Don't let the diminutive size of this piece of Imagineering concept art fool you! The original Disneyland Submarine Voyage was huge on mystery, thrills, mermaids, and fun.
Tomorrowland premiered this fan favorite attraction in 1959, proving again Walt Disney's words that Disneyland would never be completed. Guests couldn't get enough of this incredible one of a kind experience.
The voyage through Liquid Space, with or without a little clownfish attached to it, remains thanks to Tony Baxter. It's still something that cannot be experienced in any other Disney park. (Their were plans for something more here, a journey to the lost city of Atlantis- rare concept art here- but the suits opted for the cheaper in the moment character attraction instead.)
The subs were also an opening day attraction at Walt Disney World, but the Magic Kingdom in Florida removed their beautiful 20K Leagues Under the Sea voyage and left it as an Ariel meet and greet - or just left it empty- for years. Eventually the space was filled in and New Fantasyland took hold. The stunning ships were destroyed aside from one found in the Bahamas as a snorkeling prop on Disney's private island for those cruising the beautiful teal waters.
Guests can ride a submarine at Tokyo DisneySea, but it isn't a real water filled adventure. Dry show sets are made to look real through the power of Imagineering skill. Nearby, the journey with the popular little clownfish is also dry- a simulator attraction that's enhanced by some in cabin effects. It's still not the real thing.
On the other side of the world at Disneyland Paris, the steampunk ship known as the Nautilus is open for exploration, but in reality, the painted concrete vessel of Jules Verne's Captain Nemo goes absolutely nowhere.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
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