Is Tokyo Disney Sea worth it
Is Tokyo Disney Sea worth it
Overview
In this episode, John Daub takes viewers on a comprehensive tour of Tokyo DisneySea to answer a common traveler question: is it worth the visit? Standing in front of the iconic Hotel MiraCosta, John leverages his experience as a frequent visitor (this being his 10th time) to provide an honest assessment of the park's value, uniqueness, and logistics. He contrasts DisneySea with Tokyo Disneyland and other global Disney parks, emphasizing that DisneySea is a unique experience found only in Japan.
John explores the park's distinct zones, highlighting the central volcano Mount Prometheus, the Mediterranean Harbor, and the American Waterfront. He discusses practical considerations such as crowd levels, ticket costs, and the benefits of staying at partner hotels like MiraCosta or the Sheraton. The video serves as both a virtual tour and a practical guide for families and tourists planning a trip to the Tokyo Disney Resort.
Throughout the vlog, John shares personal anecdotes about waiting times, food prices, and the best times of year to visit. He also touches on the convenience of accessing the resort from Haneda Airport and compares the experience to other major theme parks like Universal Studios Japan and Fuji-Q Highland. The episode concludes with John's verdict on the value proposition, balancing the high costs against the unique memories created.
Highlights
- 00:00:03 John introduces Tokyo DisneySea and poses the central question: is it worth it?
- 00:00:37 Explanation of why DisneySea is unique compared to other Disney parks worldwide.
- 00:01:07 Tour of the central volcano (Mount Prometheus) and its eruption effects.
- 00:02:09 Benefits of staying at Hotel MiraCosta, including early park entry.
- 00:03:06 Warning about crowd levels during Japanese school holidays.
- 00:04:11 Description of the Tower of Terror attraction and its backstory.
- 00:05:22 Look at the SS Columbia boat restaurant and 19th-century Massachusetts recreation.
- 00:06:24 Transport tips: getting from Haneda Airport to the resort quickly and cheaply.
- 00:07:25 Breakdown of ticket costs, park hours, and food prices.
- 00:09:15 Discussion on After-6 passes and annual pass value.
- 00:11:13 Reflection on the park's evolution since John's first visit in 1998.
- 00:13:06 Mention of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea hidden restaurant.
- 00:14:46 Comparison with Sheraton hotel packages and Universal Studios.
- 00:15:47 Advice for visiting on rainy days and keeping kids entertained in lines.
- 00:17:35 Final verdict and closing thoughts from the beach area.
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00 — Introduction at Hotel MiraCosta
- 00:37 — Uniqueness of DisneySea vs. Disneyland
- 01:07 — Mount Prometheus Volcano & Parades
- 02:09 — Hotel MiraCosta Benefits & Crowds
- 04:11 — Tower of Terror & SS Columbia
- 06:24 — Transport from Haneda Airport
- 07:25 — Ticket Prices & Food Costs
- 09:15 — After-6 Passes & Annual Passes
- 11:13 — History & Sponsorships
- 13:06 — Hidden Restaurants & Night Atmosphere
- 14:46 — Nearby Hotels & Competitor Parks
- 15:47 — Rainy Day Tips & Family Advice
- 17:35 — Conclusion & Sign Off
Japan Travel Tips
- Transport: From Haneda Airport, you can reach Tokyo DisneySea in about 35 minutes for approximately $8 USD, making it highly accessible.
- Timing: Avoid Japanese school holidays (like spring holiday week) if possible; wait times can reach 4–5 hours for popular rides.
- Hotel Perks: Staying at Hotel MiraCosta allows entry at 8 a.m., one hour before the general public (9 a.m.), enabling you to hit major rides early.
- Ticket Options: Consider the After-6 Pass (4,200 yen) for weekday evenings if you only have a few hours; the park empties out after 9 p.m.
- Food & Drink: Prices are high inside the park. John suggests bringing two bottles of tea or Coke per person if allowed, though food quality (like curry) is decent.
- Rainy Days: Do not assume rain means empty parks; lines can be just as long as sunny days during vacation periods.
- Entertainment: Bring coloring books or small activities to keep children occupied while waiting in long lines.
- Selfie Sticks: These are banned; staff will instruct you to put them away.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- Yen (円): The local currency. John cites a one-day pass at 7,400 yen (approx. $60–$70 USD at the time) and an annual pass around 89,000 yen.
- Spring Holiday: John mentions "Japanese spring holiday" starting the week after his visit. This is a peak travel time for domestic tourists.
- NTT DoCoMo / Panasonic: Major Japanese corporations that sponsor attractions within the park, highlighting the integration of local business with international brands.
- Theme Park Culture: Japanese theme parks are known for immaculate cleanliness and strict etiquette (e.g., no selfie sticks, orderly queues).
Food & Drink Guide
- Curry with Naan and Rice: Found in the Middle Eastern zone (Arabian Coast). Price: $7–$8 USD. John notes it as a reasonable meal option.
- Coke: Sold throughout the park. Price: Approx. $2 USD. John notes prices are high but better than before.
- Tea: Recommended to bring your own bottles to save on costs.
- Beer: Available at specific locations like the hidden restaurant under 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
People
- John Daub: Host and narrator. An American living in Japan for 30+ years. He provides the main commentary and evaluation of the park.
- Peter von Gomm: John's friend and fellow American in Japan. Mentioned in the video as commenting on crowd levels during the school year.
- John's Family: Mentioned as accompanying John but returning to the hotel due to exhaustion. Includes his wife Kanae and son Leo (implied).
- John's Brother and Dad: Mentioned at the end of the video; John plans to get them a beer at the Sheraton Club.
Key Takeaways
- Uniqueness: Tokyo DisneySea is the only Disney park of its kind in the world, making it a must-visit for Disney fans.
- Value: Whether it is "worth it" depends on who you are with and your tolerance for crowds and costs.
- Cost: It is expensive for families (admission, food, gifts), but hotel packages can add value.
- Convenience: Proximity to Haneda Airport makes it one of the most accessible Disney resorts globally.
- Strategy: Early entry via hotel stays or visiting during off-peak times significantly improves the experience.
Notable Quotes
- 00:00:37 "DisneySea is the one park that truly is only in Japan."
- 00:01:07 "The first thing you see in the middle is not water at all—it's a volcano."
- 00:03:06 "I remember the volcano ride had a wait of four hours and 50 minutes. That's crazy."
- 00:06:24 "From Haneda Airport you can go straight to Tokyo DisneySea in about 35 minutes for $8—that's ridiculous."
- 00:07:25 "The answer is always, it depends—if the people I'm with are people I like and we have fun, yes."
- 00:09:15 "I get Disney exhaustion if I come too often; the newness wears off."
- 00:11:13 "First time I came was 1998... I'd have paid double because it's radically different."
- 00:13:06 "So crowded you never try everything—that's a reason to come back."
- 00:15:47 "Weather doesn't matter; when people have vacation, they come."
- 00:17:35 "To me, it's worth it because you guys are here."
Related Topics
- Tokyo Disneyland vs. DisneySea
- Japan Theme Park Etiquette
- Family Travel in Japan
- Tokyo Hotel Packages
- Haneda Airport Transport Options
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #tokyo-disneysea #disney-resort #hotel-miracosta #theme-park #travel-tips #family-travel #chiba #urayasu #john-daub #japan-travel #disney-sea #tokyo-travel
Full Transcript
00:00:03 John Daub: Welcome to Tokyo DisneySea. Hey everybody, I just spent the day here. This is my 10th time or something at Tokyo DisneySea. Behind me is Hotel MiraCosta, which is the hotel at Tokyo DisneySea. I have a question for you: is it worth it to come to Tokyo DisneySea? I'm on location and it's easy for me to say yes because it's so amazing. Just take a look.
00:00:37 John Daub: I'm going to take you underneath the Hotel MiraCosta. Make your own judgment on whether or not it's worth visiting Tokyo DisneySea. I really like it here over Tokyo Disneyland because in Tokyo Disneyland, we have that same park in America—in California, Disney World in Orlando, Florida. It's also replicated in Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong. But DisneySea is the one park that truly is only in Japan.
00:01:07 John Daub: We're walking through the entrance into the main area, where they have the parade. The parades at DisneySea are held on the water because, of course, sea is in the title, and water plays an important role in this park's identity. But the first thing you see in the middle is not water at all—it's a volcano. It's pretty cool. This volcano erupts every now and then, sometimes with a loud noise. If you're close when it erupts, you can feel the heat against your face.
00:02:09 John Daub: I'm here with my family—they've gone back to the hotel because they're exhausted. It was really crowded about an hour ago, but now there's a lot of lights and a very European feel. On the courtyard there are some restaurants. Behind me is Hotel MiraCosta—you have to book it almost a year in advance. If you're staying at MiraCosta, you can enter the park at 8 a.m., an hour before the normal 9 a.m. opening. That means you get on all the rides before everybody else, which is a big deal.
00:03:06 John Daub: If you come during holiday season when kids are off school, it's really crowded—kids wait up to four hours. I remember the volcano ride had a wait of four hours and 50 minutes. That's crazy. Avoid that time of year. Right now is really good. Next week starts Japanese spring holiday, and a lot of people will be off. Oh, it's starting to erupt right now.
00:04:11 John Daub: That's the volcano in the middle of Tokyo DisneySea—sometimes just fire explodes from it, really cool. About an hour ago they had a parade with lots of boats—Mickey was on one, going all around the water. It has a feeling different from other Disney parks. This island is man-made, didn't exist 50 years ago, so using water for a theme park is a good idea. Across this lake is the Tower of Terror—pretty scary, like a free-fall elevator with ghosts. Professor Hightower went to Africa, got an idol that took over the building—creepy.
00:05:22 John Daub: Down here is the SS Columbia—a boat that doubles as a restaurant. If you walk through here, behind it is a recreation of 19th-century Massachusetts, like a whaling city. Pretty cool. I'll put a link in the description to a map so you can scout it yourself. Is it worth it? That's the question I ask myself a lot, because I've been here so many times and wonder why I come back. It's hard not to feel happy on the water. Great place for a date, friends, or family.
00:06:24 John Daub: It's very convenient too. From Haneda Airport you can go straight to Tokyo DisneySea in about 35 minutes for $8—that's ridiculous. You're at your hotel in less than an hour. Makes it one of the most convenient Disneys. Of course I'm partial because this show is Only in Japan and I live here. But every time I come back, I ask: is it worth it? The answer is always, it depends—if the people I'm with are people I like and we have fun, yes.
00:07:25 John Daub: A one-day pass is 7,400 yen, about $60 to $70. Park opens at 9, closes at 10 p.m. If you stay the whole time on a day like this with short lines, it's worth it. In high season it's packed—fast passes run out by 2 p.m., you'll only see three attractions. It's a zoo. Peter von Gomm writes in it's always busy during school year—good point. Selfie sticks are banned; staff will tell you to put them away. Bring two bottles of tea or Coke each—prices are high but better now. We ate curry with naan and rice in the Middle Eastern zone for $7 or $8; Cokes are $2.
00:09:15 John Daub: With a family of four, you'll spend a pretty penny on admission, food, and gifts. Right now it's Easter-themed—neat, that's Goofy in there. This stream might get demonetized from copyrighted music. There's an after-6 pass for 4,200 yen, about $38 on weekdays—four hours, but you can see a lot since it empties out after 9 p.m. Hotel guests get free reign 8 to 9 p.m. I hunt barges with Mr. Peter von Gomm. Tabby Eats Rites is here—we still have annual passes. But I get Disney exhaustion if I come too often; the newness wears off.
00:11:13 John Daub: First time I came was 1998, park had just opened a year or two before—brand new, totally worth it. I'd have paid double because it's radically different—no DisneySea anywhere else. Even now, halfway around the lake, you see medieval town themes. Good spot for performances. Annual passes are about $700 or $800 now. Disney's getting sponsorships—NTT DoCoMo, Panasonic. Fine with them making money, but 6,800 yen is expensive. First time blew me away.
00:13:06 John Daub: This is the center of the volcano area. Volcano always erupting—sometimes spews fire you feel on your face. Roller coasters going through there, people screaming—kid scary. More water theme. Down there is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a neat hidden restaurant for beer. So crowded you never try everything—that's a reason to come back. After 10 times, still haven't ridden every ride. Annual pass at 89,000 yen ($850) for both parks is reasonable if you come a lot. Always cool at night; day and night differ.
00:14:46 John Daub: If you have a hotel nearby like the Sheraton, totally worth it—take a midday break, refresh, come back. Sheraton had a big special, $80-90 a night for two nights—depends on booking time. Amazing package: breakfast buffet, rides 9-11 a.m., afternoon break, night return. Is Universal Studios better? Universal's more crowded—Osaka has just one major park, while Tokyo has DisneySea, Disneyland, Fuji-Q Highland, more attractions.
00:15:47 John Daub: Grew up with Disney brand, so it's almost always worth it for me. On rainy days, still crowded—everyone thinks no one's there, but lines as long as sunny high season. Weather doesn't matter; when people have vacation, they come. Bring coloring books for kids to occupy them in lines. My nieces were happy, but sometimes needed more. Yeah, worth it to me, but consider if you have a family—you'll pay a lot.
00:17:35 John Daub: I'm walking back to MiraCosta, going to the beach—battery dying. Thankful you joined this quest; we hit 100 likes fast last stream. Back to Sheraton Club on 12th floor—get my brother and dad a beer. See you next time. Thanks for watching this Tokyo DisneySea stream. To me, it's worth it because you guys are here. Take it in—this is the DisneySea experience for $68.25, depending on exchange rate.