A Day at Disney

Have we mentioned how much we like this place? Today was another splendid day at Tokyo DisneySea and it was just as enjoyable as it was yesterday. Perhaps even more so now that we knew where everything was and could make quick time around the park.

I am sad to report that we finally found out that Journey to the Center of the Earth is closed until June 24. Can you believe that? We’ll miss it by about 5 days. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to stick with the YouTube ride though videos and pretend like I’m on it. At least we got back on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, which is shaping up to be one of my favorite rides here.

Being here at Tokyo Disney has been a real eye-opener for us. It’s interesting to see what it feels like to be a Disney tourist and have no clue where to go or what to do. Casey and I both grew up near Disney parks, and we’ve never really known, or can’t remember, the feeling of that initial wonder and amazement because we’ve been going since we were in diapers. We’ve been to our parks at home so much that we take many things for granted: the line starts over here, the restrooms are over there, this food is good, that food is not, and so on. It’s been refreshing to discover new things in a familiar-feeling place.

The rides and shows have been an adventure, too. All of the instructions, narration, and song lyrics have been in Japanese for the most part, so some things have been a little startling or silly since we know hardly any Japanese. The 20,000 Leagues ride, the entire Magic Lamp Theater show, and The Tower of Terror pre-show have all been a big question mark for us. We get the idea, but not the details. It’s fun, though - you realize how important things like body language, gestures, and music are to help you understand something. 

Speaking of shows, even those are unbelievable. We caught the Big Band Beat (live jazz band, dancers and Mickey Mouse playing drums!), Mystic Rhythms (crazy jungle themed performance art a la Cirque du Soliel with a live band), the Magic Lamp Theater (half live performance, half 3D film) and The Legend of Mythica (a mind blowing parade/show on the water featuring tons of boats, animatronics, kites, people, jet skis and everything else under the sun).

Tomorrow we’re moving on to Disneyland, but for now we’re off in search of dinner.

Check out the pictures from today.