Disney Submarine Voyage
Disneyland Underwater Attraction on Collectible Postcards.
Disneyland’s submarine fleet came into being in June 1959 though the original concept dates back to 1954 when Walt Disney talked about a submarine ride to compliment his latest motion picture, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Disneyland was just a dream then and the idea was put aside for a later date. Initially it was thought to have the submarines operate on a system similar to cable cars but by opening day this idea was changed to diesel engines.
The First Attraction
The eight Disneyland submarines were painted gray and originally named after actual US Navy subs. They were Nautilus, Seawolf, Skate, Triton, Ethan Allen, Patrick Henry, George Washington and Skipjack.
The submarines run on a track at 1.7 miles per hour and never actually submerge though the illusion of doing so is superb. The 52-foot long ships hold a pilot and 38 passengers. The original voyage took guests though coral reefs, past sunken ships, under the North Pole, through the ruins of the drowned city of Atlantis and face to face with a sea serpent. (Card #1).
Mermaids
In 1965 a new twist was added when young women in mermaid costumes took up residence in the waters of the attraction. (Card #2). Unfortunately this led to more problems as love sick guests would sometimes attempt to swim out to the mermaids. The chemicals in the water also made some of the mermaids sick not to mention turning their blonde hair a greenish tinge. In 1967 the live mermaids gave way to their audio-animatric counterparts.
Reburbishment
The submarines were renamed and painted bright yellow in 1980 to resemble scientific research vessels rather than warships. The new names were Argonaut, Explorer, Neptune, Sea Star, Sea Wolf, Seeker, (Card #3) and Triton. Nautilus retained its name.
Over time the Submarine Voyage became dated and when compared to many of the thrill rides now in the park it lost its appeal. Added to this was the enormous cost of keeping the well worn components working properly as divers scoured the lagoon every night cleaning up debris and making repairs. In September 1998 the ride was closed down.
Finding Nemo
The waters of the submarine lagoon remain tranquil for many years. Finally, activity started in the area again and in June 2007 the ships once again began their circuitous tour, this time through seas straight from the Disney-Pixar motion picture Finding Nemo. (Card #4). The staging area has been redone, the engines have been converted to electricity and two more seats added to the submarine’s capacity. The new expedition begins by observing an underwater volcano but before long the whole gang of frisky fish is fluttering before the portholes. Soon it’s off to find Nemo with Marlin, Dory and the turtle dude, Crush. And, about that volcano, its erupts!
Trivia
- the 8 Disneyland submarines cost $800,000 to build in 1959
- the submarine lagoon holds nine million gallons of water
- the attraction was originally billed as "a voyage through liquid space"
For more postcards and behind the scenes information on Disneyland see Disney’s Sleeping Beauty Castle, Splash Mountain and Casey Jr. Circus Train on Postcards
Postcards
- Card 1 – "A panoramic view of Disneyland’s Tomorrowland as seen from the Matterhorn mountain." (E-15) c Walt Disney Productions
- Card 2 – "…explore the mysteries of the Seven Seas aboard authentic submarines…" (1-334) c Walt Disney Productions
- Card 3 – "The submarines of the Disneyland fleet voyage through liquid space…" (0100-11209) c Disney
- Card 4 – "Finding Nemo" (Pc57-NE-GEN 1226) c Disney/Pixar
Bibliography
- Dave Smith – Disney A to Z: The Official Encyclopedia - 2006
- Randy Bright – Disneyland: Inside Story – 1987
- Bruce Gordon and David Mumford – Disneyland: The Nickel Tour – 1995
- Birnbaum Guides – Disneyland Resort 2008
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