Fortress Explorations is an exquisitely-themed interactive play area at Mediterranean Harbor, Tokyo DisneySea. Discover what lies within its chambers in this photo tour.
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Tokyo DisneySea – Mediterranean Harbor – part two
At night, Mediterranean Harbor comes alive. Rows of street lamps illuminate the streets and cast a soft warm glow on the rustic buildings. Park guests return to this port city, now a bustling marketplace, to shop and dine. Across the waters, Mount Prometheus lends a mysterious sight.
Tokyo DisneySea – Mediterranean Harbor
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.
Tokyo Disney Resort – Getting There and Around
So you’ve finally landed in Japan. How do you get to Tokyo Disney Resort? Here is a photo report on how I got to the resort and traveled around the parks.
A trip to Tokyo Disney Resort
With the finest theming and some of the world’s best attractions, Tokyo Disney Resort has long earned its right of being the place “where dreams come true”. This magnificent resort is home to Tokyo Disneyland – modeled after the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World; and the world’s only Tokyo DisneySea – a unique Disney park based on nautical exploration themes.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – The Hilltop
At the top of the hill of Haw Par Villa lies a seemingly forgotten area of the gardens. Age shows in some of these sculptures, and the grounds are visibly more weathered. It almost seems as if these areas were left untouched for years (well, not all), with faded colours powering the dioramas with an unsettling appearance.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Mysterious Gardens
Mysterious Gardens is not a specific area in Haw Par Villa – it is what I call a few areas in the entire compound that are quite… strange.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Pavilion and Pagoda
The Pavilion and Pagoda zone at Haw Par Villa is a brief respite from the terrors of the Ten Courts of Hell. It is a small but open area, with a large pond being the key highlight – the Pagoda and Pavilion in the middle. A series of faded ornamental bridges link different parts of the pool together.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Ten Courts of Hell
The Ten Courts of Hell is the hallmark attraction at Haw Par Villa. World famous for depicting all sorts of gruesome punishments for sins in one’s life, this harrowing journey to the netherworld is a short walkthrough within a dark tunnel.
Although similar to Hell Houses and some “Haunted” attractions, this attraction is not a Haunted House (well, not in the usual sense) and does not use effects as part of the experience. Rather, it is a glimpse into the beliefs of afterlife in Chinese culture and folklore, both modern and traditional. I’d say the purpose of this attraction is more of a cautionary tale than entertainment.
Haw Par Villa photowalk – Entrance Gardens
Haw Par Villa is a theme park lost in time. Originally called the Tiger Balm Gardens, this quaint park was built by the founders of Tiger Balm – the Aw brothers. It is filled with thousands of statues and dioramas to depicting Chinese mythology, history and traditional values. Under new management in the late 80s, the gardens evolved into a theme park – Haw Par Villa Dragon World, complete with shows and rides.