A Sea of Sweat

Last time Nat and I visited DisneySea in 2017 to start a Japan trip. Eight years later, its been very different. Then, we were two and it was a typhoon downpour, and deserted. Today, as a family of five, in sweltering humidity, with mass crowds, it was a very different experience.
We were up around 7am, ready to ride the wave of enthusiasm from arriving in Japan with a Disney experience for the kids.
I managed to convince our Hilton hotel to allow my 7 year old to have an included breakfast we paid for. The hotel has an interesting policy (among others) of counting 6 year old as adults..
Breakfast wasn't bad, a lush fancy buffet with a variety of Japanese, Western and kids options. Even a guy to make you omelettes.
Off we went, on the Disney loop train to DisneySea and a relatively seamless entry to DisneySea by 930ish.
Our first nemesis, the heat. Geez it was NOT part of the plan.. its punishing. 30-35C, ALL the time, even at night and 80% humidity. Its rare the weather report says its 32 but 'feels like' 41. It took a couple hours to begin to acclimatise.
It was quite quickly apparent the crowds here were going to be a problem.. after an hour in the park, (so 90min after opening) many major rides were already showing 2-3 hour waits. Anything in that time bracket was quite simple just not going to be feasible.
Axel has not had a flying start to this trip, constantly wailing, sulking, being naughty, not listening. Much worse than usual. He, the heat, fatigue and crowds blocking the Toystory snd Terror Tower rides had me losing morale, so we headed straight for the next option, Aquatopia. 20min wait wasn't too bad and the boys loved it. We followed up with the Nemo & Friends Searider next door. Unfortunately no luck for Zander (and Nat) on these first two.
Ryland and I were gutted to discover the Indiana Jones ride we'd been looking forward to was down. Many others were too, or had unreasonable queues but we got on the following throughout the day -
- DisneySea Transit Streamer (everyone as a family)
- Jasmine's Flying Carpets (Nat Ryland Axel)
- Sinbads Storybook Voyage (everyone as a family)
- the Magic Lamp Theatre (everyone as a family)
- Flounders Flying Fish Coaster (Nat and Ryland, Kris and Axel)
- Jumpin Jellyfish (everyone as a family)
- Ariels Playground (everyone as a family)
- 20000 Leagues Under the Sea (Kris Ryland Axel)
- Toy Story Mania (last, longest wait 90min, everyone as a family)
I wanted to do Tower of Terror and Journey to Centre of Earth with Ryland but time, circumstances and queues didn't allow.
By the time we scrambled dinner at 8.15 during the final show at one of last option restaurants (food options were scarce, separated, limited in options, overpriced and closed early), everyone was pretty exhausted! Wed been at park almost opening to right upto 9pm closing.
A good day, but at times challenging.
Tomorrow is scheduled as our free day, but we may go to Team Labs depending on a variety of things.Read more