For theme park lovers, there’s at all times one thing great about experiencing a brand new park. The magic of discovery. The thrill of fresh attractions. And, in case you’re a Disney fan, it’s much more thrilling just because there aren’t that many parks. Solely six locations on this planet (as of now) have Disney Parks, so any first-time go to is particular—which is exactly what happened to me last month after I went to the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Consisting of two separate theme parks, Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea, Tokyo Disney has many rides we all know and love right here in the US. However, as an grownup who not solely frequents Walt Disney World in Orlando, however is a Magic Key holder at Disneyland, these weren’t why I used to be most excited. It was the rides I might solely experience there in Japan that made me get up on the break of day, line up, and pay that little additional to make sure I’d get on.
Under, listed here are the 5 greatest Disney rides you may solely experience in Japan. They’re rides that, I’m glad to say, made the journey well worth the go to all by themselves.
The Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast – Tokyo Disneyland
Like most Disney parks, Tokyo Disneyland has a giant, stunning citadel on the middle. However this park additionally has a second citadel only for its Magnificence and the Beast experience. And, when you experience it, you’ll know why. Sitting in a big teacup, you might be whisked away on a trackless system (like Rise of the Resistance or Ratatouille) via the movie. The experience automobiles transfer round elaborate, beautiful recreations of scenes from the animated traditional with superior animatronics and all of your favourite songs in addition. By the point you get to the top, and Belle and the Beast are dancing collectively within the ballroom, it actually may convey a tear to your eye. Merely among the best Disney rides I’ve ever been on, if not the very best.
Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey – Tokyo DisneySea
At Epcot in Orlando, Florida, there’s a excellent boat experience themed round Frozen. In case you’ve ridden it, think about what that’s like, however thrice longer with much more of the story, songs, and characters. Principally, you experience in a ship via the Frozen film, combining all of the tips Disney Imagineers have provide you with through the years—animatronics, projections, units, and so forth. However what’s the very best a part of Frozen? “Let It Go,” proper? Effectively, this experience makes use of three whole rooms to take you thru the track, climaxing in some actually epic moments. This isn’t a thrill experience of any sort, however the thrill you get in dwelling on this world for a couple of minutes makes it extremely particular.
Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey – Tokyo DisneySea
Once more, one of the best ways to contextualize this experience is to check it to different, comparable rides. So think about rides similar to Common’s Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Transformers: The Experience or The Wonderful Adventures of Spider-Man, by which you’re in a automobile on a monitor that goes between elaborate film scenes and massive, sensible units. That’s this experience and, frankly, it’s higher than all of these. It’s an epic retelling of the Peter Pan story with these dynamic applied sciences and, simply once you suppose the story is over, it retains going. It’s a rousing expertise.
Nemo & Mates SeaRider – Tokyo DisneySea
Discovering Nemo has an enormous presence in Disney parks, with rides in each Orlando and Anaheim. However the one in Tokyo is completely different. Suppose Star Excursions, however Discovering Nemo, as you get right into a “ship” (aka, a form of movie show) which is then shrunken down and whisked all via the ocean. Oh, and it’s 4D, so anticipate to get somewhat moist. It’s not the latest or most progressive experience, however it’s nonetheless actually enjoyable.
Journey to the Heart of the Earth – Tokyo DisneySea
If Journey to the Heart of the Earth was one minute longer, it could be among the best rides on the resort. Because it stands now, it’s too quick to be on that full listing however, in case you don’t have to attend too lengthy for it, it’s very a lot price a spin. You principally take a automobile via a narrative the place you go to the middle of the Earth and, when you encounter a giant monster, are zipped away in a pseudo curler coaster second, together with a drop that takes you out of the mountain within the middle of the theme park. That half occurs somewhat too shortly however it’s nonetheless nice, as is all the things earlier than it.
After all, these are usually not the one Tokyo-only rides you discover in its Disney parks. Aquatopia, a hovercraft experience, is tremendous enjoyable. 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea is a soothing, stunning journey, with a pleasant nostalgic increase from the variations Disney has lengthy since faraway from its U.S. parks. Plus, there are unique rides primarily based on Tangled, Huge Hero 6, Monsters Inc., Winnie the Pooh, and plenty of extra. (Full disclosure, we have been unable to experience the Monsters and Pooh rides, so I used to be unable to rank them.)
Principally, in case you are a Disney or theme park fan and you end up in Tokyo, be sure you prioritize the rides you may solely do there. Get extra info on Tokyo Disneyland right here and Tokyo DisneySea right here. (And sure, I purchased the experience automobile figures for as many of those as have been obtainable. Read more here.)
Need extra io9 information? Take a look at when to anticipate the newest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s subsequent for the DC Universe on film and TV, and all the things you want to learn about the way forward for Doctor Who.
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