Tokyo DisneySea – Mysterious Island – part two

We are back at Tokyo DisneySea’s Mysterious Island. At night, the volcano is partially shrouded in darkness, but its energetic caldera glows with secrets. Its true face, as Captain Nemo’s secret base, unravels every night.

Several tunnels lead into the Caldera, each themed differently to blend into the neighbouring themed area. This particular entrance is from Port Discovery.

The Nautilus, docked at Mysterious Island.

Mount Prometheus, mysteriously lit.

A view across the Caldera. See how buildings are actually “stacked”? It’s more obvious at night. Nautilus Gifts above, Nautilus Galley below.

The left side is a pathway that leads towards Arabian Coast and Mermaid Lagoon

This spiraling structure remains brightly lit at night.

Why? Well it’s actually a queue for an attraction.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – a slow-moving dark-ride where, you guessed it, go on an underwater adventure.

Oh no, you won’t be riding in the Captain Nemo’s Nautilus. This rather cute submersible, Neptune, will be your mode of transport into the greater depths.

A rather unsettling cavern can be seen at the lowest point of spiral pathway.

Welcome to 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Admire the ride’s incredible queue area.

This is far too amazing for a slow-moving dark ride attraction.

Each Neptune ride vehicle sits about 6 guests. As you can see from the photo of the Neptune above, there are bubble windows (three in each vehicle). But each window has a little joystick for you to control mini searchlights.

It is very difficult to capture this ride, as the windows are curved and reflects lights from within the vehicle. The narration is also in Japanese. But don’t let that hinder you from experiencing this attraction – it is fascinating and just gorgeously themed throughout.

And there’ll definitely be some excitement during the ride.

I shan’t reveal the ride’s secrets, but I’ll say this: Simple effects are wonderfully orchestrated to create the illusion of a underwater journey. The ride vehicles are actually suspended from a rail above.

This is one of the best suspended dark rides I’ve ever been on, and the park managed to open this ride in 2001. More than a decade later, other parks have made use of similar ride systems but failed to accomplish what these cute little submersibles have managed to do.

The ride’s exit pathway runs parallel with the overflow queue area.

Even from afar, it looks amazing.

What a waste, that these scenes are not even part of the main queue.

We’re back at the Caldera, with another view.

Nautilus Gifts is the only shop here. When I visited the park, I recall seeing a lot of cool stuff themed to Mysterious Island and Captain Nemo here. Now? The same cutesy Disney stuff in every other shop in the park. That is unfortunate.

Let’s visit the place that sells Nautilus Gyoza Dog. Read about it here.

And walking further away: Mount Prometheus as seen from Mermaid Lagoon’s outdoor area. The Volcano is erupting.

And that concludes our photo tour around Tokyo DisneySea. I hope you’ve enjoyed the series. Feel free to jump to other entries in the Grand Photo Tour.

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

---

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