Introduction
Journey to the Center of the Earth is a legendary story of adventure and wonder in the Icelandic wilderness and into the fiery depths of an active volcano holding the entrance to the mysterious world beneath us, full of mystical creatures and luscious surroundings. The story of expedition was told brilliantly by Jules Verne, and perfectly replicated by the ride of the same name in Tokyo DisneySea. In the late 19th Century, Professor Otto Lidenbrock led an expedition, along with the help of his nephew Axel, their guide Hans, and others, to the depths of an Icelandic volcano, to locate a way to the center of the earth. Their expedition led to little result, as they had to escape the volcano due to it's activity. Now, we pick up where the explorers left off, to better explore the volcano and learn the secrets of the earth. Hong Kong Disneyland, similarly to DisneySea, has had a history of integrating immersive storytelling with local cultural elements, in order to create a unique experience found nowhere else in the world. Journey to The Center of the Earth and it's surroundings will continue this tradition by bringing together Icelandic environments, French literature, and Chinese culture to create a new reimagining of the classic attraction.
Why did we choose this attraction to clone?
One of the most popular attractions in Tokyo DisneySea, Journey to the Center of the Earth had long be coveted by other theme parks around the world to be cloned throughout the years. With Hong Kong's expansion plans, and need for a high capacity E-Ticket such as Journey, we believed that a clone of this attraction, modified a bit for its surroundings, would fit in naturally as an extension of Adventureland in Hong Kong Disneyland.
We also felt, the theme of the attraction, inspired by the Jules Verne novel, evokes a sense of imagination that could be told in a multitude of ways. A clone of this attraction doesn't necessarily have to be told in the same vein as it is in Tokyo DisneySea. It could explore more of Verne's novel, the imagery and descriptions from it, as well as the beauty and terror of a 'world within our world'.
With Grizzly Gulch above it, the attraction is nestled cozy in one of the expansion pads remaining at Hong Kong Disneyland. It should be noted, that for this project, we have set the approximate opening day in the mid-2020s, after Hong Kong's scheduled expansions such as the improved Castle, are complete. Bringing over Journey is a 'Phase 2' of sorts for the park as it reaches its 20th birthday celebration. As you can see on the map below, the pathway from Adventureland now extends further into an Icelandic forest, with the volcanic mountain perched on the horizon beyond.
Facade
As you approach the new area, you notice a towering volcano, one of the parks most important sites, Mount Prometheus. You see every slope, every crack, and the smoke rising from the peak. The volcano will
not be the same size as it's Tokyo DisneySea counterpart, it will be much smaller. However, it will
seem larger than the Tokyo version, this will be done using Forced Perspective. And as you approach the volcano, a rock stands in front of it, with words carved in it. These words are the attraction's title "Journey to the Center of the Earth."
前往地球中心
Ride Vehicles
The ride vehicles won't change much in design from the Tokyo version. However, there will now be 4 rows of 2 instead of the original, which had 3 rows of 2.
Queue
Leaving the overgrown paths of Adventureland you transition into an extension of the exploration paths but wander among tall Icelandic trees that hover over an ominous yet intriguing volcanic mountain range in the distance. You careen around foliage that becomes less dense as you approach the rock formation further, denoting past episodes of ash and volcanic activity that have eroded the plantlife away. Mechanical architecture and be seen to your right-hand side, a steampunk style of design, illustrating the less than contemporary travelers to this place. Explorers for decades have tried their hands at what you are about to encounter.
As you proceed towards the side of the mountain, you meander through various switchbacks as the queue has been designed to hold up to a 5-hour wait within its boundaries. Among the switchbacks, you continue to get a good look at the 95 foot tall forced perspective Volcano in the distance along with the surrounding mountain range. Bellowing lava and steam flow out of the top of the mountain as if sending out a warning side to intruders that you don't know what you're getting into.
Inside the mountain is an abandoned outpost and mining shaft, with several rail lines and other inactive generators and utility shafts once occupied by workers, potentially trying to find a way towards the center of the earth. The mining activity had archives of Verne's work scattered on the walls with codes and deciphered materials trying to uncover the secret of the novel, and if the stories they were told were actually real. Continuing further you reach a 'hydrolator' type mining elevator that takes you down to organically manufactured mining drills that can be activated by those looking to pursue the unknown still. While the miners have all but given up, explorers throughout the ages have attempted to reach the center, some returning, others... never to be seen again. After these warning signals and the elevator drops you off at the drilling floor, you proceed to your vehicles.
Attraction Synopsis
As you begin your journey the ride vehicles disembark and are transitioned into a luminescent cave of colorful crystals covered in magnesium rock formations, with a faint warm mist rising from the volcanic underground.
A fanciful Buddy Baker soundtrack permeates the surroundings and guides you forward on your mystical quest to the center of the earth. As the walls around you become darker, and the crystals glow more brightly, you begin to hear the rumblings of the volcanic activity miles below. The vehicle begins to ascend through the cave as the mist becomes more dense and the sound of rushing water overcomes you as you see a magnificent water fall in front of you, before diving down 'thousands of miles' through a volcanic tube towards the center of the earth.
Once the vehicles are slowed, you enter into a magnificent world within the world. A tropical oasis beneath the surface of the earth, and a journey of discovery that is once in a lifetime. As the vehicles pass by oscillating fluorescent foliage and exit the crystal cave, a sprawling forest of towering mushrooms and flowing water awaits. The musical score is elevated to denote this transcendent moment in the attraction. Animatronic plants and even small creatures feasting on the plant life turn to look at your vehicle as you pass by. Everything looks peaceful and tranquil. You flow towards another massive waterfall that appears as if it has a rainbow quality to it. You see a luminescent gas combination in the sky above you, surrounding you and your vehicle with a crisp orange/yellow glow around the scene.
Further throughout this world, extinct animals and dinosaurs roam freely in this untamed jungle paradise, and sea serpents rise from the tides out in the distance. This is a place built on imagination that you have to see to believe. A place of wonder that cannot be matched on earth.
As you traverse forward though, the center of the earth transitions from a peaceful place, to one of unbeknownst fear. Sounds of cackling vibrations echo in the distance. Swirling dry wind blows the tropical trees in the distance. And a loud pre-historic roar can be heard with the crack of lightning, turning the sky from an orange hue to a stormy dark gray.
Your vehicles speed up, around curves and plant life, racing towards an escape tube back up to the surface. You meander through plants and other creatures navigating your way back. Warning lights and symbols go off on your vehicle, alerting you of impending danger as you take shelter in a cave. Diving into the cave, the ride vehicles slow and move forward through another luminescent rock structure. This appears to be your escape back to the surface, riding a volcanic tube up to the surface as the volcano erupts. Nevertheless, that prehistoric roar you hear from before now sounds even louder, as you've entered the monster's cave.
Creeping forward the vehicle becomes stuck in a muddy substance, stopping all progress as more volcanic activity can be felt below the surface. The volcano is about to burst and you might miss your trip back up to the surface. To the right hand side, a monstrous creature appears in a large scale animatronic form, and bellows at the guests, spraying everywhere in the process. The vehicle tires spin and escape the clutches of the mud before the monster lunges at the guests. The vehicle speeds up and races towards the tube, catching the eruption at the perfect time, as the twists and turns stop and you launch back up to the surface.
Once you are safe, your vehicles slow, the racing water subsides, and you return to the outpost unloading dock having experienced the journey of a lifetime.
Exit Queue
When your journey has ended, you walk through a dark corridor, only lit by the lamps on the ceiling, at the end of the corridor is a shop named
Steamtron's Emporium run by a steam-powered animatronic named Steamtron. This shop sells T-Shirts and Mugs with the Journey to the Center of the Earth logo and Mount Prometheus, and toys of the creatures you encountered. And at the center of the shop is Steamtron himself, cracking jokes and talking to the shoppers. His creator, Dr. Johnathan Build, shows up to the shop occasionally to see how his creation is running the shop. And off to the side of the shop is a small counter-service restaurant named
Steamtron's Cuisine, which sells European food.
Conclusion
This clone of the iconic Tokyo version will be sure to be a hit with audiences. Taking parts of the Tokyo version and improving on them with new life. As well as creating an all new, immersive area with fun, new characters. This Journey is sure to be unforgettable.
