Tokyo Disney Resort opened way back in 1983, not by Disney, but licensed from Disney by the Oriental Land Company (OLC). It opened its second gate on September 4th, 2001 (that’s my birthday, but my invite must have been lost in the mail) in what many fans believe is the most beautifully themed Disney park in the world – Tokyo DisneySea.
Instead of lands, Tokyo DisneySea is divided into Ports of Call with the main entrance known as Mediterranean Harbor and six other nautically themed ports: American Waterfront, Lost River Delta, Port Discovery, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, and Mysterious Island.
OLC is now getting ready to add an eighth port of call in 2022 as part of an overall expansion of the park. The new name has just been revealed as “Fantasy Springs.” It’s main theme is Disney Fantasy with a focus on three beloved Disney films “Frozen,” “Tangled,” and “Peter Pan.”
Earlier this week, Disney CEO Bob Iger participated in a special groundbreaking ceremony with Toshio Kagami, CEO of Oriental Land Company, to break the news.
One of the unique aspects of this expansion is that it will have a hotel attached that looks right into the land. The hotel will overlook a land waterfalls and ponds flowing with the magical spring waters. The themed port’s attractions and restaurants will give guests the opportunity to experience the story of each film.
The four attractions, three restaurants and one shop in Fantasy Springs, as well as the new Disney hotel, have all been newly developed exclusively for this expansion. With the opening of Fantasy Springs, Guests of Tokyo DisneySea will enjoy a first-of-its-kind, new world of fantasy in the only Disney Park themed to the myths and legends of the sea.
I like the look of this land, even if it appears to take a little inspiration from Pandora – The World of Avatar. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s a beautiful land with its cliff walls and bioluminescent glow in the dark plans and water features.
Have you been to Tokyo DisneySea? What do you think of the expansion of Fantasy Springs?