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Disneyland attraction poster, Nautilus silkscreen vintage attraction poster for the original Submarine Voyage ride in the Tomorrowland section of Disneyland. This classic attraction ran from 1959 until 1998 and was sponsored by General Dynamics.
Attraction Details
Opening & Closing: The Submarine Voyage officially opened on June 14, 1959, as one of Disneyland's first "E-Ticket" attractions, and it closed on September 8, 1998.
Design & Inspiration: The ride was loosely inspired by the real-life 1958 voyage of the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, to the North Pole. Technical advice for the ride's submarine vehicles was provided by General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division, which built actual U.S. Navy subs.
The Experience: Guests would board one of eight "submarines" (which were actually boats that did not fully submerge) and embark on a simulated underwater journey. The voyage included sights like a graveyard of ships, the North Pole under the ice cap, the lost continent of Atlantis, mermaids, and a giant sea serpent.
The Mermaids: During the summers from 1959 to 1967, live female cast members dressed as mermaids could be seen sunbathing and swimming in the lagoon, a feature that was eventually discontinued due to operational and health concerns.
Current Status: The original attraction was eventually re-themed and reopened in June 2007 as the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which uses the same lagoon and original submarine vehicles, but with an updated story and effects based on the Pixar film Finding Nemo. |
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