Rising on the shores of Tokyo DisneySEA is King Triton's Castle, the gateway to Mermaid Lagoon. Now that his youngest daughter has married a human, Triton has embraced the spirit of interspecies cooperation and understanding, inviting Guests "under the sea" to explore his watery kingdom.
The castle itself draws inspiration from a number of sources, including The Little Mermaid film and the work of renowned Spanish architect Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi was known for organic, flowing architectural forms that incorporated bright colors and a variety of materials. Likewise, the surfaces of King Triton's Castle are covered in shells, glass and tile, all painted with iridescent colors to give the castle a "wet" look as if it just rose from the sea.
A closer look at the tiles and other materials covering the coral exterior of King Triton's Castle reveals tiny details, such as images of sea life, Triton's trident and Ariel herself. There's even a Hidden Mickey or two.
Stepping inside the castle entrance, a bronze statue of King Triton welcomes us to this undersea realm. Adventure awaits as we proceed to the ocean floor, where all the denizens of the deep have come out to celebrate our arrival. There's plenty to do and explore, from Jumpin' Jellyfish and the Blowfish Balloon Race to Ariel's Playground and the Sleepy Whale Shoppe (actually located inside the belly of a giant whale).
Mermaid Lagoon is a magical, fantastical place to visit, but as Sebastian the Crab likes to say, "De seaweed is always greener in somebody else's lake." Before long, it's time to return to our own world and to venture forward to the next port of call.
