Fortress Explorations is an exquisitely-themed interactive play area at Mediterranean Harbor, Tokyo DisneySea. Discover what lies within its chambers in this photo tour.
At the base of Mount Prometheus lies Explorer’s Landing, a place for members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers to meet. This (fictional) society comprises scientists, inventors, artists, explorers and engineers – many iconic names such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Ferdinand Magellan, Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus and so on. Even Lord Henry Mystic and Harrison Hightower III are members of this illustrious association.
The fortress is designed to resemble a mid-15th century citadel, built and occupied during the golden age of discovery. There are chambers and halls across several levels, connected in different ways, making the journey around the Fortress an adventure in itself.
You can pick up maps from this sign as you enter the Fortress.
In one of the first rooms you’ll see the Pendulum.
This is a working Foucault Pendulum, which was designed to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth.
The Pendulum would slowly knock pins down in different directions.
Beside the Pendulum – the Illusion Room, with five intricately painted walls. When viewed individually, they appear very distorted.
However, through the looking glass… the murals form a seamless scene, showing Mount Prometheus erupting in an ancient city and setting off mayhem around it. The artwork also appears to be three-dimensional.
Explorers’ Hall showcases some of the early, or founding members of the Society. These are elaborate murals, showcasing the accomplishments and discoveries of its founding members, are also embellished with gold leaf.
The motto and pledge of the Society, with shiny gold elements in its artwork.
Next stop: Navigation Center
This is a place where you can control a miniature ship (separate payment required) and sail around the seas.
There are numerous metal plates around Fortress Explorations. These are used to scan maps for the Leonardo Challenge activity, which unfortunately for tourists, is entirely in Japanese. It involves walking around the Fortress and solving puzzles using the map.
For the rest of us, we can just enjoy the sights from the upper level of the Fortress facing the Harbor.
The design and construction here is beyond exquisite. So much detail from all angles. From afar we can see Harrison Hightower’s Hotel.
Details, details, details.
There’s also an alchemy lab in the Fortress.
And Leonardo’s Flying Machine.
But the most majestic room would be the Chamber of Planets.
This orrery has an elaborate model of the Solar System.
Explorers may use the cranks to make the planets revolve around the sun…
… while gazing at the starry ceiling showcasing constellations.
Details, once again.
It’s really nice to see how the park’s elements blend together.. From Mount Prometheus to Porto Paradiso across the waters. It’s seamless and gradual.
After walking around the Fortress, you might want to stop by Refrescos for a snack and drink.
The highlight here would be the fountain.
Spectacular view of the Fortress Gateway. You’ll see this if you’re walking from the other way (from Mysterious Island).
The crest is another stunning piece of work.
And that concludes our tour around Fortress Explorations. In this photo you can see Leonardo’s Flying Machine. Below it – the entrance to Magellan’s. This is a restaurant named after Ferdinand Magellan and it is as exquisitely themed as the rest of Fortress Explorations. In the next Photo Tour update, we’ll step inside Magellan’s.
An Introduction | Getting There and Around | Pocket Wi-Fi | Tips and Tricks
Tokyo DisneySea
Mediterranean Harbor | Mediterranean Harbor at night | Fortress ExplorationsMagellan's | American Waterfront | Tower of Terror | Toy Story Mania!
Port Discovery | Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Crystal Skull
Lost River Delta & Raging Spirits | Sindbad's Storybook Voyage
Arabian Coast | Arabian Coast at night | Mermaid Lagoon
Mysterious Island | Journey to the Center of the Earth
Mysterious Island at night & 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Tokyo Disneyland
World Bazaar | World Bazaar at night | Adventureland | Pirates of the CaribbeanWesternland & Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | Splash Mountain
Haunted Mansion | Pooh's Hunny Hunt | Fantasyland | Fantasyland at night
Cinderella's Fairy Tale Hall | Toon Town | Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek | Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Tomorrowland & Space Mountain | Happiness is Here Parade
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Great tour. Love the fortress. Never tire at looking at great photos of this park.
Do you recall if the Mona Lisa display window (with various in-progress attempts at the famouse smile) is still intact in one of the Med Harbor shops (Juliet’s?). I know the ceiling mural was ‘Disneyfied’ in one of them and I fear the above-described display is gone now also.
Unfortunately I have missed out on that display window, but I must say that almost all the store windows, especially those in the main walkway under the Mediterranean Harbor archway have been “Disneyfied”. In fact there is one window that is converted into an interactive “Happiness balloons” window. While it is a cool setup, it totally breaks the theming.
You are right to fear about the Juliet store. The store and Romeo’s have closed and rethemed some years back. What stands there now is a (combined) Donald & Daisy themed store. At the ceiling mural, Juliet has been changed into Daisy (like so: http://dlove.jp/villa-donaldo-home-shop.html). Given that there are some elaborate murals incorporating Donald Duck & Friends around the store, it is likely that the Mona Lisa window has been either completely removed or re-themed the same way. And now the shop sells ordinary homeware and sundries such as flip-flops, sunblock, towels, etc – all either with Disney characters or Mickey Mouse patterns on them.