Journey to Atlantis

Journey to Atlantis

Company type	Amusement ride
Industry	Amusement parks / Theme parks
Founded	April 17, 1998 (1998-04-17)
Founder	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Headquarters	Various SeaWorld parks (Orlando, San Diego, San Antonio) , United States
Area served	SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio
Products	Water Coaster rides
Owner	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Parent	SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Journey to Atlantis encompasses three Water Coasters located within various SeaWorld parks, each themed around an expedition to the legendary realm of Atlantis. Crafted by Mack Rides from Germany, these rides combine traditional roller coaster elements such as chain lift hills and drops with water-based splashdown features typical of boat rides.

SeaWorld Orlando

The inaugural Journey to Atlantis debuted on April 17, 1998, at SeaWorld Orlando, marking one of the park’s eight roller coasters. Alongside Wild Arctic, it served as a key thrill attraction until the arrival of Kraken in 2000. Subsequent coaster additions at the park include Super Grover's Box Car Derby (2006), Manta (2009), Mako (2016), Ice Breaker (2022), Pipeline: The Surf Coaster (2023), and Penguin Trek (2024).

An aquarium exhibit titled "Jewels of the Sea" is incorporated into the exit area of the ride’s gift shop, featuring aquariums embedded in both floors and ceilings.

In March 2017, during routine seasonal maintenance, SeaWorld updated the Orlando version’s theming by removing all effects associated with Allura the Evil Mermaid and Hermes the Fiber-Optic Seahorse, as well as replacing the original musical score and sound effects. The new audio loop utilizes Rick McKee’s composition from the former show A'lure – Call of the Ocean, complemented by festive exterior music.

Reception to the original attraction was varied; some parents expressed concerns that certain scenes were too intense or frightening for younger guests, drawing comparisons to family-friendly experiences like Magic Kingdom’s "Snow White's Adventures."

Vehicle design

The boats used on Journey to Atlantis are equipped with wheels along their lower sides and accommodate eight riders arranged in four rows of two. Each row is secured with two lap bars.

Track layout

The ride begins as the boat is propelled by friction drives into a water channel designed to resemble an underwater passage. A siren’s call draws the vessel toward the mythical city of Atlantis. Upon entry, the siren reveals her true form as the boat ascends a roller coaster-style chain lift hill. After executing a left U-turn, it climbs a second lift hill accompanied by the Beetlejuice theme music before entering a dry flume that leads to a sizable splashdown drop where an onboard camera captures rider photos.

Next, the boat performs a right U-turn into a brief drop creating a large splash, followed by a final lift hill returning it to the temple for one last encounter with the siren. At this stage, the boat transitions onto roller coaster track, plunging into darkness on a spiraling left drop before ascending into a concluding splash pool. A final right U-turn brings the boat back to the station.

SeaWorld San Diego

The second iteration of Journey to Atlantis launched in 2004 at SeaWorld San Diego. This version excludes the extensive indoor scenes present in Orlando but compensates with an extended roller coaster segment. Boats here are fitted with individual lap bars for passenger restraint. In November 2024, SeaWorld San Diego revealed plans for a significant refurbishment slated for 2025.

Key details include:

• Manufacturer and designer: Mack Rides
• Model: Water Coaster
• Height: 95 ft; Drop: 70 ft
• Top speed: 42 mph
• Ride duration: 5 minutes 25 seconds
• Capacity: 1,900 riders per hour
• Construction cost: $18,555,020
• Maximum G-force: 3.0
• Virtual queue option: Quick Queue available
• Single rider line: available

Track layout

Guests begin their journey by departing the station and ascending a chain lift hill, enhanced with fog effects to evoke the sensation of rising through water. Upon reaching the summit, the ride completes a full U-turn encircling the 95-foot elevator tower, providing panoramic views of the primary coaster and park surroundings where boats appear overhead. The vessel then approaches an 83-foot plunge tower adorned with an arched portico and a fountain that spills water onto the track below. Following this, the boat descends a 60-foot flume into a splash pool where onboard photography captures riders' moments. Within the pool, the boat executes a leftward U-turn, proceeding with a gentle winding path before entering the plunge tower’s dimly lit interior. Inside, subdued lighting combined with flooding effects creates an illusion of rising water levels. Exiting into darkness, boats transition onto an elevator track that simultaneously lifts two boats, swaying side to side to mimic ocean waves. At the apex, riders experience a 70-foot drop along a 270° curved descent, succeeded by brake runs, another drop onto a banked hill, and a bunny hop that concludes in a secondary pool. The attraction finishes with a minor lift hill leading back to the station, which includes a sliding switch track designed for streamlined loading and unloading operations.

SeaWorld San Antonio

The newest version of Atlantis debuted on May 11, 2007 at SeaWorld San Antonio. Announced in August 2006, this installation features Mack Rides' "SuperSplash" model, distinguishing it from previous iterations. Initially envisioned with more complex indoor stations and towers housing two turntables, SeaWorld opted to simplify the design by reducing both drops and turns. This rendition aligns more closely with classic Shoot-the-Chutes boat rides, prioritizing smooth thrills alongside operational efficiency.

Track layout

Once departing the station, riders ascend a lift hill before entering one of two turntables that provide a full 360° panorama of the park. After completing a full rotation, the boat travels backward over a reverse camelback element. The second turntable offers another complete 360° vantage point prior to the boat plunging through an enclosed structure into the water below. To enhance guest interaction, SeaWorld incorporated walkways and a designated "viewing area" near the splash zone and queue line where visitors can experience being splashed. The ride then performs a U-turn before returning to the station.

See also

• Storm Coaster