The Extinct Attractions Discussion Series: Submarine Voyage+

[Loomis]

I don't want to step on anyone's (Escapay's) toes, but I thought I'd continue this interesting series:

The Extinct Attractions Discussion Series: Submarine Voyage/20000 Leagues Under the Sea
Part One - Alien Encounter
Part Two - Horizons
Part Three - America Sings
Part Four - Submarine Voyage/20000 Leagues Under the Sea



Statistics

Submarine Voyage
Opened June 1959, the Nautilus and seven sister submarines—the Triton, Sea Wolf, Skate, Skipjack, George Washington, Patrick Henry, and Ethan Allen— allowed 38 Disneyland guests at a time to take their own voyage to the North Pole.

1980s - 6 names changed to Neptune, Sea Star, Explorer, Seeker, Argonaut, and Triton—while two kept familiar names, Nautilus and Sea Wolf. Repainted Yellow.

September 1998, the Submarine Voyage carried its last passenger.

As of September 2005, there are massive signs around the area proclaiming a Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage will debut in that spot in 2007.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, the Florida counterpart of the Submarine Voyage, opened in 1971 but has been closed since 1994.

A similar version exists at Tokyo DisneySea.

The subs in all their yellow glory:

--------------------------------

I have vivid memories of riding the Submarine Voyage back in 1987, and it was one of my favourite rides in the park. I was 8 at the time and less discerning, but I thought it was an outstanding underwater adventure. (Out of all the underwater adventures I had experienced at that point in my life).

Disappointing not to see it, or something like it, there now.

Anybody else remember this one, or the Floridian counterpart?

[Escapay]

I don't want to step on anyone's (Escapay's) toes, but I thought I'd continue this interesting series:
[snip]
Anybody else remember this one, or the Floridian counterpart?

That's okay, Loom, we can both do it, lol. Snowbot hasn't been around for awhile, so someone else can take up the regular Attractions Discussion series as well.

As for me, I only remember riding Submarine Voyage once, in DLR back in 1998. Of course, during all our trips to WDW-MK when I was younger, we ALWAYS wanted to go on 20,000 Leagues, but never had time. Our mom called it "20,000 Submarines", because she'd often get the two mixed up, lol.

Escapay

[Loomis]

Despite the lack of caring over this thread (it is an old ride after all), here is a photo of thr area where the Finding Nemo ride will be:

http://albums.mouseplanet.com/DLSubmari ... ichael.jpg

(From Mouseplanet)

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I remember riding this ride in about the same exact year it closed!

I really enjoyed seeing the sharks, mermaids and all the other animatronics! I just loved the fact that I was underwater.

However my memory is a little rusty considering I only went on it once, but I liked it!

No need to say why I DON'T like Finding Nemo coming in again!

[Mr. Toad]

I remember this vividly. Took it in at least six times 76/79/83/92/96/97.

Really liked it. Nicely themed ride. Soom real cool immagineering. Really felt like you were diving.

Its problem was the loading que which was an extremely slow loader. I wonder if they have any solutions for that with the Nemo ride - I doubt it.
Probably going to be huge lineups for the first year.

This forum is making me really long for Disneyland. Despite my trip to WDW last year it is three years this weekend since I have been to Disneyland. Longest I have gone since that 92 to 96 gap above.

[Loomis]

Retelling Nemo (need to register)

(Kevin) Rafferty spends most of his time these days at the Submarine lagoon, getting ready to open a new attraction next year. The old subs closed in 1998. He talked about how the ride developed, and how he became an Imagineer.

Q: What are some of the challenges in telling a story that's under water?

A: Our first instinct is to create a linear story. But on a 32-foot submarine, with a series of individual scenes and characters, the people at the front end of the sub will not see the same thing (passing through) as those at the end. … In my 28 years, this has been the biggest story challenge for us to figure out. The guest in the front of the sub will get a different audio and visual portion than someone at the end, but it will all be equal show value and they'll all get the gist of that scene and the meat of the story. ... The exciting part is that we'll have it all done and tested in a virtual world before we put it in the subs.

Q. There are separate portholes in the subs to see the story, but how will people hear different audio tracks?

A. We're developing audio with new fidelity that you've never heard before – and a killer sub woofer.

[memnv]

I used to love the Submarine ride at Disney World. last time I went on it was 1979. When I went to Disneyland I was sad to see it was closed but happy to see a Finding Nemo ride opening in 2007, I plan to go for a week right before christmas in 2008

[jwa1107]

by the time I went to WDW, the Nautilus was gone.
when I got to DLP, the Nautilus was still there but closed that day.
I was very sad.

Les Mystères du Nautilus is on my must-see/do list for our return visit to DLP

[dizfan]

The version at Tokyo DisneySea is similar in name only. The attraction is very very different.

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

This was one my parents never really liked the line for (it was very long and slow-moving), but though dated, this ride was awesome. I rode both Submarine Voyage at DL (my dad actually ran the video camera during the ride, so we have this preserved forever on a vacation tape) and 20,000 Leagues at WDW. I loved this ride; though the scenes weren't very technically advanced, the concept was so cool. Very original and lots of fun. I miss them both.

Wish WDW would get a new sub ride like DL...Pooh's Playful Spot just doesn't cut it for me.

[Loomis]

Wish WDW would get a new sub ride like DL...Pooh's Playful Spot just doesn't cut it for me.

What if they introduced a bucket of water to stand in?

[Disney Princess Ariellen]

What if they introduced a bucket of water to stand in?

LOL. If there was a giant fake looking sea creature in the middle of the Hundred Acre Wood AND a bucket of water, that might do it.

[singerguy04]

I've been on both the ride at WDW and DL and i miss them! I loved them when i was little. My mom hated them becacuse the only thing she remembers about it is how hot it got in the subs. I love that DL is getting a Finding Nemo ride though. I think it's an awesome idea that embraces what was there once. Maybe WDW will follow suite at some point.

[Karushifa]

Heheheh. My mom HATED 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, mostly because she was extremely claustrophobic. Of course, I thought it was the best ride ever, and was severely bummed when it closed.

I like the idea of a Finding Nemo ride, though...after all, today's kids didn't grow up with the 20,000 Leagues movie, and Nemo probably will entertain them more. Plus, Nemo is awesome, of course.

Now, what I wouldn't give for an Incredibles ride...

[AwallaceUNC]

I never got to ride 20KL... :sigh:. I remember it being there, but I was terrified at the time, and refused to go under the water. Of course, I regret that now.

-Aaron

[Loomis]

I never got to ride 20KL... :sigh:. I remember it being there, but I was terrified at the time, and refused to go under the water. Of course, I regret that now.

-Aaron

You'll get your chance next year when it become all Nemo-y.

It is actually shaping up to be quite a spectacular ride.

[Loomis]

New concept art for Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage from DisneylandNews:









If they don't appear, hi-res art can be found here:

http://www.disneylandnews.com/images...n/NemoSub1.jpg
http://www.disneylandnews.com/images...n/NemoSub2.jpg
http://www.disneylandnews.com/images...n/NemoSub3.jpg
http://www.disneylandnews.com/images...n/NemoSub4.jpg

[Karushifa]

Awww, those pictures are so cute! I especially like the "rats with wings" on the buoy. That's a nice touch.

[Loomis]

I don't know if it is worth mentioning, but today is the 47th anniversary of the 1959 opening of the Submarine Voyage.

It has also been 47 years since:

- Disneyland's Matterhorn Mountain opened

- The Disneyland Monorail carried it's first passengers


I'm full of knowledge. Or at least web-searching skills. I'm full of something. We can all agree on that.

[Kram Nebuer]

I'm full of something. We can all agree on that.

Cheese

Speaking of which, while googling pictures of cheese I found this...it was cute, hehehe



Back on topic! Those are awesome pics of the new Nemo subs! I remember riding the original Submarine Voyage for the first and last time in 1998. We just missed the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at WDW after it closed when we visited in 1993. It was great to experience the attraction. I rremember a kid asked one of the CM's if the fish were real and of course, he said "yes" and I was excited to see the real fish and of course I was disappointed. I'm glad we have the new Nemo ride though. It would be cooler tho if they merged Nemo characters with The Little Mermaid characters. That would've been more of a classic Disney ride to me.