Land of the Rising Mickey
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With several new high-tech ride systems, the new park will be pushing the envelope left and right - (careful, there are a number of spoilers below)
Journey to the Center of the Earth uses a combination of Indy, Test Track, and Rocket Rods technology. Its innovation, scale, lush theming, high speed thrills, and very prominent location (the interior of Mysterious Island) make it DisneySea's headline attraction. But it isn't even mentioned in the promotional video with runs continuously at the exhibit "A Special Preview of Tokyo DisneySea", located inside TDL's Disney Gallery. There are a few artists renderings and a recently added model of one of the attraction's ride vehicles in the exhibit's far back corner, but, outside of the Special Preview, I have yet to see it represented in any of the park's promotional material. Why would they not want to promote the park's banner attraction? Just reread the first sentence of this paragraph for the answer.
Despite the fact that DisneySea's opening day is nearly six months away, the Journey to the Center of the Earth ride vehicles are on site and are currently undergoing test runs.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, simply known as "NijyuK" ("20K" in English) at the DisneySea site, uses a new system of six passenger "submarines" supported by an overhead monorail. After a relatively peaceful journey, the vehicles will come under attack by giant squid and make a high speed dash for the "surface".
Then there's Indiana Jones : Temple of the Crystal Skull, located at Lost River Delta. Due to its similar name and shared basic concept with Indiana Jones : Temple of the Forbidden Eye, some people have described it as a transplant from Disneyland in California. But, in a significant way, that's not the case. The EMVs that have been designed for Temple of the Crystal Skull avoid the hydraulic problem by using a new system of pneumatics and electric motors to create the attraction's trademark simulated off road experience. To a great extent, they're new ride vehicles.
Aquatopia - Actually, Aquatopia isn't really a new ride system. It's Hunny Hunt. More precisely, the basis of Hunny Hunt's trackless "next level" system and vehicles is technology originally conceived of for Aquatopia. Aquatopia's system, best suited to outdoor use, was adapted for indoor use on the Pooh themed attraction. Also, the Aquatopia vehicles will be rolling around in about eighteen inches of water (through the use of Imagineering magic, they will appear to be hovercraft). The system's next step will be see at EPCOT's upcoming Mission:Space.
As with Journey to the Center of the Earth, W.D.I. isn't wasting any time with Aquatopia, either. Last week the process of on site testing began on Aquatopia's two to three person, fantasy-technology themed ride vehicles. At least a half dozen units are being put through their paces in their currently dry Port Discovery "lagoon". Water is just a part of the theming and will be added at a later date. Mounted on various small rockwork "islands" scattered about the lagoon are a dozen or so five foot tall poles which hold antennae related to the vehicles' control system.
By beginning testing now, perhaps they'll shorten the period of adjustment Aquatopia will experience once it's put through the ringer of operating continuously, hour after hour, day after day...
The Tokyo Disneyland Cast Members who move over to DisneySea's complex new attractions will, for a time, likely find themselves in situations more stressful than what they are used to and they will be forced to go through a period of adjustment of their own.
I wish everyone involved smooth sailing.
Jikai made - Ogenki de!
(Until next time - Take care!)
-- Marc Borrelli
Marc Borrelli has been visiting Disneyland in California for over thirty years and has had the opportunity to observe many of the Park's onstage and backstage workings. He is an entrepreneur who alternates between working obsessively and having way too much time on his hands. In the past few years he's spent much of that time exploring his hobby of trying to figure out just what it is that makes the people who design, build, operate, and go to Disney theme parks tick. He is now living in Tokyo, Japan and has turned his attention to the Tokyo Disney Resort and the unique culture in which it exists. He also created and maintains his Tokyo DisneySea Preview website.
Land of the Rising Mickey is normally posted on the first Monday of each month.
The opinions expressed by Marc Borrelli, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
© Marc Borrelli and LaughingPlace.com. All rights reserved
-- Posted March 5, 2001. Updated March 8, 2001.