Tokyo DisneySea: Top Ten Tips for Visiting with Kids

DisneySea Fortress Explorations

 

1. Plan Ahead: #1 on the list of Top Ten Tips for good reason! Waiting in a long line just to find your child doesn’t meet the boarding requirements can put a damper on a fun trip. Therefore, it is a good idea to read about DisneySea and decide what attractions are appropriate for your whole family. Have a basic plan of the things you want to see and do, but be flexible in case the weather changes or your child gets tired. Pick up an English-language map at Guest Relations so you can easily find toilets and food without walking in circles. All of these things will make your trip more comfortable to everyone.
2. Make Reservations: Buy your tickets before arriving at the park, because sometimes same-day sales are limited and it would be devastating to travel all the way to DisneySea and not be allowed in. Many of the popular shows, attractions, and restaurants use advance reservation systems, such as the FastPass ticket and Priority Seating. Before you go, make a note of these so you can maximize your time enjoying other parts of the park rather than waiting in standby lines. Consider eating before the peak dinner hour so children don’t have to wait a long time for meals. Reservations will help ensure a smooth visit and less missed activities.

   DisneySea Arabian Coast

    

3. Know Theme Areas for Families: DisneySea was designed with a young adult, thrill-seeking audience in mind. If you have plenty of time, you might want to explore Lost River Delta and Mysterious Island, but these are better for adults. Instead, focus on Mermaid Lagoon and Arabian Coast, which both were designed for children and have rides appropriate for even the youngest visitors to DisneySea. They also have shops and restaurant menus tailored to a younger audience. Other areas have mixed attractions, so can be good choices for a family with children and teenagers alike.

   Tokyo DisneySea

    

4. Be Flexible: No matter how careful you are, there will be variables that affect your plan. Your family might get tired from the humidity or jet lag and need a break. The weather could turn foul and pour rain. An attraction might be closed or seated to capacity before you get there. Instead of letting these ruin your trip, think of a different option that is just as fun. Sit and have a treat instead of getting cranky waiting in line. Browse through a shop and enjoy the air conditioning or get out of the rain. Being flexible can help make a better experience for everyone.
5. Free Play: Even though the attractions are fun, long lines can be very tiring. Try some unstructured free play in Ariel’s Playground in Mermaid Lagoon or Fortress Explorations in Mediterranean Harbor. Both areas have many interactive displays that permit your child to use the imagination and burn off energy.

   DisneySea Ship in Mediterranean Harbor

    

6. Eat at a Restaurant: Even if you bring some snacks of your own, consider having a meal at DisneySea. There are a wide variety of restaurants that cater to every taste, so there is something sure to please your family. Sitting down for a meal gives everyone a chance to rest and see the details of the park from a different vantage. There are also multiple wagons with treats, so you also might want to budget for a drink or snack at one of these during the day to recharge before heading to more attractions.
7. Use Park Transportation: Many of the attractions are spread out over a wide area, so consider using one of the rides that starts in one location and ends in another. Not only is it a fun way to view the area, but it saves tired legs. Big City Vehicles, Transport Steamer, and the Electric Railway are all smooth rides appropriate for all ages. Plan to take one when you are going from one theme area to the next.
8. Lost Children: DisneySea is well prepared to deal with children who get separated from their families, so do not panic. Explain to the nearest staff member what happened, and they will be in contact with other areas of the park to solve the problem as quickly as possible. Children under 12 will be taken to a facility in Hotel MiraCosta until reunited. Because the park is often very crowded, becoming separated is a real possibility, even for vigilant parents. Before you go, explain to your child what to do if they need help. Even if the staff member does not speak English, the problem will be clear and your child will be cared for.

   

   Tokyo DisneySea Hotel MiraCosta

9. Stroller Rentals: This convenient service is located to your left as you exit the Tokyo DisneySea Station in the courtyard that houses the giant earth statue. Strollers are for use within the park only, and cost ¥700 per day. They seat children up to 100 centimeters tall and 15 kilograms (about 39 inches and 33 pounds). There are also rain covers for sale for ¥2500 that fit many standard-size strollers.
10. Baby Center/Nursing Mother’s Lounge: There is a baby center in Mediterranean Harbor near Hotel MiraCosta. It has facilities for preparing infant food, including hot water and a microwave, diaper changing stations, and nursing areas. There are also sales of formula, disposable diapers, and other useful things. American Waterfront also has a nursing station attached to the restroom next to Waterfront Park. However, this area does not have hot water or product sales

photos by: coconut wireless & Sjors Provoost, kalleboo, Sam Howzit, e_chaya