A cacophony of independently moving effects are probably better than a too-complex story.

Former fan here (And an employee for SeaWorld Orlando), I loved this ride when I was growing up in spite of its flaws, but after riding it some time ago finding out how the ride didn't worked properly and worst, had all the charms it had that I loved removed, Journey to Atlantis has indeed sunk. It's a shame, as even tho it may not be the Disney killer Busch wanted it to be, it could of actually still been a great dark ride when they finally decided to refubished this gem, but rather than actually making it better, SEAs turned it into a lump coal. Had I been yhe person in charge of this classic attraction I could of revamped the story a bit and made the experience more imersive.

With the glow in the dark area, that could easily be replaced with realistic looking reefs and corals, with some lighting to make it look like you're underwater. As for how we ended up there, the intro could be slightly be changed by having the fisherman explain that Hermes will grant us a overshield to be able to traverse deep below the sea. Not much that can be done about that, but at least it would make sense about us all the sudden being underwater in a boat.

Then, when it comes to the mermaid being revealed to be the villian as we take up on the lift, rather than being outside of the open, the ride can instead be covered to prevent the sunlight being shown, and it would have the modern day projection screens that would show us trying to escape from the Medusa, Hermes in his Sea Horse form also trying to keep out of the antagonist's reach. Eventually the riders would come inside of what would look like a ballroom building, and from there that's when the famous drop comes into play.

Seems like we've escaped, right? Oh no! What about Hermes? Turns out he was captured, and now the Medusa is taking control of his power to bring her prey back to her! In a desperate intempt, the Sea Horse companion uses all his might and strength to sacrifice himself to free us from the predator, and the riders were able to escape at last.

Mind you, this was just a rough draft that I could name off of my head just after I finished reading this post and wanted to comment on what I could of done, but my point is that I was really disappointed about the changes they made, which many would argue is worse than what it originally was. I loved Journey to Atlantis and even the unfitting Beetlejuice song (Which could be changed to a more fitting escaping-like soundtrack) that played everytime I rode it, now it seemed like it was killed off when it came to the time to make improvements. It'd be like if Hulk went through Refubishment, but had all the story, soundtrack, and effects removed from it after reopening in Islands of Adventure, that's exactly what has happened to Atlantis.

Love it or hate it, this ride has become nothing more than a time killer that allows you to get wet. At this point, I'd rather just ride the new addition to the park, Infinity Falls, -Than take a stroll in what I would deem as a cemetery of the ride's former self. Hopefully we can get a reboot of this dark ride, or perhaps it should be replaced by a different attraction in the future. Never will I be able to show my baby sister what made me and my older sister love Journey to Atlantis, the story and the characters being gone means that like Atlantis itself, has now been buried beneath the deep sea.

I absolutely loved this ride and its incorporation of mythology! I was fortunate enough to experience this ride in Orlando in 2001 and it has been something that I have long remembered and cherished. I was quite disappointed when the ride was down in 2010 when I had my children with me (ages 10 and 5). I have always spoken highly of this ride as the first hybrid coaster/flume ride with excellent mythological story elements. It saddens me that that so many have “missed the boat” in recognizing its charm and vision.

I actually first encountered the San Diego version of the ride since I live here, and, while not tremendously ambitious, it is fun and has a nice pace and the elevator life section works with the whole "dolphin-friendly" theme...I was horribly disappointed in how the Orlando ride looked...even with the story working, it seems like the pacing is unforgivably clunky..My home park may be considered the more "minor" Sea World, but having seen the park in Orlando twice now, I much prefer how well the simpler rides work here

I mentioned that the change to Journey to Atlantis mirrors a major downgrade at Cincinnati's Kings Island when TOMB RAIDER: The Ride became the generic The Crypt. What's funny is that Kings Dominion – a sister park in Virginia – got a smaller, outdoor, less ornately themed version of the ride called TOMB RAIDER: Firefall. It, too, became The Crypt when Cedar Fair took over, but it kept all of its light theming and, ultimately, was the better experience! Didn't see that coming...

Same thing now with the Journeys to Atlantis in Orlando and San Diego... The San Diego ride – even if it's "simpler" and "cheaper," it actually successful at what it set out to do / be! Great point!

First, she snaps, "NOW you've DONE it! You puny little PONY!"

In our podcast, we addressed all the disjointed elements on the ride: https://youtu.be/b_T1_K0zVis

Great look into one of my favorite log rides. The rumor is that Atlantis will be refurbished whenever Kraken is to make the area one cohesive story. Any truth in those rumors?

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