Journey To The Center Of The Earth

[DisneyTN]

I'm a rookie to the DIS boards, so forgive me if this is a repeat of a previously-discussed topic.

Does anybody know if Disney plans to clone Tokyo DisneySea's signature attraction, Journey To The Center Of The Earth, and bring it to the states? I keep hearing time and time again how Journey is the greatest Disney attraction. I've watched the ride-thru on YouTube and was more than impressed.

So what are the chances that Disneyland or WDW gets to see this famous ride? More importantly, where would it fit in? No offense to fans of Disney's California Adventure, but I would love to see that entire park replaced by a duplicate of DisneySea.

Perhaps we could create a petition to bring Journey to the U.S.

[Another Voice]

Welcome to the boards.

You’re the first to bring up this topic, thank you. I wish I had a better answer to give you. But essentially, we’ll never see this ride in the U.S. Disney in the U.S. will not spend this kind of money an attractions, especially one that doesn’t promote a “franchise”.

A while back, when Disney first knew that Animal Kingdom was in serious trouble and needed a thrill ride, there was some thought of cloning ‘JCE’. But plans were quickly shifted to the cheaper “coaster in a box” ‘Everest’ instead. ‘JCE’ uses the ‘Test Track’ technology; with Everest Disney could buy a coaster from an outside vendor for cheap and pour a lot of concrete.


‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ is – without question – one of the greatest attractions ever created. It is at the same level as ‘Pirates’ and ‘Mansion’. From start to finish is it probably the most immersive experience Disney has created; then again the entire ‘Mysterious Island’ is probably one of the best “lands” Disney has ever done. Walking through the volcanic tubes filled with steam-driven iron machinery…you really feel like you’ve stepped into a Jules Verne novel. The show elements are amazing; the drop is many time better than ‘Splash’. And each ride vehicle has more themeing elements than all of California Adventure put together.


The idea for Nemo (the captain, not the fish) attractions was originally conceived for the “Port Disney” project that Disney considered building in the 1990s. When Disney bough the Disneyland Hotel, it came along with the lease to the Queen Mary and land in Long Beach Harbor. Disney had already been thinking about a “second gate” for Disneyland for decades at that point, and Long Beach seemed like a good opportunity. The plan was for a large ocean-based theme park that was half-fantasy and half-reality based. Several large hotels would have built on the waterfront (all connected with monorails) and a large cruise ship port and marina built as well. The Queen Mary herself would have been converted in a series of clubs like ‘Pleasure Island’.

But the growing problems and eventual disaster of Euro Disney ended any desire Disney management had for major investments in theme parks. The ‘Port Disney’ project became nothing but a phony threat slung against Anaheim to goad the city out of more money (Anaheim, by the way, got there comeuppance when Disney shifted from the massive WESTCOT/Disneyland Resort project to the parking lot carnival of California Adventure).

Fortunately a bit later the Oriental Land Company came to Disney shopping for a second theme park for Tokyo. The “second string” designers are WDI (all the cool kids were working on ‘Animal Kingdom’ and ‘California Adventure’ – I guess we know where the truly talented ended up) brought out a bunch of old concepts and rejected ideas…the original concept for ‘Main Street’ in Paris, the ‘Indiana Jones’ temple complex from Disneyland and ‘Mysterious Island’ from Port Disney… and presented OLC with the greatest theme park Disney has built.

[Condorman]

Well said, Another Voice.

The link to the image is bad, but I'm sure I have it somewhere in my library.

While I am neither a fly on the wall of Disney Corporate nor WDI, I am certain of the following:

1.) When Iger bought Pixar and gave a chief position in WDI to Lasseter, that pretty much doomed the fate of all future attractions, shows and imagery of the parks to the realm of Monsters, Nemo, Bugs and Toys. The continual *******ization of the parks under the belief that an attraction must have some sort of film or popular tie-in is what will ultimately doom the parks into mediocrity, and I can prove it. What is the most popular and successful theme park in the world? The Magic Kingdom in WDW. And name the rides that people wait hours to ride: Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, IASW, Haunted Mansion and POTC. And prior to a triology of movies for POTC, do any of the others have anything to do with Pixar or wildly profitable films? Uh, no. Yet they contribute to the most beloved park anywhere. My point is there will be no thought given to include a Mysterious Island, Beastly Kingdomme, South America or Antarctica to AK; or a Russia, India, Ireland or Greece to the World Showcase; or Tron light cycles ride to DHS, etc. They neither have the money to pay for them nor the imagination to craft them. I do not blame WDI. They are the merely the artists. I blame the Vatican for locking them out of what Rome desperately needs.

2.) There will not be a 5th gate of any kind in WDW until all four parks and resorts see 95% attendance for at least five straight years. As populations burgeon, we may be looking at 2025 before that happens.

In the meantime I try not to think about what doesn't exist. When I visit, I enjoy what there is and appreciate the fact that it isn't less. There are a lot of things this world should have; complaining about amusement parks that don't have this show or that attraction, well, that is a luxury of life.

[mitros]

On a sidebar, wasn't there talk of putting Journey in the area where Catastrophe Canyon sits now? I seem to recall reading that some time ago.



AV: There was no picture of the concept sketch in your post.

[minnie61650]

On a sidebar, wasn't there talk of putting Journey in the area where Catastrophe Canyon sits now? I seem to recall reading that some time ago.......



Yes, the talk was that the backlot tour will be flattened to make way for new attrations and that the area where Catastrophe Canyon now sits will be where Journey To The Center Of The Earth will be built.

[Condorman]

You say that with an air of certainty, and in the future tense. :-)

As much as I'd like to see it, dropping Journey into DHS would be like putting Star Tours in Frontierland. But that never stopped them before, now did it?

[minnie61650]

You say that with an air of certainty, and in the future tense. :-)

As much as I'd like to see it, dropping Journey into DHS would be like putting Star Tours in Frontierland. But that never stopped them before, now did it?

Just confirming that I heard the same rumor as mitros.

AV may be correct. As we all know Disney has many plans. Some plans are carried out and others are not. JttCoE has not gotten the green light yet but I am truly hoping that WDW does get a JttCotE ride.

It would be truly awesome!

[Padrepride]

I'm loving this idea. But instead of DHS, why not put this attraction in the AK? Maybe start up the old beastly kingdom land again.:thumbsup2

[Sosai X]

The Walt Disney Company is bogged down by a penny-pinching corporate mindset that dates back to the days of Evil Emperor Eisner.

http://www.nametagmuseum.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/eisner.jpg

Everything depends on the bottom line. The creedo is, "Do it as cheaply as possible, as quicky as possible". Hence, the crapfest that is DCA. The owners of Tokyo Disneyland resorts, the Oriental Land Company, do not suffer from that mental defect, and instead are governed by the high japanese work ethic, and their ever-present drive for perfection in their work. The new Tokyo Disneyland Hotel is proof enough of that. Want proof? Take a look at these photos: Tokyo Disneyland Hotel Photo album (http://picasaweb.google.com/rkyam1/NewTokyoDisneylandHotel). It's dramatic proof of what WDI can achieve, when it is unchained from the setbacks that the bean counters at Team Disney Burbank place upon it, and is instead given the creative freedom and unrestricted budget that it so richly deserves. :cloud9:

[Another Voice]

As we all know Disney has many plans.
And no interest in actually making any of them.

As we all know Disney has many plans.
And no interest in actually making any of them.

In today's Disney, theme parks are just a marketing device where franchises can grab some ancillary revenue. The parks are needed to justify the seven billion crater that Pixar caused in Disney's balance sheet. If Disney is interested in building a "major attraction", you're far more likely to see Cars zooming through the desert then you'll ever get a chance to race along the shores of The Great Underground Sea.

Besides, 'Journey' really works in connections with the totality of the 'Mysterious Island' area. It's an entire complex of caves, tunnels, waterways and another E-ticket attraction, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea". There is no way Disney will drop that kind of dime something to promote "that dead guy's flicks" when you have focus-group and multi-market-segment targeted fairies to hock.

Lucky for us, the Oriental Land Company wants to run good theme parks.

P.S. The link was working for me, but I'll remove it.

[Dznefreek]

Disney does their best work when others are footing the bill.

[DisneyTN]

Sounds to me like I'm going to have to save my pennies and fly to Japan some day in order to see Journey up close and personal.

[DisneyTN]

Forgot to add:

Here is one of my favorite Journey videos from YouTube. The music from this ride is outstanding!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaNUGugbEZU

[daannzzz]

That is what worries me. That the USA will get a copy of the Journey to the Center of the Earth attraction...but just the attraction. I can see Disney building in alone without the volcano and caldera. It would be a big square building with a bit of rock work on the side and lots of trees to cover it up eventually. For me (though I have not been) The Vulcania complex is the most compelling looking land they have ever done and that is what I would like to see, even if it had a completely attratcions inside.

[Condorman]

I went to TDS a few years back - did not go to TDL as I figured I had already seen most of what it had to offer. Iti's true what is said about TDS, you could walk past every ride, not see any shows, and still have experienced the most beautifully themed park in the world and gotten your money's worth.

It cost around 4.5 billion and it shows. Unfortunately, like DCA or HKDL, there isn't a whole lot to do there except admire the details to design. There aren't that many attractions, and little that we don't already have here. It's simply the presentation that gets high marks and has no equal anywhere else.

I'd like to think in Burbank some genius realizes that WDW's 40th anniversary is approaching and now is the time to announce some new additions. With the economy on the rocks, Disney's deep pockets would surely get a bargain from area contractors so as to add in a few new items. And if not now, then perhaps ten years from now as we hone in on the 50th anniversary?

BTW, love Eisner as Ming the Merciless. Flash! Ah-ahhhh...

[DisneyTN]

There aren't that many attractions, and little that we don't already have here. It's simply the presentation that gets high marks and has no equal anywhere else.

Seems to be adding more cake to the icing as the years progress. Now with ToT open, and a DisneySea version of Soarin' rumored down the road. Personally, I would go just to experience 'Journey'.

Is there a board here at the DIS specifically to discuss Tokyo DisneySea?

[ChrisFL]

Is there a board here at the DIS specifically to discuss Tokyo DisneySea?

Not here, but I'm willing to bet most people here have no clue about it's existence

[Another Voice]

aren't that many attractions, and little that we don't already have here.
The typical excuse that’s been perpetuated on the Internet and that is very, very false.

Tokyo DisneySea is designed for the Japanese market. It is more adult oriented and less branded than what current Disney has done with the latest domestic parks. DisneySea does not cater the pin lanyard wearing, ‘I got my ADR’s for the Dole Whip place 180 days ago’ mousefreaks nor to the ‘spin until I puke’ kiddie set. Tokyo Disney is a day-trip for most people – it’s just 15 minutes from downtown Tokyo (one of the largest cities on the planet) to the park on the subway. There’s more of a need to provide a day off in an enjoyable environment than there is to provide WDW’s “I wasted five grand on this friggin’ vacation and I’m going to squeeze every penny out of it” frantic pace.

DisneySea also places an emphasis on live entertainment and presenting full on theatrical presentations, not the typical Disney rubber head merchandise sing-alongs. ‘Mystic Rhythms’ and ‘Big Band Beat’ are as much an E-ticket as Big Thunder Mountain is. And certainly no one defending Animal Kingdom would dismiss ‘The Legend of the Lion King’ or ‘Finding Nemo – The Julie Taymor Done Cheap Remake’ as just background.

As for clones – DisneySea opened with one, ‘Indiana Jones’ (a ride Disney has been too cheap to clone to either WDW or Paris), and with original attractions like ‘Journey’ and ’20,000 Leagues’ and ‘Sinbad’ and ‘Magic Lamp’ and ‘Stormrider’ among others. That’s a significantly better record than California Adventure, with it clones and carnival rides bought from the amusement park equivalent of IKEA, or Animal Kingdom with barely three and half lands (really – you count meet-and-greet tents as an “area”?).

There has been a constant push since 2001 to obscure the accomplishments in Tokyo verses the efforts in Orlando and Anaheim. Disney needs to save a lot of face and do a lot of explaining..and for a good reason. DisneySea has been a success from the day it opened; Animal Kingdom, California Adventure and Disney Studios Paris have been massive failures. While the Oriental Land Company is committed to its parks, Disney has tried skimp on its investments and use “brand image” to make the public pay for inferior products.

People know real Disney when they see it.


P.S. A board dedicated to Tokyo Disney would be a great addition to the DIS.

[larry_poppins]

I have never understood why the DIS does not have a board for Tokyo. They have boards for everything else!

Larry

[Condorman]

I have never understood why the DIS does not have a board for Tokyo. They have boards for everything else!

Larry

Because of all Disney fanatics who could or would contribute to such a board, only one out of 50,000 has actually been to Tokyo and would have any right to speak about what's there. I spent a few days just touring the Disney parks alone - and I was thoroughly impressed - but it's hard to describe the "alternate dimension" of parks over there, which resemble what we have here, but are eons apart in quality.

If you get the chance, go to Japan and not just for Disney. The country is fantastic, and BTW, almost all signage is in English as well as Japanese. Outside of the U.S., no other nation on earth consumes as much American culture as Japan. It's a home away from home.

[larry_poppins]

you don't have to sell me on visiting Japan and Tokyo Disney. I have been to Japan twice and loved it. Tokyo and Kyoto make Los Angeles look like a third world capital.

[Condorman]

you don't have to sell me on visiting Japan and Tokyo Disney. I have been to Japan twice and loved it. Tokyo and Kyoto make Los Angeles look like a third world capital.

You said it, brother.

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

Oh please spare us...

That was the worst move I ever saw

[Another Voice]

but it's hard to describe the "alternate dimension" of parks over there, which resemble what we have here, but are eons apart in quality.
The was actually my impression of TDR - it was an "alternate reality" from everything that Disney has stood for in the last twenty years: at Tokyo it's quality first, imagination, respect for the guests and an honest joy in what they are doing.

One can't walk into California Adventure and not become overwhelmed with the cynicism of the mindset that built that place.

Tokyo is still "old style", traditional Disney - bringing imagination to life. When I walked into 'Mysterious Island' I felt like I was walking right into all those daydream adventures I had when I was seven years old. Every sight, every sound, every smell was trying to convince me that this place was real - a realism that's so easy to conjure up as a child, but so difficult as an adult. For a few moments, I was able to experience a place with a childlike sense of awe and joy.

But these days, Disney here in America sells itself as a comfort brand - a trip to WDW is a safe, predictable escape from the everyday world. A lot of people want that and Disney is making good money from them. But that's also changed the entire concept of what "Disney" is.

Look around these boards. People think it's "Disney" because their hotel has "Finding Nemo" shower curtains, or a fifty foot fiberglass Buzz Lightyear. People dream of buying princess dresses, they spend hundreds of hours plotting every single meal. Take a "Disney" tour to Europe because "Disney" means it will be better and safer. A "Disney" cruise is more magical than another cruise because it has copyrighted characters onboard. Animal Kingdom offers you a "magical" Africa without all the bother of dealing with the real Africa.

Maybe it's just me, but I see no need to wander through a pretend movie studio pretending to show me how pretend stunts are pretended with pretended cars (but look - it's HERBIE!!!!!!! This is Disney magic!).

Tokyo Disney appeals to a different type of "Disney fan" than the U.S. parks do now. My hope is that once people rediscover the true Disney "magic" then we can bring some if back to the U.S. parks.

[ChrisFL]

Oh please spare us...

That was the worst move I ever saw

Movie? You mean the new one? That has nothing at all to do with what we're discussing here.

[DisneyKidds]

Look around these boards. People think it's "Disney" because their hotel has "Finding Nemo" shower curtains, or a fifty foot fiberglass Buzz Lightyear...........

My hope is that once people rediscover the true Disney "magic" then we can bring some if back to the U.S. parks.
Given the fact that more people on these boards (at least as far as I can see from the nature of discussions I have followed) think the Big A$$ Ulgy Hat in DHS and All Stars/Pop Century represent Disney at it's finest than are offended by such things, I fear that today's Disney fandom is so far removed from what real Disney was and should be that your desire to bring it back will never be fulfilled.

However, I must say that this particular discussion fills me with hope that there truely are people who do understand and hold the faith.....so you never know.

[GoofyWaterCoaster]

Movie? You mean the new one? That has nothing at all to do with what we're discussing here.

Oh, I thought you were talking about making that awful movie into a ride

I'll reread the post

Sorry :wizard:

[Another Voice]

I have faith in the general public still. The current Disney fans are just a manufactured subculture that will disappear just as quickly as Disney was able to create it. My hope is that Disney learns before that happens and once again tries to people a vast, mainstream audience.

Watching the public's reaction to Tokyo Disney let's new know that people will still respond to classic, real Disney just like they have done for over fifty years. Too bad so few Americans get to see it these days.