Imagine a version of Tokyo Disneysea's Mount Prometheus coming to Disneyland. If you do some research and dig deep into Imagineering history with all those never built attractions, you'll discover an epic Tomorrowland mega- "E Ticket" that almost came to be: The Atlantis Expedition. With a large chunk of land from the Autopia as well as the old Motor Boat Cruise area, what would be built in its place was worth the change.
Tomorrowland was certainly overdue for a great and groundbreaking new attraction. It was also due for a major update in both theme and execution. Becoming stale, it no longer represented the idea of what could lie ahead. Discoveryland in Disneyland Paris took the futuristic theme and turned it on its side, choosing to create a land that looked at different aspects of what the future could be. Concepts from Jules Verne and H.G. Wells and others formed its core. With ideas from both the parks in Tokyo and in Paris, a plan began.
Concept art by the Imagineers boldly announced a coming attraction of significance, and rumors went wild. It was almost announced to the public until an innocent little fish got in the way. Finding Nemo gave the suits a reason to insist on cross-promotion and more character invasion in lands that were never meant to be their home.
Thanks to an unknown photographer.
Since there had to be a tie in to an Intellectual Property, I'm sure Tony and other Imagineers asked the suits to consider the film was Atlantis: The Lost Empire. This 2001 animated movie wasn't a hit, but it was a pretty good film, and it would have made for an epic adventure. The Disney of old didn't stop at how big a success a film was if it made the right addition to the park. I don't blame Tony Baxter for this change in plans. The man always did the best he could to ensure the flavor and legacy of Walt's Disneyland while adjusting to the requirements of the management du jour flavor of the month. In a move all too similar to what happened with Tarzan's Tree House, he had to roll with the suits demands because he just wanted to save Disneyland's iconic, much loved Submarine Voyage.
When this tarp was plastered on the Submarine Voyage tent, the Imagineers used it as a leveraging strategy to get the project a green light. As we now know, it wasn't to be.
Close up shot.
The potential plan for this enhanced attraction meant guests would ride in the subs to a secret dark and dangerous destination. They'd be forced to disembark because something went horribly wrong, boarding an escape vehicle for the rest of an adventure. Proving no good ideas go to waste, this sounds more than a bit like the story arc for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Guests would walk across two separate bridges into the heart of the caldera- and into a secret side building just hidden from view from the "mainland", making the Atlantis Expedition a one of a kind adventure. Indoors and outdoors and two ride systems with some part of the attraction being a walk through, all contained in a remote feeling piece of land. It could be easily marketed, proving irresistible to guests of all ages.
And a cool poster on top of it all!
Years ago, this insightful bit of information from the WDWMagic Boards came in to me. Much more information on this incredible plan and a copy of the proposed attraction poster:
"The poster was drawn by Josh Shipley and was suppose to be on the construction walls. Park management didn't like the idea and never put it up.
At the time, park management wanted to close the subs in order to send funding to Innoventions. They had no plans to put a new ride in. They just wanted to mothball the thing to save money. Unknown to park management, WDI came in and setup camp with the Atlantis Expedition sign. Park management saw the sign later that day and forced them to remove it. Later that day a flag with a trident on a blue background showed up. WDI left a few weeks later.
There is also the story about how Marty Sklar threaten to lay across Harbor Blvd if the subs were to be shut down without a replacement. He should have done it."
In his first decade, former CEO Michael Eisner would have had the guts to do this. I can't imagine Robert Iger would, and we know Bob Chapek certainly would not. For that matter, I do not trust the current management to do a great job with any envisioned Tomorrowland for Walt's park. Leave it until someone with some heart and guts takes the reigns- if that ever happens.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)
