Destination Atlantis

Next door to the El Capitan Theatre is Destination Atlantis, a three-story "fun house" that features interactive adventures, displays and games themed to the animated classic. Movie-goers enter the building into the "Sea Level," which features Underwater Adventures, sea life displayed in tanks presented by the Aquarium of the Pacific; the Vortex, which includes activities including a touch pool, Atlantis video games from Disney Interactive and an aquatic themed playground; and the Whitmore Library, a recreation of the set from Atlantis with displays highlighting the characters and props inspiring and inspired by the film.

Below "Sea Level" visitors will find "The Ocean Depths," with Deep Sea Activities that includes a make-your-own-necklace kiosk, coloring stations, Game Boy displays, chalkboard games, build-and-destroy Atlantis blocks and a how-to-speak-Atlantean listening center.

Above both of these levels was "The Surface," which featured Atlantean Laser Tag.

Destination Atlantis is a combination learning center and activity room. Children of all ages get the chance to explore the mysteries of the deep by means of aquatic displays. Visitors have the opportunity to touch a variety of sea life that would commonly be found in tide pools. There are plenty of opportunities for children, who just sat through an hour-and-a-half movie, to expend their energy, whether it be running around the laser tag arena or by navigating an aquatic obstacle course. The Disney Interactive computer games and Atlantis Game Boys proved popular. Perhaps the most popular attraction was a make-your-own necklace station where guests have to sift through sand to find the items needed to assemble the necklace.

More interesting to older visitors was the Whitmore Library. Here one could see displays that featured props that each of the characters from the film would probably have used in their real life. A model of the submarine, the Ulysses, was also on display in the middle of the room. Myths about Atlantis were available to read along one wall.

The Shepherd's Journal and Other Artifacts

Display Case Featuring Milo Thatch's Props

Model of the Submarine Ulysses

Walking amongst the guests in the entry room of the Sea Level are characters from the film. Milo and Kida share time together before making way for Vinny and Mole. All are available for photos (if you forget your camera, there are some available for purchase at a snack stand). Milo has the Shepherd's Journal in a satchel he carries with him. Ask him to show it to you and you might get a miniature version of the Shepherd's Journal yourself.

Milo, Kida, Vinny & Mole

- Story and Photos by Matthew Walker
Posted

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