Embedded Files
In the center of town is the Tephin Aquarium. Named after the explorer who founded Discovery Cove, this is where the town sends people to see a traditional view of ocean life. Unlike most aquariums, the Tephin features a unique and revolutionary vehicle known as the SeaSphere, a bubble-shaped vehicle designed to keep guests high and dry, and allowing them to gracefully float through the waters.
For this concept, Disney Imagineers went back to the preliminary concepts for The Living Seas at EPCOT. The Caribbean Coral Reef Ride was originally meant to be much more elaborate, placing guests inside bubble-shaped Omnimover vehicles. Well, with The Beauty of the Waters, that concept was given new life.
Stepping inside the Aquarium, marked by a giant porthole and a weathervane depicting a school of fish, the queue takes you past various exhibits all about undersea life, coral reefs, and how we can save them from pollution. There are even small tanks featuring common aquarium fish. In groups, guests are led into the pre-show. On a monitor, we are greeted by the head researcher of the Tephin Aquarium, Dr. Stanley Baxter.
"Hello, everyone. I'm Dr. Stanley Baxter, and I'd like to welcome you to the Tephin Aquarium. You are in for the treat of treats today, because we are taking you on an incredible journey into the waters of the world. You're going to see so many things -- fish, turtles, sharks, coral reefs, volcanoes, and all the beauty of the ocean. Now, of course, this town is home to quite a few crazy legends and myths about what lies beneath the waves. But, rest assured, folks, what you are about to see is the real deal. None of this superstitious nonsense that you've heard about. Just the honest facts.
But of course, the question is: How will we be sending you under the water? Well, take a look at this!"
The image of the SeaSphere appears on-screen. Dr. Baxter continues in voice-over.
"This is the SeaSphere, a revolutionary new underwater transport method. With the SeaSphere, you will be able to travel along the ocean floor as if you were a fish. Its unique bubble shape helps to give off the feeling of swimming alongside these fascinating creatures. Plus, it's all non-pollutionary, so there's no need to worry about us upsetting these undersea ecosystems."
Dr. Baxter appears on the screen again.
"Now, we'll be controlling the movement of your SeaSphere from here in the Aquarium. We've already set the path your SeaSphere will take, so all you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. And speaking of which, I think it's just about time for you to board the SeaSphere for yourself. When those doors to your left open, please proceed towards the loading dock safely and slowly. Our team members will help you board the SeaSphere and see you on your way. On behalf of all of us here at the Tephin Aquarium, we hope you enjoy our tour of the Beauty of the Waters!"
With that, the doors open and guests are led to the loading dock. The area is lit in a cool fashion -- with calming blues and greens. Before guests' eyes is a never-ending parade of light blue, bubble-shaped vehicles. These are the SeaSpheres Dr. Baxter mentioned; and they are heading towards a glass tunnel leading out into the water. As guests board, they hear these safety spiels:
"Welcome aboard, travelers! We are just about to embark on our incredible journey through the oceans of the world. For your safety, please remain seated with your hands, arms, feet and legs inside the SeaSphere; and please be sure to watch your children. Enjoy the ride!"
"¡Bienvenidos a bordo, viajeros! Estamos a punto de embarcarnos en nuestro increíble viaje a través de los océanos del mundo. Para su seguridad, permanezca sentado con las manos, brazos, pies y piernas dentro del SeaSphere; y asegúrese de observar su niños. ¡Disfruten el viaje!"
With all aboard their SeaSphere, they sail towards the glass tube, and slowly, yet surely, the beauty of the undersea world makes its presence known. An orchestral score -- symphonic, yet featuring strong nautical influence -- starts. The voice of Dr. Baxter comes over a speaker in the SeaSphere.
"All right, everybody, this is it! In just a few moments, we will officially be under the water!"
The music reaches a grand crescendo. The SeaSphere sails out of the tube and into the first show scene; depicting an elaborate coral reef. Giant coral and underwater plantlife fill our field of vision. Through a mix of animatronics and projections, fish of all kinds swim past. Animatronic crabs scuttle past. Mollusks and sponges can be found in many locations. The light of the sun (or the moon, if you ride at night) shines down.
"Welcome to the Beauty of the Waters! Prepare to experience the seas like never before! This coral reef is home to a wide variety of creatures -- from fish to crustacean, from mollusk to sponge. Take a look around. You never know what you might see here in the reef!"
The SeaSphere gently cruises through the coral reef. The reef is only a taste of what riders will experience in this D-ticket. Each biome is replicated perfectly; to the Nth degree. These show scenes are some of the most elaborate Disney has ever created for any attraction.
The next biome the SeaSphere encounters is a seagrass meadow. As guests glide through the gentle seagrass. Seahorses pop up from the grasses. Sea turtles swim past. More familiar sea creatures can be found, swimming past or poking out of the grass.
"This is a seagrass meadow; one of the more diverse undersea ecosystems. As you can see, there are plenty of animals to be found here -- not just the usual undersea menagerie, but turtles, mammals and even seabirds."
A seabird then appears, diving under the water in search of food.
"Just like that! Not only that, seagrass actually helps protect the ecosystem, and all its inhabitants, and helps combat climate change. It can store carbon dioxide in the ocean floor."
Next stop: a dense kelp forest. Kelp towers overhead, blotting out views of the light atop the water.
"Ooh...here we have a kelp forest. The jungle of the sea. Another thriving ecosystem, for fauna and for flora, as well. I know these kelp forests look intimidating, but we'll be out of here soon enough."
A wave from overhead rocks the SeaSpheres as they pass by, and they are "knocked off-course."
"Oh, no! That wave interfered with our computers! Don't worry, we'll try to correct things. Just hang in there. Hopefully, we'll get this fixed soon enough."
The kelp starts to "brush against" the SeaSphere as they pass by, blocking guests' vision. Descending down to a lower floor of the ride building, they enter the deep sea.
In a dark room, strange fish -- blacklit animatronics -- sail past. The music becomes sparse and eerily-scored.
"Oh, no... This is the deep sea. A place of mystery for all scientists. And look at all these bizarre creatures. The squid, the anglerfish, the tube worm. Now, I know these may not be as scary as what some people in town try to peddle to the tourists, but they're still rather freaky, in their own way. But don't worry -- they won't harm you. These creatures prey only on other fish. The natural cycle of life."
Suddenly, a bright orange light along the wall starts to glow faintly.
"Well, I'll be... I believe you've stumbled across a submarine volcano; or in other words, a volcano that is formed underwater. I don't think this particular volcano has been studied before."
The SeaSpheres do a semi-circular loop around a giant submarine volcano. It is a deep submarine volcano, so SeaSpheres actually look down upon it.
"Wow...this is quite the find. I've always found undersea volcanoes quite fascinating. I'll have to make a note of it so the research team can continue to investigate it later."
A rumbling fills the air.
"Uh-oh. We've gotta get you out of there before that volcano erupts!"
Bubbles shoot up all around the SeaSpheres as they return to the top floor for the ride's grand finale.
In an elaborate setting, we see huge swarms of fish and marine creatures swimming past. All sorts of animals scuttling past. Plant life as beautiful as it can be. This truly is a thriving underwater ecosystem.
"You made it! And we've once again connected to your SeaSpheres! I'm sorry things went a little off-kilter, but frankly, it wouldn't be a good discovery if things didn't go a little wrong along the way. In a way, you have seen a whole lot more of the ocean than we would have shown you; and we hope that this journey has been eye-opening and breathtaking in more ways than one."
Another glass tube is at the end of this final coral reef.
"Welcome back to the Aquarium, travelers. On behalf of myself and all of us here, we thank you for joining us to explore the Beauty of the Waters. We hope that you'll come back for another expedition another day; but until then, this is Dr. Stanley Baxter wishing you an adventurous day and a phenomenal rest of your time here in Discovery Cove."
Riders disembark from their SeaSpheres and exit the Aquarium...but not before exiting through the gift shop, of course.
Google Sites
Report abuse