Arabian Coast’s Caravan Carousel at Tokyo DisneySea. ©Disney
There’s a reason that Tokyo DisneySea is one of the most visited theme parks in the world. Beyond its extraordinary nautical theming, great dining, dazzling shows and performances, and an undeniable dusting of Disney magic, its immersive state-of-the-art rides have to take much of the credit.
Before our visit we’d heard that many of the rides catered more to teens and adults, but nothing could have been further from the truth. This place is made for kids. Sure epic thrill rides like the iconic Tower of Terror, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Journey to the Center of the Earth, as well as the rollicking Raging Spirits coaster might be a little too thrilling for younger children (and this cowardly mama), and height restrictions on a few rides can limit the littlest of littlies, but the rest of Tokyo DisneySea is packed to overflowing with giggle-inducing rides and experiences that are perfect for kids from tot to teen.
So many in fact, that it would be impossible to experience them all in a single day. Not that we didn’t give it our best shot. Raffles (10) and Sugarpuff (7) managed to pack in a whopping 13 rides between them! Here are our recommendations of the 18 best rides at Tokyo DisneySea for kids.
1. DISNEYSEA TRANSIT STEAMER LINE – Multiple Ports of Call
No height restrictions
DisneySea Transit Steam Line at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
Board this steam boat to cruise the waterways from Mediterranean Harbor to Lost River Delta or Cape Cod. It’s a great way for the kids to rest their feet and slow the pace as they soak up some of the most sensational views of the Park.
2. FORTRESS EXPLORATIONS – Mediterranean Harbor
No height restrictions
Fortress Explorations at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
Not a ride as such, this “edutainment” interactive play area showcases the inventions of some of the most revolutionary thinkers in history. As they skip from room to room, kids can learn about the earth’s rotation in the Chamber of Planets, visit an alchemy laboratory and even see a replica of Leonardo’s Flying Machine! Oh, and the signs are all in English.
3. VENETIAN GONDOLAS – Mediterranean Harbor
No height restrictions
Gondola ride at Tokyo DisneySea’s Mediterranea
Tokyo DisneySea’s cheerful Gondoliers will serenade you as you float through the Palazzo Canals into Mediterranean Harbor, in a ride that’s so authentic you’ll believe you took a wrong turn somewhere in Tokyo and somehow ended up in Venice.
4. DISNEYSEA ELECTRIC RAILWAY – American Waterfront
No height restrictions
Ride the rails on the DisneySea Electric Railway ©Disney
My kids love this elevated railway ride, though they struggled to resist the temptation of its bell cord. Not only does it speed up the trip from the American Waterfront to Port Discovery, you’ll spot many parts of the American Waterfront buildings you might otherwise miss.
5. TOY STORY MANIA! – American Waterfront
No height restrictions
Tokyo DisneySea’s Toyville Trolley Park ©Disney
This one is a hit with big and little kids alike. Start in the super fun Carnival Corral with its wild stepping game and crazy mirrors, before boarding a cart (each cart seats four) to enter a 4-D world of carnival shooting games with Woody, Buzz, and friends. This ride is one of the park’s most popular, for good reason, so it’s a good idea to use a fast-pass to beat the queues.
6. BIG CITY VEHICLES – American Waterfront
No height restrictions
Climb aboard one of these replica early vehicles to head back in time to ride through the old streets of New York City when automobiles were only just taking over from carriages. Little lovers of all things with wheels can choose between an open-top town car, police wagon or a delivery truck.
7. NEMO & FRIENDS SEARIDER – Port Discovery
For those 90cm and over
This brilliant family-friendly attraction is unique to Tokyo DisneySea and a huge hit with my kids. They’d have happily boarded the SeaRider, a submarine that “shrinks” to the size of a fish to explore the underwater world, multiple times to enjoy hilarious adventures with Nemo and his friends again and again.
8. AQUATOPIA – Port Discovery
No height restrictions
Aquatopia at Port Discovery at Tokyo Disney ©Disney
This ride is built for three, meaning I could join Raffles and Sugarpuff to whirl and twirl around on what is essentially a tea cup ride on water. Sugarpuff was a big fan of this one, partly because we could do it together and partly because it was as unpredictable as she is.
9. INDIANA JONES® ADVENTURE: TEMPLE OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL – Lost River Delta (For those 117cm and over)
Lost River Delta at Tokyo DisneySea. ©Disney
While this one was a little wilder than some of the other kid friendly rides, it didn’t stop Raffles from wanting to ride it over and over again. More high-tech haunted house than heart-thumping thrill ride, visitors speed through darkened tunnels past scuttling scarab beetles and mummies as they dodge fiery blasts and incoming boulders! It’s another one we recommend using a FastPass for as it’s extremely popular.
10. JASMINE’S FLYING CARPETS – Arabian Coast
No height restrictions
This one reminded us of Tokyo Disneyland’s Dumbo ride, an old favourite of Sugarpuff, only replace the elephant with a flying rug. This ride offers awesome views over the Arabian Coast and is even more exciting at night thanks to exciting light effects.
11. CARAVAN CAUROSEL – Arabian Coast
No height restrictions
Arabian Coast’s Caravan Carousel at Tokyo DisneySea. ©Disney
This double-decker carousel can hold over 190 passengers, but don’t think it’s just for the little ones, because the views from the top deck are amazing. The kids were all about riding Genie and a cool camel, while I was happy to relax in a carriage and enjoy the ride.
12. SINDBAD’S STORYBOOK VOYAGE – Arabian Coast
No height restrictions
Exploring the alley ways of the Arabian Coast at Tokyo DisneySea. ©Disney
This lovely leisurely ride was one of the most memorable attractions at Tokyo DisneySea. A watery reimagining of Disneyland’s iconic “It’s a Small World” the ride follows Sinbad the sailor and his loyal tiger cub, Chandu as they explore the seven seas. The animatronics, soundtrack and effects are extraordinary, and we are left suitably enchanted.
13. JUMPIN’ JELLYFISH – Mermaid Lagoon
No height restrictions
Jumpin’ Jellyfish at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
Little ones will love floating up and down on these colourful jellyfish in what is essentially a child-sized and rethemed parachute ride that is as colourful and cute as can be.
14. FLOUNDER’S FLYING FISH COASTER – Mermaid Lagoon
For those 90cm and over
Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster At Tokyo DisneySea is brilliant for little riders ©Disney
This is a roller coaster designed with younger kids in mind. There are none of the scary loops and twists of some of the park’s bigger coasters but it’s still fast and fun and will leave the kids giggling with delight.
15. ARIEL’S PLAYGROUND – Mermaid Lagoon
No height restrictions
Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea. ©Disney
The kids were thrilled to the gills with the elaborately themed Ariel’s Playground in Mermaid Lagoon with mazes, pirate ships and rope bridges to clamber over. Sure, it’s been designed with littlies in mind, but there’s nothing to stop mermaid loving mamas from joining in too.
16. SCUTTLE’S SCOOTERS – Mermaid Lagoon
No height restrictions
Scuttle’s Scooters at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
Jump into a hermit crab for two for a quick spin on a gentle circuit under the watchful gaze of Ariel’s pal Scuttle, with 180-degree rotations for extra thrills. This one offers a little cute to the fun factor.
17. BLOWFISH BALLOON RACE – Mermaid Lagoon
No height restrictions
Blowfish Balloon Race at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
This sweet spinner sees the kids board seashell gondolas carried by hot air balloon style blowfish as they spin up and out fast enough to be fun without being scary.
18. THE WHIRLPOOL – Mermaid Lagoon
No height restrictions
The Whirlpool at Tokyo DisneySea ©Disney
Jump aboard to enjoy a dizzying whirl through colourful kelp in this tea cup style ride that will have the kids in a spin. The lighting and underwater atmosphere of Mermaid’s Lagoon only add a special touch to this experience.
Note: Attractions and shows are subject to close without notice.
An award-winning travel writer and photographer, Aleney de Winter was fresh from school when she first set off to explore the far reaches of Australia with a two-man tent and a beaten-up Kingswood for company. Three decades, and two kids later, and she's still on the go, with her itchy-footed offspring in tow. 