Tom Corless from WDWNT recently had the privilege of stepping into the enchanting new territory of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea. Tokyo DisneySea has long been celebrated as the crème de la crème of Disney parks worldwide. With its first expansion since its grand opening in 2001, Fantasy Springs adds four new rides, yet while impressive in scale, perhaps lacks a groundbreaking element.
Fantasy Springs is a lush, artfully designed addition that includes three themed lands: Frozen Kingdom, Rapunzel’s Forest, and Peter Pan’s Never Land. Each land is immersive and vibrant, from the soaring peaks of Elsa’s North Mountain to Rapunzel’s iconic tower and the adventurous settings of Never Land. The Frozen Kingdom offers a full-size Arendelle Castle with a dining experience inside, taking inspiration from Arendelle’s charm and implementing it masterfully. However, it does feel somewhat less real compared to Hong Kong Disneyland’s World of Frozen due to fewer Cast Members and shops within the village.
The standout attraction is undoubtedly Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey. Tom lauded it as an F-ticket ride – impressive, stunning, and lengthy. Guests board and are taken through high-ceilinged rooms, with massive scenes reminiscent of Pirates of the Caribbean. The much-loved songs from Frozen are integrated with compelling visuals, creating a deeply engaging experience. It’s a vast improvement over EPCOT’s Frozen Ever After, featuring a general enhancing from animatronics to projection mapping.
One of the quirkiest and adored features is Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies, a charming but simple ride that appeals predominantly to families with young children. The theming throughout is whimsical and detailed, creating a tiny enchanted world within the park. It’s not an E-ticket ride, but it fills a necessary niche for capacity and charm.
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival, while enchanting, didn’t quite hit the high notes universally. It features outdoor scenes conveying some magical moments but also relies somewhat on simpler, less dynamic animatronics. Despite these mixed feelings, the lantern festival scene itself is where the magic truly happens, bringing a beloved movie moment to life in a wonderfully immersive way.
For those looking to satisfy their taste buds, the culinary offerings such as The Snuggly Duckling and the Royal Banquet of Arendelle, provide not just delicious meals but thematic experiences that compliment the overall enchantment of the land.
Tom concluded that while Fantasy Springs may not revolutionize the theme park world, it significantly bolsters Tokyo DisneySea’s status, blending elegance and whimsy to meet the park’s high standards. How excited are you about exploring Fantasy Springs? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story with fellow Disney enthusiasts!
For the full review and more detailed breakdowns, visit WDWNT and check out Tom’s complete guide [insert link] and video review [insert link].
