Tokyo DisneySea is a one-of-a-kind theme park located in Tokyo, Japan, offering a blend of nautical-themed adventures and Disney magic. Unlike any other Disney park, DisneySea features distinct “ports of call,” such as Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, and the newer Fantasy Springs, each with elaborate storytelling and unique attractions. Known for its more mature and immersive atmosphere compared to Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea is a must-visit for Disney fans and thrill-seekers alike.
In contrast to how we planned and experienced USJ in Osaka (check out our blog post, How To Spend 1.5 Days at Universal Studios Japan for more details), DisneySea was way more intense—so be prepared! But similar to Super Nintendo World at USJ, a regular day ticket to DisneySea does not grant you automatic access to Fantasy Springs. You’ll need to reserve a “Standby Pass” (free) or a “Disney Premier Access” ticket ($) for a ride inside Fantasy Springs after your ticket is scanned at the park. There are 4 rides inside Fantasy Springs, and we managed to experience 3 of them!
We’ll dive into the differences between Nintendo World at USJ and Fantasy Springs at DisneySea below so you can understand how each works. In fact, we’ve crated a handy comparison table! So grab a cup of coffee while you read, and get ready for the best day at DisneySea in 2024!
TLDR 🫣
Sections (Ports of call) inside DisneySea:
- Fantasy Springs: The newest section of the park, inspired by the worlds of Disney's fantasy films like Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan. The enchanting landscapes here are on another level.
- Mysterious Island: Located inside the park’s central volcano, this Jules Verne-inspired area features thrilling rides like "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
- Mermaid Lagoon: An underwater-themed area based on The Little Mermaid, perfect for families with young children, with colourful rides and live performances.
- Arabian Coast: Inspired by Aladdin, this section brings the Arabian Nights to life with markets, palaces, and the adventurous "Sindbad's Storybook Voyage."
- Lost River Delta: A jungle-themed area set in Central America, where you’ll find the "Indiana Jones Adventure" and other ancient ruins to explore.
- American Waterfront: An ode to early 20th-century American coastal towns, home to the grand "Tower of Terror" and the scenic "Toy Story Mania!" We have been on Tower of Terror before and cannot get enough of it! They also have Turtle Talk here, but Crush speaks Japanese, so only Ryan understood the conversation.
- Mediterranean Harbor: The entrance to the park, designed like an Italian seaside town, with canals, Venetian gondolas, and a backdrop of Mt. Prometheus. (Did not visit)
- Port Discovery: A futuristic, science-fiction-inspired area focused on exploration and adventure, featuring the "Aquatopia" ride. (Did not visit)
Pro Tips:
- Book tickets through Klook for potential savings and visit midweek (Wednesday/Thursday) for the smallest crowds.
- Use the Tokyo Disney Resort app to reserve Standby Passes (free), Disney Premier Access tickets ($) and 40th Anniversary Priority Passes (free in 2024) for rides!
- Bring a power bank, water, and small snacks (but no full meals). Water fountains are available in some roller coaster lines where you can refill your bottle.
Table 1. Comparison of Super Nintendo World at USJ and Fantasy Springs at DisneySea.
| Question | Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan (Osaka) | Fantasy Springs at DisneySea (Tokyo) |
|---|---|---|
| What app should I download? | “Universal Studios Japan.” Create an account and load your tickets onto the app in advance. | “Tokyo Disney Resort App.” Create an account and load your tickets onto the app in advance. |
| Where do I buy my tickets? Our foreign credit cards were blocked from making purchases on their official website. | We used this link to buy our tickets from Klook. | We used this link to buy our tickets from Klook. Make sure you buy the ticket called “Tokyo DisneySea 1-Day Passport”. |
| How many days in advance should I purchase my ticket? We tracked prices on Klook, monitoring when they would sell out. | At least 2 days in advance. | At least 2 days in advance. |
| What time is rope drop aka the “unofficial opening time of the park”? | Around 8:00 AM (7:55 AM for us). We started lining up outside the park around 7:00 AM. There is a 7/11 and a Lawson’s outside the park, close to where you get off of the train station. | Around 8:00 AM (8:08 AM for us). We started lining up outside the park around 6:20 AM. There is no convenience store close by the entrance gates, so stock up on breakfast before you arrive. |
| What entrance should I line up at? | While there are many turnstiles, there is only one entrance area for USJ. | Head to the South Entrance, where the lines are usually shorter and the crowds are lighter since most people queue up at the North Entrance after arriving by public transportation. |
| How do I guarantee access to these special areas of the park? This is what we recommend in order of priority. | 1. Arrive before rope drop, scan your day ticket on the USJ app, and speed walk to the Super Nintendo World section. No reservations needed if you are there before rope drop. 2. [If you’re not there before rope drop] After scanning your day ticket, open the USJ app and look for the “Area Time Entry” button. If Super Nintendo World has availability, it will appear here in the app. Be sure to reserve immediately to secure your spot. During our 1.5 days at the park, we managed to secure 7:00 PM entry slots twice—once by checking at 3:00 PM on the first day and again at 12:15 PM on the second day. Once you have successfully made a reservation, you cannot edit the entry time. You can only delete (unreserve) it and then re-book if there’s any availability left (we don’t recommend this). | 1. Arrive before rope drop, scan your day ticket on the USJ app, and click: 1a. “Standby pass” (free). 1b. “Disney premier access (DPA)” (~$17 CAD per person). If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see at least one ride available in Fantasy Springs. Immediately reserve to secure access to the Fantasy Springs area. The earlier your ride, the better as you’ll likely have less crowds and can stay as long as you want. Note that 1b. may be a slightly longer process as you will need to enter in your CC details, authenticate, etc to pay for the ride. The strategy is to have one person ready to execute 1a and the other person execute 1b if 1a is not available. 2. Book a vacation package or stay at a Fantasy Springs Hotel ($$$$). Being a hotel guest guarantees you the ability to buy the “1-Day Passport Fantasy Springs Magic” which includes park entry plus the ability to ride the Fantasy Spring rides unlimited times. |
| Can I go in and out of these special areas whenever I want? | Once you leave Super Nintendo World, you can only re-enter if you have another Area Time Entry reservation. | Once you leave Fantasy Springs, you can only re-enter if you have another standby or DPA reservation for a ride inside Fantasy Springs. Exception: If you booked a vacation package or stay at Fantasy Springs Hotel, you can re-enter as many times as you want. |
| If I’m there before rope drop, do I have to make a reservation to access these special areas? | If you’re at USJ before rope drop, you can speed walk to Nintendo World after your day ticket is scanned. So no, you do not need to make a reservation for Nintendo World. | Unlike Nintendo World, yes, you still need to make a reservation for a Fantasy Springs ride, whether that’s a standby pass (free) or a Disney premier access pass (DPA). Exception: If you booked a vacation package or stay at Fantasy Springs Hotel, you can re-enter as many times as you want. |
| I’m confused. Am I making reservations for the area or the ride? | When making a reservation for Super Nintendo World, you are reserving access to the AREA, not the ride. You get access to all the rides in that area, but will still need to line up for each ride within Super Nintendo World. | When making a reservation for Fantasy Springs, you are reserving access to a RIDE, which automatically grants you access to the AREA. Because you have a designated time frame for the RIDE, whether that be a standby pass or a Disney premier access pass (DPA), line ups are shorter as reservations are limited. Each ride requires their own reservation. |
| What are the names the rides in these special areas? | 1. Maro Kart: Koopa’s Challenge 2. Yoshi’s Adventure | 1. Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey 2. Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure 3. Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival 4. Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies (a kid’s ride that we did not experience) |
| What OTHER things can I do using the app? | -You can see a map of the park. -You can see wait times and show schedules. -You can see how many coins you’ve collected inside Super Nintendo World if you bought the Power Up Band. -You can see a list of their food and restaurants, including menus for some. | -You can see a map of the park. -You can see wait times and show schedules. -You can reserve a “40th Anniversary Priority Pass” (free in 2024), which acts like another standby pass but for a select number of rides outside of Fantasy Springs -You can make a mobile food order, so that you secure access to eat at special themed restaurants -You can make a reservation to dine-in at a fancier, more expensive themed restaurant |
Prep Work: Before the Fun Begins
Let’s start with the nitty-gritty. Just a heads up: Some of the links are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase.
Pro Tip: We booked our tickets through Klook for about $150 CAD for two people. Our foreign credit cards did not work on the official Disney Tokyo Website. Bonus Pro Tip: We visited on a Wednesday and Thursday because those are the least crowded days. School kids tend to take field trips and invade the park on Mondays and Tuesdays, and pass holders tend to show up on Fridays and weekends.
After securing our tickets, we downloaded the Tokyo Disney Resort app—a lifesaver- and loaded up our Klook tickets! We each had the app, and we loaded both of our tickets on each phone. The app is also where you get the ride wait times, access maps, and more importantly, try to reserve a Standby pass for Fantasy Springs.
You are allowed to bring water and small snacks into the park, but bringing full meals like bento boxes are discouraged. The food available inside the park is more expensive than what you’d typically pay outside. Bring a charged power bank too!
Cash, IC cards, and credit cards, including VISA, are accepted without any issues inside the park.
Unlike USJ, at DisneySea, you can reserve Standby Passes (including rides inside Fantasy Springs) and 40th Anniversary Priority Passes (in 2024; including certain rides outside of Fantasy Springs) for FREE. After completing a ride, simply open the app again to see what other rides are available for you to reserve. Keep in mind that these reservations are free, but you can only hold one reservation at a time for each pass. This will save you a lot of time waiting in lines. While we arrived with a prioritized list of theme park sections, we stayed flexible, letting our schedule be guided by which rides we were able to reserve passes for.
HOW TO SPEND 1 FULL DAY AT DISNEYSEA
6:20 AM: We arrived at the North Entrance, and though the line ahead of us was already long, it tripled in size by 7:00 AM. We found a spot on the far left side, near the hedges, to stay in the shade as much as possible. Pro Tip: Walk a bit farther to the South Entrance, as we heard the line is shorter—most people arriving by local train enter from the North. Bonus Pro Tip: Bring an umbrella for sun protection, as the wait until rope drop can last nearly two hours.
8:08 AM: Around an hour before the official opening time listed on Google, the line started moving. We first went through security, then proceeded to the turnstiles, where they scanned our day ticket from the app.
8:20 AM: Ryan started the process of securing standby tickets and successfully got us a free spot for the Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey ride, but the time was set for 11:00 AM – this was the earliest standby ticket we had available to us. Keep in mind, you’re only allowed one standby ticket at a time. If your goal is just to enter Fantasy Springs, you could reserve any ride within the area, enter at your destination time, and explore the section while patting yourself on the back for a job well done! However, since Ryan and I wanted to go on at least two of the four rides in Fantasy Springs, we had two options: wait until we used our Frozen standby ticket at 11:00 AM and then see if any more Standby tickets for another Fantasy Springs ride was available for later in the day, or pay about $17 CAD per person for Disney Premier Access (DPA) to guarantee another ride inside Fantasy Springs.
8:22 AM: I decided to look at what was offered on the Disney Premier Access (DPA) list and purchased two tickets for Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure at 1:15 PM. Now, I could pat myself on the back!
American Waterfront
8:36 AM: We were in line for Toy Story Mania, an interactive 4D ride located in the American Waterfront section of the park! Guests board ride vehicles themed like toy carts and wear 3D glasses to experience the attraction as if they are toy-sized, entering Andy’s room from Toy Story. The ride features a series of carnival-style, arcade games where riders use a spring-action shooter to hit targets, score points, and compete against one another. I knew I’d love this one. I love shooting games. The whole thing – line up and ride – took about 30 minutes. Heads up: There’s no water fountain in this line up.
9:03 AM: We headed to the Tower of Terror, conveniently located right next door. While waiting in line, we decided to check out mobile ordering for lunch and wondered why we hadn’t thought of it earlier while waiting for Toy Story. The prices at the Arendelle restaurant were outrageously high, so we opted to order from another restaurant within Fantasy Springs. We pre-ordered two burger sets from Snuggly Duckling for 1,490 yen each (about 15 CAD) at 12:30 PM. During this time, we also discovered the “40th Anniversary Priority Pass” (free) button on the app, which works like a Standby pass for select rides outside of Fantasy Springs. We reserved the next available slot for Turtle Talk. Note: There is one water fountain in the queue.
9:58 AM: About an hour later, as the app had accurately predicted, we finished Tower of Terror and headed over to Turtle Talk. Even with our Priority Pass, we still had a 25-minute wait. Turtle Talk was quite entertaining, especially for younger audiences. However, it’s important to note that the entire show is in Japanese, so understanding the language is key to fully enjoying it. Ryan had a good time!
10:35 AM: After about 30 minutes (including wait time), we decided we needed to sneak out in order to make it to our 11:00 AM Frozen ride reservations. Fantasy Springs is on the OTHER END of the park, so it was going to be a long walk. During that walk, we checked what other rides would be free with the 40th Anniversary Priority Pass, and snagged a 2:20 PM reservation for the Raging Spirits in Lost River Delta.
Fantasy Springs
11:05 AM: We entered Fantasy Springs just 5 minutes after our designated entry window (they give you a time range, which is helpful) and joined the line for Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey ride using the standby passes Ryan had secured for us after rope drop. The app estimated a 40-minute wait, but after they scanned our standby passes, we reached the front in just 20 minutes. Heads up: There are no water fountains in this line.
Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey is a boat ride that takes you through key scenes from Disney’s Frozen. You float through beautifully crafted settings, including the ice palace, while experiencing animatronics, special effects, and music from the movie, like “Let It Go” and “Do You Want to Build a Snowman?” It’s one of the longer rides, compressing a full movie into 3 minutes, and such a feast for your eyes.
11:30 AM: Once we finished with that ride, it was time to explore Fantasy Springs, the area! It’s such a beautifully themed area inspired by Disney’s Frozen and Tangled. The landscape features stunning rock formations that resemble the majestic mountains of Arendelle, complete with intricate details that create a magical atmosphere. Cascading waterfalls flow down the rocky cliffs, adding to the enchanting ambiance and providing a soothing backdrop as visitors explore the area.
In the meantime, we also checked if we secure any more standby passes for the other rides at Fantasy Springs. Ryan was able to snag a standby pass (free) for Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival ride at 5:45 PM! HOORAY – that would allow us to go on 3/4 rides inside Fantasy Springs! You get the strategy now? Once you’ve finished using up one of the free passes – standby or 40th Anniversary Priority – try to reserve another ride to minimize the amount of time you have to wait in line!
12:35 PM: After an hour of exploring and admiring the architecture of Fantasy Springs, we headed to the Snuggly Duckling for lunch. The Snuggly Duckling restaurant is a charming dining spot inspired by the beloved tavern from Disney’s Tangled. This whimsical eatery features rustic decor, warm wooden beams, and dim lighting, creating a cozy and playful atmosphere. The walls are adorned with artwork and memorabilia reflecting the adventures of Rapunzel and her friends, immersing diners in the heart of the story.
We arrived at the restaurant just 5 minutes after our designated time and picked up our mobile order of two burger sets from the front, which we pre-ordered while waiting in line for Tower of Terror. Since seating is first-come, first-served, we found a table at the back of the restaurant and we were able to refill our water bottles.
1:30 PM: Before we knew it, it was time to ride Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure, which we had secured using the Disney Premier Access (DPA) paid pass. We arrived in line about 15 minutes after our reservation window started, but we completed the entire experience—waiting in line and riding the attraction—in just 20 minutes.
Lost River Delta
1:50 PM: It was too early to line up for our Raging Spirits ride at 2:20 PM in Lost River Delta, but we sure had fun exploring the area! It’s an immersive area inspired by ancient Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Mayans and Aztecs. As guests enter this themed land, they are greeted by lush vegetation, intricate stone carvings, and towering ruins.
2:20 PM: Time to ride Raging Spirits. With our 40th Anniversary Priority passes in hand, we were in and out of that ride in 15 minutes! Raging Spirits is a thrilling roller coaster that includes a unique 360-degree loop.
2:35 PM: We opened up our app to see if we could book another ride with the 40th Anniversary Priority pass since we just finished Raging Spirits and to our surprise, we saw something loaded onto our accounts that we didn’t expect. It was called a “Multi Experience” pass. It told us we could apply it to a long list of rides (Fantasy Spring rides not included) at any time. No designated time frame need. You just choose your ride and scan the Multi Experience pass to bypass the line! Was this a glitch? A mistake? We didn’t know – so we redeemed it right away for a ride we were going to line up for anyways, the Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull ride.
2:40 PM: We entered the line for Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull and went to the straight of the cue. Within 7 minutes, we were finished! This ride took us on an exhilarating journey through the mysterious temple filled with traps, treasure, and animatronic creatures. It was one of our favourite rides in the park!
Mermaid Lagoon
2:50 PM – 3:35 PM: It was time to take a break from the heat! We wandered in Ariel’s Place aka the Mermaid Lagoon. It’s a whimsical, underwater-themed area located underground and away from the heat, and is inspired by Disney’s The Little Mermaid.
This enchanting section transports guests to the vibrant world of Ariel and her underwater friends, featuring colourful coral reefs, playful sea creatures, and stunning decor that mimics an oceanic paradise. We didn’t see any rides that interested us – just enjoyed a nice break from the sun.
Arabian Coast
3:40 PM – 4:30 PM: Next up: Arabian Coast, a vibrant and enchanting area inspired by the stories and landscapes of the Arabian Nights. Like all the other sections, the intricate architecture, colourful markets, and the rich culture of the Middle East come alive here. We lined up for a show here called “The Magic Lamp Theatre.” It’s a captivating live stage show that combines puppetry, special effects, and 3D technology to bring the classic tales of Aladdin to life.
Mysterious Island
4:30 PM: We made our way to Mysterious Island, a fantastical land inspired by the works of Jules Verne, particularly Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth. This area is characterized by its dramatic rock formations, steam vents, and a mysterious, otherworldly atmosphere. It’s a bit more grungy and mechanical than the other whimsical parts of the park.
4:37 PM: We scanned our 40th Anniversary Priority passes and were inside the submarine ride, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! I don’t believe we actually went under water, but the special effects made it feel like it! The attraction features animatronic sea creatures, shipwrecks, and stunning underwater landscapes.
4:47 PM: Just a quick 10 minutes after the submarine ride, we were in another line waiting for the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride. We didn’t get any passes for this ride, so we had to wait the one hour as estimated by the app. As predicted, we were at the front of the line at exactly one hour later.
5:57 PM: Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of the flagship attractions at DisneySea, located within the Mysterious Island area. This thrilling dark ride takes guests on an exhilarating adventure deep beneath the Earth’s surface, inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel.
Fantasy Springs (again)
6:09 PM: We headed back for our third and final ride of the day, about 25 minutes past the beginning of our designated time frame. Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure, is a charming and family-friendly ride. We scanned our last standby ticket and made it to the front of the line in around 20 minutes.
As you hop aboard your boats, you’re in for a treat with vibrant scenes showcasing the most iconic moments from Tangled! The ride is packed with beautifully crafted animatronics, intricate sets, and immersive audio-visual effects that truly bring the story to life. Get ready to see Rapunzel in her tower, experience the magical lantern festival, and encounter other beloved characters, all surrounded by lush landscapes and sparkling lights. If we had to rank our favourite rides in Fantasy Springs, we’d say: 1. Frozen, 2. Peter Pan, and then 3. Rapunzel. We just wish Rapunzel’s ride lasted a bit longer—it felt a little too quick!
6:35 PM: As we neared the 12-hour mark—yes, we spent a whole 12 hours at DisneySea—we were preparing to head back to our hotel for dinner. But we had one last idea! We pre-ordered just a drink through the mobile app so we could get into the Arendale restaurant.
We wanted to check out the interior, and it was absolutely stunning! We adored all the intricate details inside; it really felt like we were dining in Anna and Elsa’s cozy cabin. Woo hoo, big summer blowout!
TOTAL COST FOR 1 DAY AT DISNEY SEA: $212 (2 adults, CAD)
Tickets from Klook: $150
Food: $28
Disney Premier Access for 1 ride in Fantasy Springs: $34
FINAL THOUGHTS
DisneySea is an enchanting destination that masterfully blends creativity, storytelling, and immersive experiences, making it a must-visit for Disney fans and adventure seekers alike. With its stunning theming, from whimsical Fantasy Springs to the mysterious Mysterious Island, the park offers captivating attractions like Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, alongside delightful dining options such as the Snuggly Duckling. The attention to detail in every aspect—from architecture to character interactions—creates a truly magical experience. Whether enjoying a submarine ride or savouring delicious meals, every moment at DisneySea is filled with wonder, leaving you with unforgettable memories and eager to return. Also, if you plan to visit Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, you might want to read How To Spend 1.5 Days at Universal Studios Japan for more details! Comment below if you have any questions!
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