Why I want Tokyo Disney Resort to be our first non-US Disney Parks Experience

Ok. So in reality, the first stop in our Disney Bucket List item of seeing all the Disney Parks worldwide will probably be Disneyland Paris. Europe is just so very accessible, and so easy to traverse once you fly there. The travel is familiar. It just seems more “doable”, considering we’ve been to Europe and have much more tangible plans to return.

But goodness. The parks in Tokyo look like something beyond comprehension. Don’t get me wrong – I love the nostalgia and history of Disneyland. I love the familiarity, detail, and vastness of the Florida parks. But have you taken a look at the sister parks in Japan? Holy wow. Simply breathtaking.

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Tokyo Disney Resort consists of two parks: Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The first, at a glance, is “most like” the parks on both US coasts. As you may expect though, if you are familiar with Japanese culture, they aren’t exactly the same.  DisneySea is unlike anything we’ve seen here and is widely regarded as the most spectacular Disney park in the world.

So while I’m daydreaming (instead of cleaning my house), won’t you join me? Here are some of the thing I most look forward to when we finally make it to the Tokyo Disney Resort…

• Incredible Dark Ride Experiences. I loved comparing dark rides between Disneyland and Walt Disney World – but it seems there is a limit to the thrill factor, yes? Apparently, “Pooh’s Hunny Hunt” and “Monsters Inc Ride & Go Seek”, however, take the experience to an unprecedented level.
  

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• Dreamlights parade. I’m a sucker for parades and nighttime entertainment, and it’s no secret that Spectromagic is my favorite of all time. Dreamlights is beautiful even on youtube, and there is no question I’d have to schedule my visit around at least one viewing of Tokyo’s nighttime light-up parade! (One may be enough though, considering the soundtrack is largely baroque hoedown from the “Main Street Electrical Parade”.) 
• Well, parades in general. I don’t think it matters when we go – the daytime parade(s) will be a must-see, too. Walt Disney World’s Festival of Fantasy parade is supposed to be reminiscent of the Hong Kong and Tokyo park parades, so it’s apparent to me that they do things well – and big! Disney Tourist Blog has incredible reviews of attractions and describes the “Happiness is Here” parade as one option we may see should we make it there any time soon. :)
  

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Of course I’d also love to compare the familiar rides: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise – and “it’s a small world” (in Japanese, of course!) :) But the most incredible draw…? As mentioned, probably DisneySea. The parks is designed as various “ports of call” around the world (and some made up, for good measure), but that description seems to fall short of describing what we may see there. The ambience, detail, scenery, etc are said to be unparalleled. This photo does a nice job of convincing me that may be true:

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• Mystic Rhythms. Fantasmic. Other theatrical spectaculars that appear to be vasty different and full of pageantry.
  

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• Journey to the Center of the Earth. A combination thrill ride and dark ride, this looks unlike anything we have ever seen stateside. Often claimed to be the best attraction in the world, I suppose we’d have to try this one at least once :)
  

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• Venetian Gondoliers. I love, love love Italy. If we make it to Tokyo Disney before we make it to Italy (unlikely, but let’s pretend), then this will be a must-do to tide us over. And if we make it after? It’ll be a must-do to relive some memories.
  

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• Toy Story Mania. If only to walk through this creepy-but-capitviating Woody face.
  

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• “My Friend Duffy” (and, hello?! Shellie May and Gelatoni!) We are huge fans of Duffy around here. I’m working on a post to explain why, but suffice it to say the Japanese love for Duffy and friends might be our number one reason for visiting as soon as possible. I’m only slightly exaggerating.
  

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• Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (and a number of other characters not seen here). We have loved Oswald since before his return to fame, but now with the Epic Mickey franchise, my kids love him, too.
  

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Are you planning to come with me, yet? Incredible, right? The magic and familiarity of Disney in a totally unique way. And then there’s the food. I hear it’s a continuation of this theme: the same, but oh-so-different. Take, for example, these adorable mochi dumplings. Yes, please!

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The only problem? I’m pretty sure we need to save enough money to travel there, and to spend a fortune on bringing half the resort home.

So what do you think? Which Disney Park around the world would be your first stop? I’d love to hear in the comments below, or over on Facebook!

If you aren’t quite done daydreaming, the Magical Blogorail is “Riding the Rails” with Disney Around the World. Check out some more fun posts!