20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

At Tokyo Disney Sea's Mysterious Island, the marquee attraction is Journey to the Center of the Earth, a breath-taking and thrilling E-Ticket attraction based on Jules Verne's classic novel.  But what many guests may overlook is a second attraction in this mystical land: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.  Similarly inspired by a Jules Verne creation, this ride takes riders "underwater" in submarines remotely controlled by Captain Nemo and his crew.  Exploring the ocean deep, they descend into a shipwreck graveyard before a giant squid attacks!  Using electrical defense mechanisms saves the craft and its passengers but overheats the ship, leaving it helpless to sink into a deep abyss that turns out to be the ruins of the ancient civilization of Atlantis.  Discovered by mermen who reside in the deep, the craft is saved by the underwater creatures, who use a magical energy source to propel the ship back to the surface. 

The entire dark ride attraction lasts approximately 5 minutes, and it is impressively detailed and immersive (pun intended).  The ride effects even convincingly simulate an ocean dive--but no water is actually used in this attraction.  It's a testament to the attention to detail and technological advancements that make this ride such as wonderful and yet underrated attraction!

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea takes riders down into the ocean depths to explore a shipwreck gallery.

But ominous creatures lurk in the ruins.

Suddenly, a giant squid attacks!

Electric shock defense systems neutralize the threat.

The submersible is left powerless, however, and descends into a new and hidden series of ruins.

Just as the ship is observing, so it is observed!

It turns out that these are mermen from the ancient civilization of Atlantis.

Fortunately, they are friendly and they use an energy crystal to send the craft and its passengers safely back to the surface.