Journey to Atlantis was the first major ride at SeaWorld Orlando
and it’s still one of the park’s most notable attractions. The prototype Mack water coaster
features multiple drops and dark ride sections, resulting in a strong overall experience. But
how does it compare to the other water coasters? Find out in this review of Journey to Atlantis.
Prior to the 2000s, the SeaWorld parks were known exclusively for their animal exhibits and shows.
After the chain was acquired by Anheuser-Busch, the chain
started experimenting with roller coasters. SeaWorld San Antonio was the first in 1997
when they added a Bolliger & Mabillard invert named Great White and it was well-received.
In 1998, it was time for the Orlando park to receive their roller coaster.
While Busch and SeaWorld had been adding B&M inverts across the chain, they realized
the Orlando market, which was used to highly themed experiences, needed something else.
Log flumes had been adding uphill sections after drops, but SeaWorld and Mack took this concept
one step further with the water coaster. Journey to Atlantis would receive a prototype ride system
combining elements of dark rides, roller coasters, and log flumes into one complete experience.
The model was a smash hit since Mack has gone on to build several
other water coasters across the globe. SeaWorld San Diego and SeaWorld San Antonio would
later receive their very own Journey to Atlantis coasters, but they were much less extravagant
than the original. San Diego’s would feature a fancy facade and a longer coaster section,
but no dark ride elements. I have a review on that one. San Antonio’s would be the tallest and
feature a backwards section, but zero theming. The Orlando version is not only the best Journey
to Atlantis by far, but it’s the world’s best water coaster.
It starts with the presentation. The attraction features an ornate facade fit for a Disney park
plus detailed rockwork. And you can hear the ride’s catchy soundtrack pumping through the area.
It really builds anticipation for the ride. The queue line doesn’t have much to
look at though. It’s mostly a series of switchbacks through some ancient buildings.
And you may have to wait a while, especially on a hot day. This often has one of the
longer waits at SeaWorld, so it’s worth hitting this attraction early in the day.
Each boat seats just 8 riders across four rows of two. But they efficiently runs many boats. And
it features separate load and unload platforms that can handle multiple boats simultaneously.
Those platforms also have some nautical theming as well as being effective.
Each rider is restrained by their own lap bar. Which row you take is very important depending
how drenched you want to get. If you want to be soaked head to toe, ride up front. If you want to
come off comfortably wet, ride in any other row. Once dispatched, you head into the ride’s first
and best dark ride section. You travel through the wonder of the lost city of Atlantis.
You pass these fully-fleshed out physical sets past classical architecture.
The scenes are also brilliantly lit in different colors to add to the splendor. And this all takes
place to a whimsical musical score that is accompanied by some well-timed water effects.
All my rides on this attraction have taken place since 2017 when the ride’s story was dramatically
simplified. The attraction originally had riders being pursued by Allura the Evil Mermaid.
You can still see her stone statue before the first lift, but she is never illuminated or
addressed. Parents found the original version too scary for younger guests,
so SeaWorld removed the antagonist and menacing music in the ride’s 2017 refurbishment. I think
I would have preferred the original version, but the new version is still very enjoyable because of
the quality of the music and set pieces. You then ascend a lift onto the roof of
the building. This is the one part of the ride that feels like it could have used more theming
since the immersion is slightly broken by view of the street and utilities. You then ascend
a second lift to a higher level and turn into a brief, but colorful indoor section.
This leads into the ride’s most thrilling moment, the ride’s 60 foot or 18 meter tall plunge.
The drop would sneak up on you more if the audio didn’t warn guests of the imminent drop.
The drop starts indoors before emerging into the daylight. I love when drops do
this since it messes with your mind how long the descent really is. And it’s also steep
enough to offer a faint pop of airtime as well. The subsequent splash lightly spritzes all riders,
but the wettest part is coming up. First you round a corner with countless
water cannons. And if those on the midway are feeling charitable, they’ll douse riders with
a few different geysers. However, your shoes should still at least be dry…and
they’ll stay dry unless you’re riding up front. As you approach a small drop, those up front will
often get hit by the splashdown from the boat behind them. They take the hit for the boat.
Then you head down a drop that can’t be more than 5 feet tall. It’s miniscule, but don’t be
fooled. This drop is comically evil. Rather than having a straight runoff like most water rides,
Journey to Atlantis immediately turns. So all that water rebounds off the rockwork
adjacent to the trough and lands right in the laps and feet of those up front.
I always like hearing the reactions of those who don’t know this part is coming.
You then ascend another lift hill back into the building. This section was severely impacted by
the ride’s retheme, as you pass through a mostly dark room with some flickering
lights to the area’s general music score and a safety spiel about an upcoming drop.
Originally, you’d be taunted by the evil mermaid. This section is brief and it leads into an
enclosed drop in near total darkness that curves down and up. This section has a shimmy to it,
but it’s not uncomfortable. When you emerge into daylight,
you zip over this little speed hill that actually gives a little bit of lift for those up front,
and then you hit the final splashdown, which is just as wet as the initial one.
It’s pretty funny the wetness part of the ride is the intermission between the dark ride bits.
You then return to the station to some victorious music,
ending the nearly 6 minute long experience. And you still have something cool to look
forwards to. The exit leads to a gift shop that features an aquarium. Not only do you have the
usual tanks, but the sea creatures can swim beneath the floor, which looks really cool.
So what would I rate Journey to Atlantis? I would give this water coaster a 9 out of 10.
This is one of my favorite water rides anywhere. The initial dark ride scene and musical scores
are beautiful. And I love the ride’s main drop. It’s one of the best plunges on any water ride.
The final sequence is hurt by the ride’s reworked theme, but you still have that
unique coaster drop to look forward to. I do think this is the world’s best water coaster
primarily because of the theming. Although I think it’s only the second best water ride at SeaWorld,
but that’s more a testament to how great Infinity Falls is.
It really is a shame the later Journey to Atlantis coasters couldn’t match the theming
and quality of the original, but that just makes every ride on the Florida one special.
You will get absolutely soaked up front, but you will come off comfortably refreshed in the other
rows, which shouldn’t deter anyone from riding. So those are my thoughts on the original Journey
to Atlantis at SeaWorld Orlando. What are your thoughts on the prototype Mack water coaster?
Let me know what you think of this attraction, especially if you experienced it before and
after the retheme. If you enjoyed this review, I’d appreciate it if you gave this video a like
and you considered subscribing since there will be a lot more roller
coaster and amusement park videos here at Canobie Coaster. Thanks for watching!