Originally Posted By SuperDry One of the things that keeps Disney parks popular is how repeatable many of the attractions are. Classic examples are the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, both of which I manage to find new things that I didn't notice before even though I've been on them dozens of times. Of course, the fact that you can discover new things each time you ride, therefore making each ride a bit different, isn't the only thing that makes a ride highly repeatable, but it's perhaps a uniquely Disney way to achieve this. Aquatopia (although many consider it lame) and Hunny Hunt have this quality, in that there are several different routes that the vehicle can take depending on the load position. But the reason for this post is my recent experience on 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea at TDS. Until this last visit, I didn't understand the function of the guest-controllable spotlight (which is no surprise, considering that the spiel explaining it is given only in Japanese). Leemac clued me into this, as well as the basic storyline, so I want to give credit where credit is due. Basically, there is a joystick below the portal at each seating area, and when the green light around the joystick is lit, your spotlight is on and you can control it using the joystick. Also, a bell rings to clue you into the light having been turned on. Anyway, after learning about this, I found that the ride is much more enjoyable. There is indeed a lot to see out the portals once you have control of your spotlight, and it's almost frustrating that you can tell there's a lot more out there than you can focus on in a single ride. But that makes you want to ride again, doesn't it? Also, even if you can't understand the narration, I suggest that you pay attention to the two gauges above your portal - one indicates depth and the other oxygen supply. The readings on these guages as well as the tone of the narration tell you a lot about what's going on.
Originally Posted By Faith There is a guest controllable spotlight on 20K?! Wow, maybe I will have to ride this again next time I am at TDR! (I chose not to ride during my most recent trip)
Originally Posted By WorldDisney Yeah Faith, the joystick addition is fairly new or fairly old (depends how you look at it I guess), maybe 1 or 2 years now, but it makes the ride THAT much better. Being able to truly look at things a lot more now and focus on what YOU want to focus on is great. 20K has so many things to look at, you can now go on it multiple times trying to spot everything with that little light. Once again, TDS is proactive in making the experience just a little more better for everyone and such a simple device made the the ride that more enjoyable. GOD BLESS TDS!!!!!! (P.S. It was good to hang out with you at DLR on Thursday SuperDry. DCA isn't exactly TDS, but hey, awww, never mind )
Originally Posted By Faith OK, if it's that new then it wasn't there when I rode the attraction in March 2002 so that makes me feel like less of an idiot. If only I'd known about it last fall... oh well.
Originally Posted By SuperDry ^^^ So, it's new, eh? Wheewh - I was really feeling like an idiot for not noticing it in 2003 when I first rode it. Now, I don't feel so bad. Prior to the spotlights being there (or prior to me knowing about them), I thought it was a very overrated E-ticket. Now, I can't wait to go on it again.
Originally Posted By WorldDisney LOL, no you guys aren't idiots, just wasn't there before . It does breath new life into that ride, doesn't it and something so simple as adding manual lights.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN That light joystick has been part of 20K for about a year now. Nothing really new as of recently. Also, you can only use it twice during the ride and only for short periods of time. The narration advises guests when it's ok to use the explorer light.
