The Unauthorized Outer Lands Exploration
Introduction
This walkthrough attraction is not listed on park maps. Instead, the northernmost portion of The Outer Lands is covered over by a bright red rectangle with the bold words “RESTRICTED AREA.” When asked about this area, cast members in The Settlement will immediately tense up and, in their own personal way, urge guests to “stay away from there,” vaguely eluding to the danger that awaits any who venture into the wilderness.
Approaching the Restricted Area, guests will notice a variety of “warning” and “danger” signs posted around the normal pathways in the Outer Lands. Following the path further north, guests will notice what appears to be a handmade sign posted into the ground that reads “unauthorized outer lands exploration: sign up here.” Beneath the sign, a pair of cast members dressed as adventures of sorts await brave guests.
At this entry point, guests may scan a QR code that will allow them to download a digital passport of sorts. Additional QR codes are placed at various stations throughout the walkthrough, one for each of the four Domains. These serve as checkpoints. Guests who are able to scan all four checkpoints will unlock a code which can be scanned at any retail location within the land. This code grants guests access to a free special gift. Alternatively, paper passports are also available from the entry host cast members. Guests can then physically stamp these at the four checkpoints as well. The stamps have the current date included to avoid cheating.
Additionally, there are three “panic buttons” placed throughout the grounds. If a guest becomes too lost, or has simply had enough, they may press the button and cast members will arrive to escort them out of the attraction.
Observant guests will take note of the different types of plants and trees located in each area, as well as the presence of water. These details can be used to help them keep track of where they are. The southern portion of Outer Lands (the part visible on park maps) also contains hints, as youthful areas of botanical growth are placed throughout the area, arranged to correlate with the plant life in the actual walkthrough.
The walkthrough is non-linear in nature, allowing guests to discover the entire area on their own. Guests may spend as much or as little time in the walkthrough as they wish. The actual walkthrough takes place under a massive open air canopy structure, which has botanical theming on the roof to shield the paths from any possible aerial views, and to protect the hundreds of fake trees, and various animatronics placed throughout the attraction.
The trees are so huge that they form their own canopy over the top of pathways throughout the journey. So the only natural light that enters the attraction comes from the outer boundaries. Once inside the walkthrough, the paths narrow to approximately 10’ across, which along with the dense foliage helps to create an intense feeling of claustrophobia. A massive assortment of speakers are placed throughout the area, and are constantly in use to further the immersion.
The final warning sign leading into the area proclaims:
“This land belongs to the creatures who have made homes here. We are only to observe them. Do not harm their habitat.”
The main path throughout the walkthrough is decorated with quaking aspen and Arizona ash trees. There are no special effects present along the main paths, only the occasional sound of thunderous footsteps, accompanied by a roar resonating from some distance away. The main paths are the only places where this audio plays. This is an additional way guests can try to better determine their location.
Domain of Snakes
Geographically this is the largest of the four domains. The pathways slither through dense cottonwood and fir trees, which soar overhead. Numerous small grassy hills are placed throughout the area. A small pond fed by the park’s larger waterways rests in the bottom of a valley, live fish and other aquatic life may be visible here from time to time.
The sound of dozens of snakes hissing can be heard throughout the entire Domain, getting louder in some places and quieter in others. Birds are heard chirping, and unnamed creatures scurrying around the forest floor add further to the atmosphere. However, only select points along the path actually feature animatronic snakes; the absence of visible creatures throughout the remainder of the domain is designed to create a feeling of anticipation and dread.
On the inside of one particularly tight bend, a group of large cobras provide a jump scare. Their heads repeatedly snap forward in the direction of guests. Occasionally, one particularly massive cobra will suddenly rise up from the ground, previously hidden from view. Towering over guests, this snake arches it’s body in an aggressive pose, threatening to strike at any moment, before slowly lowering itself back to its starting position.
To the inside of another bend, dozens of boas are seen wrapped around the limbs of trees. Most of them seem to be asleep. However, near the center of their habitat, there is one particularly large tree that has one continuous snake body coiled around many of its limbs. The head of this snake will hide in the thick branches of its tree before suddenly lunging down in the direction of guests. Its head and “neck” move remarkably swift, especially for a snake of such mythical size. After some time, the snake retreats back to its resting place.
Finally, near a fork in the path, a new sound becomes present, that of the tail of rattlesnakes. On the forest floor, about a dozen juvenile rattlesnakes are seen picking the meat off the bones of an unfortunate man who got too brave and entered the snakes’ environment directly. The scent in this area is absolutely putrid, and even the most iron willed guests certainly won’t wish to stick around for too long.
Domain of Spiders
This domain is the smallest geographically, but may induce the largest sense of visceral fear.
Here, the botany changes to a mixture of giant palms and cacti in the foreground, with countless dense western juniper trees clustered in the background to help keep the area feeling full.
A chorus of cicadas constantly fills the air, as does the occasional sound of large insects swarming high up in the trees. Dozens of abandoned webs are seen throughout three junctions where the domain meets the main path.
Trekking deeper into the area, cacti are seen blanketed in webs, but these are home to countless yellow and black garden spiders, sitting patiently in their webs awaiting prey. These creatures barely move, only ever slightly rotating or adjusting their front legs. The quick, subtle movements adding to the sense of realism.
One particular section of path is much more than it seems. The walkway has a 48” wide screen built into it which runs the full distance across the path. On either end of the screen are what appear to be small tunnels leading into the ground. Every few minutes, a few hundred spiders will suddenly empty out of one tunnel and run cross the path into the other tunnel. The nearby speakers also playing the sound of thousands of tiny feet.
In another portion of this domain awaits a grizzly scene. What remains of a man who ventured into the spider habitat is seen strung up in a massive web. About a dozen spiders are seen on the web, apparently having just feasted. Another few are seen on the body. These spiders would appear to be full grown based on their size, but they are actually just babies. Every few minutes, their mother makes an appearance. This giant animatronic is placed on a well hidden track in the ground. Its red eyes suddenly start to glow before it comes dashing out from behind a couple large trees and turns to face guests. The enormous spider displays its fangs and hisses at guests, defending her home and her babies from would be intruders. Eventually, after making her point. she slowly retreats backwards to her starting location.
Domain of Carnivorous Plants
This domain features a bridge over a small stream that carved its way through the area. But that is where the pleasantness ends.
The landscape is blanketed in extremely tall grass, reaching over 7’ in height in some places. Countless fruit trees also call this area home, indicated by their yields of bright yellow plum-sized pome, notably coated in black spots. And curious stems of colossal size feature bright pink buds, also covered in black spots. These flowers range in height from 48” to nearly 10’ in height.
Many indecipherable animal sounds are heard throughout the area, including various growls, and light roars, giving the impression that this domain is particularly hostile.
And this is just the landscape near any of the domain’s three entry points.
Once guests have ventured further into this area, the true sense of danger becomes apparent.
The aforementioned fruit is seen everywhere, and it’s ripe. A number of specimens have already fell off the trees, a few of which have been broken open. The broken ones emit a rotting scent, and the liquid the fruit spills has apparently caused the grass around the fruit to rot and die. Looking closely, steam can actually be seen rising from the ground where the fruit has burst open.
Two people who ventured this way previously were unfortunately not witness to these warnings. They are both seen laying against a tree, still holding the fruit in what remains of their hands. The skin around their mouths and on their hands has almost entirely rotted away from the toxins.
The pink floral buds are also more frequent now, and their stems noticeably thicker, with what could almost be described as veins. Eventually, should they venture far enough, guests will encounter an entire family of these juvenile plants. They seem to be unaware of the guests or the rest of their surroundings, as they repeatedly snap their still developing jaws in any random direction in search of food. It could be assumed that whatever caused the poisonous fruit to bloom likely caused these plants to take on such violent characteristics as well.
Finally, guests encounter the Queen of these flowers. Standing 12’ high, and surrounded by nearly a dozen infant specimens, this one has fully developed jaws, complete with rows of razor sharp teeth. And it is apparently still hungry despite the evidence that it has recently fed. Blood drips constantly from its teeth, leaving a visible puddle beneath it. Large pieces of something that used to be alive still linger in its grasp. Yet it growls at passing guests, warning any who venture too close that they too could become dinner.
Domain of Monsters
The final domain has the shortest path, and the only path with no forks or loops, it does however have the only dead end. It also features the most impressive animatronic.
This is also the only domain to feature ambient music to go along with supplementary natural sounds. A soundtrack of low hums drones in the background, along with the sound of bubbling liquid.
The trees here retain the size and structure of the main path trees, but have one noticeable difference; their leaves are bright purple. Additionally, some sort of shiny purple liquid with almost a glittery quality is seen flowing up the bark of the trees. Whatever is here, they are feeding on it.
Two large nests are seen along the path. One is still full of unhatched eggs. The eggs themselves are over 12” tall, and one of them is seen moving back and forth, apparently ready to hatch soon. The second nest is larger, but the eggs have already hatched.
Finally, the path dead ends, and the foliage gives way to a massive pond filled with bubbling purple liquid. The pond is surrounded by a ring of dead land, which is then insulated by a ring of normal dense forest. This forest apparently serving as a sort of cover for whatever dwells here.
Guests will notice the shadow of something large and menacing making loops around the pond. After a few moments, the beast will slowly begin to lift its head out of the pond, then swiftly reveals itself. The creature is brownish orange and snakelike, but with horns and bone plates on its head and back. It also seems to have rows of small arms along its sides, similar to a millipede. It has eyes that glow a brilliant yellow.
The beast will let out a loud growl before diving its head back into the pond, moving toward guests, and finally taking a “leap” out of the liquid and snapping its massive jaws just feet away from guests, and then retreating back to the pond.
The monster’s shadow seen swimming by often is simply a projection. There are actually two animatronics in the pond. The first one sits in the center of the pond and is responsible for the big reveal, then a second one is positioned much closer to the guest platform, and in such a way to be able to “leap” out of the water. The animatronic itself is not that technically complicated, but it is absolutely massive, and leaves an equally huge impression on all who encounter it.
Conclusion
The walkthrough is even more terrifying at night. There is minimal artificial lighting put in place, making it even more difficult to navigate, and making certain effects such as the mammoth spider’s glowing red eyes all the more menacing.
If guests do manage to obtain all four checkpoints, they will be able to purchase an exclusive t-shirt that says “I survived the Outer Lands” and collectible pin with The Outer Lands logo. These items are only available to guests who complete the quest.
