Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the July 31st Tokyo DisneySea Update. This article is at: <a href="News-ID503150.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID503150.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By Intotherabbithole I guess I'm the first to comment. . .woohoo. The photos of The Aquasphere and the Hotel MiraCosta are incredible. They really did a fantastic job with this place. . . ~ Maddy
Originally Posted By vulcaniya I have got to take the time to commend both Marc and LP for this truly remarkable photojournalistic series that is revealing the wonders of Tokyo Disney Seas. Having done some photojournalism in college I have got to sing the praises of this article as one of the best examples of what this revealing format is. The more I gaze upon these pages of images (starting from the first in the series up until now) the more I am impressed with Marc's eye and scope as a photographer. I am also equally convinced of the quality of this project that is due to open in the very near future. The DS project excites me. It generates something inside of me that no other current Disney Park undertaken has. (The Magic Kingdoms aside.) It is hard for me to hold myself apart from making comparisions. The more I look back at the visual materials of the construction of the establishment in the front yard of the California Disneyland Resort and then return to these images of Disney Seas....the more I feel cheated of quality and purpose in the experience of California's newest Disney Park. I remember watching the new park grow here - daily watching the construction site, daily watching it evolve - and there was always an underlying hesitancy and feeling of uncertainty about the quality of the project. Yet, when I look at the images in this series on DS, I am met with a surge of excitement and strong knowledge of the certainty of this project. That said, I am sadly aware of one of the major reasons that a park of the Tokoy Disney Sea quality will not arise in the California Disneyland Resort arena...and, it isn't so much one of budgeteers playing finance as it is one of essence and over powering. Disney Seas, if constructed here on the level it would need to be, would over power the current Magic Kingdom in Disneyland. It would completely floor anything built to date inside the berm. This would create the problem where everyone would go to that park and then allow the signature piece of the California Resort (Disneyland) to take the back seat. This is not the general focus of what the powers that be want to do. They want a supplemental park to the Magic Kingdom here, not to make the Magic Kingdom in California the supplemental park. We may groan and gripe that Disneyland is being allowed to fade into obscurity in the overall chain of Magic Kingdoms, but, at least the factor of keeping Walt's original park the signature piece of the California experience stands. For that one reason alone I believe that a park the quality of Disney Seas will not happen here. This does not mean I feel that DCA should exist as it does. As it will grow and expand over the next few years and generations the hope exists that the quality and depth of the attractions/adventures to come will improve the level of the bar that park should have. This is not to say, "don't build Disney Seas in the U.S.A.". Just the opposite...this park needs to be brought here. And, currently the best venue for such a project is in Florida. The factor of the available land for the development of such a park is the most obvious one of this growth and development. The other is resort theming and focus capacity for such an amazing show element. Unlike California, the Florida complex is not based upon a central focus of the Magic Kingdom as the main draw. Yes, the MK there is the most known imagry used, but, the overall experience of the WDW Resort is the prime focus given there. The concept of the multiple theme parks and entertainment activities is the given factor of recognition established for the WDW Resort. And, a park the depth and quality of Disney Seas would have no problem in fitting into the established pattern there. Especially after the wonder of their last major park, Animal Kingdom, opened. AK raised the bar on the depth of the experience and interactive environment experienceable in a themed entertainment reality. In many ways it is a higher quality park than the WDW Magic Kingdom...yet, it doesn't overshadow the experiences found inside their first park's boundaries. So, you folks who sit up there in the offices and towers and such who do occasionally read these articles (at least, that is what Paul Pressler implied in that really amazing interview he gave Doobie - btw - KUDOS Doob! Well Done!) - please - build us a Disney Seas that is equal to or better than what you have done in Japan. The public of the United States deserves this from you. (Personal views only and do not reflect the opinions or beliefs of any entity I have ever been connected with save my own.) Vully
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoy Oh my GOD!!! There really are NO WORDS to explain either how amazing this place looks or my feelings at the moment for knowing that I will be there in a little under three months. *swoons and faints*
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoy uuuummmmmmm........just looking at those crowds in front of the gates of TDL on page 20 has kind of made me go *gulp*.
Originally Posted By Captain Red Bows GREAT..... Pictures !!!!!! The Mickey Statue is really cool!! The monorail merchandise at Bon Voyage WOW...I'll have to pack another bag..In my suitcase..(Besides an expanding carry-on) just to drag park items home !! Can't wait to go into Nautilus+Vulcania stores !! Check out.. (www.jtcent.com)--- Joe's Tokyo Resort page for other pics. GREAT details in this park !! Fountains..shrubbery..buldings....this place...is giving positive vibes,before the general public can get in ! Mr. Eisner....Doesn't "America"..deserve some of this gingerbread ??? in "Our".. parks ????
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Orlandoboy, those crowds you saw on page 20 are actually seen on a good day at the park before opening times. There are times when the lines to buy tickets and enter the park go back way beyond the planters you see in those pictures. At least on those pics you can still see the dark color of the floor!! This is a small crowd by TDL standards!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Orlandoboy, those crowds you saw on page 20 are actually seen on a good day at the park before opening times. There are times when the lines to buy tickets and enter the park go back way beyond the planters you see in those pictures. At least on those pics you can still see the dark color of the floor!! This is a small crowd by TDL standards!
Originally Posted By BrerAnthony Great pictures! Do they sell that model of the monorail or is it just for display?
Originally Posted By JoeInJpn A model and actual electric train set of the light blue monorail are available at THE TOY SHOPPE inside TDL and BON VOYAGE. JoeInJpn <a href="http://www.jtcent.com" target="_blank">http://www.jtcent.com</a>
Originally Posted By OrlandoBoy What about the little buildings of TDL-the castle, train station and the mountains? If so, then sign me up for those!!! More receipts coming your way Mr. Pressler!!! ; )
Originally Posted By daffy1 Does the TDL-TDS Monorail run on bartterys or do you have to pug it in. Is there a way to get the Monorail from the U.S.A. with out going to Japan?
Originally Posted By clubjosh I want one of those Monorails and the cutouts too. Do they have a TDL version of the merchandise phone number? If anyone finds out share here!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Clubjosh, If you mean a mail order phone number for TDR, i regret they don't have a mail order dept. But they do "home delivery" if you don't want to carry your purchases home at the end of the day, but it is only available to residents of Japan.
Originally Posted By Brer Rabbit Thanks very much Marc for taking the time (although judging from your column I don't think you mind too much) to go around and take these pictures. High quality updates from this park are the most that a lot of people in the US are going to ever see of it. And whether or not I make it over there someday, I really appreciate your work. -nico
Originally Posted By damon63 Whew! Those costumes that the monorail operators (?) wear (in the training session) are horrible. The new monorail trains, which I thought were pretty ugly at first, are starting to grow on me. Does anyone know if there is a free option for travel between TDL and TDS?
