Land of the Rising Mickey - Aug 9, 2001

Land of the Rising Mickey
Page 10 of 13

Mermaid Lagoon

37609 bytes
(c) Disney
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 643, 155,989 bytes)

I don't know what to say about Mermaid Lagoon...

King Triton's Castle. It's hard to believe it's real.

It's meant to give the impression that it's composed of choral, encrusted with a multitude of shells and stones and it has just risen from the sea. In a fanciful way, I think that's exactly how it looks... It shimmers and reflects the sun, giving the impression that its surface is still wet (I've yet to see or been able to take a picture that coveys this well). Water spills from its higher levels as if it's is still draining from its very recent surfacing. And the thousands of "shells" and tiles that make up so much of the castle's surface... Wow... It's awesome.

Then there's the life-sized, life-like statue of King Triton at the entrance to his undersea kingdom... Sure it's egotistical, but it's a very nice statue and he does rule the sea, after all. :)

As I, very appropriately, descended down the ramp that took me under the sea, I understood just how nice Triton's Kingdom really is and what a bevy of beautiful creatures inhabit it. It's quite the hang out for the bio-luminescent crowd. Their colorful glows and pinpoints of light sprinkle the sea like nebulae and stars in a three dimensional underwater sky.

I better stop. This is getting weird. But how does one describe such a place without getting all poetic?

Whatever you do, don't let the kiddy rides stop you from experiencing this totally immersive (so to speak) environment!

"Above-the-Sea" Attractions:

Flounder's Flying Fish Coaster

28515 bytes
(c) Disney
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 646, 94,078 bytes)

A kiddy coaster surrounded by a wonderfully themed "tidal pool" environment that, like it's cousin at Tokyo Disneyland, can send out one train while the other unloads and loads in the station.

Facts at a Glance

Ride Time: Approx. 1 minute
Number of Coasters: 2 (each with 8 cars)
Capacity per Coaster: 16 persons
Length of the Rail: Approx. 787 feet
Maximum Speed: Approx. 20 mph

Scuttle's Scooter

35975 bytes
(c) Disney
Click here for a much larger version of this picture
(1024 X 633, 140,936 bytes)

A carnival classic themed up to the level of Mermaid Lagoon.

Facts at a Glance

Ride Time: Approx. 1 min. 30 sec.
Number of Vehicles: 16 persons
Capacity per Vehicles 2 persons