Brad
10-21-2001, 08:15 AM
I am relaxing here in Singapore people at a net cafe(which, btw you guys REALLY need in both Anaheim and Orlando-particularly for us visitors who wish to stay connected online...VERY frustrating America!!!)after spending five nights in Tokyo.
Let me tell you-forget EVERYTHING you have heard about TDS.
It is ALL false.
Tokyo DisneySea is BEYOND what you have heard.......in EVERY sense of the word.
Walking into and around TDS is like being inside a work of art.
There are really no words to describe what it is like to be at this park. It is about images, feelings, sensory stimulation.
Everything that makes the BEST Disney parks worth being in.
I have limited time here now but I will give a quick glimpse into what made TDS REALLY special for me.
The TDS Transit Steamer Liner.
Now-before you get an image of the dinky little jungle cruise boats in your head-wipe that out.
These are not small boats on rails. These are free floating, 49 person independently powered vessels that ply the waters of DisneySea(I can STILL hear their almost omnipresent whistle in my head), taking guests for what is essentially a tour around the park.
The difference between the TSL and say the almost analogous railway systems of the MK type parks is the sheer storytelling beauty of TDS's version.
Now, when you go to TDS-here is what you do.
Get there two hours early.
Trust me on that.
On the Wed and Thur of last week when I was there it was raining quite steadily and the park STILL filled to an almost stifling gridlock by around 9:30am....and remember, this is on a WEEKDAY!!!
RUN to Mysterious Island and get your FP for JttCotE.
Then walk back to the American Waterfront Area, between the actual dock area and Cape Cod and under the main bridge/walkway that heads up to Mysterious Island. There you will see the Transit Steamer Liner dock.
Now, this is important-take the boat from there as this is a full park cruise. The boats leaving from Lost River Delta travel only to Mediterranean Harbour and vice versa.
What you will then experience is a sublime journey and for me, one of the "must sees" at TDS.
You will see each and every port open up for you, as if you are watching a movie being made by a skilled director. The visual integrity of every port is not compromised when you are there, giving you the sensation that you are "in" an African trading port or a mysterious bubbling volcano caldera. The effect is truly breath taking and is only ever superceded by the imposing edifice of Mount Prometheus. The towering icon of TDS is EVERYWHERE-but I personally NEVER minded that. It too is a work of art.
I realized I was in the hands of VERY skilled artisans when I rounded the bend travelling past the Arabian Coast on my left. To the right is a high wall with a walkway atop. That wall blocks the view of the port behind, forcing you to continue looking at the turrets and domes of the middle east port.
After a little while however the walkway to your right suddenly drops(as does the wall)and there, revealled in sparkling splendour is King Triton's castle and Mermaid Lagoon.
Now your full attention is drawn to the sparkling towers and spires of Ariel's world and the journey that is the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line continues.
As a small point of trivia, check out the serial number on the sea plane docked near Indy's temple-STAR WARS fans will get a kick out of it.
As a last word of advice-try the cruise both during the day and at night.
In the evening, especially with a reduced number of guests it is pure magic.
Tokyo DisneySea.......LONG may she sail!
Let me tell you-forget EVERYTHING you have heard about TDS.
It is ALL false.
Tokyo DisneySea is BEYOND what you have heard.......in EVERY sense of the word.
Walking into and around TDS is like being inside a work of art.
There are really no words to describe what it is like to be at this park. It is about images, feelings, sensory stimulation.
Everything that makes the BEST Disney parks worth being in.
I have limited time here now but I will give a quick glimpse into what made TDS REALLY special for me.
The TDS Transit Steamer Liner.
Now-before you get an image of the dinky little jungle cruise boats in your head-wipe that out.
These are not small boats on rails. These are free floating, 49 person independently powered vessels that ply the waters of DisneySea(I can STILL hear their almost omnipresent whistle in my head), taking guests for what is essentially a tour around the park.
The difference between the TSL and say the almost analogous railway systems of the MK type parks is the sheer storytelling beauty of TDS's version.
Now, when you go to TDS-here is what you do.
Get there two hours early.
Trust me on that.
On the Wed and Thur of last week when I was there it was raining quite steadily and the park STILL filled to an almost stifling gridlock by around 9:30am....and remember, this is on a WEEKDAY!!!
RUN to Mysterious Island and get your FP for JttCotE.
Then walk back to the American Waterfront Area, between the actual dock area and Cape Cod and under the main bridge/walkway that heads up to Mysterious Island. There you will see the Transit Steamer Liner dock.
Now, this is important-take the boat from there as this is a full park cruise. The boats leaving from Lost River Delta travel only to Mediterranean Harbour and vice versa.
What you will then experience is a sublime journey and for me, one of the "must sees" at TDS.
You will see each and every port open up for you, as if you are watching a movie being made by a skilled director. The visual integrity of every port is not compromised when you are there, giving you the sensation that you are "in" an African trading port or a mysterious bubbling volcano caldera. The effect is truly breath taking and is only ever superceded by the imposing edifice of Mount Prometheus. The towering icon of TDS is EVERYWHERE-but I personally NEVER minded that. It too is a work of art.
I realized I was in the hands of VERY skilled artisans when I rounded the bend travelling past the Arabian Coast on my left. To the right is a high wall with a walkway atop. That wall blocks the view of the port behind, forcing you to continue looking at the turrets and domes of the middle east port.
After a little while however the walkway to your right suddenly drops(as does the wall)and there, revealled in sparkling splendour is King Triton's castle and Mermaid Lagoon.
Now your full attention is drawn to the sparkling towers and spires of Ariel's world and the journey that is the DisneySea Transit Steamer Line continues.
As a small point of trivia, check out the serial number on the sea plane docked near Indy's temple-STAR WARS fans will get a kick out of it.
As a last word of advice-try the cruise both during the day and at night.
In the evening, especially with a reduced number of guests it is pure magic.
Tokyo DisneySea.......LONG may she sail!