The balance of familiar versus unknown is always something to consider while traveling. Should we explore more or should we relax in a comfortable spot? While I wouldn’t call theme parks restful, the heart of that question does extend all of the way to Tokyo Disney Resort, where there are plenty of familiar attractions for fans of the U.S. parks but also a bevy of new things to experience. If you’re traveling all of that way then exploring something brand new will likely be an emphasis! Tokyo DisneySea has plenty of original attractions, shows and dining to enjoy. After doing the same ranking post for Tokyo Disneyland, this post will countdown the top ten unique to DisneySea things that everyone should try.

The Tokyo Disney Resort specific attractions, entertainment and restaurants are fantastic and worth pointing out. That’s the whole reason for this mini series! But I don’t want to over extend and say that these are the top 10 things to do in the park. There are replica attractions at both Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea that are some of the best rides in the world. If you’re a common Disney theme park goer then sure, prioritize this list. But there’s plenty more worth doing, as you can see in our itinerary.

Tokyo DisneySea is an easy park to do this style of post for. Unlike Tokyo Disneyland, the second gate (chronologically) in Tokyo is a completely original theme park concept. There are some replica, or at least very similar, attractions to what we see stateside but so much of DisneySea is original. Is this preface all a scam for you to get to the list and it’s just me typing Tokyo DisneySea 10 times? You’ll have to scroll down to be sure but no it’s not, I’m not that high concept here on Wandering in Disney. That said, so many things could have fit this list including entire ports-of-call (lands). Realistically, this list could have been 30 or 40 things and not just 10 plus however many honorable mentions I fit into the next paragraph.

Criteria for this list was simple – be unique to Tokyo DisneySea. As I mentioned, I tried to stay away from picking entire lands but a few of the things listed below are broad. Some things narrowly missed the list including Tower of Terror, which is not exactly a replica because it has an original story. Aquatopia is a small ride in Port Discovery that feels like a fresh take on a classic system. Mermaid Lagoon is a brilliant way to add in kiddie rides. A number of restaurants could be included and all of the in-park transportation is awesome. You get the point… Alright, let’s get to the list! I did rank them because this is a blog and that’s what blogs do. But I wouldn’t necessarily compare all of these things.

10. Royal Banquet Hall of Arendelle

I shouted out the counter-service restaurants during honorable mention, and more will be recognized below, but I thought this Fantasy Springs option was worthy of a stand alone mention. Some might argue that this is the best counter-service restaurant Disney has ever created and I’m not sure that I’d push back on that notion. The Frozen-themed restaurant takes guests into the Arendelle Castle where there are several different rooms to sit in. All of the different details are interesting and a few of the rooms are showstoppers. That’s all before mentioning the food, which is excellent and one of the best places to eat in the resort.

9. The Arabian Coast Courtyard

There are several entries on the list that encompass a few things. That includes the courtyard in Arabian Coast. This courtyard is greater than the sum of its parts. Not that there’s anything wrong with the parts at all! We’re especially partial to the Caravan (double-decker!) Carousel and Casbah Food Court. But the reason this is on the list is due to the feeling the port gives off. The architecture is beautifully made and extravagantly displayed. Even after the initial beauty of the entrance wears off, sitting by one of the fountains and enjoying this articulately made open space is intoxicating, feeling both warm and foreign at the same time.

8. Teddy Roosevelt Lounge

Once the absurdity of a lounge inspired by the 26th president of the United States existing in a theme park in Tokyo wears off, the revelation of the detail and beauty that went into the design sets in. Teddy Roosevelt Lounge, aboard a giant ship in American Waterfront, has masculine tones, wood carved bears and a comfortable fireplace. Sitting at the bar is fun, sitting back further into the lounge in oversized seats is relaxing, there’s just no losing here. The food is alright and the drinks are pretty good but the lounge is worth viewing no matter how you feel about either of those. We originally visited because of the absurdity but keep going back because it’s the best lounge in any Disney theme park.

7. Mediterranean Harbor’s Venice Canal

All of Mediterranean Harbor is beautiful and could have easily made the list if it wasn’t so vast. I narrowed it down to my favorite section of the port, which is the Venice side. A gorgeous canal is framed by Hotel MiraCosta behind it, making the scene as picturesque as it can get. The content of that area is no slouch either, as I love the Venetian Gondolas, a slow boat ride that is the most romantic theme park experience around. Ristorante di Canaletto, the area’s restaurant, fits the setting as a gorgeous table-service restaurant. Theme parks are generally a fast-paced experience but this section of DisneySea begs for guests to slow down and savor.

6. Magellan’s

At one point, Magellan’s was our favorite theme park restaurant in the world. The menu has changed quite a bit, and became far more expensive, recently but we still think very highly of Magellan’s. Themed to exploration, the restaurant is meticulous in design with so much thought put behind each and every room. Everything is beautiful here all while fitting into a story. The food is delicious as well!

5. The Views

I have to cheat here and add a very general entry. This should either be number 1 on the list or completely off the list, so naturally I settled at number 5. DisneySea is unmatched in terms of theme park views. The sweeping scenes are only half the story but are what captures the eye at first. Just the entrance into the park is glorious, with Mount Prometheus rising above a castle and Mediterranean Harbor. But there’s also Tower of Terror rising above American Waterfront, King Triton’s Palace colorfully adding whimsy and a massive pyramid hiding in the back of the park. That’s just scratching the service. DisneySea does a brilliant job of blending their manmade landscape with the neighboring Pacific and Tokyo Bay. A clear day in the Cape Cod section of the park can feature a brief glimpse of Mt. Fuji. That most people don’t even notice that speaks to all of the other beauty offered in DisneySea.

4. Fortress Explorations

Our favorite walkthrough attraction in any Disney Park has the exploration that Tom Sawyer Island encouraged while also looking like an art or science museum. There’s quite a bit to explore here, as you walk through the castle that’s just under Mountain Prometheus. Detail and story are layered here but the imagination is what really shines through. I’ve explored (no pun intended) Fortress Explorations each time I’ve been in DisneySea but it still blows me away every single time.

3. Fantasy Springs Attractions

The attractions inside of DisneySea’s newest port might deserve the top spot on this list. I tried to stay away from recency bias so number three felt like a safe spot. There are four attractions in Fantasy Springs, one has the most beautiful ride scene I’ve ever seen (Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival) and another is the best kiddie ride (Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies) I’ve ever been on. Those are the two worst attractions in the land! Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is an absolute joy ride. Frozen Journey is a masterpiece. If there was a nit to pick with Tokyo DisneySea it was that the attraction roster was really good but not best in the world. Fantasy Springs attractions changed that quickly.

2. Sinbad Storybook Voyage

If the Fantasy Springs attractions aren’t enough then Sinbad’s Storybook Voyage is another incredible option. This is one of my favorite rides in the whole world, full of character and with an incredible song. The ride is unassuming on the outside and even boasts low wait times more often than not. But inside is a slow boat dark ride with fantastic animatronics and a touching story.

1. Mysterious Island

I may have jumped through hoops on a few of these entries but I haven’t included an entire port… Until now. Mysterious Island is so unique that it’s an obvious choice at number one. There’s no theme park land like it from an aesthetic perspective. Adding in Journey to the Center of the Earth (one of the best rides in the world), an excellent version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and an outstanding counter-service restaurant only adds to the lore of this Jules Verne-themed land. Day or night, Mysterious Island is bubbling (literally!) with personality and story.

What are your favorite unique to Tokyo DisneySea things to do? Let us know in the comments! Planning a trip to Tokyo Disney Resort? Check out planning guide! Thank you for reading Wandering in Disney. If you enjoy what you’re reading please subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email and like our social media pages. You can do both of those things on the right side of this page. Have a great day!