Maihama
Maihama
Station is
a train station located in Urayasu,
Chiba Prefecture, in the south-eastern
part of Tokyo. It is served by the
JR East Keiyo Line.
The
station building has two convenience
stores, some fast food joints, and
a large number of lockers of various
sizes that can be rented.
Maihama
is
a locality of Urayasu, Chiba, best
known as the home of the Tokyo Disney
Resort, which is just two minutes
on foot from Maihama Station.
Tokyo
Disney Resort
Tokyo
Disney Resort is a theme park owned
and operated by the Oriental Land
Company under license from The Walt
Disney Company. It opened in 1983
as Tokyo Disneyland, and later developed
into a resort with two theme parks,
entertainment sections, hotels,
restaurants, and shopping complexes.
All the facilities are connected
with each other by the monorail
Disney Resort Line. Tokyo Disney
Resort is the third most-visited
theme park in the world behind Magic
Kingdom and Disneyland in the U.S.
In 2007, it hosted nearly 14 million
guests.
The
three main sections of the resort
are the two theme parks Tokyo Disneyland
and Tokyo Disney Sea; and the large
shopping complex, Ikspiari. Bon
Voyage, a Disney merchandise store,
is another popular place.
1.
Tokyo Disneyland:
Covering
an area of 465,000 m?, Tokyo Disneyland
is the first Disney park to be built
outside the United States. It consists
of 7 themed areas:
(i)
Critter Country – This is the land
of the “critters” from the Disney
film Song of the South .
Throughout the area, burrows and
little homes of the critters can
be seen. The main attractions here
are Splash Mountain (where guests
can ride one of the Beaver Brothers'
hollowed-out boats and follow the
adventures of Brer Rabbit), and
the Beaver Brothers' Explorer Canoes
(canoe rides along the Rivers of
America with beautiful views of
Tom Sawyer Island and Critter Country).
(ii)
Fantasy Land – As the name implies,
this is the land of enchantment
with the attractions being the many
different rides based on Disney
films.
(iii)
Toontown – This is the town of the
Disney cartoon characters, complete
with a busy downtown and a suburb
where the cartoon characters live.
Here you can visit the homes of
the characters and meet them in
person.
(iv)
Westernland – This is the wild west,
where you can meet cowboys and gold-miners;
visit saloons with dance performances,
shooting galleries where you can
test your shooting skills, and the
theaters with bear jamborees; take
thrilling rides through mine shafts
and along the river on Mark Twain's
riverboat; and be transported on
log rafts to Tom Sawyer's Island
complete with Tom Sawyer's Treehouse,
Fort Sam Clemens, Smugglers' Cove,
Injun Joe's Cave, and an Indian
village.
(v)
Tomorrowland – This is future land
with rides that take you in space
and through the stars, visits to
spaceships where you can join Space
Rangers on missions to defeat the
evil Emperor Zurg, and stage shows
full of imagination.
(vi)
Adventureland – A great place for
adventures, including voyages to
the Caribbean, and visits to African
jungles and Polynesian tropics.
All
the above-mentioned themed areas
have their own gift shops, restaurants,
picnic areas, restrooms and lockers.
(vii)
World Bazaar – A large complex with
a variety of shops and restaurants,
designed after an early 1900s small
American town.
2.
Tokyo Disney Sea
Disney
Sea, covering an area of 712,246
m?, was opened in 2001 and is said
to be the most expensive theme park
ever to be built. Disney Sea consists
of seven themed “ports”:
(i)
Lost River Delta – Experience adventures
in the Lost River Delta in the tropical
jungles of Central America - ranging
from following in the footsteps
of Indiana Jones and roller coaster
rides through ancient ceremonial
sites to cruises on steamer lines
and theatrical performances in the
jungle.
(ii)
Port Discovery – This is the marina
of the future, where visitors can
experience “modern modes of transportation”.
(iii)
Arabian Coast – The enchanted land
of the Arabian Nights, where visitors
can go on voyages with Sindbad,
ride on the carousel of exotic beasts,
and enjoy live magic shows of the
Genie of Aladdin.
(iv)
Mermaid Lagoon – A unique “under
the sea” land of Aries, The Little
Mermaid's world. Attractions include
various fun-filled rides and entertainment
shows… all with “under the sea”
feel and features.
(v)
Mysterious Island – Travel to the
center of the earth aboard fantastic
vehicles and to the depths of the
sea in submarines in this land of
Jules Verne.
(vi)
American Waterfront – An amazing
experience of 20 th century New
England with elevated electric trolleys,
cars, and wagons; steam liners;
the Tower of Terror; and music performances.
(vii)
Mediterranean Harbor – This is a
small fishing village of Europe
on the Mediterranean Sea. Attractions
include Venetian gondola and steamer
line rides, explorations of a fortress,
unique rides and spectacular shows.
Each
of these areas has its own gift
shops and restaurants.
3.
Ikspiari
Ikspiari
is a large four-floor shopping complex
with nine themed zones and 140 shops
and restaurants. It also includes
a 16 screen cinema complex and event
areas.
4.
Bon Voyage
Shaped
like a giant suitcase and hatbox,
Bon Voyage is located at the gateway
of Disney Resort right next to Maihama
Station. It is a grand spacious
store with a wide selection of Disney
merchandise.
Other
facilities at Tokyo Disney Resort
include a Welcome Center, nine hotels,
and dining areas.
