Tokyo's Expansion Plans and Mermaid Lagoon Art

Without seemingly any argument from any theme park fan, the Tokyo Disney Resort continues to be the location providing the most excellent Disney experience to be found. (It should be in the U.S. parks, but that is for another post.) From attractions, to upkeep and maintenance, to dining and shopping in both the resorts and the parks, it just can't be beat! 

The concept art used to design the park is no less top-notch! Here, Tokyo Disneysea Imagineer Phillip Freer gives us a beautiful depiction of the park's Mermaid Lagoon at night. The area may not be home to a groundbreaking "E Ticket" attraction, but the inside of the main structure is filled with multiples flat rides and a beautiful show, functioning (for now) as the Fantasyland of the park- that is, until the new Fantasy Springs port opens around 2022. 

Mira Costa quality and prices to match!

Tokyo Disneyland will have Beauty and the Beast opening on May 15 of next year, and the second park will see attractions and areas based on Peter Pan, Tangled, and Frozen coming afterwards. All this- and a new Mira Costa level resort- seems to guarantee Tokyo Disney Resort will maintain its crown for another decade or so... at least.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

When Reality is Better Than Imagineering Art: Tokyo DisneySea's Mermaid Lagoon

Back before its revision, the Disney Parks Blog featured jaw droppingly beautiful concept art not seen by most people outside the halls of Imagineering.  Take a look at this piece from Tokyo Disney Sea! Here's Mermaid Lagoon in all it's splendor. Now, that's how you design an area primarily for children and young families.  (Click on it to see it in the largest size.)   

Although gorgeous, this is nothing compared to what they really built. Here's a photograph to prove it is possible for the  marketeers to deliver what is promised:

Tokyo DisneySea continues to be the summit of what can be  accomplished by Imagineering when Imagineers are supported by the suits and accountants with the appropriate funding. 

Unfortunately, Ariel doesn't have as spectacular a home in California or Florida. Ariel's Undersea Adventure is a "D" Ticket at best, with an "E" Ticket exterior in a prime location, giving guests the expectation of an attraction on par with Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean but delivering an experience that is a hybrid of these with Peter Pan's Flight.

Yes, concept art can be wishful thinking or even intentionally deceiving. When it comes to Tokyo DisneySea, however, brick and mortar is more beautiful than the artistic vision!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

More Tokyo DisneySea From the Air

From the sand to the sea. Tokyo DisneySea, that is! It is the Disney park that sets the standard for everything after it. Boasting absolutely beautiful landscapes anywhere a guest looks, this lovely and groundbreaking park the pinnacle of Imagineering art come to life. Peter Ellenshaw's concept art of Mermaid Lagoon sparkles in the afternoon light, perhaps the "golden hour" right before sunset. It's also a businessman's dream, bringing in guests by the millions with numbers almost as high as that of Tokyo Disneyland next door. Quite an accomplishment!

The attraction list is short an "E Ticket" here in this particular land, but the stunningly stellar environment both outside and under the sea has been drawing in guests of all ages from the start. Perhaps you can see why.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tokyo DisneySea Mermaid Lagoon Concept

Every once in awhile, the Disney Parks Blog dishes up a piece of beautiful concept art previously unseen by many outside Imagineering. Like today. Just checking in to see if there's anything of interest, and while the articles were not, the header art certainly was!

Tokyo DisneySea's beautiful Mermaid Lagoon. There it was in its rendering glory- even more stunning in the large image. You can click on it. Yes, we Disney park fans know TDS is the epitome of what Imagineering can do when given the right vision and elaborate budget. Just as we know what happens when corners are cut in budget, space planning, and vision. (Yes, I'm looking at you Ariel's Undersea Adventure- a "D" Ticket that is enjoyable but had the potential to be a super "E" as in the glory days of Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. Sadly it is not.)

As with many things Disney, the planning art can be deceiving. But in this case, all you have to do is find photos and video of the end result to know Tokyo DisneySea and its Mermaid Lagoon really deliver what was promised.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)