journey to atlantis construction

CONSTRUCTON UPDATES Construction Media - Artist Renditions can be found at the bottom of the page

• 06.04.04 - Stuff, Journey to Atlantis, Cirque de la Mer and more.
• 05.01.04 - JTA construction and testing plus summer prep
• 04.25.04 - JTA constructon and other hapenings around the park, preperation for Summer.
• 04.17.04 - JTA constructon, and much more at Calypos Island and aroud the park
• 03.23.04 - Video ofJTA Testing, SW is now testing the ride and here is the exclusive first video! and More photos of the other construction.
• 03.23.04 - JTA Testing, SW is now testing the ride and here is the exclusive first shot.
• 03.19.04 - Happy 40th Birthday Sea World San Diego! Plus JTA construction.
• 03.13.04 - JTA construction, Lots of theme construction occuring, a must look, restruant construction moving quick.
• 02.26.04 - JTA construction, Trees on site and some painting
• 02.16.04 - JTA construction, On with the details ... and stuff
• 02.08.04 - JTA construction, continuation with shots of the main plaza
• 02.07.04 - JTA constructon, more construction pictures
• 01.30.03 - JTA construction, things look real good now!
• 01.26.03 - Sea World Orlando photo gallery
• 12.13.03 - JTA construction, The drop out of the North Tower is complete , and the Main Towers paint job is nearing completion.
• 12.03.03 - JTA construction, North tower painting nears completion, exterior work continues on the main tower.
• 11.15.03 - JTA construction, Boats, the boats have arived and the North tower is looking styling.
• 11.02.03 - JTA construction, fires under control construction continues most noteably is the fact that the dome is on top of the main tower.
• 10.21.03 - JTA construction, the North tower is nearly complete and other misc. construction around JTA and the park.
• 09.27.03 - JTA construction, the U-turn out of the elevator is 3/4 complete.
• 09.25.03 - JTA construction, coaster track has been hung
• 09.18.03 - JTA construction the first dome is up and the supports at the turnaround are in place
• 09.11.03 - JTA construction, lifthill, first drop, and event preperation
• 08.24.03 - JTA consturction, green is gone & there is lots of other stuff
• 08.12.03 - JTA construction, the lift hill supports are now in place
• 08.08.03 - JTA construction, keeping the north tower warm & the park pretty
• 07.25.03 - JTA construction, lets stare at the new stairs and more
• 07.18.03 - JTA construction, the "elevator shaft" has started to go in and the domes are comming together
• 07.05.03 - JTA constructon, just a little post 4th update, my how the towers have grown.
• 07.01.03 - JTA constructon, TRACK HAS ARIVED!!
• 06.28.03 - JTA construction, continuing footage of the construction site and ride suppourts have arrived.
• 06.27.03 - JTA constructon, work has begun on the main tower.
• 06.21.03 - SW is flying now, the second tower is already up and more pices of the structure and ride are showing up.
• 06.14.03 - The first of the JTA towers has gone vertical construction is really moving along.
• 03.30.03 - Cement has been poured on the rides turn-aroud.
• 03.15.03 - The first of the footers has been poured.
• 02.08.03 - JTA and the Ed. Center are coming along nicely. Take a Look.
• 01.25.03 - The entire construction site is one giant lake, just don't go swiming in it.
• 01.30.03 - JTA and Ed Center constructio
• 12.08.02 - JTA's area is now flat dirt as is the Ed Center don't trust me well. Take a look.
• 11.24.02 - On top of the situation I have brought you pictures what has changed in the park over the past week.

CONSTRUCTION MEDIA

• Conceptual images for the Journey to Atlantis attraction. Journey to Atlantis 1 Journey to Atlantis 2 Site Map
• Newest image direct from Sea World Journey to Atlantis Model

Quick JTA Stats

• Ride Manufactor: Mack Rides

Journey to Atlantis 2 & Site Map I owe thanks to www.parkfunworld.be

If you are new to this site DBGLL will be offering it's readers contentious coverage of the construction of the new Educational Center,the highly anticipated Journey to Atlantis attraction, and more.

To discuss what you have seen on this site in an open forum click on the Forum link at the top of this page. . .

SeaWorld Update: New Attraction Coming to SeaWorld Orlando, Dolphin Nursery Construction and Atlantis Refurb

Checking out SeaWorld Orlando this week to see what’s new around the park. The Dolphin Nursery is being completely rebuilt and should reopen this summer, but is currently hidden behind work walls. The most notable difference once reopened will be see-through acrylic windows, so kids can get a better view inside. Journey to Atlantis is closed for its annual refurbishment. Water was running while I was there, so that’s a good sign that it might be close to wrapping up. Also, the Seven Seas Food Festival is going on now. You’ll find food booths set up throughout the park, but they’re only open on Saturdays. There’s also a live concert every Saturday night for the event. The festival ends May 13th. Check out our full menus and concert lineup here .

The biggest bit of news though, is that apparently SeaWorld Orlando will be getting a new water-based ride, possibly for 2018. The new attraction will be built where the Sea Garden area is currently located. All indications are that the new ride will be a family raft ride similar to Shipwreck Rapids at SeaWorld San Diego, although no confirmation or announcement has been made yet. While the entire Sea Garden area will most likely be used for the new attraction, it is possible the existing Terrace building will remain, (although the restaurants and Pass Member Lounge inside may close during construction.) The nearby Animal Ambassador building (former Budweiser Clydesdale stable) is also rumored to remain intact during this construction, and animal encounters should continue in the area. Check out the video and photo report below for more details, and stay tuned to the site for more information and updates!

Photo Update

Welcome to SeaWorld Orlando!

Those are some cool flamingos!

This little guy was loving the sunny weather!

Seven Seas Food Festival going on now until May 13th! More info.

Food booths set up all over the park for the new festival, but only open on Saturdays

Dolphin Nursery being completely rebuilt

Big work walls up all along the area

New updated new Nursery should be open by summer

Concept Art for updated Nursery, with see-through walls

Looks like existing steel supports will be utilized in new design

One last look before we move on

Journey to Atlantis is currently closed for its annual refurbishment

The gift shop and aquarium is still open during this update

Water is flowing, so maybe it’s almost ready to open back up soon?

Looks like the decorative boats near entrance have been re-painted

Shiny new looking boat

A ride vehicle stopped on second lifthill

Water pump hose under big drop

Ladder up high

Aquarium still open during construction

One last look at the area before moving on

Possible location for a new ride at SeaWorld Orlando!

The Sea Garden is a quiet garden made to look like underwater coral

The location is in the top-right portion of the park

Rumor is a new water ride, most likely a family raft ride similar to Shipwreck Rapids in San Diego, will be coming to this part of the park.

Possible ride type ( Photo FamilyVacationHub )

Lift hill in San Diego ride ( Photo FamilyVacationHub )

The Sea Gardens area is large and fairly open

If you look closely, you may see some survey markers around the area lately

These survey markers are what started the new ride rumor

The little flags are littered all over this part of the park

The gardens are home to some animals, like these colorful macaws

If you walk the trails you can read signs like these and learn about conservation and wildlife

A few months ago Terrace BBQ was removed from this sign, now I know why…

All indications are that this building will remain intact if/when a new ride is built in front of it

Inside is a snack bar, Pass Member Lounge, and Terrace BBQ

Inside, here is the snack bar/bar, currently open

Remember when they used to serve free beer here? Like a million years ago

The Pass Member Lounge is still open, for now

Terrace BBQ is now closed, which explains why it was taken off the sign outside

Guests being redirected to other locations.

Outside, the patio overlooks a beautiful and quiet pond

As much as I’d love a new ride, this was my favorite quiet place to relax in the park, and I’ll miss it

Moving on, on the far left of the area, is where Animal Ambassadors show off unique creatures

The animals aren’t going anywhere, and will continue to meet out front of this area, just outside of the gardens once construction starts

Many of the animals live in the old barn behind this area, where the Budweiser Clydesdale horses used to be. I believe this stable will remain even after the new ride comes, so they can keep their home.

“Please don’t take my home away.”

The nearby flamingo pond may remain as well, but all of the surrounding gardens will be turned into a new ride, and may even be walled up soon for construction.

Whatever the new attraction will be, we can be pretty sure it will have something to do with conservation.

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Author: Alicia Stella

• Construction Updates

Alicia Stella

Alicia Stella has been covering new attractions since 2015, with her work cited by The New York Times, USA Today, CNN, and more. She specializes in reporting on new attraction development, and always looks forward to upcoming changes coming to the Orlando theme parks. She is also a contributor to the The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando.

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Journey to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando

Skip to: Overview | Location | Restrictions | Fear factor | Fun fact | Guest reviews

What is Journey to Atlantis?

Journey to Atlantis is a family-friendly water coaster (though some might call it a high-grade flume ride). This ride will take you through the lost city of Atlantis, exploring watery passageways and secret tunnels. Out of all the attractions at SeaWorld Orlando, Journey to Atlantis boasts some of the most beautiful and varied intricate theming, from dark tunnels with sparkling lights to bright and playful underwater reefs.

Where is Journey to Atlantis located?

In the Sea of Legends at SeaWorld Orlando

Journey to Atlantis – height restrictions and other factors

Height requirement is 42 inches; included in Quick Queue.

Journey to Atlantis – what you wish you knew before you experienced it

Journey to Atlantis is a water-coaster, so prepare to get wet. The main drop is featured prominently to guests even casually walking by, so that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. What may surprise folks is the second – albeit much smaller – drop, where some even claim to get more wet than on the first.

While we’re all at least vaguely familiar with the concept of the Lost City of Atlantis, it doesn’t hurt to reinforce that idea here. What scholars and historians disagree on is why the city is indeed lost, and this attraction offers its own answer to that age-old question: because it doesn’t want to be found! The main drop in the ride is the city expelling unwanted guests (i.e, you) from its waters.

How scary is Journey to Atlantis?

We rate Journey to Atlantis three out of five water-falls. The ride itself isn’t scary in the least. In fact, most of the attraction hosts some of the most peaceful and tranquil moments you might find at SeaWorld Orlando, but the darker tunnels and two drops are enough to get your heart rate up!

What was Journey to Atlantis’ opening date?

April 17, 1998

Journey to Atlantis – OI fun fact

Journey to Atlantis underwent refurbishment in 2017 to be more family-friendly.

Journey to Atlantis – real guest reviews

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SeaWorld will reopen its roller coasters Monday after a 13-month closure

The San Diego park will take a phased approach, with some of its thrill rides like Electric Eel and Manta opening first. Journey to Atlantis and Shipwreck Rapids will open later

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Starting Monday, SeaWorld will reopen its thrill rides and coasters, marking the first time they’ll be accessible to visitors in more than a year, the San Diego park announced Thursday.

Although SeaWorld has been open since early February under separate, more relaxed state guidelines for zoos, its rides have been off-limits because of restrictions designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus. The state of California, however, recently issued revised guidelines that permitted amusement parks to reopen April 1, subject to a number of limitations, including reduced capacities.

Now that San Diego County has just entered the orange tier of the state’s color-coded reopening blueprint, SeaWorld can be open at 25 percent capacity as opposed to 15 percent under the more restrictive red tier, but only California residents will be allowed. Reservations are also required.

“I think there’s a ton of pent-up demand for the rides,” said SeaWorld San Diego president Marilyn Hannes. “It’s been a year. Certainly, our fans, our pass members, the locals are wanting to go on the rides again. We hear that all the time.”

Among the rides that will be available next week as part of a phased reopening are the Electric Eel and Manta coasters; Tentacle Twirl, a jellyfish-themed swing ride; Riptide Rescue; and several rides geared to younger children like Abby’s Sea Star Spin, Elmo’s Flying Fish and Aqua Scout.

Thrill rides like Shipwreck Rapids and Journey to Atlantis, as well as the Bayside Skyride, will reopen in a second phase, which should arrive as the weather warms up, but no specific date has been announced, Hannes said.

Also uncertain is the opening date for the Emperor coaster, which was supposed to make its debut last year but was sidelined by the pandemic. Construction of the coaster, billed as the tallest and fastest floorless dive coaster in the state, is complete but testing is still ongoing, Hannes said.

“We’ll decide the perfect time to open Emperor,” she said. “I think it’s very close. It’s a business decision. It is going to be an incredible addition to the park and it deserves a plan of its own.”

Although the overall park will be limited to 25 percent capacity, SeaWorld is something of a hybrid in that it also has animal exhibits. Under the state zoo guidelines, it will be allowed to go up to 50 percent capacity for its indoor exhibits like Turtle Reef and Penguin Encounter, Hannes said. Seating for its outdoor animal shows like Orca Encounter and Dolphin Days will continue to be socially distanced.

An enticement for visitors, Hannes said, is a current Southern California pass promotion it is offering at $9 a month, which includes unlimited admission and a 50 percent discount on parking.

Little by little, California theme parks are starting to open back up, although the largest — Disneyland, California Adventure and Universal Studios — have yet to resume operations. Universal will reopen next Friday, while the Disney parks are scheduled to reopen April 30. In San Diego County, Legoland reopened last Thursday , and the smaller Belmont Park in Mission Beach opened its rides back up that same day.

The easing of state-imposed restrictions on theme parks and other businesses like restaurants has made rehiring a challenge, as they all are seeking to ramp up at the same time. Hannes said SeaWorld is in the midst of hiring several hundred workers and encouraged interested applicants to visit https://careers.seaworldparks .

“We’re all reopening at once, and some people have moved out of state, some have moved to other industries, people are transitioning into in-person schooling, so people are still in flux,” Hannes explained. “We’re all in this place where we need to hire a lot of people at once. It’s unprecedented but we’ll get through it.”

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Journey To Atlantis Reopens At SeaWorld Orlando After Track Refresh

Journey To Atlantis has reopened at SeaWorld Orlando after a major refurbishment that saw the ride closed to guests for more than one month.

The ride is looking great now that it's back up and running again. During its refurbishment, Journey To Atlantis received some much needed love and attention, including a track refresh, with new track! We cant wait to ride again soon!

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For thousands of years, explorers, adventurers, and globetrotters have sought remains of an ancient civilization swallowed by the sea; a lost continent abandoned by the gods. The story of Atlantis has endured for centuries and centuries, a mythological marvel as celebrated as the gods of old. And for theme park fans, it seems like the perfect foundation for a dark ride. 

We’ve made it our mission here at Theme Park Tourist to chronicle the in-depth, full stories behind  landmark attractions across the world... including those that taught us what not  to do... And that brings us to our  Declassified Disasters  series, examining failures and flops from  Stitch’s Great Escape to Superstar Limo ; the  Rocket Rods , to Epcot’s Journey into YOUR Imagination  and  many more . And when it comes to “forgotten” rides, there’s perhaps no better example than a would-be E-Ticket languishing away at the unfortunately troubled SeaWorld Orlando.

Image: Jeremy Thompson,  Flickr  ( license ) 

In the 1990s, an unexpected company took the helm of SeaWorld, determined to grow and expand the park to compete with Disney and Universal down the road. They wanted to transform the animal park into a destination for theme- and thrill-seekers alike. Journey to Atlantis was poised to be the perfect blend, matching Disney note-for-note in thrills, theme, score, special effects, and story. But the ride designed to exemplify a new direction for an ever-changing park is – today – all-but-sunk.

Today, we'll dive deep  into the story of SeaWorld's Journey to Atlantis and dissect the making of, experience of, and 2017 changes to this would-be E-Ticket in an in-depth, full-fledged history. But this intense look at the ride has to start with a simple question...

What is SeaWorld?

SeaWorld.  Given just that word – SeaWorld – what comes to your mind? What images? Thoughts? Sounds? Feelings? What is SeaWorld?

On a grand, philosophical level, some view SeaWorld as an inspiring animal park that provides up-close encounters with living creatures that, otherwise, would feel a world away. If it weren’t for SeaWorld, after all, many Americans might never see a sea lion, dolphin, orca, or shark in person in their entire lives … A competing (and recently vocal) group suggests that SeaWorld is a catastrophe of animal rights violations and moral reprehensibility that should be shut and buried.

But today, we’ll avoid that (important) discussion in favor of a simpler thought… Morality and philosophy aside, what is SeaWorld – as in, literally ?

Image: SeaWorld Parks

Maybe you’d label it a zoo, given its emphasis on animal enclosures and encounters. Folded in here is SeaWorld’s commendable animal rehabilitation and release program (which has rescued well over 25,000 animals in its history) and its AZA-accredited zoological practices (including enrichment, veterinary care, exhibit design, etc.) that, observably, make it a very, very good zoo... and a very, very expensive one, many times costlier than your local zoo.

Maybe you’d call it a theme park. After all, time, money, and care have been spent crafting themed “lands” with notable detail, some well-designed dark rides, and entertainment (both animal and acrobatic) quite unlike anything else in Orlando. SeaWorld stands apart from your local amusement park in so many ways.

But in just as many ways, it doesn't  stand apart. Frankly, isn’t SeaWorld a thrill park, with its anchor attractions all being bare, behemoth steel roller coasters to rival any Six Flags or Cedar Fair park?

Animal park? Theme park? Amusement park? The uncomplicated answer is that SeaWorld is all of those, and more. That’s because – quite unlike Disney or Universal’s parks – SeaWorld has been handed from owner to owner over the course of its nearly 45-year life, bending continuously to the changing whims of changing powers and changing times.

So to tell the story of Journey to Atlantis, we need to start in medias res  – right in the middle of SeaWorld's history… In 1989, the four SeaWorld parks (in San Diego, Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio) were acquired outright by a company that may initially seem out of left field...

Epic adventures

At first glance, Anheuser-Busch must seem an odd operator for a chain of parks. Even if the 1980s and '90s had seen a wave of movie studios try to break into the “studio park” business, the international brewing company (producers of Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob, Rolling Rock, Shock Top, and dozens of other recognizable alcoholic beverages) seemed to have no connection to the world of animal parks.

However, the beer behemoth had a résumé perfect for overseeing SeaWorld. That’s because they’d been operating their own theme parks for decades. Anheuser-Busch breweries in Tampa, Florida and Williamsburg, Virginia had long been adjoined by Busch Gardens parks that, in a post-Magic-Kingdom-era, were flourishing.

Sure, each had a roller coaster or two… But the emphasis at the two parks – themed to Africa and Europe, respectively – was on the authentic entertainment, cultural merchants, and homemade food reflecting the vast cultures represented within. (The Williamsburg park, in particular, has hosted two rides that are the subject of their own in-depth features – a Lost Legend: Big Bad Wolf and another Declassified Disaster: Drachen Fire .)

So upon their purchase in 1989 by the brewing company, the four SeaWorld parks were simply folded into (and indeed, became the anchor of) their Busch Entertainment division. In particular, Busch Entertainment took great interest in SeaWorld Orlando . You can imagine why. SeaWorld had been a Central Florida staple since 1973 – opening just two years  after Walt Disney World! And while the park had grown substantially in the 25 years since, Busch's purchase of the park in 1989 coincided with a major change in Orlando (and the whole industry).

That was the year that Orlando became home to the Disney-MGM Studios, followed shortly by Universal Studios Florida; the dawn of the  "Ride the Movies" era that would see competition in Central Florida (and indeed, all of North America) rachet up as amusement parks across the country were gobbled up by movie studios, eager to follow Disney and Universal's new route to accessible and affordable theme parks. By purchasing SeaWorld, Busch had secured a footprint right in the middle of the growing tourism wars of Central Florida.

But to own and operate a park (literally) in between Walt Disey World and Universal Studios, Busch needed to commit to transforming SeaWorld from a mere marine animal zoo into a world class, destination theme park itself. Their way into the war would be to completely redefine what SeaWorld was... initially, by borrowing from Disney's own ambitious innovations...

Wild life, wild rides

In 1987, Disney had broken new ground with the incomprehensibly complex (and expensive) simulator technology that powered Disney's Lost Legends: Body Wars  and the original  STAR TOURS . And now, SeaWorld would get its hands on the technology with 1992’s Mission: Bermuda Triangle. Rather than exploring the blood stream or a galaxy far, far away, the still-groundbreakings simulator technology here would be used to simulate an oceanic adventure .

And unlike the tepid offerings of a zoological park, Mission: Bermuda Triangle took things in a distinctly-dramatic direction, plunging guests into rusted shipwrecks and magnetic anomalies in a thrilling journey through the supposed supernatural occurances of the Bermuda Triangle. The idea opened an untapped world for Busch: SeaWorld could be a theme  park, with rides focused on nautical legends and adventures told in the story of Disney and Universal.

Just a few years later, SeaWorld caught on to the technology’s adaptability long before Disney would, swapping the queue and ride film to create Wild Arctic. The simulators switched from subs to helicopters, flying guests on a frigid journey to the North Pole. Even more radically, 1995’s Wild Arctic’s simulated flight was only the prelude to an animal encounter, as exiting guests would step not into a gift shop, but into an enormous "arctic research base" simulating freezing conditions, home to the park's Arctic animals.

SeaWorld's quick and cutting-edge adaptation of the still-new Star Tours technology demonstrated a new model for the park. Not only could SeaWorld raise itself to meet the cinematic splendor of Disney and Universal by way of telling nautical fables... it could do what its competitors couldn't: plugging signature animal experiences right into the attractions .

Evolution elsewhere

At the same time that SeaWorld's Orlando  park was arming itself against Disney and Universal, its other three parks – San Diego, San Antonio, and Cleveland – began to experiment with that fundamental question –  what is SeaWorld?  – via their own forays into thrills.

In San Antonio, two steel coasters rose above SeaWorld’s otherwise unassuming skyline, with Great White (1997) and Steel Eel (1999, above) redefining the park for the region. For Texans, SeaWorld was no longer just a marine life zoo; it was an animal park with thrills .

Meanwhile, clones of the Orlando-bred simulator spread, too. Wild Arctic opened in San Diego in 1997, while Mission: Bermuda Triangle debuted at the curious (and now-closed) SeaWorld Ohio in 2000 (below). In fact, that Cleveland-area park is itself a good example of SeaWorld's push in the era since, restricted from building roller coasters due to a county height requirement, SeaWorld actually put in a bid to  purchase  the operating Six Flags Ohio located directly across a lake (but in a different county); famously, Six Flags counter-offered to instead buy  SeaWorld , combining them into the world's largest theme park... before it all predictably crashed and burned .

But it goes to show just how serious Busch was about turning SeaWorld into more than an animal park, ushering in a new era of themed attractions and thrill rides. And that brings us back to SeaWorld Orlando with its unique and daunting proximity to the growing entertainment powers of Disney World and Universal. As such, Busch's plan for the Floridian park had to be exceptionally ambitious, meeting both Disney and Universal in their own turf… A Disney-quality E-Ticket dark ride.

SeaWorld’s largest, costliest addition ever would have to match Disney note-for-note, emulating Imagineering's detail, storytelling, and special effects. And if SeaWorld were determined to evolve into a standalone theme park earning a precious day of tourists' Orlando vacation (and a steep entry fee on top of it), that would require a truly monumental nautical fable...

And when it comes to legends of the sea, one whale of a tale seemed perfectly primed for a SeaWorld adventure. On the next page, we'll descend into the myth of Atlantis... and the race between Disney, Universal, and SeaWorld to open their own voyages to the sunken city first. Read on...

Just your friendly neighborhood fan of tropical hideaways, Victorian boardwalks, mid-century tomorrows, ancient temples, and cursed forests! In between dreaming of Dole Whips, I'm a museum experience developer. I'm also the researcher behind Theme Park Tourist's  Legend Library   – filled with stories of  Lost Legends , Modern Marvels , Declassified Disasters , and more.

A cacophony of independently moving effects are probably better than a too-complex story.

Former fan here (And an employee for SeaWorld Orlando), I loved this ride when I was growing up in spite of its flaws, but after riding it some time ago finding out how the ride didn't worked properly and worst, had all the charms it had that I loved removed, Journey to Atlantis has indeed sunk. It's a shame, as even tho it may not be the Disney killer Busch wanted it to be, it could of actually still been a great dark ride when they finally decided to refubished this gem, but rather than actually making it better, SEAs turned it into a lump coal. Had I been yhe person in charge of this classic attraction I could of revamped the story a bit and made the experience more imersive.

With the glow in the dark area, that could easily be replaced with realistic looking reefs and corals, with some lighting to make it look like you're underwater. As for how we ended up there, the intro could be slightly be changed by having the fisherman explain that Hermes will grant us a overshield to be able to traverse deep below the sea. Not much that can be done about that, but at least it would make sense about us all the sudden being underwater in a boat.

Then, when it comes to the mermaid being revealed to be the villian as we take up on the lift, rather than being outside of the open, the ride can instead be covered to prevent the sunlight being shown, and it would have the modern day projection screens that would show us trying to escape from the Medusa, Hermes in his Sea Horse form also trying to keep out of the antagonist's reach. Eventually the riders would come inside of what would look like a ballroom building, and from there that's when the famous drop comes into play.

Seems like we've escaped, right? Oh no! What about Hermes? Turns out he was captured, and now the Medusa is taking control of his power to bring her prey back to her! In a desperate intempt, the Sea Horse companion uses all his might and strength to sacrifice himself to free us from the predator, and the riders were able to escape at last.

Mind you, this was just a rough draft that I could name off of my head just after I finished reading this post and wanted to comment on what I could of done, but my point is that I was really disappointed about the changes they made, which many would argue is worse than what it originally was. I loved Journey to Atlantis and even the unfitting Beetlejuice song (Which could be changed to a more fitting escaping-like soundtrack) that played everytime I rode it, now it seemed like it was killed off when it came to the time to make improvements. It'd be like if Hulk went through Refubishment, but had all the story, soundtrack, and effects removed from it after reopening in Islands of Adventure, that's exactly what has happened to Atlantis.

Love it or hate it, this ride has become nothing more than a time killer that allows you to get wet. At this point, I'd rather just ride the new addition to the park, Infinity Falls, -Than take a stroll in what I would deem as a cemetery of the ride's former self. Hopefully we can get a reboot of this dark ride, or perhaps it should be replaced by a different attraction in the future. Never will I be able to show my baby sister what made me and my older sister love Journey to Atlantis, the story and the characters being gone means that like Atlantis itself, has now been buried beneath the deep sea.

I absolutely loved this ride and its incorporation of mythology! I was fortunate enough to experience this ride in Orlando in 2001 and it has been something that I have long remembered and cherished. I was quite disappointed when the ride was down in 2010 when I had my children with me (ages 10 and 5). I have always spoken highly of this ride as the first hybrid coaster/flume ride with excellent mythological story elements. It saddens me that that so many have “missed the boat” in recognizing its charm and vision.

I actually first encountered the San Diego version of the ride since I live here, and, while not tremendously ambitious, it is fun and has a nice pace and the elevator life section works with the whole "dolphin-friendly" theme...I was horribly disappointed in how the Orlando ride looked...even with the story working, it seems like the pacing is unforgivably clunky..My home park may be considered the more "minor" Sea World, but having seen the park in Orlando twice now, I much prefer how well the simpler rides work here

I mentioned that the change to Journey to Atlantis mirrors a major downgrade at Cincinnati's Kings Island when TOMB RAIDER: The Ride became the generic The Crypt. What's funny is that Kings Dominion – a sister park in Virginia – got a smaller, outdoor, less ornately themed version of the ride called TOMB RAIDER: Firefall. It, too, became The Crypt when Cedar Fair took over, but it kept all of its light theming and, ultimately, was the better experience! Didn't see that coming...

Same thing now with the Journeys to Atlantis in Orlando and San Diego... The San Diego ride – even if it's "simpler" and "cheaper," it actually successful at what it set out to do / be! Great point!

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See inside Seaworld Orlando’s Antarctica and Penguin Trek roller coaster construction site

We were invited out to SeaWorld Orlando yesterday to see all the construction progress they are making on their new Penguin Trek family roller coaster. We also found out what changes will be coming to the whole Antarctica area.

The Antarctica area of SeaWorld opened in May 2013 and originally featured a trackless dark ride called Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin . When it first opened, guest could choose to a mild or wild ride. Although many considered the ride fun, most were unimpressed. After a while, the “wild” option went away, and eventually, a few years ago, the ride just closed unannounced, leaving only the penguin exhibit, restaurant, and gift shop in the Antarctica area.

In September 2023, SeaWorld Orlando announced its replacement, Penguin Trek. SeaWorld is calling it a family launch coaster with ride height of 42 inches. But there’s a difference between a family coaster and a “kiddie” coaster. This one will be a lot more thrilling than their Super Grover’s Box Car Derby roller coaster.

Let’s take a walk through the construction area and see what changes are coming to the Antarctica land and the construction of the roller coaster.

As you walk into the area from the side near Journey to Atlantis, you’ll see the ride exit gift shop. The existing gift shop across from here will be staying, but now guests will walk through this new gift shop as they exit the ride and/or penguin encounter. Guest not wanting to ride, may still visit the penguins. The penguin exhibit is remaining the same as it was.

They had their blueprints on display, along with some concept art. The blueprint on the left shows the former/current ride and exhibit building. The building isn’t being expanded, but as you can see in the blueprint on the right, the ride starts inside the building then goes outside, then back in.

They have torn down some of the existing walls just outside the Expedition Café Restaurant to open the area up more and allow more seating. The cafe will be adding one more food station inside. They are also adding a walk-up bar near the cafe’s entrance.

If you’re been visiting the park over the years since Antarctica opened, you’ve probably noticed the walkways, “snow”, and rocks haven’t been as shiny white as they once were. They said they area going to give the whole area a refresh with the reopening of the area.

Here you can see the Penguin Trek roller coaster track (white) comes pretty close to Manta’s (dark blue).

They are in the middle of adding lots of greenery on the hill between Antarctica and the Sea Lion & Otter Stadium.

Here’s a look at where the ride track comes out of the building during the launch.

The track crosses over itself and returns inside the building here.

All of this wire will become rock work, and a large floor to ceiling screen will be added just before the launch outside (back left). The screen will simulate being in Antarctica and will show falling ice and a mix of computer generated scenes and real footage.

This is the load area. Riders will load into the coaster cars on the left, and exit on the right.

This is the other side of the load area. The bridge above is where guests will cross to get to the load area. This also shows where the coaster reenters the building. After guests get off the ride, they’ll be able to visit the penguin exhibit.

Here’s a full video of our SeaWorld team member-led construction tour with many more details and a look at the queue.

Although it looks like they still have a long way to go, they are still saying the ride and land will open this spring, which gives them until June 19, 2024. For more information about SeaWorld Orlando, visit Seaworld.co m .

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Thanks for the update Matt If you had to make a comparison as far as thrill level of Penguin Trek, what current Orlando based roller coaster would you say it is comparable to?

I’d say Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but a bit more thrilling because of the launches.

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Journey to Atlantis - Sea World

500 Sea World Dr, San Diego , California 92109 USA

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• Credit Cards Accepted
• Not Wheelchair Accessible
• No Public Restrooms
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“A thrilling water ride”

Climb aboard Journey to Atlantis®, a water ride that combines soaking flume fun, thrilling coaster action and amazing special effects as you journey to a lost civilization—a journey that begins with a splashy 60-foot plunge and ends face-to-face with fascinating sea animals.

Reviewed by Britney M.

Bummed that during my recent visit, this ride was closed down. They were doing some construction to upgrade the ride. I was able to go on the Journey to Atlantis last summer at SeaWorld. It's a... Read more

Reviewed by Taura G.

Great ride in the hot Southern California weather. The gift shop next to the ride entrance sell rain panchos for anyone who does not want to get their clothes wet. On the hot day that we went, not... Read more

Reviewed by Marciaann N.

Ride is always fun when it's working. It's always a long wait even if there aren't a lot of people waiting. The wait is brutal when its hot outside. Read more

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• How we built the Moscow metro

©.Mille et Une. Films, Arte France, Ethnogeographic Research Foundation

2014 • documentary • 52'

authors Anne Brunswic & Xavier Villetard • director Xavier Villetard • editing Marie-Pomme Carterert • directof of photoprahy  Christopher Morley-Pegge • sound Yolande Decarsin

In the 1930’s, the workers of the underground, headed by brigades of writers, are in charge to write in real time "the history of the Moscow Metro".

Based on their narratives, partially unpublished, the film recounts the first lines construction of the most beautifiul underground in the world, in the light of this "big literary Utopia", stoped by the purges of 1937-38

A coproduction .Mille et Une. Films, Arte France & Ethnogeographic Research Foundation. With the participation of the channels Histoire and SVT.

With the support from the CNC, the region Brittany, the Procirep - Société des Producteurs and the Angoa.

International sales : Arte Distribution .

english version available

• Drumming Bones
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Mille et Une Films 27 avenue Louis Barthou 35000 RENNES tel : 00 33 2 23 44 03 59 [email protected]

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