Disney's Animal Kingdom
South America
~~~~~~~
S.E.A. Base Camp
Currently, Disney’s Animal Kingdom only takes us to two continents. But there are so many other continents with their own diverse animals (except for Europe; to my knowledge, Europe doesn't have many unique animals). So, with this refurbishment, I plan to represent all the continents. First stop: South America!
Guests enter South America from a tunnel in-between Africa and Asia. If you're eagle-eyed, you may spot the Wildlife Express pass atop the rocky formation. However, your first stop won't exactly be the mystic rainforests you may expect to find here. Instead, you'll find yourself at the South American base camp of
S.E.A., otherwise known as the
Society of Explorers and Adventurers.
S.E.A. has come to the South American rainforests to investigate the mysterious
Rio Místico, a large, foreboding mountain. Some say that the animals that inhabit the surrounding jungles of the mountain are quite, shall we say...out there. Very strange. If we dare, we can explore this treacherous mountain ourselves. But, we'll get there in due course. First, let me show you around the base.
There are quite a few makeshift shops located on base.
Bamboo Alley provides a selection of goods and services from the Far East: China, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. Ornaments of jade, oriental carvings, rugs and other fine products grace the lavishly-appointed shelves and displays. The sweet aroma of pineapple drifts from
Trader Sam’s Outpost, a one-of-a-kind smoothie bar in the midst of tacky decor reminiscent of American Tiki Culture. Though out on business in the jungle, Trader Sam runs his juice bar with utmost pride, his proud collection of shrunken heads and skulls hanging from his favorite chandelier. Say, did you notice that old beat-up jeep at the entrance to the S.E.A. base camp? That would be
Crazy Eddie’s Safari Supplies, the real “last outpost of civilization.” Good ol’ Eddie has been thru heck and back to park his old caravan in these parts - if the flattened tires and poison darts mean anything - and boy, oh boy is he happy to sell his wares: sunblock, sunglasses, pith helmets, fedoras, canteens, and sun hats. Eddie’s still-functioning phonograph starts a consistent musical theme with the rest of the base camp.
Of course, the real pride and joy of the S.E.A. base camp is the
Adventurers' Club. Yes, you heard me correctly: the Adventurers' Club.
This iconic hotspot from the glory days of Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney (now The Landing at Disney Springs) has made its triumphant "world
re-premiere" here. In this kooky, topsy-turvy mish-mash of a theater, restaurant, pub and museum, we find the decorative likes of old photographs, trophy heads, tiki totems, acquired artifacts, lavish portraits, awards and trophies, tribal masks, ancient sarcophagi, bizarre fossils, accursed idols, and received - stolen or otherwise - “gifts” from countless adventures across the globe.
Here, various members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers--led by club president Pamelia Perkins and good ol' Colonel Critchlow Sunchbench--invite new inductees and old friends to join them in their wacky club events. The club itself serves as a bit of refuge for intrepid adventurers, archaeologists and tourists alike, all in need of a little rest and recreation amid their travels thru the dark jungles of South America. During the day, the place serves as a family-friendly restaurant, but at night (yes, this club will retain its nighttime operating hours from its days on Pleasure Island)--the place comes alive with the fun and jubilance it did when it was at Disney Springs. Not a thing about it has changed in the slightest. The only thing that's changed about the Adventurers' Club is its new location and some slight exterior re-working to have it blend in more with the South American theming. With the Adventurers' Club open again, it will be the perfect place for guests to "come in a stranger and leave a little stranger". Kungaloosh!
And now that I've shown you around the base, I think it's time that we take a look at Rio Místico and discover its secrets. This mountain leads the way for one of Disney's Animal Kingdom's newest, and strangest, attractions:
Mystic River Mountain.
Heading towards the mountain, tall trees and plants surround the area, truly immersing the guests in a jungle environment. Old, discarded exploration gear is scattered throughout here; the leavings of previous explorations. At the top of the mountain, you can make out what appears to be some sort of temple, sheltered within the rocky texture of the mountain. On the side of the mountain that faces the guests, a large crater is formed, a curved waterfall cascading down, into the crater. The mountain is on an abandoned island, surrounded by water. You can make out carved Mayan symbols on the rocky texture of the mountain. At the end of the large plateau, you can make out what appears to be some sort of docking building, made out of wood, which appears to be years old. You approach the building, getting a better look and seeing more of the surrounding details. The wooden lodge building appears to be splintered and worn. Several lanterns are suspended from the inside of the building. Above the entrance, a sign reads
“Mystic River Mountain”.
Once you enter the building, you’ll immediately enter the queue. The queue is outdoors, but is completely covered by the roof of the building. Tall wooden supports hold the roof up, each adorned with a lantern and various equipment. As you make your way through the queue, you’ll notice several crates and pieces of equipment which bear the S.E.A. insignia. From what you can make out of the surrounding area, it appears that a group of S.E.A. adventurers have just settled in the surrounding area and are operating an excursion along the river, and they are allowing us to join the excursion abroad the river and have our own adventure!
After making your way through the queue, the guests board large, dark brown cruise boats, suspended under a wooden awning. The boats feature eight rows, capable of containing six people in each row. A Cast Member at the end of the queue assigns you to the row you’ll be sitting in. Ahead of each seat is a pouch, where you can store any loose items. Above each pouch is a horizontal hand bar, something you can hold on to, just in case the waters get a little rough. When the guests are ready to go, the boat travels out of the docking station and proceeds across the water, towards the steep mountain.
While approaching the mountain, the boat enters into the rushing current of a river, which circles around the front side of the mountain. The segment lets guests have a batter view of the mountain. The rushing current of the river takes guests around a curve. Large boulders and rock work, covered in moss and plants surround the area, making the guests feel as though they were traveling down a narrow alleyway of a mountain. The sunlight stretches through the tall tree branches above. The sounds of animals off in the distant jungle could be heard. The boat continues down the river, following the trail of the water. Curving around the trail, the guests see a dark cavern, ahead. As the vehicles approach, they get a last glance at civilization; a small glance of the base camp. The guests enter into the dark cavern, into complete darkness. The sound of an approaching waterfall is heard. As some would expect, there is a sudden drop and the guests proceed down a waterfall.
The guests proceed through the dark cavern. Rays of sunlight peek through small cracks in the rocky walls. Moss covers the sides of the walls. The faint light offers a glimpse at the rock walls. Along the rocky texture, guests can make out Mayan symbols and lithographs, hand carved into the rocky wall. On both side of the rocky cavern, the symbols depict some sort of story. The first panel the guests come across is a panel of a shining sun, rising high above a mountain. The next picture shows the sun, as several wandering animals encircle the circular orb. The third lithograph shows the sun descending behind the mountain. The final inscribed picture shows the moon hovering over the mountain, as several unbelievable, unforeseen, yet familiar creatures encircle the moon.
The guests make their way out of the cavern and into the lush surrounding of a tropical jungle. A low mist settles across the floor, as the boat travels down the narrow rivers of the mountain. Tall, rocky walls stretch around the area, as trees and plants block the vehicle from sight. To your right, a large elephant is seen, raising his trunk, as if he was going to spray you. The boat continues down the river, letting the current lead the way. The boat rounds a bend until it passes a grassland, where zebras and giraffes are grazing. There is a single lion figure atop a rocky cliff.
The boat continues around a bend. A section of the river separates and travels into a large watering hole. Surrounding the watering hole are gazelles, warthogs, several different types of birds, rhinoceroses and hippos, living out the usual schedules of their lives. The boat continues down the current of the river. The guests can make out another cavern in the distance, surrounded by dangling moss and plants. The vehicle enters the dark cavern, before proceeding up a lift hill.
I know it seems pretty out of sorts to have a lift hill in the middle of a mountain, especially for a boat ride and it doesn’t really make much sense. However, Disney’s done wit with Splash Mountain and Pirates, even when it environmentally doesn’t make sense. However, if we really think that far into it, a lot of what Disney does with their attractions doesn’t “environmentally make sense”. The boats proceed up a lift hill, in complete darkness. Above, a large breach in the mountain roof shows the sun descending, as the sky fades to nighttime. The effect is a simple projection along the surface. The effects lets guests know that the sun has set and they are now traveling along the rocky perimeter of the mountain at night. It’s also meant to prove as a distraction for when the guests make the ascent up the lift hill.
The boat proceeds at the top of the lift hill and enters into one of the show buildings, hidden inside the mountain. The boat enters a tropical forest, at nighttime. Above, a bright moon lies, illuminated in the sky. Across the ceiling are several fiber optic stars, which twinkle, brightly. Surrounding the river passage are all sorts of exotic plants and trees. Vines and vegetation seem to surround the area, making the entire room seem much larger than it actually is. Ahead, you can hear some movement through the jungle. The boat proceeds down the river, approaching the location of the sound.
The boat curves with the river and the guests see gazelle grazing behind a set of bushes. The gazelle see the boat approaching and began to leap off. As they begin to leap, the guests see that the gazelles have bird-like wings and in mid-leap, begin to fly off into the jungle, out of sight. What strange creatures these are! The boat proceeds down the river. Suddenly, a massive jolt comes from the jungle. Tree branches snap and bend, as an elephant makes its way through. The elephant features a large rhinoceros horn and the body of a hippopotamus. The elephant-rhinoceros-hippo-like being raises his trunk and a jet of water proceeds outwards. The jet of water shoots over the boat, just missing the guests. The roof of the boat may get a little damp, but no need to worry; you’ll come out just fine.
The boat proceeds around the river and past a rocky ledge. At the top of the rocky ledge, large monkey creatures, with large giraffe necks jump up and down, unhappy about the approaching guests in their territory. In the monkeys’ hands are rocks of various sizes. As the boat passes through, it appears as though the monkeys throw the rocks at the boat. Jets of water from within the river burst up, making it seem like the rocks are being thrown towards the boat. The boat makes its way through the dispute, before proceeding further down the river.
In a grassy area to your left, giraffes with black and white zebra stripes are seen grazing. Along with the giraffes are antelope with kangaroo-like bodies and an animal, which looks something like combing a bull and an ox together. The animals are peacefully grazing, not acknowledging the guests whom pass by. The boat rounds a curve and notices a stone arched Mayan temple ahead. The structure isn’t all that intricate; a series of pillars connecting to eachother. Across the stone pillars are several etched drawing and lithographs. The boat continues through the center of the structure, letting guests have a good look at the temple’s architecture. The boat makes their way, ahead they can see another cavern. The guests enter the dark cavern, surrounded by darkness. A moment later, the boat descends down a brief waterfall.
In the next segment of the ride, the boats travel down an area of swampy marshland in the mountain. Tall leaves and moss dangle from the ceiling, adding a swampy feel to the area. Large trees and plants surround the area. In the river, large lily-pads are seen, floating along the surface. On the top of some lily-pads, bright, colorful frogs are seen, with orange flamingo beaks. The frogs “ribbit” as you pass them. All throughout the river are colorful LED lights, which illuminate different colors. An array of blue fireflies sweeps throughout the area. Suspended high from a few of the trees are several parrots, parakeets, toucans and flamingos, all in a variety of unnatural, unheard of colors. In the far corner, a set of crocodiles, with a leopard pattern are seen. As you pass the creatures, they open their mouths and snap their jaws.
The boat leaves the area and enters into a cavern up ahead. The boat proceeds down a drop, which begins to curve, increasing the speed of the incline. As the boat descends, a roar is heard and the boat becomes surrounded in all sorts of blue, beautiful waterfalls. The waterfalls completely surround the boats, sometimes even splashing the roof. The formerly dark cavern is now light with blue and white colors. You feel the mist from the waterfall travel onto your skin. Could this be that huge waterfall crater that we saw on the outside of the mountain? The boat proceeds down the curved descent before it slows down and re-enters a show-building.
Ahead, the guests travel through a dark cavern. There is a rocky barrier to your left, in which the boat curves around. A loud roar is heard. From within the depths of the large river-turned-lagoon, a giant snake, with an iguana body emerges from within the lagoon on your right. The creature lets out a deep roar, before trying to snap at the guests. An orange steam emits from the creature’s mouth. After several close, but failed attempts, the creature proceeds to sink back under the sea. After a moment of silent movement, there is a sudden jolt on the bottom of the boat! The creature is right underneath the boat! A jet of water blasts, surrounding the boat in a plume of water. The guests may get a little wet here. The creature emerges on the left side of the boat. The creature still tries to snap, moving his head in close to the boat. The boat is out of reach however, and the creature proceeds back down into the watery depths of the lagoon.
The guests then proceed around the barrier, crossing into the next section of the cavern. Ahead, just off to your right, you can see the giant snake monster battle it out with a rather heroic lion, with angelic wings. The snake creature raises his head and tries to snap at the lion, but the monarchy of the jungle lets out a huge roar, which echoes throughout the cavern. The guests proceed past the two dueling monsters and enter into a small cavern, the sound of a distant waterfall approaching. The guests leave the two creatures behind, as the lion lets out another loud roar and screams are heard coming from the snake-like creature. As the guests enter the cavern, a shadow seems to fly over the boat.
Once the guests arrive inside the cavern, they see a large waterfall ahead. Above the waterfall, a ledge is located. The winged-lion creature stands before the group and bows to them. Above the lion is an opening, which shows the sun rising into the sky. As it does so, the lion’s wings, seem to sparkle and turn translucent, as if they were disappearing. The lion lets out a roar, as the boat descends down a forty five foot drop.
The boat lands in the waters surrounding the mountain with a huge splash. The boat proceeds back across the waters and into the loading dock, where the guests boarded their boats. The boat pulls into the unload dock, where the guests are released and exit the boats. The guests walk down the exit pathway, completely surrounded in tall trees and plants. The pathway opens up into a circle. In the center of the circle is a stone pillar with a lion atop it. On one side of the stone pillar, an inscription reads:
P U G H N S Z A K B E R F C T D I W Y J M O V L Q X
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
On the opposite side of the pillar, at the base, a meticulously carved inscription reads:
P RNYYTC KY GPYJ PRTCZ JAN ATWKXTC. JAN VPQ VN DNWGNKON TMW RKONY PWN PY HKSSNWNCJ PY CKZAJ PCH HPQ, QNJ PWN TCN.
This attraction is going to be another one of Disney's Animal Kingdom's heavy hitting attractions, from both its breathtaking and unusual qualities. It is much like Journey to the Center of the Earth in some ways, but entirely different. This attraction also introduces a new boat ride attraction into Disney's Animal Kingdom. Consider this a distaff counterpart to Expedition Everest. While both of these mountains are visually striking, they are also visually vastly different from each other, which is why some space between them is actually a blessing.
