-
at Hong Kong Disneyland
Pi wuz here to judge
AGP wuz here
Fozz wuz here
Outbound wuz here
Team Boats - Project 10
Legend of Mulan
Brer Panther wuz here
- The -
Space wuz here
Priest & Tegan wuz here 2!!
Introduction
Opening in 2005, Hong Kong Disneyland is one of the most quaint openings since the original Disneyland among the global Disney parks. And while its mountainside charm will bring a level of tranquility to guests of all ages, the main reason for visiting the park should be the attractions that it offers. And in all Magic Kingdom style parks, Fantasyland attractions hold their own as some of the ‘classics’ when guests think of Disney Parks.
Our intention at Team Boats with The Legend of Mulan is to inspire an entire new generation of fans based around the themes and narrative from the 1998 Disney animated film, Mulan. Near the tail end of the Disney Renaissance, Mulan is a film that has not had a major presence in theme parks before. Moreover, Mulan utilizes the elegant Chinese countryside to its atmospheric advantage, using mountains and water as the backdrop for the story. Given Hong Kong’s sub-tropical climate and need for a water ride, The Legend of Mulan will be an E-ticket water-ride and stand-out attraction amongst the Fantasylands of the world, being wholly unique to Hong Kong and the only Chinese Disney theme park.
1
Pre-Ride Experience
Placemaking & Feng Shui
The animated movie Mulan paints a combination of Adventure and Fantasy- Hong Kong Disneyland’s park design of Adventureland and Fantasyland being next to each other allows the ride to actually take place in BOTH lands- with elements fusing both sides even if the attraction is listed as a ride for Fantasyland. The complications of the blend actually allow Imagineers to think outside the box- similar to Mount Prometheus at DisneySea, the ride’s rockwork is harsher, snowy, and rough on the Adventureland side, and warm, bright, and whimsical on the Fantasyland side. The Legend of Mulan is a perfect transition to two unique lands. Feng Shui was also highly considered in the area’s construction process, from the map design allowing the flow of positive chi to the ritual incense burning at the completion of each milestone for the ride. There are 2,388 natural elements on the ride, a lucky number in Chinese culture.
Fantasyland
Adventureland
Queue | Entrance
Dominating the skyline of HKDL’s backside is the Icy Mountain, with a 50 ft drop plummeting down into nearby Adventureland. Crossing past Adventureland and into Fantasyland, the transition effortlessly shifts from the adventures of Ping to the fantasy of a Chinese Villa eras past.
Guests walk through the Fa Family Home, in Fantasyland, passing through the layered plan of a traditional Chinese House. Although resembling its brief appearance in the film, considering the enlarged scale and and Hong Kong location the house is partly updated for more cultural authenticity. This includes an interrupted entry (Feng Shui), a screen hall, and tiered residences for each progressive generations of a family, with the eldest heads at the back.
Entry Facade | Fa Family Home, Fantasyland View
50 ft Drop | Ice Mountain, Adventureland View
Queue | Home + Gardens
Moving between the open courtyard of the Home (which may be transformed into a switchback queue on particularly busy days), the queue briefly enters the Main Hall. Here, memorabilia of Fa Mulan’s journey can be seen, including gifts received at the film’s end:
Before passing outside, into beautiful idyllic gardens approaching the family temple:
Queue | Nature
As we pass, each step takes us closer to the family ancestors. From iconic waterfalls, idyllic trees, and majestic birds; it’s like a traditional painting come alive. Forced perspective “mountains” in the background add an impressive scale. A small bridge is perfect for photo opportunities.
Entering the small gazebo, the pre-show begins.
Pre-show
The Legend of Mulan takes the Preshow into an entirely new level, even while being a repaint of different technology from the parks. Its source inspiration comes from Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, which will never be in HKDL for concerns about Chinese beliefs on ghosts and the spirit world. The entire pre-show takes place in the Fa Family Gazebo/Shrine, which is a shrine dedicated to the Fa families ancestors. The building uses reverse forced perspective- its big size is altered with genius Imagineering design to allow it to appear smaller than it actually is.
The room is modeled very similarly to the movie, a circular room with inscription stones ring around its perimeter. Each one is reflective, just like as we see in the Reflections song, where Mulan can be seen reflected everywhere in this dim room. A small stone pedestal can be seen near the back of the room, high above the guests but still with a visible top. When the room is filled and the doors close, steam fill the room and the pre-show begins.
Pre-show
The Pre-show is in Chinese, but is translated to English for the viewer’s benefit.
The steam fades, and from the stone pedestal rises an animatronic Mushu.
Mushu: Why hello there, everyone! My name is Mushu, guardian of the Fa’s family. I’m here to tell you the story of Mulan, the greatest hero in all of China. Also…
Mushu scratches his head. Thinking about what he was supposed to say.
Mushu: Oh yes! The Ancestors!
A small gong rises from behind Mushu. He spins around and appears to bang it eight ties. As the bongs continue, blue light begins to flicker. Suddenly, the ceiling begins to rise. It begins to “grow” magically as whooshes of air whirl across the room. Then the Ancestors appear. Using the Pepper’s Ghost illusion, they appear to be translucent, but clearly above our heads. The entire time Mushu bangs the gong, the room is actually moving downwards, just like the HM ride in Disneyland. Evidently, these movement will be useful later…
Pre-show
Ancestors: MUSHU!
First Ancestor Fa: Why have you called us?
Mushu: The guests! We have- we have guests! Remember you told me to call a meeting when they arrive?
First Ancestor Fa: Ah, indeed so. Welcome everyone to the Fa Gazebo. I’m sure you’re here to listen to the story of Fa Mulan.
Unnamed Ancestor 1: She is a hero.
Unnamed Ancestor 2: She fought the Huns, and won.
Unnamed Ancestor 3: She brought honor to us all.
First Ancestor Fa: Today, instead of telling you the story of Fa Mulan, we will show you her story. Rise!
Ancestors: Rise!
Mushu Bangs his gong aggressively. The mirrors in the center shift and move, glowing blue light coalescing and forming a doorway. They enter an underground corridor, which passes into Adventureland, and into the Legend of Mulan.
Ride Vehicles
The attraction's ride vehicles are designed after the firework rocket used by Mulan during the film's iconic avalanche sequence. Each log is fronted by the head of a snarling red dragon (whose eyes light up in darker scenes, or if you're riding at night). The seating is single-file, a la Disneyland's Splash Mountain, with a total of four guests fitting per log. Sorry, no lap bars - you'll just have to remember to stay seated with your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the log. Oh, and be sure to watch your kids.
Ride-through | Boarding
Having passed through the preshow and the second queue phase, we’ve entered the inner sanctum for the Fa Family Temple. Low-hanging lanterns line the enlarged room, with red banners and ornately-decorated golden columns arranged orderly. At the center, a large river passes through its side, and the gentle trickling of water envelops the room.
Guests board the flumes and set off to experience the spirits’ Legend of Fa Mulan.
2
The Ride
statistics
Ride system
Attraction
time
Log flume
Designer: Team Boats Imagineering
Height Requirement: 90 cm (35 inches)
Duration: 8 minutes, 8 seconds, 8 milliseconds
Drops: 4
Highest Drop: 15.24 meters (50 feet)
Ride-through | Outside 1
(户外)
Departing the temple, the flumes enter a short black tunnel and turn slightly at angle to depart (not one for a straight exit, to dissuade less friendly spirits). In a globular screen projection, the image of Mushu appears, directly addressing each flume:
“Now, the story you’re about to witness is all courtesy of yours truly. You're welcome, Mulan! Couldn’t have done it without me… or maybe ya’ could have.”
“Bringing honor… to us all.”
Ride-through | Outside 1
Mushu’s spirit wisps away, and we take a step back in time. Outside the tunnel (now themed to rocks and nature) we exit into an idyllic rural Chinese landscape. Soothing flutes play in the background, as we gently stroll down the river.
Much like the opening to Splash Mountain, this exterior prologue sequence provides an extended tone-setter and outdoor breathing room before its characters are introduced. Here, the peaceful nature of rural China is highlighted, as well as its natural beauty.
Birds chirp, while cranes and frogs rest near the water (one frog spits a stream of water onto an unlucky passerby).
Just as we grow used to the scenery, the river gently flows into a half-open Village Temple, entering the first show-building.
Ride-through | Scene 1: Honor to Us All
(我们感到荣幸)
Building on Mushu’s last words, we enter the village, where the townsfolk are collectively singing “Honor to Us All”. Passing by, we are exposed to a short series of vignettes introducing Mulan and her mixed emotions.
Mulan: I'm here. [looks at her mother] What? But, Mama, I had to...
Fa Li: None of your excuses. Now, let's get you cleaned up.
Spurred to bring honor, we pass Mulan visiting a bathhouse (spraying the flumes with mist), a hair stylist, dressing shop, and make-up and flower comb. Each shows Mulan not fitting in as well as the other townsfolk, who each have their own sorts of brief moments to shine.
Click image to listen in Mandarin!
Ride-through | Scene 1: Honor to Us All
Mulan: Ancestors, hear my plea, Please don't let me make a fool of me.
At last, it is time to meet with the Matchmaker, yet as the flumes round the corner - BANG! - the Matchmaker is jumping down the middle of town square, with an accidental ink beard, spilled tea, and fire to boast.
Matchmaker: Why, you clumsy... Whoo Whoo! Aaah! Whoo! Aaah! You! You will never bring your family honor!
The boats depart the sequence as the song fades into the background and the rooms dims.
Ride-through | Scene 2: Reflections
(反射)
The lighting dims to near-twilight, as the flumes enter the outskirts of the village near the Fa Family Temple. We hear crickets and even see a few fireflies in the landscape.
Mulan sits at the Temple, singing “Reflections”. The quiet moment highlights Mulan’s difficult circumstance, between wanting to bring honor to her family and honor to herself. The flumes wrap around the miniature pagoda along the lakefront, lingering in the moment. Until suddenly, a voice calls out overhead, a soldier --
Soldier: Citizens! Our enemies have invaded! By decree, one from each family must serve in the army!
Mulan: But father! I know. I must serve in my father's place.
Click image to listen in Mandarin!
Ride-through | Scene 2: Reflections
And with that, Mulan begins her journey. Through the bushes on our left, we see Mulan’s father (Fa Zhou) who has just discovered her daughter’s departure. Distraught, he drops to pray, knowing only one can help her now:
Fa Zhou: Ancestors, hear our prayer. Watch over Mulan.
On our right, the ancestral lights shine awake, and Mushu (a screen projection) rises. Passing some obstructive bamboo, we witness a mighty projection of Mushu’s silhouette against a red background, surrounded by hot fire and crimson steam; declaring:
Mushu: It is I, Fa Family guardian! The powerful, the pleasurable, the indestructible Mushu!
Upon Mushu’s excited announcement, the flumes take a brief dive down a first 20-foot drop.
Ride-through | Outside 2
Down the first drop, the waters now pick up pace and the flume speed along with it. Energetic marching music plays, as Mulan and Mushu now must journey across the countryside to the camp. On our journey are painted signs, pointing to “camp” forward, but also “exhaustion” and “bad times”.
Swords, arrows, and armor are also laid down nearby. On a few occasions, wisps of fast wind ripple past, mimicking the shooting of training archery from the nearby campsite.
The flumes now enter the second show building.
Ride-through | Scene 3: Make a Man Out You
(成为一个男人)
Arriving at the camp, the soldiers sing “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” as they enthusiastically follow their hardworking captain, Li Shang,’s intense but committed training routine -- climbing rope, swinging swords, shooting arrows, and lifting heavy weights.
Shang: We must be swift as a coursing river!
(Be a man)
Shang: With all the force of a great typhoon!
(Be a man)
Shang: With all the strength of a raging fire!
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon!
Time is racing toward us!
Click image to listen in Mandarin!
Ride-through | Scene 3: Make a Man Out You
Throughout the sequence, the affable Chien Po, Yao, and Ling have mixed results in the training, providing comedic relief. And new recruit Ping (Mulan) proves herself as hardworking, dedicated, and honorable as the others (if not more so).
Finally, it is time to prove themselves, as a soldier frantically tells Captain Shang:
Soldier: Captain! Urgent news from the general! We're needed at the front!
Shang: They’re not ready… but we must march upwards… North!
The flumes begin their ascent up a long lift hill - “marching” North into the icey and treacherous mountains.
Ride-through | Scene 4: Mountain
(死亡山)
As the flumes ascend, the scene transitions: from the rural temperate landscape of the ride so far into the snowy mountains of Northern China. Snow and ice begin to form, vegetation recedes, and howling wind marks our heightened altitude. Finally, we made it! And triumphantly reaching the pivot of the lift, we are faced with:
Death.
All that is left is the lifeless remains of the General’s Army, the one we were meant to reinforce! We will stand no chance alone! Catching a moment of despair, weaving through the shattered remains, a rumbling suddenly approaches.
Ride-through | Scene 4: Mountain
Shang: Prepare to fight. If we die, we die with honor!
Dropping down a miniature (5 ft) drop, the sequence turns into a hopeless battle. The army is approaching rapidly, and it is clear that our heroes fare poorly. Worse, the flumes are even closer, and soon face against them! Brief encounters with enemy soldiers follow as the flumes dodge and weave along the glacial river.
Something must be done - when suddenly, Mulan has an idea.
Mulan: I have an idea! Aim that cannon!
The match is struck as the army completely overtakes the flumes’ path (only growing in number). A giant BOOM is heard overhead, triggering an avalanche!
Ride-through | Scene 4: Mountain
But first not before an up close and personal encounter with the giant and intimidating Shen Yu!
As the avalanche overtakes the scene, misty steam (mimicking snow) piles up at the end, hiding our view until the last second -- where we overlook a 50ft drop down the ice, offering pristine two-second views of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.
Ride-through | Outside 3
(户外)
We did it! Having survived the fall of the mighty avalanche, we have returned outside and down the mountain run-off into China proper. All around us are celebrations (for both Mulan, and us for overcoming this intimidating journey). Paper lanterns are strung over the river, with lights and flowers on either side of the waterbed. We hear Mulan’s friends celebrate and toast to her success - only for it to be cut short:
Let’s hear it for Ping, the bravest of us all!
King of the Mountain!
Shang: Huhh! We must see the Emperor about this!
The boats wrap around the outside (getting a good view of nearby Adventureland, possibly waving to any party members watching from that vantage point) before journeying back into the final show building and scene.
Ride-through | Scene 5: Hall of the Emperor
(皇宫)
We enter the Emperor’s Palace, where the Emperor of China stands overhead Shang and Mulan (whose identity has suddenly been discovered). The Emperor seems at first judgmental, even angry -- but then he bows, the highest honor one can give.
Emperor: I've heard a great deal about you, Fa Mulan. You broke many rules -- and you have saved us all.
Turning a corner, the flumes exit the hall and into the Imperial City at night. Vivid fireworks (screen projections), luminous lanterns, and a crowd of joyous citizens celebrate. Men, women, and children cheer our victory across the Imperial City and throughout all of China.
Ride-through | Scene 5: Hall of the Emperor
The crowd sings an alternate version of a familiar song, this time a celebration of Fa Mulan:
A girl worth fighting WITH!
That's what I said! Fa Mulan, a marvel of strength, with eyes that shine like stars!
A girl with a brain who speaks her mind!
A girl worth fighting WITH!
Emphasizing Mulan’s journey, accomplishments, and despite hiding her identity throughout her journey, is no less honorable. A giant ceremonial dragon lingers overhead, breathing gusts of “air” (water) down for one last splash. Nextdoor, for a brief visual gag, the trio of Chien Po, Yao, and Ling dress as women in the ceremony.
Ride-through | Scene 5: Hall of the Emperor
But despite the celebration, the ride concludes on a more intimate moment: a vignette of Mulan’s return home, as she embraces her father, her mother and grandmother nearby.
The flumes depart back into a black tunnel, weaving around the corner to return to the Fa Family Temple. Mushu appears overhead once… now amusedly crying tears of joy.
Huh, huh (sneeze)… what did I tell you? Mushu can watch anything, he won’t cry! (sneeze).
Thanks for watching fellas! Us spirits hope you enjoyed. And uhh, if you want, feel free to honor us by exiting in a calm and orderly fashion on your right. Please!!
Mulan: Father! I’ve brought gifts of honor.
Fa Zhou: The greatest gift in honor is having you for a daughter. I've missed you so.
Mulan: I've missed you too.
3
Post-Ride Experience
Mushu’s Mercantile
All of your favorite Mulan movie and attraction gear is available for purchase at Mushu’s Mercantile. For the warriors, there are plastic samurai swords and headpieces. Traditional Chinese clothing is also found here. For the character lovers, besides regular plush toys and figurines, there are Cri-Kee antenna headbands and as well as headbands with a small Mushu plush that hangs off a person’s head. A Mushu hat that covers their head allows guests to showcase the dragon character to others. Although fortune cookies are not originally from China, guests will appreciate Mulan’s gourmet fortune cookies (such as ones dipped in chocolate) come in a special boxed set for easy gifting.
The
The Spirits thank you for listening!
–
CREDITS
Introduction: @spacemt354
Area Map: @Lord Fozzinator
Placemaking: @Architectural Guinea Pig
Queue: @Architectural Guinea Pig & @Outbound
Pre-show: @Architectural Guinea Pig
Ride Vehicles: @Brer Panther
Ride-through: @Outbound�Ride Map: @Tegan pilots a chicken
Mandarin Translation: @Architectural Guinea Pig
Mushu's Mercantile: @ThemeParkPriest
End
片尾
你喜欢花木兰的历险记吗? 我们快完成了，所以我现在会给你唱首歌：
永远不会放弃你
永远不会让你失望
永远不会到处乱跑
和并伤害了你 <3