Mediterranean Harbor is the gateway to Tokyo DisneySea. Designed to resemble a seaport in Italy, the buildings in the area have design touches inspired by architecture from Portofino, Tuscany and Venice. This port city is filled with several shops and restaurants, but also uniquely integrates the world’s first and only themed hotel within a Disney park – the Tokyo DisneySea Hotel Miracosta.

(Cover: A view of the Porto Paradiso section of Hotel Miracosta, Mediterranean Harbor)

This entry is a combined account of two days: our first day in Japan when we arrived at the park in midday; the second day when we were at the park gates since 7:20AM.

It was awkwardly peaceful. I know it’ll be different the next time we visited the park, in the morning.

Excited guests were already running out of the monorail station.

The locals – reading books and magazines (covering Tokyo Disney Resort), putting on make-up, having a breakfast picnic… and so on.

We managed to find a shorter line at the leftmost end of the entrance at the south wing. It was very hot and sunny that morning, so I asked my sister to wait at the shaded section where the ticketing counters are.

Waiting at the left-most queue turned out to be a good choice. There are two ticket gantries at the end.

There’s nothing much to see while waiting in line, except for Hotel Miracosta and this…

Tower of Terror / Hotel Hightower

This is also the day I participated in the Toy Story Mania! Morning Madness! unofficial park run. Most people would just burst out of the park turnstile and sprint all the way to American Waterfront, bypassing all the lush and magnificent theming at Mediterranean Harbor. Well, it’s a great way to get the heart pumping!

Now let’s backtrack a bit and head back to the entrance plaza.

The iconic Aquasphere – a symbol of Tokyo DisneySea – slowly revolves over a column of water. It’s not as big as Universal’s globes, but feels a lot more grand and memorable. Water gently cascades down the surface of the globe.

The Entrance area is what guests of the Tuscany Side of Hotel Miracosta would see. It’s not very exciting, but it’s quieter than facing the Harbor.

And then the moment comes – like curtains rising up a stage, walking through the archway brings you to a world you’ve never been to.

And we’re at Porto Paradiso, Mediterranean Harbor. The first thing that catches your eye – the other symbol of Tokyo DisneySea – Mount Prometheus, an active volcano.

(The guests sitting on the ground here are waiting for the next Harbor show, which only starts an hour later.)

Doesn’t this area look amazing? And the row of buildings is a hotel too. The whole area has this “real” atmosphere for a theme park. Windows are open, lights are switched on, people stand on their balconies. Al fresco dining along the streets and so on. This is a lot more obvious at night when guests return to hotel, which makes gives this port city a touch of authenticity.

At the Venice Side of Mediterranean Harbor, you can find Venetian Gondolas. Board one of them for a little trip around the Harbor. The gondoliers will even SING.

I also love the atmospheric music used at Mediterranean Harbor. Have a listen here!

Notice the fortress right below the Volcano? That’s an attraction here called Fortress Explorations. It is an amazingly grand, interactive play area.

The other two attractions here are The DisneySea Transit Steamer – a transport ride that brings you to other areas of the park; and the iconic and memorable Harbor – used for massive and elaborate shows on water. These are shows that make all the NDP acts in Singapore look like a school project.

Okay, the truth is, I didn’t really watch any of the shows, apart from occasional glimpses while walking. The music’s great though – very catchy and energetic.

The only bad thing about the Harbor shows is the presence of speakers that visually break the theming. Usually these speakers are hidden in well-disguised trapdoors, emerging only when needed. Seems like there are too many shows in the day and the speakers are left out for the whole day.

On the other end of Mediterranean Harbor, there’s a row of buildings, along a Ponte Vecchio-style bridge. This bridge leads guests towards the Fortress Explorations side of the area. The bridge can also be used to travel to Mysterious Island and Port Discovery.

To be continued

In Part Two! Have a tour of Mediterranean Harbor at Night.

An Introduction | Getting There and Around | Pocket Wi-Fi | Tips and Tricks

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Tokyo DisneySea

Mediterranean Harbor | Mediterranean Harbor at night | Fortress Explorations
Magellan'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 Caribbean
Westernland & 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