An Inside Look at Destination: Atlantis
by Joe Tracy, Publisher of Digital Media FX Magazine

Every year, the Disney Special Events department puts on its imagineering hat to design and build an interactive movie exhibit next to the historic El Capitan Theater. The exhibits usually accompany a major Disney animation release. Last year the elaborate three story exhibit brought dinosaurs to life in conjunction with the release of Disney's Dinosaur. This year, the creative team built a three story Atlantis exhibit, called Destination: Atlantis, for tens of thousands of moviegoers to enjoy after viewing Atlantis at the El Capitan Theatre.

When you enter the exhibit, you enter at "Sea Level" (aquarium exhibits, movie exhibits, interactive areas). When you go upstairs you are at "The Surface" (Atlantean Laser Tag). When you go downstairs you are at "The Ocean Depths" (more interactive areas including the ability to design your own crystal necklace).

The Destination: Atlantis exhibit took approximately six months of planning followed by several weeks of construction to make it a reality.

You are about to embark on a four-page visual journey through the world of Disney imagination as they bring the power of Atlantis to life for thousands of people through "Destination: Atlantis"

The Historic El Capitan Theatre is located in Hollywood at 6838 Hollywood Boulevard. This is across the street from the equally famous Mann's Chinese Theater. It is also where the Hollywood Walk of Fame (stars with the names of Hollywood greatest actors and actresses) grace the footpath of visitors. Atlantis is airing digitally at the El Capitan through July 15. The show times are 9:30am, 11:50am, 2:10pm, 4:35pm, 7:00pm, and 9:20pm. The ticket ordering line is 1-800-347-6396. Ticket prices are $13 for adults and $11 for children.

After viewing Atlantis at the El Capitan, customers are given free access, for up to two hours, to the huge Destination: Atlantis exhibit next door.

This promotional art sketch gives an idea of Disney's plan for the Destination: Atlantis exhibit. When visitors enter, they are immediately greeted by various aquarium exhibits (courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach) and a design representative of Disney's version of the lost city of Atlantis.

When you first walk into the exhibit, you are greeted with the effect of walking into a different world. In this case, Atlantis.

The main room, after entering, is the main exhibit of aquatic animals. There are a large selection available to see including Lionfish, Leopard Sharks, Bamboo Sharks, Port Jackson Sharks, Blue Spotted Stingrays, Cat Sharks, Sea Apples, Jellyfish, Moray, and Horsefish to name a few.

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All Destination: Atlantis pictures were taken by Joe Tracy and published here with the permission of Disney. Images are ©2001 Digital Media FX magazine and may not be republished or reused.