StormRider
StormRider was a simulator ride at Tokyo DisneySea. It simulated going into a storm in a futuristic aircraft (a "StormRider") to dissipate it.[2] The attraction opened on September 4, 2001, in the Port Discovery land of Tokyo DisneySea.[3] The attraction closed on May 17, 2016, and was replaced by a new Finding Nemo/Finding Dory simulator ride called Nemo & Friends SeaRider.[4]
| StormRider | |
|---|---|
 | |
 StormRider's attraction building | |
| Tokyo DisneySea | |
| Area | Port Discovery |
| Coordinates | 35°37′30″N 139°52′57″E |
| Status | Removed |
| Opening date | September 4, 2001 |
| Closing date | May 16, 2016 |
| Replaced by | Nemo & Friends SeaRider |
| Ride statistics | |
| Attraction type | Simulator ride |
| Designer | Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Theme | Futuristic storm-diffusing aircraft |
| Riders per vehicle | 122[1] |
| Duration | 14 minutes[1] |
| Height restriction | 90 cm (2 ft 11 in) |
| Sponsored by | JCB |
 Disney's Fastpass available | |
Ride
With its copper roofs and mechanical devices, the attraction building—the "Center for Weather Control"—was themed to a scientific laboratory, and perfectly fitted in with the rest of Port Discovery's retrofuturistic architecture. After entering the show building, guests entered a pre-show room where a gigantic radar is displayed as well as a model of a strange device. A researcher climbed on a podium and explained the mission, that there is a big storm approaching Port Discovery and guests are to deploy a "Fuse" (a storm-dissipating device) into the eye of the storm in a StormRider (a flying laboratory).
After a brief demonstration of the fuse (the device displayed), guests are dispatched into the hangar that houses the StormRider vehicles. They board one of the two flying labs docked there. When the protective windshield cover is opened, guests can see that their vehicle is now hovering outside the hangar, awaiting clearance to take off. As they wait, guests have views of the waters of Port Discovery and the ocean beyond. They can see that the other vehicle is hovering ahead. Clearance is given and the flight is underway. The sensation of takeoff is exciting, accentuated by the view out the windshield as Hydra 7, a floating city quickly disappears beneath the vehicle.
Nearing the huge, dark storm, it is clear to see that this is not just any average weather disturbance — this is the storm of the century, the greatest challenge for the StormRider pilots, and possibly, the most deadly. Suddenly a lightning strike renders the other StormRider incapable of completing the mission and it must return to base. Although the StormRider with the guests aboard is ordered to return as well, Captain Davis, the vehicle's pilot, feeling that he is within striking distance of the storm, ignores the order and continues on. But the Fuse doesn't operate as expected and punctures into the craft. After detonating the storm, the real thrill of StormRider begins with a while-knuckle race against time to make it back safely to Port Discovery.
In the end, the Stormrider manages to make a splash landing, but as soon as it stabilizes, the windshield closes, indicating the end of the mission. Then, the guests exit the cabin and walk outside.
See also
References
- "StormRider". Tokyo DisneySea. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- Geryak, Cole (July 12, 2018). "Disney Extinct Attractions: StormRider". The Laughing Place. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
- "StormRider (Tokyo DisneySea)". Parkz. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
- "New "Finding Nemo" attraction coming to Tokyo DisneySea Park in Spring 2017, StormRider to close". Inside the Magic. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.