Voyage of the North Sea
Written by @Outbound
If possible, please listen to this reading music, which will play as guests ride the attraction.
Headlining the Arctic Passage is Voyage of the North Sea, an idyllic voyage through our planet’s Northernmost Waters. Unlike most modern Disney attractions, Voyage has no underlying narrative, characters, or dialogue. Rather, it is beauty in simplicity: a series of memorable events, all linked to the isolated ecosystem of the North Seas.
Our journey begins outside a ramshackle mineshaft, linked to an ice-and-snow mountain fabricating the main façade. Weathered-down passageways serve as our queue, carved through the ice by an enterprise long since forgotten.
Within the caves, there is only the oldest of woods to show any human involvement,... even that is being steadily covered by snow and ice. Along the walls are carvings of a Woolly Mammoth. Rumor has it remnants of the Mammoth population still live on this island. Perhaps we will see one!
Moving along, we soon reach our destination: a populated area at the center of the snowy cavern, where a group of explorers have repurposed the area for a Voyage along the Northern Seas.
A river flows through the cavern. This is where we board. Once ready, the boats sail off, leaving the rest of mankind behind, and entering the untapped and beautiful Arctic wilderness.
Ride map
SCENE ONE: THE CAVE
All is silent, save for the subtle dripping of melting ice. The boats have entered into a labyrinth of snow and ice, but through these melting walls are rays of sunlight, hinting we are not far from the open Arctic. As the boats steadily make their way along, we pass two expedition campsites, with orange tents and barrels. No sign of its inhabitants.
As the boat journey along the water stream, we pass a resting skeleton of a Woolly Mammoth. Live ones must be nearby.
The water stream begins to speed up, and we don’t have much time to realize what’s happening before we are swept down the first drop chute (10 ft).
SCENE TWO: WALRUSES
The drop chute leads to a large open room surrounded by icebergs. Dozens of Walruses rest on the icebergs. A few “sneeze” on the passing boats, releasing a mist.
Walruses are strongest in numbers. By huddling together, they prevent a technically stronger predator from picking them off. Case in point: as we head out, we see a lone walrus fast asleep. Suddenly, an orca leaps from under the water and grabs the walrus from behind, dragging it into the sea!
"Hello!"
SCENE THREE: AMONG THE ICE
We pass an archway of ice, leading to the next scene. Ice is enclosing upon the water, creating a “river” of sorts among the open ocean. On either side are animals common to the Arctic.
To our immediate left, we can see dozens of Arctic Terns resting together along the icy shore bank. They are gathering near their precious eggs. The Terns call out as we pass along, but otherwise seem unperturbed. As we move further along the shore bank, the eggs hatch, and the heads of newborn terns pop out!
Just across the river, a pack of hungry Arctic Foxes look on, disappointed they are unable to cross.
Moving along, just past the Foxes are a grouping of Snowy Owls. Due to the Arctic’s unique daylight schedule, the Snowy Owl is the only owl awake during the day. However, the Owls are currently in no need of prey, so they sit along the river rustling their feathers.
Across the Owls are a grouping of Narwhals. The Narwhals play, poking up and down from the surface with their mighty horns.
Past the Narwhals and Owls is a small break in the ice, where water rushes up against an icy cliffside. As the boats turn, a Beluga Whale suddenly rises to the surface to say hello! This vast animatronic makes a large splash as it emerges from the water.
The boats continue, now approaching a herd of Harp Seals. There are both adult and baby seals, with the babies clearly identifiable for their distinctive white fur. A friendly seal pops up from below the surface to say hello, and in doing so splashes us with water. While some seals play in the water, still others lounge along the beach, barking as we pass.
Following the seals lies a herd of Caribou. The Caribou's horns are specially adapted to survive in a snowy environment, using them as shovels to find hidden lichens to munch on. The Caribou Herd keeps on grazing, paying our passing boat no mind.
After the Caribou, the ice breaks off once again. Our river path is more winding, and picking up speed. Standing atop the cracking icebergs is a lone Polar Bear, pawing at the water in search of fish. As our boats pass, the Polar Bear takes his paw out of the water, dragging along a squirming fish! All while splashing us in the boat.
Circling around the icebergs, we are passing an increasingly tall ice cliffside. If we looked up we can just make out a silhouette of an Elephant-shaped being... could it be the Woolly Mammoth? No time to ask questions, for a group of Polar Bear Cubs are playing along the shore! The mother watches on, while another Bear stands across fishing like the first. Luckily for us, this bear doesn't seem to have much luck in catching fish, so we should get away unsplashed.
As we turn away, we really start picking up speed. Our river path is leading us straight into a narrow cave filled with water! We are left with nothing to do but brace for impact. A 20ft drop takes us plummeting down the chasm.
SCENE FOUR: UNDER THE ICE
We are now underneath the ice floor. This effect is accomplished similarly to Ariel's Undersea Adventure, with projections of bubbles and waves to appear as if we are within water. Complimenting this visual shift, mist machines are hidden around the room to make guests feel under the ice. Finally, the floor is completely made of seastone rather than water, as it obviously would not make sense to see the surface of water if you were underwater.
This building is two stories tall. Before, we were on the upper story, now we are on the lower story. This helps condense a longer attraction into a smaller space.
Above us, one can clearly see the sheets of ice we would typically consider the "floor" of the Arctic. And yet, there is so much you don't see underneath the icebergs. Looking up, we can see the four feet of a Polar Bear, swimming in a suspended animation. Around us, Banded Gunnel and Shorthorn Sculpin, two common creatures of the Arctic Seas, swim about.
As the boat turns a corner, this introductory scene expands rapidly. Suddenly we witness the entirety of the Arctic Ocean before us. Magnificent whales swim together in a suspended animation, while smaller fish and gunnel go about their own business. Think of it like the "Under the Sea" sequence, only realistic. We pass under a pod of Bow-Headed Whales, circle a large pod of the amicable Beluga Whale, and get a first encounter with the giant, apex predator of the seas, the Orca. Their dorsal fins stand erect, as happy as can be.
Passing under a small archway, we enter a smaller yet nonetheless equally impressive chasm: that of the Lion's Mane Jellyfish, the largest Jellyfish in the world. It's tendrils are longer than that of the Blue Whale. The Jellyfish bounce up and down in perfect harmony, as our boats pass by in awe.
The Jellyfish effect is accomplished by tying two strings to each animatronic, one connecting it to the floor, and another to the ceiling. Then, like a horse on a carrousel, the Jellyfish is pulled up and down the invisible string, simulating the effect of it moving up and down. Meanwhile, the tendrils are individual programed to move in random directions, simulating the stasis of water.
The room darkens, as it appears we are headed deeper and deeper, a noise is heard. A sinister undertone strikes us... could this place be a danger? Abruptly, fluorescent lights awaken among the walls: strange creatures from the sea floor, who have come to say hello. Their luminescence allows us to see what is beyond: a Greenland Shark, the oldest living animal on the planet! The old shark watches us with a curiosity matched by ours, yet remains swimming in a circle peacefully. Our worries seem unfound.
We pass the shark and now appear headed back upwards. With our trip below the ice complete, it is now time to see where we will emerge on the surface.
SCENE FIVE: ARCTIC EDGE
The boats emerge from the cavern, passing over a waterfall drenching us in water. We are further south than before, at the edge of the Arctic. A few trees and grass patches survive despite this harsh environment, leading to a unique ecosystem. Meanwhile, the sky has turned a pinkish red, hinting at an approaching sunset.
Along the gravel beach, a flock of Puffins call out, squawking and diving for fish. Further along, a Wolverine watches us while crawling along a tree branch. A Pacific Loon makes strange, ethereal noises while resting in the water. Finally, a mighty Grizzly Bear is fast asleep, yawning as we pass. All along, the distinct smell of pine takes us away from the the more frigid scenes, and to a more temperate -- though still wild -- wilderness.
Following the Grizzly Bear's slumbering snore, the boats pass through a tall rocky canyon. As we move along, the grey stone slowly becomes snow covered, leading to the next scene... as the music rises for...
SCENE SIX: WOOLLY MAMMOTH
The rumors were true: the Woolly Mammoth lives on, in pockets isolated from the general Arctic ecosystem. Here, the Mammoth may thrive as it has for thousands of years, in perfect harmony with its environment.
The Mammoth are resting along a hot springs in the twilight: an oasis in this frigid ecosystem. The music rises as we see these magnificent beasts in life, splashing the water with their trunks, "playing" by mashing their mighty tusks, and resting within the springs. As we rotate around, we find the cutest Mammoth yet: a baby, who with their parent wishes us goodbye. And yet, there is still one Mammoth left. This one, unfortunately, seems to have a bit of a cold: as we pass, it lets out a huge sneeze from its trunk, spraying us wet!
SCENE SEVEN: NORTHERN LIGHTS
The music rises to a climax as we approach the final scene: the Northern Lights. After another canyon pass transitioning from the increasing twilight of Scenes 5 and 6, Scene 7 basks us in full night. Green waves are painted along the twinkling night sky, while every animal seen on our journey gathers in perfect harmony. Walruses next to Arctic Terns next to Caribous across Arctic Foxes (still out of reach of those eggs) and Snowy Owls, now asleep. Polar Bears watch the stars, while Narwhals play games with their tusks. Harp Seals slip in and out of the water. A Beluga Whale and Orca come up to breathe the crisp air. And last, two awe-inspiring Woolly Mammoths watch over, parting us farewell as our Voyage across the North Sea comes to a close.
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