Challenge 9: I'll SEA You in Tokyo
The Northern Fjords
Please listen to this music while reading our proposal:
This week, Team Land designed an exquisitely themed “port of call” on par with the rest of Tokyo DisneySea. We created a highly detailed environment which uses nature and architecture working together in order to give the guests the best possible experience.
This area, named the Northern Fjords, blends the landscapes and folklore of many Northern European countries. Some parts of the land seem Scandinavian, while others have an Icelandic flair. Overall, while the land draws inspiration from several countries, it is not meant to be an accurate representation of any single one.
It should be noted that this land's theme changes based on the variable Tokyo seasons. Just as summer and winter are very different in the real Scandinavia, the Northern Fjords will be lush and green in the summer and blanketed in snow in the winter.
The land consists of three fjords, each surrounded on all sides but one by tall mountains and cliffs. None of these areas are named themselves, to make the entire port of call feel more connected as a single land. However, for the purposes of this presentation, we will refer to them as “Fjord 1”, “Fjord 2”, and “Fjord 3”.
FJORD 1
Fjord 1 depicts the modern aspect of Scandinavian culture. It does not feature any rides, but instead contains shops and restaurants modeled after the architecture of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Fjord 1 also contains one walkthrough attraction, based on the popular Swedish children's book
Pippi Longstocking.
Fjord 1 is located at the entrance to the Northern Fjords on the Port Discovery side. This is to lessen the thematic clash, by placing the "modern" area close to the "futuristic" one.
Mângata
Mângata is a restuarant that focuses on contemporary Scandinavian foods, as well as traditional fare from around the region. The name Mângata refers to the reflection of the moon on the ocean, and specifically the path of light that it casts on the waves.
Guests enter through a walled garden. As they walk by blooming Nordic flowers, they pass through a wooden arch and into the waiting area. Here, comfortable benches are available in the waiting area of the restaurant. This area continues the garden theme, but is more consistant with a covered patio. A fountain, engraved with ornate Nordic runes and carvings of Vikings, splashes softly in the corner. Keep an eye out and you may even spy hidden details, such as trolls, fairies, and of course, a few hidden Mickeys!
Off to the side is a small grotto where your hosts, Anna and Elsa, can be met and your picture taken. The photo and meet and greet is included with the price of your meal.
Entering the dining area, guests are treated to a large communal dining room. Sturdy wooden tables line four stepped levels, and surround a small central stage area. The ceiling is painted to look like the outdoor night sky, and lighting effects, projected clouds and LED "stars" twinkle and make it appear as if the area is in a constant dusk on a cool summers evening.
The stage has a large blue curtain, with detailed embroidery of a snowflake pattern, and takes up about 1/3 of the rear wall.
Here, a show occurs once every hour and a half. It is a musical shortened version of Frozen, with live actors, animatronic puppets (for Olaf and Sven) and stunning projection and visual stage effects. As Guests dine, they are treated to a beautiful medley of music from the motion picture. The show is approximately 35 minutes long.
When not performing, the characters (except Olaf and Sven) tour the dining room and interact with Guests.
Due to the nature of the dinner show, seating will be handled on hour and a half cycles.
Menu
All meals are served Family Style, with smaller serving bowls and platters. Guests are then allowed to share and pick and choose what they would like to experience. Extra portions may be added a la carte for an additional charge.
The meal consists of three stages:
Starters
Misty Day Potato Soup
A warm, thick potato broth, stewed with leek and vegetable stock and some cream added. Topped with shredded Harvati cheese, and sprinkled with crumbled bacon bits and caraway seeds.
Kjötsùpa (Lamb Soup)
Taste the warmth with this soup made from bone in lamb shoulder is stewed to create a hearty broth, and then finely shredded and combined with white cabbage, carrots, rutabaga, cauliflour, brown wild rice and diced red potatoes and seasoned with garlic and fresh black pepper.
Salmon Salat
Served cold, flaky and fresh smoked salmon is combined with chopped scallions, whole wheat elbow macaroni and drizzled with a mustard and dill creamy dressing. Then topped with freshly sliced radishes and sliced hard boiled eggs
Bean Salat
This warm salad has green beans, English peas, sweet kernal corn, chopped celery, pimentos and chopped onion are lightly salted and drizzled with a savoury, but sweet, paprika vinegrette
Spinach and Bacon Salat
Baby spinich leaf with shredded carrots and red cabbage tossed with honey-roasted almontds, dried cranberries and crumbled bacon, topped with a sweet onion dijon vinegrette.
Entrees
In addition to the meat entrees, sides of grilled garlic asparagus, baked red potatoes and steamed wild rice will be served.
Lamb with Hobbit Sauce
Grilled lamb chops, thinly sliced. Wild mushrooms bring flavour and texture to a creamy sauce with hints of rosemary and danish bleu cheese.
Salt Baked Salmon
North Atlantic Salmon coasted in course sea salt and baked on sandstone, then fileted. Served topped with freshly chopped dill and a sour cream sauce.
Meatballs
Ground lamb with hints of sweet white onion are formed into meatballs and sauteed until a nice crust is formed. Served with buttered egg noodles and a creamy gravy with hints of allspice.
Scandinavian Chicken
Chicken thighs sauteed in butter along with sweet white chopped onions, fresh wild mushrooms with a sour cream sauce and topped with havarti cheese and garnished with panko breadcrumbs and chopped parsley
Desserts
Manzarintärta
Freshly made almond paste and a delicate and sweet shortbread crust brings the perfect texture to this tart, which is then dusted with powdered sugar.
Krumkake
A delicate cookie baked into the shape of a cone, then served with freshly made vanilla whipped cream and sugared raspberries and blueberries.
Serina Cookies
The worlds best butter cookie, made with hornsalt, it's rich and unique flavour and texture are sure to win you over. Sprinkled with pearl sugar and served with a cinnamon whipped cream for dipping.
Children's Menu
Children who do not wish to participate in the regular menu will be offered a choice of macaroni and cheese, hot dog, cheeseburger, or chicken strips, all served with choice of drink and a side of mixed steamed vegetables and rice.
The Tale of Pippi Longstocking
Welcome to
The Tale of Pippi Longstocking, a walkthrough attraction in the Denmark/Sweden area of The Northern Fjords. This attraction is primarily aimed toward young children, but lets all ages experience the wonderful adventures of eccentric nine-year-old Pippi, from the beloved books by Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
The attraction is composed of a series of scenes featuring many animated figures and props, as well as one or two animatronics. Guests walk through these scenes at their own pace, and the story is narrated in rhyming couplets by placards on the walls.
The facade of the walkthrough is themed to Villa Villekulla, Pippi's brightly-colored house where she lives all alone (except for her monkey and horse). In fact, both of these animals sit on the front steps and move their heads as you pass by.
Upon entering the house, guests proceed through the colorful scenes. They include Pippi meeting Tommy and Annika (the children next door), saving children from bullies, going to school, climbing a tree, having a picnic, going to a circus, and hosting a birthday party. Each of these scenes brings to life Pippi's adorable eccentricity.
After the walkthrough, guests have the opportunity to meet Pippi herself! In the style of Enchanted Tales with Belle, this is an interactive meet-and-greet where children can participate in the adventure. Pippi takes the participants on an imaginary adventure to the South Seas, where they pretend to be pirates.
FJORD 2
This land is sandwiched between Fjords 1 and 3, and thus contains two major attractions to draw guests in.
The land is still Scandinavian themed, but is not as modern anymore. Entering the land from the Fjord 1 side, we first come across an ancient Stave Church built by Viking warriors. This structure is the facade for the dark ride Realm of the Norsemen.
After this, a drawbridge across the fjord leads through the palace gates and into the kingdom of Arendelle! This Frozen-themed area is home to the ride Frozen: An Icy Adventure, as well as merchandise and food carts. It is themed down to every last detail from the movie.
Realm of the Norsemen
A D-ticket boat ride, Norsemen could be considered a must-do for fans of Vikings, Norse mythology, or Scandinavian folklore. Even for those with no knowledge of these topics, it's a very fun experience.
The ride is comparable to Pirates of the Caribbean in story, but not in scope. Norsemen is much shorter and less complex than PotC. The other similarities were toned down with the inclusion of several scenes about mythology and folklore, in order to create a more unique experience.
Facade and Queue
The entrance to the ride is housed inside a stave church. The church also holds a small exhibit about real life Vikings, which includes interactive games and some small artifacts. The queue begins in the church, but soon exits through a side door and eventually winds through a garden growing Scandinavian wildflowers, into a dense forest, and under an arch of rocks into a dark cave.
Inside the cave is an area themed to look like a forest in the outdoors. The forest grows even denser, until we come across a small stream. This is where you board the ride.
The ride vehicles are boats, like Viking longships, except on a smaller scale and with a shorter figurehead.
Scene 1: The Enchanted Forest
It is twilight in a dark Scandinavian forest. An eerie theme plays in the background. The boat floats slowly down a stream, and passes by ruins left by ancient civilizations, with strange symbols carved into them. The forest is deathly still, like something great happened here many years ago...
Scene 2: The Call of the Gjallarhorn
A hunting horn sounds, and suddenly we are brought back into the past. The forest is alive with the hubbub of small creatures. The music transitions into a Celtic tune with a steady beat. Even the lighting subtly changes to a warmer glow than before. Trolls, elves, and nisser appear from behind rocks, and scamper out of your boat's path. In the distance, we see a bonfire and the shouts of men having a party.
Scene 3: The Viking Fleet
Your boat sharply turns a corner. It passes under a stone archway, through a cave, down a small waterfall, and finds itself in the middle of the dangerous Northern seas. Foam sprays against the side of your vessel, and lightning flashes. Thunder booms so loud that it sounds like it came straight from Valhalla itself. Several Viking warships are seen in the distance, steadily rowing through the storm as music with a powerful drum beat plays.
Scene 4: Creatures of the Deep
Still in the open sea, the ride boat passes by three water creatures from Scandinavian folklore: The Fossegrimmen, a handsome man playing an eerie variation of the ride’s theme on his fiddle, the Nökken, a dark monster with glowing eyes just above the surface,and the Draugen, a seaweed-covered ghost of a man who died at sea. Then, the infamous Kraken rises slowly out of the water and envelopes your own boat in its huge tentacles! You escape, but narrowly.
Scene 5: Looting and Pillaging
You pass under an archway and find yourself in a medieval village. But all is not peaceful— the Vikings have sailed ashore and are pillaging the town, along with its church and monastery. Many things are happening at once:
- One of the raiders pulls a long jewelry chain out of a box, trying excitedly to examine his loot. But the chain seems to be never-ending! More and more keeps coming out.
- Several Viking children are playing ball by tossing a monk up in the air, over and over again.
- A terrified shopkeeper is offering a Viking a frilly drink, but he doesn't know what to do with it.
- Borrowed from PoTC, there is a comical reversal where a woman is chasing a Viking around a barrel.
- Many Viking warriors are drinking from jewel-studded wineglasses. Obviously drunk, they laugh and jeer at the ride boats passing bye.
Scene 6: The Battle
A few of the townspeople have decided to fight back! As some of the Vikings continue to loot the village, others are engaged in combat with the residents. But little do the villagers know, the Vikings have prayed to their gods before commencing the raid! Lightning flashes, thunder booms, and the silhouette of Thor wielding his hammer lights up the sky. This startles the villagers, and the Vikings successfully get away with their loot.
Scene 8: Sköl!
You pass under another archway, and find yourself back in Viking territory after the raid. You are in a longhouse, where the Vikings are celebrating their recent victory by partying, admiring their loot, and drinking out of the skulls of their enemies. The ride’s theme song ends triumphantly, as you round a corner and make your way to the unloading dock.
Frozen: An Icy Adventure
Introducing an all-new E-Ticket coming to Tokyo DisneySea! This attraction will transport guests into the magical and mystical world of Arendelle and take them on a journey of a lifetime that they'll never forget.
Facade
The facade of Frozen: An Icy Adventure is themed to Anna and Elsa's Arendelle palace. Guests will cross a large bridge and walk through the majestic palace gates. These gates have protected Queen Elsa from the harsh minds, opinions and people of the outside world. This courtyard is wide and spread out, just like in the feature film. Different (small) food and merchandise carts are stationed out in the courtyard to provide guests of the palace with treats and items. Once guests are ready, they can enter the palace and experience the world of Frozen...
Queue
Once guests enter the standby line for Frozen: An Icy Adventure, they will begin to roam the halls and passageways of Anna and Elsa's palace. You first begin by strolling down the Great Hall, lined with paintings of Anna and Elsa's family. Including a portrait of Anna and Elsa's parents (remember this is before the palace gates were closed and before Anna's accident). Next, guests will travel through the different rooms of the palace and explore the many places the palace has to offer. This helps make waiting in line fun! Finally, guests reach the end of a hallway and are let inside the ballroom in increments. Inside the ballroom, guests will find a spacious room empty... for now.
Pre-Show
Guests are corralled into a small area against the wall of the ballroom and are "stuck" in the same place in order to keep them from moving about the ballroom. Guests are left by themselves and everything is quiet. But then, you hear the pitter patter of footsteps, and a large door opening. The large doors on the opposite side of the ballroom open, revealing a 5 year old Anna and a 7 year old Elsa running into the room. This is all accomplished by the use of screens and special effects.We then hear Anna exclaim, "Do the magic, do the magic!" and Elsa begins to form ice and snow with her hands. Next, she puts her hands to the sky and it begins to snow all throughout the ballroom, on the screen and above guests heads. The floor turns to ice near Anna and Elsa and suddenly, Elsa builds a snowman! However, things quickly go askew and Elsa accidentally strikes Anna in the head with her ice powers, causing Anna to fall to the ground and making a white streak appear in her hair. Anna and Elsa's parents rush into the ballroom and everyone is ushered out and guests now enter the boarding area.
Boarding Area
The Loading Area is themed to a small castle exit passageway/cove along the fjord , and we see Anna, Elsa, and their parents scrambling to get their stuff together, along with their horses. When guests reach the point of the cove, they find that a small ship is waiting for them. Once they have climbed in, guests begin to move quickly along the fjord and finally into the forest...
Ride Vehicle
The ride vehicle is themed to a hand-crafted boat from Norway or Denmark, painted with different markings and images that represent the culture of Europe. Because this ride is a flume ride, it is water-proof and can hold up well in wet conditions.
Ride Experience
Scene 1
Guests race through the forest alongside Anna and Elsa's family. Finally, guests arrive in a clearing where they see trolls helping Anna (by clearing her memory of Elsa's powers) and Grand-Papi telling Elsa that they need to conceal here power. The boat continues to a transition that is dark and mysterious...
Scene 2
Guests now find themselves inside the hall of the palace and see a large door. With the help of screens, a 5 year old Anna arrives at the door and belts out, "Do you wanna build a Snowman?" but we soon discover that Elsa doesn't want Anna near her, as she is trying to conceal her powers. Guests now move forward and turn on a turn table. They look out the window to see a "vision" of Anna and Elsa saying goodbye to their parents, who leave on a ship. However, we see the ship sink in a gargantuan wave through the window and the "vision" sinks away just like the ship. As we continue, we see an older Anna walk up to Elsa's door and sing the slow, depressing part of "Do you wanna Build a Snowman?"
Scene 3
As guests leave the now dark and dreary hallway, they emerge into the colorful village of Arendelle with people jumping around, exclaiming "It's coronation day!" We then see a 16 year old animatronic Anna belting out the tunes to "For the First Time in Forever." Next, guests will approach the drawbridge in front of the palace and we hear Elsa singing her part of the song. And on cue, the Gates open, leaving all of the palace out in the open, as well as Elsa's secret. Guests turn left and move alongside the water and see Anna run into Prince Hans of the Southern Isles. Awkward!
Scene 4
We now enter a short black tunnel and emerge in the Coronation Hall. The choir is singing their beautiful song and we hear the minister exclaim, "Queen Elsa of Arendelle" and Elsa quickly moves to set down the ornaments and put on her light blue gloves. Guests now turn right and enter the ballroom, where an amazing ball is taking place. Guests move around the dancing party-goers and we see Anna and Elsa at the front of the room. Guests now turn right and see Prince Hans and Anna on a rock ledge singing "Love is an Open Door" and Prince Hans getting down on one knee and proposing.
Scene 5
Guests now re-enter the ballroom and we see Anna and Hans asking Elsa for her blessing of marriage. However, Elsa says no and Anna begins to fight back. Things get out of hand and Elsa loses her temper, causing her to shoot ice out of her hands and giving the guests quite a scare if they aren't ready for it. Now, Elsa sprints away, as fast as her shaking legs will carry her. The guests now chase after her, alongside Anna and Hans. But it is too late, Elsa has already used her ice powers to run across the fjord. Things begin to go wrong though, as the fjord begins to cover itself in ice and making it... Snow... Anna exclaims that she must go after her sister and mounts her horse. She says, "I leave Prince Hans in charge" and chases after her sister on top of her horse.
Scene 6
We are now on top of a mountain, not just any mountain, the North Mountain. Guests hear music begin to play and see Elsa begin to use her ice powers, you know, just Letting it Go. We hear the first chorus and then see Elsa begin to form an ice castle (brought to life with screens). The castle begins to form, grow and expand until it is a giant palace made from shiny, light blue ice. Then guests see Elsa exclaim, "The cold never bothered me anyway." And then guests proceed into darkness.
Scene 7
Meanwhile Anna is still searching for her sister. We are now outside of Wandering Oaken's Trading Post. We enter a shed and see Kristoff playing "Reindeers are Better than People" for Sven. Anna overhears, and convinces him to guide her up the North Mountain.
Scene 8
Back in the Ice Palace, we hear the reprise of "For the First Time in Forever". Anna begs Elsa to return and unfreeze the kingdom, while Elsa replies that she doesn't know how. Elsa gets agitated and strikes Anna with her powers, freezing her heart.
Scene 9
Kristoff and Anna seek help from the trolls, but they tell them that Anna will become frozen solid forever unless her heart is thawed by an act of true love. Kristoff believes Hans is the answer to this, but when Anna returns, Hans announces his true evil intentions.
Scene 10
On the frozen fjord, Hans is about to kill Elsa. Anna sacrifices herself by throwing herself between them just as she turns into ice. Since this is an act of true love, she unthaws in a dramatic fashion. Elsa unfreezes the kingdom, and all is back to normal as you approach the unloading area.
FJORD 3
Unlike the other two fjords, this one is themed completely after natural beauty. It contains many stunning features of Icelandic landscapes, such as waterfalls, geysers, and mountains.
This fjord is on the Lost River Delta side of the Northern Fjords, and is meant as a transition from the natural wilderness of that port of call. The fjord is home to one ride, Eldfjall stor Hellir, a highly themed indoor thrill ride through the caverns of a volcano.
Eldfjall stor Hellir
Eldfjall stor Hellir (Volcano Caverns) is a high paced thrill ride, taking place entirely indoors. The ride system is a tracked Kuka Arm. This allows for unique visuals and a thrilling experience, but without the footprint that would be required for a larger traditional coaster experience.
Backstory
Eldfell is a mysterious volcanic mountain littered with winding caverns and underground ice formations. While the volcano is considered extinct, recent rumblings from beneath the surface have led the locals to be concerned that it is coming back to life.
In addition, mysterious lights and distant fires have been seen on the mountain. Local legend has it that the mountain was once the home to fairies and sprites, and these lights are the fairies returning to their ancient home. However, intertwined with that is the story of the Tosserlad, a three headed monsterous troll who scared them away in the first place, and is rumored to be sleeping deep below the earth.
The susuperstitious locals fear these rumblings, along with the lights, are signs that magic is coming back to the mountain, and they are concerned that Tosserlad will awaken again soon! However, this doesn't stop them from closing down their local tourist business, as the caverns and their beauty draw visitors from around the world.
Now it's your turn to take that journey. Discover the beauty of Eldfell.
Queue
The queue for the ride is a series of beautiful caverns carved out by volcanic and glacial activity over the years. A small wooden and gravel (cement laid to appear like gravel) footpath acts as the waiting area.
The queue consists of three layers of ramped sections, separated by bridges that cross over an underground ice-melt stream and waterfalls. This will take guests up two stories to the loading area for the ride.
Along the way, Guests will catch glimpses of the outside of the caverns, and the sky, all through holes in the rock walls. At one paint, they can even spot Port Discovery off in the distance.
Lush vegetation lines the queue, thriving off the volcanic soil. Ferns and moss are common. In addition, hints and warnings of the troll are littered throughout, as well as some cave paintings depicting mythical beings, along with one very large one with three heads and blood red eyes. How long have these stories been around?
As you get closer to the loading platform, some wooden shacks, many built lean two style against the rock face. This is where the Tour Guides operate as their underground tours from.
You queue up and a short documentary begins to play on the overhead televisions that outlines the history of the caverns, including a long history of famous explorers who have visited (including some that swear never to return), and an overview of the myths and stories surrounding the cave.
Ride Experience
Scene 1
After boarding, you turn around a sharp corner. Your on ride sound system plays soothing music as a multicolored rock cavern comes into view. It is breathtaking. Stalagtites and Stalagmites litter the cavern. A waterfall cascades down the rocks in the distance, and you are close enough to feel the mist on your face.
(as a design note, this scene is based off the Ruby Falls caverns in TN)
Scene 2
After this, you are taken around another sharp turn and into an underground lake. Purple and blue reflections line the walls with another stunning display. Gold sparkles (accomplished with underwater LEDs) make the lake seem to glitter from below. But, it is a bit odd? What are they? They seem to be moving and alive?
(as a design note, this scene is based off of the Reed Flute Cave in Guilin, China)
Scene 3
You are taken to what appears to be an underground forest. The sun can be shining through the glacier above, but you are still underneath solid ice. Here, projections of lights that...seem to be alive, and even look like fairies or sprites, flitter between the unique and prehistoric looking foliage. You aren't sure what any of these ferns, flowers and trees are, but they bioluminece and seem to be alive.
Scene 4
After three relatively slow and swooping scenes that focus on the grandeur of the display, you come around a corner and are presented with hot air blowing in your face. This part of the cave has long shadows and ominous dark red and gold lights. You hear a grumbling, mumbling, growling sound, deep and resonating, and you can see on the back wall of the cave, a large shadow, appearing to move towards you. You can't make out what it is, but you know you probably don't want to find out!
This section is littered with wooden signs and scratched messages on the wall warning to "No Further" and "Go Back".
Scene 5
The ride vehicle takes a sharp turn forward, and more hot air blows in your face as you pass through an arch. Along the arch are more warnings scratched in the wall, and what appears to be, a pile of human bones? Also, it seems you can hear a roar off in the distance?
Scene 6
Your vehicle takes a fast and forward facing plunge into darkness (about a 2 story drop) in the dark, and then spins around...to see...
Scene 7
A giant animatronic three headed troll is looking over you! His roar, from all three heads, pierces your ears over the on board speakers as well as area audio. It's deafening, and it's certainly time to leave.
Scene 8
Your ride vehicle turns around and you "scurry", facing forward, through a tight series of caverns until you see through a hole in the distance, the light of day (here you really can see outside of the ride and out onto the park, even though the ride is still indoors).
Scene 9
You turn sharply to the left, and are brought to the unloading area. Similar wooden buildings are here, and you exit out through a similar cavern structure as the one you entered from.
Conclusion
Even throughout a long and busy week where more than one of our team members had preoccupations more important than the competition, we still managed to turn in one of our best proposals yet. The Northern Fjords would be a valuable addition to Tokyo DisneySea. Thank you for your consideration in reading our proposal.
