Imagineer Brandon
Well-Known Member
Themed around adventure and exploration, Disney’s Discovery Planet takes guests through extraordinary locations rooted in history and fantasy on unforgettable journeys. The park is also an adventure in theme park design. Disney’s most immersive park yet, Discovery Planet is tied together by an overarching story and plays with several theme park conventions.
Nearly every cast member is in-character, roaming animatronics are featured more prominently, merchandise and food are more elaborately themed, every show building is hidden, and perhaps most boldly, the park is free of outside intellectual properties. Discovery Planet even forgoes traditional lands in favor of five interconnected, intricately detailed regions. These are the Traveler’s District, Wild Canyon, Port Voyager, Ipharadesi, and Yggdrasil.
The park’s story, told through the environment, cast members, and the attractions themselves, places guests as new recruits of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). The year is 1855 and it’s the organization’s golden age. Having noticed the guest’s exploits, the group invites them to join. After stopping off at the group’s base of operations in London, guests are free to embark on exciting expeditions in America, Africa, and Europe.
Be warned though, the life of an adventurer is a risky one. Besides natural and magical dangers, the S.E.A. also faces opposition from the Eye of Providence, a rival secret society planning to exploit the world’s hidden treasures for their own gain. It’s up to guests to embrace their new roles as adventurers, discover secrets lost to time, and defend these incredible places from those would do them harm.
Entrance
As guests walk across the esplanade, the entrance to Disney’s Discovery Planet comes into view. Built in the Victorian style and complete with a beautiful, ornate front gate, the entrance ushers guests into the past. Cast members welcome them to the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, before giving them their ID card.Using the guest’s picture, name, and title of choice (adventurer, explorer, archaeologist, captain, or inventor), S.E.A. identification cards are created for them. These use IR technology and allow guests to interact with the park in a variety of ways. Holding them up in certain spots will trigger different reactions and presenting them to specific cast members and roaming animatronics will change their demeanor, whether in a positive or negative way.
Once they’ve gotten through the entrance with their ID card in hand, guests are left standing in front of the old Baxter Bridge, next to which stands the clock tower that acts as the S.E.A’s headquarters. As they pass under the bridge, posters advertising expeditions, shops, and restaurants plastered across the walls, they leave behind modern day and enter the year 1855...
Traveler’s District
Head to the outskirts of London, England and walk under the Baxter Bridge and you’ll find yourself in a strange neighborhood called the Traveler’s District. Acting as a sort of home for the adventuring community, the Traveler’s District has been a favorite spot of S.E.A. members since it was established in the 16th century. That’s the reason why it was chosen as the location of the organization’s new headquarters when Vitale Robustelli became president. An industrialist with a passion for archaeology, he used his fortune to construct a base for the S.E.A., disguised as a clock tower to avoid attracting unwanted attention. If guests want to become explorers, this is their first stop.As guests come out on the other side of the bridge, they find themselves in the neighborhood’s hub. Next to the bridge is a set of stairs and a ramp leading up to the S.E.A. headquarters, which hosts the Museum of Adventure exhibit and Discovery Decor shop. To the left, Captain Flagg’s Travel Centre provides guest services. On the right, Bonnie’s Tavern serves thirsty adventurers from around the world. In the center of the hub is the Explorers statue, which features representations of Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Francis Drake, Jane Austen, and Thomas Jennings standing side by side and looking out at the horizon. At the base of the statue is a plaque with the park’s dedication on it, attributed to one Captain Robert A. Iger. It reads:
"To all adventurers, welcome. You've just entered a world of excitement, exploration, and discovery. This place is dedicated to those brave enough to venture beyond familiar surroundings and discover new places, people, and ideas. From English explorers to Native Americans to viking voyagers, we invite you to join history's great explorers and learn more about the mysterious, exciting world around us all."
Around the hub, guests can board the Horse-Drawn Carriage, the Traveler’s Trolleys, and the Tandem Bicycles. This is also where Dr. Masque’s Marvelous Magick show is found. Heading past the hub and down the street, guests can access Expedition Outfitters, The Sorcerer’s Cap, Snacker’s Snack Stall, and Cooke’s on the left, and Alazar Coffee, Arctic Creamery, Elizabeth & Co., and Street Sweets on the right. The street leads into an open area looking out on the massive Discovery Lagoon. Here guests can board a Lagoon Rowboat at Captain Pleasure’s Boathouse, which will take them across the lagoon to Port Voyager. They can also head left to Wild Canyon, or right to Yggdrasil.
The S.E.A. stores their newest finds in the headquarters’ Museum of Adventure. This walkthrough attraction features a collection of art and artifacts from around the world as well as profiles on some of history’s greatest explorers, innovators, authors, and artists, making it entertaining and educational. Also located in the clock tower is Discovery Decor, a souvenir shop which sells reproductions of the museum’s exhibits. If you’re interested in creating a unique look for your living space, look no further.
Getting around the Traveler’s District is a breeze. As a neighborhood full of inventors, it’s on the cutting edge of transportation. Take the revolutionary steam powered Traveler’s Trolleys, which circle the entire neighborhood. As guests enjoy the ride, the trolley’s operator will give them a tour, pointing out some of the local landmarks. There are two trolley cars, the black Car 1928 and the white Car 1901. For guests who prefer simplicity, the cyclists on our Tandem Bicycles will get you where you need to go on time. Those who believe the old ways are best will want to board the Horse-Drawn Carriage, which offers a more leisurely ride.
Only the boldest adventurers would dare attend Dr. Masque’s Marvelous Magick show. A controversial figure within the society, Doctor Marcus Masque travels the globe, collecting magical items and displaying them to entertain and amaze. While some of the more skeptical society members have labeled him as a fraud who should be booted from the society, others find his magic too impressive to be an illusion. Whatever stance you take, there’s no doubt that he’s an excellent showman. Watch and be amazed as he disappears and reappears in a puff of smoke using a magical stone, summons a flock of doves from a top hat, and more. The show ends with an exciting finale where Masque lifts off of the ground with nothing but an enchanted feather.
During December, Masque takes a winter holiday. In his place is an old man claiming to be Charles Dickens. Though most dismiss him as delusional, those who listen to him find that there’s more to this man than meets the eye. From time to time, he retells A Christmas Carol, but this is more than just a reading. As the story unfolds, actors, puppets, and animatronics appear to portray their characters. Maybe this man really is Dickens...though that doesn’t explain his magical cast. Perhaps Christmas really is a time of miracles.
For those who’ve worked up an appetite on their expeditions, Cooke’s provides a delicious meal and some great atmosphere. Founded by Captain John Cooke, a former pirate who retired after losing an arm and a leg, the two-story restaurant is decorated with sailing equipment and tributes to history’s most famous pirates. Appetizers include tattie scones, watercress soup, and tea sandwiches, entrees include bangers and mash, beef wellington, and fish and chips, and some favorite desserts are custard tarts and English trifles. While the top floor provides better views, the bottom features a nightly dinner show. Titled Pirates of the Indian Ocean, it uses actors and special effects to tell a heavily exaggerated version of Captain Cooke’s exploits.
If you need a drink instead, Bonnie’s Tavern is open for older guests. The aforementioned owner Bonnie, a cranky but good hearted middle-aged woman, claims to know nothing about adventuring. Still, the way she interacts with guests implies that she’s more than just a businesswoman. Beer, margaritas, whiskey, rum, we’ve got it all. The tavern’s signature drink is the Great Adventure, a slushy cocktail made with vodka, fruit punch, coconut milk, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Bonnie’s Tavern features live piano music.
Established by Devon Alazar, an explorer obsessed with discovering the perfect coffee bean, Alazar Coffee is the perfect way to start your morning. It serves Starbucks Coffee as well as exclusive pastries, like jam filled biscuits and treacle tarts. If you want dessert instead, Arctic Creamery serves up ice cream in a variety of flavors. Owned by a married couple of arctic explorers, its signature flavor is Hidden Treasure, which has a taste reminiscent of pecan pie. Another option is Snacker’s, a quick service restaurant serving up street food like meat pies and toad in the hole, owned by boisterous sailor Heesa Snacker.
Owned by young magnate Harrison Hightower III, Expedition Outfitters is the perfect place to start your adventure. From shirts to lanyards for guests’ S.E.A. IDs to toys like grapple guns and swords, the shop’s inventory is highly varied. Dr. Masque’s shop, The Sorcerer’s Cap, sells everything you need to perform magic. Elizabeth & Co., founded by former member of the Eye of Providence Elizabeth Bell, is a charming gothic boutique. Street Sweets is a confectionery owned by the Honey twins, a pair of Austrian climbers. Stand outside the window and watch as candy is made before your very eyes.
The Traveler’s District has three places where S.E.A. IDs can be used to interact with the environment. When used in front of the medieval armor in Discovery Decor, it’ll cause the suit to tilt its helmet to the side. When used in front of The Sorcerer’s Cap’s window, it’ll cause the deck of cards to go flying. When used in front of the purple mirror in Elizabeth & Co., it’ll cause a puff of smoke to appear inside the mirror. Some of the land’s characters who can be met include Dr. Masque, Captain John Cooke, and Bonnie. The former two will treat the guest as an old friend after they see their ID, while the latter is unimpressed. However, if shown to Bonnie’s piano player, they’ll play one of three songs: the “Mickey Mouse March”, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)”, or “The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room”. The neighborhood’s sole roaming animatronic is Bubbles, Masque’s pet Elephant. She’ll occasionally come out to walk the streets, Masque on her back. If shown an ID, she’ll shoot steam into the air out of her trunk.
Wild Canyon
Located on the border of Colorado and Utah, the Wild Canyon hasn't been touched by man in centuries...until now. Lead by Navajo S.E.A. member Atsá, bold explorers are venturing deep into the canyon to discover its secrets. Long considered too dangerous to explore by both the Native Americans and colonists, no one who ventured into the canyon ever returned. Now guests can become some of the first to explore it. While the S.E.A. outpost there is safe enough, the land beyond is totally untamed. If guests aren’t careful, they could end up like their doomed predecessors.As guests enter the canyon, they’ll find the path leading to Yeitso on their left. Further down is the entrance to the Caves of Magic and past that the Horse Trail. The outpost offers Łikan, The Market, Outpost Supplies, and Sizílí. At night, the outpost also hosts the Azhish show.
While Atsá’s team has scoped out some of the area, the depths of the canyon remain unexplored. He seeks to remedy that, bringing along guests and a few of his men in an attempt to find out what killed the explorers that came before them. After passing by a sign warning of the Yeitso, a giant from Navajo folklore, the group heads down a long trail, going by carvings and paintings of monsters from Native American mythology. Guests eventually board covered wagons, which roll into a dark cave. Atsá uses a lighter to illuminate the cave, revealing a massive Yeitso animatronic and proving the warning right. The party tries to head back, but the creature grabs hold of the wagons, ripping them off their wheels and hurling them out of the cave, where they find themselves in mid-air. It’s at this point that guests realize they’re on an inverted coaster. The wagons fall through the canyon, heading through small passages and narrowly avoiding rock formations as the Yeitso pursues them. They eventually crash into a small cave, where the Yeitso can’t follow. A relieved Atsá comments that some places go unexplored for a reason as the ride comes to an end.
Another uncharted part of the Wild Canyon is its vast cave system. Guests join Atsá to explore them, heading into a waterlogged cavern and boarding a canoe. Though the boat ride starts off normally, it soon becomes clear that these are Caves of Magic. Animatronics, projections, and pyrotechnics bring mythological figures and places to life, from the Navajo’s Coyote to the Hopi’s Tawa. This results in a surreal, one of a kind experience.
Guests looking for a more serene way to explore the canyon can visit the Horse Trail. Iji, an old friend of Atsá’s, provided a number of horses for the expedition. At the trail, guests can learn how to ride horseback and feel the sensation of heading down a winding trail with the wind on their back.
Another member of Atsá’s expedition is Chʼiyáán, his (mostly) retired mentor who now serves Native American cuisine like buffalo stew and cornbread at Łikan, a quick service restaurant. Those looking for a snack will want to visit The Market, where fruit, vegetables, bread, and dried meat can be bought.
Outpost Supplies offers mementos of guests’ encounters with the Yeitso and Caves of Magic like clothing and small dioramas of the area. Sizílí sells Native American jewelry, art, and other decor. Guests can even watch as real Navajo pottery is made.
Every night, Native Americans gather around a campfire in the outpost for the Azhish show, where they share traditional Native American dances and music. Wild Canyon has three places where S.E.A. IDs can be used to interact with the environment. In the queue for Yeitso, using the ID will cause the carvings and paintings to glow. In the queue for Caves of Magic, using the ID will cause torches to light. In Outpost Supplies, using the ID on the Wild Canyon map pinned to the wall will reveal the passages of Yeitso and the Caves of Magic. Wild Canyon’s characters include Atsá and Chʼiyáán. The former encourages those who show him their ID to keep it secret, as Eye of Providence members may be nearby, while the latter will give guests adventuring advice upon seeing their ID. The canyon has two roaming animatronics. The first is the trickster god Coyote, who will occasionally appear to play pranks on guests and try to snatch their ID, and the latter is Iji’s peaceful, friendly pet buffalo named Ak’is.
Port Voyager
After earning a fortune in gold at Big Thunder Mountain using a drill of his own design, S.E.A. member and inventor Professor Rubeus Spark moved to California to found his own city. With the help of like-minded architects, engineers, and planners, he constructed Port Voyager, a metropolis straight out of the future. A coastal city, Port Voyager welcomes adventurers, artists, and innovators from all over the world. Peaceful and prosperous, Port Voyager is a technologically advanced utopia. It’s not completely peaceful though, as spies from the Eye of Providence have infiltrated the city, and they’re not leaving until they get their hands on the most powerful technology in the world. That’s unless guests can defeat them and push them out for good.Port Voyager is at the north end of the park, facing towards the Discovery Lagoon. The city is divided into three sections: the docks, the commercial district, and the industrial zone. On the edge of the water is Captain Pleasure’s Boathouse, which takes guests to and from the Traveler’s District through the Lagoon Rowboats, and the Zenith submarine. This ship is home to the Underwater Journey attraction, the Grand Salon restaurant, and the Buried Treasures shop. The commercial district hosts the Port Warehouse, Nemo’s Gifts, and the Daily Catch. It’s also home to the Sea Shanties show. The Jet Packs and Fireworks Festival can be found in the industrial district.
Though most would consider Port Voyager to be Professor Spark’s crowning achievement, the creation he’s most proud of is the Zenith, a submarine that far surpasses others of its time. While docked at Port Voyager, guests have a chance to board it and explore the massive ship. Guests looking to join Spark’s Underwater Journey can head down to the launch bay.
On their descent, they can look through portholes real and digital to see everything from fish to mythical creatures like mermaids. The path to the launch bay also features diving equipment. Once they’ve reached the launch bay, they board enclosed pods that Spark calls scout ships. These pods are jettisoned underwater (which is really another show building), where they explore the sea. Along the way they encounter sea life, coral reefs, and even Eye of Providence subs looking to capture them. The voyage ends with a kraken encounter. Though the beast manages to grab hold of the ship and shake it around, Spark redirects all power to its engines, allowing it to escape the kraken’s grasp. This immersive E-ticket attraction uses robotic arm technology to move the pods in a way that simulates underwater exploration, with screens, animatronics, and special effects bringing the attraction’s creatures to life.
The Zenith is also home to the Buried Treasures shop, which sells decorations themed to the Underwater Journey and the submarine itself. These are submersible and can even be used in fish tanks. Exploring the sea is hungry business, so it’s a good thing that the Zenith hosts the Grand Salon. This elegant, romantic table service restaurant offers underwater views and fine cuisine, from grilled lobster to salmon salad to juicy sirloin steak. The Grand Salon also features bar seating.
Of course, Port Voyager isn’t all adventure. It’s a place where people live, shop, and eat, and where better to do all that than the commercial district? The Port Warehouse sells clothing, bags, toys and other Port Voyager souvenirs. Owned by an old man known only as Nemo, who claims to have been an explorer in his youth, Nemo’s Gifts sells sea themed ornaments and decor. For guests who aren’t in the mood for a big meal, the Daily Catch serves up tasty street food like lobster rolls and coconut shrimp fast. While guests eat, they can enjoy the Sea Shanties show, where the Old Sailors Band sing, dance, tell jokes, and participate in some good old fashioned slapstick.
The technology that Port Voyager runs on doesn’t appear out of nowhere. It comes from the industrial district, where Professor Spark and other innovators develop new inventions for the city. Take the Jet Packs, where guests of all ages can strap in and take flight, using a lever to control their height. The industrial district isn’t all fancy technology, though. The people of Port Voyager enjoy more simple entertainment like fireworks just as much as anybody else. The city’s famous Fireworks Festival starts at a local factory, where fireworks are built and loaded into cannons. When Eye of Providence members attempt to use the festival as an opportunity to steal the city’s technology, guests will have to commandeer these firework cannons and defeat the thieves as they ride through the factory. As they do battle, their scores are tallied up. Occasionally, the guest with the highest score will receive a collectible firework cannon replica.
As a city established by an S.E.A. member, it’s no surprise that Port Voyager features an impressive five different spots where S.E.A. IDs can be used. When used in front of the diving suit in the queue for Underwater Journey, it’ll cause glowing red eyes to briefly appear. When used in front of one of the digital portholes in the same queue, it’ll cause bubbles to float up. When used in front of the treasure chest inside the Buried Treasure shop, it’ll cause the lock to jingle. When used in front of Nemo’s Gift’s window, it’ll cause wind chimes to play. When used in front of a firework left on a crate inside the queue for Fireworks Festival, it’ll change the firework’s color. Some of Port Voyager’s characters include Professor Spark, Nemo, and a clumsy, harmless Eye of Providence spy named Lewis. Spark will warmly greet fellow S.E.A. members, Nemo will tell those who show him their ID that he used to be part of the S.E.A., and Lewis will react in fear. Port Voyager’s roaming animatronic is the kraken, who will pop up out of the lagoon and occasionally spray water onto guests.
Ipharadesi
Throughout history, there have been whispers of a lost city in Africa named Ipharadesi. Said to have been established by Abu Ali, a 13th century explorer who disappeared after going on a voyage in search of gold, purporters of the legend say that he returned to Africa after finding it and used his wealth to build his own city. Though most dismissed it as a myth, Swahili S.E.A explorer Banou Mahani recently discovered that Ipharadesi is real. She’s now leading an expedition into the city and guests have the opportunity to join it. Although her team has made some progress, many questions about Ipharadesi remain unanswered. Perhaps the most important is what exactly caused the city to fall?Massive for its time, Ipharadesi is made up of several neighborhoods and features some rather impressive landmarks. The city’s vault is the location of Treasures of the Lost City and the Dead Man’s Labyrinth can be found in the prison complex. Banou’s team has set up camp near the vault. Here, guests can eat at the Mess Hall and shop at Akente’s Wares.
Located in the center of the city, Ipharadesi’s vault is its tallest building. Though the entrance was blocked off at first, Banou’s team was recently able to break through, and now guests will be some of the first in centuries to see inside. While some of the vault and its treasures are intact, the building has started to collapse. Surprisingly, some of the mechanisms are still intact, including a rather advanced system of carts designed to carry large amounts of gold to and from the vault. Out of curiosity, guests board them. They slowly move along the tracks, and take guests to see the vast innermost part of the vault, where the Treasures of the Lost City are stored.
The carts pass vases, piles of coins, and bags of jewels as Banou comments that some legends claim that Ali’s gold was cursed, though she laughs this off as superstition. Coincidentally, they then come upon a net filled to the brim with gold. A stunned Banou says that this is a huge discovery, one that points towards the Ali theory being true. Her joy doesn’t last long, as one of the pillars holding up the building begins to crack. The cart rushes past it, barely avoiding being crushed, but this isn’t the end of their bad luck.
The cart continues to speed up, unable to be stopped, as the building collapses around them. Guests narrowly dodge rubble, treasure, and bats as they go faster and faster. Eventually the cart crashes into the wall, and a relieved Banou is thankful that it’s over...when it begins to go backwards. She encourages guests to hold on tight as it makes the return trip, somehow returning to the station without any loss of life. Though she’s still eager to explore the city, she admits that they should probably go slower and be a little more careful.
If escaping the vault wasn’t enough danger, there’s the Dead Man’s Labyrinth. Used as a punishment for Ipharadesi’s worst criminals, it’s a maze that is said to be inescapable, full of tricks and traps. Dare to prove them wrong? With your wit, puzzle solving skills, and a little bit of luck, you may be the first. Or you’ll be stuck with the skeletons.
Mess halls don’t exactly have the best reputation, but the one found at Banou’s camp is sure to impress. This quick service restaurant dishes out delicious African cuisine from grilled steak fufu to peanut soup to jollof rice. Those looking for a souvenir of their time at Ipharadesi will want to visit Akente’s Wares. A greedy but ultimately good hearted collector, Akente sells African gifts like prints, candles, and statues.
Despite being an ancient city, Ipharadesi does have two places where ID cards can be used. In the queue for Treasure of the Lost City, using it in front of the yellow vase will cause it to shift slightly as a slithering noise is heard. In the Dead Man’s Labyrinth, using it in front of the skeleton idol will cause its eyes to flash red. Ipharadesi’s main characters are Banou and Akente. Banou will joke around with and tease fellow S.E.A. members, while Akente will tone down his haggling around them, in fear of being kicked out of the camp. Ipharadesi has no roaming animatronics.
Yggdrasil
In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is a massive sacred tree that connects to all Nine Worlds and acts as a meeting place for the gods. It’s also the namesake of an old Viking village on the coast, located near the massive Mt. Biaergh. Untouched by modern civilization, Yggdrasil is the current site of an excavation by Swedish S.E.A. member Björn Svensson. Björn is merely searching for ordinary artifacts, but there might be more to this ancient town than meets the eye.One of the mountain’s caves is the entrance to the Viking Voyage. In town, guests can find Vist, Fastr, The Armory, and Heim. This is also where the interactive Code of the Vikings show can be found.
While Björn excavates the town, his apprentice Erik Fifĺ is more interested in what Mt. Biaergh has to offer. He secretly takes a few men and a few rafts into one of the mountain’s flooded caves, bringing guests along with him for a Viking Voyage. Though the boat ride starts normally, with Erik complaining about a lack of treasure, things change when the raft goes down a ten feet drop. Erik laughs and boasts that he’s invincible, when he’s silenced by a booming voice and the appearance of a massive animatronic figure. He introduces himself as Odin, and scolds Erik. Terrified, the explorer claims that he’s done nothing wrong.
Odin lets out a hearty chuckle at this claim, reminding him that he not only didn’t tell Björn about his plans, but also stole supplies. Erik whimpers that he only borrowed them, with Odin telling him that he can only be free when he takes responsibility for his bad deeds like an honorable viking would. He then slams his spear into the ground, shaking the boat and sending it off.
The raft descends down the mountain, making close calls with everyone from Thor to Loki. After taking a few more drops, the party encounters the Nidhogg, a vicious serpent known for having an insatiable appetite. Right as the boat is about to be eaten, Erik admits that he made a mistake, and promises to do right by Björn. This prompts Odin to slay the beast, clearing the way as the boat goes down its final 60 foot drop. Though soaking wet, Erik is just happy to be alive. He tells guests that he’s learned his lesson and apologizes for dragging them along on this adventure, saying they better get back to town.
Back in the town, guests can refuel at Vist or Fastr. Vist is a quick service restaurant, serving up Swedish cuisine like pickled herring and isterband. Fastr honors the Norse people’s descendants in a different way with Norwegian and Danish snacks such as aebleflæsk and smørrebrød.
The town is also home to Heim and the Armory. While the former is a more traditional merchandise shop, the Armory is rather unique, selling collectible replicas of viking weapons and armor. Lastly, Yggdrasil hosts the interactive Code of the Vikings show, where a man who claims to be a viking picks a volunteer and shows them how to wield a sword, an axe, or a spear, leading to the viking and the guest fighting a massive troll together. Said volunteer gets to keep their weapon after.
Yggdrasil has two places where an S.E.A. ID can be used. In the queue for Viking Voyage, using it on the tile with a rune on it will cause it to shift. In the Armory, using it in front of the swords on the wall will cause them to cross. Yggdrasil’s main characters are Björn and Erik. The former will treat fellow S.E.A. members are subordinates, giving them tasks. The latter is more chatty and conversational around those who show him their ID. Yggdrasil’s roaming animatronic is Vardr, a viking spirit who haunts the village. He has great respect for S.E.A. members, seeming to regard them as the vikings of their day.
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