After watching Treasure Planet at the El Capitan Theatre, guests are escorted behind the theater to experience Disney's Port of Discovery. Hosted in a large tent is an entire galaxy of science experiments, games and hands-on exhibits. Included in the attraction is the Town Square, where many experiments featuring gravity, velocity, energy transfer and more, can be performed by guests of all ages. The Virtual Gallery features drawings, maquettes and other arts and crafts. B.E.N.'s Backyard is a children's play area with video games, see-saws and equipment to climb and crawl upon. The Space Academy allows young spacers to walk the plank, climb walls and hoist themselves up with ropes. Treasure Quest is a virtual reality video game where you try to collect electronic coins while avoiding Captain Flint's ship. And Flint's Trove is a race to collect treasure while avoiding laser-guided booby-traps.

Below is a sampling of what you can expect when you visit the Port of Discovery.

Disney's Port of Discovery was in a tent behind the theater instead of in the El Capitan Entertainment Complex next door to the theater. Having experienced these tents after the Northridge Earthquake, I wasn't looking forward to having the experience in one but it actually worked very well. The curves and tent fabric worked well with the theme of sails and ships.

Once inside the entrance, you are greeted by character atmosphere. Like the spaceport in the film, there are interesting characters awaiting you, including stilt-walkers.

On one of the walls inside the entrance are advertisements for shipmates and lost treasures. It's small touches like these that make these after-movie experiences worth the price of admission.

Pressing down on the drum allows for smoke rings to lift into the air. This was one of the many science "experiments" that were placed around the arena for visitors to perform. Each had a sign to explain what was happening and the phenomenon behind it.

B.E.N. and Jim Hawkins were available for autographs and photographs with guests to the Port of Discovery.

Signs throughout the arena pointed the direction to the various exhibits.

In the Space Academy, the front of a full-sized RLS Legacy pokes into the arena. In addition to the entry to the Treasure Quest game, guests could experience a variety of "spacer" activities or get a Krispy Kreme Doughnut from the galley.

In the Virtual Gallery, displays of animation techniques, drawings and sculptures fill cases.

In B.E.N.'s Backyard, guests can climb aboard one of two galleons and fire "cannon balls" back and forth between the two. Teeter-totters, jungle gym equipment and PlayStation video games are all available to play with. One of the fun things about this area is that the flooring is spongy and it feels like you are on another planet.

After having fun at previous after-movie fun houses, I was still surprised at how much fun the Port of Discovery was. The tent was fairly large, though traffic flow could make one room feel crowded while other rooms seemed empty. The level of education on the science experiments and the hands-on activities were all geared towards younger adventurers though guests of all ages could find something fun to enjoy.

The Port of Discovery is included with the admission to Treasure Planet showing at the El Capitan.

- Story and Photos by Matthew Walker
Posted

E-mail Matthew at matt@startedbyamouse.com, discuss this story in the StartedByAMouse.com Disney Discussion Forums or use the Talkback feature below.

We Were Started By A Mouse Too!  •  When In Cyberspace ... Disney Link Directory  •  

  •  Purchase Walt Disney World Tickets here - DISNEY TICKETS via DWTickets.com  •  

  •  Receive discounts on ORLANDO VACATION HOMES near Disney World from OrlandoVacation.com  •