Imagineering the Design Details at the Tokyo Disney Resort

Lots and lots of Disney park fan sites (including this one) can get very serious at times. While I sincerely love all the insightful journalism, sometimes you just want to have fun. And let me tell you, if you are a fan of the Tokyo Disney Resort, one of the most enjoyable sites on the web is 8-Bit Theme Park Japan. 

The site's host is clearly a lover of Imagineering, focusing on both old school craft and newer attractions. With a warm presentation full of childlike innocence, you can almost hear shades of the wonder like those found in descriptions of Disneyland in its early years. A very nice change of pace from what's popular these days.

From the spectacular fan favorite Pooh's Hunny Hunt to the lesser known Pan Galactic Pizza Port, The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast to Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin, the video linked above touches on the best of the park's illusions. It's all in the details. Big or small, nothing is overlooked. 

Watch a few videos. You just might get hooked on these. I know I can't wait to see what comes next.

Tokyo Disneyland Gives Guests More Than They Deserve- Again!

Tokyo Disneysea is just the tip of the iceberg! Long considered the best Disney theme park ever, the Tokyo Disney Resort notches it up again with a brand new, rebuilt, and fully reimagined Space Mountain for the original Japanese Disney park, Tokyo Disneyland. Is it not enough they already have the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, the original trackless vehicle E Ticket in Pooh's Hunny Hunt, and soon the only park to feature a full blown Tangled attraction? Apparently not. 

In contrast to Walt Disney World where they are continually nickel and diming customers, the Oriental Land Company continues to give guests groundbreaking attractions, top notch service, and great value for what is spent. This is the kind of experience Walt Disney wanted all his guests to have. And the Japanese resort continues to have great financial reports year after year after year. Does anyone see the correlation? 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

A Beauty in Tokyo Disneyland

Much has been written and photographed regarding the incredible Tokyo DisneySea and justifiably so. It is one incredible theme park- the crown jewel of Imagineering's work. It certainly is the envy of theme park fans everywhere.

Less stunning but still fun of unique attractions and design, Tokyo Disneyland is also a fan favorite.  Where else can you ride the groundbreaking Pooh's Hunny Hunt, Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek and soon enough, an amazing Beauty and the Beast ride a la Hong Kong's Mystic Manor? Certainly not Shanghai Disneyland!

Here's a look at one of the few new pieces of Imagineering concept art for the first Tokyo park. Imagineer Herb Ryman did an outstanding job showing World Bazaar under a huge canopy that protects guests from Tokyo's extreme weather conditions. It's a beauty!

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

The Tradition Continues: Tokyo Disney Resort Once Again Offers the Best in Disney Theme Park Attractions

Proving once again that the brightest and best in Disney theme park entertainment is now found overseas, the Oriental Land Company released several new Imagineering images detailing their expansion plans for both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The concept art is stunning!

Explore Beast's castle as never before!

Beauty and the Beast will be the big addition in Fantasyland. Using the popular trackless vehicle technology found in Pooh's Hunny Hunt and Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor, guests will be immersed into the world of Belle and Beast as she tries to win his heart. Additional expansion includes Belle's village with Gaston's Tavern and a brand new Fantasyland theater.

Big Hero 6 comes to life in a spinner- 
but it's a start!

Baymax makes his first attraction appearance in Tomorrowland.

Just look at those themed ride vehicles!

A beautiful entrance to what will be a popular addition.

Over in the second park,  the incredible Tokyo DisneySea, Soarin' finally takes flight in the beautiful Mediterranean Harbor. Whether the Frozen planned seaport gets added as originally planned has not been revealed.

Let's just sum up by saying a visit to Japan in 2020 may be worth this traveler's cash.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Combined Tokyo Disney Land and Sea Map

In preparation for the onslaught of news via D23 Japan, here is a wonderful map combining both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea. The current title holder to the best one-two punch in theme park resorts belongs to Tokyo Disney Resort. It's really large and detailed, so make sure you click on it and download it for viewing.

Will we see some new concept art for all the terrific attractions planned for the two parks in the next few years? You can bet on it! Shanghai Disneyland may be getting all the press in the next six months, but Disney park fans will have much to celebrate in the years ahead. Even if it means going to Japan to see it all. Disney fans in the States may bemoan having to settle for Frozen Ever After in Epcot and settling for just dining in the Beast's castle in New Fantasyland however. You can quote me...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Tokyo Disneyland's Unbuilt Sci-Fi City

Some of you may have missed the gem included in my previous Disney post. You've had enough of Frozen? Well, me too, actually. So, here's the art and text hidden inside of that earlier post, with a few changes in order for it to make sense...

Tokyo Disney Resort is stunning, no doubt, and Tokyo Disneyland is meticulously maintained, yet there are areas that look tired even if well cared for. Why? Well, the older designs duplicated from Florida or Anaheim have run its course, leaving parts of the park to look dated. 

Tomorrowland is the worst of the bunch, and even the Japanese seem to have given up on a land of the future. Regardless of the quality of what has been added, the toons have arrived. Monsters Inc. Ride and Go Seek may be only the beginning.

Fantasyland is in equally poor shape, strapped with the look of Florida's Magic Kingdom circa 1971, prior to the beautiful to view but substance lacking New Fantasyland. Unfortunately, its a concrete kingdom save for a nice paint job on the castle to differentiate it from the others and a beautiful Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall. Let me be the first to say- Having Dumbo just outside the Haunted Mansion is lazy design work. Word on the street is a New Fantasyland may be one of the things coming with that next big influx of cash.

The suits of the Oriental Land Company clearly understand the park needs upgrades badly to keep it fresh as the one next door. You can rest assured plans are on the table to do exactly that. I do wish they would dust off this project: Sci-Fi City, shown above. 

Imagineer Eddie Sotto, responsible for the beautiful rendition of Main Street U.S.A. in Disneyland Paris, turns the land of the future upside down, giving it a retro comic book feel. An amazing land of 40's space heroes and villains.  Space Mountain gets reimagined including a new piece of exterior track. Disneyland's beloved Flying Saucers return in a new form. Plus more. The entire project just gleams with a bright sheen.

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)