Journey to the Center of the Earth (attraction)

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Journey to the Center of the Earth is a slot-car dark ride at Tokyo DisneySea in the Mysterious Island area, inspired by Jules Verne’s 1864 novel. It opened on September 4, 2001. The ride uses a high-speed slot-car system based on Test Track from Epcot. Riders sit in six-person mine cars and travel about 3 minutes at roughly 47 mph. The adventure starts at Mount Prometheus, Nemo’s base, where guests use Terravators to descend to a base station half a mile underground. There they pass a steam-powered bellows and supports that keep the cave safe while a warning system sounds. The cars then move through tunnels into the heart of the Earth, beginning in a glowing crystal cavern and a Mushroom Forest. An earthquake causes a cave-in, sending the car down a side branch with giant egg-like sacks. The journey continues to the Subterranean Sea, dodging electrified gas clouds, and ends in the fiery heart of an active volcano with a giant lava monster before returning to the surface. The ride’s music was composed by Buddy Baker. The attraction is 46 inches tall minimum, and riders must transfer from a wheelchair.