Recently, something went wrong at Tokyo DisneySea, evacuating Aquatopia and forcing cast members to drain the water attraction as they evacuated guests. It seems pretty standard for a theme park to rescue guests from a malfunctioning ride, but the evacuation procedures for this attraction are quite unusual. Waterproof boots, step stools and even umbrellas are provided so guests escorted from Aquatopia due to technical issues will remember the experience.
aquatopia evacuation
Aquatopia is a trackless water ride located in the Port Discovery area of Tokyo DisneySea. The first-day attraction was the second trackless experience ever designed by Walt Disney Imagineering, after Winnie the Pooh’s Honey Hunt at Tokyo Disneyland. The computer steers each vehicle independently.
Guests appear to be riding a “hovercraft” that glides and spins rapidly over the water, an illusion created by the lack of tracks or wheels below the waterline, making it difficult to see. Strong currents are also generated to simulate depth, as the actual water depth is only a few inches.
If the ride stops abruptly, guests are left stranded in a haphazard spot with no easy way to get the carriage back to the station as there are no tracks. We were able to witness first hand the procedures that were initiated when this happened.
This first video shows the water receding so guests can safely disembark and exit the attraction. Given the large area, even this simple task is a lot of work. Aquatopia is divided into two sections, and if something goes wrong with one, both must be drained.
Once it is all clear that conditions are safe enough to walk onto the exposed ride platform, Cast Members descend the stairs wearing waterproof boots designed for slippery surfaces. Each cast member also brings a pair of boots for guests to use.
Once the boots have been distributed, guests are stepped off the boat onto a springboard. Umbrellas are also provided to provide shade throughout the process.
Cast members then guide passengers to the exit while announcements are played over the PA system.
Have you ever been to Aquatopia or any attraction that requires evacuation? Let us know in the comments.
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