothing skin massages, and haircuts of great precision, all to the musical stylings of an unseen barbershop quartet. K.A. Bume's TNT & Joke Shop sits next door. K.A. Bume, a wealthy entrepreneur and award-winning big game hunter (primitive photographs demonstrate his travels in Adventureland's Paradise Springs) operates his shop with great pride, selling inventory of a wacky variety; false limbs, fake animal trophies, pop-guns, gag gifts, chattering teeth, ventriloquist dummies, etc.

Sitting on the westernmost edge of Tomorrowland, just across from Discovery Lane, is a large lagoon. Discovery Lighthouse is the first thing to greet us as we step towards the water's edge, a twisted, steampunk structure beckoning us towards the bay from all points of the city. Visibly docked near Discovery Lighthouse is an all-too-familiar sight, the parked Nautilus, the mighty submarine of Captain Nemo. A quick step inside takes us on a voyage unlike any other; a voyage that takes place...20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

http://www./wp-content/uploads/2017/04/aet291053LARGE-1.jpg



Yes, the beloved and much-missed Magic Kingdom classic takes us aboard Captain Nemo's proud vessel for a mysterious look at what lies below the surface. As Nemo provides narration, we glide past kelp beds, schools of fish, sunken ships, a giant squid, and finally a trip through the lost city of Atlantis...immediately followed by a squid attack.

Of course, no major E-Ticket would be complete without a few complimentary shops and eateries nearby. Not all of Tomorrowland features the likeliness of inventors and gold miners. In fact, the Teddy Roosevelt Lounge, located along the coast stands for another great factor of the 19th century: adventure. Trophy heads and woodcrafted animals decorate the lavish grill and bar, all the while a series of large windows provide majestic views of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and of the mighty Mt. Olympus in Fantasyland. Another great explorer finds representation in the form of James Cook's, the man responsible for making contact with Hawai'i, Australia, New Zealand, and many other islands across the Atlantic and Pacific. James Cook's, held within a combination of an old British galleon and retro-futuristic escape pod, sells science fiction and vintage explorer-related merchandise, as well as items unique to the Tomorrowland area.

Returning to the surface world takes us to a miniature recreation of Chinatown where Chinese immigrants of the era have set up shop in a small wharf-like setting. The Fireworks Factory, the park's third themed-shooting gallery allows us to take potshots at pinwheels and firecrackers, setting off a multitude of pyrotechnic gags and mishaps. The Lucky Fortune Cookery takes us on a tour of an authentic fortune cookie factory, allowing free samples and oddly enough, a window offering a wide variety of different items that utilize fortune cookies in their ingredients. Lastly, the Confucius Tea House sits us in a Chinese restaurant with full table service, not to mention an animatronic performance by Confucius himself, as well as authentic Chinese acrobats, and a talking dragon whom parades around the dining room and enjoys "smoking" inside the restaurant through his nostrils.

In the dead center of Tomorrowland is the Orbitron, an odd, Rube Goldberg machine-like map of the stars and planets circumnavigated by guests in copper rocketships.

The Gardens of Mystery sit alongside the edge of Chinatown, and they are truly a mystery in terms of what it stands for. In this peaceful courtyard filled with bizarrely-shaped fountains and topiaries, statues and mosaics dedicated to the world's greatest unsolved mysteries (don't worry, nothing too sinister) are found, as are tributes to the eight wonders of the world, both natural and manmade.

Located to the easternmost edge of Tomorrowland is the Realm of Progress, a world celebrating the many achievements that we, as a society, have made over the years, and an inspiring look towards the future. The Realm of Progress is dominated perhaps the most iconic of all Disney attractions: Space Mountain.

Inspired by Jules Verne's novel From the Earth to the Moon, this take on Space Mountain shoots us up from a cannon on a rollicking adventure through the great unknown. What ensues next is a wild roller coaster ride through the deepest banks of space, all the while evading and fighting back against asteroids and black holes. In a drastic departure from the park's other roller coasters, Space Mountain features in-the-dark corkscrews, loops, and intense drops, as well as some surprise encounters, an attraction truly meant for those of an older age.

If you want an adventure less thrilling (and less likely to make you sick), I highly suggest stepping inside the building built just in front of Space Mountain. Two magnificent pyramids, designed in the style of Space Mountain, stand before us, the natural home of a revitalized classic: Journey Into Imagination.

https://vimeo.com/232664967

With one little spark of inspiration, Journey Into Imagination takes us on a fantastical journey through the realm of imagination. With the clever narration and magic of Dreamfinder and Figment, we embark on a song-filled trip through the various areas of imagination and creativity, another revitalized classic for the modern audience. ImageWorks, our stop after the journey, is an indoor arcade and playground of sorts located inside the pyramids, where countless elements allow us to test our minds and skills through the most creative means possible. Despite the general lack of familiar cartoon characters in Tomorrowland, Dreamfinder and Figment both make appearances around Tomorrowland and in the ImageWorks, Figment of course being an arm-operated puppet, not a walk-around character. The Sparks of Inspiration gift shop allows us to let our imagination run wild. Here we are able to do a number of things considerably odd in any other gift shop. We can design our own toys, purchase erector sets, customize phone cases, and even draw our favorite characters for free (although the customizable frame is a separate cross). References and nods to the extraordinary imagination of Walt Disney's Imagineers are abundant throughout the institute, including references to the Mighty Microscope, Spaceship Earth, Audio Animatronic, and even hand-drawn animation, all creations of Walt Disney and his fearless artists. The Tomorrowlanding, a frozen yogurt stand built into the side of a satellite-topped structure sits just a few doors down from ImageWorks, often sounding off a number of sirens, gears, and cogs as the satellite begins to wildly spin around in circles.

It seems only fitting that another bizarre structure sits to the right-hand side of the Space Mountain complex, right along the edge of the Aquatopia lagoon. This trapezoidal building looks like a spaceship ready to take off, ready to allow us to "take the journey we've always dreamed of". What else could this building be but the home of Horizons?

Another EPCOT Center classic revived for a new generation, Horizons takes us into a world that we have yet to see...the potential, untapped future of our beloved planet where luscious orchestrations and immersive dioramas filled with animatronics and stunning special effects give us a glimpse at our potential future, such as an underwater city, robotic butlers and maids, future transportation systems, and much, much more. In this reborn spin on Epcot's classic Horizons, we are treated to an even bigger and better adventure into the future with an ongoing message of coexisting with our fellow humans in a peaceful and unified world. Better yet, we are also given the opportunity to glance at our own future through a series of exhibits and displays found in and around the exit gift shop: Horizons Gifts, a futuristic department store (that quite literally uses means that may be common in future department stores; i.e. robot cashiers) selling the wares and goods of a civilized tomorrow. Not but a few feet from Horizons Gifts is the Tomorrowland Terrace an outdoor eating area with a stage for live performances. As with many a Tomorrowland Terrace, burgers, fries, and pizza are what's for dinner, although unlike other in-park restaurants, the terrace showcases what a fast food restaurant of tomorrow might run like with plenty of conveyor belts, automated cash registers, and interchanging menu screens, many of the innovations displayed behind windows. The live entertainment varies from local high schools to up and coming bands wishing to get their start, a symbol of hope for a successful tomorrow in their budding careers.

On the other side of Space Mountain is Astronomer's Point, an actual observatory pointed towards the heavens. Aside from an immersive planetarium utilizing the latest in modern technology, streetmosphere performers dressed in the likeliness of Galileo and da Vinci often tell tales of the heavens from within the old observatory, often utilizing a rather antique telescope with the telling of their tales. A more high-tech telescope offers us glimpses of the heavens themselves, a truly magical experience. Astronomer's Point is neighbored by a true classic that rounds off and completes the Realm of Progress, and the rest of Tomorrowland, for that matter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdNgHvna48Q

The late-great Robin Williams posthumously provides his voice to the title character of The Timekeeper, the finest in CircleVision 360 entertainment that has long been forgotten in the Disney theme park universe. Today, Timekeeper is back and better than ever, featuring a new HD film shot in the new seamless CircleVision style, soon to be unveiled at EPCOT's China pavilion. Basically, while the scenes remain the same to accommodate the Robin Williams dialogue; they're all new and re-shot. There are also with new in-theater effects and magic. Entering the theater sends us far forward into the future where robots in the likeliness of Timekeeper and 9-Eyes are able to exist, the dream of many a classic futurist come true. What ensues next is a 360 degree trip through time and space, all the while accompanied by an unintentionally "kidnapped" Jules Verne who experiences many ideas in which he wrote about coming into fruition.

As night falls, Tomorrowland is washed aglow in cool shades of neon, a relative cool down from the normally vibrant colors of the day. Triumphant orchestrations from classic films reminiscent of the space age fill the air both day and night, inspiring us to dream bigger and go further with our ideas and our adventurous spirit.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Well, that completes our walking tour of Disneyland Maine. But stay tuned--we aren't exactly done here yet. Now that I've taken you around the place, I'm gonna take you for a closer look at some of the attractions found here; and what better place to begin than with a grand-circle tour on the Disneyland Railroad. See ya then!

 

[D Hulk]

Magellan’s

For my DisneySea Grand Finale, I ride Journey to the Center of the Earth a seventh time!!!

And then I dine at Magellan’s.

Magellan’s is DisneySea’s flagship four-star restaurant, expertly hidden within the citadel surrounded on all sides by Fortress Explorations. This was the secret meeting headquarters of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers’ founding members during the grand Age of Exploration. Here under an illuminated dome, great minds such as Galileo, Da Vinci an even Magellan himself would gather to discuss lofty ideals. Also they got drunk.

“We, the members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, herewith establish Explorers Landing in order to promote the sharing of nautical and scientific knowledge for world exploration.”

I made my Magellan’s dinner reservation two months prior, made possible almost entirely thanks to my booking at Hotel MiraCosta. Even then, availability was minimal. I had to settle for the Fantasmic lull. Since I saw that show the other night from my hotel room, that’s fine.

In fact, I’d already scoped out Magellan’s earlier in the day while waiting out my Tower of Terror FastPass. The idea at midafternoon was simply to pause in a cozy setting and enjoy a pint. Magellan’s Lounge upstairs doesn’t require reservations. Even then, I had quite the challenge getting the hostess to seat me, mostly I think because of language matters.

Magellan’s interiors effectively sum up the Mediterranean Harbor spirit. From the grand central rotunda to the private side halls, there is the same romantic sun-drenched Old World charm. Much like MiraCosta, furnishings are of the utmost quality but also never stuffy. It’s formal yet relaxed, like so much high Italian culture. Finely carved woods contrast with off-white plaster walls, all highlighted by curlicue wrought iron railings. Light fixtures resemble Mediterranean candleholders. I’m vaguely reminded of Toledo, of the old Spanish nobility, of artifacts from defunct aristocracies repurposed for S.E.A. Naturally, a nautical motif pulls everything together, with much of the artwork styled after 16th century maps.

For my afternoon repose, I enjoyed a Kirin. Like all of Disney’s best lounges, Magellan’s boasts a far more complex drink menu, including cocktails and a full selection of wines, but sometimes you thirst for something simpler – especially after many miles walked outside in the sun.

Enjoying my beer, I admire the rotunda’s centerpiece. Imagine a medieval explorer’s globe, only scaled up to the same size as – come to think of it! – the iconic Universal Studios globe. Hmm! Universal Studios Japan opened in 2001 as well. Could this be Disney paying their rival a cheeky tribute? I can’t say for sure. I also can’t say if this globe is slowly rotating, or if that’s just the combined effect of the beer and exhaustion.

I’m glad I got to relax in the rotunda for a drink, because my dinner reservation saw me seated in a smaller antechamber down a subterranean side passage. The feeling is of a catacomb buried deep beneath fertile volcanic soil. In some ways, this private chamber reminds me of ancient family crypts...in a good way. It is incredibly intimate. There is supposed to be an additional “secret” room, a wine cellar, where VIPs and high-profile Disney bloggers get to dine. I didn't think to look into it.

Much like Ristorante di Canaletto, dinner is four course Italian prix fixe. The food is of very high quality, well beyond what you’d typically expect in a theme park. DCA’s Carthay Circle is functionally similar, and more to my tastes with its playful Californian fusion menu, but Magellan’s more formal food is entirely appropriate.

For appetizers, sautéed scallops. Always tasty! To drink…yup, another Kirin!

Salad was a simple mixed greens affair with a few slices of Spanish cheese and mild vinaigrette.

For the entrée, I opted for the night’s special – fresh Chilean sea bass. Fine filet mignon was available too, but I’ll wait until they create a DisneyLand to order that!

Lastly for dessert, a classic: crème brulee.

This was a slow meal, with every bite savored. One common complaint I’ve heard about Magellan’s is that the portions are too small for the price. That’s typical of haute cuisine, and honestly I never felt undernourished, possibly because I’d been grazing on snack foods all day long. No, I was entirely sated. The flavor profile was a little mild, that’s my main caveat. Still, what a lovely, elegant capper to the Tokyo Disney Resort!

Climbing the winding stairs out of Magellan’s, Fantasmic is long over. Most queues are closed. But I’m not ready to leave! Instead I head into American Waterfront, keen to soak in every last possible drop of nighttime ambiance. In particularly, I want to see Toyville Trolley Park all lit up with popcorn bulbs. In DisneySea, Imagineering managed to capture that vintage boardwalk aura more effectively than with DCA’s Paradise Pier, in a smaller area. If the proposed DCA revamp into Pixar Pier takes some design cues from Toyville, then I’m optimistic about the Pier’s future.

Not long afterwards I’m relaxing in Waterfront Park when the speakers come on. Tokyo DisneySea is closed for the night. It’s 10 PM, and time to go. My final journey across the Mediterranean Harbor esplanade is not a hasty one. I linger as long as seems permissible looking out over the gently tranquility of Porto Paradiso. Even with the ongoing musical loop, it’s noticeably quieter here now, quiet enough to listen to the manmade waves in the harbor. Mt. Prometheus behind Explorers Landing gives off a warm, maternal glow.

The AquaSphere, all aglow, is my last memory of DisneySea. Leaving this park one final time is bittersweet. I was enormously overhyped prior to my vacation, and if anything DisneySea somehow managed to prove even better!

Now, is DisneySea the greatest theme park on earth, as many have claimed?

I’m not ready to make such a bold statement. It’s the third park I’ve visited which I’d call “perfect.” (I haven't been to Orlando.) The other two are Disneyland and Cedar Point. About a half century separates the creation of each, and each is a perfect realization of its creative aspirations. They’re also the only genuine two-day parks I’ve visited.

Cedar Point is the perfect roller coaster park. It has the strongest collection of thrill rides that I know, all in an astounding coastal location.

Disneyland is the perfect realization of a brand-new concept. It is overflowing with creative ideas, and the model for everything since.

DisneySea is the culmination of the lessons began at Disneyland. It is to date the most fully enveloping park I’ve seen, with all sorts of delightful new design tricks.

I’ve called all three perfect, but none is flawless. Cedar Point is mostly unthemed. Disneyland is congested. DisneySea, honestly, is fairly average on paper. It has no good roller coasters, too many flat rides, and a few clones. In person, none of that matters. The park’s overwhelming ambiance elevates dross like Aquatopia into gold. DisneySea’s best attractions are among the world’s best attractions. I could happily spend a day here without doing a single ride. If theming alone improves a park for you, then I cannot recommend visiting DisneySea highly enough!

Lastly, while I could write a whole essay (at least) on DisneySea’s design choices, I might at least list some. Its countless details all serve a larger whole. Its sightlines never waver. Mt. Prometheus brilliantly pulls every land together, and fits each. The scale is perfect. It is incredibly multi-layered. It fits the coastal setting flawlessly. Nearly every attraction is a natural extension of its land. Franchises are used appropriately. Stuff like MiraCosta elevates the theme park form. Honestly, I cannot gush enough!


Up next: Day 10 – Shinkansen to Dotonburi

 

[MinnieM123]

I'm savoring this report because it's so different. (I've never been to the overseas parks and I'm intrigued.) Your commentary is so descriptive and interesting--have you ever thought of being a travel writer?

 

[D Hulk]

Day 10: Bullet Train to Osaka

Our time at Tokyo Disney Resort is at an end. But the vacation continues! What’s the next goal? Getting to Osaka.

Let’s go through the steps. First I check out of the Hilton and enjoy a breakfast.

Then I take a free bus to the Tokyo Metro station near Ikspiari.

It’s suddenly very overwhelming attempting to not only decipher the metro map, but to also get a ticket using the weird old analog machines. It reminds me of early Atari controllers, which had 50 buttons when the NES then came along and featured 5. (The NES in this analogy is the Hong Kong Metro.) Once I get it figured out it’s never again confusing, but there’s still Osaka’s equally old-school ticket machines to learn later today.

Then I ride the morning commute to Tokyo Central Station. Good thing it was a Saturday. They didn’t need pushers to cram us all in.

Dragging my luggage behind me, it’s over a mile through the metro station interior to reach the Japan Rail Pass distribution office. This is the most important step.

The Japan Rail Pass is offered exclusively to foreign tourists, granting them unlimited free trips on the Shinkansen (bullet trains) and JR Lines for the duration of their stay. Better still, you don’t need reservations for the Shinkansen; just hop onboard and treat it like a city metro. Hypothetically, the entire country is now available!

Of course, the Rail Pass isn’t free. It’s still cheaper than any alternative. I had to buy it a month out, and have a voucher mailed to my home. Ya gotta plan! But if you do, and you give that voucher to a distribution office, you’re all set.

Ten minutes later, I’m happily aboard the Shinkansen. This is my speedy solo pace. No portion of today’s journey has been self-explanatory, and I’m often interpreting colored kanji characters to determine my route. Yet somehow I always decipher the right route, a vacation skill I’ve had since childhood. The confusion level is just high enough to be engaging.

The bullet train is famously fast, traveling at airplane speeds on the ground. You’d think that’d be exciting, like the “Beyond the Infinite” sequence in 2001 or something. It’s really quite banal, like riding any old train. And the distance from Tokyo to Osaka ain’t short. It still takes over 2 train hours to get there. Also, I regret never getting a pic of an arriving Shinkansen engine, but, well, they’re fast!

How fast? One paragraph later, I’m in Osaka!

And one half hour following that, I’m in the Dotonburi district. For the entire train ride in, I watched Tokyo’s crisp blue skies slowly transform into ominous storm clouds. Now, as I ascend a subway staircase into the city, I’m caught in a fierce and powerful rainstorm! Worse still, the weather app suggests these downpours will be here for my entire three days in Osaka. Grumble!

Breaking out my umbrella, I beat a hasty path across neon-lit alleyways towards Ibis Styles Osaka, the next hotel. I’m doin’ Ibis again, just like Hong Kong! It’s undoubtedly a downgrade from Hotel MiraCosta. In fact, my room is tiny – two twin beds crammed against each other next to the window, a mere 2 feet from the TV wall. The bathroom door opens outwards because the toilet blocks it. When seated on that toilet, I cannot close the bathroom door because my knees are through the doorway.

Believe it or not, my upcoming hotel in Tokyo will be even smaller!

But I’ve selected Ibis Styles intentionally, not for luxury but for location. Dotonburi, street food central, Osaka’s main nightlife and entertainment hub set along a canal. It is a complex of narrow pedestrian streets. Animated billboards and neon signs abound. Even in the rainy daytime, devoid of raucous visitors, the area pulses with energy.

First though I need to see Osaka Castle before it closes at 5, come rain or sleet or hail or brimstone. So forget holing up in Ibis Styles, I set forth with my trusty bumbershoot. With time fleeting, I pause for a quick fried snack – fish-shaped dough filled with red bean paste. With the icy cold rains, it sure warms me through.

From the subway station nearest to Osaka Station, it’s still ¾ mile or so to the great feudal castle itself. Most of the trek is through ancient castle grounds, past monumental moats and through gate houses. It’s raining like the dickens. Already I’m soaked. Still I press onwards, out of stubborn pigheadedness or masochism or just a drive to make every part of this vacation count. I’ve had travel companions in the past who would’ve retreated to the hotel ages ago (if they’d have even been willing to reach Osaka), but I’m gonna see the sights come literal high water!

Oh, and taxis weren’t an option on medieval castle grounds. I guess I could’ve taken an overpriced rickshaw, which honestly would’ve been neat, but by now I was really relishing the rain hike. I haven’t been this wet in public since Hong Kong! For another heat-me-up along the way, I pause at a skewered meat stand just before the inner gates and I select a whole grilled squid. It was warming, had nicely spiced teriyaki, and was delicious. Mmm…squid…

There’s more history to Osaka Castle than I can quickly convey in this format. Various governments have used it continuously from medieval times up through World War II. The interior is a 7-floor museum stuffed with exhibits on these various eras. Were I in a different mood, I’d’ve enjoyed these displays, but immediately post-Disney I was hoping the castle’s interior would directly reflect its historical design…kinda like Kyoto’s Nijo Castle. Nah, it’s a grey-walled modern museum, a Wikipedia article in physical form, which wasn’t all that imaginatively inspiring. The castle’s exterior certainly was, as were the grounds, conjuring up images of life here in feudal times.

Afterwards, I trudge back through fresh rain puddles towards the metro. Due to continual schlepping, my dinky little umbrella is now leaking, and I keep using it mostly for decorative purposes.

This has been a fun little castle outing, feudal but not futile. But Osaka in the daytime is nothing too special. It’s a rather industrial port city, and not especially beautiful. But at night, Osaka erupts into a cavalcade of futuristic anime nuttiness!

Up next: Dotonburi Nights

 

[D Hulk]

Dotonburi: Osaka Cyberpunk, 2017 A.D.

I’m quite cold and wet once returning to the Dontonburi district sometime still well before nightfall. With no time-sensitive touristy goals, I finally pause for a proper meal at one of the neighborhood’s many renowned ramen joints. Japanese noodles: one of the world’s greatest meals! My last big trip to Japan was really udon-centric; now it’s all about the ramen.

Other than the plaster dragon adorning their façade, this eatery has no airs. It’s the equivalent of a greasy spoon corner diner. You order directly from the chefs, slaving away over incredibly steamy huge pots of broth. The ongoing rainstorm really accentuates that steam. Seating is all cross-legged on the floor, very traditional. It’s a little past 4 now, and my fellow diners are mostly high school hoodlums freshly freed from their weekend tutoring. The soup is hearty, rich, and warming.

But still I’m soaked to the nth degree as I return to Ibis Styles. I opt for a lengthy rest, hanging my wet, wet, wet clothes to dry. For a couple of hours, I mostly lounge in the bed watching sumo wrestling on TV. I occasionally flip to the weather station, which shows severe flooding occurring in towns very close to Osaka. They expect these rains to get even worse over the next few days. Uh-oh!

True to that prediction, it’s still thundering well into the night once I decide to go explore neon Dotonburi accompanied by my leaking umbrella. Actually, the rains have subsided enough that they’re now pleasant, and add to Dotonburi’s nighttime atmosphere. And what is that atmosphere? Blade Runner! That’s no accident either. Places like Dotonburi were that film’s inspiration.

Down narrow pedestrian streets cluttered with food carts and shops all competing for your attention with flickering neon signs, crude animatronic façades, and blaring J-pop. The locals all carry transparent umbrellas which brilliantly reflect the neon. Every 10 feet, there’s a new delicious odor or music source or something to draw the senses.

One restaurant advertises with a gigantic moving crab sculpture, another with a gigantic octopus, or a gigantic sushi chef man or gundam or et cetera. A skyscraper-sized TV screen is streaming what I can only call Japanese Idol, which has caused everyone to pause, listen and cheer.

It’s like I’m still in the theme parks! This is the cyberpunk land, and I can easily imagine that behind every futuristic glittering façade is a ride which digitizes guests into the Network, or confronts them with a sentient A.I. cyborg, or some such. And there are rides here, like an iconic Osaka Ferris wheel (which I never once saw operating). It’s not a traditional bicycle spoke design, but a distinctive scaffolding model where guests ride inside of what I can only call giant Pokéballs, all around an enormous kawaii anime face.

This is alongside the canal, the rain-swept waters giving the omnipresent neon yet another colorful dimension. Along the docks, there are cosplay wannabe popstars in their pink and purple wigs and their schoolgirl-maid-nurse outfits performing for drunken salarymen. Bicycle couriers speed past. It’s so wonderfully overwhelming!

Allover there is shopping galore! The standard boutique brands stand alongside quirky tech bazaars. Like everyplace I’ll go on this trip, there’s a Forever 21. The most crowded shops, filled with twenty-somethings out on the town, just sell candy – all incomprehensible concoctions whose main appeal is the amazing, eye-searing packaging. Behind discreetly closed doors are “Cosplay Lounges.” Video arcades! Pachinko parlors! True, Tokyo has similar neon otaku districts, but Osaka’s is more intimately scaled, cozier in its way even while conjuring up a post-human tech apocalypse.

Then there’s the street food! All of Dotonburi’s craziness has formed around snacking. My kinda place! It’s all part of a particular Japanese form of hedonism called kuidaore – “extravagance in food.”

The chief pleasure is takodori, which is a griddle-based wheat ball stuffed full of octopus chunks and other assorted goodness. Chefs turn them on pans using chopsticks. Whole paper plates of these miraculous balls are served topped with green onions and, oddly enough, mayonnaise and Worcestershire sauce. I could kind of do without those! Dozens of stands serve this delight, most with lines averaging 30 minutes. Over the next three nights, I’ll be trying this half a dozen times.

There’s also okonomiyaki, a savory pancake which you fry at your very own tabletop griddle. Careful with those elbows! There’s kitsune udon, so so good in the rain! There’s nonsense like fried gyoza. Matcha (green tea) ice cream often served inside cream puffs or crepes. Quick service stands dish out kobe beef, at a decent price and without airs. Weirdly, Spider-Man seems to be the mascot for one prominent kobe joint.

Of course there’s sushi. One place, adorned with a gigantic blowfish animatronic, specializes in fugu – that blowfish sushi which is instantly lethal is misprepared. I tried that in Kyoto my last time passing through Japan, and I’m not risking it again now. The flavor was too subtle! All these other foods I’ve listed out, I’ll be sampling them all while here in Osaka. What a gluttonous paradise! I have no clue how I actually lost weight on this trip.

So dinner my first night in Osaka consisted of drifting from one food cart to another. In between, I would explore bizarre bazaars. To cap off the night, I paused in a riverfront pub for a keg-sized bottle of Kirin and a comically tiny bowl of edamame. A schoolgirl popstar serenaded us all. What a fun evening, soaking in the best of Japan’s wild, forward-looking culture.

Up next: Day 11 – Kyoto: Japan’s Traditional, Conservative Culture

 

[LieutLaww]

Still an excellent TR, was following along while at WDW and remembered this now that I am back home, is the language barrier a real problem or can you easily get by ?